i 9 6 ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 



40 j. are recoverable in it, upon the creditors making oath, that 

 the fame is a juft debt to him. The mayor and commiflioner are 

 judges. They adminifter oaths, and commit to prifon offenders. 

 They proceed firft: by fummons. This cofts but three-pence. If 

 the defendant appears, there is no farther charge. If he does 

 not, they proceed to attachment and execution. All perfons, 

 whether free or not, if within the freedom, may profecute, or 

 be profecutedin this court. Freemen maybe profecuted though 

 they live out of the liberty. 



The Court of Admiralty is held before the mayor for the prefer- 

 vation of the river Tyne, at fuch times as he fhall direct. His 

 deputy, the water-bailiff, gives notice of all offences committed 

 contrary to the orders made for the prefervation of the brood of 

 fifhes, and takes effectual care that they may be proceeded againft 

 according to law. 



The Court of Common Council is after the model of the fupreme 

 council of the nation. It confifts of two houfes. One is for the 

 mayor and aldermen. The other is for the commoners. They 

 make all by-lays for the benefit of the corporation. In this 

 court are recorded all deeds and evidences. The mayor can call 

 and adjourn it at pleafure. 



In the court, called the Ward-moot-Court, are chofen the officers 

 for the government of each particular ward, as common coun- 

 cil-men, conftables, See. 



The Court of Fyepoivckr is held at the time of the fairs and 

 Lammas and St. Luke, for examining and trying all fuits brought 

 for petty differences and offences committed contrary to the fol- 

 lowing proclamation, made on the firft day of each fair. 



The 



