The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-05-03

stops to b. taken throughout, who said there would,
he thought, be no difficulty in demanding him under
the Ashhnrton treaty So, thus prepared started on
Saturday morning, l3th inst by stage via Springfield
Peoris, Peru, &c to Chicago; reaching Peru, the
head Of navigation the Illinois river met with
Freeman's brother, GAS. w. Freeman,) and a friend
Of his, calling himself Stewart, who were undoubted-
ly on their way to get Thornton out Of my reach
they knew and knew my business before they left
ST Louis but not aware that knew them so
travelled together in the same coach to Chicago
and there the two friends divided, Freeman taking
the overland route 10 Detroit, while Stewart came
round by the lakes the steamboat Bunker Hill
with me, both of them designing, undoubtedly, 10
reach Detroit at the earliest practicable moment As
| took no one with me from Missouri, ! thought it
best to procure assistance at Chicago, and got Mr.
Sarkweather the chief clerk in the Chicago Office,
to accompany me, and in whose praise il gives me
pleasure to speak, since derived much benefit from
his aid and particularly from his discreet and prudent
counselngs. must also refer to the very hand
some treatment OF Capt. Ward, who has the Steam
boat Contract for carrying the mail the Lake
from Chicago to st. Josepbs, who informed me that
my shortest or quickest route would be to take the
Bunker Hill and land on the Huron river at Port So.
rnac Sornia, then take horses thence to London,
63 miles and he gave me letter 10 friend in
Port Sornia hich enabled me to obtain horses th-
out difficulty, which could not otherwise have done
and as the Bunker Hill had started few minutes
before we got on board of Capt. Wards boat, he
very promptly gave chase and put us on board the
Bunker Hill. We then made confdant of Capt.
Stannald Of the Bunker Hill, and through him made
arrangements to have Stewart followed unless he
ehould land at Detroit, for thought Freeman's
friends had certainly advised him that his location
had been discovered and it occurred to me that this
Stewart and Jas. w. Freeman had appointed place
to meet him, and if we did not find him at
London, we should be led to his new hiding place
by having his friends followed. Capt. Stannard very
kindly consented to land at Port Sornia although
was courtesy he refused to other passengers, and
by landing there have been enabled to get ahead
of Freeman's friends, who have not yet arrived By
travelling all night, reached here yesterday morn
ing at 10 o'clock, employed lawyer at once-had
warrant issued against Thornton H. Freeman, who
was passing by the name of Thomas Johnson, and
who, we learned, at Westminster, six miles from
London. The officers were despatched for him, aud
by noon we had him in custody but it found his
case did not fit the late treaty. for larceny crime
not mentioned in the treaty but they hold him in
custody under statute of the Province, passed 18th
February, 1889, and he committed to Jail, with
the understanding that he should be kept there until
could go back to Missouri, get the necessary pa.
pers, thence g. TO the City of Washington to pro-
cure requsition from the Executive, and come
back to demand him. But last night, it occurred to
me that would propose to Freeman that he should
request the authorities here to have him sent to the
line and given up to the U. S. authorities, because
thought he would prefer to go Immediately to Mis-
souri,, where he could get his friends to bail him, ra-
Their than lay here in a crowded prison for month
So this morning | made the suggestion TO him, and
after some few hours dcliberaton and council with
his lawyer, be agreed to it; and have employed two
good officers to start with him for Detroit in the
morning, and who will be accompanied, of course,
by Mr.. Starkweather and myself From Detroit
shall take Deputy Marshal Tor some one else, to aid
me in transporting him safely to st. Louis. Thus |
have given outline Of my whole proceeding,
(Which, perhaps, is bill Of tedious particularly
with the happy results attending my hasty expedi
ton, and it is with pleasure look forward to your
appreciation of my conduct in the whole affair.
cannot close this without expressing my great sa-
isfaction at the Promptncss and efficiency with which
all the officers, who took part in the matter, acted
every facility to further objects, carry on,
views, was readily and politely furnished US in
stead Of finding difficulties in the way at first ex-
pected, we aim ST found our ~shes anticipated; and
must here acknowledge, in particular the obliga-
tons ] feel under towards j. w. Wilson, Esq, the
attorney employed, for his very active and encr-
getic manner of despatchng the business placed in
his hands, as for his attention and courtesy as
gentleman.
have the honor TO be,
Very respectfully, your obt servf
JAMES BROWN,
Special agent p. o. Dept
Hon. c. A. WIcKLrrE,