Washington County, Ohio - Chapter 6: Politics from 1820 to 1860, 1902 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 6: Politics from 1820 to 1860

Democrats and Whigs - Slavery - Underground Railroad - Campaign of 1840 - Newspaper Extracts Pertaining to the Politics of the Period - Celebration in Marietta - Rotation in Office - Contests of 1836 and 1840 - Campaign Songs OF 1840 - Washington County Colonization Society - Anti-Abolition and Anti- Slavery Meetings - Public Sentiment in 1837 - The Ohio Kidnaping Case - Later Views of the Ohio Kidnaping Case.

- As we have said in the last chapter on poHtics, in the period of which 1820 may well be considered the central point, following the "Era of Good Feeling," and the obliteration of old party lines, there was a new parting of the w'ays. Alfter this time, we see men who had worked together since the early years of the century grouped in two rival camps. The policy of a national bank and a protective tariff was now dividing former political friends ; but, as the discussion of these questions had little or no local color, they need in a county history only brief mention. The question of internal imtprovements also attracted the attention of the people in this region, at that time so far from the markets of the world. Owr citizens were especially interested in the improvement of the Ohio River by the national go\-ernment. At times we find that public-spirited citizens of Washington County ha\-e undertaken at their own expense to improve the facilities for navigation in the Ohio, and especially to remove obstructions fromi the channel between Kerr's Island and the Ohio shore. But it was felt that this highwav of the nation, which flowed by so many different States, should properly be cared for by the central authorities, which had the control of the commercial relations.

In State politics, the question of the improvement of navigation in the iMuskingum was long a very important one, and it was only through a,n agitation continued for a1x)Ut 20 }ears that anything important was accomplished. In the discussion of this question there was frequent e\-idence that the embers of the old strife between the citizens on the Mtiskingumi and the Scioto was not entirely dead, and that a little breath of sectional partisanship could fan them into a blaze.

In the new division of parties new names appeared. The Jeffersonian or Democratic Republicans, as they were called for the first two or three decades of the century, began in the time of President Jackson to be known as the Democratic party, or as the "friends of Jackson." Those, who in 1825-56, had been known -as the "Friends of the Administration," that is, of John Ouincy Adams, began under the ileadership of Henry Clay to be known as National Republicans, and after 1834 they called themselves Whigs as a protest against

The temperance question first appeared as a moral mo\'emtent to persuade men to avoid drunkenness, next as a plea for total abstinence, and later as an efifort to restrain or prohibit entirely the traffic in intoxicating lic[uors. Opposition to freemasonry resulted in the formation, in 1832, of the Anti-]\l!asonic Society of Waterford, which endeavored to wield a political influence.

The friends of each of the C|uestions struggled to make their fa\-orite the paramount issue. But in 1840 another cjuestion appeared, not as a little cloud, but sounded as a peal of thunder in a clear sky, with a crash so sharp and discordant that it frightened the venerable Jefferson in his retirement. Long before tlie tempest burst upon us in its fur}-, the sky continued to flash, and the earth rumbled and trembled, with the approach of the impending storm. In vain the optimrlst in his love for the Union strove to- convince the people that the slavery c^uestion conld not lead to disunion or civil war; the great cjuestion would come up for a settlement.

There were two reasons why the majority of the people in Washington County for many years dqjrecated strife or even discussion about slavery. The pioneers were nearly all soldiers of the Revolution who had fought side by side with their brethren from the South, and under their beloved commander, \\'ashington, who was himself a slave-owner. Again, ere the majority of these pioneers had passed away, a second war with England brought 'the eneiny within the borders of our own State and many of the soldiers who drove the invaders back to Canada, were volunteers from Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

It seems to be e\-ident that until about 1854 a large majority of the people in this county was opposed to slavery agitation, not because they were in favor of slavery, for by their votes and acts thev had shown the contrary and had

] especially shown that they would not permit j its extension intO' Ohio ; yet they looked upon the Cjuestion as settled by constitutional compromise \\lhich they were in honor bound to respect. But at all times there was a minority, small Ijut steadily increasing as the years went on, conscientiously opposed to slavery in any part of our Union. They were earnestly in favor of free soil, free men and in the advocacy of their opinions they demanded free speech. They showed their opposition to the peculiar institution, whicli after 1820 was practically restricted to the Southern States, by speaking and writing to arouse public sentiment. This agitation caused on the southern side of the Ohio a nervousness which finally changed to a feeling of resentment. Good men in Virginia felt that this agitation was imperiling not only their property but even the lives of their families. Believing themselves threatened with such serious evils, through what they considered as the unjustifiable interference of people from other States, they sometimes resorted to means of repression which would hardly bear the test of a legal examination. Perhaps, they believed that self-protection was the highest law. Tliey determined to keep all incendiary publications and speakers outside of their borders.

Within 40 miles of Marietta there lives an elderly gentleman in a respectable community of wimt is now ^Vest Virginia, who saw a party of his neighbors, a few years before the Civil War, take his copy of the Nezu York Tribune from the post oflice and with noisy demonstration put it in a tonfire, which they had kindled befare his house. A club of young men of Wheeling, Virginia. alx)ut the same time, were receiving their Tribunes from the Bridgeport post office because they could not get them from their own office in Wheeling. For m0re than 20 years before the war John Stone, of Belpre, dared not go far beyond the south bank of the Ohio, lest he be arrested on account of his anti-slavery agitation, and at one time in those ante-l^cllum days, Ml". Burgess, a passenger on an Ohio River packet, a short distance below Marietta, was threatened with lynching by his fellow passengers for the crime of expressing anti-slavery sentiments. John Brown's raid to Harper's Ferry intensified this bitterness of feeling.

Unfortunately at that time there was at the head of affairs in Virginia one, of whom George D. Prentiss, of Louisville, has said, "The tallest man I ever kneAv was called Short, and the largest one was Small, and the Governor of Virginia is called Wise.'' Tliis Governor, who was "called Wise" (Henry A. Wise), had a section of artillery planted on the bank at Parkersburg to threaten any invaders from Ohio. The good people of Belpre, not to be outdone by this wise Governor, in a display of patriotic fervor, prepared to defend their own shores from the fire-eating forces and confronted the artillery with a huge churn mounted upon a cart.

For 20 years or more before the war the agitation of the slavery question had reached the ears of the slaves themselves and some oif the nfore active and venturesome among them began to seek for liberty in Canada.

Underground Railroad

Joseph Smith, of Vincent, estimated that there passed through (Washington County on their way to lilaerty, between 1850 and 1S60, about 600 fugitives. Some of these came from the Cotton States, but the majority were from Virginia and Kentucky. These fugitives went northward from the Ohio River by what was popularly known as the "Underground Railroad" - a railway which future historians can never accurately trace, for its tracks were as devious and numerous as the by-roads of A\'ashington County. Tlie means of transportation were as varied as the routes, but they were all used with the same end in view - the rescuing and concealment O'f the fugitives, the circumvaiting and discomfiture of the pursuers. Men yet live in our county who in their boyhood took part in those exciting scenes, and they tell many amusing stories of their experiences.

Putnam's house in Harmar to Mr. Ridgway's at Rainbow, and thence through Salem to the Palmers; but more frequently they crossed the river to Belpre township and thence northward through the western townships, w"here friends of the fugitives were very numerous. It is now' impossible to name a tithe of those who were ready to receive the wanderers. In conveying the fugitives northward, no uniform method was followed. Sometimes it was found expedient to keep the fugitives in concealment for many days or even weeks near one place, while the pursuers were wasting their time and energy in going farther northward.

B. B. Stone relates that at one time some fugitives were concealed for a time on the V' irginia side, opposite Belpre, and that one of his sisters, since the crossing by one of the men might create suspicion, had crossed the river to Virginia and taken a supply of food to the fugitives. Sometimes the one who had received and concealed the fugitives would himself convey them to the next "station," but a safer way, and one probably more frequently followed, was to conceal the fugitives in some convenient place and then to send word to some friends 10 or 15 miles away, to come and get them by night. Mr. Stone says that he has Ijeen sent on such an errand in his boyhood to tell Bert Hibbert that some fugitives were concealed in a certain field belonging to Mr. McKay.

Maj. Jewett Palmer tells how he had been sent when a boy to feed a fugitive, concealed in the woods near his father's house and that this was his first sight of a negro.

The greater mass of the people regarded these escapades as somlcthing amusing with which they had little or no concern, but there were a few people in the county who fancied it was their duty to help the pursuers, and it was the great delight of the managers of the Underground Railroad to bring these spies, as they regarded them, to grief and mortification.

