Christie v. Goldsborough

Í agree that all writs must be returned, and the effect oí them complied with, unless some reasonable cause is shewn by the sheriff as an excuse for his not doing so. But we differ in the application of this general position. The writ, which is the foundation of this motion, commands the sheriff to take the body, &c. and him safe keep, so that he have him before the Court at the particular day therein specified. The sheriff returns “ cepi corpus.” If the return had rested there, we should have heard no objection to it, and the gentleman’s sagacity would have furnished him with arguments and…