This hearing had been adjourned from the previous term as the limited library at Morganton did not allow the Justices to research all the relevant authorities. It was an action on a case of enticing away several apprentices bound by the County Court to serve the plaintiff. The three slaves left the employment of their master and went to work for the defendant, some 25 miles away. The plaintiff wanted to recover for the loss of their services for over 6 years and have them back on a permanent basis. The slaves had occasionally returned to Buncombe, but kept going back to Love. The defendant made no claim to them and said that the plaintiff could collect them. The Supreme Court found that the ruling by Judge Bailey with regard to the possible claim for damages was in error. Damages for loss of services could only be given up to the commencement of the suit. New trial ordered.
