The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-08-09

Mayors Cornr-Prelmnary to entering upon
the regular business Of his court yesterda--, the
Mayor called around him a few of the nightwatel-
men and administered a severe reproof upon the
manner III which some of those officers have recently
conducted themselves. The particular case in point
was in reference to an arrest of unlawful assem-
bly, OF negroes few nights since Mt the house of
Mr. James Pendleton, on Fifth street. near Jackson.
Several communications have been received by his
Honor from parties cognizant of the roushness
shown by the WatchInen towards the white ladies
who were at Mr.. PcndletOn's on the night in qtes-
ton, and 1t has even been alleged that of the OIL
GERS far forget himself in his efforts to estab-
lish reputation for vigilance III catching negro az
TO deliberately knock a lady down who uninten-
tionally, happened TO get in his way. These COM
plants, the Mayor stated were of Frequent occur
renee and of such character to entite them TO
some attention. He intimatcd that at some future
time he should demani1he name of the man said to
have struck the lady alluded to, when he should not
only he dismissed from the selyice, but should he
otherwise punished ior his brutal behavior. 1t had
been alleged that some of the watchmen who had
previously been apprised of contemplated unlawful
gatherings of negroes, purpOsey lurked around and
waited until the asSemblagc took place. that they
could have the opportunity Of rushing upon and
carrying them to the watch-house. This was very
repfehcnSlhie and the guilty parties were admonish-
Ell OF the consequences of repetition Of this conduct
IN future, as well as instructed that it their du
", when information received prior to the COM
mission Ot offence, to take steps towards inter-
pting IL, instead of waiting III readiness to pounce
upon the offenders as soon as the plan was matured
The Mayor also alluded 10 the conduct of an ex-
Waterman, wha arrested negro woman and after
wards released her upon the payment of biibe OF
ten dollars and expressed his intention to hand him
over to the grand jury for indictment. In conClu-
ding his holiy, he took occasion to refer to the al
most invarahle practice of the watchmen of hunting
about Tor runaway negroes during the day, and as
a consequence, when night came, they were incapa-
tated from the want of sleep, to attend to their
duties. 1t was no part of their duty to put thcm-
selves out Of the way 10 catch runaway negroes, and
IN future they shall not be permitted to do so.
The following Is summary of the cases which
were brought zap for Il hearing:
William kothc was charged with whipping ne
gro boy named Allen, slave of James Moore, in such
"A manner as 'to cause his death Messrs. Andrew
jenkins and X; L. Seal testified that having heard
late on Saturday evening that negro boy had been
whipped TO death by the accused, who occupies a
portion Of the old building Broad street known Az
BIackctts Tavern theE repaired tlither, and in
old Coal-housc III the yard found negro boy, appa-
r1ntiy about fourteen fifteen yea of age living
upon old oil-tloth dead. They tool, holl OF his
limbs anh found them supple and easy to move
about, thus indicating to their mind that he had not
been long dead. The only person who could give
them any Information about the manner of the boys
death the wife OF the prisoner, who said that he
died fIOIu consumption; had been sick long time,
and was attended by DR.. Albert Snead Who she
knew would 'substantiate her statement. The boy
looked yeIy much emaclated had about his head and
aims various bruises and scratches. but none
Of them We're regarded Of sufficient character to
quently, they learnt from DR. ii NJ Thomas, whose
office ts next door, that he had frequently heard
kothe nfleing severe blows upon the deceased, ard
knowing his delicate condition, il attracted his at
tcntion, and once twice he had intended telling
the owner Of the boy that II hc desiIel 10 the
life Of hia servant, he had better take him away
-, witness for the defence, stated that the nrgt
died about ten O'Clock Friday morning. At nine
O'Clock ne was solicited by Mrs. Kothe to go in to
see him; that she believed he had fit on him. aud
she was unable to render any assistance He did
so; found him in the stable in apparently diving
state; could not assist him, and left in few min
utes. He knew nothing Of the whipping; under
stood be was whipped Thursday; was certain that
he died Friday morning. At this luncture the
Mayor announced that he should proceed no further
till he could procure the attendance OF the ply
sician who attended the boy, and other wi
ne6seS, who were important III the case. lie
referred to the very vague and indefinite procedure
on the part Of the CoTones inquest, and said that
it was his opinion that pest Hioitem exainna-
ton should have been held over the body but in
stead of that no witnesses had been summoned be-
fore the Coroner bat the jury of inquest simply
seInbled, and without asy delibeTation, rendered
verdict Of death from natural causes In this con-
nectiOn the Mayor remarked that the Coroner ap-
pointed by the Hastings Court DIR. Peachy) was n
gentleman OF distinguished attalnnentS, but uniof-
tumately he was deferred from performing his duty
i'll consequence Of protraetcd and serious illness lie
was not aware that the acting Coroner Possessed any
remarkable knowledge OF medical Jurisprudence and
felt very sure he was not of much legal know
ledge He therefore adiousled the matter over till
Wednesday, and intimated that he should, III the
neantine have the body disinterred and post
hOFteHl examination held over it.
Ann James and Primus Peasants free negroes,
were charged with having in their possession horsc
belonging to the Confederate States which had been
stolen Witnesses for the Commonwealth proved
that the horse taken from one OF our batteries
III the neighborhood of the city, Friday and that
on Saturday he was found i'll the possession OF
Piimus For the defence, il was proven that the
negro caught with the horse bought him for three
hundred doBrs from soldier, who gave his name
George W Pitts, bu, it turned out that his real
name was Hugh Southland, and he a member Of
company II, rhirtieth Virginia regiment. In order
to procure the attendance OF witnesses, the matter
postponed TIL Saturday next and in the mean
time the accused were permitted TO enter into le-
oognizance for their Appearance.
Three negroes, named William, slave OF DR.. Bur-
ton; Edward, slave Of f. q. Haywood and Robert,
slave Of Charles Luinsden, We're each whipped for
exposing themselves by bathing in the canal
Martin, slave of William f. Taylor charged with
stealing bag ofmeal from James NJ Taylor was
ordered TO be whipped; but an appeal was subse-
quentiy asked for, and the accused bailed for
his appearance before the Hastings Court.
A. Willie and Henry Johnson were charged with
buying wateTmelons in the Second Market TO sell
again. The fact was proved against them and the
melons confiscated.
Joseph, slave of William Allen, was committed as
runaway.
CRY CoUNcm.-The following business was trans
acted at meeting OF the Council yesterday even