Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-01-18

dayin the Mary landH .onDelegates, MIR Mauls-
by rose and proposed an order respectfully
asking of the Executive 10 communicate all
The information IL their possession relative 10
the demand made by the Executive of Penn
syivania, for The delivery over of four of the
citizens of Hartford county, who il appears
had been indicted by the York County
Court, for unlawiully Selling and conve ing
from said county, certain Negro Woman
and her children, claimed as ASCENDING
slaves, belonging 10 a widow lady ei Hariu
county, without having observed the legal
form required by the laws OF Pennsylvania
an such cases, whereby they became liable
10 the penalties OF said laws, which denounce
tine and imprisonment in the Peuienliary
Tor the offence.
Mr.. nj. stated that upon his own know.
edge the persons indicted were men Of res
pectability and Of family, and'freel olders nf
Hartford county that they had had the me-
grees arrested by proper officer with war
tani from the authorities of Pennsylvania,
and taken before Justice Of the Peace for
his decision, under the act Of Congress requi-
ring that proceeding -but the Magistrate
refused TO act under that law in consequence
OF act G! the Stale of Pennsylvania which
MIR. Aaulsby conlended went in effect IL
nuliaty The authority Of the United States law
IN The case. by iorbdding a justice of the
peace re adjudge in such case, but required
aha, ii shall be tried before Judge Of the
cOur; and be made matter of record.
In consequence Of the refusal Of the Justice
20 adjudge the case, and OF difficulties al the
time OF reachinga judge. the Marylanders
determined 20 bring the Negroes home into
Hartford county, distance emily or miles
and submit the Case 10 the Judiciary OF this
Sta,e.-They did so, and the trial for free-
dom occupied Hartford County Court for
three days of patient investigation, during
which the ownership was clearly establish
ed, and the negroes adjudged the property
oil the w dow, from whom the mother had
absconded, and for whom the arrest was
made.
Notwithstanding the fact Of the ownership
being established, the act Of forcibly bring
ing away the negroes from Pennsylvania,
without satisfying the laws of that State OF
such ownership in the manner therein pre-
scribed, was declared by said law 10 be an
act OF felony and punishable as we have men.
toned above. Indictment being found, the
Executive OF Pennsy lvania claimed The four
Marylunders as tugitives from justice, and
the Constitution OF the United States requires
that such demand shall be complied with
An interesting correspondence has been
carried on between the Executive of Mary.
land, and that of Pennsylvania, upon the sub.
Ject, and il we mistake not, MIR. Maulsby
himself had been to Harrisburg at the request
OF our Executive endeavoring to avert the
Inconvenience or disgrace 10 which the said
Marylanders will be subjected by carrying
out the demand
The object Of Mr.. MauIsby, as he stated
10 The House, was to place the subject fully
and Immediately before The Legislature, that
- they might judge what measures were best
te be adopted to protect the citizens of this
State from such Inconvenience in retaining
their slaves, and particularly in order 10 saw
the Citizens who were now threatened with
an ignominious punishment for taking the
measures which appeared to them 10 be jus
Unable IN retaining the property.
The call for the papers was acceded to by
the House. A subsequent order was propos-
ed by Mr.. Maulsby requesting our Execu,
tive to suspend issuing process for the arres,
or delivery. until Legislative action could be
had, was, after some objections urged by
Mr.. Alexander, Withdrawn by Mr.. Mauls-
by.
The call for the papers was promptly com
Piled with. The whole correspondence was
communicated TO the House on the follow ing
day. The case is one of much difficulty
especially when il is remembered that the
very law of Pennsylvania, the operation OF
which Is now complained Of, was passed by
the Legislature OF that State in compliance
with The request Of the State Of MARYLAND
who deputized very talented members of her
own legislature TO go 10 Harrisburg, and
urge that their laws should be so altered as
TO prevent mere Justice Of the Peace from
having The power 10 decide, as TO the proper.
~ OF our citizens, in slaves that are lugitiyes
IN that Staie.-Hnnapolis Repub
FROM MEXICO
Extract of n IOJfer Jo3oJ