A story is told of some boys in Salem township, whose names can not be recalled at this late date, but Moses Blake and Thomas Porter are said to have been among them, who pre- pared a plan for the especial benefit of one of their neighlx)rs, who had made himself obnoxious by aiding the pursuers. Some of the boys went to this Southern sympathizer and told him that a reward had been offered for the apprehension of three negroes who had recently escaped from Virginia; that these slaves were concealed in the township and that if he wtould take his team they would help him to catch them and take them to Marietta and share with him the reward. He readily assented and went with the Ixjys who soon found the supposed fugitives, who happened to be three of their own companions with faces blackened for the occasion, and easily caught them, put them in the wagon and started to Marietta. Pretty soon one of the fugitives leaped from the wagon and disappeared in the woods, then another ioliowed his example. In his desperation the slave catcher called to his supposed helpers, "Hold on to the little one, he'll pay expenses." B'ut even the little one with his captors soon disappeared in the woods and the slave hunter was obliged to go home without his expected reward. For a long time the saying, "Hold on to the little one, he'll pay expenses," was heard among the boys of Salem township. At one time a Mr. Brown who' lived not far from Amesville had some fugiti\-es concealed on his farm. The pursuers came in the evening and were kindly received by M'r. Brown, and ihgir horses well cared for in his commodious stable. Before the guests retired for the night, they were warned by 'Mx. Brown not to go out of the 'house at night without calling him, as a savage dog might attack them. Late at night the boys of the family took the horses of the pursuers out of the stable and used them to convey the fugitives 15 miles from tiie place. Before daylight they returned and left the horses in the stable. At another time, when one who had concealed a fugitive near his house learned that a spy was observing his movements, he took the fugitive in daylight from his place of concealment and took him to a tobacco h.ouse. The spy observed this and soon his horse could be heard galloping away to bear the news to the pursuers. At once the negro was taken from his hiding place in the tobacco house and conveyed to another station. Soon the spy returned with the pursuers who went in the toliacco' house but found nothing more than a volume of smoke, for the fires had 1 again been lighted. The sequel to the story is that the pursuers after that regarded the spy as a traitor to their cause and unworthy of further confidence.

James Lawton, William S. Heald, Jonathan Lee, Thomas B. Hvbbard and many of the fam;ilies of the Smiths took part in helping away the fugitives.

On Putnam street in Marietta lives iNIrs. John Eells, who many years ago in Oberlin entertained Lewis Clark, the original of M(rs. Stowe's George Harris in her celebrated novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Mr. Clark's sister was also the original of Eliza. Mrs. Eells relates that she and her husband supplied Lewis Clark with provisions for a trip to Kentucky, whence he conducted his brother to freedom. Mrs. Stowe afterward met Lewis near Boston and there gathered from his lips many of the incidents which were woven into her story. His stormy life is now ended, but before its close he had an opportunity to greet in Marietta his two friends, Mr. and Mrs. Eells, and to thank them for their kindness to a needy wanderer. Pie lived to see the day when the' sla\-edriver's whip was no longer feared on the banks of the Ohio.

The old homestead of Mr. Ridgway, a convenient station for fugitives coming into Ohio by way of Harmar or Marietta, stood near the Rainlx>w Ferr)-. It was torn down fi\-e or six years ago. In this house there was a large basemlcnt and back of it a "blind" cellar which served as a very useful place of concealment for fugitives when the pursuers were close at hand, since the opening to this cellar could be closed in such a way as easily to escape discovery. There is a tradition that at one time five fugitives were here concealed, one of them being a very young child, and Mr. Ridgway feared that its crying might reveal the hiding place. In the early evening, by design or accident, some of the neighbors had gathered in the basement for a prayer meeting ; while they were thus assembled, the pursuers came and asked permission to search for fugitives, a perniission which Mr. Ridgway promptly gave, but requested themi not to disturb the prayer meeting. It is said that while the pursuers were thus searching, the singing was very loud and demonstrative, but it was wholly unnecessary, for the child did not reveal by any sound the place of concealment. Mr. Ridgway's neighbor, Benjamin F. Dyar, who lived on the east side of the Mtiskingum, often joined in tlie work of helping away the fugitives.

Betweai the Free Soiler who regarded liberty as the inalienable right of every man, whether black or white, and the Southern planter who regarded the slave as his property assured to him by constitution and law, it was difficult to find any room for compromise. The conflict was indeed irrepressible.

The climax in the strife between the sla\-e hunters and the Free Soilers came on the night -of July 9, 1845, 'when three citizens of Decatur township, Peter M. Garner, Creighton J. Loraine and Mordecai E. Thomlas, were seized on the Ohio side of the river near Hall's Landing for the crime of assisting some fugitive slaves, who had escaped from Virginia. The three prisoners were taken to Parkersburg and lodged in jail. Bail was refused them. They were tried in Virginia for an alleged offense committed in Ohio. It was natural that tlx» people of Washington County of every political faith should be indignant at this outrage committed upon citizens of Ohio, within her own boundaries. At one time, it is said, that the Governor of Ohio actually contemplated an armed rescue of the prisoners, but better counsels prevailed. Samuel F. \'inton was sent from Ohio to argue the question of jurisdiction- His argument, reported in Volume 4 of the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society, proves beyond reasonable doubt, not only that the arrest of the prisoners on the north bank of the Ohio was a high-handed outrage, but also establishes the right of Ohio to the territory as far as the middle of the channel of the river. Virginia's absurd claim to the whole of the

Ohio River, a claim contradicted by the best authorities in international law, was in danger of being successfully disputed. The' authorities in Virginia were unwilling to have the question of territorial jurisdiction again bronght before the United States court. They were, therefore, glad to release the prisoners in January, 1846, on bail, the Ixsndsman being a man from Ohio, and so tiie case never came up for final settlement. The details of the story are told in the extracts from the newspapers of the time, appearing at the end of this chapter.

Campaign Of 184O.'

The content between the Whig and Democratic parties on the questions of tariff and currency reached a picturesque climax in the great campaign of 1840 - a campaign which elderly men still recall as one of the great ev.ents in their li\-es. It is said that on the 22nd of February, 1S40. 20,000 people assembled at Columbus, at the Wliig Convention, when Harrison and Tyler were accepted as the standard bearers of the Presidential ticket, and Thomas Corwan nominated as candidate for Governor. A delegation of more than 50 went to Columbus from \\'ashington County. The whole summer and fall was busy with the excitement iif the political campaign. There weie great meetings, with speeches and singing, and free dinners at Marietta, at Beverly, on the Little IMuskingum, at Newport, and probably at other places. Thomas Corwin, the "Wagoner Boy," as he was called, was the star orator of the Whigs, and John Brough, or "Jack." as he was familiarly styled, formerly of Marietta, was the leader on the Democratic side.

A canvas ball 13 feet in diameter, carried on a four-horse wagon, came through Marietta from Dresden, where it had been built, and was sent on its journey to Nashville, Tennessee, in charge of Capt. Horatio Booth, George M. Woodbridge and Joseph Hunter, who were appointed a committee on the part of the Washington County Whigs to take the l^all to Cincinnati by river. The water being very Icnv.

they mounted tlie ball on the "Ferry Flat" and starting at daylight succeeded in reaching Parkersburg by noon. Here they found the sidewheel steamboat "Boston,'' which being unable to get farther up the river because of the low water was about returning down the river. The captain, being an ardent Whig, begged the privilege uf towing them to Cincinnati. His oroposition tliey gladly accepted and they were treated royally by the captain and crew. Everything was free to tliem that the boat could furnish.

On their arri\-al at Cincinnati, they were met by what seemed to be the whole jjopula^ tion of the city. The levee was black with people. A committee was on hand to receive the ball and also one to meet and entertain thent. They were taken to the Broadway Hotel, then the chief hostelry of the city, and were entertained there free of charge during their stay. They were taken to Cieneral Harrison's rooms and introduced to him. He seemed \'ery cordial but seemed weak and almost sick from the worry and work of the campaign.

A crowd of enthusiastic Whigs embarked on a steamboat to attend a meeting at Chester in Meigs County. It is said that the boat stuck on a bar, but the passengers leaped out into the shallow water and helped the boat over the obstruction.

The campaign resulted as we know in a victory for the Whigs, but a barren victory it proved, since General Harrison died a few weeks after his inauguration and Vice-President T}Ier succeeded to his place. In a county history it is unnecessary to pursue further the history of the struggle between these two great parties. About the middle of the decade before the Civil War, \\'ashington County in common with all other parts of the country had her grotesque experience with the "Native Americans." or. as they were more commonly called, "Know Xothings," or the "Dark Lantern" party. Its short-lived existence, which for a little while seemed to threaten us with a renewal of the old-time conflicts between churches and races, fortunately lasted for so short a time, that its whole history partakes

The writer distinctly remembers an incident which sh0i\\^s hoiW easy it is to be frightened about nothing. At a little Catholic cemetery, the Irish laborers had recently buried one of their comrades ; somehow, the story was whispered about that the burial was a humbug and that the real errand of the supposed mourners was to- convey a lot of arms and conceal them at the chapel. It required the interference of some of the cooler heads to prevent the excited neighbors from making a raid to discover the concealed arsenal. On the other side, the excitement was ecjually as great and quite as unreasonable. A quiet, industrious German farmer, a Catholic from Bavaria, was so frightened by the reports of the Know Nothings that he procured from a blacksmSth huge bars of iron to barricade his doors and protect himself and his family from the midnight attacks of the Know Nothing lodge. The unreasoning hates and fears of those times very quickly passed away and German and American Catholics and Protestant boys of Washington County were found enlisted under the same banner in defetise of a common country. From that tmne onward, the political history of Washington County has little in it that is peculiar or local. It is blended with the great stream of national life.

Politics Of The Period

At a meeting of the citizens of the county, friendly to Interna! Improvements and Domestic Industry, at the Court House in Marietta, on the 4th of August instant, the undersigned were appointed a committee to correspond with the several townships in the county on the subject of the approaching election, and to request those citizens who are friendly to Internal Improvements, &c., to convene at an early period, and appoint two delegates to meet in convention at the Court House in Marietta, on the 28th day of August, at one o'clock, P. M.. to nominate suitable persons for candidates at the ne.\t October election. The officers to be selected are one governor, one representative in

Levi R.^^rber. P. S. - Tlie committee would suggest to the several townships that Saturday, preceding the meeting of the convention, will be a suitable time for the choice of delegates.

At a meeting of the citizens of Wiashlngton count}-, Ohio, friendly to the present Administration, held at the Court House in Marietta, agreeably to present notice, on Thursday the 22d, instant, for the purpose of electing delegates to a convention to be held at Columbus, for the formation of an electoral ticket for the State, &c, David Putnam, Esq., was appointed chairman, and A. T. Nye, secretary.

