davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06
From the .Ne,o York Tribune, .Aprii 2.
New York Slave Catchcrs.

1t is but a. few weeks since, Mr.. Secretary
Webster stood up before an audience in this
city, and with all due solemnity and impress
siveness, declared to the listening thousands
that the American Constitution is "founded on
the basis of equal rights-its provisions secure
perfect equality and freedom to all; all who
live under it are equal--all enjoying the same
privileges"
Let a few facts serve by way documentary
on this lofty article
black man named Horace Preston, residing
in Williamsburg, and earning an honest living
by his own work, married to woman most
devotedly attached to him, was arrested the
other day by member of our sixth ward police,
named James Martin. The arrest was made
on an utterly frivolous pretext; it was charged
that he had committed larceny, that the wit
nesses against him would be forthcoming
and accordingly he was incarcerated until they
might be produced. But that nothing might
occur to render imperfect this illustration of
American equality before the law, and Ameri-
can respect for personal rights, he was hustled
into the lock up of the sixth ward station in the
lower part of the Tombs, not under the control
Of the regular warden of that prison, and kept
there in a manner which might not disgrace the
Justice of Persia or Tartary but is foul blot
on New York. The offence charged was a
baabe one; ample bail was offered, but il was
refused. The worst of criminals pirate, a
murderer, violator of helpless woman is
allowed to see counsel and prepare for his de-
fence; legal gentleman of the highest respect
ability, having, after long search discovered the
place of this mans sequestration, went there
and demanded to see him as counsel, but was
turned away from the door, and was not even
allowed to see the warrant upon which he was
immured.
Such is the justice New York melted out
Such is the respect for personal rights which
officers of the law here exhibit. Such that
equality of privileges of which Mr.. Webster so
pompously boosted.
But the morrow developed new phase Of
the affair. The charge of larceny was laid aside,
to give place to the charge of slavery. The
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

alleged theft of other peoples property was sup
planted by the theft Of his own person and his
own freedom. The man was a slave and had
stolen his liberty. That was ALL And, in
order to gain time to seize him for this offence,
the charge Of stealing had been trumped up,
and the man had been grabbed and treated
worse than if he had been guilty of the most in
fernal and unnatural crimes; and finally he was
taken before Commissioner Morton, in al out
of the way place, near the United States Court
Rooms, where pile of wood nearly blocked up
the entrance, and there the examination was
commenced, with no counsel present to protect
his rights Mr.. Culver afterwards arrived to
undertake his case. but no time was allowed
him to consult with the negro, or to examine
the papers on which he was held. The slave
owner had rights, but the presumptye freeman
none.
II seems that the active agents in this foul
business were Policeman Martin and one Rich
ard Busted, lawyer Of this city. They had
tracked out the fugitive, and had informed the
man Rees, of BALTIMORE, who claims to be the
owner Of the negro, that his chattel was here,
and could be caught. They telegraphed to him
that the trap was ready, and that he must be on
the spot to take The prey when it was ensnared.
More than this Busteed himself, in order to
make sure Of his reward, voluntarily went be-
fore the commissioner and made the affidavit on
which the man was held AS fugitive slave. Not
content with the part Of slaveowner's counsel
and advocate--of itself sufficient, one would
suppose, to satisfy an ambition of ordinary
scope in the way of meannoss and dishonor--he
must put himself forward as the primary evil
dence in the premises. And in this affidavit,
drawn with his own hand, if we mistake not, he
swore to the whole claim of the alleged owner,
not as a matter of hearsay or opinion, but abeo-
lutely, and AZ of his own positive knowledge.
And yet it did not appear that he had, at this
time of swearing, any other proof on the sub
ject than the statement of Mr. Rees that he was
the owner of such runaway. Suppose Rees
had claimed to be the proprietor of any other
freeman!
But enough Of such bloOdhounds and .jackals
of Slavery. Enough of beings 80 miserably
mean and inhuman as to make business Of
seeking out men engaged in honest pursuits
tearing them from heart broken wives and chill.
dren, and sending them into bondage. Enough
of Martins and Busteeds, creatures that crawl
so low that public contempt cannot reach, nor
public disgust and aversion affect them. The
spaon Of an Infamous statute, they do the ,oork for
t0hich IL has engendered and produced them. But
we, who believe in liberty, who talk of it's
blessings, who descant on the glory of its at
tainment, who declaim on the equality Of rights
and universal justice, ought at least to see that
these slave catchers do not succeed in prosti-
tuting all other laws and overriding all the bar
riers of justice, in the prosecution of their
accursed trade
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06


