Virginia 



in each county, at a place assigned for that purpose, 

 by the justices thereof; four of them making a 

 quorum. They are appointed by the governor, and 

 take cognizance of all causes, at common law, or in 

 chancery, within their respective counties, except 

 criminal ones, punishable with loss of life, or mem- 

 ber. This power they are not permitted to exercise 

 except over negroes and slaves, and then not without 

 a special commission from the governor for each par- 

 ticular purpose.* The general court is held twice 

 a year at Williamsburg. It consists of the governor 

 and council, any five of which make a court. They 

 hear and determine all causes whatsoever, eccle- 

 siastical or civil, and sit four and twenty days: the 

 first five of these are for hearing and determining 

 suits in chancery, appeals from the decrees of the 

 county or inferior courts in chancery; and writs of 

 supersedeas to such decrees. The other days are 

 for trying suits or prosecutions in behalf of the king; 

 and all other matters depending in the said court; 

 appeals are allowed to the king in council, in cases 



* How necessary' it may be that they should have such a power, 

 even in this case, I will not pretend to say; but the law which trans- 

 fers it to them seems so inconsistent with the natural rights of man- 

 kind, that I cannot but in pity to humanity recite it. 



"Every slave committing any offence, by law punishable by 

 "death, or loss of member, shall be committed to the county gaol, 

 "and the sheriff of the county shall forthwith certify such com- 

 "mitment, with the cause thereof, to the governor, or commander 

 "in chief, who may issue a commission of oyer and terminer to 

 "such persons as he shall think fit, which persons, forthwith after 

 "the receipt of such commission, shall cause the offender to be 



[47] 



