Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-03-24

/ Some debate occurred, 10 which Messrs
Sfanard and Craig supported the motion
Mr. BRowr, OF Petersburg. suggested
that il would be better to amend. Sd that
the court could take the oath Of the Min
ister, il voluntarily teLdered.
Mr.. WITcHER declined modifying his
amendment,
The 4th section is in the original bin as
follows;
BE Il further enacted. That il any book
pamphlet. or other writing. Of the char.
acier and description mentioned 10 the
section Of this act Immediately preceding,
directed to any person, shall arrive at any
post office 10 this Commonwealth, It shalt
be the duty Of the postmaster, or deputy
postmaster at such office, knowing the
character Of such book, pamphlet. or 9th
er writing. to retain il from the person to
whom i 10 directed, and give notice there
OF within DAYS to some Justice of the
Peace. whose duty it shall be 10 inquire
into the circumstances Of the case, aud to
have such book, pamphlet, or other wri.
ting, burned IN his presence; and if it
shall appear TO him. by satisfactory eyi
dence, that the person to whom the same
is directed, subscribed for the said book,
pamphlet, or other writing, knowing its
character aud tendency, or agreed to re
ceiye II with an intention OF circulating it,
the said Justice shall commit him or her
to the jail OF bis county, TO be dealt with
according 10 law Any postmaster or de
paty postmaster knowingly violating the
provisions Of this act, shall forfeit and pay
sum not less than dollars, nor more
than dollars. to be recovered with
costs. by action Of debt or information, in
any court OF record 10 this Commonwealth
one moiety TO the Commonwealth, for the
use Of the Literary Fund, the other to
The intormer, or any person who will sue
for the same.p
On motion Of Mr.. SUMMERS, the first
part Of the section, down TO the words sto
enquire into. twas stliken out and the fol
lowing inserted 10 its stead "Ihat if any
postEraster, or deputy postmaster within
this Commonwealth, shall give notice to
any justice Of the peace, that any book.
pamphlet or other writing. hath been re-,
ceived at his Office, through the medium
OF the mail. OF the character mentioned in
the section of this act immediately prcce
ding. II shall be the duty Of such justice
oil the peace"-
On motion Of Mr.. HARRISON, the follow
Ing additional section was inserted at the
close ofthe bill:
.fnd be IL further enncted, That offend.
ers against the first section Of this act NAV
be arrested by any free white person, and
by such person carried before any Judge
or Justice Of the Peace in this Common
wealth, and if such Judge or Justice shall
he Of opinion after hearing the testimony
that such offender ought TO be prosecuted
IN the courts OF this Commonwealth, such
judge or justice shall commit such offender
10 the jail OF the county where the offence
was committed, and be there detained
until final trial. as such Judge or Justice
may admit such offender to BAIL"
The bill was then ordered to be engros.
sed Tor third reading.
Mr.. WATKINS moved that when the
House adjourn, il adjourn to meet 10
morrow at 8 O'clock - but before the aues
tion could be put on this motion,
On motion oil MIR. BORIS, the House
adjourned.