Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-04-18
The Boston FugItlvc Case.

From the detailed accounts of the final proceedings
at Boston, in the case of SIAs the alleged fugitive
slave, it will be that he has been remanded into
the custody of his master. Mr. PORTER. in Savannah
OF his agent; and that lie is now on board the brig
icorn on her voyage from Boston to Savannah
The abolitionsts left stone unturned to defeat the
law but they met at every point, and finally
defeated The expense of this affair to the city Of
Boston must be very considerable. 1t is said that it
has cost Mr.. PORTER, the owner of the slave, be-
tween one and two thousand dollars ALL and more
than all, than the negro is worth, Mr.. PORTER is a
very wealthy man. and determined to test the
fact as to whether the law could be executed in
Massachusetts. II was reported that SIMS freedom
had been bought in Boston for fifteen hundred dol
lars; such was not the fact Mr.. PoRTER's orders
positive not to sell him in Boston at any price
His agent remarked that after the slave, SIMS had
been brought back to Savannah, and kept for some
time, he might be sold.
1t will do very we'll for wealthy man like Mr..
PoETER, to spend more than the value of his negro
to test the question but for all practical purposes the
law is nullity if such to be enacted and
huch expenses incurred in every case. 1t is to be
hoped that this affair will cow the abotionists into
submission, aid Shcw them, that even in Sassachu-
sets, the law and will be enforced. The posi-
ton of Judge WOODBURY. is above all praise. 1t is
true he only did his duty but he did it in an open
bold and manly manner, that marks him ma
tional man. and patriot. 1t will not do to preach
higher law before LEVI WOODBURY..
We take pleasure in according all due praise to
the City, State and Federal authorities. for their
unfincting determination to execute the law, as
displayed throughout the case with the exception of
particular instance, which. unfortunately, will
have considerable influence in destroying the moral
effect of the transaction all over the country
We allude to the removal of the fugitive Sims from
the prison to the brig Acorn under the cover of
night and darkness. 1t looked too much like alb
Quoting the fellow, instead Of removing him openly
and boldly, in the face of day The civil and mill
tary escort mustered at o'clock in the morning,
and the slave was put on board the brig about
o'clock We have little doubt that the authorities
could and would have crushed any attempt at rescue,
under any circumstances, but this test
there should have been no handle left on which to
hang a doubt of the efficiency of the law and even
had bloodshed resulted from carrying him off in the
most public manner it would have been the blood of
fanatics and traitors. We would at all times depre-
cate the wanton or reckless destruction of human
life, but the yindication of the supremacy of law
the peace of the country anthe safety of the Union
is worth more than the bodies and souls of all the
abolition scoundrels in Massachusetts.
TuR WASHINGTON UN1oN-The, Union of the 18th inst.
the yaledictory of Mr. Richie who has forever
retired from press The Introductory of Mr.. Donelson.
Jr.Rites appears in the paper of the 18th
t.--1 To-