Whereupon William R. Putnam, Arius Nye. Samuel P. Hildreth, David Putnam. John Cotton and Joseph Barker, Jr., were appointed delegates to represent the friends of the administration in this county, in the proposed convention.

The Jacksonian Committee of Arrangements give this general invitation to all persons in Washington and the adjoining counties, who are friendly to General Jackson, and the victory gained by him over the British at New Orleans, and who may please to assemble at the New Court H.iu-c. i>n the 8th day of January next, at 10 o'clock A. .\I. Iit ilie purpose of celebrating said day. An addre-s will lie delivered on the occasion by Doct. Morris tiL-rman. and a Dinner provided, with the necessary seasoning, &c. - Free of Expense.

"The anniversary of our National Independence was yesterday celebrated in this town in a spirited and patriotic manner. The day was ushered in by the discharge of cannon, ringing- of the bell. etc. At half past 11. a procession was formed near the Court House, under the direction of Capt. B'illy Todd, and moved to the First Society's ^^leeting House. THie religious exercises were perfornned by the Rev. Mr. Sweet. Tlie Declaration of Independence was read by William P. Skinner, and an excellent oration was delivered by David Barber. Songs and odes were sung by a choir of singers. After the exercises were over, the procession was again formed as before, and proceeded to a ijower where a large number partook of a dinner prepared for the occasion. During the day the spirit of party seei-ned to be forgotten, and our citizens, among whom were a few sur\-i\-ors of the Re\-olution, appeared to enjoy themseh-es with a full sense of the great and glorious achievements that the day is calculated to recall to mind.

T,. The memory of Washington (Drank standing). 4. The President of the United States. .S. Our Fathers of the Revolution .- - Mav they never be forajotten.

10. The Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road : - May the wisdom of its Directors so lay ,|.,un this national' belt, as to clasp the mouth of tl-c Mu-kinijum.

14- Volunteers: - By Dr. S. P. Hildreth : - The memory of Hon. R. J. Meigs : - Amongst the first in changing the wilderness into a fruitful field, so was he also the first to defend it from its enemies : - Ohio will long remember him. as one who has reflected lustre on her n:ime, and added not a little to her character and dignity- as a ,State.

16. By George Dana. Esq. - Honest differences in political opinions: - May they never, in this happy country, be thought incompatible with private friendship.

mind scorns bribery, disdains llattery, and spurns the invective threats of his enemies: - He is entitled to the confidence of the American people.

21. Bv John Brown - Henry Clay: - The firm patriot and generous Republican - though misrepresented, slandered, persecuted, posterity, at least, will do him justice, and place his nanie on the brightest page in the list of the limmortal worthier, of this great Republic.

22. By William Hall - Health to the President, prosperity to the people, and may our Congress direct their endeavors to the public good rather than indulge in party distinctions.

23. By :Maj. Jesse Hildcbrand - General Washington: - He who changed the name of General Cornwalis to that of Cob-Wallace Liy shelling the corn off him.

"On the evening: previous to the 4th, the cannon, which was intended to be used at the celebration, was spiked by a ruffian under the hope that it would be rendered useless for the (lay - during the night, however, the hole was drilled out - again in the fore part of the day the same villiaii again spiked the cannon, which wias after much labor again drilled out - and due precaution used to prevent another attempt.

"The name of the person who has committed this outrage will hereafter be presented to the public, that he may receive the reward such conduct merits."

"In our paper to-day will be seen a long list of appointments and removals by the President; amjong them is one in our own town - David C. Skinner, Receiver of Pulblic Monies, in the place of John P. Mayberry, removed. This, under the Jackson definition of the term is 'reform,' but we conceive, in this instance, that it is simply a change, as a reward for a friend, and a punishment for exercising the republican freedom of opinion and speech. We know both gentlem-en - they are both respected^ rich and men of integrity - both could do very well without the oflrce, and both, of course, could do well with it - but the vast difference betweai them is, that jMr. Skinner advocated the election of Jackson, and Mr. Mayberry opposed it. There is no other ground of complaint. The doctrine of 'rotation in office' will not sound consistently here - for there is also in this place a Register of the Land Office who has held that office for fifteen years or upwards, and he has been re-appointed by Jackson.

"We notice these things to show the consistency of the Jackson hue-and-cry of 'reform,' 'rotation in office,' etc. The gentlanen who formerly held these offices have done well - one has been remo\'ed, the other retained, without any cause of complaint against the one - or any extraordinary meritorious acts in the others, save and except that of being a favorite of Jackson.

"More Reform! Dr. Morris German, a 'whole hog' Jacksonian, a resident of Point Harmar, Marietta, has been appointed Post Master at Point Harmjar, in the place of Col. Levi Barber, punished.

"The cause of this removal is the same as that of other removals that have taken place since the reign of terror commenced. Colonel Barber was a friend to the former administration, on republican principles - O'f course opposed to the elevation of the General ; he was a substantial and consistent Jeffersonian Republican, and therefore did not change his principles. The office which he filled, it is true, was of little consequence to him, but he was faithful in the performance of his duties - nO' fault had been found by those of his neighbors, in his vicinity, or at a distance - all were satisfied. But he did not throw up his hat and 'huzza for Jackson,* nor did he deliver an oration on the 8th of January - and this is cause sufficient why he should be punished. , town, and we believe that these are all, excepting the Register of the Land Office, that comes within the power of the General Government,, viz. :

"The Register of the Land Office, in the Marietta Land District, for reasons that were untloubtedly satisfactory to the General, was re-appointed - and this is the only instance in which the people here were satisfied with the exercise of power under the new order of government. Although he came out a Jacksonian, it would ha\e been regretted had he been removed.

"All the gentlemen remo\ed from the offices above named, were old Jeffersonian Republicans - honest and capable - but their firm and undeviating course was not to be passed over lightly - they were marked, and when their turns came, they were punished."

"At a meeting of the citizens of Washington County, opposed to Martin Van Buren and Richard M. Johnson, held pursuant to public notice, at the Court House in Marietta, on Saturday, the 30th ult., at 2 o'clock, P. M., Geo. Dana, Esq., of Belpre, was appointed chairman, and Levi H. Goddard. of Marietta, secretary.

"The meeting then proceeded to consider the following resolution submitted by Joseph Barker, Jr., Esq., and after remarks thereupon, from various gentlemen present, passed the same bv a unanimous vote.

ResolfeJ, That in the opinion of this meeting Daniel Webster of Massachusetts is a statesman pre-eminently qualified to fill the Presidential chair, and that we would hail his election to that station as an event well calculated to restore the government of the United States to its primitive purity, - and that the delegates from this county be requested to use their utmost efforts to procure his nomination ; - but that in case of failure, they may exercise a discretionary power."

Whig Nominations

"At a county convention held at the Court House, in Marietta, on Saturday, August 6, 1836, for the purpose of nominating officers for the next October election, agreeable to the notice heretofore given.

"The convention proceeded to nominate candidates for the several offices at the next October election, and the following ticket was unanimously chosen :

Resolved. That the Central Committee be authorized to fill any vacancies which may occur in the electoral ticket, and in the several committees appointed by the convention.

Dinner To Jir. Ewing

A dinner will be given at Marietta on Saturday the 2il of Septentber next, to our late Senator, the Hon. Thomas Ewing, of Lancaster, Ohio, from whom an address may be expected. The citizens of Washington and other counties are respectfully invited to attend. Henrv Fearing, Levi Barber,

"Agreeable to publications, a large and respectable meeting of the Democratic citizens of Washington County, was convened, on the 2 1 St inst., at the Court House in Marietta, when Silas Cook was called to the chair, and A., Larzelere appointed secretary. On motion

Resolved, That a delegate from each township be appointed to represent this county in the convention to be held at Columbus on the 8th of January, 1840, for rhe purpose of settling upon a candidate for the next Governor, and an electoral ticket for the next Presidential election.

"The following persons from their respective townships were appointed : Adams - Andrew Allison; Aurelius, - William S, Royley; Belpre, - A. G. Hollister; Barlow, - Benjamin Palmer; Decatur, - Philip Schroder; Fearing, - John Darling; Grandview, - E. H. Collins; Lawrence, - John Hill ; Liberty, - Matthew- Gray; Ludlow, - Horace Hallun; Marietta, - A. Humphreys, William Whittlessey, A. V, D. Joline, C. B. 'Flood J. P. Wightmaii. E. Gates, A. Larzelere; Newport. - G. W. Gale; Roxbury, - L A. Palmer; Salein, - James Enis; t)nion, - George W, Barker; Warren, - J. J. Hollister; Waterford, - Robe^-t Leget; Wesley, - Hapgood Goddard; Watertown, - T. C. McClanathan.

Resolved, That our confidence in the administr.ttion of Martin Van Buren remains undiminished, and that in his messages and public acts we see that same devotion to Democracy which led him into the Senate of New York, to defend the administration of James Madison, and the last war, as well as to defend the integrity of Daniel T. Thompkins when a.ssailed by his Federal adversaries.

tucky, we see the well tried soldier and statesman, and friend of the people, and that as presiding officer of the United States Senate, he has. by his kind and conciliatory manners, gained the esteem of all. - His reelection to that station is demanded by the best interests of the Democratic party.

f\'esoked, Tliat we hail with feelings of pride and pleasure the late of Governor Shannon - believing that it contains the true doctrine of the Democratic party, aim although our- adversaries affect to be pleased with his rtconnnendations in regard to bank reform, yet their acts prove this to be mere affactation. for they have, ais a party, systematically opposed every message recommended by the Governor.

