From: Henry Burke <burkeh@mcnet.marietta.edu>
Subject: Henderson vs Putnam


Historic Underground Railroad Law Suit: 
Henderson vs. Putnam

Filed in: U.S. CIRCUIT COURT, District of Ohio
in Columbus, Ohio on June 25, 1849.

Attorneys for the Plaintif: Samuel F. Vinton and Noah H. Swayne.

Attorney for Defense: Salmon P. Chase

G.W. Henderson, Briar Plantation, Wood County, Virginia (Slave
Owner) ,  charged  that under provisions of  [1793 U.S. FUGITIVE
SLAVE LAW], David Putnam Jr., Harmar (Marietta), Washington
County, Ohio, did illegally entice, conceal and otherwise aid (nine)
Negro slaves, the legal property of G.W. Henderson, to run away
from their owner, and the State of Virginia at various intervals
commencing on or about 15 February, 1846, the last instance
occurring on or about 11 February, 1847.

Plaintif filed two Suits for compensation for lost property.
	
	Suit 1:  Asked $5,500 for the value of the slaves.

	Suit 2:  Asked $10,000 compensation for causing a breech
of contract (specified in the provisions of the 1793 Fugitive Slave
Law) and for lost labor, and legal fees. 

The case was dismissed on October 12, 1852 because of flaws in
the [1850 FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT].

Ref:  INSUPERABLE BARRIERS - A Case Study of the
Henderson vs. Putnam Fugitive Slave Case, by William B.
Summers.  [The complete manuscript, with notes and bibliography
can be viewed at the Archives and Special Collections Room,
Dawes Memorial Library, Marietta College.]



	Henry R. Burke			burkeh@mcnet.marietta.edu	
		 URL: http://www.marietta.edu/~burkeh