Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-05-27
THREATENED CRISIS
DIPLOMACY AVERTS lNTERNArlo,,
COMPLICATIONS

'>>olStd
In Liquor and Laugh Went
During the reign of the GARNER,
gers III Geor a very black but br,,'
old negro named Tunis G. Camrb-3
came down from the north and ~
one Of the leaders of his race.
In the course of time Campboll
made a justice of the peace at the r,
of Darien. Then the trouble ho,.p pV''
earnest
Justice Campbell had no use Gov :,
whites because he knew that thew oa
daily hated him.
But he did not confine his amino.
to Georgians or to Democrats, H.
ployed a number of negro constatla-
authorized them to carry weapops III
in short time made his court a terss
to the community.
So much by way of introduction a..
summer British sailing vessel came :,
Darien and took ON cargo of navel
stores. Before getting ready to sail tba
captain settled everything due from him
and his crew-that is, everything in N
way of a just account He secured h.
papers, when several negro traders q,
the lowest class Unexpectedly mt IN
claims for goods that had never basn
purchased.
These cormorants alleged that tho
captain and his sailors Were indebted IA
them for meals, merchandise, lodpip,
and other things.
1t was evident that these claims wera
fraudulent, and the captain confined
his preparations for his departure
The afternoon he was to weigh anch,
Justice Campbell held consultation,
with shyster lawyer.
Il want to hold that - foreigner
here, said Campbell, until he settles
these bills"
In England, replied the LAWYER
when you want to prevent people from
leaving the country, you issue writ Of
ne eXeat regnum.
Justice Campbell came near falling to
the Aoor.
Just say that again" he said OK.
citedly.
" a writ of ne eXeat regnum.
Il see--1 see, :" said Campbell. "Well.
l want you to draw up one and keep
that fellow here -
The shyster's resources were Limited,
and he explained to his friend that reg
mum meant kingdom, and as this coun.
try was republic there would have to
be a change III the verbiage.
Change it" commanded the black
justice.
The lawyer then admitted tn. he
knew very little Latin, and for that rea
son was somewhat embarrassed
This is a republic, he said.
"All right, was the prompt reply Of
Campbell, Draw up writ of he exeat
republican,.
Il am afraid it is bad Latin, object
ed the lawyer.
I'm make it stick" answered the
justice. I'm sign the paper and swear
in six special constables to enforce it. "
This was enough, and the lawyer pro-
ceeded to draw up the most remarkable
document ever seen in America.
The writ covered 20 pages of foolscap
and ordered the Englishman under the
severest pains and penalties, to remain
with his ship at Darien until he settled
all claims.
TWAS sultry August afternoon, and
the vessel was about ready to depart,
when it was boarded by Justice Camp
bell and six negro constables armed with
guns.
The justice read the writ to the cap
tain, and after informing him that the
constables would remain until the mat
ter was adjusted the judicial tyrant
went ashore again.
The captain retired to the cabin with
the mate aud talked it over,
Finally a plan of action was agreed
upon, and when the ships officers reap
peared they were apparently in good
humor. They told the constables that
they We're welcome as the representa-
tives Of the law and requested them to
enjoy the freedom of the vessel.
The constables were overwhelmed
with tobacco and cigars and an occa'
sional dram until their suspicious van
ished
Then the captain and his crew DIS
played still more hospitality, and the
bottle was freely passed around
At midnight six negro cons>lbles were
in drunken slumber, the effect OF Their
drugged liquor, and the captain and his
men We're wide awake and perfectly
sober
The blacks were carefully deposited II
a boat and set adrift in the harbor ana
then the British sloop quietly weighed
anchor and left the port at an hour
when Justice Campbell was dreaming o.
his new and wonderful writ of ne exea'
republican,.
The constables were picked mp next
day and sent to Jail for neglect Of duty
but the vessel was then beyond reach
The British captain went straight 70
Savannah, where he laid his case before
his consul and demanded an apology anu
an indemnity from the United states
government.
The consul found il difficult 70 KEEP
his face straight when he heard me
story.