Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-03-24
DIPLOMACY AvERTs INTERNATIONAL
COMPLICATIONS.

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daily hated him.
But he did not confne his animosity
to Georgians or to Democrats. He EN-.
ployed number of negro constables,
authorized them to carry weapons, and
in a short time made his court terror
to the community.
So much by way Of introduction. One
summer British sailing vessel came to
DaIien and took ON cargo Of naval
stores. Before getting ready to sail the
captain sett1edevery thing 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 tho
captain and his sailors were indebted to
them for meals, merchandise, lodging
and other things
Itwas evident that these claima were
fraudulent, and the captain continued
his preparations for his departure.
The afternoon he was to oweigh anchor
Justice Campbell held consultation
with shyster lawyer.
"I want to hold that - foreigner
here" said Campbell, until he settles
these billsl"
"In England, replied the lswyer,
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 e1-
oitedly.
"a writ Of ne exeat regnum.
see-I see," said Campbell "Well.
I want you to draw mp one and keep
thai 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 10
be a change in the verbiage.
Change it" commanded the black
Justice.
The lawyer then admitted that he
knew very little Latin, aud for that rea
son was somewhat embarrassed.
"This is republic, he said
"All right, was the prompt reply OF
Campbell. Draw up writ Of ne exeat
republican,.
"I 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 20 pages of foolscap
and ordered the Englishman. under the
severest pains and penalties. TO remain
with his ship at Darien until no settled
ali claims.
Itwas sultry August AFTERNOON, and
the vessel was about ready TO depart,
when it was boarded By Justice Camp.
bell and six negro constabics 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 plan of action was agreed
upon. and when the ships officers reap
peared they were apparently in a good
humor. They told the coustables 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 vsa.
ished
Then the captain and his crew dis
played still more hospitality. and the
bottle was freely passed around.
At Atmidnight 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
q boat and set adrift in 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 aud 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 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 IL difficult to keep
his face straight when he heard the
story.
ut is an outrage" he said to the cap.
tain, "but 1t is o peculiar one and OF .
ludicrous nature. If Iwere you. Iwculd
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,
amid roars of laughter, he began to re-
gard the affair as good joke and agreed
to let it drop.
And thus ended what threatened to
be q serious international complication.
Chicago Times-Herald
Tho History Of Tneitus.
The entire history Of Tacitus, as We
have the work, was regained from sin
Gle COPY found in the fifteenth century
in monastery of Westphalia That We
should owe the works of this author to
one copy is a remarkable circumstance,
for the Emperor Tacitus. who claimed
TO be descendant of the historian, had
.o->;o, ~ tha bistnry Dlaced in every IL