The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-02-15
A Conscientious Man,

A Conscientious Man.
1t Is refreshing now and then to hear of the re-
forming effects of conscience on mems conduct.
We never hear of a case of money anonymously
returned property restored but that we feel bet
ter for it, and entertain higher opinion of man.
kind 1t is not often, however, that we can record
case of conscience natural and we suspect, fire.
quent, the following, the humble subjects of such
scrupes odestiy prefering to keep their good deeds
from the public gaze BY the Constitution of Mis-
slssippi, in days past, it was forbidden to bring
slaves into the State for sale but like most other
constitutional provisions this was construed, as our
Supreme Court has declared that all Constitutions
should be- according to the wants, interests, and
convenience ofthe people whom they formed
that is it was generally disregarded. slave ira
der named Jones, from Virginia, brought into Mis-
sssippi, for sale, forty likely slaves and cot
ton being fifteen cents pound, he found for them
ready market in fact, they We're all purchased by
one gentleman, who delighted in the name of
Brown. By the terms of the sale, Brown paid one
fourth cash, and was to pay the balance in install
ments of fourth yearly Shortly after the pur-
chase, Mr.. Brown was elected justice of the
peace, and discharged the duties of the station with
commendable intelligence and uprightness. The
year passed off, and Jones drew draft on his
protested. He Immediately paid visit to his debt
or, whereupon the following dialogue took place:
Jones.-Well, Mr.. Brown, you did not meet my
draft
Brown.-No.
Jones.-But suppose you can pay me the money
due on the slaves now!
Brown.-Indeed, cannot.
Jones-Why. Have you met with any losses or
m fhatu lie IN
Brown.-No. My affairs were never more -four
ishing. l made an excellent crop last year, and
have every prospect of good this, and the
price of cotton is still going up But don't think
] ought to pay you.
Jones-For what reason9 Are not the negroes
good !-have you any fault to find with them!
BroDn.-Oh, no I! They are as likely lot as ev-
er were sold, and worth much more than agreed
to give for them But the fact is, things are differ
ent now from what they were then. When bought
them was pretty much the same as my neighbors,
and didn't care much for the Constitution and the
law; but since / have been elected a Justice of
the Peace, and have taken solemn oath to support
the Constitution which forbids slaves being brought
and sold into the State; the transaction between
you and me was contrary to this plain article, and
Icant without violating my oath, carry the matter
any .arther. can't conscientously be a party to
an unlawful act, which | would be by paying you
for the negroes you had no right to SELL Regard
for my oath and duty to my country alike forbid it.
Jones.-Well damn me! if you are not the great
est fool or the damn'dest scoundrel in existence!
If your cursed conscience won't let you pay me,
give me back my negroes.
BroUn.-Mr. Jones, there is ofharsh words.
and though am grieved at the violence of your ex
pressions, forgive you. As to returning the ne
groes, can't think of it. You would go and sell
them to some one ese in violation of the Constitu-
ton which / am sworn to support, and | would, by
putting it in your power to do so, be equally guilty
with yourself. cannot be an accomplice in such
transaction, Mr.. Jones! What honest man could
No, never!
This was too much for Jones, his fury overcame
him. and we are sorry to say that he knocked Squire
Brown down; but the squire athletic man,
and in the fight that followed, Jones was conquered
with much damage to his right eye, and the loss Of
a part of his nose. Finding satisfaction from
taking the law into his own hands, he applied to
the courts for the recovery of his debt, but the
learned judges decided that the original contract
being illegal, against the policy of the State, and
in violation of positive law, the claim of the plain
tiff could not even be considered. Jones paid law
yer's fees and costs, and Brown and conscience tri
umphed.