350 Manufacturer. Bankrupts. Makinson & Co., Temple; Atkinson & Co., Manchester. Feb. 14. Collins, Francis, Leominster, Hereford, Scrivener, and Cider Merchant. Smith, Chancery Lane; Hammond, Leominster. Feb. 14. Chalmers, David, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk; and of the city of Norwich, Linen Draper and Tea Dealer. Reynolds & Co., Great Yarmouth; Clarke & Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. Feb. 14. Chappé, Jean Baptiste Paul, Manchester, Cotton Spinner and Cotton Thread Manufacturer. Johnson & Co., Temple; Higson & Co., Manchester. Feb. 18. Clarke, Charles, Great Malvern, Worcester, Innkeeper. White & Co., Bedford Row; Corbett & Co., Worcester. Feb. 18. Charlton, Edward, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Gateshead, Durham, Scrivener and Brewer. Williamson & Co., Verulam Buildings, Gray's Inn; Dees, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Feb. 18. Carter, Thomas, Cheapside, and Aldermanbury, London, Woollen Draper and Tailor. Green, Off. Ass.; Dods & Co., Northumberland Street, Strand. Feb. 21. Clark, Theodore Frederick, Liverpool, Linen Dra per and Mercer. Makinson & Co., Temple; Atkinson & Co., Manchester. Feb. 21. Drake, James, Birmingham, Bookseller. Arnold & Co., or James, Birmingham; Church, Great James Street. Feb. 14. Dartnall, William, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Ca binet Maker and Upholsterer. Baylis, Devonshire Square; Messrs. Winterbotham, Cheltenham. Feb. 21. Emmitt, George Andrew, (commonly called George Emmitt,) Walworth Road, Surrey, Grocer. Elsdon, Robert, and John Young, Newcastle-upon- Feb. 11. Co., Bartlett's Buildings; Hinton, Bristol. Fussell, Austin, Oxford, Ironmonger. Dudley & Foster, Jonas, William Foster, and Matthew Fos. ter, Warley, Halifax, York, Manufacturers. Foster, Henry, Newington Causeway, Southwark, Fenwick, Manners, St. James's Place, St. James's Street, Man Milliner. Graham, Off. Ass.; à Beckett, Golden Square. Feb. 11. Greenhow, Richard, Wrexham, Denbigh, Iron and Coal Master. Clarke & Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields; Messrs. Grundy, Bury. Jan. 21. Griffith, Joseph, Wigan, Printer and Stationer. Armstrong, Staple Inn; Ackerley, Wigan. Jan. 31. Gilligan, John, Ham, Surrey, Baker and Builder. Johnson, Off. Ass.; Willoughby & Co., Clifford's Inn. Feb. 7. Green, William, Gorleston, Suffolk, Cattle Dealer and Brick Maker. Cufaude, Great Yarmouth; Rickards & Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. Feb. 11. Greenfield, Thomas, and Daniel Greenfield, jun., Birmingham, German Silver Polishers. Austen & Co., Raymond Buildings, Gray's Inn; Reece, Glenny, George, of the Strand; and of Woorton Hardy, James, Wednesbury, Stafford, Iron Master. Hind, Samuel, Sekforde Street, Clerkenwell, Grocer. Turquand, Off. Ass.; Ashley, Shoreditch. Jan. 24. Hetherington, Edw., Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Cheese- Harris, Lewis, Birmingham, Factor. Yates, Birm- Harding, Thos. Robt., Wormwood Street, London, Furrier. Johnson, Off. Ass; Ashurst & Co., Cheapside. Feb. 14. Humphreys, Wm., Carnarvon, Grocer and Tea Dealer. Lowe, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane; Roberts, Carnarvon. Feb. 18. Horrox, James, Radcliffe and Manchester, Lan caster, Calico Printer. Johnson & Co., Temple; Bagshaw & Co., Manchester. Feb 18. Horrox, Richard, Radcliffe, and of Manchester, Lancastor, Calico Printer. Johnsen & Co., Temple; Bagshaw & Co., Manchester. Feb. 18. Howard, Thos. Salford, Lancaster, Victualler. Dobinson, Gray's Inn Square; Prescott, Manchester. Feb. 21. Johnson, Richard, Bridlington, York, Innkeeper. Smithson & Co., Southampton Builings, Chancery Lane; Foster, Driffield. Jan 24. Johnson, Samuel, Macclesfield, York, Silk Throwster. Johnson & Co., Temple; Bagshaw & Co., Manchester. Jan. 24. Jones, Robt. Jun., Carnarvon, Tailor and Draper. Griffith, Carnarvon; Widdows, Copthall Court. Feb. 4. Jacques, Richard, Tottenham Court Road, Wax and Tallow