The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-04-11


made 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 animosity
to Georgians or to Democrats. He en-
ployed number of negro constables,
authorized them to carry weapons, and
in short time made his court a terror
to the community.
So much by way of introduction. One
summer British sailing vessel came to
Darien and took on 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 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 consultation
with shyster lawyer.
81 want to hold that - foreigner
here" said Campbell, until he settles
these billsl"
"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 floor.
''Just say that again." he said ex-
citedly.
"a writ Of ne exeat regnum.
"Isee-I see, said Campbell. "Well,
want you to draw up one and k p
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 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, P" was the prompt reply of
Campbell "Draw up writ of ne exeat
republican,.
81 am afraid it is bad Latin, " object
ed the lawyer
"I'll make it stick" answered the
justice. ''I'll 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 90 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.
Itwas sultry August afternoon, and
the vessel was about ready to depart,
when it was boarded by Justice Camp
bell and 81 X 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 and talked it over.
Finally 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 were 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 constables were
in drunken slumber, the effect of their
drugged liquor, and the captain and his
men were wide awake and perfectly
sober.
The blacks were carefully deposited in
boat and set adrift i'll 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 exeat
republican,.
The constables were picked up next
day and sent to Jail for neglect of duty,
but the vessel was then beyond reach.
The British captain went straight tc
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.
at is an outrage" he said to the cap
tain, "but it is peculiar one and of a
ludicrous nature. If were you, would
not hold friendly government respon-
,sible for the conduct of few ignorant
persons, who have not been free long
enough to know their own rights and
respect the rights of others.
1t required good deal of talk to ap-
pease the Englishman, but after he had
been wined and dined by the merchants
and had told his story score of times,