The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-15

own vessel The law Of South Carolina says that when
free persons OF color thus imprisoned the captain OF
the vessel in which they arrived may take them out OF
prison on paying all the costs and charges when he is
about saL But this had vessel TO sail In He
had lost his own lie had saved the Charleston vessel
and, reward for having done So bis cook and steward
were into jail and he was not allowed 10 release
them This is his story, II his conduct babarous
Carolina why then, sir, repeat the laws OF South Caro-
Ina must be OF such character the from South
Carolina himself can perhaps best explain. But what
better evidence oil the character OF this law can we
desire than that which the senator from South Car.
DINA himself has mentioned He tells us that one
branch OF the legislature OF that State has already re-
peaed or greatly modified this law. II is 80 ! have
read the debates; and in these debates II rs recognised
throughout that, by the law now stands search may
be made on hoard Of vessel. ana me coored men men
found there may be dragged forth and imprisoned. And
the very change which branch OF the Legislature OF
South Carolina proposed this occasion Is The change
which this Captain Ranleti has himself Suggested,
namely, 10 stop short with prohibiting these people oil
color iron going shore AS the law now stands they
are seized in their cabins or cabooses, while board
The branch Of the leg q South Car
olina have themselves borne testimony TO the inexpe-
diency and injustice of this law, and have done what
they could to repeal II
Sir, am extremely sorry to be drawn into discussion
so infa nmator, that which has sprung up must,
however, AID word more in regard TO Captain Ran.
lett The senator from South Carolina appears think
III he ought to have remained in Charleston and helped
10 get these negroes out OF prison Perhaps II is Bni
nave not had experience upon that subject sub
sequent is true 10 the event which Captain Ranlett
relates Have we not sent OF most excellent
ann eminent citizens there for the purpose OF testing the
consutionalits of tins law and has he not been pro.
scribed and driven away out OF the STATE lie was
driven away. indeed, with courtesy and comfy, [ ac-
knosledge for he himself has testified that The gentle.
men of Charleston treated him with The greatest kind.
ness-they incapable OF doing otherwise. But still
they told HIM that 20 he must, and that The constitu-
nonality OF these southern laws could not and should
~. M. H.
this discussion has arisen. and that has thus
far bull really when man kindIes fire he must not
complain il il burns him The honorable senator put fire
to the heap, and now he complains that it too hot
Mr. WINTHROP. No. sir; have made such
complaint, nor has the fire been of my kndng.
Mr. Blu rLER He who loads his gun too heavily
must not complain OF its rebound when he discharges
do not know the facts in this case and wish 10 be
cautious in what say in all matters OF this kind The
honorable senator om Massachusetts that this
has told the truth. He says he left these negroes
al Charleston knowing that they would be liable 10 be
sold slaves; anu the Senator makes apology for
him, the fleet that if ne had endeavoed TO have them
released, he might have shared fate OF another gentle
man who went subsequently Ia South Carolina.
Mr. President. so lar as can speak from my own con-
scentlous conviction, IL had pesued in the attempt.
wonld have gone back and endeayored to those
do not say that their condition hard am
somewh hat acquainted with the arrangements made Tor the
custody OF these people. They surrounded By high
wall is true but they fed and taken OF, and
not subjected TO what would be regarded conne
ment in oalhsome prison. They simply kept from
going al large, until the captain OF the vessel in which
they goes and asks Tor them and takes them back
with him to his ship. But how did these men get in
there Why SIR, they went there, doubtless claiming
MI. WINTHROP. There is no such fac, stated in the
letter, nor am Iaware that II was So
Mr; BUTLER suppose 1t to De fact You say
thai these men saved The ship You be so generous
State would not claim salvage. II that is the ground
upon which you put it. il viii appear that they earned
ibis salvage, hut would not ask Tor It,
M Tha main yalIi t1f
the record. have said nothing about salvage.
MIR. BUTLER. The record. record made by Cap.
tain Ranie,t! should like 10 know something more
about that record Is he prothonotary, a notary
public Or is OF those spontaneous records which
some men make with the facility OF talking There are
persons who both speak and write with facility but
advsedly do not know that thIs has told false
hood when he says that these negroes put in Jail
but, much reconced 10 the institution OF sla-
very never can be inspired with sufficient confidence 10
believe the statements OF man who abandons part
his ships crew, with the certain prospect. he
thought OF their being sold into slavery, when by lew
dollars he could have rescued them. How did these
escape from their condition, SIR This Captain Ranle
says that he left them in Jail, and he does not know
whether they were sold mo slavery not | will
answer that they were never sold But u Is clear from
the course which lac pursued thai he dad not whether
they were or not tie never inquired SO much for
=" Ranleit on humanity"
The senator from Massachusetts has laid down two
great propositions The hrst Is, that Captain Ranle,
who leaves his crew IN prison al the risk oil their
being sold into slavery, isa very respectable man. and
the second IL, that the people OF Massachusetts, aer
having earned salvage, would not clam IT,
MIR WINTHROP. said no such ihiRg ] will thank
the senator put words into my mouth which did
not use.
MIR. BUTLER. And does the senator say have no
right 90 draw the inferencei
Mr.. WIN fHR0P. ! say nothing on the subject.
Mr. BUILER Then draw The in that the
people from Massachusetts would not claim salvage.
Mr. WINTHROP. Well, Mr.. President, we have had
The tragedy, and now suppose having the farce
tLausnler.l
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