The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-12-19
How tlao Fugillvo slave Law worries.

thlS Tune | aScertalned that Bull and /
Ellen had not left Boston as had been
reported. | then called TO see Mr..
Showers, ian attorney TO whom had a
letter from Mr.. Fay of Savannah.) He
was absent from town and did not see
him. On the next day, called on
Judge Levi Woodbury., and stated that
| wanted a warrant for the arrest of
two fugitive slaves. He stated that he
was not the proper person to issue it.
| asked him to tell me who was the
proper person to issue such warrants.
He stated he would recommend me to
90 to Mr.. Lunt, United States District
Attorney. | called on Mr.. Luut, who
stated that he had agreed to take case
Of this kind before, and that 1t was an
unpleasant business, and created a.
great deal of excitement, and he would
not take another case of the kind. /
am inclined to think this statement Of
Mr.. Lunt a mere preteXt to evade re,
sponslbilily, | was unable to learn that
there was any such case ever in eXis-
tence. | asked him to inform me who
was the proper person t. appIyto. He
recommended me to Mr.. Benz. f. Hal
lett, United States Commissioner. |
called at Mr.. Hls office and he was not
at home. then called at | o clock at
night, athis residence, and stated TO him
my business, and asked him for war;
rant.--sayiug that if could get war
rant could have the negroes arrested.
He said the law did not authorize a
warrant TO be issued that it was my
duty to 60 and arrest the negro with
onl warrant, and bring him before
him. | stated to him that this was re,
| qpiring an impossibility under the state
of things, aud that that was not my
construction of the law, and showed
him copy of the law.
After looking at the law, he said he
would consider Of it, and give me an
answer next morning at nine O'Clock.
He then stated he had considered Of it,
and thatlt was not his business to adj
wise me what course to take. But ii
! would make out my charges in le~
gal form and come before mm he would
hear me. then went to Mr.. Thayer,
Ia merchant, to whom had letter,
and told Mr.. Fhayer, | wanted an attor-
ney. He got friend who went TO see
Mr. Seth j. Thomas, an attorney, who
agreed to take charge ofthe case. Mr..
Thomas was engaged, and called on
Judge Sprague for warrant. This
Judge equivocated and shuflled like the
others bad done.
lie then called ON Mr.. Curtis, Uni'
ted States Commissioner. lie wanted
Time, like the Others, to consider, and
requested US to call at four o'clock, p.
~. which we did, and he then stated
that they had agreed to have meeting
of the six Commissioners and the
two Judges, namely Woodbury. and
4 Spraeue, that night. They held that
: meeting and decided that the Judges
should hear my complaint next morn,
ing in Chambers. ] was then required
to 90 into Court and make my com
plant, when they ordered the warrant
70 be issued in open Court, which the
Clerk did. BY this time 1t was known
all over Boston, that the warrant wa;
f issued, and who for, and who applied
for it. About the time the warrant wa;
, issued, man, apparently of respecta'
bilily and influence, was on dry goods
box, speaking to the crowd, advising
the negroes and their friends to arm
themselves with Bowie knives, pistols
and dirks, and resist the law unit
death that if it was law of the Uni
tied States it was in direct violation
Of the law Of God, and ought to b.
, resisted at all hazards, and advised
, them to shoot down all slave catcher
! from the Sonth.
The warrant was then placed in tn
) Marshafs hands, told him | wa
Q ready To go and point OUT the heS'oe
' Ito him He said that there was
question whether he could break th
: door of BllPs Shop. where he under
E stood he was locked up. He took To
e balance OF that day to settle that cues
/ tion. called next morning and toI
. him | was again ready 10 50. he the
said it was reported that Bill, (whor
he called Mr.. Cfafs,) lad left towr
and he had a man on the look out, an
we must wait for him to report ! a
i so had man on the same business /,
!, called on The Marshall again in the at
! tornoon. He SAID his man Fepo'te'
that Bill was not there. | then state
that my man reported that Pm wa
there. He SAID my man was mistaken
y far his man was reliable and could nc
Q be mistaken.
The next day my attorney went !
SEQ the Marshal, who stated to hlm ina
he was ready to 90 with me aloue''a'
J ! Immediately went 10 him aud propose