The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1859-07-13
A. D. J~ENNINGs,
j. X. Lowe,
SAMUEL DAVIS,
R. P. MITCHELL.
Cleveland Ohio, July 9Th, 1859.

Hon. G. W. BELDEN, U. S. Dist. Atty-Sir:
Under our counsel and advice, Messrs. Jen-
nings, Mitchell, Lowe, &C., have agreed with
the State officers having charge of the prosecu-
ton against them, in consideration Of their dis
missal in the Lorain Court, to ask you to enter,
with the consent of the Court, aoHe proSequi in
the cases pending against Plumb, Peck and 9TH
ers, in the District Court OF the United States.
The Constitution and laws OF Congress relating
to fugitive slaves, have had a just and righteous
vindication in the conviction Of a portion of the
~rescuers, after a fair and impartial trial by a ju-
~ selected from the body of the citizens Of the
Northern District Of your State, and by the
voluntary Plea Of guilty, by others, and their
prompt punishment: by the Court. AS Ken
tuckians, this is all we could ask at your hands.
The parties yet under indictment have been
imprisoned already for a longer term than they
would perhaps have been if convicted; and there
appearing to be no very imperious reason, UNI
der all the circumstances, why they should be
further proceeded against, we earnestly unite
with Messrs. Jennings, &C., in the above re
quest, Mr.. Bacon reserving to himself all the
civil remedies to which he is entitled.
Most cordially thanking you and your col
leagues, for the fidelity, firmness and patriot
ism which have characterized your conduct in
these unpleasant prosecutions, ~e have the
honor to be
Your obedient servants,
r. II. STANTON,
RoBT. A. COCHRAN,
JNo. G. BACON.
Cleveland, July 5th, 1859.
An evening contemporary, which seems to
take a delight in attacking all who do not bow
down to the same idol its editor worships, seems
disposed to censure the District Attorney fol
the part taken in this transaction. We do moi
see how Judge Belden could have acted other.
wise.
The Fugitive Slave law has been for the first
time in Ohio fully indicated in this city
Two trials have been had, twh ich resulted in
the conviction and sentence of tbs prisoners
Eight others, seeing the proof SO strong-find
ing that the law would be enforced, entered the
plea Of aole contendre-a refusal longer to con
tend against the country--and were fined and
imprisoned. These ten convictions, and the
serving out OF the sentence of each, certainly
indicated the law to the fullest extent. Nay
more: the prisoners sought relief by the appli'
cation of the writ of habeas corpus from thu
highest Court known to our State laws, ant
that Court, composed of Judges elected as Blacl
Republicans, fully sustained the law, in its Con
stitutionality and in its binding force upon thu
people of Ohio. In no part of the United States
has the Fugitive Slave &C! been more fully win
dictated than in this self same Western Reserve
where open boast has been made that it couic
not be enforced at all.
Taking this view Of the matter, Mr.. Stanton
in repress nting his clients, met the proposition
for a settlement with frankness, and he ant
Mr.. Carter, old time friends, having served to
gether four years in Congress, met and adjusted
the terms of the settlement--Mr. Carter on hi
part and on the Lorain county officials, agreeing
to put an end to the silly Indictment, got VI
by the orders of Judge Carpenter, agains
Messrs. Mitchell, Lowe, Jennings and Davis
while Mr.. Stanton agreed to unite with tn,
men most injured in asking the District Attor
ney to enter nole, which strikes the suit from
the docket of the Court.
That Judge Belden entered into the arrange
ment with ill-conccaled reluctance, is q fact tina
we happen to know. The charge that he wa
instrumental in bringing about the arrangement
was made on the streets yesterday, but wa
promptly silenced by Mr.. Carter and Mr.. Stan
ton, who furnished the following:
CLEVELAND, o., July 6, 1859.
1t is due to Hon. G. w. Belden and other Of
fcers of the United States Government, to sa,
that he nor either of them had any agency what
ever, either directly or indirectly, in oeiginatinl
or perfecting the settlement agreed upon be
tween Messrs. Jennings and others, and the At
torneys engaged in the prosecution OF the in
dictments in Lorain county against them
Whatever responsibility is attached to the a
greement or settlement, belongs to Messrs
Jennings, &C., and to us as the friends and At
torneys Of the parties, and to none others.
R. II. STANTON,
D. X. CARTER.
In addition to the above, Mr.. Stanton, on tn,
eve of his departure for Kentucky, apprehend
ing the very charge now made--not openly
made, but MISUNDERSTANDING Judge Belder
with the following note, which, hearing Of W
demanded as an act Of justice should be pub
lished:
CLEVELAND, OHro,
Wednesday Evening, July6, 1855
Ny DEAR SHIT is possible that, after m,
departure from your city, The facts connected