New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-05-25
A REPENTANT SINNER.

RICHARD BUSTED, Esq, Attorney, who
lately achieved an unenviable notoriety by
his share in the slave case of Rees Us.
Preston, has addressed to The Evening
Post an account of his agency in the pur-
chase of Preston from his alleged owner,
and his restoration to freedom and his FAM
lily in this City. That account we transfer,
unasked, to our columns, in order that our
readers may see in his very words the evil
dence of this PERSONS shame and repent
ance. Even admitting his own statements
to be true, and leaving out of sight the
facts that induce a contrary conclusion,
there is nothing in this case, except it be
its last act, which can rebound to Busteed's
credit. Admitting that he had nothing to
do in the outrage of arresting Preston on
false charge, and of combining him in prison
without any warrant, the disgraceful cir
cumstances attending the examination, the
refusal to compel important witnesses to
answer, and the final hurrying off of the
man without hearing the evidence in his
defense, certainly constitute violation Of
all ideas of right and justice, sufficient to
mark with an ineradicable brand the brutal
ity of the lawyer who could urge, and the
imbecility Of the magistrate who could
perform it.
But we do not wish to recur to that por-
ton of this drama. We are content 10
allow Mr.. Busted the benefit Of the expi-
alton he has made-certainly very profit
able one to his client. 1t is enough that
the man who could write as he does about
discharging his attorneys oath and exc
cutting the law, at the same time that
he was outraging every legal principle
that protects ibsrty-it is enough that
he is impelled, whether by conscience
or by public opinion, to undo his work
and rescue the alleged slave. In view
of that fact let the bygone be bygone.
We understand, however, that in bringing
back Preston this scrupulous guardian Of
the law has taken care that he should exc
cute release of Martin, the policeman
who made the kidnapping arrest, from all
claims for damages on the ground of false
imprisonment. This certainly indicates a
most tender care for the rights of Preston
as well as for justice in the abstract. Know
ing that Preston had suffered a villainous
outrage, and that its author could now be
made to repair the wrong by suit at law,
Mr.. Busted steps in to protect the malefac-
tor and bar the victim of his legal and just
remedy. If Mr.. Busted had no hand in
Martins act, why this avidity to shield it
from punishment :! Fortunately for the pub
lie, however, he could not compound to
save Martin from a criminal prosecution.
That matter still comes within the cog
nizance Of a Grand Jury, and we trust that
the kidnapper may yet receive an award
which will teach the sworn officers of the
law that the business of man. stealing is one
which they at least had better let alone.
One thing seems to be demonstrated
by this repentance of Mr.. Busteed's: that
is, that hereafter the slave-hunters in this
community will have to resort to q still
lower stratum Of lawyers for their tools.
They were badly reduced before, but now
no attorney whose aspirations range much