Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-02-21
From the " Washington Union.
Rnsfnn Amin nlsurocerI

Boston Again Dlsgraced.
If the following article, taken from the columns Of
the New York Herald, be substantially correct the
city of Boston has again been made the theatre of
disgraceful negro riot and negro triumph over the
law. We hope the excuses have been exaggerated,
but we much fear they are too true It is evident
that the officers have, on this OCCASION as before
been grossly negligent or incompetent. Surrounded
by an excited gang of negroes, they should have
been prepared for the worst Instead of that course
they seem to have been taken by surprise, and dis
armed almost without effort. While such das-
tardly conduct is displayed in the face of these ne
gro ruhans, they will be emboldened to still further
outrages and will soon trample not only on the fed
eral laws but those of the State that tolerates
such craven acquiescence. Where is the spirits of
the tea boys - Where has fed the gallant ener
gy of Bunker Hill Is Boston about to sink into
the wretched Vassalage of St. Domingoa What
will the President say to this new evidence of his
marshars energy and management OF of his depu-
ties! Is this the sort of on whom he relies TO
execute the laws of the land
Unless the community of Boston or the authority of
the State has taken the prompte method ofarrestine
the rioters and vindcating the majesty of the law
does it not become the duty of the President to put
down such riots hy marching troops to Boston, or
calling the State authorities to execute the law
And does it not become the duty of Congress to pro-
vide prisons every State which closes the doors of
their prison houses to the confinement or safe-keen
ing of those who arrested under the laws of Con-
gress
From the New York Herald
of the Fugitive.
BosToN, Feb. Is, 1851.-Deputy Marshal Riley
and assistants arrested at Corn Hill Coffee House to-
dow, Eroln ~,o1r
warrant issued by the United States commissioner.
G. 7. Curtis, a complaint that said Wilkins is
fugitive slave. He was taken with no opposition.
and carried Immediately to the United States court
room.
The news of the arrest spread rapidly, and the
court room speedily filled by lar re crowd of
rather excited spectators The examinations how
ever, went off quietly. Seth J. Thomas appeared
for the claimant and Messrs Small, Ellis Grey Cor
ing. and others for the defence.
From the documents offered by the claimant. it
appeared that the accused the property of John
Debree purser in the United States navy of Virginia
and that he escaped in May 1850. The deposition
to the effect that the claimant had seen the pris
oner in Boston, and conversed with him. when the
prisoner acknowledged that he had escaped from
Norfolk. The counsel for the defence asked for a
postponement in order to prepare testimony. This
was granted and Tuesday next at 10, A. NJ, was
assigned for the examination.
The deputy marshal then ordered the room to be
VI spectators, WulcE WIS gradually OOne.-l
The prisoner remained in the custody of dozen
men, as by law of the State, the jail cannot be
used to imprison fugitive slaves
His counsel wishing to conslt with him. thew were
readily admitted to the room, to the number of half
a dozen. They remained about an hour and in the
mean time large crowd of negroes gathered upon
the outside blocking up the entrance to the court
room; and as the door was opened to let the last
lawyers leave the room, the mob from without sud-
denly rushed in seized and knocked down the Off
GERS in keeping, and filed the courtroom The pris
oner himself frightened at their demoniac ap-
pearance and fed with cry of murder, to the far
Their end of the He was, however, secured by
the mob-who had speedily sileneed the opposition
OF the few officers in the rOOm-and taken in triumph
down the stairs, and into the street The officers did
not attempt to follow; and with shouts of triumph
the mob hurried off with the fugitive, and were last
seen in the vicinity of Beknap street. where negroes
chiefly congregate
While the mob was in the courtroom. the sword
of the marshal hanging in the sheath over his desk
was drawn by one of them and fourished over the
heads of the officers 1t was afterwards found in the
street The mob showed no weapons, though a num-
Der of the negroes boosted of having revolyers in
their possession. One negro, in his fight dropped
his knife.
There were several white persons in the mob but
they did not appear to act in the rescue. The res
cue, of course, caused great excitement throughout
the city, of the most daring outrages upon
law and order enacted. 1t is thought impossi-
BILE to rearrest the fugitive, his friends have no
doubt hurried him off this to the Canadian from
tier. United States Marshal Deyent is absent at
Washington.