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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/13990-0.txt b/13990-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..93b7762 --- /dev/null +++ b/13990-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2713 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13990 *** + +THE + +FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW + +AND + +ITS VICTIMS. + +AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, +138 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK. +1856. + + + + +ANTI-SLAVERY TRACTS. No. 18. + + * * * * * + +THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW, AND ITS VICTIMS. + + * * * * * + +The Fugitive Slave Law was enacted by Congress in September, 1850, +received the signature of HOWELL COBB, [of Georgia,] as Speaker of +the House of Representatives, of WILLIAM R. KING, [of Alabama,] as +President of the Senate, and was "approved," September 18th, of that +year, by MILLARD FILLMORE, Acting President of the United States. + +The authorship of the Bill is generally ascribed to James M. Mason, +Senator from Virginia. Before proceeding to the principal object of +this tract, it is proper to give a synopsis of the Act itself, which +was well called, by the New York _Evening Post_, "An Act for the +Encouragement of Kidnapping." It is in ten sections. + + +SYNOPSIS OF THE LAW. + +SECTION 1. United States Commissioners "authorized and required to +exercise and discharge all the powers and duties conferred by this +act." + +SECT. 2. Commissioners for the Territories to be appointed by the +Superior Court of the same. + +SECT. 3. United States Circuit Courts, and Superior Courts of +Territories, required to enlarge the number of Commissioners, "with +a view to afford reasonable facilities to reclaim fugitives from +labor," &c. + +SECT. 4. Commissioners put on the same footing with Judges of the +United States Courts, with regard to enforcing the Law and its +penalties. + +SECT. 5. United States Marshals and deputy marshals, who may refuse +to act under the Law, to be fined One Thousand dollars, to the use +of the claimant. If a fugitive escape from the custody of the +Marshal, the Marshal to be liable for his full value. Commissioners +authorized to appoint special officers, and to call out the _posse +comitatus_, &c. + +SECT. 6. The claimant of any fugitive slave, or his attorney, "may +pursue and reclaim such fugitive person," either by procuring a +warrant from some judge or commissioner, "or by seizing and +arresting such fugitive, where the same can be done without +process;" to take such fugitive before such judge or commissioner, +"whose duty it shall be to hear and determine the case of such +claimant in a summary manner," and, if satisfied of the identity of +the prisoner, to grant a certificate to said claimant to "remove +such fugitive person back to the State or Territory from whence he +or she may have escaped,"--using "such reasonable force or restraint +as may be necessary under the circumstances of the case." "In no +trial or hearing under this act shall the testimony of such alleged +fugitive be admitted in evidence." All molestation of the claimant, +in the removal of his slave, "by any process issued by any court, +judge, magistrate, or other person whomsoever," to be prevented. + +SECT. 7. Any person obstructing the arrest of a fugitive, or +attempting his or her rescue, or aiding him or her to escape, or +harboring and concealing a fugitive, knowing him to be such, shall +be subject to a fine of not exceeding one thousand dollars, and to +be imprisoned not exceeding six months, and shall also "forfeit and +pay the sum of one thousand dollars for each fugitive so _lost_." + +SECT. 8. Marshals, deputies, clerks, and special officers to receive +usual fees; Commissioners to receive ten dollars, if fugitive is +given up to claimant; otherwise, five dollars; to be paid by +claimant. + +SECT. 9. If claimant make affidavit that he fears a rescue of such +fugitive from his possession, the officer making the arrest to +retain him in custody, and "to remove him to the State whence he +fled." Said officer "to employ so many persons as he may deem +necessary." All, while so employed, be paid out of the Treasury of +the United States. + +Sect. 10. [This Section provides an additional and wholly distinct +method for the capture of a fugitive; and, it may be added, one of +the loosest and most extraordinary that ever appeared on the pages +of Statute book.] Any person, from whom one held to service or labor +has escaped, upon making "satisfactory proof" of such escape before +any court of record, or judge thereof in vacation--a record of +matter so proved shall be made by such court, or judge, and also a +description of the person escaping, "with such convenient certainty +as may be;"--a copy of which record, duly attested, "being produced +in any other State, Territory, or District," and "being exhibited to +any judge, commissioner, or other officer authorized," &c. "shall be +held and taken to be full and conclusive evidence of the fact of +escape, and that the service or labor of the person escaping is due +to the party in such record mentioned;" when, on satisfactory proof +of identity, "he or she shall be delivered up to the claimant." +"_Provided_, That nothing herein contained shall be construed as +requiring the production of a transcript of such record as evidence +as aforesaid; but in its absence, the claim shall be heard and +determined upon other satisfactory proofs competent in law." + + +The name of the NORTHERN men who voted for this cruel kidnapping law +should not be forgotten. Until they repent, and do works meet for +repentance, let their names stand high and conspicuous on the roll +of infamy. Let the "slow-moving finger of scorn" point them out, +when they walk among men, and the stings of shame, disappointment, +and remorse continually visit them in secret, till they are forced +to cry, "my punishment is greater than I can bear." As to the +_Southern_ men who voted for the law, they only appeared in their +legitimate character of oppressors of the poor--whom God will repay, +in his own time. The thousand-tongued voices of their brother's +blood cry against them from the ground. + +The following is the vote, in the SENATE, on the engrossment of the +bill:-- + + YEAS,--Atchison, Badger, Barnwell, Bell, Berrien, Butler, + Davis (of Mississippi), Dawson, A.C. DODGE (of Iowa), Downs, + Foote, Houston, Hunter, JONES (of Iowa), King, Mangum, Mason, + Pearce, Rusk, Sebastian, SoulĂ©, Spruance, STURGEON (of + Pennsylvania), Turney, Underwood, Wales, Yulee.--27. + + NAYS.--Baldwin, Bradbury, Chase, Cooper, Davis (of + Massachusetts), Dayton, Henry Dodge (of Wisconsin), Greene, + Smith, Upham, Walker, Winthrop.--12. + + ABSENT, OR NOT VOTING.--Benton, Borland, _Bright_ of Indiana, + _Clarke_ of Rhode Island, Clay, _Cass_ of Michigan, Clemens, + _Dickinson_ of New York, _Douglas_ of Illinois, _Ewing_ of + Ohio, _Felch_ of Michigan, _Hale_ of New Hampshire, _Hamlin_ + of Maine, _Miller_ of New Jersey, Morton, _Norris_ of New + Hampshire, _Phelps_ of Vermont, Pratt, _Seward_ of New York, + _Shields_ of Illinois, _Whitcomb_ of Indiana. [Fifteen + Northern Senators absent from the vote.] + + +On the final passage of the Bill in the Senate, the yeas and nays +were not taken. _D.S. Dickinson_ of New York, who had been absent +when the vote was taken on the engrossment, spoke in favor of the +bill. Mr. Seward was said to be absent from the city, detained by +ill health. + +When the Bill came up in the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, (September +12th,) JAMES THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, got the floor,--doubtless by +a previous understanding with the Speaker,--and addressed the House +in support of the Bill. He closed his remarks by _moving the +previous question_! It was ordered, and thus all opportunity for +reply, and for discussion of the Bill was cut off. The Bill was then +passed to its third reading--equivalent to enactment--by a vote of +109 YEAS, to 75 NAYS; as follows:-- + +YEAS. + _Maine._--THOMAS J.D. FULLER, of Calais; ELBRIDGE GERRY, of + Waterford; NATHANIEL S. LITTLEFIELD, of Bridgton. + + _New Hampshire._--HARRY HIBBARD, of Bath; CHARLES H. PEASLEE, + of Concord. + + _Massachusetts._--SAMUEL A. ELIOT, of Boston. + + _New York._--HIRAM WALDEN, of Waldensville. + + _New Jersey._--ISAAC WILDRICK, of Blairstown. + + _Pennsylvania._--MILO M. DIMMICK, of Stroudsburg; JOB MANN, + of Bedford; J.X. MCLANAHAN, of Chambersburg; JOHN ROBBINS, + Jr., of Philadelphia; THOMAS ROSS, of Doylestown; JAMES + THOMPSON, of Erie. + + _Ohio._--MOSES HOAGLAND, of Millersburg; JOHN K. MILLER, of + Mount Vernon; JOHN L. TAYLOR, of Chillicothe. + + _Michigan._--ALEXANDER W. BUELL, of Detroit. + + _Indiana._--NATHANIEL ALBERTSON, of Greenville; WILLIAM J. + BROWN, of Amity; CYRUS L. DUNHAM, of Salem; WILLIS A. GORMAN, + of Bloomington; JOSEPH E. MCDONALD, of Crawfordsville; EDWARD + W. MCGAUGHEY, of Rockville. + + _Illinois._--WILLIAM H. BISSELL, of Belleville; THOMAS L. + HARRIS, of Petersburg; JOHN A. MCCLERNAND; WILLIAM A. + RICHARDSON, of Quincy; TIMOTHY R. YOUNG, of Marshall. + + _Iowa._--SHEPHERD LEFFLER, of Burlington. + + _California._--EDWARD GILBERT. + +[All these Northern Traitors called themselves _Democrats_! save +three--_Eliot_ of Massachusetts, _Taylor_ of Ohio, and _McGaughey_ +of Indiana, who were Whigs.] + +--> Every Representative of a Slaveholding State, who voted at all, +voted YEA. Their names are needless, and are omitted. + + +NAYS + _Maine._--Otis, Sawtelle, Stetson. + + _New Hampshire._--Amos Tuck. + + _Vermont._--Hebard, Henry, Meacham. + + _Massachusetts._--Allen, Duncan, Fowler, Mann. + + _Rhode Island._--Dixon, King. + + _Connecticut._--Butler, Booth, Waldo. + + _New York._--Alexander, Bennett, Briggs, Burrows, Gott, + Gould, Halloway, Jackson, John A. King, Preston King, + Matteson, McKissock, Nelson, Putnam, Rumsey, Sackett, + Schermerhorn, Schoolcraft, Thurman, Underhill, Silvester. + + _New Jersey._--Hay, King. + + _Pennsylvania._--Calvin, Chandler, Dickey, Freedley, Hampton, + Howe, Moore, Pitman, Reed, Stevens. + + _Ohio._--Cable, Carter, Campbell, M.B. Corwin, Crowell, + Disney, Evans, Giddings, Hunter, Morris, Root, Vinton, + Whittlesey, Wood. + + _Michigan._--Bingham, Sprague. + + _Indiana._--Fitch, Harlan, Julian, Robinson. + + _Illinois._--Baker, Wentworth. + + _Wisconsin._--Cole, Doty, Durkee. + + _California._--Wright. + + +ABSENT, OR NOT VOTING. + Andrews, Ashmun (Mass.), Bokee, Brooks, Butler, Casey, + Cleveland (Conn.), Clarke, Conger, Duer, Gilmore, Goodenow, + Grinnell (Mass.), Levin, Nes, Newell, Ogle, Olds, Peck, + Phoenix, Potter, Reynolds, Risley, Rockwell (Mass.), Rose, + Schenck, Spaulding, Strong, Sweetser, Thompson (Iowa), Van + Dyke, White, Wilmot (Penn.) [33--all Northern men.] + + [Fifteen Southern Representatives did not vote.] + +DANIEL WEBSTER was not a member of the Senate when the vote on the +Fugitive Slave Bill was taken. He had been made Secretary of State, +a short time previous. All, however, will remember the powerful aid +which he gave to the new compromise measures, and among them to the +Fugitive Slave Bill, in his notorious Seventh of March Speech, +[1850.] A few extracts from that Speech will show how heavily the +responsibility of the existence of this law rests upon DANIEL +WEBSTER:-- + + "I suppose there is to be found no injunction against + that relation [Slavery] between man and man, in the + teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or of any of his + Apostles."