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Source: Bell's Weekly Messenger, No.1858, Sunday, November 13, 1831

[Court of Exchequer]

In the Court of Exchequer on Tuesday, the singular and important cause of Small v. Attwood was called on. The greatest curiosity was manifested to obtain a view of the briefs, &c., and indeed the briefs and other written documents are very astonishing : they would make a moderate-sized load. The dispositions of the witnesses alone, which are neatly bound in volumes, amount to nearly six thousand folios, and the cause itself is likely to outlive any of the present parties. Each of the counsel has an immense tin box, with his name on it, in which are deposited the voluminous papers, and the fees received will scarcely be credited. Sir Edward Sugden's brief, (counsel for Mr. Attwood) is marked 3000 gs., Mr. Jervis's 2000 gs., Mr. Knight's 1000 gs., besides a great number of junior counsel, with fees unprecedented in the history of legal proceedings. In short, money appears never to have been brought under consideration by the litigating parties. The property in dispute is some mines and iron works. The plaintiff, to whom the works were sold for 600,000l., objects to pay the whole amount of the money, on the ground that they are not worth that sum, and that the sale was effected under fraudulent representations.