Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-11-05

From the Boston COMMERCIAL Gazette
INTERESTING CASE
The case of the " ouns Eugene" sell
rad on the Coast Of Africa, in May last,
by the United States Schooner Alligator,
CAPT. Stockton, as being an American
ye,s ell. engaged in the Slave Trade, and
bro sht into this port, was argued on
Tue sday before the Circuit Court. lPre'
ent Judges Story and Davis for the Dis'
trict of Massachusetts,. The ownership
Of the vessel was claimed by certain
French subjects, inhabitants OF Guada-
loupe, who were defended by William
Suiig.n, Esq; and the seizure was sup
portxd by George Blake, Esq. District
A,torosv. and Daniel Webster Esq. We
heard oily the argument OF Dir. Weo.
s.er. when took place in the evening; and
are consequently unable to give an oPln-
ion Of the ability exhibited by the ether
gentleman engaged in the cause. OF the
latter. however, we may truly declare,
that We never have known him more able
or e|oouent--never has he conferred
greater Justice to the AIDE he e'poused.
snd never within our recollection was
moro brilliant display Of legal talent and
individual scholarship and genius rehec
ted on the bar.
Mr., Webster commenced his argument
nv review of the official manitestos OF
tho different civilized nations on the
subject of ths Slave Trade From a
ra.urrsnce of those documents, it appear
ed that every christian and humane coun-
try. had sevsrally expressed its adherence
Of this abominabie traffic. England,
France Switzerland, Germany, Russia,
Prussia, Portugal, Spain, and the Neither
lands had all regarded II as the most odi
Gus Of crimes. ana the most understandable
of enormitlss. They had all created y en-
forced express prohibitions against 1t even
Spain & Portugal. A man was not ut to live
in SD ain, who was contaminated with This
inhuman vice.-in the course Of lis ar
gument. Mr.. Webster remarked, tsat it
it was thought necessary that there should
be .ome example made to the majesty of
the laws in this respect, lie hoped 1t would
he first made in TINS court, and IN his
town. place famed for having gwen
birth TO noble achievements, and to such
associations as this subject was calculated
to excite. The lea cnsd oratorquoted the
sentiments of Burke, Cha,nm and Fox,
in illustration of his positions against
slavery. lie also entered into AND eAa
mined with the most rigid scrutiny. that
point Of the cause winch related 10 the
rich. Of search, and exploded lie old doc
TRUE that tree ships make tree goods -
All this he accomplished in manner
which well entities him TO the appe!la-
ton of giant Of the law. Although
MIR. Webster occupiel neatly wo hours
in his remarks. the most profound and
gratifying attention prevailed and many
of the spectators expressed tier surprize
a. the great length Of time winch had
siapscd, and of which they were utterly
unscDnscious, from tie power OF his
e.oquence.
We re sret that no report of this argu-
81. Il was laken-and, that the pubiic can
10, be favored with it. 1t is 10 be lamen
ted. that tie impressions oftr eloGucnce
cannot be preserved, and handed down to
after ages, like poetry. or painting that
the beauties Of an able speech, or an cru
dite argument, are often destined 10 1--we
only in the evane.cent recollection of the
hearers-and that the grand and indescri
babe union of majesty Of person and de
porrment. combined with fervency Of
thought and harmony of dictlon, are bat
p,rtia lily treasured upin the mlnd.-We
learn that his {Ionor Judge Story intima
ted. at the close of this important case.
that he should take some time for DELHI
Grafton ere he pronounced the oplnies Of
the court; as it WAS no less novel than
sn in eresting case.