--_Webster's 7th March Speech_, (_Authorized + Edition_,) p. 9. + + "One complaint of the South has, in my opinion, just + foundation; and that is, that there has been found at + the North, among individuals and among legislators, a + disinclination to perform, fully, their Constitutional duties + in regard to the return of persons bound to service, who have + escaped into the free States. In that respect, it is my + judgment that the South is right, and the North is wrong." + * * * * "My friend at the head of the Judiciary Committee + [Mr. MASON of Virginia] has a bill on the subject now before + the Senate, with some amendments to it, WHICH I PROPOSE + TO SUPPORT, WITH ALL ITS PROVISIONS, _to the fullest + extent_."--_Idem._ p. 29. + + He proceeded to assure the Senate that the North would, on + due consideration, fulfil "their constitutional obligations" + "_with alacrity_." "Therefore, I repeat, sir, that here is a + ground of complaint against the North well founded, which + ought to be removed, which it is now in the power of the + different departments of this Government to remove; which + calls for the enactment of proper laws authorizing the + judicature of this Government, in the several States, to do + all that is necessary for the recapture of fugitive slaves, + and for the restoration of them to those who claim them + Wherever I go, and whenever I speak on the subject, and when + I speak here, I desire to speak to the whole North, I say + that the South has been injured in this respect, and has a + right to complain; and the North has been too careless of + what, I think, the Constitution peremptorily and emphatically + enjoins upon her as a duty."--_Idem._ p. 30. + +In a speech in the United States Senate, July 17, 1850, made with an +evident view to calm that Northern feeling which had been aroused +and excited by his 7th of March speech, beyond the power of priest +or politician wholly to subdue, Mr. WEBSTER said there were various +misapprehensions respecting the working of the proposed Fugitive +Slave Bill:-- + + "The first of these misapprehensions," he said, "is an + exaggerated sense of the actual evil of the reclamation of + fugitive slaves, felt by Massachusetts and the other New + England States. What produced that? The cases do not exist. + There has not been a case within the knowledge of this + generation, in which a man has been taken back from + Massachusetts into slavery by process of law, not one." + * * * * "Not only has there been no case, so far as I can + learn, of the reclamation of a slave by his master, which + ended in taking him back to slavery, in this generation, but + I will add, that, as far as I have been able to go back in my + researches, as far as I have been able to hear and learn, in + all that region there has been no one case of false claim. + * * * _There is no danger of any such violation being + perpetrated."[A]--Webster's Speech on the Compromise Bill, in + the United States Senate, 17th of July, 1850, edition of + Gideon & Co., Washington_, pp. 23-25. + + [Footnote A: See also Mr. Webster's letter to the Citizens of + Newburyport, dated May 15th, 1850, wherein he urges the same + point, with great pains of argument.] + +With such words did Mr. Webster endeavor to allay Northern alarm, +and to create the impression (which was created and which prevailed +extensively with his friends) that the Fugitive Law was only a +concession to Southern feeling, and that few or no attempts to +enforce it were likely to be made. + +But when a few months had proved him a false prophet, and the +Southern chase after fugitive men, women, and children had become +hot and fierce, and in one or two instances the hunter had been +foiled in his attempts and had lost his prey, Mr. Webster changed +his tone, as follows:-- + + In May, 1851, at Syracuse, N.Y., he said: "Depend upon it, + the Law [the Fugitive Slave Law] will be executed in its + spirit and to its letter. It will be executed in all the + great cities--here in Syracuse, in the midst of the next + Anti-Slavery Convention, if the occasion shall arise." + +Certainly, so far as in Mr. Webster lay, so far as was in the power +of Mr. Fillmore, and the officers of the United States Government +generally, and of the still larger crowd of _expectants_ of office, +nothing was left undone to introduce the tactics, discipline, and +customs of the Southern plantation into our Northern cities and +towns, in order to enforce the Fugitive Law. + + * * * * * + +The remainder of this Tract will be devoted to a record, as complete +as circumstances enable us to make, of the VICTIMS OF THE FUGITIVE +SLAVE LAW. It is a terrible record, which the people of this country +should never allow to sleep in oblivion, until the disgraceful and +bloody system of Slavery is swept from our land, and with it, all +Compromise Bills, all Constitutional Guarantees to Slavery, all +Fugitive Slave Laws. The established and accredited newspapers +of the day, without reference to party distinctions, are the +authorities relied upon in making up this record, and the _dates_ +being given with each case, the reader is enabled to verify the +same, and the few particulars which the compass of the Tract allows +to be given with each. With all the effort which has been made to +secure a good degree of completeness and exactness, the present +record must of necessity be an imperfect one, and fall short of +exhibiting all the enormities of the Act in question. + + JAMES HAMLET, _of New York, September, 1850_, was the first + victim. He was surrendered by United States Commissioner + Gardiner to the agent of one Mary Brown, of Baltimore, who + claimed him as her slave. He was taken to Baltimore. An + effort was immediately made to purchase his freedom, and in + the existing state of the public feeling, the sum demanded by + his mistress, $800, was quickly raised. Hamlet was brought + back to New York with great rejoicings. + + _Near Bedford, Penn., October 1._ Ten fugitives, from + Virginia, were attacked in Pennsylvania--one mortally + wounded, another dangerously. Next morning, both were + captured. Five others entered a mountain hut, and begged + relief. The woman supplied their wants. Her husband went out, + procured assistance, captured the slaves, and received a + reward of $255. + + _Harrisburg, Penn., October._ Some slaves, number not + stated, were brought before Commissioner M'Allister, when + "the property was proven, and they were delivered to their + masters, who took them back to Virginia, by railroad, without + molestation." + + _Detroit, 8th October._ A negro was arrested under the new + law, and sent to jail for a week, to await evidence. Great + numbers of colored people armed themselves to rescue him. + Result not known. + + HENRY GARNETT, _Philadelphia_, arrested as the slave of + Thomas P. Jones, of Cecil County, Maryland, and taken before + Judge Grier, of the United States Supreme Court, October 18, + 1850, who declared his determination to execute the law as he + found it. The Judge said that the claimant had not taken the + course prescribed by the fugitive act, and proceeded to + explain, in a detailed manner, what the course should be in + such cases. As the claimant thus failed to make out his case, + the prisoner was ordered to be discharged. + + _Boston, about 25th October._ Attempt to seize WILLIAM and + ELLEN CRAFT. William Craft armed himself, and kept within + his shop. Ellen was concealed in the house of a friend. + Their claimants, named Hughes & Knight, were indicted for + defamation of character, in calling W.C. a slave, and brought + before a magistrate. The feeling excited against them was so + great, that they at length fled from the city. Shortly after, + it being considered hazardous for Mr. and Mrs. Craft to + remain in the country, they were enabled to escape to + England. + + [In a letter, dated Macon, Georgia, Nov. 11, John Knight + gives a particular account of the proceedings and experiences + of himself and his friend Hughes, on their then recent visit + to Boston for the purpose, to quote his own language, "of + re-capturing William and Ellen Craft, the negroes belonging + to Dr. Collins and Ira Taylor." Willis H. Hughes also + published his statement.] + + _New Albany, Indiana._ A woman and boy given up, and taken to + Louisville. They were so white that, even in Kentucky, a + strong feeling arose in their favor on that ground. They were + finally bought for $600, and set free. + + ADAM GIBSON, _Philadelphia, December 21, 1850_. Surrendered + by Edward D. Ingraham, United States Commissioner. The case + was hurried through in indecent haste, testimony being + admitted against him of the most groundless character. One + witness swore that Gibson's name was Emery Rice. He was taken + to Elkton, Maryland. There, Mr. William S. Knight, his + supposed owner, refused to receive Gibson, saying he was not + the man, and he was taken back to Philadelphia. + +What compensation has the United States Government ever made to Adam +Gibson, for the injurious act of its agent, Ingraham? Had not the +Slaveholder been more honorable than the Commissioner or the makers +of the Fugitive Law, Gibson would have been in Slavery for life. + + HENRY LONG, _New York, December, 1850_. Brought before + Commissioner Charles M. Hall, claimed as the fugitive slave + of John T. Smith of Russell County, Virginia. After five or + six days' proceedings, there being some doubt of the + Commissioner's legal right to act, the alleged fugitive, + Long, was taken before Judge Judson, District Judge of the + United States. The Castle Garden Union Safety Committee + retained Mr. George Wood in this case, as counsel for the + slave claimant. Long was surrendered by Judge Judson, and + taken to Richmond, Virginia. Judge J. was complimented by the + _Washington Union_ as "a clear-headed, competent, and + independent officer, who has borne himself with equal + discretion, liberality, and firmness. Such judges as he," + continues the _Union_, "are invaluable in these times of + turmoil and agitation." At Richmond, Long was advertised to + be sold at public auction. On Saturday, January 18th, he was + sold, amid the jeers and scoffs of the spectators, for $750, + to David Clapton, of Georgia. The auctioneers (Pullam & + Slade), in commencing, said there was one condition of the + sale. Bonds must be given by the purchaser that this man + shall be carried South, and that he shall be kept South, and + sold, if sold again, to go South; and they declared their + intention to see the terms fully complied with. Long was + subsequently advertised for sale at Atlanta, Georgia. + + _Near Coatsville, Chester County, Penn._ On a writ issued by + Commissioner Ingraham, Deputy Marshal Halzell and other + officers, with the claimant of an alleged fugitive, at night, + knocked at the door of a colored family, and asked for a + light to enable them to mend their broken harness. The door + being opened for this purpose, the marshal's party rushed in, + and said they came to arrest a fugitive slave. Resistance was + made by the occupant of the house and others, and the + marshal's party finally driven off--the slave owner advising + that course, and saying, "Well, if this is a specimen of the + pluck of Pennsylvania negroes, I don't want my slaves back." + The master of the house was severely wounded in the arm by a + pistol shot; still he maintained his ground, declaring the + marshal's party should not pass except by first taking his + life. + + _Marion, Williamson County, Ill., about December 