The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-04-17
The Boston Slave Case.

from day 10 day since Friday last, anL
his decision was now 10 be made; and as
no Court had interposed 10 relieve him
from the responsibility, he should not
shrink from it. He was here to decide d
great question Of law on his conscientious
convictions of the truth. He should state
his own convictions Of the various ques-
tions which had been discussed.
The first was, that Commissioner had
no right to decide this case, inasmuch as
he was not clothed with judicial power.
He admitted fully, that claim of this
sort came under the judicial power OK the
United States, ard the question is whether
or not Congress had provided proper act
empowering the Commissioners TO exer-
else any of such powers. By the act of
1912, there was an authorization of Com
missiOners 10 ascertain the extent, and ii
was quite common thing for them 10 ar
rest, examine, and imprison offending
seamen and others; holding them in prison
until finally tried. This was a degree of
judicial power.
The counsel for the fugitive had con-
tended that an act of restoration by the
Commissioner here, would inevitably con-
sign the prisoner TO perpetual slavery. He
did not agree with the counsel fully on
this point. The rendition of slaves from
one State 10 another was of the same ma
ture as the rendition of fugiiives from JUS
tice; only the one was TO the owner and
the other 10 State. All that came before
the magistrate before either prisoners were
arraigned, was simply the question of re
moval.
1t has been ascertained that the act Of
Congress of 1880, authorized Commits
sioners TO give certificate for the removal
on finding evidence that the claim of the
owner is sustained. The liberty of the
party was under final consultation there
fore. The ground assumed by the counsel
for the prisoner that, as a question of pro-
perty, the prisoner was entitled 10 trial
by jury here, is untenable.
The Commissioner reviewed the law,
cited authority, and then took a careful
review OF the evidence, and said that there
was no doubt in his mind that the claim
of the agent of Mr.. Potter was well foun-
ded in fact; and said, Il deem il my duty
10 grant a certificate for his removal back
TO Georgia, and therefore do grant it,
Mr.. Sewall arose and suggested 10 the
Commissioner that the prisoner had a
question pending before Judge Woodbury.,
which he desired now 10 pursue.
The Commissioner said, have consult
ed with Judge Woodbury. this morning,
and he assured me the matter had no re-
laton to this case. The certificate | have
already granted.
The fugitive Sims was then taken from
the Court room under the direction of the
Marshal.
Much excitement exists in the vicinity
of the Court house. Abolitionists and
squads of negroes are assembled in knots
about the corners. | hardly think they
will be fool-hardy enough TO attempt a
rescue.
BosToN, Friday Evening.-The writ of
Habeas Corpus, granted by Judge Wood
bury, last night, on the application of
Sims Counsel, was called up in the Uni
ted States Supreme Court this afternoon,
at 3 O'Clock, when Judge Woodbury., after
few remarks in relation 10 the case, de-
cided 10 deliver up the fugitive to the Gus
tody of the United States, and dismissed
the case before him. Much applause fol-
lowed the announcement of his decision.
Judge Woodbury., in reply TO a remark
made by Sims counsel, exclaimed en-
phatically, 81 think that Massachusetts is
still a State of the Union, and as long as
she is such, shall administer the laws of
the Union, or perish in the attempt" This
declaration was also received with bursts
of applause, when the Court directly ad-
journed.
Much confusion prevailed outside, and
large crowds of whites and blacks sur
rounded the Court House, awaiting the
carrying out of the prisoner. He will not
be taken out of the city tonight.
A crowd of about one thousand persons
followed the claimants to their hotel.-
They were accompanied by large police
force. On their way the crowd cheered,
groaned, and hissed-but a cry for "three
cheers for Daniel Webster and the Con-
sttution," was responded 10 in glorious
manner.
A few negroes seemed 10 be tllo only
disturbers uf the Pcaee.
Ii is rumored that the freedom OF Sims
has been purchased by citizens OF Boston,
for $500.
BosToN, April l2.-During last night
there was but little excitement IN the city.
The watchmen and police were under
military drill until o'clock this morning,
when they halted in a body in front of
the east door of the Court House. The
fugitive slave, Sims, was then brought
from the place of his confinement, and