A Nlw Song To An Old Tune Parting Song

(Tunc - Aula Ung Sync - By J. Crcincr.) . 1840. - (As sung by the Washington County delegation at McConneisville, at the adjournment of the convention.)

The citizens of Old Washington, and the adjoining counties of Ohio, also the citizens of Wood and Tyler counties. Va.. are respectfully invited to meet at Ner\vpnrt. Washington County, Ohio, on Tuesday, the isth of September. 1840, at 10 o'clock. A. M. at which time and place the Hon. Thomas Corvvin. Democratic Whig candidate of the people for Governor will address the assemblage. The Hon. Calvary Morris, member of Congress, and the Democratic Whig candidates for reelection. Hon. Thomas Evving. Hon. Samuel F. Vinton, and other distinguished statesmen from abroad, have been invited, and are expected to be in attendance. One or more band.s of music will favor the meeting by their attendance. The ladies of the surrounding country are especially solicited to honor the occasion by their attendance. Let all who believe that the rights of free American citizens are worth preservmg, come, see, hear, and judge. E.xtensive arrangements are making for a free dinner - all will be made welcome. Geor.ge Greeimvood, E. Battellc, Jr.,

"On Wednesday evening last the Rev. Mr. Sehon. agent of the American Colonization Society, delivered an address upon the subject of African colonization, at the Congregational

Meeting House in this place (Marietta), in pursuance of the notice previously given. The meeting was attended by a large number of our citizens who listened with attention, to a lucid and eloquent exhibition of the claims of the American Colonization Society, upon the confidence and support of all the friends of humanity and religion.

"A society was formed as an auxiliary to the parent society at Washington, with the name of the "Washington County Colonization Society;" and the following gentlemen were chosen as oflicers, until the annual meeting, which is to be held on the 4th day of July next :

The annual meeting of this .Society, by the constitution, is to be holden on the 4th day of July annually. By reason of another meeting which has been announced to be held at 11 o'clock on that day, for the purpose of celebrating the anniversary of .-\nierican Independence, the Colonization Society will meet at the meeting house of the First Religious Society, in Marietta, at 3 o'clock, P. M., at which time an address may be expected by the Rev. Mr. Bingham; and at which the citizens of the county, and all others who are friendly to. or disposed to aid the objects of the Colonization Society, are invited to attend.

At the close of the exercises, a collection or subscription will be taken up in aid of the objects of the society; and the officers for the ensuing year will be elected.

All persons who are disposed to join the society will have an opportunity to do so. by subscribing to the Constitution, and on paying fifty cents will thereby become memliers.

Those gentlemen in the respective townships in the county, to whom the circular of the directors and a subscription paper w^ere adressed, are requested to make a return of their respective subscription papers to the directors, or the treasurer, at the annual meeting.

Anti-Abolition Meetings

"At a large and highly respectable meeting of the citizens of Washington County, convened agreeably to public notice, at the Court House in Marietta, on Monday evening, the 23d inst., A. V. D. Joline, Esq., was called to the chair, and L. Chamberlain was appointed secretary. After the objects of the meeting had been stated by the chairman 'the following preamble and resolutions were adopted : -

Whereas, the time has arrived when it becomes the moral duty of the people of Marietta, for the purpose of freeing their good name from the stigma of interfering with the property of our neighbors of the slave-holding States, to let their sentiments on the question of the immediate and unconditional abolition of slavery be known.

And whereas, it is a duty we owe to our neighbors of the South, to the preservation of our Union, and to ourselves, that we should lend our feeble aid in puting down those incendiaries who are now using all their efforts in arraying a portion of this Union against the West, and in disturbing the peace and quiet of the once happy community.

And whereas, believing that the .\nti-Slavery Society, in agitating the question of slavery, and in filling the minds of the black population of our country with notions of liberty and equality with the whites, which can never come to pass, are doing the negroes an essential injury. Therefore

1st. Resolved. That we deprecate any intermeddling, on the p:irt of our citizens, with the slaves and slave-holders of the South as unjust, unwise and impolitic : as dangerous in its tendency, snd incendiary in its character.

2d. Resolved, That the citizens of a Free State have no right to interfere with the property of the slave-holders, and much as we depreciate 'the evils of slavery, we yet dislike the doctrine of speedy and unconditional abolition more, and that of the two evils we will choose the least.

3d. Resolved, That 'we view with indignation the efforts of those fanatics calling themselves Abolitionists, whose doctrine, if carried into effect, would have a direct tendency to dissolve the Union.

.Sth. Resolved, That the professors and trustees of the Marietta College be requested to discountenance the students from imbibing the doctrines of the Anti- Slavery Society, by expelling the refractory, or otherwise, as to them may seem most proper.

6th. Resolved, That the members of this meeting pledge thtmselvo-. in.'uidually and collectively, to oppose all .A.lK'liticnist^. in promulgating their doctrines, by every means wliicli to them may seem lawful and

7th. Resolved, That neither Congress, nor the nonslave holding States have a right to interfere, directly or indirectly, with the slaves and slave-holders of the South; and that any such interference would be at variance with the spirit of our Constitution, and ought not to be tolerated.

Sth. Resi-lved, That the efforts of the Abolitioni.sts, in this State, -will have a direct tendency to encourage the migration and settlement here, of swarms of free blacks and runaway slaves, from other States, thus evading the laws of Ohio, passed for the sole purpose of preventing their emigration and settlement in this State.

gth. Resolved. That it has become the duty of the Northern and Western States to let their sentiments on this sll absorbing subject be known, and that we reccimmend to the citizens of other counties in Ohio, to hold meetings, so as to give a firm and decided expressiort of public opinion against the doctrine of immediate' and vmconditional emancipation of all the slaves.

loth. Resolved. That the proceedings of this meeting be signed bv the chairman and secretary, and be puldished'in xhn' [lemoeyat and Gazette. Marietta; and that the editors of the Eiiqitirer and Whig. Richmond, the B^murr. Charleston, the Globe and Telegral'h, Washington City, and Ref^iibliean. Parkersburg. and other papers in Virginia, be requested to copy the same.

In 1836, the following year, a meeting of the citizens of Washington County was held at the Court House of Marietta, on October 15th, j Hugh Trevor presiding, and William Alcock, F. Buell and C. B. Flood were appointed a committee to open a correspondence with the president or the officers of the Washington County Anti-Slavery Society for the purpose of dissuading them from holding a meeting on the following Monday, October 17th. The meeting adjourned to the following IMonday, ' when the committee made the following re- I port : "That they had. in performing the duties assigned, met together and agreed upon the following letter, which was dispatched at as early an hour as possible, and from the insulting manner in which their note had been received, it was presumed that there would be no answer." Following is the letter:

Sir: - At a larcre and highlv respectable meeting of the citizens of Washington County, ooposed to the speedy and unconditional abolition of slavery, held at the Court House on Saturday evening last, the undersigned were appointed a committee to open a corres-

VVfe cannot see any good that can resul't from the society meetin.g. at th'C time specified in their advertisements: for it will ere long, have a direct tendency further to exasperate the people against them, and experience hath shown the dangers ot such excitements. As men professing good will to all mankind, 'we would ask you, if it would not be better for your society to desist from their purpose than to proceed, and again convulse the commuiiity : and again create discord among those iwho would otherwise be friends. We would not wish to intimidate you. for an attempt would be childish in the extreme; Ijut we would entreat, -we tect you in your meeting together, and so far your meeting would be a lawful one, yet. lawful as it is, we would a.sk you if it would not be better for you to adjourn your meeting to some place where the people have not so deep rooted an antipathy to your doctrines, than to persist, and brave, as it were, the popular will, deliberately expressed. We are among those who believe that many of your society, are actuated by pure and patriotic motives, and we confess to liberate the enslaved Africans wou'd be the first wish of our hearts, and the hearts of those we represent. Yet when we reflect that in so doing, we break through that solemn compact entered into by our Revolutionary forefathers, who acknowledged the right of holding this species of property, and when we reflect that the laws

01 our common country guarantees to the slave-holders its protection in thus holding men in bondage, and ivhen we know that to wren this property from them would rouse our happy Union - cemented as it is, by the blood of '76 - to crumble to pieces, we turn with horror, from the contemplation of such a state of things. The Slave States would not remain in the Union one moment longer than they formed the laws adequate to their protection. If the Union is dissolved, anarchy will reign supreme, and lil)erty will be sifted in the fall of this great and growmg republic.

We have thus, sirs, given you our opinions, and thus have we fulfilltd the duty imposed upon us. But ere (we report our proceedings, to those who appointed us as their organ, we would enjoin you by every feeling of philanthropy, to yield to the wishes of the majority. In doing so there is no dishonor. It will have a most beneficial effect on society, for good fellowship will again be restored, and all those feelings which now agitate and distract the public mind will of themselves die away and be succeeded by feelings of a more Christian character.

As we have to report our proceedings at nine o'ciocV to-day, your immediate answer, before that hour, through the Post Oft'ice. is hereby requested.

Resolved. That we do not recognize the majority of the members of the Washington County .Anti- Slavery, or Abolition Society, as citizens, but as interlopers, alike destitute of common sense and of a knowledge of what conduces to the peace and good order of society, as they are of a knowledge of the true interest of the slaves.

