Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 05.pdf/296

There was a problem when proofreading this page.

Pipowder Courts. As the courts at Westminster could be called on to aid the process of any English Court of Pipowders, so the power of the provincial courts could be invoked to enforce judgments in South Carolina. All fines and forfeitures amounting to less than .£10 were recoverable on a warrant from any justice of the peace, and, if more than that amount, on a warrant issued from any of his Majesty's courts of record in the province. One half of all fines was given to the poor of the parish in which the fair was held, and the other half to the plaintiff. At every fair were appointed toll-gath erers, who assessed certain charges on all livestock sold; and the amounts assessed give an idea of the relative values of such property in the colonies at that time. It was provided that at the Childsberry Fair

267

there should be collected 2s. 6d. on every horse, mare, gelding, colt, or cattle; 6d. for every hog, sheep, or calf; and ios. for every slave sold. The classification of slaves along with horses and cattle strikes us to-day as something horrible; but it was done in a very matter-of-fact business way 175 years ago. The act reads that after collecting the toll the gatherer "shall then cause a note to be made of the true number of all horses, mares, geldings, colts, or other cattle or slaves sold at the said fair." The last public fair and Court of Pipow ders established in South Carolina was in 1738; and although no later mention of them is found in the records, it is reasonable to suppose that they continued in force until late in the last century.