The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-08-20
FUGITIVE SLAVES.

The recent Wheeler slave case in Phila-
delphis, involving the principle of comfy,
will bring to mind an able and interesting
letter addressed some years ago by Hon.
VIM. G. Rives to G. NJ. Ingersoll, Esq, of
New Haven, Connecticut. In this letter, Mr..
Rives refers to the fundamental character
of the engagement for the delivery of fugi-
tives from service, and in illustration of the
fact that il was The common lar of our early
history resting upon the general principles
of comfy and good neighborhood, without
the necessity of invoking the obligations of
any written contract, quotes the following
letter of Sir William Berkely, Governor OF
Virginia, dated 18th June, 1864 the original
of which is among the manuscript scolIec-
tiops of the Massachusetts Historical So
ciety:
HTo the Right worshipful the Governor OF New
England these present:
"WoBTTty SIR Having received intelligence
and complaint from Nj. John Chew, merchant,
that cer'sin Of bis servants being runaway sbGut
May 1913 and are now resident in your colony ot
New England, desire you will please 10 assist
this gentleman, tue bearer, In the regsininE OF
them by sl possible means that may be. |, being
but an sccu.tomed favor reciprocsi'y Shown upon
all occasions ei,her to other In which at no time
we shall be detective, as we expect the ike irurn
you He hath n5sde II appear In court they are
his servan.s Their psmes are Walter Joy, VII
liam Woodhesd, and Henry King, alias GUY. SO,
douating OF your assistance herein, rest your
servant, WILLIAM BgRKLEY.
VIRGINIA, the 12lh June, l644"
The following extract from Mr.. Rives' let.
ter, is as true and as impressive now as at
the moment it was written. Let US hops
that the counsel Of the most eminent Ameri-
can Statesman now living, and one who has
long retired from the turmoils of party, will
be needed by bis countrymen:
admit that disagreesble and painful circum-
stances may sometimes attend the enforcement Of
this law, or any other. indeed, which usy be
rnsde 10 pursuance of tbis article of the Consiu.
tiona; cumpacr. | am not ignorant Of, nor would |
condemn, the seLsioiliry which Is painfully affect
ed by ,hese things The obligation OF fidelity 10 n
soemn engagement, the sanctity OF our oatbs does
not the less remain II seldom happens Ia this
life that the path OF duty Ia strewed ell along with
aowers. We must take things the aIl-wiss aud
nerciful author OF being permits them to exist
leaving to his over ruling Providence, amid the
mixed conditions OF humanity to "educe good out
of evil p" Here stands before us in the plain mper-
alive letter of the Cons tuition ths solemn engage
ment that fugitives from service labor shall hs
delivered up on claim of the psrty to whom such
service or labor may be due" However Disagree
able the occasional performance OF this engage
DeDs may be In individual cases, good faith honor,
duty, tbs obligation OF law, morality, and reliai
all require that an engagement thus solemnIy
contracted should be faithfully and sternly ful
filed.
The captive Roman General who was perni,ted
70 accompany The Carshagenian Ambassadors to
home on mission OF peace, upon bis promise so-
smniy given to return into captivity II the mission
.b, ~ bn1;