Meechum v. Judy

• Decision Date: 30 June 1836
• Citation: 4 Mo. 361
• Parties: MEECHUM v. JUDY, ALIAS JULIA LOGAN, A WOMAN OF COLOR.
• Court: Missouri Supreme Court

4 Mo. 361

MEECHUM

v.JUDY, ALIAS JULIA LOGAN, A WOMAN OF COLOR.

Supreme Court of Missouri.

June Term, 1836.

Julia brought an action against Meechum for her freedom. The defendant pleaded not guilty and that the plaintiff is his slave: verdict and judgment were given for the plaintiff Julia. Meechum, by his counsel Mr. DRAKE, moved the court for a new trial. It appears by the bill of exceptions, that Lewis, a negro, gave testimony for the petitioner. The defendant made an affidavit showing that he had purchased the plaintiff as a slave, from one Newton, and had a bill of sale of Newton, with warranty. That Newton was a white man and had been notified by the defendant of the suit and requested to defend the suit, and had employed counsel and in this way was the real defendant, and that the defendant did not know that Lewis would be offered as a witness till it was done on the trial, and that said bond of warranty was not then in his power, so that he was surprised The affidavit also admits that Meechum, the defendant, is a negro. On the ground of surprise, a new trial is asked, and it is argued in this court that Newton is the real defendant, and so the suit is not one where negroes alone are concerned.J. SPALDING, for Appellant. The only questions that can arise, are on the motion for a new trial; the reason assigned for the new trial was surprise on the counsel of defendant below, by the production and admission of a black witness on behalf of Judy, when Jas. Newton a white man was the substantial defendant, having sold Judy to Meechum with warranty of title, and who although not nominally a party on the record, yet had conducted the defense, and employed Chas. D. Drake, the attorney, who acted for Meechum in the court below. 1. Was the evidence of a black person admissible for the plaintiff below?--Rev. Code, page 600, § 2; New Rev. Code, 624, § 19, are the provisions respecting the admissibility of black witnesses. 2. If the testimony of a black person was not admissible, yet does the laches of the counsel of Meechum in not having the means of showing that Nelson was the substantial party, prevent the interference of the court? 3 Taunton, 484, was a case of negligence of attorney, and a new trial granted therefor: 2 Strange, 1259, assessment of damages set aside on the ground of surprise and mistake.

F. W. RISQUE, for Appellee. Did the Circuit Court err in refusing to grant a new trial? 1. The suit is properly brought according to the act of the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, “to enable persons held in slavery to sue for their freedom.”--See Statutes of Mo. ed. of 1835, p. 286, § 9. 2. Lewis, the colored witness aforesaid, was competent according to the act of the General Assembly of the State of Missouri in relation to witnesses. See Statutes, p. 624, § 19. 3. The power of the court to grant new trials, being discretionary, they will not exercise...