person is so slain, or suddenly dead, shall make enquiry when, how, and by what means, such deceased came to his death, and his name, if it be known, together with all the material circumstances attending his death. And, if it shall appear that the deceased was slain, then who was guilty, either as principal or accessary, if known, or in any manner the cause of his death. In like manner, it is to be enquired concerning them that be suddenly dead, after such bodies are seen, in what manner, at what time, and by what cause, such death was occasioned: and as many persons as are found culpable by inquisition, in any of the manners aforesaid, shall be taken and delivered to the Sheriff, and committed to jail. And such persons as are found to know anything of the matter, and are not culpable themselves, shall be bound in a recognizance, with a sufficient se curity, to appear at the next Superior Court of Law, to give evidence. Of all which matters and things the Coroner must note up a record of his inquisition, signed by the Jurors, and return the same to the next Superior Court of his proper county. If the Jury doubt as to the cause of the death of the deceased person, and any of them desire it, a post mortem examination may be had at the expense of the county.

OATH OF A CORONER.

“I, A B, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that, in all things, I will diligently, faithfully and impartially execute the office of Coroner for the county of Warren, State of North Carolina, according to law and according to the best of my skill and ability: so help me God."

FORM OF THE OATH OF A WITNESS AT AN INQUEST.

The evidence which you shall give to this inquest concerning the death of A B here lying dead, shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth: so help you God.

FOR

State of N
We

Know all held and firm be paid to th unto we bin jointly and and sealed The cond a writ of ca the said E the said A said E F, tl fifth day o costs on th rested by and where Act of A

FORM OF THE RECORD OF THE EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES.

State of North Carolina,

Granville County.

The examination of CD of Oxford, and E F of Henderson, taken before me, G H, Coroner of the County aforesaid, this tenth day of August, 1852, at the house of J K, in the county aforesaid, upon the body of A B, then and there lying dead, to wit:

The said C D maketh oath, &c.

The said E F maketh oath, &c.

Sworn to before me, the day and year above written.

FORM OF RECOGNIZANCE FOR A WITNESS.

State of North Carolina,}

Wake County.

Be it remembered, that on the tenth day of April, 1851, personally came before me G H, Coroner of the County afore said C D and E F, and acknowledged themselves indebted to the State, to wit: the said CD, in the sum of dollars, and the said E F, in the sum of dollars each, to be levied of each of their goods and chattels, lands and tenements.

The condition of the above recognizance is such, that if the above bounden C D and E F, shall personally appear before the honorable, the Judge of the Superior Court of Law, to be held for the County of Wake, at the Court House in Raleigh, on the fifth day of August next, then and there to give evidence in behalf of the State, concerning the death of A B, and do not depart the said Court without leave, then the above recognizance to be null and void: otherwise, to remain in full force and virtue.

Acknowledged before me,

G H, Coroner.

Note. This recognizance, the examination of the witnesses, and the inquisition taken by the Coroner, must be by him returned to the next Superior Court of the County.

But if the offenders are fled or escaped, this also must be found by the Jury, and recorded upon the Coroner's Inquest.

If the Jury impanneled by the Coroner are sworn and the witnesses not ready, he may bind the Jury by recognizance to appear at another day, and issue his Precept to cause the witnesses then to appear.

FORM OF A PRECEPT TO SUMMON WITNESSES.

State of North Carolina, }

To N O, one of the Constables of the County aforesaid:

You are hereby commanded forthwith to summon C D and EF, of this county, planters, personally to appear before me, G H, Coroner of the county aforesaid, to-morrow, at two o'clock, in the afternoon, at the house of P Q, in this county, to give evidence concerning the death of A B; and you are also required to be then and there yourself, to shew how you have executed this Precept.

Given under my hand and seal, the tenth day of August, 1852.

Note. The day and place of appearance of the Jury are at the discretion of the Coroner. After the Jury, upon view of the body, have been sworn to try the fact, it is not necessary to meet again at the same place, or to suffer the corpse to remain unburied to the annoyance of the people; but the Jury may meet and hear evidence, at such time and place as the Coroner may direct.

FORM OF AN INQUISITION OF MURDER.

State of North Carolina,}

An inquisition indented and taken at Raleigh, in the County aforsaid, the fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord 1852,