Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-01-20
Correspondence Of the Neu York Evangelist.
EI[ELIINE SI ANEG

A case lately occurred in Washington City, of attempted
escape OF Il number ofslaves, which is likely, in its prog
ress, to yield results OF great moment. 1t is recorded in
the National lnteligtncer, of Nov. eth, as follows:
4" Runaway SLAyEs.-Wc understand that on last FRI
day night, 'tNcen eight and nine O'Clock, IA police officer,
a constable and two other persons, aided by Capt. God
dard, of the Auxiliary Guard, succeeded in preventing tie
escape OF scveral slaves, who were about to travel to Cana
da without a permit from their masters The slaves, ar
rested, ten IN number, were on the point of being conveyed
out of the District. -Four colored women and two childyel4
were In a light and commodious spring Wagon, which the
officer discovered ina stable belonging to John Bush, a
free ncgroe, residing on English Hill, in the rear of the
CityHalI. From the circumstances which ~tanspired at the
time OF the arrest, there was a reason to believe that John
Bush was aiding in the escape of these runaWays. A Col
ored man, named Smallwood, now residing at Toronto, in
Canada, had, it would seem, written letters TO slaves h'
'he District, and otherwise tried to aid them in their ea-
cape. Sna!lwo"d arrived III TINS Guy Mlhl a Wagon and
horses last Tuesday evening. We understand that Bush
has been held to bail in the sum of $500, for his appear
ancc 1.-THE next Criminal Court. SmaIlwood has not yet
been arrested. The wagon and horses found in Bush'S
stable arc in possession of the officers, and will so remain
until the owner comes forward to prove and claim his
team"
1t will be observed that this arrest was achieved by all
officer of the "AuXiIliary Guard, % which was established
for the protection of the city, and especially of the public
buildings, by an Act of Congress, passed in the summer of
l943. The real object Of the law, was noted, | think, in
the slaves recaptured by this Guard, - SO employed aud
paid by the United States, have been punished for their
love of liberty by being sold to the sIave-traders, to he
sent to New Orleans, and thence to the slaughter of the
l"HSN' 'h'btNlIDuH VI hDuHhAH" = ifC VI lIGi'j 1" 'N'hI
and four children, it is said, belonged to Mr.. Beale, an as
sistant Doorkecpcr OF the Senate. Mr.. B., it is said, re-
tains the mother md her youngest child, aged 8 years, and
has sofa the others, a son and two daughters, to the traders!
May God in mercy help and comfort that bereayed
mother; and may every mother who reads this, make the
case her own, and that of her own sons and daughters,
and then act by the Golden Rule.
The case of Mr.. Bush is a very important one. He is,
ain told, Il very industrious and respectable citizen, hav-
ing a little property, and Il beloved family dependent on
him for support and education. The crime he is char
/ pCU with is. Eidnn u piuu SIa YES: and this crime. under the
old, obsolete statutes Of Maryland, which are held TO be
in force in this District, is a capital offence. The only act
that is alleged of him is, that he aided these unhappy per-
sons in their plans for escaping out of the tender lnercies
Of the American Congress, by allowing them to assemble
at his house prior to their intended departure. The. qqes-
ton for every citizen Of the United States is just this,
Shall this man suffer death for that act?
1t is probable the trial will take place next month. Able
counsel will be employed for the defence. On the trial
the question will be raised, and carried for ad Indication to
the Supreme Court-HGs Siaeery eUer had a legal er's-
tence IN his District under The government Of Congress?
The readers of the Evangelist will see at a glance, that
this case has a magnitude, and Importance, and interest,
including and beyond the three cases of the Anistad, Lat
inner and Van Zandt! will endeayor to give you a faith
full report of the proceedings.
1t is now confidently reported that the Committee on
the amendment of the rules of the House, of which Mr..
Adams is Chairman, have agreed five to four, to report in
favor of resembling the 21at Rule, which excludes aboIi-
ton petitions. j. l..
SIGNS OF COMING TRIUMPH.-When the friends of free
dom manifested a determination to carry their principles
TO the Daiiot-DoX, they were tod that from thellcelorth no
concession would be made by the two old pnrties--that
both would combine to oppose any antl-stavery measure
or petition which might be proposed in our State Legisla-
ture and Congress. How is the fact? The Legislatures
of Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine, at their late ses-
4 slons, have gone farther in support OF our principles, than
S they did during our seven years campaign Of moral sua-
A sion. ANd now With the exception Of three members
from New Hampshire, the entire New England delegation
s in Congress, Democrats aud Wings, have lust recorded
their votes against the infamous Gag-law. The Resolu,
tons of Massachusetts,, which in 1887 were cast unread,
~undchated, unreferred, on the table of Congress, are now
referred to a committee OF which John Z. Adams is chair
g man. Nay, more, in that very District Of Columbia and
- from that very prison where in 1886, Or. Crandall of N
H. York, was confined for eight months for lending copies oil