10, 1850._ + Mr. O'Havre, of the city police, Memphis, Tennessee, arrested + and took back to Memphis a fugitive slave, belonging to Dr. + Young. He did so, as the Memphis paper states, only "after + much difficulty and heavy expense, being strongly opposed by + the Free Soilers and Abolitionists, but was assisted by Mr. + W. Allen, member of Congress, and other gentlemen." + + _Philadelphia, about January 10, 1851._ G.F. Alberti and + others seized, under the Fugitive Slave Law, a free colored + boy, named JOEL THOMPSON, alleging that he was a slave. The + boy was saved. + + STEPHEN BENNETT, _Columbia, Penn._, arrested as the slave of + Edward B. Gallup, of Baltimore. Taken before Commissioner + Ingraham; thence, by _habeas corpus_, before Judge Kane. He + was saved only by his freedom being purchased by his friends. + + _The Huntsville (Ala.) Advocate_, of January 1, 1851, said + that Messrs. Markwood & Chester had brought back "_seven of + their Slaves_" from Michigan. + + _The Memphis (Tenn.) Eagle_, of a later date, says that + within a few weeks "at least five fugitive slaves have been + brought back to this city, from free States, with as little + trouble as would be had in recovering stray cows." The same + paper adds, "We occasionally receive letters notifying us + that a slave, said to be the property of some one in this + vicinity, has been lodged in jail in Illinois or Indiana, for + his owner, who will please call, pay charges, and take him + away." + + _In Boston, end of January, 1851._ A colored man, lately from + North Carolina, was sought by officers, under Marshal Devens, + aided by a lawyer, named Spencer, provided by the New York + Union Safety Committee. The arrest was not attempted. It was + found that the colored man was too strongly guarded and + protected. + + Mrs. TAMOR, or EUPHEMIA WILLIAMS, _Philadelphia, February, + 1851_, mother of six children, arrested and brought before + Commissioner Ingraham, as the slave Mahala, belonging to + William T.J. Purnell, of Worcester County, Maryland, admitted + to have been absent since 1829--twenty-two years. Children + all born in Pennsylvania; oldest about seventeen--a girl. Her + husband also in custody, and alleged to be the slave of + another man. Under writ of _habeas corpus_, Mrs. Williams was + taken before Judge Kane, of the United States Circuit Court. + After a full hearing, she was discharged, as not being the + woman alleged. + + SHADRACH, _in Boston, February 15, 1851_. Arrested in Taft's + Cornhill Coffee House, by deputies of United States Marshal + Devens, on a warrant issued by George T. Curtis, United + States Commissioner, on the complaint of John Caphart, + attorney of John De Bree, of Norfolk, Va. Seth J. Thomas + appeared as counsel for Caphart. After a brief hearing before + G.T. Curtis, Commissioner, the case was adjourned to the + following Tuesday. Shortly after the adjournment, the + court-room was entered by a body of men, who bore away the + prisoner, Shadrach. After which he was heard of in Montreal, + Canada, having successfully, with the aid of many friends, + escaped the snares of all kidnappers, in and out of Boston. + The acting President, MILLARD FILLMORE, issued his + proclamation, countersigned by DANIEL WEBSTER, Secretary of + State, requiring prosecutions to be commenced against all who + participated in the rescue. + + _Shawneetown, Illinois._ A woman was claimed by Mr. Haley, + of Georgia, as his slave; and was delivered up to him by two + Justices of the Peace, (early in 1851.) + + _Madison, Indiana._ George W. Mason, of Davies County, + Kentucky, arrested a colored man, named MITCHUM, who, with + his wife and children, lived near Vernon. The case was tried + before a Justice of the Peace, named Basnett, who was + satisfied that Mitchum was Davis's slave, and had left his + service _nineteen years before_. The slave was accordingly + delivered up, and was taken to Kentucky, (Feb. 1851.) + + _Clearfield County, Penn., about 20th January, 1851._ A + boy was kidnapped and taken into slavery.--_Mercer (Pa.) + Presbyterian_. + + _Near Ripley, Ohio._ A fugitive slave, about January 20, + killed his pursuer. He was afterwards taken and carried back + to slavery. + + _Burlington, Lawrence County, Ohio, near the end of February, + 1851_, four liberated slaves were kidnapped, re-enslaved, and + sold. Efforts were made to bring the perpetrators of this + nefarious act to punishment, and restore the victims to + freedom. + + _At Philadelphia, early in March, 1851_, occurred the case of + the colored woman HELEN or HANNAH, and her son, a child of + tender years. She was taken before a Commissioner, and + thence, by writ of _habeas corpus_, before Judge Kane. An + additional question arose from the fact that the woman would + soon become the mother of another child. Judge Kane decided + that she was the property of John Perdu, of Baltimore, + together with her son, and her unborn child, and they were + all surrendered accordingly, and taken into slavery. + + _Pittsburg, March 13, 1851._ RICHARD GARDINER was arrested in + Bridgewater, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, claimed as the + property of Miss R. Byers, of Louisville, Kentucky. Judge + Irwin, of the United States District Court, "remanded the + fugitive back to his owner." He was afterwards bought for + $600, and brought into a free State. + + _The Wilmington (Del.) Journal_, in March, 1851, says + kidnapping has become quite frequent in that State; and + speaks of a negro kidnapped in that city, on the previous + Wednesday night, by a man who had been one of the city + watchmen. + + THOMAS SIMS, arrested in _Boston_, April 4, 1851, at first on + pretence of a charge of theft. But when he understood it was + as a fugitive from slavery, he drew a knife and wounded one + of the officers. He was taken before Commissioner George T. + Curtis. To guard against a repetition of the Shadrach rescue, + the United States Marshal, Devens, aided by the Mayor (John + P. Bigelow) and City Marshal (Francis Tukey) of Boston, + surrounded the Court House, in Boston, with heavy chains, + guarded it by a strong extra force of police officers, with a + strong body of guards also within the building, where the + fugitive was imprisoned as well as tried. Several military + companies also were called out by the city authorities, and + kept in readiness night and day to act against the people, + should they attempt the deliverance of Sims; Faneuil Hall + itself being turned into barracks for these hirelings of + slavery. Every effort was made by S.E. Sewall, Esq., Hon. + Robert Rantoul, Jr., and Charles G. Loring, Esq., to save + Sims from being returned into slavery, and Boston from the + eternal and ineffaceable disgrace of the act. But in vain. + The omnipotent Slave Power demanded of Boston a victim for + its infernal sacrifices. Millard Fillmore, Daniel Webster, + and their numerous tools, on the Bench, in Commissioners' + seats, and other official stations, or in hopes of gaining + such stations bye and bye, had fallen upon their faces + before the monster idol, and sworn that the victim should + be prepared. Thomas Sims was ordered back to slavery by + Commissioner G.T. Curtis, and was taken from the Court House, + in Boston, early on the morning of April 11th, [1851,] to the + Brig Acorn, lying at the end of Long Wharf, and thence in the + custody of officers, to Savannah, Georgia. + + There, after being lodged in jail, and severely and cruelly + whipped, as was reported, he was at length sold, and became + merged and lost in the great multitude of the enslaved + population. The surrender of Sims is said to have cost the + United States Government $10,000; the City of Boston about as + much more; and Mr. Potter, the claimant of Sims, about + $2,400, making a total of some $22,000, directly expended on + the case. + + _Vincennes, Indiana, April, 1851._ Four fugitive slaves were + seized, claimed by one Mr. Kirwan, of or near Florence, + Alabama. The magistrate, named Robinson, gave up the + fugitives, and they were taken into slavery. + + _In Salisbury Township, Penn., April, 1851_, an elderly man + was kidnapped and carried into Maryland. + + _Near Sandy Hill, Chester County, Penn., in March, 1851_, a + very worthy and estimable colored man, named Thomas Hall, was + forcibly seized, his house being broken into by three armed + ruffians, who beat him and his wife with clubs. He was + kidnapped. + + MOSES JOHNSON, _Chicago, Illinois_, brought before a United + States Commissioner, discharged as not answering to the + description of the man claimed. + + CHARLES WEDLEY, kidnapped from _Pittsburg, Pennsylvania_, and + taken into Maryland. He was found, and brought back. + + _Cincinnati, Ohio, June 3, 1851_, an attempt to arrest a + fugitive was made. But a scuffle ensued, in which the man + escaped. + + _Cincinnati, Ohio._ About the same time, some slaves, (number + not stated,) belonging to Rev. Mr. Perry and others, of + Covington, Kentucky, were taken in Cincinnati, and carried + back to Kentucky. + + _Philadelphia, end of June, 1851_, a colored man was taken + away as a slave, by steamboat. A writ of _Habeas Corpus_ was + got out but the officer could not find the man. This is + probably the same case with that of JESSE WHITMAN, arrested + at Wilkesbarre. + + FRANK JACKSON, a free colored man in _Mercer, Penn._, was + taken, early in 1851, by a man named Charles May, into + Virginia, and sold as a slave. He tried to escape, but was + taken and lodged in Fincastle jail, Virginia. + + THOMAS SCOTT JOHNSON, free colored man, of _New Bedford_, was + arrested near Portsmouth, Virginia, and was about to be sold + as a slave; but, by the strenuous interposition of Capt. + Card, certificates were obtained from New Bedford, and he was + set at liberty. + + ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, _West Chester County, Penn._, delivered + into slavery by Commissioner Jones. (July, 1851.) + + DANIEL HAWKINS, of _Lancaster County, Penn._, (July, 1851,) + was brought before Commissioner Ingraham, Philadelphia, and + by him delivered to his claimant, and he was taken into + slavery. + + _New Athens, Ohio, July 8, 1851._ Eighteen slaves, who had + escaped from Lewis County, Kentucky, were discovered in + an old building in Adams County, Ohio. Some white men, + professing to be friendly, misled them, and brought them to a + house, where they were imprisoned, bound one by one, and + carried back to Kentucky. [The enactment of the Fugitive + Slave Law is the direct stimulating cause of all these cases + of kidnapping.] + + _Buffalo, August, 1851._ Case of DANIEL ----. D. was a cook + on board the steamer "Buckeye State." He was engaged in his + avocation, when Benj. S. Rust, with a warrant from United + States Commissioner H.K. Smith, went on board the boat. + Daniel was called up from below, and as his head appeared + above the deck, Rust struck him a heavy blow, upon the head, + with a large billet of wood, which knocked him back into the + cook-room, where he fell upon the stove and was badly burned. + In this state, he was brought before the Commissioner, + "bleeding profusely at the back, of the head, and at the + nose, and was moreover so stupefied by the assault, that he + fell asleep several times during the brief and very summary + proceedings." For most of the time he was unable to converse + with his counsel, and "sat dozing, with the blood slowly + oozing out of his mouth and nostrils." After a very hurried + form, and mockery of a trial, Daniel was ordered to be + delivered to Rust, the Agent of George