10

They have been returned by the warden, and the petition-
ers brought before me, with his certificate setting forth the
causes of detainer or imprisonment.

These it will be my duty to examine, but before doing so,
it is necessary to notice a point suggested by the petitioners'
counsel.

Two of the copies of commitments furnished by the clerk,
and filed before me with the petitions, were as follows:

CRIMINAL COURT OP BALTIMORE, September term, 1866—
State of Maryland vs. William T. Valiant and James Young.
Committed in default of bail in $5000 for his appearance to
answer.

Warden Baltimore Gity Jail: Receive into your jail and cus-
tody the body of William T. Valliant and James Young.
November 3, 1866, committed on the above.

WILLIAM THOMPSON, Sheriff of Baltimore City
True copy—Test: JEHU B. ASKEW, Clerk.

And a commitment in the same words of William Thom-
son, by Samuel Sparklin, coroner.

In these commitments the offenses charged, which the par-
ties were respectively required to answer, are not stated.

With the return of the warden are filed the following,
marked in the margin : "Amended commitments, November
5, 1866:"

CRIMINAL COURT op BALTIMORE, September Term, 1866—
State of Maryland vs. William T. Valiant and James Young.
Charge of having unlawfully conspired together, and with
unknown persons, by force and arms, and with a strong hand
to expel, remove and put out Samuel Hindes and Nicholas
L. Wood, Police Commissioners of the city of Baltimore, from
the office, buildings and property now occupied and possessed
by them as such Police Commissioners.

Warden Baltimore City Jail:—Receive into your Jail and
custody William T. Valiant and James Young.

November 2, 1866, committed on the above in default of
bail.

WILLIAM THOMPSON. Sheriff of Baltimore City.

CRIMINAL COURT OF BALTIMORE CITY, September Term, 1866.
State of Maryland vs. William Thompson. Charge of being
engaged in an unlawful assembly, rout and riot, together, with
unknown persons to the number of one hundred or more. In
default of bail.

Warden of Baltimore City Jail: Receive into your Jail and
custody the body of William Thompson, November 3, 1866.
Committed on the above charge.

SAMUEL SPARKLIN, Coroner.

The objection is urged on the part of the petitioners that
these amended commitments are not properly before me, be-