6 Mo. 471 | Mo. | 1840
Opinion-of the Court by
A slave, the property of Cordell, was indicted in the circuit court of St. Louis, for a felony, and the court assigned the plaintiff in error as counsel for the slave.
The plaintiff in error brought suit against the master, for professional services in defending his slave. On the trial, the court instructed the jury, that if they believed that the plaintiff acted as counsel for the slave,. upon an understanding
The professional services were proved, but it was also Provec*- Cordell, the owner, declined employing counsel, whereupon the court appointed Mr. Manning, who was an attorney and counsellor at law. Yerdict and judgment foi defendant.
_ _ . . . . .. ., , . , ' I am of opinion that the court did not err m its instruction. ^ ^ie consdt:utional provision be imperative on the counsel, as well as the court, and was intended to deprive the master of selection, it would only raise an implied as-sumpsit against the State. The counsel acts in such case as an officer of the court, and for the furtherance of justice, and not upon any contract with the master, nor can any be implied. Judgment affirmed.