Legal cases: Archer of Tanworth

Description

Bill of Complaint, to the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, of William Price, Westminster, gent. v. Hon Robert Russell. Russell pretended friendship confidence. Was in financial straits but did not want family or world in general to know so approached Price for help as could personally offer no security for any loan other than simple bond. Promised to reimburse Price for his time and expenses as his Solicitor or Agent. Price approached Russell's creditors for a delay in repaying, especially Mrs Mary Stephens to whom Russell owed £460. Mrs Stephens had been waiting a long time and was not willing for further delay so Price promised to pay her upon a set date, and Russell promised that he would not suffer. Russell failed to pay and Price therefore raised the money himself and paid her £424 in December 1699 and the remainder in January 1700, taking the bond in return and trusting Russell's promises to pay. He also stood surety with Russell for payment of £800 further sums which he raised as the lenders would not accept Russell alone. Price not only stood bond, he also paid all the social out of pocket expenses for securing the same, all of which Russell promised faithfully to repay. Price carried out negotiations for Russell privately discreetly and has no Common Law proof of Russell's indebtedness: several witnesses dead or gone away. Russell has paid £450 but no more. Details of sums borrowed, of whom and at what inn meetings took place other miscellaneous expenses. Answer of Russell Counterclaims that Price, claiming to be a scrivener, with contacts among those willing to lend money, insinuated himself into Russell's favour. Denies ever employed him to solicit creditors to forbear suing