e8y" The Lowell American of Friday last thus
refers to the leading issues in the pending cleo
tons in Connecticut and Rhode Island The
Maine Liquor Law seems to be the most prom
inent.
ELECTIONS The annual State elections
take place next week in Connecticut and Rhode
Island, and the result is looked for with more
than common interest, especially by those in
terested for the enactment of the Maine Liquor
Law in those States. This question seems to
override all Others now before the people, and
we hope, for the credit of those States, that the
friends of the great temperance measure of the
age may meet with the success which they so
richly deserve. In Connecticut, the election
takes place on Monday, and the Democratic
candidates for State officers have taken sides
against the passage Of the law in question
portion of the Wing candidates are fully in favor
of it, and the Wing candidate for Governor
has pledged himself not to oppose its passage ;
the Freesoil candidates, however, stand un-
equivocaly pledged to use their influence to pro-
cure the passage of such benefcent measure,
and we earnestly hope that all pledged temper
ance men in that State will see the Importance
of giving them full vote.
"The Rhode Island election comes off on
"Wednesday, and the temperance question en-
ters largely into it. With what success, we
cannot tell. The Democrats take the same side
as in Connecticut"
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

eE- The vote was taken yesterday in the
House of Representatives ON the resolution of
Mr.. JACKSON, of Georgia, in favor of dilated
acquiescence in the Compromise. 1t was first
amended by Mr.. HLLYER, of Georgia, by the
same resolution offered by Mr.. Polk in the
Democratic caucus at the beginning of the SEES
sion, and which was then laid on the table. The
resolution was simple acquiescence in the
finality. This amendment was adopted by q
vote of lO3 to IA. A separate vote on Mr.
JAcKsoN's was little stro niger. There were
some 80 to 60 members absent or not voting
80 that this great scheme of paciication could
not get majority of the House.
There was great mixture of parties and Sec
tons on this vote. But the Compromise may
now be regarded as repudiated by a decided
majority of the Northern members. This
would be enough to cap the climax of this
century, if it had not been for another thing
and that was the quasi ratification of this out
rage on the South, by a majority of the Southern
VOTE
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

William N BurpeU, Esg.-A statement has
gone the rounds fthe new spapers that Mr.. Bur
well, in connection with two other gentlemen, was
about to estabah paper in the city of Washing
ton, to be devoted mainly to the commercial inter-
ests of the South. We have letter from him re-
qufsing us to contradict the report,and declaring
that he "has had no such intention. " The sup
posed design Of Mr.. Burwell was received with
much favor by the press generally, and many
well deserved compliments were bestowed upon
Vigininn.
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06
Party Platform.

