The Liberator

Free Persons of Color in Louisiana.

A decision, deeply affecting the interests of free people of color in New-Orleans, has just been made in that city. By the laws of that State, all free persons of color who have made it their residence, commencing at any period between the years 1825 and 1838, are only permitted to remain there by special license from authorities. Those of them who have received such licenses, and have gone to reside in any free State, are by the law regarded as residents of such State, and expelled from Louisiana. Two free persons of color who had so left the State, and recently returned, were arrested by virtue of a warrant from Recorder Baldwin for having entered the State in contravention of law; he so construing the statute, that when they once passed out of the State, they forfeited their special privileges. They were brought before Judge Canonge on a writ of habeas corpus. The prisoners' counsel claimed the release of their clients, alleging that Recorder Baldwin's construction of the law was erroneous and incorrigible; for they contended that less than an absence of two years did not deprive their clients of the privileges which had been granted to them as residents of the State. Judge Canonge decided that the position assumed by the prisoners' counsel was the legal and correct one; he ordered the discharge of the prisoners.—Public Ledger.