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46 S.C.L. 478

Williams v. Thweatt

Court of Appeals of South Carolina

Decided January 15, 1860

Court of Appeals of South Carolina · decided 1860-01-15

BEFORE O’NEALL, J„ AT CHARLESTON, JUNE TERM, 1858. The report of his Honor, the presiding Judge, is as follows: “ In this case it appeared that the governor offered a reward for the apprehension and delivery of Moses, a fugitive slave charged with a felony, at the jail of Charleston district. “ The plaintiff, by his slaves, apprehended Moses and had him confined on his own premises.

Decided 1860-01-15

Curia, per ONeall, C. J.

¶1We concur in the ruling of the Judge below ; the verdict of the jury in conformity to the same is right.

¶2The governor offered the reward for the apprehension and delivery of Moses, a fugitive slave charged with a felony, to the jail of Charleston district. The plaintiff apprehended him and delivered him to the constable, the defendant, who took him before a magistrate, obtained his warrant, and then committed him to the jail of Charleston district. The governor’s reward was thus earned — by whom ? Surely by the plaintiff: for he apprehended the fugitive and placed him in the custody of a legal officer, whose duty was to lodge him in the jail, and which he did do.

¶3The ground taken in the appeal has not been pressed, but a new position has been assumed, to wit, that the constable, the defendant, was entitled jointly with the plaintiff. I cannot perceive any ground for such a claim. He had nothing to do with the apprehension. The slave was delivered to him, as a public officer, to convey to the jail. He did this : but in doing it he must be regarded as discharging a public duty, for which he is paid in his fees of office. The motion is dismissed.

Johnston and Wardlaw, JJ., concurred.

¶4Motion dismissed.

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