The daily union., 1852-12-24
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Dec II, 1852
TO the General Assembly, of Ysrsia4a

Enquirer:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Dec II, 1852
To tho Gs,krd assembly Of Yirsia4ss
GEHTLxMES: In late communication had the honor
to address your body alluded 10 decision of
Judge in the Stale OF New York, by which Jonathan
LENNON citizen OF Virginia, had been deprived OF his
slaves stated that steps had been en- to procure an
official copy of the record, and that when received
would communicate il for such action as your wisdom
may dictate,
have recently received that record and herewith sub.
init II Tor your consideration.
IL Will be seen that Lennon and bis wife, with eight
slaves belonging TO her, were emgraing from Virginia
10 Texas Qn their passage they passed through the port
OF New York, and there compelled by necessity TO
land with their slaves. without remaining or intending 10
remaln longer than necessary, and with intention at
any time oil bringing their slaves into that State 10 re-
main reside, for any purpose whatever except in
passing from Virginia TO Texas Being so in transit or
on their passage writ OF hobsas corpus was applied for
by thlfd person, and issued by OF the udses of
New York, by which they compelled 10 bring their
slaves before him and he, the facts above stated de-
clared The slaves free. and set them al liberty
The record contains the judges opinion at length in
which see nothing TO change the opinion heretofore
expressed upon the subject 1t will not be expected that
should enter into legal investigation Of his reasoning
and conclusion, nor is II necessary in order 10 secure
or from your body that enlightened consde ration
which ITS importance demands Ii conflict with The
opinions and decisions OF other distinguished jursts
without, believe, single precedent TO sustain il In
importance, II Is Of the first magnitude and in spirit, il ia
without It's parallel Ii sustained il will not only de-
siIoy asl comfy which should subsst between the
ous Affect Inc value OF slave property wherever found
IN the
have also received, and herewith submit a commu.
ncalon IRON Henry ID. Lapaugb. esq OF the city of New
iork from winch you Will perceive that the proceed.
ngs which took place before Judge Paine have been re
moved oy theri into The supreme court of the State
10 be by the court reviewed
But am informed that by The voluntary contributions
OF portion OF the good people OF that city, Lennon and
MS VILE have been fully reimbursed the aue of their
saves and have stipulated that, in case Judge Panes
decslon ~ reversed, the slaves shall have their
ms wlthdaws from those Immediately concerned ali
personal interest in the further prosecaton of the
bu' y by no means dinishes the extent 10 which the
decision the rights and interests OF our citizens at
large. "
deem the subject OF sufficient public importance to
require and receive the attention Of the government of
this Commonwealth, and recommend that for The pres
en provision shall be made by the general assembly for
he eicieni prosecution OF the appeal already and
OF sueh other judicial proceedings may be found ne.
eessay and proper for satisfactory adudcalon OF The
important questions involved in this case
cannot believe that by the supreme eourt Of the
stale OF New York, decision will be sustained that IA
80 contrary 10 the spin, OF all law opposed 10 the e.,
iabshed principles which regulate intercourse even be-
tween foresn nations, so much at with the relations
whleh shQnd subsist between the sister States of the
pniop and as think, with the spirit il no, the letter of
The constitution itself
= Hut II in this mistaken; If the staiute1of New
o,k has been ghtfuy expounded by the learned Judge
ua @ - NOT IN conflict with the constitution Of the United
same sovereign power by which New YORK enac,s her
laws and gives them force within her limits
pertains to Virginia within hers and 10 them she will
'hen have TO look for redress,
Very respectfully
JOSEPH JOHNSON