Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-04-09

PHILADELPHIA, April 5.-This afternoon the
counsel for defence moved that COMMISSIONS
Longstreth hand the case over to another Judge,
Tor the reason that the Commissioners had prejudg.
ed the case and acted as an advocate for the claim.
ants, it having been shown in the evidence tina,
the Commissioner pronounced the first Iower Of
attorney of the claimant as insufficient, and in
formed them that he would be obliged to release
the slave If arrested under it and that by bis ad.
vice a new power Of attorney was obtained.
Benjamin Brewster, for claimant, argued that it
was pre'eminently the duty of the Commissioner
to give the information before he Issued the war.
rant.
3be Commissioner overruled the motion.
The witnesses for the defence were mostly ne
groes. 1t was endeavored to prove that the alleged
slave arrived at Harrisburg in March or April, 1853
while the claimant alleges that he escaped in June
OF the same year. One witness, an intelligent col
ored man. swore that be met him in Baltimore as
a freeman in lS4S. in Philadelphia in l849 and
be met him at Harrisburg in June, 1853. His ev'
idence was straightforward and not shaken by
rigid cross-examinstion It ten O'Clock, the pros.
poets are for a late sitting.
PnILADRIPnIA, April 6.-Rebutiing testimony
to show that Daniel Webster confessed to The off
GERS who conveyed him to this city, and to others,
that this was Lis first visit to Philadelphia, was
admitted after a long argument by counsel. Thi.
reoutting testimony completely overthrow the mos,
important testimony of the defence. AT midnigh,
inc evidence closed. and counsel summed up the
case occupying six hours. The Commissioner re.
served his decision until this afternoon.
Ide Court House was crowded to hear the deci
SON. The Commissioner said he discountenanced
all the attempts of the counsel to appeal to sriva,,
'ympathies at this early stage of the case. IL,
was satisfied that it was intended more as a show
cause but he believed in the largest liberty o
speech. After explaining bis connection with tn,
case before the arrest of the fugitive, which wa
merely in accordance with tho law. he said: Thrc,
things are to be proven by the claimant, viz: deb
OF labor, the escape of q slave, and identity. ii,
reviewed the testimony on both sides and belieyec
the first two points satisfactorily proven. IL,
disagreed with the counsel Of claimant in the ma
ter OF the time Of escape twas material in tbi
case as is in evidence. The claimant saws the es
cnpe was made in November, 1854, while il wa,
proven that Daniel was in Harrisburg ut least in
The winter OF 1853 or the spring of 1854. The
power Of attorney was also defective in poin. oil
she height OF the negro, there being a difference Of
three inches in the height. lie confessed that be
was not satisfied with the point of identity. This
question is left open and the prisoner is discharged.
This decision was greeted with immense ap.
piause. 1t was expected from tho tenor of the
opening remarks OF the Commissioners. Daniel
was carried on the shoulders Of his friend, through
the streets, and a large crowd followed. Intense
excitement is prevailing in the city. The ab0Ii.
tioniats propose q public celebration.