The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-27
LETTER FROM pErERSBUsG.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
Important Decision in II District COurt-Ihe
PoUr-Ihe Freedmen, sc.
PETERSBURG, CHRISTMAS day.

PETERSBURG, Christmas day.
Some Of our good citizens are wondering
whether the Richmond press is bent on en-
tirely ignoring the existence Of the Cock
ade City. GA last Friday a very important
opinion, rendered tho day previous 10y
Judge JONES, of the District Court Of APP
pcalS, then in session in this place, was
published in full in the Express newspaper,
and to this dav not the least notice has
been taken OF it by either Of the metropoii-
tan journals. II seems strange that aGGcl-
sion involving interests OF SO much magni-
tudc should have been overlooked by the
argus eyes Of your editors.
The principle involved in the case was
this: Whether, in matter of Indebtedness
between northern and southern parties, q
claim for interest could be held valid
during the four years Of the war. In the
District Court of Petersburg Judge Cham
hers had decided that the interest was re-
coverable equally with the principal; and
il was 10 test the SounducSS of this decision
that the case was taken up to the District
Court of Aru.#ls. Every member Of the
court was Pre- ent, namely, Judges Joynes,
Marshall, Wingfeld, and Baker-aII except
Judge Chambers, who retired, as his opin-
ion was under review. The case was ar
cucd by Robert K. Collier against the pay
ment OF interest, and John Lyon in favor.
Judge Joyncs, Oh behalf of the court, read
an elaborate opinion, expressive of the
unanimous opinion OF the Judges, rcyers-
ing the decision OF Judge Chambers and
declaring that interest during the war was
not recoverable.
The suit was brought by certain manu-
facturers of tobacco in this city against their
consignees in Boston, but as the amount OF
northern indebtedness 10 southern parties
is small in comparison with that OF south
ern 10 northern parties, the relief Afforded
by the decision intimately affects our own
citizens. An intelligent merchant OF tins
place estimates that the interest winch had
accrued on the claims against Virginia
debtors at the end of the war amounted 10
about one million Of dollars. Our merchants
have been faithfully paying these arrears, as
their means enabled them, until the
present time, when it is thought that the ar
rearageS do not exceed one hundred thou
sand or hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars. Ii will thus be seen at a glance what
a relief this would have been TO the State
if such decision could have been rem
dered immediately after the suspension Of
hostilities. Under the authority Of such
tribunal, southern merchants would have
been amply justified in Withholding the
payments they have made; but their high
sense of honor has been vlndicated by the
promptness with which they have met their
liabilities and the moral effect OF this
is worth more than money. 1t has, indeed,
as might have been expected, been met by
a corresponding spirit on the part of north
ern merchants, whose dealings with their
debtors here have been characterized by
the greatest hberalty. Wherever the dis
position has been shown on our part to meet
old obligations, new credits have been
given, and easy terms OF compromise have
been offered.
II is gratifying to be able to state that a
vigorous and successful effort has been
made by the citizens for the relief OF the
poor-the Common Council, for the want
of means, having been obliged to withhold
the customary aid. The movement was
only started a week ago, and already the
soup-house "a most benefcent institution
has been put in successful operation. The
merchants and men Of property, with their
wonted alacrity, yielded u hearty support
to the measure.
The freedmen have il in contemplation
10 have grand celebration of the anniver-
sary of their emancipation on the lst OF
January. They will march in procession
through the principal streets of the city.
The occasion is looked forward to not with
out anxiety, lest some untoward accident
may happen which may lead TO painful
consequences. Every precaution, how
ever, will be used 10 guard against any
breach Of decorum.
With the compliments Of the season TO
both editors and readers, yours truly,
SNowDEN.
I'VE look TO our wide-awake correspond
ent 10 keep our readers posted in regard to
I'll pate rahury ,oattars