Friday, February 3, 2012

Fugitive Slaves in Washington

WASHINGTON, May 29 – Recently John Dean, Esq. presented to the Circuit Court the petition of Daniel Breed for a writ of Habeas Corpus to Marshal Lamon for the discharge of a colored man claimed by a citizen of Maryland, as his slave on the ground that said alleged fugitive is illegally detained, and the restraint in imprisonment is not authorized by the fugitive slave law of 1850, or in other words that the law does now apply to the case.

Mr. Dean to-day, entered argument to show that the writ could not be refused.

The Court had previously intimated that it would not grant the prayer, and to-day said an appeal could be taken to the Supreme Court of the United States on the refusal just as well as upon the writ within.  Further argument will be heard to-morrow.

The fugitive slave law continues to be enforced.  During this month about fifty slaves have been returned to their claimants.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 3

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