Resolved, That the members of the Anti-Slavery Societv, from their standing in the community, and from their general character as men of information, are beneath the notice of the good citizens of Marietta, and our remonstrance, dissuading them from their course, would be like "turning a fool from his folly."

k^sotvcd, That the citizens of Marietta consider the abolition of .slavery altogether out of our sphere of action, Uving as we do. in a free State, and we do approve of the trite saying, "every man mind his own business." and we will leave tb.e white negroes of the North and the black negroes of the South, to manage their own concerns.

Resolved. That the laws of Ohio, relative to the introduction of, and residence among us, of free bla_ck.^, should be enforced, and every one, who fails to give

Resolved, That if the Abolition Society continue to hold meetings in this town, it 'will be in insolent defiance of this meeting, and of public opinion.

Anti-Slavery Meetings

The ^^'asl^ington County Anti-Slavery Society held its meeting on tlie 17th of October, 1836, in the Baptist Meeting House in Marietta. A committee that had been appointed to prepare a petition to Congress, respecting slavery in the District of Columbia, made its report. A committee was then appointed to circulate the petition in the county, being constituted as follows: Marietta, - T. Post, J. C. McCoy, L. Temple; Fearing, - J. M. Amlin; Salem, - D. G. Stanley; Lawrence, - William Hill; Ludlow, - John Newton;

Garrard; Aurelius, - H. Jackson; Barlow, - James Lawton; Union, - T. Ridgway; Decatur, - J. Haynes; Watertown, - Joseph N. Ford; Waterford, - Thomas H. Corey; Belpre, - John Stone; Warren,- - J. J. Hollister; Grand View, - Charles Talbot ; Newport, - William Green; Roxbury, - Nathan Proctor. Among the resolutions adijpted at this meeting were the following:

Resolved, That the past success and the present prospects of the Anti-Slavery cause should inspire us with renewed confidence in its principles and measures.

Resolved, That the Society disclaim and intention to treat disrespectfully any person or any communication addressed to them »s a Society; and therefore recommend to the officers of this society to pursue a concili?tory course.

Resolved, That the deepest gratitude and highest praise is due to our worthy Mayor, Anselm T. R.ve, for the noble and patriotic stand taken by himself on this occasion in protecting us from the lawless violence while in the exercise of our dearest rights, guaranteed to us by the Constitution and laws of our land, inasmuch as his example is among the foremost of such a redeemiing spirit in our country, from the all devouring vortex of proscription.

siding. The constitution was amended, so that "The Society shall hold an annual meeting on the third 'Wednesday of October, at wliich time the officers of the Society for the ensuing years shall be chosen, and a quarterly meeting on the third Wednesday of January, April and July."

The committee appointed at the last meeting of the Society, to draft a petition, to Congress for the grant of a piece of land for the people of color, reported, which report, was accepted, but not adopted. Among the resolutions adopted at this meeting were the following:

Resolved, That every member of this Society, and tvery friend of the Anti-Slavery cause ought to make .strenuous exertions to make known the evils of slavery in the Northern States, as they exist in the South.

Resolved, That the alarming extent to which mobocratic violence has spread calls loudly upon the friends of good government to take a decided stand in the favor of the laws.

Resolved. That the right to discuss every measure of the government is essential to its well being, and that any system which requires the suppression of di*.cu3- sions is dangerous and ought to be abolished.

Resolved. That the daring attempts which havebeen uiads to prohibit Anti-Slavery discu-^-on-. by lawless \-iolfn:e. only strengthen our previoii^ cnn\icti"n of the incompatibility 'of slavery with oin frt-e ni-ututions. and the necessary of its immediate abolition.

Public Sentiment In 1837

"The way it works, may have "been the errors of all or any of those who lately have been engaged in canvassing 'Southern Institutions,' we are satisfied the cause of emancipation is progressing more rapidly than at any former period within the last half cen- -turv. ' There are strange illusions abroad on this subject. Some in the South( suppose that the main portion of the North are Anti-Abolitionists, and some that the Anti-Slavery feeling is the common one in the non-slaveholding States. The last opinion is the true one. Put out of the question the men, whose opinions or pretensions in favor of Southern institutions are influenced by interesting ties of trade and politics, and the champions of those institutions would be very scarce.

"On the other hand, it seems generally supposed in the Free States, that great unanimity of feeling and ojjinion exists in the South in regard to those cherished institutions. This, we are assured, is an utter mistake. The number of those who follow Mr. Jefferson, in this regard, is very great. Mr. Clay says decidedly and emphatically that slavery is a most enormous evil. And so would say multitudes of the best men of the South, if they were compelled to utter their sentiments. The following extract of a letter, dated May 5, 1837, and published m an Eastern paper, contains, we believe correct views on the subject. The writer in giving an account of some conversations with a venerable and distinguished minister of the Baptist denomination, in North Carolina, says: -

Of course I had a conversation with Father C. on the subject of slavery. He says he believes the Northern .Abolitionists are. many of them, honest, though misguided, men ; and also that he knows of no man m North Carolina, who. like Messrs. McDuffie, and Calhoun of South Carolina, regards slavery as good. He considers it as an evil, and wisilies the land was delivered of it. His views of the subject are like those of thousands in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee -irod Kentucky. I hope to see these five States added to the number of Free States. The discussions of the last live years b^ve awakened the consciences of thou- .sands. and the issue will be favorable to the slave and to the cause of freedom.

"It seems to us that the Abolitionists are exceedinglv indiscreet in the harsh and indiscriminate censure they pour forth upon all salve-holders and upon the entire South. If their rebuke and their agitations, in their opinion, are necessary, still intemperance, not to say injustice, does not subserve any good cause. But let none suppose that the rebukes of the North are unheard. A citizen of one of the Free States, not many months ago, observed to a distinguished Southerner, that the operations of the Abohtionists were impeding the cause of emancipation - or to that effect; - 'Sir,' said the Southerner, 'you are mistaken. Depend upon it, these agitations have put the slave-holders to a very serious thinking." "

The Ohio Kidnaping Case

"On the night of the 9th inst., Creighton J. Loraine, Peter M. Garner, and jMordecai E. Thomas, all citizens of Decatur township, in this county, were seized on the Ohio shore by a body of men from Virginia taken by force, and without process of law, to Parkersburg, where they were committed to jail. On the 1 8th inst., they were examined before a called County Court, and committed for trial before the Supreme Court to be held in September next - bail for their appearance having been refused. The facts that led to the abduction of these men are these:

"On the evening of the 9th, six negroes, claimed as the. slaves of John H. Harwood, living 12 miles below Parkersburg. made their escape into Ohio. Mr. Harwood having knowledge of their purpose, secured the services of some of his neighbors, who came over in advance of the negroes, and concealed themselves near the bank. Soon after midnight the negroes came over, and were met on the bank by Loraine, Garner, Thomas, and four others, who Avere aiding them in the removal of their baggage from the canoe when the three above-named w<ere seized, as above stated, and taken to Virginia, together with five of the negroes.

"With the defense of these captured men, or of those who may aid slaves when escaping we have nothing to do. If the offenses are committed against the laws of Virginia, within her jurisdiction, let the offenders be legally demanded of the Governor of Ohio, the criminals removed by legal process, and the penalty of the violated law inflicted.

"The claim that Virginia sets up is, that citizens of Ohio, and who have never set foot on Virginian soil, are amenable to her laws! That is bad enough - too bad - so bad that a Kentucky jury upon their oaths would not, and we trust a Virginia jury will not, sanction. But in this case, Ohio citizens are seized upon their own soil, and without process of law removed by people of another State from our territory by violence, under a pretense that they have committed a crimewhere? not in Virginia, but in their own State, to whose laws alone they are amenable, and where alone they can have a constitutional trial - viz. : by a jury in the county where the act was done.

"And will the citizens of Ohio, will the authorities of the State, quietly submit to such indignities? They will merit the scorn of all men if they do. If our laws will permit a foreign mob to seize free men, citizens of Ohio, and violently carry them as felons into a foreign jurisdiction, let not henceforth be said that they are made for our protection.

" 'Ah, but these were fanatics, meddling with what was none of their business - incendiaries, negro stealers!' Tell us not that; for if they were, and we care not what beside, the right to kidnap them confers the right to kidnap the best citizens in the State, and whoever would himself be safe must repel the principle as unjust, unholy, and full of wrong."

Invasion Of Ohio

"Capture of Ohio Citizens in Ohio by V^irginians - Transportation across the Ohio River - Incarceration and detention by \'irginia Judicial Authority in Parkersburg Jail - Bail refused.

"(Our readers will recollect that in giving an account last week, of the outrage by Virginians, we gave the absence of the editor as a reason of its not being noticed in our previous number. The first part of the following communication was writtai for our last, but not seasonably received. We note this lest any who should read this without having seen our last, might infer that we had not noticed the affair previously to this time. - Ed.)

"On the 9th of July, 1845, an armed force crossed over from Wood County, Va., and placed itself in an ambush above the mouth of the Little Hocking. They say they came in the employ of John H. Harwood, to prevent the expected escape of his slaves. They saw several men pass down the road. Some time after midnight they heard the paddles of a canoe coming from Virginia. They heard voices from it, and, as they supposed, responses from the Ohio shore. The waylayers hurried from their ambush among the pawpaws, passed down the road on the bank and descended, but found they were too low; re-ascended, till they were opposite the canoe - saw it was filled and floating awav^ - saw a crowd on shore which they met at some distance from the water, seized three white men, two of whom were carrying baggage - took five negroes - one woman, three children and an old man. One negro man was suffered to escape, but the three white men, Loraine, Ganrer, and Thomas, were forcibly taken across the Ohio River to Parkersburg - committed to jail by Gardner and another magistrate - refused intercourse with their Ohio friends excepting one with a Virginina attorney; which attorney, for himself and junior colleague, demanded $450 for defending them, and finally obtained from citizens of Ohio $50 for appearing before the Call Court on Friday, July 18, 1845.