H. Moore, of + Louisville, Kentucky. By a writ of _Habeas Corpus_, Daniel + was brought before Judge Coakling, of the United States + Court, at Auburn, who gave a decision that set Daniel at + liberty, and he was immediately hurried by his friends into + Canada. Rust was indicted, in Buffalo, for his brutal assault + on Daniel. It was fully proved; he afterwards plead guilty, + and; was let off with the paltry fine of fifty dollars. + + JOHN BOLDING, _arrested in Poughkeepsie, New York_, claimed + as the property of Barret Anderson, of Columbia, S.C. Bolding + was a young man, of good character, recently married, and had + a small tailor's shop in P. He said he was told, when a boy, + that he was the son of a white man. He was tried before + United States Commissioner Nelson, who ordered him to be + delivered up to his claimants, and he was taken quietly from + the city to Columbia, S.C. The sum of $2,000 was raised in + New York, and paid to Bolding's owner, who had consented to + take that sum for him, and Bolding returned to his family in + Poughkeepsie. + + _Christiana, Lancaster County, Penn., Sept. 1851._ Edward + Gorsuch, (represented as a very pious member of a Methodist + Church in Baltimore,) with his son Dickinson, accompanied by + the Sheriff of Lancaster County, Pa., and by a Philadelphia + officer named _Henry Kline_, went to Christiana to arrest + certain slaves of his, who, (as he had been privately + informed by a wretch, named Wm. M. Padgett,) were living + there. An attack was made upon the house, the slave-holder + declaring (as was said) that he "would not leave the place + alive without his slaves." "Then," replied one of them, "you + will not leave here alive." Many shots were fired on both + sides, and the slave-hunter, Edward Gorsuch, was killed. + + At a subsequent trial, a number of persons (nearly forty) + were committed to take their trial for "treason against + the United States, by levying war against the same, in + resisting by force of arms the execution of the Fugitive + Slave Law." CASTNER HANWAY was of the number. After + suffering imprisonment and being subjected to great loss + of time and heavy expenses, they were all discharged. + + _Syracuse, October 1, 1851._ JERRY, claimed as the slave of + John McReynolds, of Marion County, Missouri, was brought to + trial before Commissioner J.F. Sabine. He was rescued by a + large body of men from the officers who had him in custody, + and was next heard of in Canada. + + _James R. Lawrence_, a lawyer of Syracuse, acted as counsel + for _James Lear_, attorney of McReynolds. + +[N.B. Daniel Webster's prophecy was not fulfilled.] + + _Columbia, Penn._, (fall of 1851.) Man named HENRY, arrested + as the slave of Dr. Duvall, of Prince George's County, + Maryland,--taken to _Harrisburg_, before United States + Commissioner McAllister and by him consigned to slavery. + + _Judge Denning_, of Illinois, discharged a negro brought + before him as a fugitive slave, on the ground that the + Fugitive Slave Law was unconstitutional. + + _Two alleged slaves arrested_ at _Columbia, Penn._, on + warrant of United States Commissioner McAllister,--claimed as + property of W.T. McDermott, of Baltimore. One was carried + into slavery, one escaped. (November, 1851.) + + _Near New Philadelphia, Maryland_, a woman, married to a free + colored man, with whom she had lived ten years, was arrested + as the slave of a Mr. Shreve, of Louisville, Kentucky. She + was taken back to Kentucky. + + RACHEL PARKER, free colored girl, kidnapped from house of + Joseph S. Miller, West Nottingham, Penn., by the "notorious + Elkton Kidnapper, McCreary," Dec. 31, 1851. Mr. Miller + tracked the kidnappers to Baltimore, and tried to recover the + girl, but in vain. On his way home, he was induced to leave + the cars, and was undoubtedly murdered,--it was supposed in + revenge of the death of Gorsuch at Christiana. Mr. Miller's + body was found suspended from a tree. A suit was brought in + the Circuit Court of Baltimore County, for the freedom of + Rachel Parker, Jan. 1853. Over sixty witnesses, from + Pennsylvania, attended to testify to her being free-born, and + that she was not the person she was claimed to be; although, + in great bodily terror, she had, after her capture, confessed + herself the alleged slave! So complete and strong was the + evidence in her favor, that, after an eight days' trial, the + claimants abandoned the case, and a verdict was rendered for + the freedom of Rachel, and also of her sister, Elizabeth + Parker, who had been previously kidnapped, and conveyed to + New Orleans. + +--> McCreary was demanded by Gov. Bigler, of Pennsylvania, to be +delivered up for trial on a charge of kidnapping; but Gov. Lowe, of +Maryland, refused to surrender him. See _Standard_, July 2, 1853. + + JAMES TASKER, _New York City_, (Feb. 1852,) arrested through + the treachery of Police Officer Martin, and brought before + United States Commissioner George W. Morton, as the slave of + Jonathan Pinckney, of Maryland. He was given up, and taken + back to slavery. + + HORACE PRESTON, arrested in _Williamsburg, New York_, as the + slave of William Reese, of Baltimore, Maryland;--Richard + Busteed, of New York, being Attorney for the slaveholder. He + was brought before United States Commissioner Morton, 1st + April, 1852; for several days previous he had been kept a + prisoner, and his wife knew not what had become of him. He + was given up by the Commissioner, and was carried into + slavery. The same policeman, Martin, (who acted in the case + of James Tasker,) was active in this case; being, doubtless, + the original informant. + + Preston was afterwards bought for about $1,200, and brought + back. + + _Columbia, Penn._, (end of March, 1852;) a colored man, named + WILLIAM SMITH, was arrested as a fugitive slave in the + lumber yard of Mr. Gottlieb, by Deputy Marshal Snyder, of + Harrisburg, and police officer Ridgeley, of Baltimore, under + a warrant from Commissioner McAllister. Smith endeavored to + escape, when Ridgeley drew a pistol and shot him dead! + Ridgeley was demanded by the Governor of Pennsylvania, of the + Governor of Maryland, and the demand was referred to the + Maryland Legislature. + + Hon. J.R. Giddings proposed the erection of a monument to + Smith. + + JAMES PHILLIPS, who had resided in _Harrisburg, Penn._, for + fourteen years, was arrested May 24, 1852, as the former + slave of Dennis Hudson, of Culpepper County, Virginia, + afterwards bought by Henry T. Fant, of Fauquier County. He + was brought before United States Commissioner McAllister. + Judge McKinney volunteered his services to defend the alleged + fugitive. The Commissioner, as soon as possible, ordered the + man to be delivered up; and, after fourteen years' liberty, + he was taken back to slavery in Virginia. Afterwards, bought + for $900, and taken back to Harrisburg. + + _Wilkesbarre, Penn._, (Summer of 1852.) Mr. Harvey arrested + and fined for shielding a slave. + + _Sacramento, California_; a man named Lathrop claimed another + as his slave, and Judge Fry decided that the claim was good, + and ordered the slave to be surrendered. Mr. Lathrop left, + with his slave, for the Atlantic States. + + _A beautiful young woman_, nearly white, was pursued by her + owner [and father] to New York, (end of June, 1852.) There a + large reward was offered to a police officer to discover her, + place of residence. It was discovered, and measures taken for + her apprehension; but the alarm had been taken, and she + escaped. + + _Sacramento, California_; three men were seized by a Mr. + Perkins, of Mississippi. The Court decided them to be his + property and they were carried back to Mississippi.--_Standard_, + July 29, 1852. + + _Petersburg, Penn._ Two fugitives from Alabama slavery were + overtaken, and taken back, September, 1852. + + JOHN HENRY WILSON, a lad of fourteen years, kidnapped from + Danville, Pennsylvania, and taken to Baltimore, where he was, + offered for sale to John N. Denning. Kidnappers committed to + jail, October, 1852. + +[--> DANIEL WEBSTER, the endorser of the Fugitive Slave Law, died at +Marshfield, Mass., October 24th, 1852, in the very height of the +Law's triumphant operation.] + + _LOUISA_, a colored woman, claimed by Mrs. Reese, of San + Francisco, California, was seized by five armed men, and put + on board Steamer Golden Gate, and carried it is not known + whither. The aid of the Law was not invoked. The California + _Christian Advocate_, from which the above is taken, says, + "Two colored men, stewards on the Golden Gate, were sent back + to the States on the last trip under the State Fugitive Law." + + _A mulatto woman, in San Francisco_, was ordered to be + delivered to her claimant, T.T. Smith, Jackson Country, + Missouri, by "Justice Shepherd,"--_San Francisco Herald_--in + _Standard_, November 4, 1852. + + _Sandusky, Ohio._ Two men, two women, and several children + were arrested and taken from a steamboat just about to leave + for Detroit. Taken before Mayor Follett, by a man who claimed + to be their owner. R.R. Sloane, Esq., was employed as counsel + for the slaves. No one claiming custody of the slaves, or + producing any writs or warrants, Mr. Sloane signified to the + crowd present that there appeared to be no cause for the + detention of the persons. Immediately a rush was made for the + door. A man, who before had been silent, exclaimed, "Here are + the papers--I own the slaves--I'll hold you individually + responsible for their escape." The slaves escaped into + Canada, October, 1852. Mr. Sloane was afterwards prosecuted + for the value of the slaves, and judgment given against him + to the amount of $3,950. + + _Thirty slaves_, says the _Maysville_ (Ky.) _Eagle_, "escaped + from Mason and Bracken Counties, a short time ago. Some of + them were captured in Ohio, by their owners, at a distance of + about forty miles from the river." "They brought the captured + slaves home without encountering the least obstacle, or even + an unkind word."--_Standard_, November 4, 1852. + + THE LEMMON SLAVES. At New York, eight persons, claimed by + Jonathan Lemmon, of Norfolk, Virginia, as his slaves, were + brought before Judge Paine, November, 1852. It appeared that + they had been brought to New York by their owner, with a view + of taking them to Texas, as his slaves. Mr. Louis Napoleon, a + respectable colored man, of New York, procured a writ of + habeas corpus, under which they were brought before the + court. Their liberation was called for, under the State Law, + not being fugitives, but brought into a free State by their + owner. Said owner appeared, with Henry D. Lapaugh as his + counsel, aided by Mr. Clinton. At their urgent request, the + case was postponed from time to time, when Judge Paine, with + evident reluctance, decreed the freedom of the slaves. E.D. + Culver and John Jay, Esqs., were counsel for the slaves. The + merchants and others of New York subscribed and paid Mr. + Lemmon the sum of $5,280, for loss of his slaves. The New + York _Journal of Commerce_ was very active in raising this + money. The same men were invited to contribute something for + the destitute men, women, and children claimed by Lemmon. The + whole amount given by them all, was two dollars. About one + thousand dollars were raised for them among the better + disposed but less wealthy class. + + THOMAS BROWN alias GEORGE BORDLEY, _Philadelphia, November, + 1852_, was claimed by one Andrew Pearce, Cecil County, + Maryland. Given up to claimant by Commissioner Ingraham. The + arrest of the man was made by the notorious kidnapper, George + F. Alberti. Mr. Pettit, counsel for the claimant. + +[Transcriber's note: The following note is inserted after the +following section but does not refer to any specific reported +incident.] + +--> The Slaveholders of Kentucky begin forming associations for +mutual protection against loss of runaway slaves. The preamble of +the plan of association proposed at a meeting at Minerva Kentucky, +held in the winter of 1852-53, is as follows:--"Whereas it has +become absolutely necessary for the slave-owners of Kentucky to take +such steps as will secure their property, we, the citizens of Mass. +and Bracken counties, do recommend," &c. [end note] + + RICHARD NEAL, free colored man, kidnapped in Philadelphia and + carried from the city in a carriage towards Maryland. A writ + of _habeas corpus_ was obtained, the kidnappers were + overtaken, and Neal brought back after resistance and various + hindrances. