October 1801, by the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Council for hearing Appeals from the Plantations," reciting his Majesty's order in Council, bearing date the 15th of January 1800, referring to their Lordships the Petition and Appeal of William Beckford, Esq. against John Campbell, Esq. and others, complaining of an order of the Chancellor of Jamaica, overruling exceptions to the Master's report therein mentioned; and also reciting his Majesty's orders in Council, of the 7th of May, and 25th of June 100, referring to the Committee the Cross Appeals of Campbell and other parties, complaining of part of the said order; the Lords of the Committee, having heard Counsel &c., were pleased to order that it be referred to John Spranger, Esq., one of the Masters of the High Court of Chancery, to review the report of the Master in Jamaica, in the particulars in their Lordships' order mentioned; and their Lordships directed that the parties should be examined upon interrogatories; that they should produce all books, papers, &c.; and that they should be at liberty to apply to the Committee, if so advised: all further directions were reserved until the Master should have made his report.

Very little was done in Master Spranger's office before his death; and by an order of the Lords of the Committee, made in June 1804, the case was referred to his successor, Master Stanley. Several proceedings were had before that Master, but he also died without having made a report; and by an order of the Committee made in June 1811, Master Stephen, who succeeded him, was appointed in his room. These orders were made on Petitions to the Committee.

Pending these proceedings, Mr. Campbell, one of the parties, died, by which they became abated; and by an order of the Committee, made in April 1803, the Appeal was revived, upon the application of his Widow and Executrix. She also having died, the proceedings were again revived, by an order dated in May 1810, at the instance of Mr. Campbell's personal repre

sentative.

In the month of August 1814, Master Stephen made his report; and after a suspension of proceedings for several years,

viz. in January and February 1819, several hearings were had before the Council, but we understand these Appeals remain still undetermined. The litigation principally, if not entirely, respected matters of account; a subject with which Courts of Equity are scarely ever competent to deal. Of this there can hardly be a stronger instance than is furnished by the preceding case. The suit commenced in Jamaica above 47 years ago; the reference to Mr. Spranger was 30 years since. Both he and Mr. Stanley had been men of great experience, and extensive Equity practice at the Bar. Mr. Stephen, in addition to his acknowledged abilities, possessed the advantage of having practised in the West Indies. The Solicitors concerned were men of considerable professional talent; and the sum claimed to be due from Mr. Beckford is very large; and yet to this day the suit is unfinished.

It may not be improper to give the following additional

forms:

The Form of an Order appointing a Day for hearing an

Appeal.

At the Council Chamber, Whitehall, the 19th July 1800. By the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Council for hearing Appeals from the Plantations.

Whereas his Majesty was pleased, by his Order in Council of the 7th day of May last, to refer unto this Committee, the humble Petition and Appeal of J. C., Esq. from so much of an Order of the Court of Chancery of the Island of Jamaica, of the 10th of June 1799, as overruled the Appellant's objection to the Marster's report, made on the 4th of April 1799, in a Cause upon a Bill filed in the said Court, on the 21st of April 1784, by the Appellant against W. B., Esq. for an account and reconveyance of certain Estates therein mentioned, and praying that the said order may be reversed; And Whereas a motion was this day made to their Lordships, praying that a day may be appointed for hearing the said Appeal; their Lordships are therefore pleased to order that the said Appeal be heard at this Committee on Saturday, the 8th day of November next, at 12 o'clock at noon. (Signed) Stephen Cottrell

Form of Notice or Summons to attend Hearing.

Council Office, Whitehall, 9th October 1801. The Right Honourable the Lords of the Committe of Council, for hearing Appeals from the Plantations, &c., having appointed to meet in the Council Chamber at the Cockpit,* Whitehall, on Friday, the 16th day of this instant October, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, to hear the Appeal of C. against C., and the Cross Appeals between the said parties, from Jamaica; These are therefore to give notice to all parties therein concerned, to be come prepared to be heard thereupon, by their Counsel learned in the Law, at the said time.

