HIGH COURT OF MADRAS. 



'83 



arrest the defendant was to be let out to bail, and in default 

 of finding bail to be detained in custody until he should 

 have found bail, or given security, or should have judgment 

 or sentence given for him. And after such bail found, or 

 security given, or in case the defendant should be detained 

 in custody for want of bail or security, the Court was to 

 proceed to the examination of the matter and cause of com* 

 plaint, either upon the oaths of witnesses in writing to be 

 by them subscribed and taken in the most solemn manner, 

 or by the voluntary confession of the defendant, and there- 

 upon it should be lawful for the Court to give judgment and 

 sentence according to justice and right, and to award and 

 issue warrants of execution for levying the debt, together 

 with costs of suit, upon the goods and chattels of the defen- 

 dant ; and for want of sufficient distress to imprison the 

 defendant until satisfaction made. In cases where the 

 defendant was not to be found within the jurisdiction of the 

 Court a sequestration might be granted, upon an affidavit or 

 proof verifying the plaintiff's demand, to seize the estate and 

 effects of the defendant, and the same to detain till he should 

 appear and give security ; and in case he should not appear 

 within six months (unless it was shown to the Court that he 

 was residing in Great Britain) the Court might proceed to 

 hear and determine the cause. 



The Court was authorized to administer oaths and to frame 

 rules of practice, and to appoint clerks and officers, and to do 

 all such other things as should be found necessary for the 

 administration of justice. A table of fees was to be settled 

 by the Court and approved and signed by the Governor, and 

 wrote out fair and kept constantly fixed up in some visible 

 and open part of the room or place where the Court should 

 be held. 



An appeal was given from the Mayor's Court to the 

 Governor and Council, who were constituted a Court of 



