The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-24
Slave PaTdone6 out OF State Prison by
the Governor of IalinOis, I'D Defeat the
Eagltsve Slave Law.

from the Chicago Review, Feb. 1871
About five years ago tine looking colored man took
into his head TO run from slavery and hts master,
J. c. Kawki3s, of Frankfort, Ky. He took with him
watch which was not his property and he thus became
fed Detroit whittier his pursued him, and was
there arrested, but got away He then came here, and
was engaged as q waiter ut the Richmond House. He
passed under the name of Edward Riley, although his
real name Is ward hsmau. little over years ago,
while Riley at the Richmond House, there .
pcon that he entered the of boarders and
money and clothes He was watched by q detective,
money laid the floor Of the OF guest,
which the negro entered for the pose OF leaving
lamp He picked the money up slipped II into bis pocket
ard walked off He shortly after called the office,
Intercepted whether he had found thing, aad
found only the money but watch, wnioR had been
lost by lady two three weeks before he
ed, plead guilty, and sentenced TO two years i'm
prsonment for the larceny OF the watch.
The late officers OF the State prlsoa communicated 10
Mr. Hawkins the intelligence OF his slave bssug the
State prison at Alton. The owner aud asked
Edward II he would procure his release ON q pardon
would be 60 back TO KentuckyS Edward readily con.
sented but really only with the idea OF e-cng bis
escape when outside the grim prisoo walls
H. master saw the Governor and ASKED for his mans
psrcon, but s Exceencv declined although Mr.. HA~-
kns produced requision from the Governor Of Ken
trcky for the darkey on the grond OF larceny aud
fugitive savc he thought that this n subterfuge,
and referred Mr. Hawkins to Recorder wilson aud Mr..
haven, the STATE Attorney, who had beer concerned Ia
the prose ;uton Of Riley Tue former IN New York,
the latter declined TO in The
decided to wait until the 18th inst, when E,waris
The prisoner, in the meanune was removed to joliet,
and Ne Hawkins previous 70 returning home put toe
QUESTION the hands OF joliet lawyer. who intended
10 ponnce the negro his release Edward by this
time the hands Of republican jaors AMI they 10
,erceted for his pardon. the pardon vas granted
for the llh inst and sent to Joliet, when 10
hold, on the TN inst, appeared at Springfield Mr.
HAWKINS who exhibited hs requisition and asked the
transfer Of Eds ard from the jail door ms custody Tue
Governor heetated and SAID he must have time
amue the papers, and could not do II Just then Mr.
Hawkins directed to leave them In the Governors
hands He did So His Excellsncy then Immediately
pardon for Riley, ia take effect forthwith with
order 70 return the old pardon, and forwarded let
Dr. Dyer Of this city, the President OF the under
ground railroad, nstructag him to 60 Joliet 70 take
Edward, and did So He left on the 7h and 10 the dead
hour OF that night the doctor had the pleasure OF greeting
the prisoner oat of the peptentay arrived in Chict
go before morning. Mr. Hawkins got his warrant on tue
Sh instant, aDd on the 9th learned the pentensry
that bis slave had gone 70 Chicago de arrived here
IL was too late By this time EDWARD hal got beyond
jurisdiction OF the Fugitive Slave law has shell
ter within her Britannia Majesys North Amsrcan domi
mons, from where would be difficult for Governor
Wne to bring him. Those who wish 70 norabze OF phto-
sophee on the fragrant violation Of the United States laws
and the conduct his Exceency the Governor Of iniuo
are At liberty TO do 80 in their own way.