Case Name: Ex parte John A. Burford
Court: United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1807-11
Citations: 1 Cranch 456
Docket Number: 
Parties: Ex parte John A. Burford.
Judges: 
Reporter: Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (District of Columbia - reported by Mackey)
Volume: 1
Pages: 456–456

Head Matter:
Ex parte John A. Burford.
Upon an attachment from, the Orphans’ Court for contempt-in not appearing to answer, &e., the marshal cannot justify the imprisonment of the party after the return day of the attachment, unless by an order of commitment by that court.
A person surrendered by his hail, and prayed in custody, but not charged in execution, may be discharged upon habeas corpus.
Habeas corpus ad subjiciendum. The marshal returned that he held him under an attachment of contempt from the Orphans’ Court, dated January 9, 1797, returnable on the 13th of the same month, for not appearing on the 8th, to show cause why he should not give counter security to his sureties in the administration of Dyson’s estate. Upon which attachment the marshal had returned “ executed and in custody,” but no order of the Orphans’ Court Avas made for the commitment, nor did it appear that the Orphans’ Court had made any further order respecting the business. The return further stated that he had been delivered up by his bail in a suit at law, and prayed in custody; but the twenty days having expired and the defendant not charged in execution, ■—

Opinion:
The Court
(nem. con.) were of opinion, that the attachment only authorized the marshal to hold him till he could bring him before the Court on the 13th of January, and discharged the prisoner. See Yirginia Law, 12th December, 1792, § 31.