Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-21
From the Richmond Bulletin.
woman,s Rights IlIustrated.

Last night about halfpast ten o'clock, as two
watchmen were passing down 18th street, be-
tween Main and Cary streets, they encountered
on the pave what they supposed to be trio of
young bucks. AS they passed the trio, how
ever, one OF the party spoke, and in speaking,
betrayed her sex. As soon as the tones other
voice fell upon the ears Of the watchmen, one
ofthem-af eshy, burly-fgured man-remarked
that that was unquestionably woman's voice!
1t was so soft and fexible-so unlike the harsh,
cultural tones which usually issue from mans
throats-that he was satisfied he could not be
mistaken. Thereupon they determined to fol-
low the party, and see more of them. Upon
reversing their position, the trio moved off rap
idly; but ere the faithful guardians of the night
reached them, one OF the party took to his heels
and vamosed. They overhauled the other two
on l4th street, and upon questioning the figu-
rante possessing the castrato voice, learned that
she was a woman dressed in male attire The
Charles very properly deeming this fragrant
breach OF decorum if not a violation of the or.
dinance of the city, told the fair damsel that
she must 60 with them to the cage AS one
of her gallants had incontinently fed upon the
first approach of the enemy, and as the other
found himself wholly unable to cope with
couple Of stout watchmen, armed with heavy
bludgeons, she surrendered with a sigh, and
accompanied them to the cage. We will here
leave her until 8 o'clock, when she appeared
before the mayor, rugged out in female costume,
to answer the charge alleged against her.
: Upon entering the court room this morning,
we discovered, seated near the staircase. a neat
and quite fashionably dressed young woman.
with rich lace veil drawn over her face in
such manner as to conceal her features. After
several cases had been disposed of, the officer
asked the acting mayor whether he was ready
toproceed with the case Of Mary Smith, charged
with walking the street in male attire. Unop
receiving an affirmative answer, the officer
called Mary Smith, when the yelled ladv
rose and walked to the stand, took nm a nos;S.
ton on the left of the magistrate. She still
wore the veil over her face, but it proved in.
sufficient to hide profusion of rich dark hair
a finely moulded face, and pair of bright
black eyes, which twinkled behind its folds.
The watchman who arrested the damsel, took
up position to the right of the magistrate
and detailed the circumstances attending her
arrest After he had given in his TESTIMONY.
gentleman learned in the law, stated that he
appeared as counsel for Mary Smith, and pro-
ceeded to argue the case for the purpose of
showing that she had committed no offence.
and that the Waterman acted improperly in
taking her into custody. He showed that the
defendant had not made any noise in the street;
had committed no breach of the peace; had
not attempted to pass herself off as man for
any improper purpose and then asked why
she had been arrested? He contended that
dress was purely matter of taste that no
law existing prescribing the precise character
OF dress, and that any woman possessed the
right to don male attire whenever she listed
that it was q conceded point, he believed, that
many married ladies "wore the breeches,n and
that his honor ought to reflect well before de-
eioing, TO impose restrictions upon his Client
because he might set dangerous precedent.
and one which might plague his successors
in that chair. he argued the case with great
ingenuity and ability, but failed to convince
MIR. Justice Fa.rar of the soundness of his DO.
sitions. Miss Mary Smith was finally held to
bail in the sum of 500 to be of good behaviour,
and having rendered bail. left the cnnrt