Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-10-30
rom the Pkilodelpki
Important Trial.

| In the U. S. Circuit Court, al PhIladel'
phla, Oct. 2l. b. fore Judge G.Ier.-Ce-
ciIe Oliver, Ellen B. Oliver and Catherine
Oliver by her mex, friend Eli Stak vs.. Ste
phen Weakly, Daniel Cauffman and Philip
Breckbills.-This case, which was CON-
menced last week, presents several inter.
es'ins points. |, is an aciions agalnst the
defendants to recover damages for the loss
of thirteen slaves. 1t is aledged by the
| plaintiffs that the slaves IN question, which
belonged to them, fed from Maryland. in
October, ls47, taking the route through
Cumberland county in this Sta'e. The
defendants are residents of that county,
and it is alleged that they secreted the
slaves in barn; that they protected them.
! raised money to aid in forwarding them
on their way. and that the negroes were
taken away in Cauilman's wagon. 1t ap-
peared in evidence that the slaves had or
iginally belonged to the plaintiffs in Mary
land that they removed with them 10 the
State Of Arkansas, from which they re-
turned with the slaves in May, ls47, pass
ing through the State and re-es.ablishing
themselves in Maryland. In October OF
the same year the slaves ran away as be-
fore stated. The defendants. in the first
place. denied that they aided the slaves or
sheltered them tina, they raised money
for them, or that they were taken off in
CaufIiman's wagon. They also raised the
following very important points OF law
upon the evidence
First, Tha, the act of The 7th of Marc b
1916. passed by the Pennsylvania Legis-
Ialure, ,repeals former act passed in l7oc:
permitting owners of slaves 10 bring them
into this State, and allowing them to re-
main here for six months. The defendants
contend that the plaintiffs. Shy bringing their
slaves into this State in May. ls47, during
the passage from Arkansas to Maryland,
thereby freed them from the bonds Of sla-
very, and that in Consequence the alleged
slaves were free men.
Second, That the laws of Mary land
forbid the importation OF slaves into the
State, and that slaves brought there from
other States are thereby made free. They
contend that the plaintiffs. by bringing the
slaves from Arkansas. made them free by
the law o: Maryland, and that they had a
right TO leave their servitude.
Judge Grier said that the above points
were to important too be d, cded at NIsi
Prus that he would reserve them in such
manner that the jury should render spec
ial verdict if they though, the plaintiffs en-
titled 10 recover, on the general facts. If
the verdict was for the plaintiffs the very
important points submitted by the defer
dants could than be considered and decided
upon.
The evidence was closed and the jury
were addressed by Henry NJ. Watts for
plaintiffs, and Thaddeus Stevens for de-
fendant. The plaintiffs are also represen-
ted By Charles b. Penrose, aid the defen- !
dants by Wm. 3. Reed. A similar case
by the same plaintiffs against the same
defendants, was commenced some time
since in Cumberland county. 1t resulted
in verdict for the plaintiffs. The case
was taken to the Supreme Court OF
this State, which decided that they had
no jurisdiction.
P. s. Since the above was in type We |
learn tina, the Jury (of whom Hon. Strange
N. Palmer, of Pottsville, was one,) after
being out twenty -four hours, were unable
10 agree upon a verdict, and the Judge
reluctantly discharged them. They stood
10 for Plaintiffs and 2 for Defendants. AT
the request Of the majority Of the jury the
charge of Judge Grier has since been
published. .s