The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-06
TO suppaess pusLL1No.

Whereas experience has eyinced that the eX.
listing remedy for the suppression of the bsrba
rnus custom of Dueil,ng,is inadequate to the pur-
pose and the progress and consequences of the
evil, have become so destructive, AS to require
~ effort on the part OF Tie Legislature to arrest
vice, the result OF ignorance and barbarsm,
justified neither by the precepts OF morality,
NOR By the dictates of reason For remedy where.
Of:
1. Be t enacted ny The General Assembly,
that ii any person whatsoever, shall challenge
another TO fight duel, with any weapon, or in
any manner whatyoever: the probable ISSUE OF
which, may or might result in the death of the
Gu changer or challenged or If any person shall
accept challenge, or fight duel with any per-
soif, or IN any way whatsoever, the probable
issue OF which may or might terminate in the
death OF the. challenger or challenged; such
person shall be incapable Of holding o. Being G.
i1ctod 10 any post Of profit or emolim ent, civil
ar military, under the government OF the com.
,EoGwealu.
9 Anl be it further enacted, that from and
af;cr Use passing OF this act, every officer, civil
or military. who shall be appointed to any Office
under uiis commonwealth, shall in addition TO
the oath now prescribed by law, take the fol
lowing oa'i i a. b. do solenmiy swear, that 1
have moi been engaged directly or indirectly. in
duel, SINCE the passage of the act, entitled
+" An act to suppress Dazzling" nor will dur
ing my conInu III Office, be directly or IN
dncctly concerned! in duel So help me God.
5 And be it furthsr enacted, that no person
offending in either way sforessitl, shall ever
thereafter be capable of bringing or prosecuting
any suit or action, either at common law or il,
chancegy, and that any acton Or suit ,institited
or commenced, by such person, shal! be dimis-
missed, whensoe,er the fact of hia having COM
mitted either IF the sad offences shall be esta-
blshed under any plea taking advantage thereof
4. Aud be it further enacted that when the
l 3 Il
established against any person, in any civil acti-
on or by any criminal prosecution, the record
in such action, shall be good evidence in every
suit or action. which may thereafter arise for
| the purpose of proving either of the off.uce "a
toresaid, although the party Or parties 90 such
subsequent suit or action, was not party in the
suit action whereby the said fact was establish.
ed,
S And b.. it further enacted, that it shall be
the duty OF the judges of the circuit courts and
the county courts at their quarterly sessions, to
give in charge expressly To the jury all the laws
in force to suppress duelling, also to charge the
jury to present all persons concerned IN carry
ing, sending or accepting the cb .henge, and if
any person shall be presentedin such courts, the
said courts shall, if they have jurisdiction of said
offences, proceed to trial OF the same in the or
dlnafy way, and it not, that the presentmeHt shall
be either certified by order of the court tn such
cosrt as has jurisdiction, or shall be considered
III law a sufficient authority for magistrate to
issue his warrant against the accused, when an
examining court is necessary.
6 And be ii further enacted, that when any
Judge or magistrate of this commonwealth, has
good cause to suspect any person or persons, are
ABOUT to be eng aged in duel, he may issue his
warrant 10 briIg the parties before him, aud if
he shall thrs proper TO take of them a recogni-
zance to Keep the pace, he shall insert in the
condition that tie party Or parties shall not du.
ring the time for which they were bound, di.
rsctly or Indirectly be concerned in a duel eli
Their with the person suspected or any other per.
son within the time limited by the recogniz.nce.
2. Aud be IL further enacted, That If any per
son or persons shall for the Purpose Of eud-
ing tie operation Of tie provision Of this
law, leave the state the person or persons
81 offending shall be deemed as gull y, & subject
% the ike penaities ii the offence had
Jcen committed within this Commonwealth ;
add the of. nder offenders mSy be tried IN any
Court IN tbis Commonwealth having jurisdiction
IN criminal cases.
And wi,eress the existing laws and u,ages Of
thii Commonwealth preclude the punishment Of
those who arc guilty 1.-THE most irritating insults
by words unless accompanied BY certain cir
cumst.nces ofsucceeded by such Aud whereas
this omission has been assigned IN extenuation of
tie offence intended to be prevented by this law
for remedy whereof,
8 Beit enacted, That in Ali actions which
slsli BE- Commented fyY words, no exceptions
shall be.tssen theret0, tast slaii take their Goa
jtraetion Pom lie tcisl by Jury, bit tIe same
snal be coEslzs5le before the Joy, Tho shall say
what isha&sss the party has sustsined.
This .et ss..as an force from the frat of April
NAT.