The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-23
DAILY.
Washington, Tuesday, July %, 1850.
From the Placer Tsses, May "a.
Slave Cases in California.

- 4
From the Placer 1sses, May "a.
- Slave Cases in California.
The proceedings of our courts the past week
have afforded unusual interest Charles, colored
man, chimed as a slave under Lindal Hays, was
brought before. Judge Thomas on 9 writ Of
habeas corpus, and discharged, the Judge main
tang that under the Consultation of the State,
and under the Mexican laws previously existing,
he had no right to detain him. iat6i
The man Charles was again brought up on
Friday for breach of the peace, in having made
an assault on Hays, and for unlawful resistance
to the Sheriff and officers arresting him. Mr..
Hays deposed that the prisoner drew knife
upon him, against which he defended himself
that the knife was accdently dropped when the
prisoner took to fight, Hays in pursuit a third
party, gentleman then came up, struck the flu
gitive with a stick and stopped him; Sheriff
Mckinney appeared at this time with officer
Tut who took, the prisoner in charge. Other
witnesses were examined, but nothing material
was ELECTED. The defence offered very little
testimony, and that bearing upon the circum-
stances Of the arrest and resistance of the pris-
Oner.H The argument urged by defendants
counsel were, that the Sheriff had no warrant,
and was not authorized to make the arrest with
out one. Second, That no breach of the peace
was committed at the time of the arrest, nor in
presence Of the Sheriff. Third, That the pris-
oner, Charles, having been declared a freeman
by the decision Of our Courts, was justified In
the resistance he offered to Iindal Hays attempt
ito capture him. ad ~ gl&94 m eefQe n
II Numerous authorities were cited by counsel
lor Zabriskie to sustain this and the collateral
positions affecting the case. This gentleman
adhered closely to the legal aspect of the ques-
ton, and did not respond to the irrelevant, diff
fuse and personal harangue which was permitted
to succeed him. In consideration of the peculiar
circumstances of the case, and the great interest
manifested by the crowded assemblage which
had been drawn together, the Court allowed a
liberal latitude in discussions Justice Sackett
promptly discharged the prisoner, the position
taken by the defence being fully supported by
the testimony Of the witnesses, and thoroughly
sustained by the direct bearing Of the authori-
ties aBW sagaI 81 eugs2ge VIZ ssnieee
It's we'll known that of the persons brought
here as slaves, but small proportion of them
are now retained in service by their assumed
masters, Whatever impressions maintain else
where few in our midst doubt the perfect liber-
alton which awaits the slave who places his foot
on our free soil; but the friends Of freedom and
humanity everywhere will welcome gladly the
ready response which our Courts have given to
the unshackling tendencies which distinguish the
spirit Of this age. f iab
A colorcd man named Lawrence was married
on Thursday evening, to Margaret a woman
hired out to service in this city, by William
Mari, who claims to be her master The cere-
mony was performed by the Rev. and Hon. DR..
Deal The happy bride and groom had retired
for the night, but very early in the morning were
rudely disturbed by the attacks Of said Mari upon
the house, which were continued until admission
was gained, when, by threats and drawing pis-
toll, he compelled Mrs. Lawrence to go off with
him, without the show of any legal authority,
and contrary to the laws of the State, and he
now holds her in custody and safe keeping, and
threatens to carry her away against her husbands
consent We learn that writ of habeds corpus
was refused by Judge Thomas, on the ground
ofinsufciency in the application, and that doubts
are entertained by him as to the right Of q black
man to obtain such a writ to the detrimcnt Of
the claims of white person. In the nuptial
affair." sad to relate, it appears that the bride is
since disposed to stay with her present claimant
AZ mistress of his household; propositions hay-
ing been made and accepted to that effect; but
as he offers to resign her upon payment of
81 900, the sincerity of their mutual affections
cannot be much commended, while the question
able morality of the whole affair is apparent.