The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-12

MAYORS CoURT-MAYOR MAYO rREsI-
DING-TUEsDAY MoRSISG.-Edward Sta
pies, negro, was arraigned to answer the
charge of having in his possession twelve
counterfeit United States treasury notes of
the denomination of fifty cents, and at
tempting to pass them. His Honor stated
that the offence with which he was charged
was not one against the laws Of Virginia.
He would therefore discharge the boy from
his custody and turn him over to the mill
tary.
Captain Cook, of the Freedmen's Bu-
reau, appeared and took charge of him.
The case of William Harris, mulatto
preacher, charged with unlawfully attempt
ing to abduct young girl, under the age
of seventeen years, the daughter of Lo-
max Smith, to marry her to William Jen-
nings, mulatto, was called up.
Messrs. Gilmer s. Son appeared as cOun-
sci for the accuseG, and Colonel August in
behalf of Lomax Smith.
LomaX Smith testified that on Saturday
at about o'clock he was informed that he
had better 60 to see Mr.. Forester about a
delicate matter. He did not think any
thing about it until o'clock, when he was
sent for by his family. Finding them all
in tears, and that his daughter had left his
house and gone to Mr.. Harris's, he went to
the third station-house, and obtaining the
assistance of two policemen, he proceeded
to Harris's house, and found that his daugh-
ter had been there with him. He found
Harris there, who desired to speak with
him. Witness declined to speak with him,
and started back home. He found out
subsequently that the "Rev. Mr.. Harris "
had applied at Mr.. Tyrse's and Mr.. Wool
folks to have q wedding between Jen-
nings and his daughter. Jennings had ne
yer said anything to witness about marry
ing his daughter, or asked his consent; so,
in order to protect himself, he got out a
warrant. Harris was pastor Of the church
to which witnesses daughter had attended
and belonged to for several years. Did not
know whether his daughter was in the
habit of applying to Harris as a pastor, or
whether she would apply to him for advice
in case she wished to get married.
Cross-examlned by Mr.. Gilmcr.-Saw
his daughter after he had returned from
Mr.. Tyree's house, where Harris resided.
She told him that Harris had told her she
would do better to get married, and he
could marry her whether or not her pa
rents consented. Witness was not pre-
pared to swear positively that Harris had
persuaded his daughter to leave his house
to marry Jennings, but he had reason to
believe that he did.
Peter Voolfolk testified that, hearing his
name connected with the marriage of Lo-
max Smiths daughter, he went to Loma1
to explain the matter to him. About the
18th of last month Jennings applied to
him to ask that Mr.. Harris be allowed to
marry him in witnesses house. There was
a little matter of love between young
lady and himself, he said, and he wished to
be married privately. Witness asked If
there was anything dishonorable or impro-
per about it; and upon his replying in the
negative, witness said that he could see no
objection. Witness had no idea that the
young lady in question was LomaX Smiths
daughter. Afterwards, when as ked in
Harris's presence as to whether or not he
had given his consent to let the marriage
take place in his house, he said he had,
though he knew nothing aboutit. He trusted
in Harris, and told him that If there was
any responsibility in the caseit would rest
with him. Harris replied that of course
he would not marry any one without
license.
Richard Forester testified that about
the 18th of last month Eliza Smith came TO
his house very much excited. Witness
asked her to take supper with his family.
She said she was in too much trouble to
eat anything. He laughed at her, and
asked her what was the matter. She said
that something was going to happen i'll a
short time. He heard, in day or two af-
terwards, that Jennings was going to elope
with Lomax Smiths daughter, and that
Harris was going to marry them. After
wards he met with Jennings, who told him
that he had been employed by the society
as teacher, as he was single man and
he did wish it known that he was to be
married until he could get another place.
On this account he would be married pri-
vately; after awhile he would make il
public. He subsequently received intor-
nation that the evening for the marriage
had been fixed, but Eliza Smith did not
appear in time. Several persons who were
to have been present as witnesses also
failed to appear, because, he learned, they
found difficulty in getting q license.
Eliza Smith, the girl in question, (quite
handsome testified that she met Jennings
three days after he reached this city, and
he asked her to marry him. She asked,nst