When Charles V. Swearingen's slave, Miller Taylor, "absconded and ran away," Swearingen offered a reward of fifty dollars "for the apprehension of said negro, and securing him." Swearingen cites that a justice of the peace issued a warrant against him in the name of J. M. Lawson, who claimed the reward, and the court found in Lawson's favor. However, Swearingen charges that Lawson and others have conspired to defraud him. Noting that his slave was actually secured and apprehended by L. Johnson in Virginia, the petitioner complains that he is bound to pay the reward to Johnson. Swearingen asks for an injunction to be issued "commanding and prohibiting" the defendants "from all further proceedings on said Judgment and Execution" until the matter is heard and tried in court.
Result: Dismissed.
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Repository: Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland
