The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-25
Own OF CLIxTox's CASES.



Extrasrainary Instance In the
Career OF the Noted Lawyer.
sT>HE recent death OF Henry Lauren
Clinton, who half century ago.
stood at the head OF the criminal bar
Of New York, recalls any number OK in
,eresting cases. which at the time attract
ed the attention OF the entire country. and
In which Mr. Clinton appeared as counsel
While his great reputation was founded
largely on his magnificent defense in the
famous Polly Bodine murder trial. and
in the Dey street murder case. no later
met with equal successes in the civil
branch OF the law.
His fees were enormous and hts services
were eagerly sought for. He was one Of
the counsel for the prosecution OF the
Tweed ring and q prominent political nS-
ure of the times.
Perhaps the most widely known action
in which he appeared was the celebrated
Lennon slave case" in which the aboi-
itionists obtained from Judge Paine the
decision, afterwards upheld in the SUI
preme court and court Of appeals. that
slaves brought into New York state. even
in transit from one slave state to another,
were thereby entitled TO their freedom.
In his interesting work. Extraordinary
Cases" the comparatively recent publica-
ton Of which has made most valuable
addition to legal literature, Mr.. Clinton
states the circumstances Of the case as
follows:
I'm 1859 Jonathan Lennon with his fam
lily left Norfolk. Va, and arrived In New
York with several slaves on his way to
Texas
The abolitionists immediately set to
work to free the slaves on the ground that
the moment they were brought into . free
state they became freemen-
presented to Judge Paine, OF the supreme
court of New York. praying for . writ OF
habeas corpus for. the production OF eight
persons Of color, a man aged about -.
two women about the same age, each with
an infant. and three children. In the petit
ton it was stated that these persons had
been taken from the steamer on which
they arrived from Norfolk. and were con-
fined In house at No Carlisle street.
The petitioners stated that they believed
Lennon to be trader, who was taking
the persons men4ioned to Texas. TO Be sold
against their will into slavery.
Mr.. Clinton and Mr.. La Paugh appear
ed for Mr.. Lennon. and John Jay and =.
d. Culver for the petitioners.
I'm his answer to the writ, Mr.. Clinton
stated that the slaves were the property
Of Lemmon's wife juliet and were merely
in transi,n from Virginia TO Texas: that
York.
He denied on behalf of Mrs. Lennon
that she had any intention OF selling the
slaves. which were inherited property. but
also denied that they were free.
"The petitioners demurred and asked for
the discharge of the slaves.
"Mr Clinton objected on the ground that
they were property. under the constitu-
ton of Virginia. and might be considered
as personal chattels. He based his argu-
ment on the laws Of commerce, and asked
that his clients be allowed to proceed with
their property.
Judge Paine. after . long consideration
Of the authorities cited. held that under the
New York law the slaves were entitled TO
freedom
.'Mr Clinton announced his intention to
appeal the case. His client, however. COM
pietely satisfied with purse OF 5000 pre-
scented him by the merchants OF New York
as compensation for his loss. returned to
his home and the case was dropped
Some years later the decision was afnrm-
ed by both OF the higher courts.