Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-10-13
Fugitive slave Case at Syracuse

The National btelligeneerabrid from
the Syracuse papers the following account
Of the late Syracuse outrage:
On wednesday Deputy Marshal Allen,
on warrant issued by J. 5. Sabine, United
States Commissioner, on the claim Of John
McReynolds, Of Marion county, (Mo.( ar
rested colorcd man named Jerry, claim
ed as fugitive slave. Deputy Marshal
Allen was aided by Deputy Marshal Fitch
Of Rochester, and the Deputy Marshals Of
Auburn and Canandaiga.
The examination commenced at one o.
clock, when Mr. Gibbs Of Washington
county, volunteered his services in behalf
Of the fugitive. He remarked that he did
not believe the Commissioner would do
any thing in violation Of the rights of the
fugitive, and he stated that he did not be-
lieve the Marshal had any more right 10
place handouts upon the prisoner than he
had upon tfc Commissioner. He proceed
ed at some length to comment upon the
right of the Marshal TO handcuf him, and
asserted that the agent of the claimant was
sitting in the Court armed with revolvors.
J. Il. Lawrence replied that the priso-
ner was in the custody of the Marshal and
that every precaution against an escape
was allowable.
Mr.. Gibbs replied, and asked that the i
rons should be removed from the prisoner
The Commissioner replied that he had
no authority IN the matter, though he
should advise the Marshal to take of the
irons.
The Commissioner then read the appli-
cation OF Mr.. McRcynolds, claiming Jerry
as a fugitive from service.
Mr. Gibbs then raised the question that
there was no legal proof that slavery was
authorized in Missouri
This point and others occupied the time
Till an adjournment was ordered for half an
hour.
On the adjournment being announced,
a rush was made by several colored men
and whites and the fugitive carried off,
| The doors were then closed to prevent the
cgress Of the Marshals. Jerry was borne
along by bis friends and literally thrown
down stairs. when on gaining bis feet he
hurried off at top speed, but was arrested
by officers May and Lowell on Lock street
bridge, by whom he was conveyed to the
police office, where he remained the bal
ance of the afternoon. The sheriff call
ed on the military, but the order was coun-
demanded by Col. Vandeburgh.
After Jerry had been deposited in the
police Office, large crowd assembled on
the steps and in the streets in front of the
office, and were addressed by an Abolition
orator from Michigan, and also by color
ed clergyman.
AT half past 4 P. NJ. the examination
was resumed, when the question as to the
omission of the Court in Missouri to state
that slavery was recognized there, was a.
gam raised by the counsel for the fugitive.
Pending discussion ofthis point the Com.
missioner adjourned the examination till S
o'clock on Thursday morning
During these proceedings the excite
mcnt increased on the outside and some
stones We're hurled through tie windows.
For a while after the adjournment the
crowd seemed to dispense; but at about
half past eight o'clock, mob Of negroes
and aboliiionists broke into the police Of
fee and rescued the negro, who was plac-
ed in a carriage in front Of DR.. Hoyt's
house, and driven off by another physician
belongin 6 to Syracuse.
During the melee Deputy Marshal Fitch
had his arm broken in two places, and
Charles Woodruff, special police officer,
was badly injured in the face and head.
There was no effort made to recapture
Jerry after his rescue, and he has not since
been heard from.
Accounts from Syracuse, under date of
Saturday, state that numerous dispositions
had been taken before Commissioner Sa-
bine, bearing upon the rescue Of the above
slave from the officers off the law, and, sew
eral arrests having been resolved upon, the
ingleaders of the riot were not likely to
escape punishment.
There was, at the time Of the outrage, an
Abolition Convention in session at SYRIA
cuse, composed OF men. pledged to resist
the fugitive slave law. and also an Agri-
Cultural Fair, upon which, many persons
We're IN attendance from the surrounding
coaIues