ABSTRACT
The Golden Age of American law was tarnished by an air of tension. Underlying Federalist-Republican disagreements was a sectional division that threatened to turn - and eventually did turn - into national catastrophe. In any case, Captain Eldridge detained his passengers on the brig at the request of Turner until the latter obtained a warrant for their arrest as escaped slaves. Dana returned to the United States Court Room. Extending from its door into the street was a crowd of about two hundred Negroes. During the night, the Court House had been barricaded. Under the direction of City Marshal Francis Tukey, iron chains had been girded entirely around the building. Discouraged but resourceful, Sims' friends shifted to the familiar technique of agitation. Perhaps public opinion might pressure the courts to a more friendly view of the matter, or a crowd might even be incited to a rescue.