Chandler. Clark, Off. Ass.; Adamson, Ely Place. Feb. 11. Jones, Thos, Patricroft, Lancaster, Draper. Appleby, King's Road, Bedford Row; Oliver, Manchester. Feb. 18. Kirby, Thos., New Bond Street, Oilman and Con fectioner. Whitmore, Off. Ass.; Allen & Co., Carlisle Street. Feb. 4. Latham, Josh., and Wm. Latham, Ashton in Makerfield, Lancaster, Cotton Spinners. Taylor & Co., Bedford Row; Lowndes & Co., Liverpool. Jan. 21. Lax, Elizth. Manchester, Innkeeper & Victuallar. Makinson & Co., Temple; Atkinson & Co., Manchester. Jan 24. Langston, Francis Legh, Old Broad St., London, Bankrupts. Willis & Co., Tokenhouse Yard; Johnson, Manchester. Feb. 11. Little, David, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Tea Dealer and Grocer. Reynolds & Co., Great Yarmouth; Clarke & Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. Feb. 14. Lawton, Joseph, Morley, York, Cloth Dresser. Robinson & Co., Essex Street, Strand; Middleton, Leeds. Feb. 21. Milne, Jas. and Edmund Milne, Newhey, Butter worth, Rochdale, Lancaster, Cotton Spinners. Smith, Chancery Lane; Shuttleworth, Holdgate; Roberts, Rochdale. Jan. 21. Moore, Peter, Kirwain, Glamorgan, Inn-keeper, Linen and Woollen Draper. Holme, & Co., New Inn; Prideaux, Bristol; Whittington & Co., Bristol. Jan. 21. Moile, James, Liverpool, Pawnbroker. Bridger, Finsbury Circus; Dodge, Liverpool. Jan. 24. Moss, Matthew, Sen., Matthew Moss. Jun., and Wm. Moss, Armley, Leeds, York, Cloth Manufacturers. Wiglesworth & Co., Gray's Inn; Richardson, Leeds. Feb. 4. Mayle, Henry, Bedford, late a Grocer and Tallow Chandler, but now a Soap Boiler and Tallow Marks, Mark, Blackman Street, Southwark, Sur rey, Carver and Gilder. Belcher, Off. Ass.; Gedye, Nicholas Lane. Feb. 7. Matthews, John, Barmby-upon-Dunn, York, Corn Marriott, Edwin, and Josiah Marriott, Northamp- chant. Keddell & Co., Fenchurch Street; Messrs. Smith, Devonport. Feb 14. Matthews, Samuel, James Pettet Warren, Nicholl Square, Cripplegate, London, Victualler. Abbott, Off. Ass.; Wood & Co., Corbet Court, Gracechurch Street. Feb. 18. Mason, John, Little Chester Street, Belgrave Sq., Livery Stable-keeper and Veterinary Surgeon. Groom, Off, Ass.; Brady, Staple Inn. Feb. 18. Murgatroyd, Benjn., Bradford, York, Worsted Spinner. Walter & Co., Symond's Inn; Tolson, Bradford. Feb. 18. Macdonald, Allexander, Addle St., London, Ware houseman & Boardinghouse Keeper. Abbott, Off. Ass.; Fuster & Co., Fish St. Hill. Feb. 21. Mills, Philip, Hosier Lane, West Smithfield, Victualler. Edwards, Off. Ass.; Teesdale & Co., Fenchurch Street. Feb. 21. Mellin, Richard John Sutcliffe, Wakefield, York, Dyer. Willis & Co., Tokenhouse Yard; Sykes, Wakefield; Blackburn, Leeds. Feb. 21. New, William, Ledbury, Hereford, Victualler. Clarke & Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields; Reece, Norbury, Joseph, Macclesfield, Chester, Innkeeper. and Spirit Merchant. Alsager, Off. Ass.; Michael, Red Lion Square. Jan. 31. Nicholson, John, and Matthew Nicholson, Shef 351 field, York, Manufacturers of Cutlery. Tattershall, Great James Street, Bedford Row; Palfreyman, Sheffield. Feb. 21. Oliver, Samuel, Hollingworth, Mottram in Longdendale, Chester, and of Dinting, Glossop, Derby, Paper Maker. Fox, Finsbury Circus; Earle, Ashton-under-Lyne. Feb. 7.. Pulbrook, Zachariah, Blackfriars Road, Boot and Shoe Maker. Alsager, Off. Ass.; Lewis & Co., Ely Place, Holhorn. Jan. 24. Potts, William, Ray Street, Clerkenwell, Oilman. Groom, Off. Ass.; Munn, Moorgate Street. Jan. 24. Poole, Trayton, Rye, Sussex, Wine and Spirit Merchant. Messrs. Corner, Dean Street, Southwark. Jan. 28. Powell, Thomas Walter, Neath, Glamorgan, Money Scrivener and Farmer. Jones & Co., Crosby Square; Lake & Co., Basinghall Street; Morgan or Hargreaves, Neath. Jan. 28. Pearson, Robert, jun., and James Pearson, Waltonle-Dale, Lancaster, Cotton Mauufacturers. Adlington & Co., Bedford Row; Messrs. Ascroft, Preston. Jan. 31. Partridge, George, Bristol, Grocer. Hicks & Co., Bartlett's Building: Hinton, Bristol. Feb. 