Signed W. Fawkner.

Form of Notice of further Hearing.

This is the same as the foregoing, except that instead of saying" to hear," the words are," to proceed in the further hearing of" the Appeal, &c.

Form of Petition to revive Appeal.

In the Privy Council.

Between W. B., Esq........... Appellant,

and

J. C., Esq. and others, Respondents,

and

Between J. C., Esq. and others Appellants,

and

W. B., Esq......... Respondent.

To the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Council

for hearing Appeals from the Plantations.

The humble Petition of J. G. C. of.

Sheweth,

Esq.

That his Majesty was pleased by his order in Council, bearing date, &c. (Here state the substance of the order referring the Appeal.)

That his Majesty was also pleased by his orders in Council,

*The words in Italics are now omitted.

bearing date, &c. (Here state the order referring the Cross Appeals.)

That on a motion made to your Lordships on the day, &c. praying that in regard the said I. C. was dead, and the said Appeal and cross Appeals were thereby become abated, the same and the proceedings thereon might be revived, by making Helen, the Widow and Executrix of the said I. C., a party thereto in his room, your Lordships were pleased to order that the said Appeal, cross Appeals, and proceedings should be revived, and that the said H- C should be made a party thereto, and stand in the place of the said I. C., deceased.

That the said H. C. has lately departed this life, and the said Appeal, Cross Appeals, and proceedings, are thereby become abated, and Administration, de bonis non, to the said I. C., with his Will annexed, has since her death been granted by the Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury to your Petitioner, who is thereby become his legal personal representative.

Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays your Lordships that the said Appeal, Cross Appeals, and the proceedings thereon may be again revived, and that your Petitioner may be made a party thereto, and stand in the place of the said I. C., deceased. And your Petitioner will ever pray, &c.

Notice of presenting this Petition should be given, and it may be as well to serve a Copy of the Petition.

Form of Notice of Petition.

In the Privy Council.

Between (State Title of the Appeal.) Take Notice that the Committee of Council for hearing Appeals, &c., will be moved by Petition at the Instance of I. G. C., Esq., Administrator, de bonis non, of the said I. C. deceased, day of

on

the

next, or as

soon after as the said Petition can be heard, that the Appeal, Cross Appeals, and proceedings between the parties above named, which are become abated by the death of H. C. the Widow and Executrix of the said I. C. deceased, may be re

E

vived, by making the said I. G. C. a party thereto in her place.

Dated, &c.

To Mr. C. D., Agent for

the said W. B.

A. B., Agent for the said I. G. C.

Form of Order to Revive.

At the Council Chamber, Whitehall, the 29th May, 1810. By the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Council for hearing Appeals from the Plantations, &c.

Whereas his Majesty was pleased (here the orders of reference are recited.) And whereas a motion was this day made to their Lordships, praying, in regard H. C., the Widow of the said I. C., who was made a party to the said Appeals in his room, by an Order of your Lordships, bearing date the 21st of April, 1803,. is dead, and the said Appeal and Cross Appeals are thereby become abated, that the same, and the proceedings thereon, may be revived, by making I. G. C., Esq., Administrator, 'de bonis non, with the Will annexed, of the said I. C. his late Father, deceased, a party thereto in his room; The Lords of the Committee are therefore pleased to Order that the said Appeal, and Cross Appeals, and the proceedings thereon be, and the same are hereby revived, and that the said I. G. C., Esq. be made a party thereto, and stand in the place of the said I. C., Esq., deceased, Whereof all parties concerned are to take Notice.

(Signed)

W. Fawkner.

Form of Petition to appoint Master Stephen as the Successor of

In the Privy Council.

Master Stanley.

Between (set forth Title).

To the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Council for hearing Appeals from the Plantations.

The humble Petition of I. G. C. of, &c. administrator de bonis non, with the Will annexed, of the above named I. C. his late father, deceased,

Sheweth,

That your Lordships by your order, bearing date the 24th of