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania discharged him. + February, 1853. + + _Ten slaves_, arrested in Indiana, and taken back to + Tennessee, by W. Carney and others. Resistance was + made, and W. Carney "was very badly injured during the + fracas."--_Nashville ----_, March 5, 1853. [Transcribers' + note: ---- substituted for word cut off on original page.] + + _Alton, Illinois._ A man claimed to belong to Walter Carrico, + of Warren County, Missouri, was arrested by police officers + from St. Louis. After being lodged in jail in St. Louis he + made his escape, and again went into Illinois. He was + pursued, found, and taken back to St. Louis.--_St. Louis + Republican_, March, 1853. + + AMANDA, a slave girl, was brought to St. Louis, from near + Memphis, Tennessee, a year before, by a son of her master, + and by him set free, without his father's consent. After the + father's death, an attempt was made to seize Amanda, and take + her back to Tennessee without trial. This was prevented by + officers, the girl taken from the steamboat Cornelia, and + brought before Levi Davis, United States Commissioner. He + decided in favor of the claimants, (the heirs of the estate, + of course.)--_St. Louis Republican_, March 17, 1853. + + JANE TRAINER, a colored child, about ten years old, in the + possession of Mrs. Rose Cooper, _alias_ Porter, (a woman + admitted by her counsel to be a common prostitute,) was + brought before Judge Duer, of New York City, by a writ of + _habeas corpus_, which had been applied for by Charles + Trainer, the father of the child, (a free colored man, who + had followed the parties from Mobile to New York,) and who + desired that the custody of his daughter's person should be + granted to him. [June, 1853, and previous.] Judge Duer + decided that it was not within his jurisdiction to determine + to whom the custody of the child belonged; the Supreme Court + of New York must decide that. Judge D. proposed to both + parties that the child should be put into his hands, and he + would provide a proper person for her care and education, but + the woman (Porter) would not consent to this. She evidently + designed to train up the child for a life of shame, and + perhaps of slavery also. The case was brought by a writ of + _habeas corpus_, before Judge Barculo, of the Supreme Court, + sitting at Brooklyn. The effort to serve the writ was at + first defeated by the notorious New York bully, Captain + Isaiah Rynders, acting, it was said, under the advice of + James T. Brady, counsel for Mrs. Porter. For this + interference with, the law, Rynders and some others were + arrested and taken before Judge Barculo, who let them off on + their making an apology! The second attempt to serve the writ + on the child was more successful. After hearing counsel, + Judge Barculo adjudged "that the said Charles Trainer is + entitled to the care and custody of said Jane Trainer, and + directing her to be delivered to him as her father," &c. In + giving his decision, Judge B. said, "It is not to be assumed + that a child under fourteen years of age is possessed of + sufficient discretion to choose her own guardian; a house of + ill-fame is not a suitable place, nor one of its inmates a + proper person for the education of such a child." Jane + Trainer's mother was afterwards bought from slavery in + Mobile, Alabama, and enabled to join her husband and child. + + In 1854, Charles Trainer obtained a verdict in King's County + Court, New York, for $775 damages, against Rose Cooper. + +[N.B. Though not strictly a case under the Fugitive Slave Law, this +is very properly inserted here, as the whole spirit of the woman, of +her counsel, and of the means he took to accomplish his base +designs, was clearly instigated by that Law, and by the malignant +influences it brought into action against the colored people, both +slave and free.] + + BASIL WHITE, Philadelphia, was summarily surrendered into + slavery in Maryland, by United States Commissioner Ingraham, + June 1, 1853. He was betrayed into the clutches of the + kidnapper Alberti, by a colored man named John Dorsey. + + _Two slaves_ of Sylvester Singleton, living near Burlington, + (Ky.?) escaped and reached Columbus, Ohio; were there + overtaken by their master, who secured them and took them + back with him.--_Cincinnati Enquirer_. + + JOHN FREEMAN, a free colored man, seized in Indianapolis, and + claimed as the slave of Pleasant Ellington, a Methodist + church-member, (Summer, 1853,) of Missouri. Freeman pledged + himself to prove that he was not the person he was alleged to + be. The United States Marshal consented to his having time + for this, provided he would go to jail, and pay _three + dollars a day_ for a guard to keep him secure! Bonds to any + amount, to secure the marshal against loss, if Freeman could + go at large, were rejected. Freeman's counsel went to + Georgia, and "after many days returned with a venerable and + highly respectable gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Patillo, + (post-master of the place where he resides,) who had + voluntarily made the long journey for the sole purpose of + testifying to his knowledge of Freeman, and that he was well + known to be free!" But Freeman was still kept in jail. After + several days, Ellington brought witnessess to prove F. to be + his slave. The witnesses, and Liston (counsel for Ellington) + wished to have Freeman strip himself, to be examined naked. + By advise of his counsel he refused. The marshal took him to + his cell, and compelled him to strip. The witnesses then + swore that he was Ellington's property. Freeman's counsel + produced further evidence that he had been known as a free + man _twenty_ years. Ellington claimed that he had escaped + from him _sixteen_ years before. The man who did escape from + Ellington, just sixteen years before, was discovered to be + living near Malden, Canada. Two of the Kentucky witnesses + visited and recognized him. Freeman was then released, but + with a large debt upon him, $1,200, which had grown up by + the unusually heavy expenses of his defence and long + imprisonment, Freeman brought a suit against Ellington for + false imprisonment laying damages at $10,000. A verdict for + $2,000 was given in his favor, which was agreed to by + Ellington's counsel.--_Indiana Free Democrat_, May, 1854. + + _Three slaves_, two men and a girl, fled from near Maysville, + Kentucky, into Ohio. Were pursued by their owners and + assistants, five men armed, and were overtaken, says the + Maysville _Weekly Express_, "at the bridge over Rattlesnake + Creek, on the Petersburg and Greenfield road, about ten + o'clock at night," the slaves being, armed, and accompanied + by a white man. Both parties fired, the negro girl was + wounded, but still fled; one of the negro men was also + wounded, and, says the Maysville paper, they "were tracked a + mile and a half by the blood." The other slave was secured + and taken back to Kentucky, "much bruised and cut in the + affray." "The white man," says the same paper, "was also + caught and beaten in a very severe manner with a club, and + strong hopes are entertained that he will die."--_Wilmington + (Ohio) Republican_, July, 22, 1853. + + _A colored girl_, between four and five years old, suddenly + disappeared from Providence, R.I., July 13, 1853; at the same + time, a mulatto woman, who had been heard to make inquiries + about the child, was missing also. Believed to be a case of + kidnapping. + + _A negro boy_, says the Memphis _Inquirer_, "left his owner + in this city," and went on board the steamboat Aurilla Wood, + bound for Cincinnati. By a telegraphic message he was + intercepted, taken from the boat at Cairo, Illinois, and + taken back to Memphis. (Summer, 1853.) + + GEORGE W. MCQUERRY, _Cincinnati, Ohio_. A colored man, who + had resided three or four years in Ohio, and married a free + woman, by whom he had three children, was remanded to slavery + by Judge McLean (August, 1853.) The man was taken by the + United States Marshal, with a posse, across the river to + Covington, Kentucky, and there delivered to his _master_! + + _Two men kidnapped_ from Chicago, and taken to St. Louis. See + _Chicago_ Tribune, quoted in _Standard_, Aug. 27, 1853. + + _Three Slaves_ taken by _Habeas Corpus_, from steamboat + Tropic, and brought before Judge Flinn, at Cincinnati, + August, 1853. The woman Hannah expressed a wish to return to + her master in the boat. Judge Flinn ordered her into the + custody of the claimants without investigation. Judge F. + asked Hannah if she had the custody of the child Susan, to + which she answered that she had. Whereupon the Judge also + ordered her back into the custody of the claimants, without + examination. Mr. Jolliffe protested against ordering the + child back without examination. The Court said they would + take the responsibility. The examination then proceeded in + the case of the man Edward. It appeared that they were + purchased in Virginia, to be conveyed to Mississippi. The + boat stopped at Cincinnati, and the slaves were twice taken + by the agent of the owners on shore, and upon the territory + of Ohio. Mr. Jolliffe commenced his argument at 7, P.M., and + argued that the slaves, being brought by their owners upon + free territory, were legally free. Mr. J., before finishing, + was taken ill, and obliged to leave the court-room; he first + begged the Court to adjourn until morning, which was refused + by Judge Flinn. Judge Keys said the Ohio river was a highway + for all States bordering on it, whose citizens had a right + also to use the adjacent shores for purposes necessary to + navigation. Mr. Zinn stated that Mr. Jolliffe had been + obliged to retire, in consequence of illness, and had + requested him to urge the Court to continue the case. Judge + Flinn said--"The case will he decided to-night; that is + decided on. We have not been silting here four or five hours + to determine whether we will decide the case or not. It will + be decided, and you may come up to it sideways or square; or + any way you please; you must come to it." Mr. Zinn said he + was not going to argue. He had made the request out of + courtesy to a professional brother. He doubted the power of + the Court to deliver the boy into slavery. Judge Flinn + said--"I do not wish to hear any arguments of that nature." + The man was then ordered to be taken by the Sheriff, and + delivered to claimant on board the boat,--which was + done.