The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1845-07-26
'H'AaHI CECIL WING.
The kidnapping Case.

| uesuay last, has been The subject of much
talk, and many erroneous impre are
abroad concerning it-so many that we
deem 1t proper to give some of the facts
IN the case, as we have harmed them
The Negroes name was " Ham Wright
the names of the white mn were Edward
Salisbury and Benjamin IInsgn. who live,
we believe, in MiIlington in this State.
The prominent facts in the case are
about as follows: Wrigh is free man.
born OF free parents and resides in VIII
mlngton, Del. For an assault and battle
ry, he was tried and fined en- dollars-bv
the laws Of Delaware, he was sold to pay
the fine and costs OF rial, but not to be
removed from the State-in case of such
removal to become FREE. He was bought
ply James Morrison, tavern kceper at
tlare's corner, who after purchasing him
put him in New Castle Jail, where
he sent Hanson TO see him, who
bought him, for the sum, as shown
by receipt they produced of Sll0.-
They, after purchasing him proceeded
with him to French!own in this S ate, but
found that the steamboat had left. 1T.
was not brought out in the trial but we are
authorized to say that they then tried to
a Of
him to Norfolk, Va) They then came
to the Depot at this place and endeavored
to get three tickets for BalIimore--Mr.
Wells refused to give them one for the
negro, insisting that he had not sufficient
evidence that they owned him. They
then went TO Mr.. Sheriff Foard. to have
him put in jail. lie told them to get
commitment from magistrate and he
would have him put in. They left him
saying they would do so, but there being
some delay, he suspected all was nat right
and upon enquiry found that one OF them
had left with the negro. A party of citi
zens headed by the sheriff pursued them,
and brought them back, and after a hear
ing before Esq. Rankin, all of them were
Committed to Jail until the Trial on Tues
day.
Some persons were Of the opinion thai
the sheriff transcribed his duty in max
ing the arrest but the contrary was shown
by Mr.. Evans counsel for the state who
in his pleadings in the case showed that
Mr. Foard did nothing more than the law
authorizes.
The trial resulted in the freeing of the
negro and the acqulttal of the persons
charged with kidnapping. The counsel
Tor the negro and state showing that by
transferring man sold as Wright was.
to persons out Of the state, he from thai
time became free. Since the trial Dir
Evans has received Tie following opin.
ion from the Hon. John NJ. CLAYTON.
"The negro, Wright, who was carried
out of this state INTO Maryland, was lid
mapped. He had been sold as servant
10 pay fine for a misdemeanor under
the laws of Delawarc-a mere assault,
and battery. lie was still by our laws
a freeman, and his abduction was
kidnapping here by express statute of
Delaware"
The magistrate discharged the parties char
ged with kidnapping, there not being in his
opinion sufficient evidence against them to
require that they should be held to bail to
appear at court.
The above will give some idea of the
case-we have not room to give the de-.
tails. The counsel for Salisbury and
Hanson were James II. lamar and Albert
Constable Esqrs.; for the Negro and State
Alexander Evans Esq. All of them dis
played great ability and the trial was
very interesting and important one.
We would in closing, make single |
remark in regard to the cry Of abolition.
ism which has been raised in regard to
this case; that is. that officers are bound
by law TO see that injustice Is not perpe~
tra'ed even upon negro, and that com
mon humanity should prompt all good
citizens and right thinking men to inter
pose and see that "a free malt is not deprly-
ed of his liberty.
The Sunday School and Inmnerance |