The following is from stray piece of paper
that evidently dropped from the pocket of some
delegate to one or the other of the approaching
National Conventions, we don't know which:
Resolved, That we are opposed to the cleo.
ton of military chieftains to the Presidency, ex
cept when they are of our own party and are
the most available men,
Resolued, That we have abiding confidence in
the intelligence and integrity of the people, ex-
cept when the opposite party run military
candidate, and then the people are invariably
humbugged, and 60 astray.
Resolued, That we are in favor of an econom.
ical administration of the federal government,
except when our party is in power either in
Congress or the Executive.
RESOLVED, That we are opposed to general
system of internal improvements by the federal
government, but 60 for large appropriations Of
lands and money, for rivers. harbors, and rail.
roads, particular States where the population
is large and the vote close.
Resolved, That our party is the true Unior
and national party, except when sectional rob-
berry is to be perpetrated, and the Union en-.
dangered, and then we are for coalition with
the other party in our section.
RESOLVED, That we are opposed to the protec.
ton of any branch of industry to the injury OF
another, but think it would be beneficial to nil
to be taxed for the protection of the iron, coal
cotton and wool manufacturing interests, as
they belong chiefly to larger States of uncertain
politics.
RESOLVED, That we are opposed to the distri
button Of the public lands to their owners-tht
States, but are in favor of giving them to railroad
companies and to people of all nations who will
come and take them.
Resolued, That this is great country, but W.
don't think it affords enough business for Con
gress to attend to, so we are in favor of thei
supervising the affairs of other people, and en-
forcing the faithful execution of the laws O
nations
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

Politics aud the Puipi-The Portland Argus
comments upon the course of several clergymen
who carried the Mayoralty question into their
pupits last Sabbath, and compliments one divine
who, in alusion to the subject, said there was
great deal said 'about Kossuth, Dow and Paris,
but he would call the attention Of his hearers to
one greater than either Of them--the Saviour"
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

House rents in New York, are enormously
high. In Chambers street, medium houses rent
for 81 400 and $1,000; in Murray and Warren
streets prices range from $1,000 to 81 500. Large
new buildings in Park Place rent for $4,000 and
&C 900, and in Vesey street the best three story
houses for 81, 500 and 1880 In the uptown
Streets three-story houses rent generally for from
$500 to 81 300.
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

WRECK OF THE STEAMSHIP INDEPENDENTS
The steamship Louisiana, which arrived at
New Orleans on the I'd inst, reports that the
steamship Independence from New Orleans,
was wrecked on the bar Of Matagorda bay, on
the 18th ult. The vessel and cargo valued at
$70,0O0) will prove total loss.
The Independence had large number OF
passengers, one hundred and fifty of whom were
saved but the following seven were lost in at
tempting to reach the shore in boat Mrs
Monott and three children, Mrs. Lieut.. Jones,
Mrs. Hovoy, and the chief mate.
The mate was drowned in trying to save Mrs
Jones.
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06
Whlg HarmOnles.

The E1press, after treating of the adhesion
of the South TO Mr.. FILLMORE, and the unity
and harmony of the Wing party generally, say 8 !:
But where stands New York? Not the
great body of the Wings of New York-for
they will be true to their party, whether Fill
more, Webster or Scott be nominated but
where stand those politicians who in olden time
have directed the party destinies of this State ?
Some are quarreling over the canal contracts, in
the benefits of which they were made sharers
with their old political enemies. Some are
hankering after the fesh-pots of Egypt. Some
are devising ways and means to defeat Mr. Fill
more, should he be nominated, by misrepresent.
ing his motives and eliminating his actions
since he has been President The anti Fillmore
presses, IN their fury, outstIip the anti-adminis-
tration presses of the Democratic party in their
zeal and hatred of the administration. They
remind US daily of the address of Moloch to the
fallen angels. If called upon to support Mr.
Fillmore, they cry
-" No! let us rather choose,
Armed with hell fames and fury, all at once.
Ger heaven y high towers to force resstless way
Turning our fortunes into horrid arms
Against the torturer.''
The Courier and Enquirer overhauls the
STATE Register for urging the re election of Mr.
Fillmore. The Courier says:
1.-THE editor of the Register need only refer
to the columns of the Buffalo Commercial AID
pertiser which paper he then edited, and ably
TOTO find therein letter from Mr.. Fillmore
in favor OF the one term principle and in de-
nunciation of John Tyler and the disreputable
special pleading of his friends, to escape from q
great and sautary Wing principle, on the con.
temptible plea that it was not applicable to him
because he had not been elected to the Presi.
deAcy! He not only indicated the one term
principle and proved its applicability to every
incumbent of the Presidential chair, but he
cited the conduct of John Tyler as " an add
tional proof that our only security against
treachery and inordinate ambition, is found in
The one term principle That takes away all in.
ducement in The erecutipe to use his poper 10
secure reelection
:" MIR. Fillmore was right them and, by his
own showing, in the case of John Tyler, cannot
be the candidate of the Wing party for the
Presidency in 1861, whatever may be his claims
to that station in 1856"
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