4. Peacock, John Thornton, Sheffield, York, Cutler and Dealer in Knives. Wilson, Southampton Street, Bloomsbury Square; Wilson & Co., Sheffield. Feb. 4. Peat, Richard Periam, Glastonbury, Somerset, Attorney at Law and Money Scrivener. Hope & Co., Wells; Meredith, Heathcote Street, Mecklenburgh Square. Feb. 7. Parbery, Samuel, Wells Street, St. James's, West minster, Builder. Turquand, Off. Ass.; Turner, Clifford's Inn. Feb. 11. Pearson, Jaines, Stockport, Chester, Flour Dealer. Bower & Co., Chancery Lane; Barratt, jun., Manchester. Feb. 11. Phillips, Thomas Armitage, Huddersfield, York, Oil Merchant. Lake & Co., Basinghall Street; Battye & Co., Huddersfield. Feb. 11. Perraton, John, and Tempest Fletcher, Macclesfield Street, City Road, Coal Merchants. Whitmore, Off. Ass.; Murray, London Street, Fenchurch Street. Feb. 18. Pimm, Edwin, Birmingham, Jeweller. Weeks & Co., Cook's Court, Lincoln's Inn; Mole, Birmingham. Feb. 18. Riley, Samuel, Oldham, Lancaster, Draper. Hadfield, Manchester; Johnson & Co., Temple. Jan. 28. Richardson, John, Liverpool, Stock and Share Broker. Deane, Liverpool; Vincent & Co., Roskell, William, Liverpool, Tailor and Draper. Robinson, George, Huddersfield, York, and Mary Russell, James, Church Street, Stoke Newington, 352 Bankrupts.-Prices of Stocks. Rogerson, Joseph, Wigan, Lancaster, Apothecary. | Vertue, Thomas, Woodbridge, Suffolk, Corn Mer Ansdell, Liverpool; Adlington & Co., Bedford Sutcliffe, Elizabeth, Rochdale, Victualler. Clarke Austen & Co., Gray's Inn; Arnold, & Co., Shaw, John, Bolton-le-Moors, Lancaster, Joiner and Builder. Chilton & Co., Chancery Lane; Hulton, Bolton. Jan. 28. Sharp, Charles, High Street, Southwark, Surrey, Tailor. Graham, Off. Ass.; Jackson, New Shrubsole, Robert, Wapping Wall, Middlesex, Smith, Thomas, Gloucester, Money Scrivener. Smithies, Charles, Bradford, York, Worsted Spinner, Jaques & Co., Ely Place; Battye John Wade Thornton, Leeds, York, Machine Scruton, William, Ripon, York, Chymist aud mouth, Norfolk, and of the City of Norwich, chant. Taylor & Co., Bedford Row; Church- Winstanley, John, Chorley, Lancaster, Druggist Wyatt, William, Union Street, Southwark, Vic- Bush Lane. Feb. 4. Watson, John, and John Cooper, George Yard, Green, Off. Ass.; Warman, Claremont Square. White, Edward Josiah, Weaver's Lane, Tooley Warren, Hugh, Northampton, Innholder. Austen Walker, Joseph, Richard Ackroyd, and Edward rence & Co., Old Fish Street, Doctors' Commons; Morris & Co., Bradford. Feb. 18. Woolcott, Henry, Bristol, Marble Mason and Builder. Letts, Bartlett's Buildings,Holborn; Leman, Bristol. Feb. 18. Wheeler, John, Southampton, Printer. Randall Tolson, Joseph, and John Sunderland Tolson, Huddersfield, York, Fancy Cloth Manufac turers. Van Sandan & Co., Old Jewry; Jacomb & Co., Huddersfield. Jan. 21. Thomas, William, Leamington Priors, Warwick, Builder. Lampray & Co., Leamington Priors; PRICES OF STOCKS.-Tuesday, 25th Feb. 1840. Taylor & Co., Bedford Row. Jan. 28 Taylor, John, Sunderland, Durham, Draper. Ma- Taylor, Nathaniel Henry, Leeds, York, Seed THE BANKRUPTCY COMMISSION. | nistration of the law of bankruptcy by In another part of the present number will be found the Questions circulated by the Commissioners for inquiring into the laws relating to Bankrupts and Insolvent Debtors, which are well worthy of the attention of our readers. We propose, on the present occasion, to advert to that part of them only which relates to the plan suggested by them for consideration for administering the law of bankruptcy and insolvency. The main feature of this plan is, to abolish the Courts of Review and the Insolvent Debtor's Court, and to form a general Court for the administration of the law relating to bankrupts and insolvents, such Court to consist of a certain number of co-ordinate judges, some to be stationed in London, others in certain districts throughout the country: the Court to have original jurisdiction in all matters of bankruptcy and insolvency, subject to appeal