The Statesman.
London, England, 1822-11-30 00:00:00

Tilt STATMAN,

INSOLVENT DEBTORS AC T.

(rROM TILL COVINTRY litliALD Or MOLT )
A public meeting was yesterday holden at the County I
Hall, in this city, fur the pnrpose of considering the pro-
;piety of petitioning Parliament for an amendment of
the presentilaws respecting Insolvent Debtors, which was
most respectably attended.
The MAYOR being called to the Chair, briefly opened
the business of the meeting; and Mr. Carter, the Town
Clerk, having read the Requisition, the Mayor observed,
that se well was he convinced, not only of the propriety,
hat of the absolute necessity, of the object set forth in the
Requisition, that immediately on receiving it, he decided
on calling a meeting on the earliest flay that appeared to
present itself,allowing due notice to be given. Ile feltthat
there could be but one opinion as to the necessity of the
measure for which this meeting' was called—that of peti- ,
tioning Parliament fur the repeal of the present Insol-
vent Deboors' Act. It was not his iutrntion, neither
was it for him as Chairman, to off r spy lengthened oh-
aervations to the-meeting. He hail no doubt, that, feel-
ing the importance of the subject, there were gentlenteu
present who hadzoine prepared to enter upon it; and lie
should be most happy to attend to any observations from
them, and in every way possible to facilitate the object
for which they were assembled.
Mr. Beck then rose. lie said he was quite satisfied
that every Gentleman present would agree with him in
what lie was about to offer to their notice, respecting the
Act for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors. It would be
quite unnecessary for him to dilate on the subject of the
present meeting, as it would be a reflection on the
Gentlemen present to suppose it necessary that Ire shout&
use any arguments to convince them of the bad effects
of this iniquitous act (as he might so term it); for he
had' no doubt they had all experienced its injurious
consequences. He was satisfied that the Act was pea-
-1 sed from motives of humanity, to relieve honest nnfor-
innate debtors, but it was evident that it had failed—
that it had been grossly perverted—that it had produced
an effect stirred! contrary to that for which it was ori-
ginally intended—and that it was calculated in its opera.
tions to benefit the fraudulent debtor, to the honest and
industrious trader.—He (Mr. Beek) was sore he should
have the opinions of all Gentlemen present in favour
of embracing this opportunity of petitioning for its re
peal. The professional Gentlemen present, as well as
the Commercial, would, be bel.ereil, gladly join with
them in so doing t for he understood, that even with
regard to them it might be said in some measure
Othello's ocenpation's gone,"
as they also felt its injurious effects. lie should no
longer detain them, but submit for their adoption a
resolution founded on the remarks he had made.
Mr. W 11.3107 said, he conceived there could be but one
opinion, as stated by the Mayor, upon this subject. It
is in the know ledge of all trades persona, that the facili-
ties with which debtors are discharged from just debts
have been greatly encreasing every Jay since the Act
has been in operation. He had seen a statement in a
newspaper, that since the Act has passed, the debts of
those who had taken the benefit of it had amounted to
about nine millions of money, and that only :60001.
had been paid upon that amount. Mr. iVilmot then
stated a case which had come before him professionally,
in which a debtor requested one of his creditors, to
whom he stood indebted 201 to arrest him, in order that
he might go to prison, and take the benefit of rho Act;
stating. that he (the debtor) would give him Vied seen-
rity for his debt of 20f. ; his object was to avail himself
of the benefit of the Act, and thereby defraud all his
creditors, except the one who should-be the means of
enabling him to avail himself of it. lint this Pea pre-
vented by Mr. Witmot giving the creditor, who Was his
client, such advice as :ended to counteract it.. - - wee
Mr. SrAll!tald be bed iwys =l„....wieu at=

WWI, Ate lareirbrMralrlMMMattva TO
the
amount that had been paid by time debtors who had
taken the bend!' of this Act, and also farther
statements connected therewith, which he would read
to the Meeting.
(The statement read by Mr. Sharp is similar to that
which was read at the Meeting of the Inhabitants of
Bristol, and which appeared in TLe Statesman the
following •reek.)
Mr. Sharp concluded by saying, he thought, instead
of being entitled An Aet for the Belief of Insolvent
Debtors," it ought to be called "An Act for the Relief of
Frareest Debtors."
A number of Reaolations were p- wed unanimously,
and a Petition framed tlereon. The Prayer of the Pe-
tition is, we conceive, such, that every Tradesman will
most heartily join in; and we feel assured it will be very
rtainerourly signed.

