The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-24


New and Thsn-InteressinS Documents.
We present to our readers the following docu-
meuts connected with fugitive slave case in the
earlier days OF the Republic. Through the kind
ness Of a friend we have had access to them, and
permitted to publish them as matter of curiosity
What the final result in this case was we have no
means OF knowing. as the documents before US
leave Us in doubt to whether the masters recov-
cred their servants. They are interesting Just at
this time, owing to recent occurrences in the
city of Boston.
Tho letter of Governor Gucrard is worthy of a
chief ma strate of South Carolina. Its firm but
courteous language Is coached in no gngerly terms
Of aduaton Of the union confederation which
connected the two States. The detention of the
groes is denounced an act savoring Of that ty-
rnnny which occasioned to Great Britain the loss
Of these States, and 1t is unhestatingIy asserted
that no act OF tyranny could exceed a transaction
Of this character. The declaration is also made
that all the States 'equally free, independent
and sovereign" and that Massachusetts has no
South Carolina which was involved in the present
question. Our readers will not fail to feel the keen
rcbuke OF Governor Guerard, 30 well administered,
and an 80 happily said in the paragraph preceding
the last Of his letter.
The letter from the judges of the supreme court
OF Massachusetts 1t will be SEEM declares the right
OF the master to take up his slave and carry him
home TO service. The difficulty Of recovering fu-
gitive slaves seems to have been anticipated, and
such cases AZ the above, doubt, led to the plain
and express provision Of the Constitution adopted
some years afterwards, for their owners. The doc,
uments are worthy perusal.
From the Governor of South Carolina to the Cover
nor ef Massachusefts.
GOVERNMENT HoysE,
CHARLxsToN, s. c., Oct. 6, 1888.
SIR: have the honor Of addressing myself to
you, but am concerned that il is on subject Tin
the line Of my duty Of exception, expostulation,
complaint. remonstrance, challenge, arragnmcnt,
and protest against matter of very extraordina
~ a mi n n mil nnfn ,ixy
prevail upon myself to think that your excellency
will pardon the address, it ia the duty of US both
in our present stations to exert ourselves in doing
tions Of mischief-which is as follows, viz:
That Mr.. Samuel Hasford appointed an attor-
ney to Messrs. Anthony and p. Pawley and others,
citizens Of this State to repair to the city of Boston,
in vessel equipped by them at great expense; to
demand and bring home sundry negroes which,
in l779, were captured and carried of their plan
tations within the State by British marauders. and
shortly after recaptured by two public armed ves-
sells belonging to the Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts, and thereto taken, and to which the Com
monwealth, by a resolve Of the Legislature, passed
the 18th OF November, of the same year, "gave up
all claim, on condition that the paid to the
board of war of the State the expense arising from
the support and clothing Of said negroes, has been
prevented bringing them home by the interference
OF the judicial department Of the Commonwealth,
port and clothing to the Sd day of September last
past, who produced 10 me the receipt for the same
and exemplihcations of the judicial nterposition.
Which Information was Immediately laid before
the privy council-who unanimously advised me
without delay to demonstrate to your excellency
the illegal detention Of the said negroes contrary
to the articles Of confederation and gross attack
on the dignity, independence, and sovereignty OF
this State, and to demand peremptorily that they
be forthwith restored to this State at the expense
Of the State Of Massachusetts,.
am, sir, really 10th to trespass further upon
your time, but the importance of the subject de-
mau0a n w al inns "A liver
tons to the following tenor and effect, viz:That
the Commonwealth OF Massachusetts, if she stood
in our situation, would take high displeasure at
euch an attack upon her spirit, freedom, dignity,
independence, and sovereignty; all the States be-
ing equally free, Independent, and sovereign, and
no one State is to presume to assume domination
or control over another, as would most certainly
eventually be the case if the grievance and com.
plant in question was not redrcssed and repro
bated-that it carries not good aspect, not ga
voring of that reciprocity of generous protec-
should emulously show, observe, and manifest to
those OF another, but rather indicating an invi-
dious disposition and furnishing for mstrusts
and jealousies-that II is alarming to the last de-
whose land cultivated by negroes, if their me-
groes, hv the single act of deserving the service of
their owners, are to receive emancipation in the
State of Massachusetts, no one here enter
tained the most distant idea Of adoption OF the
kind from any State in the Federal Union, the
whole plighting their faith to aid and protect
each-that such adoption is savoring rather of the
tyranny Of Great Britain, which occasioned her
the loss Of these States-that act of British ty-
ranny could exceed the encouraging the negroes
from the States owning them to desert their own
ers to be emancipated-that it seems arbitrary and
domination assuming for the judicial department
Of any State TO prevent restoration voted by the
Legislature and ordained by Congress-thnt the
of our negroes discloses specimen of
puritanism should not have expected from gen.
llemen Of my professon-and that (if not mis-
the
Egomet mi ignosco, Menius inquit
Stultus ct improbus hic amor est, dignusque no.
tari
Cum tua prevideas oculs mala lupus inunctis;
Cur in anucorum vitus tam GERMS acutum
Guam aut Aquila aut Serpens Epidaurius? at tibi
contra
EVENT., inquirant vita ut tua rursus ct ILL
will here humorously apply, since advcnturers from
The property to morrow, which the judicial depart
ment thereof are to- day cnfranchising.
sincerely wish that this business, which is but
common justice and right, may be concluded with
and am sure that your excellency
will lay before your Legislature the singularty,
injustice, imprudence, impolicy and cruelty of the
,ase contrary their resolves and toto colo repug
nant as well to the letter and spirit of all the ord
nances OF Congress as the Federal Union, for their
coming thereon to such disapprobation of the |
measure and adequate order for restoration, they
in their wisdom shall see fit. i
have the honor to be, with perfect respect your
most obedicnt and humble servant.
(Sgned) BEN. GUERARD.
His Excellency Governor HANCOCK.
We annex the reply of Governor Hancock, COW
'ring the proceedings taken in the case, which will |
.lso be found below:
Reply Of the GoUernor of Massachusets to the Coz
rnor Of South Carolina.
BosroN, March 30, 1884.
Sin: The letter you did me the honor to address
me, laid before the general court at their first
ession after the receipt of it; and in compliance
With their request enclose you the whole of the
respecting the negroes mentioned in
FOUR letter, which, upon pcrusal, fiatter myself
will be satisfactory.
have the honor to be, with sentiments of esteem,
ir, your excellency's most obedient and humble
crvant, JOHN HANCOCK
lis Excelcncy the Governor of South Carolina, SC.
The next document is the letter Of the judges of
he supreme judicial court of the Commonwealth of
to whom Governor Hancock had
eferred Governor Guerard's letter To this letter
ire attached the necessary legal Documents
BosroN, December 20, 1888.