Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-10-05
FIRST CASE UNDER THE FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL.
UNITED STArEs CoaaIssIosER's OTyIcx, .
NEw YoRK. SxprEnBYR IT..

| IS - = .f b -
r UNITED SrArIs CosaIssIosER's OEvIcx,
4ttt NEw YoRK, SEPrEnBER IT.
Before Commissioner GARDINER.
James Hamlet colored man, the slave Of Mrs. Brown
Of Baltimore who away from her about years since,
was this morning arrested in this city, by the IT, g. Marshal
the claim OF Mrs. Browns agent and in few hours after
his arrest the examined and the following evidences
adduced:
Thomas j. Glare, examined / reside in Baltimore state
Of Maryland am SO years old clerk in shot manu-
factory at Baltimnre know Jsmes Hamlet he h the slave
of Mary Brown my mother-in-law who resides in Balt-
knew Hamlet about 20 years he left his mistress
about two years he left the premises where family
reside at Baltimore. Mrs. Brown is entitled Hamefs
vices slave for life she parted with him volun-
ay she into possession Of him by the will Of John
]. Brown her deceased husband
IAN from Mr. Browns will here put in evi-
dence.
Examination continued-She held him from the time sbs
inherited him until he escaped The present the
James Hamlet.
Gusavus Brown examined. Reside in New York am IS
years old am clerk in this city. Resided at Baltimore
before coming this city know Hamlet boy he
the slave Of my mother. She is entitled to bis services
under the will Of my father Hamlet left her years
since, in Baltimore saw him several times within the last
six months In this city saw him FIRST in April last; my
mother is still entitled to him, having parted with
him, the present the James Hamlet Of whom speak
Mr. Asa Child appeared at this stage Of the examination
protect the rights Of the slave and examined Mess
Glare and Browns but elected nothing to contradict their
direct examination.
Mr. Child then said he believed that all the forms Of law
| appertainng 70 the case, had been complied with.
Mr. Gardiner then decided that the should be given
up to the csimants agent and signed the annexed cer-
| 6cate
To whom these presents may come Whereas complaint
has been made before me, Alexander Gardiner commits
soner duly appointed by the Circuit Court Of the United
4ae: for the southern district Of New York in the second
ruary Goth, 1919, March st 1917, and September 9th,
1889, the oath of Thomas j. Clare Of the city of Bal
holI
labor the State Of Maryland did, about the month Of
October into another State Of the United States,
from the said State Of Maryland, and from Mary Brown,
dent Of the city Of Baltimore in said State to whom his
i vice or labor was due:
i And whereas the said Thomas j. Glare did produce
and certified under the seal Of the Baltimore County Court
whereby he duly authorized by the said Mary Brown the
claimant of the said fugitive take of and
hold for her use and benefit the said James Hamlet
And Whereas upon such charge being made aforesaid
the said commissioner did issue warrant due form of
law for the arrest Of James Hamlet whereas
the said James Hamlet has been brought before me- the said
and the heard in accordance with the
Nov DO oer, that satisfactory proof has been produced
before me- BY the dispositions Of Thomas Clare Of the city
and by extract from the will Of John G. Brown of the city
Baltimore duly that the service labor OF
the said James Hamlet 10 due for life unto the said Mary
Brown, Of the city Of Baltimore, in the State Of Maryland
that the said James Hamlet escaped from the State Of Mary
New York. in which he has been arrested snd that the per-
regard to whom such testimony has been produced Is
the SAID James Hamlet
And therefore, by virtue the power in me vested by the
Of Congress in this BEHALF do authorize the said Mary
Brown, the said Thomas Clare, her attorney, such
force and may necessary under the
circumstances Of the case take and the said James
Hamlet the fugitive person aforesaid back to the State OF
Maryland, whence he escaped as aforesaid.
In witness Whereof have hereunto my hand and SEAL
this seventh day Of September thousand eight hundred
and fifty. ALEX GARDINER, U. s. Com"
Mr. Clare, the slave owners agent then demanded that the
Commissioner would in accordance with the law, give him
sufficient force conduct the slave back to Maryland
Il Mr. Gardiner then informed him he must make affidavit
that he feared attempt would be made the slave
while his way from this State Maryland and that bis
making such affidavit sufficient force would be given to
! preventit
Mr. Glare then made the necessary affidavit and the Un
ted States Commissioner ordered the slave into the custody Of
the United States Marshal with directions to him provide
sufficient force to guard the slave bis back The
United States Marshal Immediately deputed sufficient num-
Der of bis officers for the purpose accompanied by whom and
his owners agent the Immediately taken from the
!, city, on his way to Maryland Commerce.