Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-07-18
WEAyERVIIIE CALIFORNIA, SATURDAY, JULY Is. 1857.

bv-standers. sworn and seated on horse-trough,
turned bottom upwards by the sheriff, just under
the shade of large tree, in a horse-lot' which
was considered the place to "come into court ="
at the summer term. ,
4" Put your case TO the jury, Mr. Nanmeter -
which was as follows, to wit
Gentlemen of the jury This is an action of
debt brought upon this instrument, which Will
read to YOU One day after date, promise to
pay Alanson Morehouse, administrator de bonus
non of the estate of Andrew Lattng, two hun
dred and fifty dollars, for value received sigh
ed'--and to which the general issue IS pleaded.
am sorry the defendants counsel has forced you
here on that hard trough thereby consuming
the time of the Court and our time, when we are
so anxious to see our families. And, gentlemen,
having perfect confidence in your intelligence
and honesty. | will leave the case with you and
this honorable Court, unless l may desire to say
a word after the gentleman concludes
Mr.. II. arose, and with cool, studied dignity,
carefully and slowly examined the writ, front
and back. The declaration underwent similar
examination, and, with an easy movement, pitch
ed them over on the far side OF the table. This
management got the court, jury, spectators and
last though not least, Vanmeter, very much In
terested for the development, From the cut OF
eye, something was "rotten Ill Denlnark but
what. md where? .'Geutlemen of the jury, |
regret exceedingly to expose my friend, Mr.. Van
meter but the circumstances of this case are
such that my duty forces me to do so. am as
tonished the gentleman should have braved the
lust indignation of this Court should have so
disregarded the majesty of the law, and the re-
spect due jury OF his countrymen, as to have
brought a suit without the slightest particle of
right, or real cause of action. Did the gentle
man expect to bamboo eel this Court and jury
Did he expect to go rough-shod over my client
and myself, under such circumstances Why.
gentlemen behold the instrument upon which
this action is founded One day after date,
promise to pay Alanson Morehouse, administrators
dc bonis non De bonis non! What is thatF Is
it English No. Is 1t Latin? No Is it Greek
No. Is it Hebrew? No. Is 1t French or ltal,
ian. or Spanish? No, not that either. Well, I'll
tell YOU gentlemen Of the jury. what 1t ls 1t Is
Choctaw, and means, the defendant having
heretofore paid said plaintiff as the honorable
Court will instruct YOU"
AS Vanmeter was in the act Of rising. the
Court gathered his ponderous spectacles between
the thumb and forefnger OF his left hand. and
rising them, very much to the relief OF his nasal
organ, said Yes, gentlemen of the jury that
is what it means. You can take the case"
AS soon as vote could be taken, the jury re
turned We the jury, find for the defendant"
You ore discharged, gentlemen. Mr.. Clerk,
charge the costs OF this suit to the plaintiffs at
tornGy and Mr.. Sheriff. take Mr.. Vanmeter in
custody, and unless he will treat his honor, and
the officers of his honor's court, for the contempt
just proven, keep him in custody"
The sheriff took him, and as he started Van
commenced muttering something TO himself fl
nally, heard something that sounded like 4" 1t
is folly to be wise"