, 1897-04-06

These cOrmOrants alleged that tho
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.
II 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 a writ Of
ne exeat regnum."
Justice Campbell came neal falling to
the floor.
Just say hat again." he said e1-
citedly.
"a writ of ne exeat regnum."
II see-Isee, said Campbell. well,
I want you to draw up IL and keep
that fellow here"
The shyster's u were limited.
and he explained to his friend that reg
mum meant kingdom, and as this coun-
try was u republic there would have to
be q change in the verbiage.
"Change it," commanded the black
justice.
The lawyer then admitted that he
knew very little Latin, and for that rea-
o was somewhat embarrassed.
"This is a republic" he said.
"All right" vas the prompt reply Of
Campbell. Draw up q writ Of ne exeat
republican,"
II am afraid it is bad Latin, - object
ed the lawyer.
"I'll 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 30 pages Of foolscap
and ordered the Enelishman. under the
severest 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, epd 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
tho mate and talked it over.
Finally a plan Of action was agreed
upon, and when the ships officers reap
pesred they were apparently in a good
humor. They told the constables that
they were welcome as the representa-.
tives of the law and requested them tc
enjoy the freedom Of the vessel.
The c%onstables 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.
Atmidnight six negro constables were
| in a drunken slumber, the effect of their
drugged liquor, and the captain and his
men WeIo wluo aW"ho "hu P"AAS"y
sober.
The blacks were carefully deposited in
a 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 and wonderful writ of ne exeat
republican,.
The constables were picked up next
day and sent to Jail for neglect of duty.
but tho 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.
'tIt is an outrage" he said to the cap
tain, "but it is a peculiar N and Of a
ludicrous nature. II I were you, I would
not hold a friendly government respon-
Gible for the conduct Of a few ignorant
persons, who have not been free long
enough to know their own rights and
reSpect the rights Of others.
Il required a good deal Of talk to APP
pease the Englishman. but after he had
been wined and dined BY the merchants
and had told his STORY = score Of times.
amid r6ars q laughter, he began to re-
gard the a1aira . = good Joke and agreed
TO Let It drop
And thus ended what Threatened to
b q serious international complication.
Chicago Tfmes-Herald