"Three attorneys of Marietta were employed by citizens of Ohio to appear at that court in the defense. They were told by the younger of the Virginia counsel that the prisoners did not wish any attorney from Ohio to interfere in their case. One of the counsel from Ohio requested permission to appear in vindication of the rights and jurisdiction of Ohio. This was refused. After the promise of $50 was obtained from a citizen of Ohio, by the elder Virginia counsel, he invited Mr. \\'hittlese3^ of Marietta to assist - retaining the examination of witnesses in his own hand.

"There was undoubtedly a plot laid in Virginia to entrap men in Ohio. Harwood, with a professed knowledge that his slaves w^ould escape across the Ohio on a certain night, employs men - not to retain the slaves in Virginia, but, professedly to stop them on the Ohio side. Harwood swears that the negroes took with them his property to the amount of $100 to $150. Harwood knew they were going and suffered them to take this property (probably their own clothing principally), including a saddle and a martingale.

"The Supreme Court of the United States decided, about a quarter of a century ago, that low-water mark was the boundary of the States northwest of the Ohio. That court is the only tribunal which could settle that boundary - and yet it is claimed by Virginia - at least in Parkersburg - that some dictum of a Virginia Judge Smith couter\-ails that decision.

"Nothing was done by the prisoners without the jurisdiction of Ohio. But it was expressed, claimed and insisted upon, by the prosecution before the Call Court, that the captors had a right to take those prisoners in Ohio and have them tried in Virginia. The prisoners were detained by the examining court for trial in the Superior Court of Virginia; and furthermore, the examining court refused to admit them to bail, though the counsel for the prosecution allowed they had the power to do so.

"We think it is time for Ohio to vindicate her right. Funds should be raised to employ counsel, obtain the bfest legal advice, and prosecute legal measures for the release of our captured citizens, the assertion of our rights, and the maintenance of our peace and dignity.

"Our call is not confined to the citizens of Washington County, but it is addressed to all citizens of Ohio who unite with us in opinion on this subject."

What They Say In Parkeksburg

Arrest of Abolitionists. - For several years past slaves have been escaping from their masters, and although in every instance' pursuit has been made, yet in very few instances has it been of any avail. This is owing to the fact that there is in Ohio an organized band, who have provided hiding places and a line of covered wagons in which the runaway slaves are transported bv night and sometimes by day to the Canada line. The laws of Ohio have winked at these proceeding^;. if indeed the late- legislation of that State on the subiect has not operated to favor the plans of the Abolitionists. The consequence is that three citizens of Ohio are now confined in the iail at this place on a charge of carrying away or aiding the e-cape of slaves from this county and Commonwealth.

The facts, as we are informed, are as follows: Information w.is recently received that the slaves of John H. Harwood, Esq.. living at Washington, this county, about 12 miles below this place, would attempt an escape on the night of Wednesday last. Six gentlemen of that neighborhood crossed the river after dark and concealed themselves on the Ohio side. About two o'clock on the morning of Thursday, six of Mr. Harwood's negroes came across and were received by a party of whites at least seven in number ; and while the latter were engaged in assisting the former and their baggage from the canoe, the concealed Virginians made a descent upon them, and after a severe struggle succeeded in capturing and securing five of the blacks and three of the whites. The latter were brought to this place, and after an examination before William S. Gardner and John Stephenson, Esquires, were fully committed.

the offense of which these men are accused is a felonv under our laws, an examining court has been summoned for Friday next ( i8ih in~t,). We forbear comment at least until the result is kmuvn. Although our citizens have been greatly e.xasperated by the events of the last few years, of which the one which gave rise to these remarks is the last, every disposition is manifested to give the accused a fair trial and, if found guilty, to leave them in the hands of the law.

"The emphasizing is ours. There was no evidence before the Call Court that the prisoners assisted 'the negroes and their baggage from the canoe.'

"It is evident from this Parkersburg article that the Virginia gentlemen invaded Ohio to make the capture here. That they have knowingly and intentionally captured 'three citizens of Ohio' - transported thein to Parkersburg Jail to be punished in order to intimidate the people of Ohio. 'If found guilty,' these prisoners are magnanimously to be 'left in the hands of the law' ! - if not, we hear, - and this article rather 'gives color to the idea' - that they are to be assigned to the tender mercies of Judge Lynch."

The trial of Garner, Thomas and I.or;iine. confined in iail here, under the charge lif a'lir.g the escape of sla\-es of the county and C ;iiiim iiiw . ilili. occurred on last Fridav. in the presence ft 1 cnii'ideralile assemblage of person.-, from the cnuntry > m this and the other side of the Ohio River. Messrs. Stringer and Spencer of this place appeared for the prisoners, and of two gentlemen of the bar of Marietta, who attended for the purpose of assisting in the defense, the prisoners accepued one (Mr. Whittlesey), constituting together a very able and faithful defense, as was admitted on all sides ac the iclose of the trial.

In the absence of Gen. J. J. Jackson, the attorney for the Commonwealth in the county, the prosecution was conducted with a high degree of fairness and ability, by P. J. Van Winkle. Esq.. of this place. The result w^as the remanding of the prisoners for further trial at the Circuit Superi..r Court on the first of September. We may have a word to say about this matter on its merits, at some future time, but not now; because our citi.^eiK intend that the final trial shall be, as it is on all ^ide~ admitted that the trial before the examining cnurt ha- lietn, a fair one. And they intend firmly to abide by lt^ issue, be it what it may. So that we purposely refrain from going into the question at this time, and until after the final trial. The Court expressed themselves desirous to admit the prisoners to bail, hut regretted that it did not consist with their duties to do so.

"The 'high degree of fairness and ability' evinced by the prosecution, however, it :nay be accepted by some Virginians - we would hope not very many - would have been held quite otherwise, had the like occurred in Ohio.

"The prisoners had been denied free and unrestrained intercourse with friends and kindred from Ohio - were excessively intimidated - and were cajoled into the belief that they could not safely admit the counsel - three, not 'ty/o' - sent by their friends in Ohio to aid in their defense. P. G. Van Winkle, Esq., objected to counsel appearing in behalf of the vio'lated rights of Ohio, unless formially authorized Iw the Governor of Ohio. He dwelt much on the limited power of the Court, and advanced the most ultra sophistical and offensive pretensions of the rights and dominion of Virginia 'Northwest of the River Ohio.' We cannot well suppose that Virginia will concur in these assumptions.

"We! hope the newspaper press of Ohio will pay that attention to the subject which its unspeakable importance demands. It is evident that Virginians are quite prone to view the people of Ohio as too spiritless to vindicate their rights. Let them now be viridicated, legallv. peaceably, but firmly, and infinite mischief may be prevented from occurring hereafter.

On the evening of the oth. three men from Ohio. Mr. C. Loraine, Mr. Garner, and Mr. Thomas, all of Washington County, Ohio, were seized on the Ohio shore, by a body of men from Virginia, and lodged in jail at Parkersburg, upon the charge that they had aided the escape of slaves.

We have nothing to say in defense of any man. or set of men. who will entice slaves away. If caught, ]et the law h.ive its ^course. But we have something to say against our citizens being seized on their own soil, and without process of law. by people of another State, to be tried before the tribunals of that State. They may be wrong every way ; bad at heart and bad in conduct; but they should not be troubled if Ohio has the mean.s or the power to protect them. The law of a State is limited to the territory of the State. Beyond, it is a dead letter, and if for slavery, or for an)i:hing «lse, this principle is violated, our State governrnents are m effect annihilated. If this were allowed, Ohioans may seize Virginians for being slave-holders, and punish them, just as Virginians may seize Ohioans for aiding the escape of slave-. Such a state of things would result in anarchy - and if general would destroy the go\ernment.

We wish OUT friends in Ohio to be firm, but cool. Mahan was seized on the same grounds, and in the same way nearly: but a Kentucky court and jury acquitted him without a moment's hesitation. The appeal in this case is to the law. Let it be fairly met, and we do not believe the result doubtful. No jury upon their oath? - no judge - no law - would sanction a principle so fatal in all its consequences, as that necessary to convict and punish these Ohioans. ^ iz. : that the laws of Virginia extend into Ohio. See tliat the best counsel is obtained in Virginia, and to that add the ablest men of our State. Indeed, in all such cases we would, if practicable, have the State speak and act through her highest officers, so that her citizens may feel everywhere" that they are protected in all their nome rights."

"The ahduction of Ohio citizens is such an aggravated offense upon the rights of men, and against the sovereignty of the State, as to excite, as it ought, great and general indignation. W'e have spoken freely upon the subject, and the press of the State, and of other States, almost universally re-iterates our language or speaks, in still stronger terms. We cannot copy manv evidences of the spirit of the press, but here is an extract we find, with remarks of approval, in the National Intelligencer, copied from the Cincinnati Gacette, which

These Ohioans have been kidnapped on our and their soil, and while violating no law of home, by people from a foreign State, and are now held as felons in a foreign jail. It will never do to tolerate the idea that the p-ople of any State may invade our territory by force, and by force capture and imprison our citizens. We shall be despised, and ought to be despised, as poltroon in spirit, and coward at heart, if we sluggishly fold our arms and say nothing and do nothing to meet \rrongs of so outrageous a character. No man need to talk to us of the character of the men seized in this parti'cular case. None need speak of what they attempted to do, or did. The right to seize the poorest and meanest citizen of Ohio by force, confers, if not resisted, the right to seize the best citizen of the State. Let us see whether there be virtue in the writ of habeas corpus, or the law, and let us know, too, speedily whether the citizens of Virginia, or any other State, may invade our soil, bear away our people, and doom them as felons, against justice, right, and law, without any remedy on our part, except the last remedy which God and Nature have put into our hands.

