be imprisoned for ten days. On these sentences they were
committed to jail. The public excitement in Milwaukee, and
throughout the State, was intense. It was with difficulty
that the people could be restrained from forcibly liberating
the prisoners. Fortunately there was no occasion for any
such extreme measures. They found protection, where it ought
to be found, in the constituted authorities of their State.
A writ of habeas corpus was issued in their behalf by the
Supreme Court, then sitting at Madison, the Capital of the
State, returnable before them there. Escorted by two
thousand of their fellow-citizens, thither, in charge of the
High Sheriff, they had a hearing at once. After full
deliberation, the Court unanimously ordered them to be
discharged. The majority of the Court made this decision on
the ground of the unconstitutionality of the fugitive slave
law, one Judge (Crawford) sustaining the law, but concurring
in the order on the ground that no offence, under that Act,
was charged in the indictment. So the prisoners were
discharged, and brought home in triumph."

Gentlemen, that matter will be carried up to the Supreme Court of the
United States, and you may yet hear the opinion of the Hon. Associate
Justice Curtis, for which let us wait with becoming reverence.

* * * * *

3. Here is the case of Mr. Sloane, which happened in the State of
Ohio.

In October, 1852, several colored persons were about leaving Sandusky
in a steamer for Detroit, when they were seized and taken before Mr.
Follet, mayor of the city, and claimed as fugitive slaves. This
seizure was made by the city marshal and three persons claiming to act
for the owners of the slaves.

After the colored persons were brought before the mayor, their friends
engaged Mr. Rush R. Sloane to act as counsel in their defence. He
demanded of the mayor and the claimants by what authority the
prisoners were detained. There was no reply. He then asked, whether
they were in the custody of a United States Marshal or Commissioner.
Again there was no reply. He next called for any writs, papers, or
evidences by which they were detained. Still there was no answer. He
then said to his clients, "_I see no authority to detain your colored
friends._"

At that time some one near the door cried out, "Hustle them out," and
soon the crowd and the