81 Gold is as plentiful, it seems, in Able
Vile District South Carolina, as it is in Califor.
mia. The owner of gold mine in the former
region recently wrote that in two weeks he rea.
}ized the sum Of ten thousand dollars and up.
wards from his operations with eight hands
The work of two days alone yielded him some
thing over three thousand dollars.
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

9-s The New York Mirror says: We learn
from Albany that peculiar stripe of Wings at
the capitol are busily engaged in pulling the
wires to secure the nomination of Horace Greely
r II. J. Raymond for Governor! Seymour il
i, expected, will be the Democratic candidate.
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

TERRIBLE STEAMBOAT ExPLosloN.-The stea
mer Redstone, Captain Tate, from Madison, Ia.
for Cincinnati with about seventy persons on
board, including the boats crew, blew up on the
Sd inst as she was backing out of SCOTS land
ing, about three mucs above Carrolton, at half
past two o'clock in the afternoon.
The force of the explosion was terrific, and
completely shattered the boat, which immediate
ly sunk in twenty feet water.
OF the passengers large proportion are lost,
and of the crew only the captain and clerk are
saved. The former is severely, if not fatally,
injured
Up to seven o'clock in the evening, fifteen
dead bodies had been recovered in a horribly
mutilated condition.
1t was impossible at the time to ascertain the
names of those who were killed,
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

LIABILITY OF RAILROAD CoMPANIEs.-Patrick
Cass yesterday recovered verdict of 300 and
costs against the New York and New Haven
railroad company, being the value of trunk
and cvrtents placed in possession of the bag
gage keeper, in June last, but not delivered
The ticket, a check received for it, had deem
lost, and the agent refused to deliver it when it
was demanded, and it vas subsequently lost
The court held that in common law the railroad
company is liable for the loss of the baggage
entrusted to their care, and the giving check
to passenger, designating the number of the
ba ggage was intended to furnish the passenger
with additional security, and the loss of the
check does not relieve the company from liabil-
ity, unless some other person presents the
check, and in good faith and without notice the
baggage is delivered to the party SO offering
the check. Nothing of the kind was shown
here, and the plaintiff was entitled to judgment.
-Nep York Mirror
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

The Hon. j. A. Woodward has recently an
nounced that he will not be candidate for re- cleo.
ton as Representative to Congress for the Sd Con
gressional District of South Carolina.
The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

.Nasology.-This is the last science of which we
remember to have read. But we perceive by the
January number Of the London Quarterly Rsue,c
that Mr.. Edwin Warwick has written book on
"Nasoogy, or the Science of the Nose" Ac-
cording to this author, the human noses the great
facial sign-post, which points to character, and
we have only to follow our noses to be on the
right road.
He Classics them according to their principal
varieties, and runs parallels between national
noses and national manners.
We apprehend that this will prove science of
great deicacy, if not difficulty, for the human nose
is generally rather delicate subject to be handled
Kossuth made great speach on Tuesday night,
in Lafayette-square, ewOrleans. An immense
crowd listened to and greeted him with thegreatest
applause. He expressed his surprise that bis doc
trine met with opposition at the South, where
he anticipated the warmest support He attributed
it to misrepresentation Of his sentiments and
speeches, particularly in Kentucky. He quoted
from his speech at Louisville, to show that he
never spoke unexpectedly Of Mr.. Clay, for
whom he has the deepest respect, though not
deeming his opinions infallibIe. This explanation
was perfectly satisfactory to Mr. Clay Is Nsw-Or-
leans friends.
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-25