The editor of the Parkersburg Gazette has made a bitter personal attack upon the writer of an article in our paper of the .sist ult., to which the gentleman has replied ; but as we do not wish to occupy our space with the two column article of the Gasettc - which he wished to appear m connection with his reply - principally because we thought public attention ought not to be diverted from the original offense to a consideration of comparatively personal matters, - he has published it in the Buckeye. We annex some extracts from his conimenlary on the Gazette's article:

Not True

''It is not true that the citizens of Virginia, who made the capture, crossed the river for that purpose, or with that expectation. They went for the sole purpose of intercepting the slaves, as they had a perfect right to do; and until they had actually seized the whites supposed the whole were negroes." - Parkersburg Gazette.

A "mighty" likely story that - isn't it now? They expected the negroes were about to leave their homes in Virginia - but they could not think of stopping them there 1 No : they had a perfect right to invade Ohio, and t'ley would do it - Ohio being their lawful hunting ground. The Parkersburg Gazette remembers to forget a few items. These night hunters placed themselves in Ohio - where they could watch, not the river, but the road from Decatur. They saw men pass in the night, hut couldn't suspect they were going to help the negroes ! They heard the negroes answered from the Ohio shore - but thought 'twas negro answering negro! The Parkersburg Gazette says there was evidence (by these gentlemen) that the prisoners assisted the negroes and their baggage from the canoe - but when they "seized the whites" they supposed them all negroes. Now don't this make up a mighty likely story?

Most Surprisingly Surprising

"We have seen with much surprise in the Marietta Intelligencer, a communication entitled 'Invasion of Ohio.' * * * We are surprised that the editor of that paper should have admitted such an article to his columns. * * * We must again e.x,press our surprise that any respectable journal should give it pnh\ichy."^Parkersbii rg Ga::cftc.

The Parkershurg Gazette seems to disremember that Ohio is a Free State. There is so much freedom in Ohio that we dare to be fair and publish what the Gazette savs against us - the like whereof we suppose the Parl;ershttrg Gazette dares not do. We have become so far free in Ohio that even abolition lectures are now seldom molested. Pro-slavery lecturers have scarce ever been interrupted. The intimation of the Richmond Enquirer, that West Virginia was becoming free, is e.\cecdingly grievous and surprising to the P. Gazette.

A Fine Chance

"If a fair trial can be had, the prisoners will have it. and. as heretofore, every indulgence will be extended to them which circumstances permit. We have heard no desire expressed that they should be convicted unless the law, as applied to the facts, fully warrants it," - P. Gazette.

Vvhy according to Mr, Van Winkle, "That Virginia, or any other State has a right to pass a law declaring the punishment of an offense committed a.gainst her citizens or their property although committed out of her limits, and may punish the offender if brought before her tribunals, and that the law under -which these men are prosecuted is such a law !"

We want to add a word: If this is a sound doctrine, why may not Ohio pass a law against slave-holding and under it arrest any Virgmians who may be guilty of what s'he pronounces a crime? The Virginians ought to see that this may prove bad doctrine for them.

Pudlic Meeting

A meeting of the citizens of Washington County was held at the Court House in Marietta, by adjournment, August 16, 1845, to take into consideration further measures for the Hberation of Ohio citizens then in the Parkershurg Jail, and for the vindication of the rights of Ohio.

Nahum Ward, James Lawton, A. T. Nye, Judge Loring, and WilHam West were appointed a committee to report resolutions for the action of the meeting: the committee submitted the following resolutions which were unanimously adopted: -

Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting, peaceable and legal measures should be adopted and pursued, with untiring enrgy, not merely for the liberation of the prisoners, but also security from similar assaults hereafter on the peace and dignity of Ohio.

Resolved, That application should be made in proper form to the Governor of Ohio, for his active interference in this case, to the utmost of his power and authority vested in him for the promotion of the welfare and vindication of the rights of Ohio.

Resolved, That it is highly expedient and essential to the ceace of the States bordering on the Ohio River, that Ohio should as^^ert and strenuously maintain her rights of State Jurisdiction to low-water mark, as established in 1820 in the case of Handley's Lessee' V-. Aiith.iny. et al, bv the Supreme Court of the United State>,

Resohed. That it is highly expedient and essential that laws should be passed by the National Legislature securing to persons seized, carried away, and detained from their own territory, the privileges of the w^it of Habeas Corpus, and the protection of the Federal Judiciary.

Resolved, That the following named citizens of Washington County be and they are hereby appointed a committee to carry the foregoing resolutions into effect, seven of whom shall be a quorum, and the citizens of this meeting shall sustain them in so doing: Nahum Ward, Calel) Emerson, Walter Curtis, G. W. Barker, Hiram Card, Job S. King, Dr. G. N. Gilbert, James M. Amlin, R. K, Ewart, John Collins William R. Putnam, Jr., A. T. Nve, J. D. Chamberlain, Daniel Davis, Ira Hill, Elisha Allen. Joseph Barker, William P. Cutler. Simeon Denting, Jr., and William R. Browning.

B. ^Gates. Esq. - On Monday, the 1st inst., the Circuit Superior Court of Virginia commenced its fall sessionin Wood County. .A large number of the citizens of Washington County repaired hither to attend the 'rial of the three Ohio citizens confined in the Parkershurg Jail on the charge of aiding the escape of prisoners. As an eye-witness I proceed to give a sketch of the proceedings of (he Court.

On Monday, the grand jury, having been empanneled and sworn, retired to their chambers, and after a few hours deliberation, returned with an indictment jointly found against the prisoners, Peter M. Garner, Creighton J. Loraine and Mordecai E. Thomas, charging them with enticing and assisting, in the county of Wood, six negroes, the property of Mr. Harwood, to escape into Ohio from servitiide. The indictment contained four or five counts, each varying the charge to suit the various sections of the statute At nine o'clock on Tuesday morning, the prisoners were brought within the bar of Court, and the indictment immediately read to them, to which each answered severally not guilty. Counsel for the prisoners - Mesrs. Vinton, and C. H. Brough, of Ohio, and W. A. Harrison and J. G. Strmger, of Virginia. Mr. Jackson, the attorney for the CommonweaUh, here Etated to the Conrt that in consequence of an attack of the ery.sipelas he should be compelled., in following the advice of his physician, to decline the prosecution of the case - not without hope, however, that other members of the bar could be induced to fill his place; but in case other attorneys should not be employed. he should be compelled to move the Court for a continuance of the cause until the next term. The Court thereupon appointed Messrs. Fisher and Van Winkle, but the former of these gentlemen declined. The latter consented to engage only on the condition that . Mr. Fisher would lead the prosecution - this, however. Mr. Fisher peremptorily declined. The question then recurred upon the contmuance of the case.

Mr. Vinton arose in opposition. He appeared (he said) in the cause, not strictly as counsel for the prisonrrs. but at the reque-t of the E.xecutive of Ohio in defense of the rights of the State. It was of the highest importarce that no right, however great or small, should be violated between the sister States of Virginia and Ohio. Thus far two sovereignties had continued to flourish, one at the side of the other, and not an incident had transpired to war against the mutna! amitv and fiiend-hip which had ever existed betWL-.-n them. .\nd feeling a conviction that if this oau-e -liciiill ci^me to a speedy termination the intense cx.;;aniv:;; v'<\\ c\i-t!ng in either State would at once, :ind quietly, sulx-ide. he could not but argue upon the Court the "propriety of an immediate trial. Delay, he thought, would only heighten the unhappy excitement. Shoiild the trial proceed, and the result be an acquittal of the prisoners, the people of Ohio would at once 'Tub out' all harsh and unfriendly feeling; but should the result be otherwise and a continuance be had. he was sure that an indictment would be found at the next term of the Court of Washington County against the Virginia citizens who had seized and brought here the prisoners, and th.rit a requisition upon the Virginia Executive would follow, and if a surrender was made of these citizen-, they would probably be sentenced to the Ohio Penitentiary under the statute of the State to prevent kidnaping. It was impossible to determine the extent of the difficulties that would eventually spring up under such a state of circumstances. All interference by the -people of Ohio with the property or rights of the citizens of Virginia was to be deprecated and condemned as unwarranted and in violation of the good faith which should -ever exist, under our admirable constitution, between the two sovereignties. Laws had been enacted in Ohio against anv such interference, Init it being shown that Congress alone had the power of enacting laws relative to fugitives from labor, the Ohio acts were repealed. He further alluded to the operation of the Constitution and laws of the I'nited States, and also of the laws of Ohio and Virginia and urged the citizens of both States to a strict and faithful observance of them. He appeared, he repeated, in behalf of the State of Ohio; Ivjt shiiuld it be ascertained that the prisoners had. at any time when in the commission of the crime charged, been within the jurisdiction of Virginia, he would immediately abandon the defense and leave them to rely upon other counsel.

Mr. Jackson, further in support of the motion, said that the Commonwealth could not under the circumstances be fairly represented in the cause, as other counsel than those assigned would act without preparation. The question of boundary he thought a highly important one and required an elaborate investigation in order to settle it fairly and firmly. It should not be settled in haste. He hop.ed the prisoners would liave the fairest possible trial, and he should not a.sk their conviction unless they were proven clearly within the territory of Virginia at the time of the commission of the' acts charged. 'Twas true that much excitement existed on both sides of the river, but none ijut citizens of Virgin-'a knew how to feel for the injuries which their "rights were daily sustaining. The prisoners he thought were guilty, and as they now had them in their" power he lir]Hd they would be pimished in an exemplary manner. The people of Virginia had rights which should be sustained if possible.

