Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-24
JUDGE DEvENs AND THE SLAVE.
How He Disarned Criticism for Doing HI
Duty Under the Law.

How He Disar1ned Criticism for Doing His
Duty Under the Law.
From the Boston Herald.
The late Judge Devens was the United States
marshal for the district Of Massachusetts, from
lS4S to 1853. Those were the stormy days Of
the anti-savery conflict. and they were especi-
ally trying for one who held position similar
to that Of Mr.. Devens. He discharged his
duties, however, with singular fidelity and won
the esteem of all. Not the least of the honors
OF his eminently honorable life was his pur-
chase, during those days, of the freedom of a
fugitive slave whom the duties of his Official
position required him to remand into his mas
ters possession.
Thomas Sims was the slave in question and
excitement was high in Massachusetts, over the
matter. Mr.. Devens especially came in for
severe criticism on the part Of those who in
sisted he should not have carried out the law
His real position in the matter and feeling on
the question, however, are thus expressed by
Lydia Maria Child: "a very short time before
the outbreak Of the war / saw a letter from
Thomas Sims, in which he expressed utter dis
because his master charged 81 800 for him
and, having once been sent back from the
north, he had no heart to make q second at
tempt to escape from slavery. The letter
touched my feelings and at once resolved that
those who returned him to bondage should buy
his freedom. l first wrote to John p. Bgelow,
who was mayor of Boston at the time Of the rendi.
ton OF Sims. He made very apologize reply,
inclosing check for 900. / wrote. With vary
ing success, to two or three Others but nv ef-
forts were most unexpectedly stopped by let
ter from Mr.. Charles Devens, whose name as
United States marshal had been made conspic-
uous in the shameful transaction. The letter
was to this effect:
,-vnS r. Child see by the Pspers that You are
Sims Please return to the donors Whatever sums You
may nave received as wish to give the entire sum
"'CHiRLEs DEvENs'
Thinking he might not be aware how large
was the sum required, / informed him that
Sims. being an intelligent mechanic, was SO
valuable to his master that he would not sell
him for less than 81 800. Mr.. Devens replied
by an order to draw upon him for the money,
and l immediately returned the few donations
l had received from others. l then consulted
with Francis jackson concerning safe ar
rangements for depositing the money, sub
Ject to the order of the master when
ever Sims should make his appearance in
Boston. Before these arrangements were COM
pieted the Sumter gun was fired and negotia-
tlons with the master in Georgia became well
nigh impossible. Meanwhile Thomas Sims took
refuge in a camp of the United States and
wrote to Mr.. Devens that the money he had 90
generously offered was no longer needed.
Afterward. when he was in the army, some at
tacks were made upon him which seemed to me
unjust and asked his permission to publish
the transaction above alluded to. After several
repetitions of my request at last obtained his
reluctant consent: he yielded, apparently. to
my argument that the moral influence of such
an example would be good"
Mr.. Devens did not let his work end there.
however. The result of the war, Of course,
meant freedom for Sims, but Mr.. Devens sub
sequently aided him peeuniarily to establish
himself in civil life, and later on, while Attor-
ney General of the United States appointed
him to an appropriate place in the Department
Of Justice.