The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-21
ALEX ANDRIA. VA.

We would again suggest that our resident
citizens save their copies of the Local News
AS, they will furnish useful record here
after OF town matters, marriages, deaths,
and local incidents-besides containing a
brief history of the operations of the war
and the events of the times,
a RECENT DECISION OF THE MILITARY
CoURT.-We find the following in the New
York Tribune:-
ALEXANDRIA, Va, Oct. 16, l861.-A
very important case came before the Provost
Court OF this city to-day. Heretofore this
Court has confined its attention mostly to
criminal cases-not desiring las Judge
Friese said in delivering the sentence of the
Court to-day in the case first above alluded
to) TO interfere in the ordinary collection of
debts or other civil cases, but these cases be-
Ing OF peculiar character, and there BEING
no civil Court in Alexandria to which the
case might be referred, the Judge decided to
60 out of his usual channel and take them nm.
The case was this: "a merchant of New
York named Moore, l think, had claims
against two merchants of this city, or rather,
against two firms. When the Union troops
hrst occupied this city, the members of these
firms having taken an active part in the Sc
cession movement, concluded that they had
better 20 still ful Their South, and accordingly
abandoned their stores and stocks and fled
with the enemy. 1t was shown before the
Court that both members Of one of the firms
were officers in the Confederate army, and
that at least one Of the other firm occupied
like position. 1t was also shown that thew
had lett no responsible agent here to settle
their business, and that those who were now
selling the goods they had left behind, were
selt-constituted agents; and when asked to
pay any debt due from the firm, replied that
they had no authority so to do"
These facts having been stated to Judge
friese in advance-with the assurance that
they could be proved by competent witnes.
ses-he decided that it might be brought
before his court; and accordingly the claim
ant had his case properly prepared by s.
Furguson Beach, ESQ.,, the naval officer, and
good Union-lawyer of this CITY. and
brought before the Court to-day.
The afidavits and evidence, as above sta.
ted, having been submitted, and the parties
heard in defence, Judge Friese decided:
First. That it was a legitimate case to come be.
fore military court as it was evidently an at
tempt to take advantage of existing circumstan.
ces, caused by the rebellion and especially SO a,
the parties hoping to reap this advantage were in
arms against the Government, and would be "aid-
Cd and abetted" by the carrying out of their
scheme.
Second That as all the civil courts in this citv
had been superseded and suspended by the mill.
airy occupancy Of the place, it was only Just and
equitable that loyal men having claims against
d'sloyal refugees, should be aidedby the military
authorities in obtaining their dues.
Third The claims having been clearly proved.
and no reason shown why any stay of proceedings
should be granted, the Court ordered that all the
goods left by these ascending debtors should at
once be taken possession of by the Court for the
oeneht OF the claimant; that the stores should be
ierthWitn locked up, the keys handed to the
Court, and military guard detailed to watch.
them that they should be held in this way for
nve days, in order that the friends of the parties
might If they chose, redeem the goods by paving
the claims; that if, at the end of the Eve davs i
the claims were not paid, then the goods would be
disposed Of in liquidation of the claims. |.
Inc stores were accordingly closed, and all thu I
goods are now under military guard and in charge
of the Court.
HE LORDS DAY.-The Churches yester.
day opened for Divine Service were tolera.