From the Richmond Dispatch, 7/22/1864, p.1, c 6 and 7

Mayor’s Court. – The following is a summary of the proceedings before the Mayor yesterday:

Catherine, slave of Mrs. Mary Voss, was charged with aiding and abetting in the escape of Zeborah, slave of Robert F Morris, and receiving bed clothing, valued at fifty dollars. The evidence proved that the accused was cognizant of the intention of Zeborah to escape, and that she assisted in getting her bed clothing from Mr. Morris’s residence. She was accordingly sent on for examination before the Hustings Court.

Thomas W Garrett was held to security to keep the peace on the charge of striking Frederick, slave of Jesse F. Keesee. Frederick, it appears, was indebted to Mr. Garrett in a considerable amount, for eggs and other country produce purchased at his store, and in his efforts to obtain the money he became very insolent to Mr. G, whereupon that gentleman struck him once or twice over the shoulders. Mr. Garrett intimated that in the section of country which he came from (New Kent) it was usual to chastise negroes who were insolent, and he desired to know of His Honor whether such was not the usage here. He was informed that, whatever might be the custom about such matters, it was very certain the law did not justify a man in inflicting punishment upon negroes who were the property of other persons. Whenever any of them were impertinent to Mr G, the Mayor promised, if the case was laid before him, to have them severely punished.

James, slave of Willey A Smith, charged with stealing one sheet from the Confederate States, and one sheet and a set of knives and forks from some person unknown, was ordered to be whipped. Similar treatment was inflicted upon Dick, slave of J R Anderson & Co, charged with stealing a lot of brass castings from the Central Railroad Depot.

Charges were preferred against Watson, slave of Miles George, of entering the dwelling house of Dr. O. F. Munson and stealing four hundred pounds of bacon; and Betty, slave of some person unknown, of stealing a breastpin, valued at $3000, the property of Mrs. John H. Johnson; but owing to the absence of important witnesses the cases were put off for future consideration.

Through her counsel, (Littleton Tazewell.) Mrs. Mildred A. Rogannal applied for a warrant against Mrs. Mary E. Cary, who, it is alleged has recently indulged in abusive and libelous language towards Mrs. R. and her family. Mr. Cary, the husband of the accused, desired a postponement of the case, in order to allow him time to procure the attendance of certain witnesses, which request was in part acceded to, and the matter was, therefore, continued until this morning.

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