From the Pennasylvania Freeman:
Many of the readers of the Freeman are familiar with the case of Dr. Brooke, and others, of Ohio.
By the constitution and laws of that State, all slaves entering her territory with the consent of their owners, are declared free. A party of slaveholders emigrating from Virginia to Missouri with their human chattels, encamped for the night in Clinton county, in which reside a large number of active abolitionists.
Several of these called at the encampment, and informed the slaves that by the laws of the State they were in, they were entitled to their freedom; whereupon they all decamped. For this act, twenty-one persons were indicted for abduction and riot.
By a letter from Dr. Brooke, dictated 15th inst., we learn that himself and twelve others had just been released from “the dungeon of Warren county gaol, in which,” says he, “we were imprisoned for forty-eight hours. We were sentenced for five days, and to pay a pecuniary fine. The Supreme Court granted a writ of error, and discharged us when three-fifths of the time was yet unexpired.” The defendants will stand a new trial, but hope to be acquitted. For the honor of the State, we trust they will.
Source: National Anti-Slavery Standard — May 6, 1841
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