The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-06-07
THREATENED CRISIS.
DIPLOMACY AvERTS INTERNATIONAL
COMPLICATIONS.
How q Negro Justice of the Peace Held n
British Vessel With n Writ of "Ne Exeat
Republicum"-The Writ Was DissolveS

rame down from the north and became
n of the leaders of his race.
In the course of time Campbell was
made a justice Of the peace at the port
of Darien. Then the trouble began in
earnest.
Justice Campbell had no use for the
whites because he knew that they cor
daily hated him.
But he did not Confine his animositv
TO G~eOrgiaIS or to Democrats. He en-
ployed a number of negro constablcs,
authorized them 10 carry weapons, and
in a short time made his court a terror
to h community.
So much by way Of introduction. One
summer a British sailing vessel came to
Darien and took Gil a cargo of naval
stores. Before getting ready to sail the
captain settled everything due from him
and his crew-that is, everything in the
way of "a just account. He secured his
papers, when several negro traders of
the lowest class unexpectedly put in
claims for goods that had never been
purchased.
These cormorants alleged that the
captain and his sailors were indebted to
them for meals, merchandise, lodging
and other things.
1t was evident that these claims were
fraudulent, and the captain continued
his preparations for his departure.
The afternoon he was to weigh anchor
Justice Campbell held a consultation
with a shyster lawyer.
81 want RI hold chat r,ro;-,,,
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 a writ of
lie exeat regnum."
Justice Campbell came near falling to
the floor.
Just say that again." he said ex~
citedly.
"A writ of ne exeat regnum."
Il see-I see, said Campbell. well,
l want you to draw up one and keep
that fellow here"
The shyster's were limited,
and he explained TO his friend that reg
mum meant kingdom, and as this coun-
try was Il republic there would have to
be a change in the verbiage.
Change it," commanded the black
justice.
The lawyer then admitted that 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 a writ of ne exeat
republican,"
Il am afraid it is bad Latin, " object
ed the lawyer.
I'm make it stick answered the
justice. I'll sign the paper and swear
III six special c~onstables 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
severcst pains and penalties, to remain
with his ship at Darien until he settled
all claims.
1t was a 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, II 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 and talked it over.
Finally a plan Of action was agreed
upon, and when the ships officers reap
peared they were apparently in a good
humor. They told the c~onstables that
they We're welcome as the representa-
tiTes Of the law and requested them to
enjoy the freedom of the vessel.
The cOnstables We're overwhelmed
with tobacco and cigars and an occa-
sicnal dram until their suspicious an
lehed.
LhCl the captain and his crew dis
played still more hospitality, and the
lottlc was freely passed around.
At midnight six negro constables were
IN a drunken slumbcr, the effect Of their
arugged liquor, and the captain and his
meH were wide awake and perfectly
sober.
The blacks were carefully deposited in
o boat and set adrift III the harbor, and
then the British sloop quietly weighed
anchor and left the port at an hour
when Justice Campbell was dreaming of
his new and wonderful writ Of ne cxcat
republican,.
The constables were picked up next
day and sent to Jail for neglect of duty,
bat the vessel was then beyond reach.
The British captain went straight to
Savannah, where he laid his case before
his consul and demanded an apology and
an indemnity from the United States
government.
The consul found it difficult to keep
his face straight when he heard the
story.
1T is an outrage" he said to the cap
tain, but it is a peculiar one and of q
ludicrous nature. If l We're you, l would
not hold a friendly government respon-
sible for the conduct Of a few ignorant
persons, who nave not been free long
enough to know their W rights and