Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
July 4, 1851
Kenosha Telegraph
Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin
What is this article about?
Excerpt from Richard H. Dana Jr.'s (as Mr. Hale) impassioned anti-slavery speech in the 1851 trial of Lewis Hayden for aiding Shadrach Minkins' escape from Boston, arguing against slavery under law, nature, and God, culminating in poetic defiance.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
We doubt if the records of forensic eloquence can show a passage more worthy of the term than that which we have imperfectly, and from recollection, sketched below.
Mr. Hale had read from the English Reports, from the civil law, and from the Massachusetts Reports, numerous decisions to the effect that slavery is against the law of God, the law of nature, and the laws of England and Massachusetts. He also read from the laws of Virginia and other Southern states, to show that a person of Shadrach's color (not a negro) is even there presumed to be free, and cannot be proved a slave except by evidence of descent from an African Slave Mother, and that possession and holding as a slave did not afford a presumption of slavery. Mr. Hale proceeded.
"Now, Gentlemen, it appears that there is no slavery by the law of England, by the law of Massachusetts, by the law of nature, and—these old judges say—mind Your Excellency, I do not say this, it would be treason, so unequivocal a recognition of the Higher Law would be treason in me—but these old judges say, that it is against the law of God! Against all these laws against all this evidence, against all these presumptions, comes one John de Bree from Norfolk Virginia, and says that he OWNS HIM!
This is all the evidence! The mere breath of the slave catcher's mouth, turns a man into another man's chattel! Suppose John de Bree had said that he owned the moon, or the stars, or had an exclusive right to the sunshine, would you find it so by your verdict?
But, gentlemen, the stars shall fade and fall from Heaven; the moon shall grow old and decay; the Heavens themselves shall pass away as a scroll; but the soul of the despised and hunted Shadrach shall live on, with the life of God himself! I wonder if John de Bree will say that he owns him then!
(The outbreak of irrepressible applause was hardly checked by the efforts of the Court and the Marshals.)—Boston Commonwealth.
The above remarks were made by Mr. Hale in the Trial of Lewis Hayden for assisting in the escape of Shadrach.
Mr. Hale had read from the English Reports, from the civil law, and from the Massachusetts Reports, numerous decisions to the effect that slavery is against the law of God, the law of nature, and the laws of England and Massachusetts. He also read from the laws of Virginia and other Southern states, to show that a person of Shadrach's color (not a negro) is even there presumed to be free, and cannot be proved a slave except by evidence of descent from an African Slave Mother, and that possession and holding as a slave did not afford a presumption of slavery. Mr. Hale proceeded.
"Now, Gentlemen, it appears that there is no slavery by the law of England, by the law of Massachusetts, by the law of nature, and—these old judges say—mind Your Excellency, I do not say this, it would be treason, so unequivocal a recognition of the Higher Law would be treason in me—but these old judges say, that it is against the law of God! Against all these laws against all this evidence, against all these presumptions, comes one John de Bree from Norfolk Virginia, and says that he OWNS HIM!
This is all the evidence! The mere breath of the slave catcher's mouth, turns a man into another man's chattel! Suppose John de Bree had said that he owned the moon, or the stars, or had an exclusive right to the sunshine, would you find it so by your verdict?
But, gentlemen, the stars shall fade and fall from Heaven; the moon shall grow old and decay; the Heavens themselves shall pass away as a scroll; but the soul of the despised and hunted Shadrach shall live on, with the life of God himself! I wonder if John de Bree will say that he owns him then!
(The outbreak of irrepressible applause was hardly checked by the efforts of the Court and the Marshals.)—Boston Commonwealth.
The above remarks were made by Mr. Hale in the Trial of Lewis Hayden for assisting in the escape of Shadrach.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Anti Slavery Speech
Fugitive Slave Trial
Shadrach Escape
Lewis Hayden Trial
Higher Law Argument
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Hale
Shadrach
John De Bree
Lewis Hayden
Where did it happen?
Boston
Story Details
Key Persons
Mr. Hale
Shadrach
John De Bree
Lewis Hayden
Location
Boston
Story Details
In the trial of Lewis Hayden for aiding Shadrach's escape, Mr. Hale delivers a powerful speech citing laws against slavery in England, Massachusetts, nature, and God, mocking the slaveowner John de Bree's claim and affirming Shadrach's eternal soul's freedom, prompting applause.