in the manner mentioned in the paper to which we refer. The judges sitting in London to make rules, to be approved of by the Lord Chancellor; and the same practice to be observed in the Court both in London and the country. We have no hesitation in saying that we consider this plan, if carried out, would be a great improvement on the present mode of administering the law of bankruptcy. We have no wish to revive the angry feeling which was roused by the establishment of the Court of Bankruptcy; but it will be admitted that the Court of Review has never acquired the confidence of the profession or the public, and we cannot, therefore, regret its abolition. We are inclined, on the whole, to prefer the appointment of country commissioners of bankrupts to the admi VOL. XIX-No. 578. means of circuits. We collect from the questions that the commissioners have considered the propriety of abolishing the distinction between traders and others as to rendering them subject to the bankrupt laws; and that their impression would be to abolish this distinction. We doubt, however, whether it is not too serious a change to be hastily made. We fear there is no chance of the report being presented sufficiently early for carrying its provisions into effect in the present session; but no answers to these questions will be received after Easter, when the commissioners will proceed to prepare their report. The profession is now anxiously awaiting the Lord Chancellor's plan on the kindred subject of Chancery Reform. We have already stated its supposed objects, and we hear nothing to the contrary. In the mean time all further progress in the matter is suspended. Some returns have, however, been presented, and others are in progress. The Masters in Chancery have made a return of the number of warrants on leaving bills of costs, and the number of warrants for taxing bills of costs; and an abstract of the returns, we understand, is now in preparation, showing the hours and days they attend in their offices, and the causes pending therein. This information, by the 17th section of the Chancery Regulation Act, 3 & 4 W. 4, c. 94, they are bound to furnish yearly to the Lord Chancellor, "who may make such order for giving publicity and access to such list as he may think fit ;" and it is now to be laid before the House of Commons. a See ante, p. 290. 354 Bankrupts and Insolvent Debtors Inquiry. BANKRUPTS AND INSOLVENT DEBTORS INQUIRY. parties dealing with persons liable to the bankrupt laws?' "12. In your experience do traders become THE following are the questions of the Com- bankrupts by their own consent generally? missioners for inquiring into the laws relating that the law should allow the property of a "13. Would it in your opinion be desirable to Bankrupts and Insolvent Debtors, addressed person, who is unable to pay his debts in full, to the members of the profession. The scope to be divided rateably amongst his creditors by of several of the questions will shew the alter-an immediate voluntary process on the part of ations which have been proposed to the Com-the debtor himself, as well as by a compulsory missioners. QUESTIONS. "1. Would it in your opinion be advantageous to the public that there should be one court for the administration of the laws relating to bankrupts and insolvent debtors, or that the jurisdictions should be distinct, as at present; and what are the grounds of your opinion? 2. In your opinion could the estates of bankrupts and insolvent debtors be advantageously administered under the same system of law, both as applying to the heavier bank ruptcy cases, and to the small cases which now come into the Insolvent Debtors' Court? process on the part of one or more creditors? "14. Do you think that the law should allow a party, who is in debt, not arrested, and not a trader, to seek the benefit of a cessio bonorum, where there are no bona to be ceded? "15. Do you think that there is wise policy in providing a facility for persons, not traders, to seek at their own convenience, some process for getting rid of their debts? 