Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-12-10
THE FUGITIVE CASE IN BOSTON.

/
We have published the statements OF Messrs. knghia
Hughes the agents whn went 10 Boston arrest The fn
| tive slaves
| The Boston Ad "r!iser ol Tuesday morning, publish
the suboined letter from Mr. Curtis tho commissioner
whom reference made In MIR. Hughes letter We pr
lish il pa oi the history of the times" md
cessnry to full understanding Of the affair The etter
will be seen, IL addressed 20 Mr. Webster, AS Secretary
\ State.
| BosToS Nov. 81 1850.
Hon. Daniel Webster-Dear Sir: In reply your nquiI
will state such facts as are within my knowledge
ing the proceedings which took place here for the arrest
VIM Crafts, an alleged fugitive slave. On tho 22d Octobe
Mr. Seth j. Thomas counsellor OF law OF this city, Gale
upon at my Office, between the hours of one and Nv
o'clock, and desired to know whether commissioner
the United States Courts would be willing to attend to
of fugitive. My reply that could not answer
inquiry whether should be willing do my duty under tf
law Of the land that when was presented TO me
would be for me TO decide on the facts whether it was
proper for Mr. Thomas then left the room
and in few minutes returned with two men, one Of whoI
| he introduced TO Mr.. Hughes and the other as VI
Knight.
| Mr. Hughes, informed, the agent attorney
some person In Georgia who wished reclaim iugifiv
slave supposed To be in Boston, and Mr. Knight was wi
TO the identity. inquired Of Mr. Thomas il comrair
had been prepared and sworn He answered that this ha
been DONE and that he did suppose TO be
observed that the statute did not in terms require IT. b,
that was the proper foundation for warrant OF arrest an
that should require it. The parties then left my Office
prepure complaint and were to me again al O'clock
L
pointnen could have been made by me- they had requc
| ted il.
| At o'clock me, them again at my Office md unde
stood iha: complaint had been prepared and sworn 10.
then stated 10 Mr.. Thomas that in my judgment, the be-
interests of this community of he aw ITSELF and OF his cl
Also required that a should be issed by III
Circuit Court of the United States then in session I'll
courthouse which is, you amiary know, on The side
the street directly opposite my Office My reason for IN
opinion must be obvious any who knows the n!inn
mabc material which existed that moment in this cit.
Tor II Is but that there fanatics and misccvot
disposed persons who had encouraged direct resistance
the law. Such resistance be anticipated and in m
opinion, TO be provided for Under these circumstances
knew perfectly we'll that Commissioner could xiv
proper support 10 the Marshal and il was ihereiol
perfectly clear 10 me- that nn arrest was 10 be mud
It ought TO be made warrant issued under the sci
II the Court, and the hearing shold ba In the Circuit Cour
under all the forms Of law know need not say 10 20
that could have other motive for advising applies
ior Conr than desire for the safe and certain
ZION of the law in the first that was TO arise in this
| munity.
that he should much prefer have the warrant issued by III
court but that application had already been nude 10 H
Judges privately, and hev could not grant warrant whc
might Involve summary hearing OF several hours
count Of the tendency Of important Patent then
trial before jury which had lasted several Gays and like
to continue for several days longer To THE replied ha
my opinion this matter ought o be presented o the
and IL necessary to the counsel aud parties engaged in The
trial. in light in which they probably Ind viewed it
under this law should be conducted here pr.
the dangers Of rescue and that in order TO this t
ordinary of the ought give suf-
cient length Of time to enable the Judges receive this
plicatun and 10 hear the case If should be made
then stated the parties my determination 10 assemble
commissioners OF the court, and have an inerviw
with the judges, and 10 lay before them The pubic
why this warrant should issue from the CrUit
Court. Mr.. Thomas assened TO this course, my
rance that II warrant could not be obtained from the cort
before nine o'clock the morning, would grant it
myself.
then proceeded Immediately TO get lhs Other Commits
soneys together and We beng four in number Mr. Ed
ward G. Loring, Mr.. B. r. Hallstt, Mr. C. t. Woodbury. and
nation the presiding Judge of desire confer with
him, the jury dismissed earlier Eou than usual
ha past hve and person present. III the
mashas deputies left the roo, and the doors closed
We then stated to Mr. Justice Woodbury. that awarranl
necessary 10 be granted and for thinking OF
the highest public expediency that il should granted by
the court After hearing views, the earntd Judge said
that he had already conferred privately with the counsel
gaged in the trial. and had far obtained their
enable him say that he could give hours
would attend the Court House. half past sight o'clock
the morning TO grant the warrant, the Circuit
Court If would obtain the attendance OF his associate
the District Judge that hour We did obtain his atten
dance and The issued of the Ccut Court
and under its seal
An absurd statement has been made hat The fact that
Wm Crafts about be arrested became public or II
phrased, "eaked 0u at this interview between the
Commissioners and the Circuit Judge Not Of the gen.
tlemen present. except myself knew the Of the alleged
fugitive and IL not mentioned by In the course OF
the conversation.
Nv knowledge the occurrences which took place the
issued is confined chiefly the
under which the Marshal took opinion Of counsel his
duties and powers and the why he did
placed In the hands of The Marshal which he was
under heavy responsibilities and In the ex-
ecution Of which he might be called upon 10 break open
dwelling houses and perhaps take s by queng resist