Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-02-25
The Boston Afair-The Presidents Message.

The Boston Affair." L he PfeSfde1HS message
The best part of our space to-day is occupied
with the special Message of the President in re-
lation to the Boston outrage, and a sketch of the
interesting debate by which its reading was fol-
lowed in the Senate. The message is all that the
friends of the Constitution could desire--frank
firm, fully to the point. 1t renews, in the most
solemn form, the assurances already given to the
country, that Mr.. Fillmore means to uphold and
execute the Fugitive law, in good faith.
We have no doubt that he takes just view in
considering the successful Eruption of the negro
mob into the courtroom and their forcible rescue
of the negro Shadrach, as surprise to the COM
munity of Boston; but it is apparent that there
was some delinquency on the part of either the
United States Deputy Marshal Riley, or the city
police The Boston Courier and Post impute
blame TO the City authorities the Atlas, on the
other hand, censures the Deputy Marshal for max
ing no resistance to the mob. The Board of AL
dermen and Common Council of Boston, have
taken very proper measures to relieve the city, as
far as they can, from the reproach of countenanc-
ing the late lawless proceeding. The former body,
with the Mayor at its head, adopted on the 18th
inst, the following preamble and order:
Whereas, This Board has learned with deep regret
that the integrity Of the laws and the dignity OF the
Commonwealth and city, have been greatly impaired by
the orcble and abduction of prisoner from the
hands OF officer OF the United States who had him
in legal custody, therefore it is
Ordered That the City Marshal, under the instruc-
tons of the Mayor, be directed, whenever he shall be
properly informed by public officer OF this State or
the Uned States that there danger that he be un-
lawfully INSTRUCTED in the performance OF his official
duties by mob, and thai he needs his assistance i'm
medatey to repair to the place where ii is apprehened
said hot will be had and there, faithfully and truly with
the whole police force under his CONTROL the same
in the most energetic possible, in support OF the
law, and the maintenance OF the public peace.
The Common Council, the goth, passed
unanimously the following
Whereas, The Board of Mayor and Aldermen, in
whom vested by the city charter and by existing ord
nances the sole appointment and control of the pol ce
of the city, have passed the following order Erecting
the above order, therefore
Resolved That the Council views W 18th high salts
faction the decided condemnation by the other br anch
ofhe city government, OF the outrage upon the
laws of the City and Of the Commonwealth and of the
United States and heartily approve OF the directions
given to the City Marshal for his guidance on all fu-
occasions when riot Is anticipated in consequence
otthe arrest OF fugitive slave.
Resolved, That we cordially respond to the recent
Proclamation of the President ofthe United States and
will earnest efforts to that its recommends
tons aer fully carried out.
This last resolution was moved by Mr.. Putnam,
who declared that he abhorredthe proceedings of
Saturday in this city, and that he was in favor of
the comprmmise measures, fugitive slave law and
ALL
"This resolution (says the Boston Courier will be
fully supported by the citizens of Boston, and we
trust it will have its effect in dispeing the i'm
preston, wherever it exists, that the Bostonians
have any disposition to acquiesce in the late out
rage The event will show that the law will be
maintained here and It's violators find their appro-
pirate punishment"
The trial of Mr.. Elizur Wright, the Abolition
editor is looked to to furnish the verifcation or
failure of this prediction. We do not entirely like
his being put on bail for such sum as $4,000. OIL
his guilt as an abettor in the rescue, the following
testimony of an official witness leaves no sort of
doubt:
Frederick D. Bwnes, Deputy U. S. Marshal, test
fed that he present on Saturday from about half
past ii A. M, until the rescue He saw Mr.. Wright
there. He tWrighp came in in a very abrupt manner
so much So that Mr. Hutchins stopped him. until told
him to admit him. Soon after he entered he had some
conversation with Mr. Riley, and also with The prisoner
Al had then left except Mr. Wright, Mr. Davis, the
officer and prisoner Witness is confident that MIR
Wright went ont once and returned in about five mi
nuteS. When he was leaving the second time witness
had hold OF him by the arm, and one hand his back
As he reached the door, he pushed against it, as if to
open it wider than was necessary to go out. As he
was passing the Threshold, he (WriehD raised his
arm, end exclaimed come in ! now now! in
now land those outside Immediately rushed in
We succeededin closing the inner door once, but it
almost instantly forced open. While it was
closed OF those outside cried go in go in take
him away, take him sway When the door was
forced open the second time, in came Mr.. Virgin
again. and tall negro close by him. Mr.. Wight
passed the officers but the negro held at bay few
moments.
Accompanying the Presidents message to the
Senate were copies Of various Geographic COM
muncations transmitted by the officers at Boston
TO the Department of State. One of them from
Mr. George r. Curtis, Commissioner, accounts
for the rescue thus: overwhelming force suffered
TO accumulate by gross glect of city authorities
Marshars department not being fully prepared"
The following dispatches from the War and Navy |
Departments, show that efficient precautions have
been taken to. enforce the execution Of the laws |
with military force fit be necessary. This, how
ever, sufficiently evidenced by the Presidents |
recent proclamation
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, February II, 1851. |
SIR Information has Just been communicated 10 |
the President that number of PERSONS pr ncipally
people OF color, IN the city OF Boston did few DAYS
SINCE combine TO prevent the execution OF the law pro.
viding tor The arrest OF fugitive slaves and did orcbIy
rescue slave who had been arrested from the custody
OF the officers OF justice Ii Is possible that the city
authorities may hnd Unnecessary call in the military
force aid in the execution OF the law If such should
be the case and the marshal any Of his deputies
shall exhibit you the certificate the circuit OF
district Judge OF the United States ia the Stale or
Massachusetts,, stating that, in has opinion the aid ola
military force necessary 10 insure The due execution
OF the laws and shall require your aid ami that of the
tToops under y0nr command. as part Of the posse
eortatus you will place under lhe direction aud con
lro OF the marshal yourself and such portion OF your
command as may he deemed adequate 10 the purpose
Ii neilhrr The ciicU district Judge should in
The eiIy OF Boston when the exigeucy above relened
shsl occar tie written certificate OF the maishai
alone will be deemed sufficient tor you 10 afford the
"A