Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-09-13
A CoURr OF JUSTICE IN NoRTH CAR.

A COURT OF JUSTICE IN NORTH YAK
oLINA.-A bcardless disciple Of Ihemls
rises, and thus addresses the court:-May
it please your worships and you gentle
men of the jury, since it has been my for
tune (good or bad l will not say to ex-
ercisc myself in legal disquisitions, 1t has
never befallen me to be obligated to de-
nounce breach of the peace so enor-
nous and transcending as the one now
claiming your attention. A more bar
barous, direlul, marked, and malicious
assault-a more wiliul, violent, danger
Gus, and murderous battery, and finally,
a more diabolical breach Of the peace,
has seldom happened in civilized coun-
try, and dare say, it has seldom been
your duty to pass upon one so shocking
to benevolent feelings as this-which
took place at Captain Rice's in this coun-
ty; but you will hear that from the wit
nesses. The witnesses being sworn, two
or three were examined and deposed-,
one, that he heard the noise, but didn't
see the fight-another, that he saw the
row, but don't know who struck first
and third, that he was very drunk, and
couldn't say much about the scrimmage.
Lawyer. am sorry, gentlemen, to
have occupied so much of your time with
the stupidity of the witness examined.-
1t arose, gentlemen, altogether from
misapprehension on my part. Had l
known, as now do, that had witness
in attendance who was able to make
himself clearly and intelIigibly UNDER
stood by the court and jury, l should not
so long have trespassed on your time and
patience. Come forward, Mr.. Harris,
and be sworn.
So forward comes the witncss, fat,
chufiy looking man, and took hi. corpo-,
raj oath with an air.
Lawyer. Harris, we wish you to
tell all about the riot that took place tho
other day at Captain Rice's, and as
good deal of time has already been vast
ed in circumloc ution, we wish you to be
as compcndious and at the same time as
explicit as possible.
Enthusiastically" giving the law
yer knowing wink, at the same time
clearing his throat-Captain Rice, he
GIN treat, and cousin Sally billiard, she
came over to our house, and axed me II
my wife she moughn't go-l told cousin
Sally billiard that my wife was poorly,
being as how she had = touch ofthc rheu-
mates, and the big swamp was up, for
there had been heap of rain lately;
but, however, as it was, she, cousin Sal
ly billiard, my wife she mough't CO.
Well, cousin Sally DilIiard then axed me
if Nose, he moughn't go. told cou-
sin Sally billiard that Nose, he was
foreman of the crop, and the crop was
smartly in the grass: but, howsomcvcr,
as it was, she.cousin Sally billiard, Nose
mough't 60.
Lawyer the name of common
sense, Mr.. Harris, what do you mean by
this rigmarolc?
Witness.-Capt. Rice, he gin treat,
and cousin Sally billiard, she came over
to our house, and axod me ifmy wife, she
moush'nt go. l told cousin Sally Dill
lard 81
La,oycr.-Stop. sir, you please, We
don't want to hear any thing about cou-
sin Sally billiard and your wife, tell US
about the fght at Rice's.
Witness.-Well l will, sir, if you will
let me.
Lawyer. We'll, sir, go on.
Witness.-Well, Captain Rice, he gin
a treat, and cousin Sally billiard, she
came over to ou house and aXed Inc if
my wife, she mough'nt GO
Lamyer.-We want to know about the
fight, and you must not proceed in this
NJ efa
thing about the matter before the court
Witness. be sure | do.
Lawyer. Will you 60 Oh and tell it,
and nothing else:
Witness.-Well, Captain Rice, he gin
q treat
Lapyer is intolerable! May
il please the court, l move that this wit
ness be committed for contempt-he
seems to me to be trifling with the court.
Cour.-Witness, you are now before
a court of justice, and unless you behave
yourself in more becoming manner,you
will be sent to Jail: SO begin aud tell what
you know about the fight at Captain Ri
cc's.
Witness, [alarmed Well, gentle
men, Captain Rice, he gin treat, and
cousin Sally billiard
Lauyer.--I hope this witness may be
ordered into custody.
Court, (aftcr deliberaiing Mr.. At
torncy, the court is Of opinion that we
may save time by letting the witness go
on in his own way. Proceed, Mr.. Har-
ris, with your story, but stick to the point.
Witness.--Ycs, gentlemen. Well,
Captain Rice, he gin treat, and cousin
Sally billiard, she came over to our