Southern shield., 1851-03-22
THE MASSACRE IN MARYLAND.

ty, Maryland, have produced the most III tense excitement in the neighborhood where they were perpetrated. Meetings have been held upon the subject, and large rewards offered for the arrest of the assas- sins. The Kent News of Saturday con tains full particulars of the horrible affair:
 On Thursday night last, the 27th inst, the family of MT. Wm. Cosden, consisting chiefly of himself, his wife, Miss Cosden' his sister, on a visit, aged about l7 years; Miss Webster, his wife's sister, two small children, Zone an infant, the other few years old and capable of talking;) awhite lad' a colored boy, and a negro woman kltch- en servant, were living in peace and qnIet' unsuspecting harm from any one. me white family were at tea, between sixsand seven o'clock. Mr. Cosden having finished, turned his chair to the fire, when he was deliberately shot down by some one from the yard, through the window, an ounce ball having penetrated his body. The wretches, three in number, immediately beat down the door With the butts of their guns and entered the room, where they shot Mrs. Cosden, br.t she made an effort and ran into the yard and was found dead, the ball having passed through the heart, and two stabs upon her person. They then shot dead Miss Cosden, upon whose person there are also two stabs.
 One of the fiends went up stairs, and found Miss Webster, Mrs. Cosden's sister, in bed, where she had been confined by sickness for two weeks; she implored him to spare her life; told hm if money was his object, all she had was in her trunk, to take it, but spare her lfe The monster delibe- rately raised his gun and presented 1t, when she raised her feeble arm 10 protect her person from the merciless savage; the ball in its course tore off the greater portion ot her arm, exposing the larger arteries, and forcing itself through her arm; four slugs were also found in her bed, which was set .on fire by the discharge of the gun, or set on fire by this villain. Another of these villains repaired 10 the kitchen and shot down the negro woman, the ball passing uhrough her body. The white and colored lads made their escape to Georgetown Cross Roads, distance of two and half miles, and gave the alarm, when the citizens i'm miately repaired to the place, and secured the neighborhood, but could get no clue 10 the murderers.
 Mrs. Cosden and Miss Cosden were kill ed. Mir. Cosden lived until near ten o'clock, between two and three hours. He talked freely 10 the neighbors; did not know elth- CT of the monsters; to him they were strangers. He stated that he did not know that he had an enemy in the world, and that he had no feelings of enmity towards human being, and could not divine the motive for the deed.
 Miss Webster, who, it is feared, is shot through the lungs and supposed mortaIly, did not know the man who shot her; she described him as having black whskers. Her clothes and money remain untouched, and plunder does not seem to have been the motive for the deed.
 EkThe servant woman yet lingers--it is feared mortally wounded-and she and Miss w. and the lads think they would know the murderers if they could see them.
 Suspicion has fallen upon no one in our county, and we cannot believe that hu- man being exists in Kent county who is capable of the deed. Rumor says they came from Delaware, but all is yet conject- ure.
 Governor Lowe has offered reward of of $l 1000 for the arrest of the murderers, and it is hoped that they may be speedily brought to justice for the perpetration of this most awful crime.
 Four persons have been arrested on sus- pcion of having been connected with these murders.
 Miss Webster and the black woman hold there is but one living-a small boy, who made his escape by running.
 
 Fuc1r1vE SLAvEs.-The Salem (Massa- chusetts) Register, speaking of fugitives, gives them the following wholesome ad- : vice:
 "If there any such in this region who ap- prehend danger, let them escape at once to place of safety. It is the best thing they can do for their own sake and the sake ot the community. If they remain, and are arrested, let them not think, for moment, of resistance by force of arms. Those who counsel such course, are no true friendsI 10 them. The laws will be sustained at al hazards, and terrible must be the responsi- bility of those who forcibly resist their exc cution. The alleged fugitive will find friends enough to shield him by all legal means which can be used, and whatever can be properly done to secure his free dom. There can be no doubt that forci- ble resistance is the very worst advice that can be given or acted upon."
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 EXTRAORDINARY LoNGEvITY.-There isl now living in the town of Brookfeld, Mass, Israel Smith, now 96 years and 4 months old. He was married to his present wife