New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-08-01
The slave Abduction Case-A Scene.

Correspondence Of The Tribune
WASHINGTON, Saturday July %.
4 most extraordinary scene occurred to-day in
4 he District Court in the trial of Daniel Drayton on
me OF the tortyone indictments found against him
or alleged stealing OF Slaves from tins District on
| he 10th Of April last
The District Attorney, ia his opening for the
Government, had dwelt at length and with great
emphasis on the peculiar character and value OF
Slave property, and the cnormty of the offence
raarsed on the prisoner Mr. Mann in opening the
defence, admitted that the fact that slaves human
beings might give them in certain respects peculiar
value AS property But that fact also carried with 1t
certain peculiar disadvantage especially IN relation 10
tie tenure of this property For slaves might not only
'c stolen ike nauniaic goods or stray Ike other
animals bat they might voluntarily and des-ncdy run
Away of them accord which he commended to have
been the case with the Slaves alleged 20 have been
stolen by Drayton and 10 this voluntary running away
ihc slaves Of THE District were peculiarly liable They
were surrounded by influences that might stimulate
hem to that course. One Of the witnesses just eN
miucd iu nNing the day of prHyton, arrival here had
Identified the day of the torch light procession aud
that auson had called TO Mr.. M,nns mind great
public meeting held on that occasion IN the streets of
Tins City al which thousands were present, including
doubtless many held 10 scrytude and he would read
some extracts from some Of those speeches by way of
showing the particular stimulus 20 which the slaves IN
excite m their minds the idea of running away quite
ldep-udcnuy Of any acts on the part OF this prisoner
or Of any other person who might design to deprive
their masters Of their services Nh Mann then pro
Ccedcd 90 read certain extracts from the speech of NJ
snstor FOote of Missssipp. az reported Tlc Jii9a
oi April H. n which that senator spoke of the late
Revolution IN France as holding out % the whole
family of bright promise o the universal estsb
l.hment OF ciyl and religious liberty chat glorious
work so well begun cannot iau of complete accom-
lshmcnt that the OF tyrants and slavery rapidly
drawing % a close and that the happy period be
.gLshlcd ly the universal emancipation OF man from
ile letters OF civic oppression and the recognition IN
ll countries OF The great pnnclpies OF popular
slycreguty equality aud brotherhood IL al THIS moment
tsblv commencing" Mr. Mann had scarcely finished
th. extract when the Judge, apparently under great
excitement brose IN upon him ' certain latitude Is
% b slowed counsel IN this case, but cannot admit
hsraneue against slavery ' Vt this extraordinary
announcement Mr. Carlisle, associate counsel IN the
ease sprung at once % bis ieet lie was sure me
Judge must be labOrng under some strange nlsspPfc
tension lie himself MIR G. was born snd bred and
expected 10 live and die IA the midst OF save hoGhs
community. and had never entertained any ldeSs neon
seui with the prevailing notions Oh sHcn coiii'u.'
and on that very he had watched the course OF
his associates argument with the greatest attention
nd h. the point taken was most peruneh, 20
the case and one which 10 would be coNardce IN tne
prisoners counsel not % take and ht must respect
il-y beg his honor 20 deliberate Wen before uhueI
taxing stop the mouths Of counsel without nearing
hat aud full constitutional warrant Tor II
NJ Mann then and expsned the course and point
Of his argument The Judge said the argument wa.
eg.tmsic he bad objection 10 that but he objected
b the nasmmstOry matter introduced into the state
lcnt Of 10 Mr. Mann discaimed the slightest purpose
o utter one inhsmmatOry word and explained mai
this naainmatory matter consisted entirely Of the
words Of Mr. Fo6tc which he had introduced for the
very purpose Of showing under what influence the
slaves ia this District were placed and he proposed
10 read some farther extracts for the same purpose
The District Attorney rose 70 object II this was
pa, in as evidence il must first be proved that such
speeches were delivered. and that the slaves heard
them.
Mr.. MASS-ln opening the case ] have night 10
state what can be proved and II necessary Will call
Mr. FOote himself 10 prove the speech
DIsrkIcr ATTORNEY w hat paper i that nom when
he counsel purposes 70 rcad
M MANS-Hoding il up to the view Of the Court
TIE Union.