--_Cincinnati Gazette_, 27th August, 1853. + + PATRICK SNEED, a colored waiter in the Cataract House, + Niagara Falls, arrested on the pretended charge of murder + committed in Savannah, Georgia. He was brought, by _Habeas + Corpus_, before Judge Sheldon, at Buffalo, (September, 1853,) + and by him ordered to be "fully discharged." + + BILL, [or WILLIAM THOMAS,] a colored waiter at the + Phenix Hotel, Wilkesbarre, Penn., described as a "tall, + noble-looking, intelligent, and active mulatto, nearly + white," was attacked by "Deputy Marshal Wynkoop," Sept. 3, + 1853, and four other persons, (three of them from Virginia.) + These men came "suddenly, from behind, knocked him down with + a mace, and partially shackled him." He struggled hard + against the five, shook them off, and with the handcuff, + which had been secured to his right wrist only "inflicted + some hard wounds on the countenances" of his assailants. + Covered with blood, he broke from them, rushed from the + house, and plunged in the river close by, exclaiming, "I will + be drowned rather than taken alive." He was pursued, fired + upon repeatedly, ordered to come out of the water, where he + stood immersed to his neck, or "they would blow his brains + out." He replied, "I will die first." They then deliberately + fired at him four or five different times, the last ball + supposed to have struck on his head, for his face was + instantly covered with blood, and he sprang up and shrieked. + The by-standers began to cry "shame" and the kidnappers + retired a short distance for consultation. Bill came out of + the water and lay down on the shore. His pursuers, supposing + him dying, said, "Dead niggers are not worth taking South." + Some one brought and put on him a pair of pantaloons. He was + helped to his feet by a colored man named Rex; on seeing + which, Wynkoop and party headed him and presented their + revolvers, when BILL again ran into the river, "where he + remained upwards of an hour, nothing but his head above + water, covered with blood, and in full view of hundreds who + lined the banks." His claimants dared not follow him into + the water; for, as he said afterward, "he would have died + contented, could he have carried two or three of them down + with him." Preparations [rather slow it would appear,] were + made to arrest the murderous gang, but they had departed + from the place. BILL then waded some distance up the stream, + and "was found by some women flat on his face in a + corn-field. They carried him to a place of safety, dressed + his wounds," and the suffering man was seen no more in + Wilkesbarre.--_Correspondence of New York Tribune_. + +Wynkoop and another were afterwards arrested in Philadelphia, on a +charge of riot, the warrant issuing from a State magistrate of +Wilkesbarre, on the complaint of William C. Gildersleeve, of the +place. Mr. Jackson, the constable who held them in custody, was +brought before Judge Grier, of the United States Supreme Court, by +_habeas corpus_. Judge Grier, during the examination, said:-- + + "I will not have the officers of the United States harassed + at every step in the performance of their duties by every + petty magistrate who chooses to harass them, or by any + unprincipled interloper who chooses to make complaints + against them--for I know something of the man who makes this + complaint." "If this man Gildersleeve fails to make out the + facts set forth in the warrant of arrest, I will request the + Prosecuting Attorney of Luzerne County to prosecute him + for perjury. * * * If any tuppenny magistrate, or any + unprincipled interloper can come in, and cause to be arrested + the officers of the United States, whenever they please, it + is a sad affair. * * * If _habeas corpuses_ are to be taken + out alter that manner, I will have an indictment sent to the + United States Grand Jury against the person who applies for + the writ, or assists in getting it, the lawyer who defends + it, and the sheriff who serves the writ. * * * I will see + that my officers are protected." On a subsequent day, Judge + Grier gave an elaborate opinion, reciting the facts in the + case, _as stated by the prisoners_, and ordering them to be + _discharged_! He said:--"We are unable to perceive, in this + transaction, anything worthy of blame in the conduct of these + officers in their unsuccessful endeavors to fulfil a most + dangerous and disgusting duty; except, perhaps, a want of + sufficient courage and perseverance in the attempt to execute + the writ!" + +Wynkoop and the other were discharged by Judge Kane on the ground that +they did only what their duty, under the Law, required. (May, 1854.) + + _A family of colored persons_, at Uniontown, Pa., were + claimed as slaves by a man in Virginia. They admitted that + they had been his slaves, but declared that they had come + into Pennsylvania with their master's consent and knowledge, + on a visit to some friends in Fayette County, and were not, + therefore, _fugitives_. This was overruled, and the negroes + were sent back by a United States Commissioner, name not + given. (September, 1853.)[A]--_Pittsburgh Saturday Visiter_. + + [Footnote A: _A correspondent_ of the _New York Evening + Post_, writing from Columbus, Ohio, September 1, 1853, states + that a very large number of fugitive slaves are continually + passing through that State; that they are generally armed; + and that they find increasing sympathy among the people on + the road, and the boatmen on the lakes.] + + _A desperate fight_ between a party of four fugitives and + about double the number of whites, took place in Carroll + County, Maryland. Four white men shot--none dangerously. Two + of the slaves wounded, one severely. They were captured. + (October, 1853.)--_Westminster (Md.) Democrat_. + + _Washington, Indiana._ In April, 1853, GEORGE, a negro man, + was arrested and claimed by a Mr. Rice, of Kentucky, as his + slave. Judge Clemens ordered his surrender to Rice, who took + him to Louisville, and there sold him to a slave-trader, who + took him to Memphis, Tennessee. Here a man from Mississippi + claimed that George was _his_ slave, obtained a writ of + replevin, and took possession of him. + + JOSHUA GLOVER, colored man, claimed as the slave of B.S. + Garland, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was arrested near + Racine, Wisconsin, about the 10th of March, 1854. Arrest made + by five men, who burst suddenly into his shanty, put a pistol + to his head, felled him to the ground, handcuffed him, and + took him in a wagon to Milwaukee jail, a distance of + twenty-five miles. They swore that if he shouted or made the + least noise, they would kill him instantly. When visited, + says the _Milwaukee Sentinel_, "We found him in his cell. He + was cut in two places on the head; the front of his shirt and + vest were soaking and stiff with his own blood." A writ of + _habeas corpus_ was immediately issued; also a warrant for + the arrest of the five men who assaulted and beat him in his + shanty. Thousands of people collected around the jail and + court-house, "the excitement being intense." A vigilance + committee of twenty-five persons was appointed to watch the + jail at night and see that Glover was not secretly taken + away. The next day, at about five o'clock, P.M., a + considerable accession of persons being made to the crowd, + and it appearing that every attempt to save Glover by the + laws of Wisconsin had been overruled by United States Judge + Miller, a demand was made for the man. This being refused, an + attack was made upon the door with axes, planks, &c. It was + broken in, the inner door and wall broken through, and Glover + taken from his keepers, brought out, placed in a wagon, and + driven off at great speed. + + S.M. Booth, editor of the _Milwaukee Free Democrat_, Charles + Clement, of the _Racine Advocate_, W.H. Waterman, and George + S. Wright were arrested for aiding and abetting the rescue of + Glover. Booth was subsequently discharged by the Supreme + Court of Wisconsin, on the ground that the Fugitive Slave Law + is unconstitutional. He was, however, re-arrested, and held + to answer in the United States Courts, on the same charge; + the offered bail was refused, and he was lodged in jail. The + case was subsequently tried before the District Court of the + United States, at Milwaukee, on the question as to the right + of a State judiciary to release prisoners under a writ of + _habeas corpus_, who may be in the lawful custody of United + States officers; and also to determine the constitutionality + of the Fugitive Slave Law. (_Washington Star_, September 20, + 1854.) The Attorney General, Caleb Cushing, made himself very + active in pushing forward this case. Mr. Booth, early in + 1855, was fined one thousand dollars and sentenced to one + month's imprisonment. John Ryecraft, for same offence, was + sentenced in a fine of two hundred dollars and imprisonment + for ten days. All for acts such as Christianity and Humanity + enjoin. On a writ of _habeas corpus_, Messrs. Booth and + Ryecraft were taken before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, + sitting at Madison, and discharged from imprisonment. This, + however, did not relieve them from the fines imposed by the + United States Court. The owner of the slave brought a civil + suit against Mr. Booth, claiming $1,000 damages for the loss + of his slave. Judge Miller decided, July, 1855, that the + $1,000 must be paid. + + EDWARD DAVIS, _March, 1854_. As the steamboat Keystone State, + Captain Hardie, from Savannah, was entering Delaware Bay, + bound to Philadelphia, the men engaged in heaving the lead + heard a voice from under the guards of the boat, calling for + help. A rope was thrown, and a man caught it and was drawn + into the boat in a greatly exhausted state. He had remained + in that place from the time of leaving Savannah, the water + frequently sweeping over him. Some bread in his pocket was + saturated with salt water and dissolved to a pulp. The + captain ordered the vessel to be put in to Newcastle, + Delaware, where the fugitive, hardly able to stand, was taken + on shore and put in jail, to await the orders of his owner, + in Savannah. DAVIS claimed to be a free man, and a native of + Philadelphia, and described many localities there. Before + Judge Bradford, at Newcastle, Davis's freedom was fully + proved, and he was discharged. He was again arrested and + placed in jail on the oath of Captain Hardie, that he + believed him to be a fugitive slave and a fugitive from + justice. After some weeks' delay, he was brought to trial + before United States Commissioner Samuel Guthrie, who ordered + him to be delivered up to his claimant on the ground that he + was legally a slave, though free-born. It appeared in + evidence that Davis had formerly gone from Pennsylvania to + reside in Maryland, contrary to the laws of that State; which + forbid free colored persons from other States to come there + to reside; and being unable to pay the fine imposed for this + offence (!) by the Orphan's (!) Court of Harford County, was + committed to jail and sold as a slave for life, by Robert + McGaw, Sheriff of the County, to Dr. John G. Archer, of + Louisiana, from whom he was sold to B.M. Campbell, who sold + him to William A. Dean, of Macon, Georgia, the present + claimant. Thus a free-born citizen of Pennsylvania was + consigned, _by law_ to slavery for life: + +[-->In May, 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Bill was enacted.] + + ANTHONY BURNS, arrested in Boston, May 24, 1854, as the slave + of Charles F. Suttle, of Alexandria, Virginia, who was + present to claim him, accompanied by a witness from Richmond, + Virginia, named William Brent. Burns was arrested on a + warrant granted by United States Commissioner