The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-17
CALYrorNrA.
Correspondence Of the Petersburg Intelligencer
frPortunt case, inroiri'g the preston Of siap1y.

Correspondence of the Petersburg Intelgencer.
fmporfunt case, inrolrjsg the question Of Slavery.
SAcRAMENro CRY, May 9th, 1850.
Dear Sir-I avail myself Of little leisure TO
indite you few lines on matters and things here
abouts transporting, trusting that yourself ard,
Inayhap, your readers too, may find therein at
least some few molecules Of interest.
The debates in Congress on the admission Of
California; and on the slavery question, attract, as
you may imagine, considerable attention. Last
week, the matter of slavery was brought up prac-
hcally IN our midst, IN manner which, at one
time threatened serious disturbance of the pub
lie peace. A Mr.. Hayes, from Missouri, brought
with him a couple of slaves On his arrival, last
September, he agreed with them, if they would
work for HIM certain length Of time, or pay HIM
a certain amount of money, he would give them
their freedom. One Of them complied with the
contract, and about month ago received his manu-
mission papers. The other ran away at once,
and was never seen until last week. Upon his
masters trying to recover possession Of him, he
resisted, fighting him and all who lent him assist
ance. The police officers who interposed to quel
the disturbance, Jared no better, for he dealt his
blows indiscriminately on all who approached
him. He was finally overpowered and brought
before the Recorder, who ordered his commital
for a breach of the peace He refused to be taken
into custody, and it was only by the employment
of superior force that his arrest was effected
During this scene much excitement was man
Tested by the spectators angry looks and
words flashed fiercely through the crowd, and
for moment there was some fear OF general
row. The crowd quietly dispersed, however,
and. gathering into smaller fragments discussed
the matter more dispassionately.
On Tuesday last the case WAS brought on n
Habeas Corpus, before Judge Thomas, (of Mis-
souri,) of the District Court After fair hear
ing, with speeches of counsel on both sides,
that officer decided that, in this State, the mas
ter could claim no property in his slave
that he forfeited his right by introducing his
slave into this Territory, which, by the provis-
ions of the treaty with Mexico, was free terri
tory even prior to the adoption Of the Constitu-
ton; and by that instrument the federation of
slavery was forever forbid within the limits of
the State he pronounced that the negro was a
freeman, and forever discharged from all service
to his master.
The exultation of the Abolitionists on this
occasion was very cxtravagant, but that of their
sooty brethren exceeded all bounds. They drew
long breaths, and danced upon the floor and said
lit was good-they shook one another by the hands
and said it was good--they thanked God, and said
ahe ras good, and they had always known it,
they crowded to the plaintiff scounsel and squeez-
ed their hands until they became as black as their
own, and said, 'they were good" and would have
folded them fondly to their fragrant bosoms, but
gentlemen not liking companionship quite so
affectionate, gently excused themselves.
The plaintiff, whom they would have borne
off in triumph, was detained to answer charge
of breach of the peace. This came up the next
day, before Mr. Sackett, (of No. Justice of the
Peace Mr. Sackett declared it to be his opinion
that, inasmuch as it had been decided by higher
tribunal that the defendant was freeman, he
but acted in defence of his just rights when he
resisted all attempts to take him into custody
and that he had committed no breach of the peace
in resisting an unlawful assault The negro
was set at liberty.
Thus endeth this case and let it be warning
to all Southerners how they trust their slave
property in this State. w. H. p.