The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-03

W. PuoHsu to-uay the report Oh the NOmmttee OF INC
Constitutional Convention Of Maryland relative to the
slave case which has recently attracted much OF pub
ic attention in Maryland The report contains the
respondence between Governor Lowe. Of Maryland and
Governor Johnston. Of Pennsylvania, along with the
papers on which the action OF each was basel.
1t is unnecessary to 20 fully into this case at the pres
ent time. The facts, gather them. are these
Several years ago female slave escaped from j. s.
Mitchell, esq, Of Maryland. and took refuge in Penn
syvsna. Lately Mr., Mitchell employed Messrs James
f. Price and George F. Albert his agents to procure
her return. She returned, and along with her
child born in Pennsylvania while the fugitive mother
was in that State. Mr. Mitchell and Messrs Price
and Albert were indicted in Pennsylvania for
kidnapping The child mentioned above The two
former have been convicted in Pennsylvania. and SEN
fenced TO the peniientiay Of that State; and the gov
ernor OF Pennsylvania has made requisition the
governor Of Maryland for Mr. Mitchell as fugitive
from juslice-Mr Mitchell not having been in the State
at the time his slaves were recovered and sent back.
1t will be that many important questions
raised and discussed but is not purpose TO
linue the discussion further than 10 remark that two
points, each OF which is very ably discussed by the At
torney General Of Maryland, seem To Us to cover the
whole case
/. As 10 the right of the gov OF Pennsylvania 10
demand the surrender extradilion OF Mr. Mitchell
fugitive from justice under the constitution, and
cordng to the act OF Congress- On this point Mr. Attor
ney General Brents argument is rrefragabe II susains
itself so completely that will not weaken il by at.
tempting to add 10 it or elncdate it. Even admitting
that the child born of the fugitive slave woman alb
souiely Free and that conveying him 10 Maryland was
crime according to the laws not only OF the State Of
Pennsylvania, but also OF the Stale Of Maryland ye,
the argument Of Mr. Brent proves concusvey that such
an act is no, which would justify requisitin for
Mr. Mitchell (he not having been in The State OF Penn.
sylvania when the alleged crime commited) under
the provision OF the constitution of the United States
which provides for the extradon Of fugves from JUS
tice This settles the matter between the State oil
Maryland and the State of Pennsylvania.
q But another question arises which is deliberately
discussed in the documents accompanying the report Of
the Maryland Convention that is, whether Messrs
Price and Albert, who were arrested in Penn
sylvania, are, as has been adjudged, guilty ol
kidnapping That question will depend mainly upon
the question whether the child of female fugitive slave
born in the State in which the fugitive may be found
the property of the OF the mother This an n
cate question, which will not discuss at the present
time, although our opinion is very clear and decided
We do not enter into this discussion because the question
belongs to the Supreme Court 10 decide; and, while
cannot doubt TO the decision, we foIbear any com
ments. il does not properly belong TO the question al
issue between the governors OF Massachusetts, and Penn
sylvania growing Of The demand for the delivery
Mr. Mitchell We glad, however, TO that the con
vention sitting at Annapolis has authorized h,
governor to bring the question to the cognizance of thu
Supreme Court SO that it may be finally settled