Edward Greeley + Loring, taken to the court-house in Boston, ironed, and + placed in an upper story room under a strong guard. The + hearing commenced the next morning before Mr. Loring, but was + adjourned until Saturday; May 27, to give the counsel for A. + Burns time to examine the case. On Friday evening, (26th,) an + attack was made upon the court-house by a body of men, with + the evident design of rescuing Burns; a door was forced in, + and one of the marshal's special guard, (named Batchelder,) + was killed, whether by the assailants or by one of his own + party is uncertain, it being quite dark; upon the cry of + Batchelder that he was killed, the attacking party retreated + and made no further attempt. The trial of the case proceeded + on Saturday, again on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, when + the Commissioner said he would give his decision on Friday. + During the trial, Burns was continually surrounded by a + numerous body-guard, (said to be at least one hundred and + twenty-five men,) selected by Watson Freeman, United States + Marshal, from the vilest sinks of scoundrelism, corruption, + and crime in the city to be Deputy Marshals for the occasion. + These men, with every form of loathsome impurity and + hardened villainy stamped upon their faces, sat constantly + around the prisoner while in the court-room, the handles of + pistols and revolvers visibly protruding from their breast + pockets. A company of United States troops, from the Navy + Yard, occupied the court-house, and guarded all avenues to + the United States court-room. The testimony of numerous + highly respectable witnesses was adduced to show that Anthony + Burns was in Boston a month earlier than the time at which he + was said to have left Richmond. R.H. Dana, Jr. and Charles M. + Ellis, counsel for Burns, made very eloquent and able + arguments in his behalf. Seth J. Thomas and E.G. Parker were + the counsel for Suttle, the case being constantly watched and + aided by the United States District Attorney, Benjamin F. + Hallett, who was in regular telegraphic communication with + the President of the United States, (F. Pierce,) at + Washington. An effort was made, and followed up with much + patience, to buy Burns's freedom, Suttle having offered to + sell him for $1,200. The money was raised and tendered to + Suttle, when difficulties were interposed, especially by Mr. + Attorney Hallett, and the attempt failed. Suttle afterwards + declared he would not sell Burns for any sum, but that he + should go back to Virginia. On Friday morning, June 2d, + Commissioner Loring gave his decision, overriding all the + testimony in Burns's favor, using certain expressions which + fell from Burns in the first heat and confusion of his + arrest, as testimony against him, and concluding with + ordering him to be delivered up to the claimant. Some four + hours were consumed in getting Court Street, State Street, + &c., in a state of readiness for the removal of the prisoner. + A regiment of Massachusetts Infantry had been posted on + Boston Common, under command of Col. Benjamin Franklin (!) + Edmands, from an early hour of the day, in anticipation of + the Commissioner's decision. These troops, which had been + called out by the Mayor, Jerome V.C. Smith, were marched to + the scene of the kidnapping, and so placed as to guard every + street, lane, and other avenue leading to State Street, &c., + the route through which the slave procession was to pass. No + individual was suffered to pass within these guards; but acts + of violence were committed by them on several individuals. + Court Square was occupied by two companies of United States + troops, (chiefly Irishmen,) and a large field-piece was drawn + into the centre. All preparations being made, Watson Freeman + (United States Marshal) issued forth from the court-house + with his prisoner, who walked with a firm step, surrounded by + the body-guard of criminals before mentioned, with drawn + United States sabres in their hands, and followed by United + States troops with the aforesaid piece of artillery. Preceded + by a company of Massachusetts mounted troops, under command + of Colonel Isaac H. Wright, this infamous procession took its + way down Court Street, State Street and Commerce Street, (for + the proprietors of Long Wharf refused to allow them to march + upon their premises, through a public highway in all ordinary + cases,) to the T Wharf, where the prisoner was taken on board + a steam tow-boat, and conveyed down the harbor to the United + States Revenue Cutter Morris; in which he was transported to + Virginia. + + It may not be amiss to have given, in a single instance, this + somewhat detailed account of the process of seizing, trying, + and delivering up a man into slavery, whose only crime was + that he had fled from a bondage "one hour of which is fraught + with more misery than ages of that which our fathers rose in + rebellion to throw off," Thomas Jefferson, the Virginian + slaveholder, himself being witness. + + Anthony Burns, having been sold into North Carolina, was + afterwards purchased with money subscribed in Boston and + vicinity, for the purpose, and returned to Boston. + + The _illegality_ of the Mayor's conduct in ordering out the + military, and giving to the Colonel of the regiment the + entire control of the same, was fully shown by different and + highly competent writers, among whom was P.W. Chandler, Esq., + whose two articles, in the _Boston Advertiser_, deserve to be + remembered with respect. The Mayor's excuse was that he + desired to _keep the peace_. But these Massachusetts troops + received pay for their day's work from the United States + Government. Judge HOAR, in a charge to the Grand Jury, + declared the act of the Mayor, in calling out the militia, to + be an infraction of law. + + + STEPHEN PEMBROKE, and his two sons, _Robert_ and _Jacob_, + 19 and 17 years of age, were arrested in New York almost + simultaneously with the seizure of Burns in Boston; claimed + as the slaves of David Smith and Jacob H. Grove, of + Sharpsburg, Washington County, Maryland. They escaped May + 1st, and came to New York, followed closely by their masters, + who discovered their retreat in Thompson Street, and pounced + upon them by night. At 8-1/2 o'clock, next morning, they were + taken before United States Commissioner G.W. Morton, "where + the case came up for the most summary and hasty hearing that + has ever characterized our judicial proceedings." Dunning and + Smith were counsel for the masters, but the fugitives had no + counsel; and the hearing was finished, and a warrant granted + to the slave claimants before the matter became known in the + city. When Mr. Jay and Mr. Culver hastened to the court-room + to offer their services to the prisoners, as counsel, they + were assured by officers, _and by Commissioner Morton + himself_, that the men wanted no counsel, and were not in the + building. On search, however, it was found they were in the + building, locked up in a room. They said they desired counsel + and the aid of friends. A writ of _habeas corpus_ was + obtained, but before it could be served the three men had + been removed from the State, and were on their way to + Baltimore. [See the published. Card of E.D. CULVER, Esq.] + Stephen Pembroke was the brother, and his sons the nephews + of Rev. Dr. Pennington, of New York City, Pastor of a + Presbyterian (colored) Church. Stephen Pembroke was purchased + and brought back to New York, ($1,000 having been contributed + for that purpose,) and related his experience of the slave's + life, at a public meeting, held in the Broadway Tabernacle, + July 17, 1854. His sons had been sold, and remained in + slavery. + + JAMES COTES, free man of color, residing in Gibson County, + Indiana, went to Jeffersonville, (Ind.,) to take the cars for + Indianapolis. On going to the depot, at 6, A.M., for the + morning train, he was knocked down, "beat over the head with + a brick-bat, and cut with a bowie-knife, until subdued. He + was then tied, and in open daylight in full view of our + populace, borne off bleeding like a hog." He was undoubtedly + taken to the jail, in Louisville. On crossing the river to + Louisville he met the captain of a steamboat, who knew him to + be a free man. (About June 1, 1854.) The kidnapper was + arrested and held to bail in the sum of $1,000, to take his + trial at next Circuit Court. + + _Near Cedarville, Ohio, May 25, 1854_, about noon, "a colored + man, of middle age and respectable appearance, was walking on + the Columbus and Xenia turnpike. He was alone. A man in a + buggy overtook him, and invited him to ride, saying he was a + friend to the colored man, and promising to assist him in + obtaining his liberty." He took the colored man to the house + of one Chapman, "three miles south of Selma, in Greene + county." There Chapman and the other, (whose name was William + McCord,) fell upon the colored man, struck him with a _colt_ + upon the head, so that he bled severely, and bound his hands + behind him. "Soon after the negro got loose and ran down the + road; McCord ran after him, crying 'Catch the d----d horse + thief,' &c., Chapman and his son following; negro picked up + a stone, the man a club and struck him on the head, so that + he did not throw the stone. He was then tied, and helped + by McCord and Chapman to walk to the buggy. McCord asked + Chapman, the son, to accompany him to Cincinnati with the + colored man, promising to give him half the reward ($200) if + he would. They then started, driving very fast." "We had not + gone over two or three miles," said Chapman, "before the + negro died, and after taking him two or three miles further, + put him out, and left him as now discovered,"--viz. in a + thick wood, one mile south of Clifton. The above facts are + taken from the testimony given at the coroner's inquest + over the body. "The jury gave in substance the following + verdict:--Deceased came to his death by blows from a colt + and club in the hands of one William McCord, assisted by + the two Chapmans." Chapman, the son, said that McCord made + him a proposition to join and follow kidnapping for a + business, stating that he knew where he could get four + victims immediately. McCord was taken and lodged in Xenia + jail. The Chapmans bound over to take their trial for + kidnapping.--_Wilmington (Ohio) Herald of Freedom_. + + _Columbus, Indiana._ A Kentuckian endeavored to entice a + little negro boy to go with him, and both were waiting to + take the cars, when mischief was suspected, and a crowd of + people proceeded to the depot, and made the kidnapper + release his intended victim. (June, 1854.)--_Indiana Free + Democrat_. + + ---- BROWN, a resident of Henderson, Kentucky, was arrested + for aiding four female slaves to escape from Union County, + Kentucky, to Canada. United States Marshal Ward and Sheriff + Gavitt, of Indiana, made the arrest. He was lodged in + Henderson jail.