New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-08-01
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
SALMON y. CHASE.


present time his represents the Anti Nebraska
Kansas sentiment Of his adopted STATE, and il is
question OF some interest here lately how early he
began 10 show ouspoken hostility TO the peculiar in.
sttuton which Missouri ruffianism is claiming on
the limbs of a new republic.
In January, ls45, mao not named Haly but in
al but the ta~d'y ornaments Of that hero he might
have eat to Mrs. Stowe as the original of that worthy
was taking slave named Watson from Missouri to
Virginia. He was aboard one of the Cincinnati and
ST. Louis steamers and such the boat ia due time
was tied to the Cincinnati wharf BY what influence
moves know not, but by means or other Wat
con concluded to 90 ashore without leave. His mas
Ter pro ten decided the 20 be one uncaed for,
and Proceeded 10 catch him. He got Ohio Officers 70
assist him. and was hurrying his victim over TO
KENTUCKY iail when some kind angel served ont
writ OF Habeas Corpus TO have the matter tested
whether Watson was right in thinking himself free.
The writ was returpabe TO Judge Reed Of the supreme
Cont Of Ohio. BY some means or other Watson had
beard Of young lawyer named Biney, son Of James
G. aud sent for bin; aud Salmon r. Chase voun-
teered bis unpaid services 10 aid the in asserting
his freedom. That exciting trial before Judge Read
/ tended and beard it all. The scene made in
delibe impression.
The man Watson was decent looking mulatto but
evidently very uneasy at the proximity Of very
u1arkaDle mar who sat few feet distant from him.
He was middls-sized man as TO stature, with an
immense muscular development lie was not ieshy,
bot could not have igbed less than hundred and
seventy pounds His face nearly as dark as the
muIatio on trial. His eyes were black and indicated
great irmDesss. The lips were pressed together aud
the whole face showed sullen, logged resolution
such as orc nay notice in the Of bull
4. Go 4
Watson, reminding one Of the manner in which the
lion is saio to watch bis victim hour after hour.
The witnesses were few. The fact admitted
that Watson was put that boat and brought - the
Cincinnati Wharf without his own agency will 1t
was also proved thst the boat thirty feet inside of
low-water mark and tied to the Ohio shore On the
other band ii was admitted that Watson bad gone
ashoe without consulting his driver and that he did
not wish TO return.
Two young lawyers by the name OF McLean-I thick
one son Of Judge Mclean Of the United States SD
preme Court-ably, and with good temper asserted
the rights of the master; and Messrs Biney and Chase
the right Of the claiming 10 be free. Birney
amined the witnesses and Chase argued the case.
The three points which he argued with consummate
learning and ability are now clearly before me. !.
The Treaty by which the United States gained the
Territory of Louisiana expressly stpuates that all the
iDha b,ants shall be admitted to the privileges and
rights OF citizens Of the United States This Senator
Chase commended, a. organic law of the Territory
included 10 that treaty gave Watson his freedom the
moment he landed in Ohio. 2. Our State officers
have right TO rest and try alleged to be fug
tive slaves. 1t most trying ordeal through which
the unhappy officers there present were taken by their
adversary this occasion, and the fellows wiggled
and wrlthed does eel fayed alive, as one held
IN unpleasant Dearness to a roasting fire. la that
speech Chase unfoded all the principles of law this
point as now commonly held in the Free States, and
that in a vein of irony which delicious to every
body but It's victims. 3. Watson did not escape into
Ohio, but was brought there and de faeto free.
And under this head the pro-savery Democrat presd
ing over the Court put the rack for torture for
his proclvtes were well known. In some former trial.
and without intending that his decision should
reach such case as this Judge Read had SOL
emily decided that the Jurisdiction Of tie State Of
Ohio ez,eRds TO kow water mark IN tie Ohio Rirer
and now Il he sends this man back TO slavery he
must do it in the face OF his own definition OF that
boundary Of Ohio Chase made the point very strong
and then closed with an appeal to the Court on the
general principles of each mans nalienable right 70
liberty his love of liberty, and the terrible fate of be-
irg deprived Of il. That appeal such one as
NO mere platform speaker however gifted-Wendell
Phillips for instance--can make az anniversary,
for the SIMPLE that the latter talks about prn
cipe, while Chase had living, agitate1, trembling
subject in the man Watson Oh how grandly did
OR Declaration of Independence sound be unfolded
and asserted its immortal principles, and sought TO
bring their application 70 bear on the case OF Watson
Hitherto he had expounded the law of the case, but
now be came to the heart OF the busipess-gave HIM
self up to the ordy sweep Of his Christian feelings,
and swept the cords of Freedom in every soul His
softest whisper could be heard, so anxious was the
hush in that hall, bit when he closed his glorious ap
peal the delighted audience yooifrated their applause.
TWAS memorable scene which onght 10; t, be for
gotten, for do not believe that in the United States
Senate, which he adorned, did Mr. Chase ever utter
profounder arguments, clearer logic, moro humsre
and moving eioquence thn in this defense of Watson
IN ls45.
But the presiding Judge, with the capacity of a
heal or ra'her political anaconda, swallowed the
argument and his OWL previous decision, and remand
90 the man back to slavery. The moment tnis de-
oison made the slsvedriver, whose snakelke eye
was riveteA on Watson, mcde oOuud Ike tige'
and seized him. An attempt made to the
slave off, but be held by thai dark in
vice. As soon as The tumul, su0sldei, Watson turned
b. bis counsel and inquired cnxiousy, Have you
"done everything Can .othing flrthe- De done for
"mei Nothing more the reply, and a sad
reply too. Goa Almighty bless you, them
claimed the poor fellow piteousy, "Il never forget
''youP
multitude attended Watson, who was conducted
10 the ferry boat by the Ohio officers That night he
slept in the CovinctOn Jail and is now probably ex-
pending his unpaid sweat on Louisiana sugar plant