16. By the act 1 and 2 Victoria, c. 110, for 'Abolishing arrest on mesne process, except in certain cases,' more effectual remedies were given to judgment creditors, so that a judgment creditor may now get all the lands, tenements, and hereditaments of his debtor "3. If so, is your opinion in favour of the under an elegit; he may also take in execution system pursued in the Court of Bankruptcy, or any money or bank notes, cheques, bills of of that which is pursued in the Court for Re-exchange, bonds, specialities, or other secu lief of Insolvent Debtors, or of any modification of both or either, or of any, and what other system in preference to either, and will you state any advantages to creditors which the course in bankruptcy has over the course in insolvency, or that of insolvency over the course in bankruptcy? "4. Have you had a knowledge, and how recently, of the course of practice in the Insolvent Debtors' Court? "5. Have you known any cases, and how many, in the Insolvent Debtors' Court, where you believe that a better dividend would have been got by making the party a bankrupt? 6. Have you known any cases, and how many, in bankruptcy, where you believe that a better dividend would have been got by the party passing through the Insolvent Debtors' Court? rities for money of his debtor, and sue in the name of the sheriff for the amount; judgments, if registered, are a charge upon the real estate of a debtor, present or future; and government stock and shares in any public company may be charged by order of a judge on application of a judgment creditor. Having the further remedies here stated, do you think it desirable that a judgment creditor should have the power of taking the person of his debtor in execution, except by order of a judge upon affidavit of probable cause for believing that the debtor is about to abscond? "17. These additional remedies being given to judgment creditors, could anything, and what, be got from the debtor by imprisonment of the person, except the discovery by this species of duress of some property concealed ? "18. Do you believe that the knowledge "7. Have you yourself had reason to know that there is a law of imprisonment for debt in any cases, and in how many, that the pro- has some effect, or none, in inducing a man to perty of an insolvent debtor has been diminish-pay a debt, when it is demanded? ed to the prejudice of a dividend, between the time of his going to prison, and the time of his petitioning the Insolvent Debtors' Court? 8. Have you yourself had reason to know in any cases, and in how many, that the property of a bankrupt has been diminished to the prejudice of a dividend, between the time of his having committed an act of bankruptcy, and the time of his being adjudged bankrupt? 66 "9. Do you think it would be beneficial to add any, and if any, what acts of bankruptcy to those now established by law? 19. Is it your opinion that the knowledge and fear of that law has in any degree an influence to make a man pay what he owes, or refrain from incurring debt, which he would be more likely to incur if there were no such law? "20. Are you acquainted with the operation of Courts of Requests, and is it your opinion that they should be abolished? "21. Do you believe that those courts would have the effect which they have in producing payment, if they had not the power of impri'sonment? "10. Would you think it desirable that the law should allow a trader himself to be ex- "22, Are you aware that process from those amined as to his act of bankruptcy, either be-courts against property is so easily evaded, fore or after adjudication ? that it is commonly deemed useless to employ 11. In your experience what has been the effect of the statute 2 and 3 Victoria, c. 29, intituled, An Act for the better protection of it? "23. Would it, or would it not, in your opinion, be better for the purpose of procuring |