Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-18


COURT OF ExcHEoUER, saturday
February %.
Sitting az Gaiidha2, before Lord Chief Ba.
4 ron MACDONALD. stlt
DISOWNED QUAKERS.
FINCH .. BADGER cox, .sruRGEs, AND
|. oraKRs.
In this very interesting cause the Plain
tiff and Defendants were of the Society of
the People called Quakers, aud the asti-
on was brought TO recover a compensate
on in damages from the, Defendants, For
assaelting aud falsely imprisoning the
Plaintiff, on the 10th day of January,
I,lSo<.
When Sergeant Williams had proceed
| ed short way in his opinion, the Lord
Chief Baron interfered, aud earnestly put
it to the parties. whether they had not bet
ter submit all matters in dispute 10 a refe
renee, than 10 expose what might turn
fout of trifiing dispute as to forms, a
mong men whose characteristic is that of
peaceable aud quiet demeaner. The par
ties, however, differing as to the mode of
adjustment, the Cause proeerdet, and dis
closed the following facls
The Plaintiff, Mr.. Henry Finch, lived
a, Reading in Berkshire, he was born and
bred Quaker, and from his early man
hood until he was sixty years of age filed
|the most honorable stations irithat Socie-
ny. In the year 1897, at a quarterly meet
ing of the Society, two members were
proposed to be expelled, as Sergeant VIII
liams stated, having been found guilty by
their Synod of paying tythes without a
distress being LEVIED. Mr.. Finch having
undertaken to apologize for their conduct,
SO displeased part of the Friends, that
they succeeded in prevailing on the ma.
jority to disown him." which is a kind of
prescription, not from attending the reli-
gioas par, OF their worship, but having a.
| ny concern in the management oil the tenn.
poraI or charitable part of their economy.
In this way matters stood until the quar-
terly meeting OF the funds held in Bishops
lgate street, on the 10th day Of January,
when MR.. Finch presented himself at The
: injecting for admission. 1t should
seem that his visit was not unexpected, as.
the SIX Defendants were s,atione,l- three
at each door, to oppose him. II WAS il
/ vain he was informed that The quarterly
mee8g being on discipline only. and not
on syorshi,i, and ne being disoqvncd, had n,
right to enter; he sill persisted, until
Mr.. Badger took him by The collar, Z pull
cd him from the door down the passage,
where he held him for minute or two,
anti let him depart This WAS the sum
and substance of the assault and false i'm
I prisonment. W
Sergeant Selloh, Mr.. Pioneer, and MIR.
Dauocey, were retained for the Denren.
dants, Mr.. Pioneer conducted the defence !;
& The whole resolved itself into one point.
viz. Whether the society had right to
| disnlace or disown Mr.. Finch and ifthey
had, were they wavrantedin keeping him
out of their meetings by force II WAS
| held they had, the meeting not being ut
that time for religious worship. bat for re-
gc!a,ing the economy of their affairs, pro-
viding for their poor, sc.
A MIR. Harrison, an eminent dealer in
the tea trade, in the course of his evidence,
clearly defined the religious and moral
( principle on which the Society Of Friend{
aet, and That I'M way so perspicuous ami
interesting. as, to call forth the highest
compliments from the Bench.
| His Lofdship, on the Plaintiffs own
shelving, was of opinion, that he had no
right to force his way |; THAI he was an in
| truder, and that therefore the action could
not be maintained. He was accordingly
| non snited-e
The Court was crowded with persons Of
this persuasion, VINO ali appeared highly
Interested in the event, and pleased with
the decision.