Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-03-13
RIG MOND, VA.
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Monday Morning, March IL, ls49.
A NEW OUTRAGE /.

NEW OUlRAUE
when Southern Whis papers were rejoicing
T al 'he election by miserable majority Of Sea
oury Ford, as Governor of Ohio, over Mr
Weller, who had boldly resisted Abolitionisn
IN all It's forms, we warned them that, though
might afford them pleasure, it would bs
'death' to Southern rights. A few month:
nave rolled round, and the evil effects of Ford!
success are already beginning TO he felt. The
letter from Governor Floyd, which We give
below, will explain the miserable trickery and
grossly insulting course Of Governor Ford. We
have carefully read the correspondence, and we
have rarely known more transparent device
10 avoid responsible duty under the Constitus
ton, or more dangerous and mischevou-
precedent for future sggressions on the South
What are the faclsi Mr.. S. b. Brown, oil
Augusta county makes an affidavit before
magistrate that his slave, Joseph We.
! nable, had feloniously stolen from him a
watch and other property; and that said slave
clendes,inely lett the commonwealth, and is now
lurking in the State Of Ohio (some twenty miles
from Wheeling, as we bear.) Upon this affidavit
Gov. Floyd demands of the Executives of Ohio
the surrender Of Yenable as fugitive from jus
tice Gov. Ford refuses TO grant the requisi-
ton, "because of the uncertainty of the afida.
Wit" il not describing "when or where the lar
ceny was committed" Gov. Floyd then, a
month later, directs another requisition on the
Governor of Ohio; appending a more detailed
affidavit, fully describing the time Dhen and the
county where the larceny was committed.
Gov. Ford again contemporary refuses 10
grant the requisilion, basng his refusal on three
grounds, full oil wrelched special pleading. He
contends, first, that, though the law OF Congress
recognizes in general terms as basis Of action
tan affidavit, made before magistrate, charging
person with having committed treason, felony or
other crime" yet that such case "must have
been intended for cases where delay would defeat
The object OF The law"-and that, so far from the
present affidavit having all The requisites, il lis
no, signed by the applicant as is usual in such
cases" and is not "such an affidavit or paper as
would in the State OF Ohio, authorize a magis.
trate 10 issue warrant Tor an arrest in case OF
the smallest offence agains, our criminal laws"
This is he cd ground OF Governor Seward, (pre-
sent Wing Senator in Congress from New York;
and al once strikes al the 1901 OF Stale Rights and
the institutions and safety OF the South This
Ohio Governor, in violation OF The Constitution,
OF the laws Of Congress- and of common sense,
undertakes 10 make our laws and Judge for as,
whether an offence is felony or moi. Was
known2
Bet IDLY. Gov. F. says that the larceny was
commiled nearly three years since, and that no
Indictment, the best evidence, has been found
though there has been ample time for il. The
felon, however, escaped from the State at the
time OF The offence, and hence no trial could have
been had.
Thirdly and lastly, Gov. Ford says:
"From such evidence as have before me, ihera
So sauES ieasoa - '~As"e III" belize, -. -
coat pantaioons, shoes, &c. were the wearing
watch, one that had been always considered as
belonging TO him. or al least entrusted 10 his care
such be The case, il would seem that no larceny
had been committed, and that an indictment
would no, be found if the case should be presen.
led before grand jury Of the proper county"
Does not this cap the climax OF arrogance and
mischief? This Governor sells himself up as
law maker, judge and iury-nfers from evidence
claDdestnely furnished him, lha, the fugitive
slave is no, guilty of The crime alleged-that a
grand jury would moi indict him-andthal, there
fore, he mus, spurn and reject the constitutional
demand of Inc sovereign Slate Of Virginia The
outrage is TOO strong an one, 10 require further
comment, and we are glad TO see with what
prompiness and vigilance Governor Floyd has
brought the matter before the Legislature. IL is
evident, that an.savery tanalicism is at The boil
fence; the crime OF larceny and The Ascending
OF fugitive slave from his master. Under
all the circumstances the case is one OF gross
outrage:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
March 9th, lS49
To the Speaker OF the House OF Delegates:
SIR: On The Sd January l849, made Iequi-
sion upon the Governor oil The State Of Ohio
for he delivery Of fugitive from justice, called
Joseph Venable, and described as negro man
slave, the property Of Samuel B. Brown
This requisiion was contemporary refused,
upon the ground Of the insufhciency OF the af-
davit To obyiate all difficulty, made second
IeQuisilon Tor he same offender on The 81 day
OF February This requisilion, like The first, was
also refused, and in a manner not less discoure
Gus. For the manner in which The demands
have been met, refer 10 documents herewith
enc .osed tor the consideration OF The Legislature.
II will be seen BY reference 10 Inc reasons as
signed in the memorandum attached 10 the last
requsiun, that The authorizes OF The State OF
Ohio virtually refuse TO recognize the validity Of
the laws Of this commonwealth regulating the
proceedings against slaves for criminal offences.
THUS constituting The broad agis of a sis'er
republic, which was Intended to be The guaran-
tee OF protection from wrong, The stronghold of
iuetivts from justice, and harbour OF safely for
ielons esca ping the penalties OF the law.
90 not doubt bui there are many right minded
and patriotic citizens in The Stale OF Ohio, whose
patriotism and sense Of justice will condemn in
The strongest manner this fanalcal spirit of ag-
erosion on the constitutional rights OF The South
ern States. can bnl hope that their better judg,
menls and more patriotic counsels Will IN lime
prevail to save our country from The ruin and
disrup, ion to which the contrary course will in.
eyitably lead. In the meantime, feel bound iC
cali The attention OF The Legislature 10 Ibis trans
action. with hope that their wisdom will devise
some means OF preventing similar occurrences
in future. Very respectfully,
Your obi servant,
JOHN B. FLOYD.
INTERESTING SCENE.