Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-03-20
THE FUGITIVE STEPHENSON.

THE FUGITIVE STEPHENSON.
The circumstances under which this man has been brot
|here from Savannah, have deeply excited the public mind
lie arrived here seems on Monday N tue pilot boat sa
yanna from Savannah, four days On arriving the ves-
sci anchored off the Battery and communication was had
with the British Consul and the agents OF he British credi
tors and he soon after ON board me Tor
debt by the High Constable HAYS. Since which there is
no trace of him The intelligence fSephensons arrival hav-
ing become public suspicious beng entertained that
he had been orcby seized anu ther consider
liable erment was exced writ OF habeas corpus was APP
piled for and obtane midnight by some volunteers
on behalf Of the prisoner and the house OF gentleman
where he was supposed to be detained was visited but
without finding him This morning the crment increased
The British Consul and Hays have both been served with
wrs of haJeas corpus which, however, as yet have not pro-
ucel the prisoner and meantime, every variety OF runur
aoat that he has been carried oil 10 sea; that he is
placed any rate beyond the reach OF rescue IN shott
that daring hghhanded violation ofthe laws commenced
in Georgia, has been successfully accomplished here The
better opinion, however, is that Stephenson will be
forthcoming o'clock before the Recorder of which,
and what then tansres, we shall take care to inform our
readers.
MEANWHILE let lis look calmly at the facts, they al.
legged to exist in this caseA is forcbly seized in
distant State--bound and hurried on board vessel.
ro,t hiter candestney delivered under color of The
law TO sworn tn all traces of him disappear
He is not in the prison Of the cy-he is not the sheriff
says his custodynor does he know aught OF hmThe
law has nut forth in vain its process to CLAIM him, and
indicate, in his behalf. the common privilege OF every
man. in government of laws to be Judged by the laws.
lie is still undscuyeiewh 1t is admitted that there
those within the reach and jurisdiction OF the Courts, who
do know where he sand who therefore must stand in
the light OF persons resisting the just authority of those
Courts.
has enabled us to verify ihcm and assuming them be
correct, ask what security is there for the personal liz
berry of any such things can be done with mpunyi
No will suspect Of desiring 10 screen criminals
to excite in behalf of guilt the compassion sympathy of
the public. But claim, that for guilt and innocence
alike there be but re Of proceeding, and thatthc
4 fu,iU ,an Isttlir ,aE
what has occurredeven though Stephenson be surren-
dered TO ayfor the very concealmen and mystery that
has been practsed and the consequent defeat though
for hour only, of the law, BY the agency OF its
minister's is high msdemeanor
The circumstances of Sepenson's seizure in Georgia
these The deputy goacr OF Savannah conceived the
plan of bringing him here, in order to obtain the reward,
proifere by Mr.. parkns, $3.50 lie enlisted the
cr of PILOT boat in the scheme and they two with otlco
lowed Stephenson to farm house about twenty miles from
Savannah where they found him. and told him he must go
with them He made resistance; took from his pocket
t1veny-tzvo dollars all he had which he gave to Lloyd, his
companion, and then put into carriage, driven to and
Through Savannah embarked on board the boat brought
hher, without being told where he gong what the
authority fors Arrived in the bay here he made,
it is said attempt to destroy himself with pistowch
prevented by the OF the Pilot Boat who then
pnioned him and pinoncd he was brought before the
| British Consul here.
ALP NJ. Mr.. Stephenson brought into the Recor.
ders room by Mr. Hays and after short consultation with
two or three gentlemen who appear to act as counsel tor
him. the Recorder stated that there appeared to be no legal
process by which he detained and inquired there
any why he should not be discharged from the
custody Of Mr. Hays No objection being made the Re-
corder declared him to be at liberty when Mr. Sheriff
Shaw took him in custody the suit OF Mr.. ExSheriH
| Parkins, OF London, for debt.
Mr. mnct requested permission to state that Mr. Stephen
son had informed lin that The British Consu! had since his
arrival here treated him every respect with civlity;
and that. ara he knew a agency in his arrest and
transportation from Savannah to this city Mir " stated the
the with regaid to Mr. Goodhue.
/ The counsel Of Stephenson sad that whatever might be
al fiarl4r the actN
son was taken from his bed at his lodgings seventeen
niles from Savannah by four armed men and by them
ried 10 the pilot boat.
i After alteration between of the counsel,
the British Consul declared that far the transactions at
Savannah concerned he had nothing do with them,
his first knowledge of any part Of the business yester
day, when two to his house and informed him
that Stephenson board the pilot boat. He went
boarland brought him up to his hou>e-thence convey
ed him to Mr. 6 ,odhucs, where he kindly treated
and thence. by the advice of those PERSONS went to sleep
at the house of HAYS who had arrested him. So far from
having eneavc,ired wished to interfere with the rights
of Stephenson he disposed to protect him. Mr. Good
hue made similar statement--that he had agency
whatever, in his and transportation hther Much
confusion prevailed in the Office but the result asi is
here generally stated. " I. .2me.