An account was received from Bath in the cones, of
yesterday of the death of Don Francisco Antonio Zee,
the Colombian Minister, on Thursday evening, at the
York House;in that city, where be had been staying fur
a few days. The disorder of which be died was
dropsy.
Tattsmat.—About a year ago, a considerable ntinther
of gentlemen of property and high respectability in this
neighbourhood resolved upon associating themselves
for the better maintenance acd display of a virtuous at-
tachment to public liberty. An union composed of such
materials seemed to comprise all that was desirable in
patriotic sentiment, with every thing that was adapted
to its honourable and 'useful exposition. The motives
avowed were in the highest degree creditable to the
members of the association, who necessarily conferred, by
their individual respectability, a corresponding dignity
on theinstitutiou to which they had subscribed. The in-
itiatory meeting and public dinner, which took place in
consequence, augured the most welcome results for the
future interests of the body; and we have now the satis-
faction of stating that the accession of a considerable
number of gentlemen, eminent in station and powerful
in local influence, has placed this association far be-
yond the chance of a merely ephemeral existence.—
(Ilrentex Coaritr.)
A circumstance of considerable interest to the natu-
ralists may now be observed in Reading. A " Black
Martin, or Swift," as strong as in the summer months, Is
flying. chiefly in the line of- Broad-street, Butcherarow,
and King-street. This WO was first seen on the 13th
inst. The main body of these birds retire from this
country before the middle of August. generally by the
10th (which is but a short time after the flight of their
young). and not a single straggler is to be seen on the
kilth. 'This early retreat is wholly unaccoantable, as that
Bum is often the most delightful in the year. But, what
is yet more extraordinary, they begin to retire still ear-
lier in the most southerly parts of Andalusia ; where
they cab by no means he influenced by any defect of heat,
or even (as one would suppose) of food. This is one of
those incidents in natural history, which not only baffle
the lies of the naturalist, but elude' also his con-
jectures. It is recorded in " Bingl q's Animal Bio.
craphy," that is the month of Feb. 1766, a pair of
Swifts were found adhering by their claws, and in a
torpid state, under the roof of LungnorChapel, in Shrop-
shire : un being brought to the fire they revived, and
moved about the room.
CURIOUS Law CAM—A farmer's meadow, near New
York, was infested with grasshoppers, D:ea.ling the
destruction of his crop of hay, lie collected bis relatluns,
armed with fifes, drums, tin kettles. and frying Puns,
and drove them into the fields of hie next neighbour.
The crop of the latter was eoneermently in a few days
completely destroyed. He commenced an action for
trespass, and the jury found a verdict for the plaintiff-
-14 dollars damages and coats.

DRURY•LA'd6 lIIICATREs

Lest l'ight's performance proffered en overflow. ThOTO
yes the same anxiety on the pert of the public. as was ma-
nifested at the Tragedy of Oarflo, and the same exertion on
the perkof the two Tragic Heroes to reword that anxiety.—
terwse's master-piece of Venice Preserved was the Play;
Mr. Youtsb was the Pierre, and Mr. KEAN the
Pierre, with all his faults, is a powerful drEmetie character;
APT, with all his love, cuts but a very sorry figure so far
as his actions Jail principles are concerned. but the situ,-
lions in whieli he is placed, and the poetical language In
which his sentiments are clothed, afford a great actor an op-
portunity not only of saving him (ruin contempt, but even of
raisins him into importance. We need scarcely say that this
was effected by Mr. KLAN. Mr. YOUNG'S Pierre always
struck us as a bold ant menly performance. The repetition
of last night was well calculated to confirm this opinion. for
it abounded In spirit and energy. His first scenes with Jaf-
fier were well managed, and his taunting botn of the con-
spirators and the senate were admirable. lie was also very
Impressive in the reproach of Jaffier's treachery. Mr.
KraN's Jaffier was a fine effort of the art. He contrived to
keep the baseness of the character out of view by the forms
whit which be depicted its agonies. Nothing could be more
solemn than the manner In which he delivered the oath; but
it is unnecessary to pert icularise further respecting efforts
30 well known. Mrs. West, in the character of Belridera,
exerted herself with cousidereble effect, and was deservedly
applauded in all the scenes. The whole went off with the
spirit that might be expected.
(Tense • CORIMPONDINT.)
The attraction of Mr. Kean and Mr. Young perform
log together, as Jaffier and Pierre, raised the expec-
Amine to such a height that long before the curtain drew
Isp tb.c hewn:twos crowded to an overflow, and apparently
;sot a seat was to be had. On Mr. Kean'. eatrh he was
.greeted with the most enthusiastic reception, by the
waving of hats and handkerchiefs, as was Mr. It oung.
We have before seen and noticed Mr. K. an in the cha-
racter ofJaifitr, and therefore it 'foes not need any
comment, other than lie performed It last eight with in-
creased effect 111 r. Young's Pierre is one of the finest
pieces of acting on the singe. The scene with Jaffler
rousing hint to join in his enterprise, and the scene atter
the conspirators had been condemned, were truly beau•
tiful and sublime. Mrs. West played Belvidera to the
greatest advantage, her mad scene was a chef &duvet of
acting ; and the whole of the performance appeared to
Ore universal satisfaction.

