Case No. 7,284.

JENNINGS v. WASHINGTON.

[5 Cranch, C. C. 512.]¹

Circuit Court, District of Columbia.

Nov. Term, 1838.

SLAVERY—NIGHTLY MEETINGS—PROHIBITION.

The corporation of Washington, under the power to restrain and prohibit the nightly and other disorderly meetings of slaves, free negroes, and mulattoes, has a right to prohibit them from being out after ten o'clock P. M.

Appeal from the judgment of a justice of the peace against the appellant [Mary Jennings], who was a free mulatto, for the penalty of $10, for being out after ten o'clock at night, contrary to a by-law of the corporation.

Mr. Dermott, for appellant, contended that the corporation had no authority to prohibit free persons of color from being out after ten o'clock at night. The charter only gives them power to restrain and prohibit disorderly meetings of free colored persons.

But THE COURT (nem. con.) was of opinion that the by-law in question was justified by the clause in the charter which gives the corporation power “to restrain and prohibit the nightly and other disorderly meetings of slaves, free negroes, and mulattoes.” Judgment affirmed, with costs.

¹ [Reported by Hon. William Cranch, Chief Judge.]

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