The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-06-02
AN INTERESTING CASE.

Of the Compromise acts known rs the Act TO pre-
vent the traffic Ia slaves la the District Of CO.
lumbia.
Negro Jane and Child W. b. o. ShekeL.-In
the Circuit Court for the county of Alexandria:
AT the November term of the County Court for
1852, the case OF the petition of negro Jane and
child was tried, and the Jury found against
them, and for the claimant b o. Shekels. After
the verdict, a motion was made by the counsel
for the petitioners, for a new trial, upon the
ground that the verdict was contrary to the law
and the evidence; which motion the court
oyerruled. Whereupon the counsel excepted
to the ruling of the court, and prepared bill
Of exceptions, which was sigued and certified
by the court. His honor, John Webb Tyler,
Judge of the Circuit Court, granted writ Of
error, and tho case was argued before him on
Thursday last. The following is a statement
of the evidence given in the court below, as
certified by the court:
Upon the trial of this cause, it was proved
that the defendant is dealer in slaves and is
and has been resident and citizen of the Dis
trict OF Columbia for more than twenty years
that on or about the 10th of July, in the year
1851, the defendant purchased the petitioners
IN Georgetown, in the District Of Columbia
from Mrs. o Rely, and few days thereafter
carried them to Alexandria, in Virginia, and
deposited them in his jail, with the view and
purpose OF sending them to Alabama for sale
that whilst said petitioners were in Defendants
jail, in Alexandria, defendant entered into a
contract with one William Heron, citizen
and resident of Georgetown, in the District of
Columbia, for the sale of petitioners and that
about the 4th day OF August 1851, the said
Heron, IN company with one John Adams,
went to Alexandria, found said petitioners in
said jail took the petitioners and carried them
back to Georgetown, ID. g.; that the purchase
money tor said petitioners was paid by Heron
alter they were carried back 10 Georgetown
and that petitioners remained in possession of
said Heron, residing in Georgetown, ID. c,
until the 9th day Of November, 1852, when
they were again sold to the defendant by said
Heron, again carried to Alexandria, and de-
posted in defendants JAIL where they remained
until the institution OF this suit,
The petitioners counsel relied upon the
Maryland act Of 1896, in force still in the Dis
trict of Columbia, prohibiting the importation
of slaves, and one Of the Compromise acts
known as the "aot to prevent the traffic in
slaves in the District of Columbia The claim
ants counsel relied upon the decisions of the
Circuit Court for the Drtrict of Columbia, and
the Court Of Appeals Of Maryland which es-
tablished the principle that the act Of Mary
land, which is almost identical with the Com
promise act referred to, did not apply to the
case Of slaves temporarily removed from the
District Of Columbia, even with q view to sale ,
and contended that the State of Virginia was
not bound, by the doctrine of international
comfy, to enforce the penal laws of foreign
Territory or State, when contrary to her policy
and institutions.
The judgment of the County Court was az
frmed, with costs Lawrence r. TAYLOR for
petitioner; A. & c. T.. Stuart for b. 0. Shekels
SAN DoMINGo.-There has been not a little
excitement lately in the Island of San Domingo.
on account of the refusal of the Archbishop to
take the oath to support the new Constitution
OF that State. San Domingo is Catholic
State, and tho Archbishop is a Catholic divine
The new Constitution, which has been adopted
the Archbishop stigmatzed rs heretcal in its
character assigning that reason for his refusal
| The President Santa Anna who displayed u
| great deal OF frmness in the matter, cited the
Archbishop to appear before him, and also in
vlted the members of Congress TO be present at
the interview. The Archbishop accordingly
appeared, and upon being rendered the oath
declined to take it. whereupOn an angry alter
cation TOOK place between him and the Presi-
dent and ended by the former declaring that
he would 60 into exile before he would swear
to support the heretical Constitution. The next
day after this interview, the President issued O
decree, placing u national ship at his disposal
to conduct hun to any place he might choos'
to go, and appropriating four thousand dollar
to defray his expenses. But the Archbishop
upon sober second thought concluded to yiel,
the matter, and accordingly took tho oath re
quired Of him.
Col. BENTON ON THE FEDERAL APPOINT
, MENTs FOR Missouri Col Benton, in lat
letter to the citizens Of Springfield, Missouri
speaks in the strongest terms OF condemnatio
OF rome of President Pieloes appointments f.
that State. She President he says, wa
deceived by false representations, to give Office
to scamps, whose legs were never seen crosse
under gentleman's table-who were the scum
and dregs Of oil parties-who were fugitive
from routed fields, or deserters from pledge
given to the people, when they obtained thes,
appointments"
Dates from Utah Of the Deseret Netps Il
February 10, represent the affairs of the Nor
mons a. in prosperous condition site fol
a Temple to outshine the Nauvoo structure
has been selected at Salt Lake City, and the
corner stone OF the edifce laid with great cere.
mony. On New Years day, the printers Of
Salt Lake City held festival, opening a new
Social Hall, with performances by dramatic
corps. The News gives glowing accounts Of
the success Of Mormon elders in Europe, and
other parts OF the world.