No. 6. 1845. ANNUAL REPORT of the Attorney General. To the Legislature of the State of Michigan:. The undersigned, in compliance with the statute, respectfully submits the following report Schedule A exhibits a brief summary of suits in the different courts in charge of this office. An important and responsible part of the duties of the Attorney General consists in examining and answering the great variety of new questions arising under the provisions of the statutes, and in giving opinions and advice to the various officers entrusted with the execution of the laws. This duty increases with the increasing population and business of the State. Schedule B contains an abstract of the criminal reports of the Prosecuting Attorneys, showing the official business done by them during the past year. The Prosecuting Attorneys for the counties of Lapeer, Macomb, Saginaw, Kent, Eaton, Hillsdale, Allegan and Barry, have neglected to make their reports. The schedule embraces all the other counties, and exhibits the amount and kind of criminal business done-the number of persons prosecuted--the crimes and misdemeanors for which such prosecutions were had--the results thereof, and the punishments awarded. So far as has come within my observation, the duties of the Prosecuting Attorneys have been performed with vigilance and energy, and the laws for the punishment and prevention of crime executed with ability, promptitude and effect. Nothwithstanding our locality upon the borders of a foreign government, presenting an easy refuge to offenders from abroad, the past year has not been marked by any unusual number, or by the atrocity of the crimes committed, and a general obedience to the laws has been observed. No material change seems to me to be, at present required in our criminal jurisprudence. The statutory laws are now in the process of a general revision; if any deficiencies should be found to exist, 1 such defects can be remedied in the revised code, without endangering the symmetry and harmony of the system. Respectfully submitted. E. FARNSWORTH, Attorney General. Detroit, December 30, 1844. (A.) Exhibiting a summary of Suits in the different Courts. Charles G. Hammond, Auditor General, adsm the People, ex re E. C. Seaman-Supreme Court. Application for a mandamus. Decided January term, 1844. Application denied. The People, vs. Chorr-Indicted for murder. Application before Chief Justice Ransom, for allowance of writ of error. Allowed. Auditor General, adsm. John Chamberlin-Application for a mandamus. Yet pending. Charles G. Hammond, Auditor General, et al adsm. the Michigan State Bank-Court of Chancery. Bill dismissed. Appeal to the Supreme Court. Appeal still pending. The People, vs. Ira J. Strong-Supreme Court. Indicted for perjury in Branch county. Motion in Supreme Court for new trial, and in arrest of judgment. Pending. Charles G. Hammond, et al Trustees, vs. David Whitman, Jr.— Court of Chancery. Bill filed to stay waste. Injunction allowed. Settled. Same vs. Harmon Chamberlin-Same as above. The Attorney General, vs. the Calhoun County Bank-Bill filed. Injunction allowed and a receiver appointed. Same, vs. the Jackson County Bank-Pending. In the hands of a receiver. Yet Charles G. Hammond, Auditor General, adsm. Henry W. Tay. lor, et al-In Chancery. Entered, appearance of Hammond. pending. Charles G. Hammond, et al Trustees, vs. Justus Burdick, et ux— Bill filed to foreclose mortgage. Same, vs. Andrew Mann, et ux-Same as above. Digby V. Bell, adsm. the People, ex rel Josiah Pidge-Supreme Court. Pending. Same, adsm. same, ex rel Alexander Blake-Same as above. (B.) Abstract of Reports of Prosecuting Attorneys, exhibiting the criminal business of 1844. Wayne County A. W. BUEL, Prosecuting Attorney. REMARK. In the above list are included all indictments found, and prosecutions had, without reference to the fact, that in a number of instances, the same persons are indicted or prosecuted several times. CONVICTIONS AND SENTENCES. Convicted and sentenced to penitentiary, do do fined, 42 20 [No. 6. Absconded, 29 11 188 N. B.-The same remark as above may be made, with reference to convictions and sentences, in several instances, the same persons receiving more than one sentence. Washtenaw County-EDWARD MUNDY, Prosecuting Attorney. breach of prison and aiding in attempt to escape, obtaining goods under false pretences, violation of license law, 1 1 5 4 1 1 1 1 1 48 1 65 4 1 3 8 2 47 65 Oakland County-SAM'L G. WATSON, Prosecuting Attorney. refusing to pay over money collected as a public officer, 1 2 2 11 1 2 3 1 |