New-York tribune., 1867-10-17
SOUTHERN STATES.
MARYLAND.

IMPORTANT DECISION BY CHIEF-JUSTICE CHASE
THE APPRENTICESHIP OF NEGRO Chill
DEEN BY THE COURTS DECLARED NULL
AND VOID.
BALTIMORE, Oct 16.-Chief-Justice Chase
scndered decision the United States Circuit Court
day the concerning the apprenticeship OF negro
children by the Orphans Courts in Maryland since the
adoption OF the Free State Constitution Of 1864. His
decision briefly stated is First That the apprenticeship
created by the indentures slavery involuntary
servude within the Emeanng Of the 18th article OF the
Constitution of the United States. Second, That the
Civil Rights law was legislation appropriate for giving
effect 18th arcleOf the Constitution and cOnst
taOual The result of Judge Chases decision that all
tndeutures in question were invalid and all negro ap-
preDtccs held under them several thousands in number
in Southern Maryland and the Eastern shore freed
from their late masters and remted 10 the control Of
their parents.
The hearing was had yesterday upon the petition Of
Elizabeth (eOlOredj by her next friend, Charles
Henry Mnaky, addressed to the Hon. Salmon Chase,
GAefJudge Of the Circuit Court OF the United States D
and for the Maryland District The petitioner alleges
that she is the child Of Elizabeth Mna formerly Eliza
beth Turner; that she il restrained OF her liberty and
held Ia custody by Philemon T. HAmbletOn Talbot COun
W Maryland. in violation of the Constitution and laws
OF her liberty by virtue Of certain alleged indenures Of
sPpeneesbp made not in accordance with the laws Of
children The petitioner prays the Court for writ Of
baseas corpus addressed TO said Hambleton requiring
60 certify the true cause Of her detention and to show
esa.e y any he has, why petitioner should not be dis
H. sIOcKBRIDGE and NATHAN NJ PUsEr, attorneys for
pennoner.
The petition was fled Sept. ~, and Endorsed "wrt
granted az prayed; returnable Oct. 10, 1857"
T. p. CHASE. Chef-Just OF the United states
lhH master, r. I. HamOleton made the following re-
turn to the writ:
u obedience 70 the command Of the within writ here
VII produce the body OF Elizabeth Turner. together
Win copy Of the ndentures Of apprenticeship showing
he oaase Of her caption and detention, and respectfully
awslt the action Of yoar Honor.
Its Petitioner appeared by counsel
he Chief inquired OF the respondent II be had
eoansel IN Court He replied In the negative and said he
SSaid iet the matter be settled by the Court.
ne said that he would prefer the case
rhe respondent stated that the child and it's mother
wo formerly hls slaves aud set free by e Cons
1eo winch went into operation Nov. l. 1864 The child
re aPPTtntieeQ Eov. 3, 1854. two days after she
1eacipated The law Of Congress called the Civil Rights
nu Was passed Slnce the child indentred April o.
ena every eoV Ieio MIN that the Law did not inter
rAe Chief Justice said the quesons in the case were 40
nsyo and important that h@ wished sdyised by the
ssad adjourn the Court until to-day o'clock In order
- qte the claimant any person inteTested IN the
Non 40 opportunity 70 appear II no person appeared
fhe Court Convened al clock this morning when the
Jnsttcs delivered the following decision: The
.lonef ~ toa seeks relief from restraint and de-
sees Dy PhilfDon r. Hanbleton Of Talbot County in
{lahd ~ alleged eoBtrRventOn Of the Consultation
eteHs Of the United states The facts they appear
49, the return made BY Mr. Hamblet0n TO the writ and
E@ tefeal statement made In Court aud admitted as
80. 80 81 ne return Substantially follows; The
Ese9t EisaDeth Turner. young person OF color and
a. csnsf were prior to the adoption Of the Maryland
$500 veal into operation Nov. l. 1854. and prohibited
E.sH Almost Immediately thereafter many OF the
- pe0ple OF Talbot County collected together
n' local AUTHORITY t6e nature OF which door not