When was it published?

February 9, 1739 in The Virginia Gazette

Foreign News February 9, 1739

The Virginia Gazette

Q: What keywords are associated?

Edinburgh Court, Messenger Fees, Lords Ruling, Debtor Caption, Public Spirit

Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia

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What is this article about?

In Edinburgh, the Lords of Session tried a case where a messenger exacted excessive fees from a debtor. They ruled such practices illegal, ordered the decision recorded publicly, deprived the messenger of his office, and fined him £10.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

Edinburgh, Nov. 6. Friday last an uncommon Cause was tried before the Lords, wherein their Lordships gave a new Instance of Public Spirit. A Messenger had exacted exorbitant Fees from a Debtor for Execution of a Caption against him, and stated an Account, wherein he pretended to charge the unfortunate Man with certain Sums for going at different Times to execute the same. Their Lordships therefore declared it to be against Law for any Messengers to exact Fees from the Person they go to apprehend, because it is the Business of their Employer to satisfy them, and the Law had provided Relief in such a Case: And to make the Interlocutor more publick, they ordered a Copy thereof to be inrolled in the Records of the Lyon. They further deprived the Messenger for ever of his Office, and fined him Ten Pounds. Such a Procedure must fill the Hearts of every one with the greatest Pleasure.

What sub-type of article is it?

Court News

What keywords are associated?

Edinburgh Court Messenger Fees Lords Ruling Debtor Caption Public Spirit

Where did it happen?

Edinburgh

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

Edinburgh

Event Date

Friday Last

Outcome

messenger deprived of office forever and fined ten pounds; declaration that messengers cannot exact fees from persons apprehended.

Event Details

A messenger exacted exorbitant fees from a debtor for executing a caption, charging multiple sums for repeated attempts. The Lords ruled this illegal, as employers should pay messengers, and ordered the decision enrolled in the Records of the Lyon for publicity.