Evening journal., 1897-03-26
THREATENED CRISIS.
DIPLOMACY AvERTs INTERNATIONAL
COMPLICATIONS.
How Negro Justice of the Peace Held
British Vessel with a Writ OF "Ne Exeat
Republicum"-Th Writ Was Dissolved
In Liquor and laugh Went Around.

In Liquor and a Laugh Went Around. !
During tho reign Of tho carpetbag-
gers in Georgia a very black but brainy
old negro named Tunis c. Campbell
came down from the north and became
one of the leaders of his race.
In the course of time Campbell was
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 conine 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 a British sailing vessel came 10
Darien and took on cargo of naval
stores. Before getting ready to sail the
captain settled everything due from him
and his orew-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 a shyster lawyer
II want to hold that - foreigner
here, " said Campbell, until he settles
these billsr'
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.
g A writ of ne exeat regnum."
81 see-I see, " said Campbell. "Well,
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
uum meant kingdom, and as this coun-
try was a 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. "Drawup writ of ne exeat
republican, "
Il am afraid it is bad Latin, " object
ed the lawyer.
III make it stick, " answered the
justice 'I'll sign tho paper and swear
in six specia! 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 a sulry 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 ard talked it over.
Finally a plan Of action was agreed
upon, and when the ships officers reap
peared they We're apparently in a good
b humor. They told the constables that
they were welcome as the representa-
l. tives Of the law and requested them to
= enjoy tho freedom Of the vessel.
The consUbles were overwhelmed
with tobacco and cigars and an ooca-
sional dram until their suspicious van
ished
Then tho captain and his crew dis
played SSH more hospitality, and the
bottle was freely passed around.
Atmidnight six negro constables were
in a dru-keh slumber, the effect Of then
7 drugged liquor, and the captain and his
AAANh NNAe h-AN eNtt-At ttA+1 lfN+@NNN%@ ?
I sober.
q The blacks were carefully deposited in
d boat and set adrift in the harbor, anc
3 then the British sloop quietly weighed
anchor and left the port at an houi
when Justice Campbell was dreaming oi
his new and wonderful writ of ne exea
q republican,.
S The constables We're picked up mex
> day and sent to Jail for neglect Of duty
i but the vessel was then beyond reach.
{ The British captain went straight e
IS Savannah where he laid his case befor
his consul and demanded an apology anC
IS an indemnity from the United State
IL government
{ The consul found it difficult to keel
IS his face straight when he heard thu
story.
1T is an outrage" he said tothe cap
tain, "but it is a peculiar one and Of
~. 10 .r~r,rr, rrot, II rtrort1