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A wonderful report on the famous Latimer case, the fugitive slave...
A wonderful report on the famous Latimer case, the fugitive slave...
Item # 693281
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March 02, 1843
EMANCIPATOR AND FREE AMERICAN, Boston, March 2, 1843
* Fugitive slave George Latimer
* Escape - trial & emancipation
As the title would suggest, this is an anti-slavery themed newspaper, and a great name for a newspaper with this focus.
Certainly the most notable report is that found on pages 2 and 3, headed: "The Latimer Case", being the controversial case of fugitive slave George Latimer of Virginia.
As Wikipedia notes: "Latimer's arrest resulted in an uproar so great that "Boston was, without a doubt, the most potentially violent city in America." The case brought about an immense public response in the state of Massachusetts. Latimer's counsel, Sewell, chaired a meeting at Faneuil Hall where attendees not only vowed resistance to slave-catching but also voted for disunion. Additional meetings were held throughout the state, called "Latimer Meetings." These meetings included both black and white abolitionists."
This report justifies the 3 requests: "1) That a law should be passed forbidding all persons who hold office ... from aiding in or abetting the arrest or detention of any person who may be claimed as a fugitive from slavery. 2) That a law should be passed forbidding the use of the jails ...for the detention of any such person...; 3) That such amendments to the Constitution of the U.S. be proposed by the Legislature of Mass. to the other starters...as may have the effect of forever separating the people of Mass. from all connexion with slavery."
The above would be called the Liberty Act, dubbed the "Latimer Law" and would be approved by the Mass. Legislature, but would go nowhere at the federal level.
This report takes in excess of 7 columns of text.
An exceedingly detailed report on this very famous case, and wonderful to have in a Boston newspaper since it was a Boston event.
Four pages, some light damp staining to the first leaf, good condition.
Category: Pre-Civil War
No Longer Available
