The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-02-17


THE HUsTIHGs COURT was in session till
a late hour yesterday ACKNOWLEDGMENT Wing
field Bray, Binford, Butler and Lpscomb presi-
ding
Going at Large-Miss Susan Fl Sharp was fined
$40 and costs, by the Court, fer permitting one of
her slaves TO go at large.
Murder Richard Lambert, charged with muir
de. of Humphrey, slave to Benon Catogni, ON the
18th of December last was called to the bar but
his witnesses being absent, the examination
postponed till the next term of the Court, on his
motion, and he was remanded to prison.
| Felony Richard Beazley charged with the muir
der OF William C. Hodsworth on the Doth of Janu-
airy last was set to the bar, Messrs Williams Day,
aud Crane, appearing as his counsel Witnesses
were then and testified substantially to the
facts published by on the investigation of the case
before the Coroner and Mayor The Court then
finding it impossible to hear The evidence for the
defence and the arguments of counsel adjourned
the examination until this morning, and remanded
the accused TO prison.
Grand .Jury-This body met at IL O'Clock and
retired to their room, where, after hearing vari-
ETY. OF witnesses, they returned into Court and re-
ported having found true bills, on the following in
dictments. for misdemeanor
True Bais-Against William Butler. James
Shaw alias Patrick Fitz Antonio Marble, and John
Smith.
Not True BiN-Against John Carter, charged
with receiving portion of the money stolen from
David Anderson. Jr., knowing the same to have
been stolen, and ne was discharged --.
Presentmcats Against Caroline Overtou and
Thomas Starke, free negroes, for remaining in the
Commonwealth contrary to law; and against Tho's
Bradford for selling ardent spirits to be drunk in
his house without tavern license.
The Grand Jury having no other business before
them, were adjourned for the term.
NOVEL Casa yellow girl called Syl-
via Ann was arrested night or two since by the
watcbmen for having in her possession pass sign
ed by Fendall Griffin, which pass was improperly
written, and therefore pass at all, under the city
ordinance. When brought before the Mayor the
next morning. it was ascertained that she had been
purchased by William Church, In January, 1854,
OF Pulliam Davis, acting agents for A. A. Hughes,
aud taken to the State Of New York, where she re-
manned till few days since, when she was brought
back to Richmond by Owen Earle.
Yesterday the case again came before the Mayor,
when Messrs. Griffin. Davis and Hughes were ex-
amned, from whose evidence we make I'D the SUBJ
Joined history.
In 1853 Mr.. Hughes purchased Sylvia, who is
nearly white, as family servant she being a girl
OF good character but learning shortly after that
she was making arrangements with white man
to escapeto the North he had her put in the custo
dy OF Messrs Puliam & Davis to be sold The
color OF the girl, aud the fact that she had been
accused OF attempting to escape to the North rem
dered her unsaleable, and the consequence was
that she was kept in confinement several months
In January, 1854, number of gentlemen seeing
the condition OF the girl, and being of opinion that
she might benefit her situation if sent to a free
StAte, Opeueu subscription ll6t TO purchase her
and set her free. Mr. William Church. lust here
took avery active part in behalf of the girl and
even went SO far to call on Mr. Fendall Griffin
and got hun to purchase Sylvia at 5000 for him.
giving Mr. Griffin negotiable note satisfactorily
endorsed for the purchase money, Mr.. Griffin re-
tanning the bill OF sale to secure the payment. Al
ter making the purchase, Church took the girl to
New York tor the purpose, was understood of
setting her free, and when he returned short time
after, left her there.
Mr. Griffin states that after Church came from
New York, he learned from him that Sylvia had
been left In New York with respectable family,
but that she would return with family on visit
the coming spring or summer Mr. Griffin heard
no more OF the girl When the note became due
it was promptly paid. and Church said he had paid
it, buthad received none of the money subscribed
Mr. Griffin stated that he heard no more of the girl
until the day which he gave the pass. when
Church called on him. stated that she had lust ar.
rived here visit with family to remain until
the 10th inst and asked him (Grtfin) to give her
pass to last till that time, he held the bill of sale
of her, which he &c did Mr. Griffin looked on
Church as the purchaser of the GIRL but certainly
understood that she was to be taken to free State
and set at liberty, or he never would have had any
thing to do with the purchase of her. All he had
done was from motives of humanity, as he knew
nothing OF the girl, except what he had gathered
from the representations of other persons
The Mayor inclined to the opinion that the pirl
was entitled to her freedom by the laws of NJ York,
and that she therefore had no right to return TO
Virginia. but adjourned the case till this morning
for further consideration, and remanded her TO
prison.