Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-09-12
THE SLAVE SCHOONER.


Here 10 trouble brewing again We
are no sooner oui Of one turmoil than ~s
are thrust ia,o another The Abolition.
isss are already in the field. (see sdver.
tissmenLl They have secured able
counsel. Important questions arising
and OF character, politically and morally
90 complicated as 10 interest every exci.
table feeling in the Union. The fact,
appear 10 be these
The Blacks were not born ia slavery
but were native Africans, kidnapped and
sold into slavery IN Cuba, and purchased
oy Senior Jose Ruiz few weeks aftel
ihe'r arrival there. and then shipped on
board the schooner Tor bis estates on the
same island. On the passage they killed
The captain and took possession OF the
vessel. IN which they were endeavorinp
70 regain their native country. when they
were captured by Captsin Gedney.
Ii appears to be admitted that IL they
had risen upon their original eaptors, who
were pirates by the Law OF Nations, they
would have been Unsuitable in regaining
their liberty al any sacrifice Of the lives
CT their captors.
IL appears TO be admitted also that Sc
nor kuiz was aware that they were native
Africans kidnapped as stated. and surrep.
ii,iously imported into Cuba in violation
OF the Spanish Laws, as well Is of the
Law Of Nations.
IL Is not commended that Senor Ruiz was
ParficePs cTimIhis in the original piracy,
but on ihe contrary. IL appears that he
bough; them fairly IN the siavc market.
where he obtained a legal right to them
as property, which right he could have
maintained under the Laws Of Spain.
Two questions arse under these state
ments OF the case, the LIST, whether the
Courts OF the United States have jurisdic-
ton OF this matter, that is. whether the
black men have really committed any
crime in thus regaining their Libarty. for
which they are amenable to our Courts.
and ID, whether, IL the Spanish authorities
claim. rs probably they will. these blacks
as slaves, they should be given up. There
10 great deal to say on both sides OF
these questions. and the circumstances
attending them are of uncommon interest.
The moral right OF these Africans 10
murder the Captain OF the Amisiead, who
was bet an agent IN fr1nSitu OF Senior
Ruiz. may be debateabls question, but
the Captain. nevertheless. was an inno-
cent man, who had done them no wrong.
But IL they have committed a piracy. il
was not on board one Of our vessels. nor
within our maratIme jurisdiction: and the
pirates were Spanish. it will be alleged.
for the purpose Of surrendering them 10
the Spanish Government.
Now comes the important question,
whether the blacks shall be given up:
upon which. we presume, there will be
the most debate. Ii is pretty we'll known,
that il :hev are given up. the ringleaders
at least will be executed. and tits being
thus question Of life. it is magni6ed into
importance. II will be contended. we
suppose. that the rights Of property never
accrued 10 Senior Ruiz, the property. so
called having been stolen, and that least
Of al. should the Spanish authorities take
advantage o: their own wrong in demand
ing the surrender Of Blacks, who could
not ever have been in the slave m arket, IL
the Spanish laws had been executed
and. il may be added also. that this ques-
ton Of slavery piracy is not a question for
cur people alone to try, but for mixed
commission. under the Law Of Nations.
Per contra. il will be said, that the Spanish
authorities are the proper judges Of the
execution Of their own laws, and IL il ap-
pears on examination in Cuba that these
were native Africans kidnapped az al.
legged, then. the Spanish Court can adiu-
dieate the question as the Law Of Nations
and treaties demand. That Senior Ruiz
had acquired the right OF property will be
proved by Spanish passports. clearances
Of the Custom Houss, permits. Sc. sc.
We trust the question will be settled
as .aw and Justice demand. The ques.
tons are purely legal. and often technical
ii is fortunate. The excitability Of Jury
trial cannot be got up on them. Al any
rate the properly will be previously poor
property for the AbOlitionists here. as
they who have seen these poor fellows
represent them to be in appearance hard.
~ above the apes and MONKEYS Of their
Own Africa, and the language they jsbber
is incomPrehensible here. while an sp-
preaching winter will make the North
more horrible for them than even slavery
in Cuba.
Messrs Choaie Of Boston, Baldwin, Of
New Haven. and Staples Of this city. are
already engaged as counsel for The Afri-
cans taken on board the Amistad: and
other eminent members Of the bar are
expected TO take part in their defence
Although committed for trial at Hartford,
IL is probabls they will be tried here. IL
At all; The place Of their capture being
within this JUDICIAL district
tNiv York EzpvsS
From As Mrs. York Star.