New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-24
From Our Special Correspondent

From Our Special Correspondent
PoRT ROYAL S. c., Jan. l6, 1862.
1t ia with veiy great regret that l have 10 record
part Of the history of this expedition the rendition
Of fugitive save. The circumstances are briefly
these. While Gen. SheTmans force lay al Annapolis
negro whose services aud labor were alleged TO be
due TO Mr. Tidnes, citizen Of that place, went
On board one Of the transports, was employed with
out question by volunteer officer, sailed with hin
to Fortress Monroe, and came thence 10 Port ROya'
Ilr TidiDgs presented to The Assistant Secretary o
War at Washington, Mr.. Thomas j. Scott, certain
evidence tending to show that be was not traitor
and claimed the negro az his property. am told thai
among lis papers certificate Of loyalty from
Gen. Wool, given, ] hope, without knowledge Of
The purpose FOR which it was to he used. The own.
ershp of The negro seems not have been regarded
hs point about Which it was worth while to require
any evidence Mr.. Things was white. the alleged
fugitive black, and the difference in complexion was
all that the Assistant Secretary needed TO stimulate
bis slsve.hunting zeal.
He referred tie Case and papers TO Gen. Sherman,
who forthwith arrested and confined the negro, and
reported 10 the Assistant Secretary that he held lin
subject To bis order. That official therefore trans
united to NJ. Tdings the letter Of Gen. Sherman,
aud indorsed the slave over TO his claimant and upon
his requisition, Gen. Sherman placed him OIL beard
the M4tauzas on the 9th OF January, aud consigned
him TO the quartermaster a. Fortress Monroe to be
by him delivered over TO his pretended master.
believe that the original letter Of Tidings the nswer
of Gen. Sherman, aud the indortement of tie Asss.
tant Secretary, we're all on the sane paper. No
copy Of this extraordinary document was preserved
end the original has been sent by mistake with the
negro, suppose us being in tie nature Of an invoice
or bill Of lsdiDg.
do not find 1t easy 70 write with moderation of
this lransactiOn. So far as The Assistant Secretary
Dir. Thomas j. Scott is concerned there is no paa-
ton or excuse for his conduct. He is tie clerk OF
Nr Cameron, aud has 10 more color Of authority ~
order The return Of fugitive than the slave trading
pirate who fret kidnapped him ia Africa But he is
nevertheless the representative Of the Administration
and the military superior Of Gen. Sherman, aud is
equally able 10 dsgrace the former by his unauthor-
lied act and 10 compel the latter 10 share in it.
The Secretary of War is understood TO be op-
posed to slave-catcLing. am willing to be-
heve that he is ignorant Of the action of Biz Assistant
and that he still has an opportunity TO announce at
once his knowledge Of the crme and the removal Of
Mr.. Scott.
In the abtence Of the papers above referred TO- it
u not perhaps quite certain that Gen. Sherman did
not ooey ordes,; but'tbe account have given is
from tbo highest authority; aud, according it, the
order Of The notwithstanding was to Ar. Tidugs
and Gen. shefmsn delivered the negro OIL the sum
mons OF the latter. But it II inmaterial which NAV
De ir0e-or 1t II certain that when the original letter
O. Things was sent to Sherman, be arrested tue
negro, aud held bim for subsequent disposal. That
sct fixed his independent responsibility. Capt
lioratlo Bisbes Of the 9th Regiment Maine Volun.
scr-, who brought the negro. from AnnopOlis and
lad employed him as biz servant, gave him up with
III order, besi,atioD or attemp, al coDocslment and