Pursuant decree Of the Circuit Court Of
county, Virginia. rendered the October term 1882 the
dersgned Commissioners appointed by said Court will on
the first day Of March, 1852 proceed SELL premises
at public auction the tract Of land belonging the late Abra
ham smith, deceased and which he resided the time of
his death.
IL Is situated both sides ofNorh river in the counties Of
Rockingham and Augusta about is miles from Stanton and
IL from Harsonburg the proposed terminus Of the Manassas
Gap Railroad and contains by survey about O23
acres OF exceedingly fertile land constituting
one Of the most valuable estates in the valley Virginia be-
ing as Il is, well supplied with dwellings and outbudne OF
the best quality under good fence and in high state o. cu
tvation.
There are about so Of sate meadow and az much
more can easily be made large portion Of the land
consists OF black vegetable deposte from two to six feet
deep which equal In its ertzng properties to the best
stable manure
About half the tract cleared and the residue heavily
mbered twill be offered for sale entire and also In four
subdivisions and the sale confirmed in that way which the
largest sum viii be realized These subdivisions contain
veray some poles than 1885, 24 2s SIS each
provided with buildings except that Of 24 acres The
Of % acres has also 1t Saw-ml and with good
water power.
Terms Bond and approved security for the whole Of the
purchase money! onethrd in sixty days. with
the day OF the residue in two three years and
the title retained till the further order Of Court
JOSEPH SMITH, Jr
G. G. STRAYER,
dec 2S-lavs Commissioners.
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-25

The New York Courier and Enquirer of Thurs
day has the following paragraph:
We requested to call public attention to the
stence and operations of this Association lis self
colonization movement among the free coored people for
their own benefit This association organized in 0c
tober 1851, and having secured the confidence of the
leading friends Of Africa the society appointed agent
ABRAHAM CALDWELL, who sailed last March from Balt
more with goods, &c. valued at $1,000 Mr.. CALDWELL
received from President RoBERTs six hundred acres of
land the St. Paus river in for his society and
proceeded to erect eight small dwelling and one
store house Having cleared fifteen twenty acres and
planted various vegetables for the benefit of settlers
returned TO consult with his association future
operations. His health is better than it has been for
twenty years. and ne is enthusiastic in his praises Of Ii
IBERIA"
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-25
DIPLOMATIC SALARIES

Certain facts interesting to aspiring dpomatss have
been brought to light in letters from Ministers and
Charges abroad in circular from Mr. Webster
The Hon ABBOTT LAWRENCE thinks that the salary Of the
Minister to England should be 600 His own expenses
exceeded that amount Mr.. RIvEs thinks Minister at
Paris with decent regard to his position" ought to
spend at least $4,000. Mr.. MIL BRovS, living as q
bachelor at ST. Petersburgh spends S6OoO and thinks
the salary should de increased to S12 600 He also says
the Secretary Of Legation has sufficient salary
Mr. FOLSOM, residing at the Hague estimates his yearly
expenses at 3d. 1896. Mr.. BARRrSGER reckons his
annual expenses at Madrid at Ss,5ls, after original
outlay Of ST., 200. Mr. SCHWARTZ, u s. Consul, est
the necessary expenses Of Charge at Vienna at
Sc 6S2. Mr.. BARNARD, at Berlin, found himself the
9th Of December, 1852, $1,000 beyond his salary. Mr.
at Stockholm, considers the pro-
vded for the Charge dAfares at this place to be su
cient" Mr. BArARD puts down his annual expenses at
Brussels S9,8s4 Mr. SoHEScK, at Rio, whose children
are in the United States thinks he may save 81 900
year Mr. MARSH thinks the Minister at Constantinople
ought TO have his salary increased
This information has been ELECTED in reply circular
Of Mr. Webster sentn compliance with resolution passed
by the United States Senate.