Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-10-31
AN ORDINANCE.

EMabiiMiag a Nght Watch TOR tie T0mn n
Lyach6Wgaad regulating Me appointment and
prescribing tie duties hoeef and for oMo pm-
poses
Snc. !. Be il ordained by the Common Coaa-
cR That the Sergeant OF the Corporation shall
cause the town bell to be rung every night at
o o'clock, and again at thirty minutes after 9 o.
clock The first ringing shall be the signal for
all slaves, free negroes and mulattocs to retire
To their respective places Of abode.
Src. 2 All disordery White persons found IL
broad after the second ringing OF the bell shall
be taken and confined in the Cage unit, the next
morning, and may then br fined or required To
give recognzancc for good behaviour, at the dis
crction of a Justice of The peace.
SIC. 3. An free negroes and mulattocs found
going at large after the second ringing of the
bell or in company with any slave, unless by the
permission of the owner OF such slave, shall be
arrested and confined in the Cage until the next
morning, aud may then be either fined, not less
than one nor more than five dollars, orpunishcd
with any number of stripes, not exceeding thirty
nine, at the discretion of Justice of the peace.
SEC. 4. Any slave found in this town, absent
from his or her owners or employers tenement,
after the second ringing of the bell, without n
written pass from the owner or employer, by
which it may appear that the absence is by per
mission may be punished, at the discretion of n
Justice of the peace, with any number Of stripes
moi exceeding thirty-nlne.
SIC. 8. The pass shall designate the par,cu-
lar place or places to which, or the purposes for
which the slave may go. II it desi gnaic more
than one place, it shall be good for one night
only. lit designate q particular house to which
the slave may 90 before ten o'clock at night, it
may be given for term not exceeding one
month, yyoridcd, the assent Of the occupier of
such house to the slaves staying there be sig
niGcd by signing his or her name on the back of
tho pass. If the slave be detained by his own
or or employer, until ten o'clock at night, there
must he special pass stating that fact
SEc. g. Slaves, free negroes and mulatocs,
collecting in groups on the streets and alleys or
on the sidewalks, shall be Dispersed by any Off
Ger of the town and ifthcy hesitate or refuse
to disperse when ordered SO to do. may be ar
rested and punished with stripes, not exceeding
thirty-ninc, nt the discretion of "A Justice.
SEC. 7. No slave, free negro OF muatto shall
be allowed to smoke on any of tho streets aud
alleys of this town, to make any signal or unus-
ual noise, or to carry any stick, bludgcon fire
arms or other weapon about his person; aud any
free negro or mulatto horein offending, may be
fined one dollar for each oftho first three ohon.
ces in this section, and not less than five dollars
for carrying any of The articles herein forbid and
shall, moreover, forfeit the same TO the person
who may arrest him. Any slave herein offend
ing. shall forfeit the forbidden article, and be
punishable with stripes, mot exceeding Thirty -ninc
at the discretion of Justice Provided, that
nothing contained in this section shall bo con
strued to prohibit any invalid or decrcpid negro
from carrying ordinary walking stick.
SEC. s. Whenever any slave is punishable under
this ordinance, the Justice by whom the offence
il tried may in his discretion, commute the punish
pnt, ,I ri m Ia a an pT upI
slave paying fine ofnot less than ono,nor moro
than five dollars-fiily cents of which shall go
to the officer making the arrest and whenever
punishment by stripes is inflicted on any dcin-
auent by any officer other than the making
tho arrest, one half the foe for whipping shall go
to him who made tho arrest.
SEC. 9. The Common Council shall, on the
18th day of November, 1850, appoint seven dis
Greet aud proper persons to act AS Night Watch
for the town of Lynchburg until the month of
May, lSj1, and annually thereafter in the month
of May, or as soon thereafter as practicable. ap-
point the same ora larger number of poisons if
necessary, for the same purpose. The Council
shall elect one of the persons thus appointed to
be Captain Of the Watch, whose duty it shall be
to alot the Subalterns to such Wards or Districts
as he may from time to time think best. ccca-
sionally TO take the grand.round, to see that the
Subalierns perform the duty required OF them by
this or any other ordinance of the Council and
to note such as shall be remiss in their duty, and
make report thereof to the next meeting of the
Council and quarterly to make full report,
under oath, the Council of the acts and doings
of the Watch stating the number Of nights any
Watchman may have failed to be on duty, and
the reason for such failure.
SIC 10 Before entering on the duties OF their
oiflce the persunb thus appointed shall before