Earl Craven has ems farms untenanted, near New.
b u .B—m
0(
RDge! bury.—(Devisee
, n best eGazette.)
f.tst contemplate with pleasure
the grateful and lively sensations that are created in
others, when a great and noble character visits his es-
tates, affording confidence, comfort, and happiness to
thousands. As a proof we cannot refer to the little
town of Lismore, without noticing the effect of his Orac
the Dnke of Devonshire's late visit there; the thatched
cottages are vanishing fast, good substantial stone build-
ings erected in their place; a noble inn fit to entertain
the most sumptuous parties; and even the trading coin-
triunity greatly improving.—(Cork Mercury.)
On Tiiiirsday last, the noted John Coffee, charged
with carrying off the female witness from the Water•
ford Coach, and also with abduction, was apprel.ended
by a detachment of the county Limerick Staff, at Abing-
ton, and yesterday underwent an examination before
Captain Drought, at the Police Office. Coffee is fully
committed for trial.—(Limerick chronicle, NOP. 23)
ExTßaws CRILDULiTT.EXTIIAORDINART SBOWER.—••
- A reepeetalle Dissenting Clergyman of Kingsbridge
was in company the beginnicg of this week with some
of the disciples of that pseudo prophetess,Joanna South-
c" t; and on entering into conversatim with theft on
r ns topics, found them strictly adhering to the va-
tliot impostieraatmi amon saber blessings, ex-
mos I shower of asses. that the Sroldrilfibea may

disposing 011ie property its expectatioa of the event.-
-(ott. Freeholder.)
AVPRAT Iv THI SOUTRWARIE CRUM; YARD.—The
Undertaker, it appears, has mane the unmade honourable
to the Clergyman, and the Clergyman has undertaken
to forego all further proceedings.
ELRIMMINT.—Lient. H., an officer upon half-psy,
lodging in Queen-street, Bolden-sqelare, on Monday
morning hired a post chaise in Piccadilly, and left it
welting in Regent•street. In a few minutes afterwards
he came and handed a young lady of considerable for-
tune, residing in that neighbourhood, into it, and told
the post boy to drive as fast as he could down the Kent-
road. In half an hour afterwards the fugitives were
pursued by the lady's brother, who was armed with
pistols. He traced them to the Bricklayers' Arms,
when they quitted the chaise, and no further clue could
be obtained.
HRMARRADLS Snox.—On Monday, Mr. Osborne, of
Village Week, near Littlehampton, sprung a brace of
snipes, and when shooting at one, the other crossing at
the moment. he killed both at our shot.
There are at this time in a Gentleman's garden, near
Norwich, an entire bed of Alpine Strawberries in
NI blossom ; and about a fortnight since we observed
several hitt% n common roses in great beauty.
A farmer from Thormas'en, on Saturday sa'nnight,
took tie fine roasting pigs to Leicester market, which
be disposed of as follows, viz :—the first customer gave
2s. 6d. ; and the two nest 2s. each ; the last took the
other three at 4s.
At the Shirehall, Chelmsford, on Friday last, Joseph
Sliced, of Bury St. Edmund's, carrier. Wols convicted
ander the flame Laws, before the ,llsgistrates then
assembled. in the suns of 951. for having, in his carrier's
waggon, at Cheltnsford, on the Ist inst. two hares and
seventeen pheasants, which were traced to have come
from the bands of the leader of a horde of poachers who
infest the preshres of Lord Henniker and Sir Mites
Nightingale, Bart.
Frome Fair, on Monday, was not po,:well attended as
on former occasions; there was a large show of beasts,
but the sales were dull. Good Beef was scarce, but in-
ferior was dull in sale at reduced prices. Sheep were
penned in great numbers, but there were prime ewes, and
hat little business done. Superior stock was .rarce, and
rather on the advance; but middling and inferior luta
were on the decline.
Sheep sold briskly at Marlborough fair on Saturday
last, and folly supported the advanced prices obtained
at Andover lair.
At Kingsbridge market, on Saturday last, Barley sold
at 3s. 31. to 3s. per hushell, Wheat (o bite) from
4s. 9d. to 59. per 62! lbs.,lited 41 from 4s. 3d. to 44. fid.
Butler from ltd. to Is. per lb. (IS oss.), Potatoes 15.6.1.
per hag.
On Monday last, an inquest was held at Foleshill, in
this county, before John Cars er, Gent. Coroner for the
City and County, on view of the body of Roger Ser-
jeant, who died a few days before, in consequence of
souse severe injuries received about three weeks ago,
from Thomas Cleves, Robert Kelley, and Edward Riley,
all of that parish. who attacked him as they were all
four walking together, by tripping up his heels, falling
on him, and otherwise ill treating him; in doing which.
several of his ribs were fractured.—Verdict, ilanalangh-
ter.—The three tams ate all committed, under the Coro-
ner's warrant, to take their trials at the next Assizes for
this city and county,—(Corentry Herald.)
The Four Brothers fishing smack, of Harwich, James
Precious, master, yiekett up on Tuesday last. in the
Woltl, a boat, containing seven men, who had escaped
from a brig that struck ou *sand and immediately went
down, it blowing strong at the time and theses running
high. Had not the smack, providentially. fell in with
them, they would, in all probability, have petislied. The
meta were landed at liapplaburgh,

