The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-02-16

them previous to that tune. and had never seen
either since that transaction; that he them
ecute bill Of sale to Burch, saw Burch pay him
S625 and take the bill of sale, and that he read
that bill. but could not tell who was this vender
nor who was the person sod, as appeared by the
bill of sale.
Mr. Thorn was next called upon the stand, and
testified that he was in the tavern in the Spring of
the year 1e4l, and saw white man negotiating
trade with Burch for colored man; but whether
this was the colored man not he could not tell
for he never saw either the white man or colored
man but that once, and did not know whether or
not Burch bought and paid for them.
Burch himself was next offered q witness in
his behalf to prove the loss of the bill Of sale
His evidence objected 10 by the prosecution,
but was allowed by the Court He testified that
he had the bill of sale and ha, lost it, and did not
know what had become of it. The counsel for
the prosecution requested the Court to bring po-
lice officer to bring the books of Burch, containing
his bill Of sale of negroes for the year 1841 and
previous years. They were fortunately procured,
but no bill Of sale was found of This colored man
by any name. Upon this positive evidence that
the man had been in the possession of Burch and
That he had been in slavery for period Of more
than eleven years, the Court decided that the
testimony of the slave trader established the fact
that Burch came honestly by him, and consequent
y discharged the defendant.
The counsel for the defendant had drawn up,
before the the defendant was discharged, afiIa-
Wit signed by Burch, and had warrant out against
the colored man, for conspiracy with the two
white before referred to, t. deiraud Bun ch out
of $625. The warrant was served, and the col
ored arrested and brought before Officer God
dard. Burch and his witnesses appeared in Court,
and H. B. Northrop appeared counsel for the
| colored man. stating that he was ready to proceed
as counsel on the part of the defendant; and ask
ing no delay whatever. Burch, after consulting
short time with Shekels, stated to the Magistrate
that he wished him to dismiss the complaint, as he
would not proceed further with it. Defendants
counsel stated to the Magistrate that, if the COM
plant was withdrawn it must be Withdrawn with
out the request OF consent Of the defendant Burch
then asked the Magistrate to let him have the
complaint and the warrant, and he took them
The counsel for The defendant objected to his re-
ceiving them, and insisted that they should remain
as part of the records of the Court, and that the
Court should indorse the proceedings which had
been Lad under the process. Burch delivered
them up, and the Court rendered judgement of
discontinuance by the request OF the prosecutor,
and fled it in his office.
The condition Of this colored man during the
nine years that he was in the hands of Eppes. was
of character nearly approaching that described
by Mrs. Stowe, as the coudton of " Uncle Tom
while in that region. During the whole period his
hut contained neither floor, IL chair, u
matruss, anything for him to lie upon except
a board about twelve ihches wide, with block ol
wood for his pillow, and with blanket TO cover
| him, while the walls of his hut did not by any
means protect him from the inclemency of the
weather. He was sometimes compelled to per-
form acts reyolling to humanity, and outrageous in
the highest degree. On one occasion Coloret
girl belonging to Eppes, about II years of age went
one Sunday without the permission Of her MASTER
to the nearest plantation, half mile distant te
visit another co!ored girl of her acquaintance. She
returned in the course of two three hours, auG
tor that offence she was called up for punishment
which Solomon was required to infl.ct.
Eppes compelled him TO drive four stakes into
the ground at such distances that the hands ant
ankles Of the girl might be tied to them, as she lay
with her ftce upon the ground; and having thus
fastened her down, lie compelled hih, while stand
ing by himself to infiict hundred lashes upor
her bare flesh, she being stripped naked. Having
inf cted the hundred blows, Solomon refused t'
proceed any further. Eppes tried to compel hin
to go on, but he absolutely set him at defiance ant
refused to murder The girl. Eppes then seizet
the whip and applied it until he was too weary tt
continue it. Blood flowed from her neck TO he
. feet and in this condition she was compelled th'
next day to go into the field to work as field hand
n She bears the marks still upon her Loly, although
the punishment inflicted four years ago.
d When Solomon was about to leave, under The
care Of Mr. Norlhrop, this girl came fr"m Lehn'
Der hut, unseen by her master, and throwing lie
ii arms around the neck of Solomon congratulated
him on his escape from, slavery. and his return Il
il his family, at the same time in language of despai
: exclaiming, But, Oh, God what will become O
o met"
II These sta ements regarding the condition Q
e Solomon while with Eppes, and punishment an
: brutal treatment of the colored girls, are take
If from Solomon himself 1t has been stated tina
s the nearest plantation was distant from Fppes
half mile, and of course there could be no in; Ell
J. ference on the part of the neghbors in any pun
>. ishment however cruel, or however well dispose
}, to interfere they might be-
y By the laws of Louisiana no man can be punish
;. ed there for having sold Solomon into SLAYER
If wrongfuy, because more than two years ha
g elapsed since he was sold and no recovery can b
n had for his services, because he was bought with
10 out the knowledge that he was free citizen
> y little gnl asked her sister what chao
} that papa reads ab tut? The older child replied
u Why it is a great pile OF nothing, and no place
e put it in.
LIFE The advantage of living does not consi
in length of days, but in the right improvement