The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-16
THE ACTION FOR DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER
DECIDED ADVERSELY TO oRATIs-1HE ABo-
LIIIoNIsTs SURPRISED


DECIDED ADVERSELY TO oRAT1s--1HE ABo-
LITIoNIsTs SURPRISED.
BOSTON, July Is, 1878.
The case Of William Gratis vs.. Barthod SchlesiDgcr
and Others OF the firm OF Naylor Il Co., OF this city,
has attracted good deal of attention in Boston Of
late especially among the old autisavcry people. 1t
was an action for libel the damages claimed being
$4,000 The cause or action alleged
defamation OF character BY tho publication
OF an article in tho BeDon daily papers IN
1876. Mr. Crafts history Is closely connected
with the ant-slavery agitation in Massachusetts Be-
ioro tho he escaped from slavery and North ;
but owing TO tho Fugitive Slave law he could not
main securely in the Northern OF the country
and his friends provided him With tho to go to
England. Alter the he returned to America
His first thoughts how nc could aid and beneat
his race Education the practical and ne
cessary. he starred daily school for the
colored population in Byam county, Georgia.
He needed means to carry HIS work. TO
get this he. TO Boston and land has
plans and purposes before some OF It's most
and phiiau thropc citizeos. Among others, tho de-
icndant, Mr.. ScnlesInger, tho German Consul at
THIS port, took up his aud Interested himself in
the defendants, Tor some reason, grew dissatisfied
with the plaintiffs application OF the money gwen 10
1876, there appeared In tho Boston daiy pa
pcrs short paragraph Of lew lines,
ntaued "Ah lmpostor ADroad." Wild STATE
mcnt that II was inserted Ut the request OF
q member OF prominent. mercantile house
10 Boston (Nayor Co. ofwhich deiendsntis or was
member. THIS letter stated that the plaintiff was abb
sent collecting money Tor colored school IN Georgia.
and that one cent Of II applied TO tnat pur
pose, but was spent on tho painIif and his family
warning the public against further contributions TO
the objec which tue plaintiff represented On TINS
letter, which WAS signature and which aroused
many OF Mr. Crafts friends and supporters in Boston,
the present libel suit was brought, tho plaintiff
alleging that he has suffered injury ana harm
thereby, and that tho accusation was false.
The was tried before Referees the hearing last
ing ten days. Ono oi tho claims 10 immunity from
prosecution set up by Schicsnger that hs being
German CITIZEN and Official represent ative OF o
foreign Power not liable TO prosecution. The
referees this afternoon give 10 the puOc the follow
ing verdict which will DO surprise ana great DIS
appointment to Phillips, Garrison and others
SUPREME JUDICIAL CoURr-Sufok S., No. 1872 April
Term, 1875. William Crafts Barth0d Schiesnger
a-keere-s awardln tho above entitled cause. having
the parties and their counsel ten several days. and
having heard and considered their several alex
concerning tue whole matter 70 US submitted. under
tho within rule. that the pluntif has main
tanned his action against the defendants
either OF them and is not entitled to in this action
xsinst them either oil them aud further de-
tcrDine that the defendants recover Of the plaintiff the
and at reference In this action
be taxed by the except tho referees es taxed
81 500 onehAf be paid by each party, and that the
above be in iull OF AL matters to be submitted
W. q. RUSSELL,
r. n. MORSE, JH, Referees
GEORGE f. CHOATF,)