.

SHIPPINO.INTELLHANCE.
DIAL, Nov.29.—•Arrived, last night. and proceeded
So-day for the tiny, the Million, Andersen, for. the
Cape of Hood Hope and St. Hebrew Came down the
river, yesterday, the Alexander, Thompson, for Mt. DJ•
mingo. Last night, after post, the wind got round to
the NJ .W., and Several outward bound immediately
got ander weigh : it soon hatted again to the west-
ward; and blew hard. The whole of them bore np, ex.
cept the Sparrow Hawk, sloop of war. during which, the
Aeon, Sumner, for the Cape of Hood Hon droce on
board of the Cornelius, Brawn, from the U spe, and car-
ried away the latter's bowsprls; the Betsey; Don, from
Tobago, lost an anchor and cable. Arrived, to-day, ar
sailed for the river, the Maxwell, Phillips, from Js-
melee; and the Anthony, from Lisbon.—Wind W.S.W.
PORTSMOUTH, Nov. 29.—Arrived off, the Henry Por-
tlier, Stodd, from Reno!, all well, for ; left
Land Heads on the sth of June, Madras, on the 17th ~t;
July, Cape of Hood Hope on the 3.1 of October, and S.
Helena un the 17th of October.-IVin.l westerly.
FALMOUTH, Nov. 23.—Arrived, the Blucher Packet,
from the Mediterranean ; waled from Corfu en the Ma
of October, from Malta on the 24th, and from Gibraltar
on the 12th of Novemher. The Lord Wellington ar-
rived yesterday, from Quebec, veiled on the .25th alt. ;
bat lost all her sail!, nearly water-logged, peeler part
of her between deck COICO thrown overboard, and every
thing washed off the decks. One man killed, another
severely injured, and the rest of the crew quite norm
oot, by fatigue at the pimps. She has entaantere 1 a
succession of gales ever since sbe sailed ; ;shoat a week
• ago, spoke the Intrinsic, seppoed to be from Florida.'
rag, with both pumps going.—Wind S.W.

PEDESTRIAN MATCH AGAINST TIME.

-

Wright, the celebrated Yorkshire Pedestrian, wLo
started on Wednesday from the Crown and Barley Mow,
Gray's Inn-lane, to perform a match to Baldock and
hack, being a distance of 73 miles, for three successive
days, had yesterday performed his undertaking precisely
as follaws :
First Day,—He started at 12 o'clock, and arrived at
the White liart, Stevenage, being a distance of 31 and
a half miles, at half-past seven o'clock, and proceeded
onto the iVhite Lion, Balilock, (the extent of his jour.
nev) being 6 miles more, where he made at half-past
9.
and immediately returned to Stevenage, where he got • •
little before eleven. lie soon afterwards went to bed,.
and slept until 3 o'clock ;at half-past thtee lie started
towards town, where he arrived on Thursday at 40 lui';
notes after ten o'clock.
Second Day.—lie started at a quarterpast I'2 o'clock.'
and arrived at Stevenage exactly at a qnarter pelf. „,-41* 11
o'clock in the evening completely drenched with ttin."
lie then immediately stripped off his wet delfts/toile
refreshment, and went to heti, and slept till Sae -rater.
day morning—he then proceeded to Baldock, and ar-
rived there at half-past two o'clock. The landlord bat,
ing gone to bed, right called him op, refreshed him-
self, and instantly commenced his return to town. lie,
arrived at Stevenage at four o'clock ; he here stop;*l.•'
ten minntes, and got to Barnet five foliates before 9
he took breakfast, and intended to stop there three qaar-
ters of an hour ; hut on some friends arriving from town,
he found himself half an hour out of his calculation of
titre ; and after stopping 20 minutes, be proceeded one
his journey ; be was greeted by a numerous assemblage:
of spectators at the Barley Mow yesterday. 23 mionte• .
before 12 o'clock. He started off, after taking a coin.'
-*edge dialler of beeketrake, ,istactly at asittatif. • . -01

