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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Report by John Morgan concerning an indictment against Edmund Fanning
Morgan, John
August 06, 1770
Volume 08, Pages 225-226

I think this Indictmt vague & uncertain, so that it could not be supported, on a Writ of Error—There are not any of ye Indorsements

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mentioned (tho' that is matter of Evidence)—Nor any peculiar specification of the Deed—not even the date—nor any other Marks, whereby it could be distinguished from another, between persons of ye same names, for the like quantity of Land in ye same County—And for other reasons, unnecessary to Enumerate.

JOHN MORGAN.

Inner Temple, 6th Augt 1770.

With respect to the last question, on Mr Fanning's Case, I conceive a full answer is given in my former opinion. [See page 33 ante.—Editor.] I do not see the least foundation, for criminating the Defendant, and I am therefore clearly of opinion, he ought, in every respect, to be Exculpated.

In my opinion on the Second Question, I observed that a Prosecutor had his Election, either to proceed for the Penalty, by action; or for Criminal punishment, by Indictment.

This, perhaps, hath induced a Supposition, that I doubted, with respect to the Case in question. But, if my answer is reconsidered, I apprehend 'twill clearly appear, I was only attempting to Elucidate (if it required any Elucidation) the Second section of the Act of Assembly, & to shew that it doth not restrain the operation of the Common Law—Yet I had not, nor could I have it in contemplation to apply any Criminality to Mr Fanning.

JOHN MORGAN.

Inner Temple, 6th Augt 1770.