[From the Liberia Herald.]
Trial and Sentence of Boombo.
MONROVIA, April 6th, 1853.
We have seldom witnessed the trial of a case producing so much interest
as that of Boombo’s. The readers of the “Herald,” need not be told, that
Boombo is a chieftain of Little Cape Mount, that he had voluntarily
entered into an arrangement with the Government of Liberia, and
subscribed to demean himself according to the laws and constitution;
also, that he and his people lived on lands purchased by the Government
of Liberia from the native owners. Boombo, though bound by his solemn
engagements to refrain from wars, and not to disturb the peace and
quietness of the country, has repeatedly, since he placed himself under
the laws of Liberia, broken his engagements by carrying on predatory
wars, destroying towns and murdering and carrying into captivity
hundreds of inoffensive men, women and children. To all the
remonstrances of Government, Boombo gave no heed, and his bloody career
did not end until he was brought to this city a prisoner. George Cain,
of Grand Cape Mount, is also amenable to the laws of Liberia; and it is
now well ascertained that he was the principal actor in all the
disturbances created in the Little Cape Mount country. Boombo, it
appears, acted under his direction.
At the last Court of “Quarter Sessions,” Boombo was indicted for “_High
Misdemeanor_”—the indictment set forth a general allegation and three
special counts. The first count charged the prisoner with violating his
obligations and allegiance to the Government, and that he did procure
and make war upon and against one Dwarloo Bey and certain other Golah
chiefs, occupying a portion of the territories of Grand and Little Cape
Mount—that he murdered the inhabitants—carried into captivity large
numbers of the defenseless; sacked, burned and pillaged towns and
villages, and laid waste the country. The second count charged, that
Boombo violated, etc., as before, that he did procure and make war upon
and against one Weaver, a Dey chieftain—crossing the Little Cape Mount
river, and entering the Dey country for that purpose; that he murdered
inhabitants, carried others into captivity, and sacked, burned, and
pillaged towns and villages, and laid waste the country. The third
count, charged that Boombo did violate, etc., as before, and that he
committed felony, by seizing and carrying off merchandise from factories
belonging to citizens of Monrovia. The Attorney-General, Wm. Draper,
Esq., was assisted in this case by David A. Madison, Esq., of Buchanan,
Grand Bassa. D. T. Harris, and J. B. Phillips, Esquires, appeared for
the prisoner, and we are pleased to say that these gentlemen did all
that honest and patriotic men could do for a man under such
circumstances. They ably and eloquently defended the prisoner upon every
point that formality and technicality would admit of, but as they could
not argue the lock off the door, and as the evidence, especially that
given by prisoner’s witnesses, was point blank against Boombo, the
verdict was, _guilty of each count_.
The sentence was—restitution, restoration, and reparation of goods
stolen, people captured, and damages committed; to pay a fine of $500,
and be imprisoned for two years. When the sentence was pronounced the
convict shed tears, regarding the ingredient of imprisonment, in his
sentence, to be almost intolerable. It is hoped that this will prove a
salutary example to all other chieftains under the jurisdiction of this
Government, that they may, henceforward, be convinced of the
determination and power of the Government to administer justice in the
premises. It is the belief of many, that Boombo’s punishment, as per
sentence, is too great, but we believe to the contrary. Until rigorous
measures are used to deter chieftains from carrying on their predatory
wars, there can not be any guarantee, but that some part of our coast
will always be in a state of savage warfare.
ADDRESS
OF
THE OHIO COLONIZATION COMMITTEE,
TO
The Clergymen of Ohio.