greeted his arrival.
When Wright fonnd by his friends yesterday morning,'
that he bad missed his time, he began to hurry himself •
between Barnet and Town, and thereby strained his
right thigh, which made htm come limping in. Bet:
notwithstanding his barkers and friends seem certain
his success, as well as persons in general, as the betting.
which was 5 to 2 against him at starting, is now become,
, leaving out his lameness, and the badness of the wear
t'ser, from such great odds to evens.; indeed, amongst
the numerousassemblage of betting men yesterday at
the Barley Slow, there was not one who would stake a
shilling, even betting against him ; nor were there hat
a few trilling bets made at all, and these In his tivonr.:
He is a strong bony man, 58 years of age, lOst.
•
weight, and 5 feet 6 inches high.

- ,
Sut BELLINOILISI —.ALAIIMING ACCIDENT.
—Extract of a Letter from Kirby, Leicestershire, listed
Nov. 29, from a Gentleman Sportsin :—" Sir Belling-
ham Graham bad a sad fall yesterday, and was laid for
some time under a hay.stack, until a canine eonld be
got, and 14311 then taken to the nearest house, when. hu
still remains; and though better, is very bad. 1 fear

the worst."
ACCIDENT watts anoovisto.—On Saturday last, as
J. Ekless, Krq. of Waterton Bridge, was shooting wild
fowl on the river near his house, his gun unfortunately -
burst, carrying off ran of two fingers, and other wise
lacerating his left band. Providentially, troth hands.
were behind tile breech (a circumstance which cannot"' .
he too strongly impressed on those who are in the battik .
of shooting) or the man must have been turn off, tbs..
barrel, stock, having been literally blown to piece*. • :
Snot-tits() St:mum—Yesterday morning, Mr. C:
Kendall, of Salisbury-street, Adelphi, Strand. (inventor
of the Life Preserver, in case of shipwreck) in a fit
insanity, inflicted several wounds in his throat, with tv
razor, which canard his death almost instantly. Ills
conditian, when discovered by his family, is too shock-
ing to describe. He had been desponding for some'
tittle. An inqnest will sit on the body ro-night.
ItnisTot. MAIL.—AS this mail from London on Toes-
day list was changing horsetat Froxli,ld, owing to some
altercation between the coachman and horse-keeper, the
horses set off without coachman or guard. An outside
and inside passenger were injured, bit two gentlemen
(Mr. Ricketts, of this city. and Dr. Sowers, of Mendip-
lodge), by keeping their state, erkispc,l nabort.
horses went on at a steady quick pace, till they reached
the gate at the entrance to Marlborough-forts% wher!t
one of the leaders struck against the gate, and broke
from the rest : the coach mat dragged by the three re.-
inaining horses into the forest, and hrought to a stand •
still amongst the trees; in about2Ouilnutes a Bath roach
rave up with coachman and guard, and with proper a:.
sistance the mail proceeded ; the coachman not forget-
ting at the end of the stage to ask for hisfeeforsateatiod.
—(Bristal Gazette)
On Thursday, the parish officers of flungerford bar-
ing received information that there were some London
body-snatchers in the Neighbourhood, they kept watch
throughout the night; en Fria:tramming they took a
man and woman into cuttotly, jut ax they were deliver-
ing a hoz to go by the Marlhorou..th coach to London.
Ti:i4 box the parish offie!era opened, and Sound its it die
body of a man, which was prover' to have been irks
from the churchyard of Sven, near Newbury, whets It
had been interred the previous Monday. 'Fbe name 41
the deceased is Andrews, a pauper, of Spree, 93 penis
of age; and although when flying, he was Mx "t-get :stir
inches high, the wretchescontrived to pufhis btidg
a hos not more than two fort tea in length I The ours
and woman were calamities to prison by Potwar Crantp;
Esq., for a ferther.exansination. tiie same eveniek,
Mr. Pearce; of Newbury, took two more of the party.:st