New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-08-02
The Slave Abduction Case-A Scene.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.
WAs,uNcroY. Saturday. July %

WASHINGTON. Saturday July %.
A most extraordinary scene occurred to-day IN
the District Court in the trial OF Daniel Drayton on
oae of the fofy.one indictments found against HIM
for alleged stealing OF Slaves from this District on
the 10th OF April last
The District Attorney, in his opening for the
Government, had dwelt at length and with great
emphasis the peculiar character and value o.
Slave property, and the enorrnity OF the offence
charged on the prisoner Mr. Mann in opening the
defence, admitted that the fact that slaves were human
beings might give them in certain respects peculiar
value property. But that fact also carried with II
certain peculiar disadvantages especially in relation b.
the tenure of this property For Slaves might not only
be stolen like nanniate goods, stray ike other
animals but they mi ght voluntarily and dcsignecy run
away of their accord, which he conended 10 have
been the case with the Slaves alleged to have been
stolen by DraytOn and to this voluntary running away
the Slaves of this District peculiarly liable. lhey
were surrounded by influences that might stimulate
them 10 that course One of the witnesses just *.
AHMED in fixing the day Of Draytons arrival here, had
identified the day OF the torchigh procession, and
that sllusion had called 10 Mr.. MAINS mind great
public meeting held that occasion in the streets oil
this City which thousands were present, including
doubtless many held in scryitude; and he would read
some extracts from of those speeches by way OF
showing the particular stimulus to which the Slaves IN
this District continually exposed and which might
excite in their minds the idea OF running quite
Independently of any acts ON the part oil THIS prisoner
or Of any other person who might design to deprive
their masters of their services. Mr.. Mann then pro
cecded read certain extracts from the speech OF Nh
Senator Foote OF Mississippi reported IN Ihe CR0h
of April 49, in which that Senator spoke oil the iate
Revolution In France as holding out TO the whole
family Of man, bright promise OF the universal etao-
lshmcnt of civil and religious liberty that glorious
work so well begun cannot fail OF complete accom-
pishment that the age OF yrant and slavery rapidly
drawing 10 n close and that the happy period 10 be
signalzed by the universal emancipation OF man from
the letters of civic oppression and the recognition m
all countries, of the great principles OF popular
sovereignty equality and brotherhood Is al TINS moment
yisibly commencing" Mr.. Mann had scarcely finished
this extract when the Judge, apparently under great
excitement. broke in upon him 4" certain latitude l.
TO be allowed counsel in this case, but cannot ADMIT
hsrangue against Slavery ~ At tins extraordinary
announcement Mr. Carlisle, associate counsel in the
case sprung at TO his feet He was sure the
Judge must be labOrng under some strange misappre
hension. He himself mir. c. was born and bred, ana
expected live and die IN the midst OF slaVchOdlhg
community and had never entertained any ideas incon
sis,ent with the prevailing notions OF such commumhes
and ON that very account he had watched the course OF
his associates argument with the greatest attention
and he was sure the point taken most pertinent to
the case and which IL would be cowardlce IN the
prisoners counsel not to take and he must respect
fully beg his honor TO deliberate well before under
taking to stop the mouths OF counsel without nearing
that and full constitutional warrant Tor IT,
Mr. Mann then and explained the course and pom,
of his argument The Judge said the argument was
Legitimate he had no objection to that but he objected
Ia the mAammatory matter introduced into the state
meni of it, Mr. Mann discaimed the slightest purpose
to utter nlammatOry word, and explained that
this nfammstory matter consisted enurey OF te
words of Mr. Footc which he had introduced for the
very purpose of showing under what influence the
slaves in this District were placed; ana ne proposed
to read some farther extracts for the same purpose
The District Attorney rose to object IL THIS was
put in rs evidence it first be proved that such
speeches were delivered and that the slaves heard
them
Mr. M,NN-In opening the case | have right 10
what Can be proved and II necessary VIII can
Mr.. Foote himself to prove the speech
DISTRICT ATTORNEY w hat paper Is that from which
the counsel purposes 20 read
Mr.. MANN.-liolding IT up TO the view OF the Court
The Union.
The Judge having now got his eyes Open allowed Mr..
Mann to go on for which liberty he returned thanks to
the Court and proceeded to read an extract from the
speech of Hon Mr. stanton. member OF Congress from
tennessee delivered on the same occasion and pecu
larry Illustrative of the way in which ideas OF freedom
may be- and are difuscd among the slaves OF this Dis
trict
The whole scene of which have given but very
imperfect idea, was highly exciting The Judge put
himself first very high horse but the excellent
advice he got from Mr. Carlisle very sobered him
and he gave up and so, of the scrape the best ne
could eis the most unfortunate Judge the prisoners
could possibly have Were they tired before purely
Southern court they might expect something Ike mag
naninity and fair play But Judge Crawford happens
20 be Northern dough face and what is worse
dough-iace against whom the charge oil Abolitonlsn
has formerly been brought II Is perhaps terror lest
this charge should be renewed that makes him IN
this trial and has made him in former ones lean so TAI
toward the side Of Slavery be IN great danger OF
losing the equilibrium OF Justice.
will only add that the number OF indictments found
in this amounts in all to 34o There are II IA
dctmcns against each the three prisoners Tor steal
ing, and - for sbduciing On each indictment TIE
District Attorney receives fee of $40, amounting 10
50 i50 this batch OF indictments out OF the pockets
Of the people OF the United states. All the offence,
charged might legally and properly have been included
in two indictments