Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-12-06
postponed until the next morning: this was

David Purviancc did not fold his hands
and carelessly await the result. lie OBJ
tanned the constitution and laws OF the
United States. and the laws Of Indiana
and never suffered hitnsclfto sleep. until
he felt himself prepared to defend the
rights of an injured and helpless family
The next morning with anxious and
throbbirg hearts, the parties returned to
trial. The investigation was entered into
with much interest. The gentleman OF
the bar urged the claims Of the plaintiff in
an able and eloquent speech. =
1t would be impossible for the pen Of
the ablest and most descriptive writer. to
fully paint t this scene. On the one
side was seen the plaintiff. eager for sue
cess, aud much animated with the eNpec-
tation of raining several thousand dollars.
in human flesh On the other hand sat a
poor injured and downtrodden family,
with all the sympathetic feelings Of hu-
mainly. almost in hopeless despair. Their
liberty and happiness for lie. were at
stake, and no lawyer - plead TIER cause,
and no money to pay tor counsel y lth
wealth, talent. and worst of all. the preJu-
dice of education against them. But OF
this important crisis, when hope had near
~ fled and despair seemed to give new
tnoe to the African hue; David Purvlance
arose. and modestiy requested to be
heard in behalf Of the defendants. There
were no objections. for there were no fears.
, 1t was not expected that plain man. ma
king no pretcnsions TO the practice Of law,
could say much TO the purpose, IN so lntri-
catea law case. But what signal disaP-
pointncnt. lie took hold of the case
+ Systematically, rchcarsed the evidence
and applied the law and constitution. with
uncommon ability. and then advanced
B 70 the attorneys arguments, and perfect.
" demolished them and entirely removed
the sandy foundation, on which they
were based He alverted - the injuries
sustained by this degraded race, and
a plead in the most nastcrly manner. foi
/ that justice, that law and righteousness de
manled
What sudden change. The plaintiff
countcnance Indicate fears of Gisappolnt-
mcnt, and the poor negroes raised then
! heads and began TO show their teeth anG
. the white Of their eyes, and looked as j
, hope had anew sprung up III their hearts
, so full, as to push the tears in 4 1ood dowi
4 their checks David Puviance took his
/, seat, fully conscious of having discharged
1 an important duty.
The Lawyer then arose, and made {
few closing remarks. but never attempted
TO answer bis opponents arguments, but,
: concluded Ike a gentleman by observing
r II always knew Mr.. Purviance was I
& man Of talent. but now" says he, 81 know
/, him to b. q man f particular ingenuity.
The court decided in favor Of the defend
ants and they were again liberated
j But il is to be Iancn,ed, that this unhap
y py affair. did not stop here. The plain
5 tit stimulated by that desire for earthl,
!, gain. too common among those whose
treasure is IN this world, went to CoryGon
t (Which, was then the seat of government
: of Indana) and obtained warrant from
e the Supreme Court and put it into the
: hands Of ihc Marshal Of the State, and
had these unfortunate creatures arrested
again. They gave satisfactory bail To-
!. their appearance al Corydon in a giver
+ time David Purviance Immediately wen
: INTO Kentucky. in orderto procure sutfi
II cheney of testimony for their defence
: Robert Hill and John Pool, two worth,
Ii members of the Church Of Friends. con
a vcved these colored people through the
J. wilderness Of Indiana, a long and tedious
G route. and arrived at the seat Of govern
$ ment in due time David Puryiancc me
9 them there. well prepared Gas he thought
TO defend the helpless mother and chill
i dren, from the tyrannical yoke of Cypress
0 ion.
: They employed competent counse!
4 and prepared to defend the injured. Blu
). to their disappointment the Judge refused
Il to investigate the case farther, than t.
n hear the plaintiffs claim. and decided
5 that the negroes be carried back to Ken
II lucky. that they might stand their tria
e there. and they were put into the hand:
of the plaintiff. Their Attorney, and Ia
: vid Purviance demonstrated against sucl
;, a course. and insisted on an invcstga
c ton: but the Judge was inhexible.
e David Purviance. Robert Hill. anC
5 John Pool returned home. feeling tina
II they had done their duty. bat truly sorry
n TO sec our liberal institutions prostitu
" ted. TO wrest from helpless innocencv
II those rights. that our laws and constitu
y tons were designed TO protect.
: The writer is not fully aware of wha
# became of this afflicted family. but if cor
: rectly informed. the husband. by the as
$ sistance of the Marshal Mr.. Nauter. made
{ compromise with the plaintiff. and re
: tanned. at least part of his family. by pay
II ing certain sum. The mother lived bu
;. a short time Those troubles and expo
II sures were more than she could bear
+ The color Of skin does not change III
d feelings and sympathes of the soul
d God has made of one blood all nation
e ofmen.' We doubt not. bur many moth
r ers when they read this little narrative
IT will conclude, that this woman endure
d more trouble and fatigue. than they coul,
i pass through and survive
0 This attorney is Yet living, and stands hig
e among the legal characters of Indiana and fl
an important office in the State, and tn all, h
. is thorough going Aboli;ionst-
e Low Wages and short Time.
= Speaking of the present depressed con
l. diton of American manufactures repol
n ter Of the Dry Goods Market in this city
o said in his published report lately. that tn
|. manufacturers in order 10 SavashemSeIye: