BOSTON CASE, in the history of slav ery, a case where a Georgia slave hid or was hidden on the ship Boston returning from Georgia to Maine and on her arrival escaped to Canada. The governor of Georgia issued a requisition to the governor of Maine for the surrender of the captain to the Georgia author ities as a slave-stealer and fugitive from jus tice, and on his refusal the Georgia legislature demanded that Congress pass a law obligating the governor of Maine and all others in sim ilar cases to comply with the requisitions. The resolution was never reported on. In his next it represents fully 125 distinct units, ranging from a four or five-mile line, like the Troy & Benningtop, to a great 400-mile usystem,* like the Fitchburg division. Some of its branches were incorporated as far back as the early thirties, while others are creations of the last 15 or 20 years.
To bring together all of these different and sometimes conflicting transportation units un der a single management represents a feat of financiering probably unique on this continent. Of the 2,302 miles now operated by the Boston & Maine Railroad no less than 1,544 miles represent roads leased by the parent company.
One of these, the Troy & Bennington, is leased in perpetuity, and the lease having the longest term to run is that of the Vermont & Massa chusetts road, which expires in 2873. The Mas sawippi Valley road lease expires in 2869, the Fitchburg road lease in 1999, and the one to first expire was that of the Suncook Valley road, 1 Jan. 1916.
To give a clearer idea of the full extent of the Boston & Maine Railroad system the fol lowing table, showing the leased roads,. with the dates of their incorporation, the beginning and expiration of leases, and mileage has been prepared under the direction of Vice-Presi dent William J. Hobbs: message the governor of Georgia recommended that gall citizens of Maine who should there after come within the jurisdiction of Georgia on vessels, either as owners, officers or mar iners, should be considered to have done so with intent to commit the crime of seducing negro slaves from their owners and be dealt with accordingly by the officers of justice?'