United States, he Issued a proclamation, forbidding and strictly enjoining the persons aforesaid from carrying into Execution their nefarious and inhuman design as they shall answer the same at their peril, and at the same time require- ing and Commanding all magistrates and other civil officers to exert themselves in their several capacities in giving proper and necessary relief to all persons illegally confined for the purpose above-mentioned and to secure and Bring to Justice the perpetrators for the Violation of Law and Humanity.[1]
Secretary of State to Harrison
Govr. Harrison, Vincennes, Sir:
I have received your letter of the 17th inst. [?] It was my intention to confide the appointment of a Gazette to print the Laws of the United States entirely to you, and the reasons you assign for the choice of Mr. Bradford's are satisfactory.[2] I have no controul over the sum appropriated for the contingent expenses of your Territory; and therefore cannot prevent the payment of the accounts for stationary out of it, but if neither yourself nor the Secretary of the territory direct supplies of stationary to be furnished your object will be attained provided no outstanding accounts exist to absorb the appropriations.
- ↑ "In the spring of 1804, Simon Vannorsdell, acting as agent for the heirs of John and Elizabeth Kuykendall, arrested two negroes named George and Peggy, at Vincennes, and was about to carry them out of the Territory. Harrison issued a proclamation forbidding this, based on information that Vannorsdell was "about to transport from the Territory certain indented servants, without their consent first had and obtained, with a design as is supposed of selling them for slaves." (Executive Journal, April 6, 1804). Vannorsdell was indicted, and habeas corpus proceedings were instituted to free the negroes. At the September term of court, Vannorsdell was discharged, no one appearing to prosecute him: but the court released the negroes from his custody. Vannorsdell, assisted by John Huling, at once rearrested the negroes, but a new habeas corpus proceeding was instituted for their release. This was continued to the next term, Harrison, General W. Johnston, and John Johnston becoming bail for the negroes. (Ter. Court Docket. September Term, 1804). At the June term. 1805, the negroes were produced, but pending the proceedings George had indented himself to Harrison for a term of eleven years, and the case as to him was dropped. Peggy was released by the court in April, 1806, and afterwards sued Vannorsdell for wages during her detention, but the trial resulted in a finding for the defendant." Dunn, Indiana, 312 (Ter. Court Docket, September Term, 1808, p. 337).
- ↑ Bradford was the publisher of the Kentucky Gazette at Lexington. From this office came Elihu Stout who started the Indiana Gazette at Vincennes July 4. 1804. It is probable Stout was already in Vincennes. One would have expected Harrison to send the printing to Cincinnati.
