Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-05-13

cordlngly, the .udfSh0l might then have taken the
property, as he did take it: that regard him as
having been properly in possession of all the pro-
perty comprised in the order, as the clerk of the
court, by emitting to require security of the plain
tiff, should be considered responsible for her: So
much for the mode
l will here notice an objection that was made by
the counsel of the defendant Riddick, against en-
arging the rule him, upon the trial of it, the
court said that, the Investigation of the rule did
preclude the counsel OF the plaintiffs from moving,
1t the party be not in court, for another rule, or
IRON moving for an attachment, for another cause,
at once, if he be in court: for the court would
take care iii the latter case, that lie should not be
surprised, by extending to him, every reasonable
indulgence, which would be, in effect, another rule
a,isi; but Understood the counsel for Mr.. Riddick
to say, that ne was then prepared to meet all the
charges, and the mig hit progress: If in this
l am mistaken, will stand corrected by that coan-
sci; and If not, shall proceed.
Let US enquire into the charges against Mr.
Ridck: and, FIRST for delivering the slaves TO
the commissioners for division thereof as required
by the decree.
1t Is true the decree does rot in terms order Mr..
Riddick to do any thing. but it orders the division
OF the estate, part of which he held and he was
party TO the decree: and the commissioners report
that he was notified to produce the slaves subject
10 distribution, and that he failed to do it, without
structed the execution of the decree, which it was
his duty TO perform, when called on for that pur-
pose; so that In this ne guilty of a tempt;
but his counsel conteEdcd that, while this might be
so, yet he had atonel for il, or in other words
the plaintiff now had no right to complain, since
she had by another order, in this erm obtained her
share oil the slaves, out those in possession OF the
.HdrShGf, OF this there is no report, but under
stand from the bar, it is And if this was all that
n. Rluulck should TSha ,inlx-
that while it is true he guilty of a contempt,
and was punishable for it, yet, as justice has been
done, though without his assistance, he should not
Tor first offence, be now attached, for this plain
reason that, if he had been then attached and COM
mitted, for no. merely delivering the slaves, there
being no other demand against hum, soon as he
caused them 10 be delivered, he should have been
discharged; for little would compor in a case like
that, with the relieving hand oil court oil equit,
10 end its punishment beyond he end ofits Justice
Bot, the case before The cour,, Is very ollie ent
one; Tor MIR. Riddick had Other matters account
for, besides the slaves, and for which too, they
might become bound.
Second for taking from the possession Of tLe
,AIarShai, the plantations taken by him, unde. the
order OF Injunction of the 3lst ofOctober last
What had the plaintiff right 10 expect from the
conduct of sisters son that seems 10 have beer
without parallel not bound by The laws OF the
land no respect whatever for tie public authori-
ties nay, not bound by those endearing ties whic!
so eininently distinguish some blood connexions
from those who are mere strangers, how ever well
and friendly they may be disposed towards each
other She, poor blind and afflicted lady, O
whom he greatly indebted, for the rem md
profits of her estate, which had been Withheld from
her by those that had gone before him, and low by
him, in following their example: and besides she
had an undivided interest In ever slave which he
carried oil nay, whether the remairing slaves
would satisfy her claim, (even in the slaves) bad
become doubtful, 20 say nothing about The rents and
profits which the commissioner estimates al about
nine thousand dollars o pay which Gas the dcdor
had gone oil, and perhaps never 10 re'urn) there
was nothing but the remaining slaves the personal
estate besides, not oimuch value and the land viii
a crop upon it in this state OF things, TO lay hold
OF every thing, by the authority OF the court was
he only hope left for compensation and un-
der these circumstances il is, that the Marshal
took possesso of every thing, 10 hold subject TO
the order OF the court suppose then that things ere
the or or Mr. RddIcll upon his re r. repre-
sents them 10 have bee what should he have done.
Why, as he knew the Marshal was in possession he
should have come to The court, and upon reasonable
terms, every thing would have been restored and
this would lave been doing much better than form
ing an offensive and defensive alliance with John
Starhe, as proved 10 my understanding, in sub
stance tho . not in terms" by John Webter na,,
the court would have do, more il would have or
dered report o any deed of al the iniories done
by the agent OF the Marshall if any, and reinunera-
ton Tor them. But, this could not be done AID
with John StGrke and their aiders and abet,ors,
Samuel Bagby, Benjamin Nj. Puryear, David
Hawes, and Isaac Ledbetter, Mr.. Rddici could do
himself ample justice, in perfect contempt oil the
laws and OF the court but they would all have ihe
curt now TO believe that, all this was peaceably
done +; and without any The least contempt. But
the Intention Is to be looked Tor ia the act when it
conflicts with the words of party: for a party
whose ords are directly agsns; his acts is no. TO
be believed attend 10 Mr.. Ple,s,uts one of The
commissioners, who, went 10 the Rocky Mills he
ext day after Mr. Riddclx had forclbIv taken
possesslo he then thought it necessary 10 advise Mr.
hIddck, 'gainst any violence, as we'll, as gov
Puryear Ledbetter, and Halves, for Mr. Riddick
said no one should take him: for he Should ra, h.
er die than so to jill MIR. Bagby sbew ed his
PtStoi, and said, he ould stand by his fell
low man to elast all this past in the ward
). here Mr.. Webber's goods were and Mr.
Fieasants states, that his conclusion then, and
his belief now is, that they all came there
win determination to aid and assist in the reco-
very OF The property then in the custody of the Mr.
sh0f, as they were generally armed as it appeared 10
MN Tor that object and this number John Siarbe
may be added and Riddics repeatedly said he had
lorcibly taken the Rocky Mill 3 house the dav be-
lore relying then on the evidence of Mr. Pleas
ants, must say such conduct marks tie perpetra-
tors OF it,with a contempt of most unusual rharac-
ter, to the authority of this court so much for the
charges comprised in the rule now as to the char
ses not in il {; and
Ist iorremoving the slaves 10 parts unknown
Ibis was certainly done, not only TO avoid fair
division OF them, but to put them out of the way
u the rents and profits; but if this was not so vel
he act oil sending them OF, was a direct violation
d me Injunction OF the twenty-dlth Of January
1920, and very great contempt
End for the abuse of Hqyyeu.