The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-12-05
LAWRENCE, KANSAS, DECEMBER 5, 1854
A YaInahie Law.

4 a VafndDle ldEs
/ Last week we showed the character of
someiof the bogus laws, and how they
could be used to good purpose in the
hands of honest men.
f. Perhaps there is no law in the statute
books which can be used to better advah-
tage towards making Kansas Free State,
than the one pertaining to che appoint
ment of Patrols in each county, whose
duty it is to look after the slaves in their
respective townships. q esq
We. cannot better show the value of the
law, than by quoting it at length, which
we do below. We hope ''the tribunal for
transactihg county business, which are
the Judge of Probate and the two Coun-
ty Commissioners, will be prompt in ap-i
pointing those men in every county in
the Territory, and that they will enter at
once on the discharge of their duties. 1t
is estimated that there are about three hun
dred slaves in this Territory. They should
be cared for, and the best men, those
most abounding with the "milk of human
kindness" should be appointed to that
Office, and they should be paid from the
Territorial treasury, as the law requires. 4
In Leeompton township it is proposed
to appoint DR.. DoY as Captain of the pa
troll, while WILLIS and TAPPAN will oc-
cupy subordinate positions. These men
are understood to have great deal of
sympathy for the slave, and it would no
doubt further the intentions of the law by
giving them the appointment. We would
further suggest that if the Office is not in-s
compatible with the one already held by
s. n. WooD, Esq, his name be added to
the list. Doy, Willis, Tappin and Wood,
would make patrol large enough for
Lecompton township. With equally ef-
ficient officers appointed in every munich
pal township in the Territory, as we have
no doubt there can be-two or three coun-
ties only exeepted-we shall have no ex-
pense looking after slaves after the expi,
ration of three or four months. |
But to the act, as our readers are impa-
tient to read it,
/ SEC. ]. The tribunal transacting coun-
ty business shall, from time to time, when !
to them it shall seem proper, appoint in |
each township in their respective counties. |
one or more companies of patrol, to con-
tinue in Office one year.
SEC. 2. Each company shall consist of |
one discreet person, TO be called the cap
tain of the patrol, and as many Others un-I
der his direction as the tribunal shall |
deem it necessary to appoint who shall
be severaily sworn to perform the duties /
assigned them by this act.
Sec. 3. The patrol, so appointed, shall
patrol as many hours in each month as
the court appointing them shall direct, |
not less than twelve hours in each month |
within the bounds assigned them.
SEC. 4. The patrol shall visit negro |
quarters, and any other places, suspected I
of unlawful assemblages of slaves.
SEC. 5. Any slave who shall be found /
at such assembly, or who shall be found |
strolling about from one plantation to an
other, without pass from his master,
mistress or overseer, shall receive any /
number of lashes, at the discretion of the |
patrol, not exceeding ten, or, if taken be-
fore a justice of the peace, such slave
shall receive any number of lashes, at /
the discretion of the justice, not to exceed I
twenty.
Sec 6. Persons appointed as patrols 7
and performing the duties as such, shall |
be paid such sum as the county tribunal 7
may allow, not exceeding twenty-five |
cents per hour for the time which said pa |
troll shall be employed in the discharge
of their duties; to be ascertained by the |
report of the captain of the said company
of patrol, which report he is hereby re- |.
quired to make upon oath or affirmation, |
before any such allowance shall be made. |
Sec e. The captain of the patrol shall
be notified of his appointment by the ap-
pointing tribunal, and shall be furnished |
by the same with list of his men, who |
shall be subject to the orders of the cap
tain, according to the provisions of this |
act, E- 4
SEC. 8. Whenever the captain of pa !
troll shall wilfully fail or neglect to dis |
charge the duties required to be performed
by him in the preceding sections, he shall
forfeit and pay not less than three nor !
more than ten dollars, to be recovered for
the use of the county, by action of debt,
in the name of any person who shall sue
to the use of the county.
SEC 8. This act shall not be so con-
strued as to prevent or affect any slave
directly going to, or returning from, di-
vine worship on the Sabbath day.
This act to- take effect and be in force
from and after its passage.