Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

Richmond. April 1.

A case of some little nicety, touching the application of a point of law to testimony, was brought before the hustings court of this city, on Monday last. Some weeks since, certain persons of colour had been playing faro; and one of them, who had lost by the game, turned informer, and called upon the police, who took the person charged with exhibiting the table into custody. Three were brought before the Hustings Court on Monday; and when the first case of a respectable coloured man was called up, it appeared from the evidence, that after two had exhibited the table, playing with the company, he, finding he was losing, said he would try his luck, and accordingly seated himself at the table, laid his money before him, took hold of the cards, and invited his companions to bet. It appeared, however, that none of them did actually bet, that he did not turn a card, and that of course he did not play in the character of an exhibitor. The Act of Assembly declares that the keeper or exhibitor of a faro table is guilty of a high misdemeanor. The question was, whether this man was an exhibitor, or not, in the eye of the law. His counsel contended that he was not; that he must not only be ready to play, but must actually play, to constitute the offence. The Court decided in the man's favour—and he was accordingly discharged.

The next day, the other two men were sent on for further trial.

[Compiler.