Proceedings in the Mayor's Court

Richmond Dispatch
February 16, 1864


Mayor's Court--The following is a summary of the proceedings before the Mayor yesterday.

Cornelius, slave of President Davis, charged with stealing money from his master and attempting to escape to the Yankees, did not appear, he having escaped from the upper station-house after being locked up therein.

A charge was preferred against William Butler and John Bastin, white boys, of stealing fifteen pairs of cotton cards, worth $800, from Wm. Forbes. The evidence implicating these boys with the theft, the Mayor reprimanded them for examination before the Hustings Court.

The charge against Henry, slave of Wright & Ford, of trespassing on the premises of Mrs. Gwathmey, being without a pass, and carrying unlawful weapons, was examined into, and the accused ordered to receive thirty lashes.

Emma Slaughter, a free negress, made her appearance to answer the charge of aiding and abetting Robert, slave of Wm. Gibbes, of Lynchburg, to escape to the Yankees.--The Mayor, after patiently listening to a mass of testimony, adjourned further investigation till Wednesday.

Albert Bailey, also free, appeared to answer the charge of enticing a slave belonging to William Stagg, of Petersburg, to run away. Ordered to be whipped.

Merriweather Quarles, Frederick Miller, and Moses Kaufman, white, being idle, dissolute persons, and with no visible means of support, appeared to answer the complaint. Quarles and Miller were required to give some security for their good behavior, and Kaufman was sent to the enrolling officer.

Henry Temple, charged with feloniously cutting and stabbing a white man, whose name is unknown, appeared to answer the complaint. Put off till this morning.

Virginia Wilkinson, a white woman, charged with feloniously receiving $120.40 in silver, two $50 Confederate bills, two watch seals, one watch key, and other articles, the money and property of Alexander Craig, knowing the same have been stolen, was called to the stand. Owing to the absence of witnesses the case was continued.

A Negro boy, named Henry, slave of Geo. Gibson, charged with throwing stones in the street, was ordered to be whipped. A similar charge was preferred against Robert and Jim, the property of Thomas J. Evans. They were also ordered to be whipped.

A Negro man named James, belonging to Daniel Trueheart's estate, charged with being drunk, insulting in his language, and refusing to give his name, was called up to answer the complaint. The offense was proved, and the Mayor ordered him to receive thirty-nine lashes.

James and John, slaves, were ordered to be licked for being our after hours.

Henry, slave of Ferdinand Fore, charged with stealing one calico dress, valued at $10, and one bonnet, worth about $5, from Thomas W.B. Davidson, was called to answer the accusation. The evidence proved the offense, and he was thereupon ordered to be whipped.

William Wynant was called to answer the charge of unlawfully stealing one shawl from Mrs. Mary A. Wood. After an examination of witnesses the accused was sent on to the Hastings Court.


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