The Court after the close of the arguments granted the motion and fixed upon the 17th of November next for a spec'a! session to try the issue. The prisoners were admitted to bail in $500 each, or were to stand committed until trial, in case no bail could be had. They will. howe\er. probably be able to secure the necessary bail withhi a few days. It is much to be regretted that circumstances are such as to prevent the attendance of Mr. Vinton at the time fixed upon for the Special Court. Good feeling and harmony prevailed throughout. It is worthy of remark, perhaps, that the Court repeatedly expressed a determination to afiford the prisoners a fair and impartial trial. Th.'- only exceptional feature of the proceedings T observed was the degrading treatment shown the prisoners when taken to and from the jail. No one had a remote idea that any effort would be made to rcle.ase tlieiii - yet each prisoner was collared by two sclt-iniiJon;int -nb-iiflicers and dragged along among a cniwd of two ,,r three hundred, as if they were the blackest cniaina!- in Cliri,tendom. Yours, etc.

"It is cei'tainly a hard matter for the prisoners to be deah with thus. They were ready for trial. The prosecuting attorney has been out of heaUh for some time, and it was understood weeks ago that he might not be able to conduct the case. In these circumstances no counsel, it appears, was secured to aid him. The prisoners must remain in jail more than two months longer, or give 'bail. Suppose Mr. Jackson is then sick, and there is the same neglect about assistance, or difficulty about procuring it, must these men be again sent to jail?

The ablest counsel in \'irginia are willing- to appear in behalf of the prisoners, but nobody but Mr. Jackson is desirous of appearing against them. If the State had a good case, there would probably be no ditificulty of this kind. - Editor."

The OJiio State Journal, in an issue of September, 1845, after copying the account of the trial at Parkersburg as contained in the Marietta- Intelligencer, comments as follows : * * * * "\\'e are convinced that there is no probability of the conviction of the prisoners, and that this is understood by those in the prosecution. But, as we intimated several weeks since, the final discussion of the question on .its merits, is put ofif, in order to punish the prisoners before they are tried. They ha\-e already been retained in prison for some time, and unless they should get the bail will be retained for a longer period. Even if they get bail, the rod will be held over their heads, and thus, it is supposed, others will be deterred from following the example set by them, in the matteri w^ith which they stand charged. If we are correct in this supposition there is certainly just room for complaint against the course of proceedings. * * * *

"We learn from gentlemen at Parkersburg that the very serious illness of Mr. Jackson, the prosecuting attorney for Virginia, did not prevent his attending to other business the whole week. It is not so much a matter of surprise that the grand jury should have found a bill as that they should have found it upon such additional testimony as was presented. It has -been stated that the grand jury would not have found a bill but for new and important facts that came to their knowledge, in addition to what were presented at the called court. And what were they? Why, a witness testified that when the kidnaped' Ohioans reached Virginia, it was found that they had water in their shoes, and as the boat in which they were taken over was dry, it was concluded that they might have got their feet wet in Virginia w-ater - probably when helping the negroes out of their boat when it reached this shore! Well, suppose they did 'get their feet wet' there, thev were not within the jurisdiction of Virginia. The)- had not been within five rods of low-water mark, and did not get there until carried by an armed force.

"A word about the bail : Bail was required in Virginia. A number of citizens of Ohio, men of wealth and high character, offered to become responsible to any citizen of Virginia who would bail the prisoners. The indemnifying bond was signed by a large number of our wealthy citizens, and besides this one of the signers ofifered to give his individual note for the whole amount of the bail to a citizen of Virginia if he would enter into recognizance for their appearance. Two gentlemen of Virginia consented to give bonds if a third man could be obtained to engage jointly with them. A young gentleman of undoubted pecuniary responsibility voluntarily ofifered to do so, but as he was not a freeholder (his property being, at least a portion of it, in bank stock), he was refused. The sum total of the matter is, that after the most importunate entreaties and although undoubted and abundant security was offered, bail in the sum of $1,500 could not be obtained in Virginia: and our citizens, kidnaped by lawless rufifians, must remain in jail till the middle of Xo'vemljer before they can be tried - for acts done in this State! Whether they will be tried even then, \\\\\ probably depend on the health or disposition of the prosecuting attorney."'

"Judge McComas passed down the Ohio on Monday, on board the steamboat 'Columbia.' A special term of the Court was held in Parkersburg yesterday, and Garner, Loraine and Thomas were admitted to bail in the sum of $100 each. Asa Harris of Harmar entered into recognizance for them all.

"\^'e have now onl}- space to make this announcement, but may, at our leisure, have 'a word or two to say' about the amount of bail required at the term of the Court held in September last - the impossibility of obtaining the

Hurrah For General Jackson

"Not the General of New Orleans memory, but Gen. John J. Jackson, the commander of the guard what shot the Parkersburg Town Bull - mistaking it for a posse of Ohioans! Just read this and tremble, all 'Ohio Abolitionists !'

"The Winchester (Va.) Republican says, That Gen. John J. Jackson, of Parkersburg, has applied to the Governor of Virginia for 300 stand of arms and authority to embody troops to repel and in\-asion the 'Ohio Abolitionists' may attempt!'

"Now then, 'RXib-a-dub' - rul>a-dul>dub. - who'll enlist in the Parkersburg town guard?' It will be a bloodless one unless the town has bought another bull!

"Seriously, though, an attack upon Parkersburg is already planned, and we advise the valorous gentlemen of 'the guard' to prepare themselves with three days' rations of bullbeef, scour up their guns, and be prepared 'to repel the invasion' - for we hear that an 'Independent Company' of nearly 20 Ohio boys has been formed, and they have unanimously resolved to fill their pockets with buckeyes and hickory nuts, storm Parkersburg^ pelt General Jackson to death, and drive the town guard out O'f Wood County !''

Later Views Of The Ohio Kidnaping Case

"On the night of the 9th day of July, 1845, thiree 'citizens of Ohio - «Greighton J. Loraine, Peter M. Garner, and Mordecai E. Thomtis - w'ere seized on the north bank of the Ohio River, just above the mouth of the Little Hocking, and forcibly carried across the river, and imprisoned in the jail of Wood County, Virginia, at Parkersburg, their captors being citizens of Virginia and their offense, 'carrying away' the slaves six in numlber, of John H.' Harwbo'd, a resident of Washington Bottom, nearly opposite the scene of capture. Half a century hath wrought many changes, and few that witnessed the exciting scenes and incidents of that eventful period are left to relate to the younger generation the story of what transpired on the border of Mason and Dixon's Line in those early days.

"On the night named, certain citizens of Decatur township residing some four or five miles up the Little Hocking, met the slaves of Harwood at the river, and were assisting them in getting their scanty luggage out of the canoe and up the bank, when the three men alx>ve named were pounced upon by concealed Virginians, who, in their eagerness to capture their Abolition foes, permitted the slaves to escape, and on the following day the six chattels were conve}'ed across the country in the vicinity of Plymouth in open wagons, with the stars and stripes proudly waving over the suddenly freed and happy people.

"The exasperated Virginians now had something tangible on whicli to wreak their vengeance, and the three prisoners were made to feel the wrath of an outraged and indignant people. They were denied all the ordinary comfarts and conveniences of prison life in the Old Dominion. They were confined with the fugitive slaves, but denied even the meagre fare accorded to these, and when bail was proffered, they were indignantly denied their liberty on any terms.

"As may be supposed, excitement ran high on both sides of the river, and when the Governor of Virginia called out her State militia to defend her border and pre\'ent the rescue of the prisoners, the people of Ohio were just as ready to march to the rescue at once, and Governor Bartley was appealed to in thunder tones to call out the militia or accept volunteers and resent the insult, and redress the wrong, even if rivers of blood ran as a result. But wiser counsels prevailed, and the authorities determined to appeal to the courts, and to this end the Governor appointed Hon. Samuel F. Vinton, the ablest legal talent of the State, to present the claims of Ohio, while very able and eminent counsel appeared on behalf' of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

"The case finally reac'hed the State court of last resort at Richmond, Virginia, at the December session, 1845, and was so ably presented and fairly discussed that the prisoners were discharged, and thus ended a most exicting and deeply interesting period in the State's history and to a person now looking back to the eventful time, it scarcely seems possible that bloodshed was averted and quiet restored. The cjuestion in the case, relied upon by Mr. Vinton, was whether these prisoners committed any offense against the laws oif Virginia, as the canoe was some 50 feet within the shore from low-water mark, and hence within the borders of Ohio,and beyond the jurisdiction of Virginia courts.

"The State militia was vigilant and alert, and no human being, black or white, could evade the sentry's stern command to 'halt,' or enter the exicted village w"ithout a pass endorsed by men good and true to the interests of slavery. Even the town bull was reported to have lost his life by his persistent and bullheaded refusal to obey the command on a dark November night, when the unerring aim of a chivalrous ^uard laid him low in death. The militia were prone to add insult to injury, and soon after their occupation of the village, they ran out a brass field-piece to the river bark, with its Ixisiness end threateningly ix)inted across the border toward Belpre, where many pesky Abolitionists were supposed to dwell."

Mr. Editor: The irticle in the Rcf^istcr of Aug. .30th on the Garner case is in error in stating that the prisoners were discharged by the Virginia Court, if it means that the Court decided the case. The followin;^ letter written by Rorden Stanton to William P. Cutler gives the facts. It is dated Little Hocking, April 22. 1846: