New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-01
THE FIRST SLAVE HUNT IN NORTH
WESTERN ONO.

COTIcFpCndeDce
DEFIANCE Defiance Co., o., JAM B 1861.
Tn this day Of patent Democracy, patent pls, ped
an,ry and presumption modes, man, and particularly
modest patriot, is great rarity, and while so many
Neutrality-suspicious. have become the herpds of their own
affected virtues permit me through Tue TRIBUNE to
live little potoriety to few gentlemen OF this place,
whore amabe weakness in this respect proves serl-
ous Iipderance to their popularity for with their pro-
verbal modesty, they are among the few persons IN
this town who do good by stealth and blush to find 1t
fame
They lately formed themselves into Committee Of
WAYS and Means" and merely propose to give pub
city TO their conduct in this respect hat the ngen-
ous youth of country may emuate their virtue ana
ingenuity, and avoid their msforunes while seeking to
raise the rind
negro calling himself John Ii. Washington land
sometimes Henry w. Wililms came to this place sev-
eIa weeks ago, and as he supposed that ne was IN
land of liberty be became more communicative than
prudepee would have suggested, and on last New
Yeas nght he was invited by some OF the gentlemen
alluded 10 rs ho tancied thai there was Niger ID the
wood pile 10 take something TO drink -
With this apparently friendly request he cneerinily
comped the beverage loosened his tongue he mere
unoI, became communicative and unbosomed himself 10
bis boon companions IL is said that he then disclosed
10 them that lie had beena slave IN virginia ana there
fore had the boDor of beng an l0tntesimal splinter OF
the corer stone OF our republican n5ttutons put that
not having the fear of hls master before his eyes ta
though having his s1Des upon his back he had stoea
himself from the kind embraces OF tls patrlarcnai
owner; and that the deep love ana affection which Ills
Ii oln master bad for him, aud for tne services
which he bad already rendered him. prompted tue
reward of $500 for the apprehension ana return Oh
the said Washington alias Wiliauf iis comp anlohs
now thought that they had sure thing OF u; tn.y
woud send back the negro save the Union, and secure
$3.50 for themselves.
TIE negro was therefore arreFted, and few dollars
in moDe,, sad to have been stolen from come OF ms
white booTT cOmpanions, found in his custody. lie was
then sent to JAN in this places but stra &c 70 say Nc
was kept there for two dHys and yet neither the owner
of the motley any other person filed an affidavit Tor
his arrest nor was there hrant or any leyL pro-
cess procured therefor for his detention lt the
money had been stolen, why not make an ain laVlt 10
that effect, and procure warran, 80
Immediately upon the incarceration OF The negro,
some Of the patriotic gentlemen alldded to informed
the VirgDian patriarch, 10 whom he lowed LABOR or
" trvice that his fugitive cha tel was now secure
and 10 come on, pay charges, and take HIN away as
soun as possible. bnd-hearted Attorney Back
Republican, OF course-hearo as q secret, that tue
negro was in jail and not having the fear OF the Chi
yaly before his eyes, he called upon the Jter, ana
demanded copy of the VIII by which nc detRl ledthe
chatts but the jalor told him he bad no written au-
tborty for OBTAINING him; yet he relased TO release
him.
The attorney alluded to had then other alternative
than to the habeas corpus act, ID test the le
gallty Of the imprisonment The editor OF me Dp-
dnce UfmOcrdts the Probate Judge aud was the only
auiboIt, then in the county who could issue writ for
that Iuipose. As such Probate Judge, he has Jlrs-
dction to try MINOR criminal ofenses m TINS county,
where the prisoner when arrested eec:s 10 be tired
before him.
The Sheriff Jailer, Probate Judge and Prosecuting
Attorney OF ths county, are all good iand some OF
them hsrd-dnnkiDe Democrats
With alarm they, and other Democrats perceived
that the Black Republicans had discovered the negros
captivity. % siIeHI Dvvame eXcned-the on0a
was IN donger, and what was 10 them worse the 500
reward alsO in danger OF bong Lost To then ana
therefore something must be done, and that quickly.
The prisoner told that if he would appear IN the
Probate Cont, consent TO its jurisdiction, and plead
guilty, he would be sentenced, and would not be con-
fined long in JAIL if he should await the action Of
the Grand Jury in the Court of Common Pleas.
He accordingly promised to do this. The Probate
judge opened bis court, the negro waived trial by
jury, and pleaded guilty and WAS tbereupon sentenced
10 fifteen days confinement III jail. Ii was understood
by the worthy patriots alluded to, tina, this sentence
made "assuraDco douby sure for in fifteen days the
owner OF the stray chattel could come and rec to the
matter.
Iley felt greatly assured of this, nasmuch as they
bnew that Juoge Laty of this Judicial subdivision ~
Then in Columbus and they believed tha, before his
jurisdiction could be invoked, the chatel cOpld be
changed for the reward but in tins instance the old
ad8ge, "1AeTe II many II slip between the cup
" sEd the lip Jroved true. Judge Latty arrived at
home, and upon being informed that the negro was
confined ia jail without any legal process, he came to
this plsce, and upOr the proper a iavt having been
made before him. be ordered that writ Of kabeds cor
pms be issued to the iler tosbrng the body of the
gro into court, and show the cause of his detention.
This being done, and il appearing that the Probate
Judge bad never had rgbtfu jurisdiction of the case,
be recognized the negro for bis appearance, and
liberated him. Democracy then became rampant, aud
Why not 7 fat besdy, sleek negro, together with
$3.50 is no tIiing loss in this time OF scarcity of silver
aud eiLew. The Probate Judge who edits Tie Demo
crit poured ont jcrcmads, and his subaltens swore
terribly against Judge Lagty who il bloody
foreigner and strange to say, has respect for the
"patriaI ehal institution But rs il 10 aggrvt the
matter the released negro made tracks for the North
Sur, and within few days thefeaite', Of our
sterling Democrats, who il recognized rs being the
very bowels Of Democracy in this vicinity, who
has
Grown fat aud pury by iaAaie
Ofpots OF beer and bottled ale"
received tie proper passports and safe conduct for
the darbey's return to Virginia.
Thus ended the first, but not, am assured by the
gentleman alluded TO- the last slave-hun in this place
This gentleman swears Justify that he will yet each
fugitive slave, and send him back before the end of
next Summer.
When he does 20, perhaps you will bear of it from
DICK MARTIN