Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-10-08
TO THE PUBLIC.

TNO the publication in the "Constitu.
,ionalist" OF the LIST instant. under
the caption, "A Hooe case at Home. +"
and the certificates appended to the same,
! might give a sufficient answer by de.
claring that 1t is gross and wicked mis-
representation, and that there is lust as
much truth contained in the statement as
TO give the He currency.
Were these "Cer,ifers" as well known
to the community generally, as they are
notorious where they reside, IL would be
time misspent 10 notice their impudent
aud wilful falsehoods, though elevated 10
the dignity Of certificates, and published
IN newspaper But the sphere Of these
poor creatures is limited 10 the vicinity
Of "ibeT masters csib," beyond which
the defects Of their nature, debased by
habit, will not permit them to range -
Their statements, uShered forth with all
the parade Of an editorial preface and in
the form Of certificates, may deceive the
confidence OF those 10 whom their charac-
tiers are not known.
For the information Of The public,
make the following statement
Ia February last, John Butler. a repu.
table free negro. at Hsrpers Ferry, called
upon me, bearing upon his head, face
and other parts Of his body. evidence that
he had been cruelty and inhumanly treat.
ed. His Etatement was, that the assault
bad been committed upon BIN by man
named Richard Sireeks. who was IN com
Pany With two or three others, without
any proyocaiion on his part, and that one
OF Sifeeks companions. John McPhar.
land was some distance from the place OF
assault, saw 1t al. but took no part in IT,.
This statement Butler confirmed by az
oath 10 the truth thereof. administered by
me. had no doub, Of the truth OF the
statement. but was al a loss 90 determine
my duty as cOnseryaiOr Of the peace
The law dissllowed the arrest Of a white
man upon the testimony Of negro, aud
yet &C. the case before me. had 90 doubt
that o. outrage had been committed upon
lhe person OF az iugiieustye Iuditidull
OF character and credit IN the community
but incompetent IN law 10 prove that out.
rage. To DO Justly 10 the complainant.
and 90 avenge the wrong done / issued .
summons fof McPhahand With tie de-
termination u bis testimony should con
AtiNf VIZ aNeNE AiAN tAA W ANAHlNlf W ISSUE u
warrant for Suceks. The summons va,
issued and executed by the Constable
and upon the testimony Of McPhahind
Strecks vas arrested. and being exam.
ined Wss upon bis own confessions. and
che evidence OF Mcfarland. required 90
gaze -ureiies Of the peace. Tbishe failed
Co DO .od was committed 20 Jail.
u Uiil thus be seen that there was no
process Go The apprehension OF Sifeek'
issued upon the statement Of Bu'ler. and
20 itsi' no step taken by me based upon
''' 'e'iim'ny except 70 summon a VII
ness i1 gave evidence ~ there was any.
'hi's wrong Cos this 70 vas certainly az
error ''yolfa5Ie 70 The supremacy Of he
laws 400 ihe peace Of the community.
ea'h OF ~hien bad beeu violated. Nor
was ihefo aay violation Of the rigb,s or
Ieeiing'.oi ihe accused he vas arrested
upon ihe testimony q his equal 10 colour.
and 90 every other respect recognized by
the laws add upon that testimony. aided
by bis idmlssIoos he va committed