The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-06-09
AN ARKANSAS WHITE GIRL SOLD AS
A SLAVE

When the Slavery Oigarchy of Arkansas
adopted law for the sale of the free negroes,
it was time for the poor whites to look out.
The following proceedings of a Louisiana court
reveals a case in point, which it would be well
for the poor whites to heed; but, unluckily,
the class most liable to be victimized cannot
read:
FROM tn A. rl~l..-a
FIFTH DISTRICT COuRT-Judge EggteSt0n.
The kidnapping CdSe- Verdict IN Fdror Of
The Piaintif.-The case of Aexina Morrison
u.s. James White, of Jefferson, to which we al
luded a couple of days ago, was concluded yes
terday.
The plaintiff, young girl now about seven
teen years of age, in August, 1851, ran away
from the slave yard of James White, who had
held her there as slave for seven or eight
months previously. She claimed protection
from the people Of Carrolton, obtained general
sympathy, and the especial protection of Will
liam Dennison. Her story, in effect was, that
she was born of free and white parents, but had
been kidnapped from her residence in Arkan-
sas, in the early part of January, 1857, brought
to Louisiana, and sold into Slavery, the de-
PENDANT paying $3.50, and obtaining a bill of
sale from her alleged master, j. G. Halliburton.
The court was appealed to, to determine her
status, and pronounce her free. There was
mstrial, however, and the CeRue was changed
to New Orleans.
On the trial of the cause in this court, the
chief evidence for the plaintiff was the expert
testimony of scientific gentlemen in regard to
the absence Of any physical evidence that the
plaintiff was of African descent. And for the
defendant, the chief reliance was placed on
the bill of sale from Halliburton, and held by
White. The skirmishing between counsel on
the admission and rejection of evidence was
spirited and frequent, and any amount of ex-
ceptions were promised by defendants coun-
sci to the ruling of the court---one of the gen
tlemen remarking, soto cOce, that if they offered
the Bible, it would be ruled out.
Mr.. Phillips opened the case for the defend
ant, and was followed by Mr.. Scott jefferson
Parish District Attorney for the plaintiff.
Mr.. Roselius then took up the argument for
the defendant, and did it in his usual eloquent
and forcibe manner. He based his argument
on what he denominated the clear principle of
law, that when persons went into a court of
Justice, and made certain allegations, they
were bound to prove them, unless admitted
by the opposite party. He characterized the
story of the plaintiff, about her lparentage and
kidnapping, romance which had vanished
into thin air, for not particle Of evidence had
been offered to show that either of the state.
ments were true; and it was passing strange
that such transaction should have taken
place in the town of Little Rock, containing
nine or twelve thousand inhabitants, and vel
produce neither comment nor excitement; and
counsel urged the fact that plaintiff had not
claimed her freedom because She had brown
halr or fair skin, or blue eyes, but because she
had been born free, and was kidnapped.
| hoo ~ 81 a N
finished, the court ordered an adjournment
but was subsequently persuaded by Mr.. Clack
to hear him close the argument, promising moi
to detain the court and jury longer than twenty
minutes. Counsel had not much time. but
made excellent use of it. He started out by
asserting that the argument of Mr.. Roselius
that the plaintiff was bound to prove the allega
tons, was erroneous in so far as the case at the
bar was concerned. If a party claimed freedom
and absence OF physical evidence of being O
African descent was apparent, then the burden
OF proving Slavery from birth Law on the oppo
site party. Mr.. Clack touched on other point,
of the case, and closed within the prescribed
time.
The Judge then charged the iury-a charge
which Mr.. Roselius requested the court in ac
cordance with code of practice to write out. fol
he intended to except to it from beginning tc
end.
The jury then retired, and, after few minutes
deliberation, brought in verdict for the plain
tiff, and through their foreman presented hel
with purse the Sl2 fees allowed then
for performing one of the duties of citizens
The episode eccasioned some merrimen
amongst the large delegation of counsel auc
others in court.
HE PRESIDENTS PRoGREss-Presiden Blu
chanan has been on visit to Chapel Hill, tn
seat of the University of North Carolina. to at
tend the Commencement. He was receive,
with great enthusiasm by the people. In
public speech, he disclaimed being candi
date for reelection. Considering his eminen
success in the administration of public affairs
and the unbounded popularity he has secure,
for himself we cannot too highly commend thi
act Of selfdenial