Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-02-02
THE HERALD.
TUESDAY EVENING, FEB. 9, ls4l.

NV YoRK AND VIRGINIA. serious controversy is
in progress between the Executives and legislatures of
these two States respecting the validity of the demand
made by the Governor Of the latter upon the Govern
ofthc former for delivering up three men, citizens of
\. Y, to be punished in Virginia, upon a charge Of
having violated her laws by kidnapping and carrying
away a slave.
The circumstances Of the affair are these In 800
New York vessel lying in Virginia port under
going repairs. slave employed as a carpenter
in making these repairs, and told by three colored
men who belonged the vessel that he was foolish to
remain slave where he was and that he could get
good wages If he would go north Soon after the YES
sci sailed for New York, and the master missed his
slave, and by express ,hi,her where he arrived
in advance of the vessel lie informed the captain OF
his suspicious that the slave was secretsd on board
search being made, he was found slowed away among
the lumber and taken back Virginia The governor
of that State has since made the singular demand upon
men 10 the authorities of Virginia for trial and punish
men,. His demand was refused on the ground that
the alledged offence a violation of no law-not
the law Of Virginia His Excellencv admitted that
each State, as an independent sovereignty has RICH,
may think proper, but denies the position that the c,
zens OF other States subec, be given up by their
authorities for trial for such conduc, is not consider
cd criminal by their laws nor by the federal con-
stituton. The Legislature of New York fully confirm
ed the decision of its executive and the legislature of
Va. as fully condemned it resolutions such as are Pc
culiar to the hot ,empers OF southern politicians were
passed, ending with threatening nsinuatons that vo-
lent measures would be employed to "ob,an their
rights"
The principles involved in this controversy are not
Of momn, to the States engaged init alone, but are of
as much importance to every non-savo holding State as
to New York Ifsuch demands as that made by Viz
ginia on similar grounds, be acquiesced in no
man IL safe, for Shareholder, in pursuit of fugitive
slave may, il he chooses to crafty his macv oent
feelings demand the surrender of any person upon his
own complain, that such person had extended to des-
tu'e and suffering runaway slave those act. of hui
mainly required by the laws Of nature andof heaven
In the present instance there not the slightest proof
that the men demanded have snned against the laws
of Virginia by en,icng slave to leave his master-no
proof that the slavelaws of Virginia themselves will
recognize, for they refuse admit the testimony of
slave and all the evidence urged against these men is
the admission Of the slave himself on cross examination
after he was carried back, tina, these men simply in
formed him that he could get good wages at the north
no proof except mere suspicion tina, they were PRIV
to his concealment board the vessel aided his es
cape ltunder such circumstances free negro is liza
bic to be carried into southern State there Judged
condemned and punished by slave-laws-such laws as
are not acknowledged in his own state and for conduct
not considered criminal either by his own or the fed
erll oonsli,u,ion-,hen why is not any other citizen
hal In to tho
from slavery continually passing through own State
on their way 10 the British provinces and, hold what
opinions men will IN regard the institution itself no
one Of them will refuse morsel Of bread to famish.
ing runway slave deny relief to his evident necessi
ties and such acts OF humanity, II the principle en-
oraced IN the demand Of Virginia be allowed will sub
lec' the besower for aught we see be arrested
and punished for assisting and abe,,ing his escape