The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-03-15
Gbt fsIitiana Democrat.
AN ACT
Relative to the Trial of Slaves.

and after the PRONUNCIATION of this act the
trial OF oil slaves who may be accused of crimes
punishable with DEATH or by confinement in |
the Penitentiary at hard labor for life, or for |
q shorter period, shall be tried in the District
Courts Of this State, in the several parishes
where the crimes may have been committed
with all the formaties which the laws of this
State accord to white men charged with similar
offences.
SEQ. 2. Be ii further enacted, &c., That
the District Attorneys, for their respective
Districts, shall prosecute all slaves charged
with the commission of crimes as aforesaid
In the first section of this act, and conduct
the trials in strict conformity to existing
laws for the trial Of white persons and the
provisions Of this act. That in all trials of
slaves, as aforesaid, indictment by grand
jury, trial by jury, compulsory process for
witnesses, and the right of challenge of
jurors be exercised by the master, attorney,
or other person having charge of the same,
shall in no case be dispensed with.
Sec. 3. BE IL tutter cnactcd, &c., That
the trial Of slaves, charged with offences
not punishable as specified in the first Sec
ton Of this act shall be conducted bv one
Justice Of the Peace and four impartial
owners Of slaves in the respective wards
where the offence may have been committed:
said owners of slaves to be summoned at
the time and place fixed upon by said Jus
tice under the penalty of fifty dollars for
the neglect or refusal to comply Herewith.
Sec. 4. BE ii further enacted, &c., That
before any slave shall be arrested under
the provisions of this act an affidavit shall
be made by some person or persons wheth-
err slave or free person, who shall swear
to the truth of such allegations as when
proven on the trial of such slave or slaves,
would convict them of the crime charged.
SEC. 5. Bel further enacted, &c., That
no proceedings under the provisions of this
act shall be annulled or impeded by any
error or want Of form, and in the case
provided under the first and third sections
OF this act, the master or persons having
charge of slaves convicted under the pro.
visions of this act, shall have the right to
appeal to the Supreme Court when the
trial was before the District Court in the
first instance, and to the District Court
when the trial was before Justice Of the
Peace and four owners of slaves. The
District Attorney shall not be required to
prosecute slaves tried before Justice and
four owners of slaves as provided for in
this act
SEC. 6. BE ii further enacted, &c., That
in case any slave shall be convicted of any
crime punishable with death, or hard labor
for life in the Pcnitcntiary, he shall be APP
praised by two owners of slaves, appointed
by the Court, which apprai ament shall be
certified to by them and the Sheriff to thu
State Treasurer, who shall pay two-third
of the amount to the proprietor of sucl
slave upon the warrant Of the presiding
Judge, Prorided, that the provisions Of thi
act shall not extend to slaves taken il
actual rebellion.
Sec. 7. BE ii further enacted &c., Tha
the provisions Of this act shall not apply t.
the city of New Orleans and the parish o
Orleans.
SEC. 8. BE IL further enacted, &c., Tha
the four owners of slaves. designated in TIN
third section Of this act, shall take AM
subscribe to the following oath befor
proceeding to the trial, to wit:
1. "A. D., w ooicmhiJ o"cdi, vi ain "
that | will truly and impartially examin
the prisoner to be brought before me an
render just judgement according to til
testimony and the laws concerning slave
in this State. So help me God.
Sec. 8. BeHfwther enacted, &c., Tha
all law contravening the provisions Of thi
act be and the same are hereby repealed
This bill passed the House unanimousl.
with the amendment of section proyidin
that in case the master does not emplo
counsel, the court may appoint, who ma
charge the master fee not to exceed $40
dollars.
This bill was introduced 10y our alb
and indefatigablc representative, Blythe
Haynes, Esq
81 . w
THEIR GAME.-W' copy the followin
says the Louisville Courier, from the CT
cinnati Gazette, a X. N. Republican papc
to show Southern men the game the en-