The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-23

We have heard from many sources that some OF the
southern gentlemen who oppose tbs plan Of Adjustment
proposed by the Committee OF Thirteen express great in
dignaiion because gives the right Of trial BY jury fag
tive slave although that jury be empannelled in the
State whence he fled These gentlemen speak. we under
stand, with great Indignation that the slave should be
permitted to anagn his MASTER" Chat is the phrase)
and try his right 10 freedom before jury They regard
this as great degradation. Even the Nashville Conven-
ton felt itself called upon denounce this feature Of the
Adjustment with great warmth Now. we do not know
positively. yet we believe may safely say that the
people Of Virginia deeply interested in the fate Of
slavery any other people the continent and that
her Legislature has exhibited much in guarding
against congressional usarpatons in that behalf any
other southera legislature. In ls47 it denounced the
Wimot Provso In is4s it reafirmed the resolutions
OF ls47 and made il the duty Of the governor
the legislature il in any law violating southern
rights should be passed and in 1850 il passed other
resolutions sanctioning the Nashville Convention and
making preparation for resisting any wrong which a
dominant and fanatcal majority might attempt to inct
upon her rights and institutions Yet. notwths landing
these things there has been on the statute book Of vr
gna for fifty years. law which gives 10 each and every
slave ia the Commonwealth, whether fugitive from,
reported by the Committee Of Thirteen During the last
summer special session Of the Virginia Legislature was
held for the purpose of revising the State CODE The
work was completed, and the code is now before us
We find pages l645 (chap. cv the following provi
sons.
OF Suits for Fresdom.
SEC. l. Amy person conceivng himself unlawluy de-
tanned slave may petition the circuit court OF court
of the county corporation la which he may be Detained
for leave 70 sue for his freedom, or he may complain there
SIG 4 If the complaint be made justice, he shall
~ Or ss
court court Of the county or corporation, Gas the COM
mean ns g BE- safely kept Al the expense d the person
claiming 70 be the owner and shall cause such person TO be
$50 5 II the person claiming be the owner
one for him, will enter into bond by the officer
double Of the complainant supposng him be
slave, conditioned 70 nave him forthcoming before the
said court a. the term thereof such officer shall dev-
sEo The to which such petition may be present.
shall aid him In the prosecution OF his suit and until the
person claiming to be the owner for him, will
penalty the shall direct conditioned 70 have the
petitioner forthcoming abide the Judgment OF the court
70 prepare trial. shall deliver him charge The prop
officer for safe keePng az The Of the person 50
time be hired out II The court 50 order and the hire shall
be disposed Of as tue codr shall direct The petonsi
shalt have free oil cost, all needul PROCESS services OF Off
GERS, and attendance Of witnesses.
SEQ g. Il shall be the duty Of the counsel 10 le with the
clerk in writing of the material facts OF the
case, with his opinion thereon and unless appear
fest thererom that the suit ought not % Dc prosecuted, The
summoned 10 answer the petition.
SEc. q The may be tried, without regard TO its
summons shall be returned executed and jury free from
w,shoa, the os q pleading :ss be en-
SEQ II verdict DO for the petitioner the jury may
find damages detention pending the suit and the
sba Dc
him the damages and costs
The last New Orleans Courier states that similar pro-
vision exists in Virginia; and suspect in most Of the
southern States.