Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-04-10

nearly ! monthS, by his own consent and
by the advice and direction of Case (the
latter having then little for him to do)was
hired to service with person residing
at place called Mann's Lick, in Ken
lucky, where he was taken as the proper
ty oil Case, as before mentioned, on exe-
cuton issued on judgment rendered
against Case, after he went to reside in
Indiana. On this evidence, it was con-
tended that Moses was entitled to free
dom.
About the hour at which the court
stood adjourned, 9th February, forty
three able bodied men accompanied the
claimants agent from Kentucky over to
this place, of whom nine only we're
sworn as witnesses in the cause The
Sheriff Tor this county, having been Gre
dibly informed, believed, that most of
those who passed over the river, before
they sat off on the other side, had taken
the resolution in case of being unsuc-
cessful in the issue of the trial, to rescue
The negro and bear him off by force.
This beliefthe sheriff had formed before
the day OF trial, and was but too we'll
confirmed on that day, that SO large a
number, other than witnesses, he sup
posed could not be drawn hither merely
from idle curiosity-the threats by some,
the discovery of concealed weapons with
others, and the general department Of
the greater part, strengthened, as he al-
Trims, his hrst suspicious. On consuta-
ton with and the advice from Judge
Woodruff, believed the exposed sccuri-
ty OF the public peace required the mea-
sure, he directed Charles Paxson, Colo
mel OF the militia, to order out sufficient
guard TO prevent public disturbance and
TO enforce the laws.-Twenty men un-
der arms were accordingly ordered out
by Col. PaXson, directing them to parade
near the court of Justice, but in no case
interfere, por use violence, without am
evident appearance ofdisturbance. The
trial lasted till about O'Clock in he
evening, when the Justice decided that
there had not been proof to his satistac-
ton that service was due from Moses
to the claimant, and accordingly order
ed that Moses should be discharged out
of custody. After this adjudication, as
Moses began togo out OF the JUSTICES
Office, in approaching the door, some Of
the claimants adherents seized on him
and forced him into the public street, APP
parcntly determined to carry into execu-
ton, in violation of law and public order,
their previous resolution oil rescuing the
negro. A number of the ci,zens feel
ing this rude proceeding an insult on the
dignity oftheir state government, resist
ed the outrage by attempting to reclaim
Moses out Of their hands and to afford
him the protection of the law. A scene
of nproar and confusion now ensued, in
which nearly 100 men, including the
combatants of both parties were en-
gagged, with 200 spectators looking on,
feeling all the terrible approximations Of
O!oodshed and murder. In this alarm
ing scene of angry looks and uplilted
deadly weapons, Judge Woodruff stood
forth and with loud voice commanded
the peace; no sooner were his words
uttered than he was knocked fiat to the
ground by a person from the other side
of the river, whose name is well known.
Colonel of the militia now ordered them
to advance and charge with bayonets,
but in no case to fire without special
orders---but to resist violence and re.
store order. The negro man in the
mean time was reclaimed and conducted
out of the crowd. On giving the orders
to charge, Col. Paxson was insulted by
one of the assailants, by most appro-
brous language, and accompanying his
abuse by words, with violent kick
a ainst his thigh. For this insult the
aggressor was knocked down with a
musket by soldier and put under guard.
The assailants still perseverlng in their
violence, pressing or the militia and in
sulting them, several of them were
knocked down with muskets, and others
pricked with the bayonets, and some
badly wounded. In this terrible con-
ilict, between so many conbatants, many
with arms and most of them wrought up
to that state OF phrenzy which is usually
followed by the most desperate acts, it.
is matter of wonder, that n.umbe,s
should not have been desperately wound
ed or killed.
An instance Of moderation this, on the
part of men, with loaded arms in their
hands, basely insulted by aggressors
without having given any known provo
cation, and ordered out under the au-
thority of law, to preserve the peace Of
society, rarely to oe met with under cir.
cumstances SO aggravatng and des.erv-
ing OF high commentator. Angry
looks and threats were exchanged for
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