--_Evansville (Ind.) Journal_, June 2, 1854. + + Several Kentucky planters, among them Archibald Dixon, raised + $500 in order to secure Brown's conviction and sentence to + penitentiary. + + [Transcriber's note: The following note appears as a footnote + to this section without specific reference to any of the + cited cases.] + + --> The case of SOLOMON NORTHUP, though not under the + Fugitive Law, is so striking an illustration of the power + which created that law, and of the constant danger which + impends over every colored citizen of the Northern States, + fast threatening to include white citizens also, that it must + not he passed over without mention. He was kidnapped in 1841, + from the State of New York, and kept in slavery twelve years. + Two men, named Merrill and Russell, were arrested and tried + as his kidnappers, and the fact fully proven. But the case + was got into the United States Courts, and the criminals went + unpunished. [end of note] + + _Nine slaves_ left their masters in Boone County, Kentucky, + on Sunday, June 11, 1854, having three horses with them. + Arrived at the river, they turned the horses back, and taking + a skiff crossed at midnight to the Ohio shore. After + travelling two or three miles, they hid during Monday in a + clump of bushes. At night they started northward again. A + man, named John Gyser, met them and promised to assist them. + He took them to a stable, where they were to remain until + night. He immediately went to Covington, Kentucky, learned + that $1,000 reward was offered for their apprehension, and + gave information of their place of concealment. At evening a + strong band of Kentuckians, with United States Deputy Marshal + George Thayer, assisted by three Cincinnati officers, + surrounded the stable and took the nine prisoners, on a + warrant issued by United States Commissioner Pendery. They + were all given up to their claimants, and taken back to + Kentucky. + + _A New Orleans correspondent of the New York Tribune_, in a + letter dated July 3, 1854, writes, "During a recent trip up + the river I was on several steamers, and on every boat they + had one or more runaway slaves, who had been caught and were + being taken in _irons_ to their _masters_." + + _On the Steamer Alvin Adams_, at Madison, Indiana, a man was + arrested as a fugitive and taken to Louisville, Kentucky. + He was claimed as the slave of John H. Page, of Bowling + Green. The _Louisville Journal_, edited by a Northern man, + stigmatised him as a "rascal," for his attempt to be free. + (July, 1854.) + + _Two colored men_, on their way to Chicago, were seized and + taken from the cars at Lasalle, Illinois, by three men, who + said they were not officers. The colored men were known to + be free; one was "a respectable resident of Chicago." Some of + the passengers interfered; but it being night, and very dark, + and the cars starting on the colored men were left in the + hands of their kidnappers. + + _Chicago, Illinois._ Three men from Missouri, with a warrant + from the Governor of that State, to take a certain fugitive + slave, seized a man whom they met in the street, bound him + with a handkerchief, and to quicken his steps beat him with + the butt of a pistol. He succeeded in shaking off his captors + and fled, a pistol-bullet being sent after him, which did not + hit him. He made good his escape. The men were arrested and + held to trial for assault with deadly weapons. By an + extraordinary conspiracy on the part of District Attorney + Hoyne, Sheriff Bradley, and others, these men were taken from + jail to be carried to Springfield, Illinois, two hundred + miles distant, to appear before Chief Justice Treat, that he + might inquire "whether said alleged kidnappers were justly + held to bail and imprisoned." It was so suddenly done that + the counsel for the kidnapped man and for the State of + Illinois had not time to reach Springfield before the men + were discharged and on their way to Missouri. The Grand Jury + of the County (in which Chicago is) had found a true bill + against them, of which the Sheriff professed to be ignorant, + (which was deemed hardly possible,)--under which bill they + would probably have been convicted and sentenced to the State + Prison. Thus the omnipotent Slave Power reaches forth its + hand into our most Northern cities, end saves its minions + from the punishment which their lawless acts have justly + merited.--_Chicago Daily Tribune_, Sept. 21, 1854. + +--> The three kidnappers published a statement in the _St. Louis +Republican_ of September 26. + + HENRY MASSEY, at Philadelphia, September, 1854, was brought + before United States Commissioner E.D. Ingraham, claimed by + Franklin Bright, of Queen Anne's County, Maryland, as his + slave. Arrested in Harrisburg. + + HARVEY, arrested near Cumminsville, Ohio,--escaped,--taken + again in Goshen, about ten miles from Cincinnati, and lodged + in the jail of that city. An investigation of the case was + had before United States Commissioner Pendery, and the + slave remanded to the custody of his master.--_Cincinnati + Commercial_, September 22, 1854. + + _Byberry, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1854._ A carriage load + of suspicious looking men came to this place in the + afternoon. They waited until nightfall, when they burst into + the house of a colored family, "seized the man in presence of + his wife and another woman, threatening to shoot them if they + interfered--dragged him out, beating him over the head with a + mace. The poor fellow continued to scream for help until his + voice was stifled by his groans; they forced him into their + carriage and drove off, before any effectual assistance + could be offered." He was a sober and industrious man, and + much respected. His wife was left heartbroken, with one + child.--_Norristown (Pa.) Olive Branch_. + + _The Frankfort (Ky.) Yeoman_, of November 18, 1854, + said:--"Kidnapping free negroes in Ohio, and deluding our + slaves from their masters to recapture and sell them, is an + established profession of a gang located upon the borders of + the Ohio River, combining with negro-traders in the interior + of this State." The names of some employed in this business + are given, two of whom, having been arrested and imprisoned, + threatened to burn the city of Frankfort for interrupting + their business. + + JANE MOORE, a free colored woman, at Cincinnati, November, + 1854, seized in the house of her sister, (Sycamore Street,) + beaten, and with the help of a deputy marshal from Covington, + Kentucky, carried over to Covington, and lodged in jail, + on pretence of her being a fugitive slave. She was taken + before the Mayor of Covington, "who heard the case with + impartiality." Her freedom was established, and she released. + + _At Indianapolis, Indiana, December, 1854_, Benjamin B. + Waterhouse was indicted for harboring fugitive slaves, + contrary to the provisions of the Fugitive Law. He was found + guilty, but the jury recommended him "to the favorable + consideration of the Court, and stated that the evidence was + barely sufficient to convict." He was fined fifty dollars and + to be imprisoned one hour, and the government to pay the + costs.---_Chicago Tribune_. + + _A Proposition for Kidnapping_, on a large scale, was made by + John H. Pope, "police officer and constable," in a letter + dated "Frederick, Maryland, United States of America, January + 1, 1855," and addressed to Mr. Hays, Sheriff of Montreal, + Canada. "Vast numbers of slaves," says Mr. Pope, "escaping + from their masters or owners, succeed in reaching your + Provinces, and are, therefore, without the pale of the + 'Fugitive Slave Law,' and can only be restored by cunning, + together with skill. Large rewards are offered and will be + paid for their return, and could I find an efficient person + to act with me, a great deal of money could be made, as I + would equally divide. * * * The only apprehension we have in + approaching too far into Canada is the fear of being + arrested; and had I a good assistant in your city, who would + induce the negroes to the frontier, I would be there to pay + the cash. On your answer, I can furnish names and + descriptions of negroes." + +This letter was published, doubtless at the Montreal Sheriff's +request, in the _Montreal Gazette_, January 13, 1855. + +--> The _Montreal Gazette_, of February 3, published a second letter +from J.H. Pope. + + _A warrant was issued in Boston_, January 10, 1855, by United + States Commissioner Charles Levi Woodbury, for the arrest of + JOHN JACKSON, as a fugitive from service and labor in + Georgia. Mr. Jackson, who had been for some time in the city, + was nowhere to be found. + + ROSETTA ARMSTEAD, a colored girl, was taken by writ of + _habeas corpus_ before Judge Jamison, at Columbus, Ohio. + Rosetta formerly belonged to Ex-President John Tyler, who + _gave her_ to his daughter, the wife of Rev. Henry M. + Dennison, an Episcopal clergyman of Louisville, Kentucky. + Mrs. D. having deceased, Rosetta was to be sent back to + Virginia in care of an infant child, both being placed in + charge of a Dr. Miller, a friend of Mr. Dennison. Passing + through Ohio, the above writ was obtained. Rosetta expressed + her desire to remain in freedom in Ohio. The case was removed + to Cincinnati, and was delayed until Mr. Dennison could + arrive from Louisville. (_Ohio State Journal_, March 12, + 1855.) The girl was set free; "but was again arrested by the + United States Marshal upon the same warrant which Judge + Parker had declared illegal; thereupon another _habeas + corpus_ was issued, which the Marshal refused to obey; when + he was fined $50, and imprisoned for contempt." Even United + States Commissioner Pendery, before whom the case was brought + as that of a fugitive slave, pronounced the girl free, and + she was placed in the care of a guardian. The United States + Marshal being taken by _habeas corpus_ before Judge McLean, + of the United States Supreme Court, was set at liberty, Judge + McL. alleging that the proceedings in the State Court were + null and void! + + GEORGE CLARK, a colored boy, eighteen years of age, in + Pennsylvania, was decoyed into the house of one Thompson, + (February 23, 1855,) where he was seized by three men, one of + whom was Solomon Snyders, a well known ruffian and kidnapper + in the neighborhood, who said to him, "Now, George, I am + going to take you to your master." The screams of George + fortunately brought deliverance to him. The three men were + arrested, tried, and sentenced to imprisonment for + kidnapping, by the Court of Dauphin County.--_Norristown + (Penn.) Olive Branch_. + + _The Norristown (Penn.) Olive Branch_, (in connection with + the last named case,) speaks of a case which had occurred a + short time before, under the Fugitive Law, before United + States Commissioner McAllister, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, + and which has not yet been mentioned in this record. A + colored man and his wife, with their infant child, were + taken, "one morning, very early," before Commissioner Richard + McAllister, and before any counsel could reach the spot the + case had been decided against the man and woman; but the + babe, having been born in Pennsylvania, they did not "dare to + send that" into slavery; "so the only alternative was to take + it away from its mother," which was done, and that evening + the man and woman were taken South. No time had been allowed + to bring forward witnesses in their behalf, and there was + only a single witness against them, and he a boy about + seventeen years old, and a relative of the slave-claimant. + The woman's sufferings, on account of the separation from + her child, seemed greater than for her own fate. The article + from the Norristown paper is in the _National Anti-Slavery + Standard_, June 2, 1855. + + GEORGE MITCHELL, a young colored man, at San Jose, + California, arrested and taken before Justice Allen, April, + 1855, "charged with owing service and labor to one Jesse C. + Cooper, of Tennessee." Mitchell was brought into California + by his then owner, in 1849, the year before the enactment of + the Fugitive Slave Law. His arrest was made, under a Fugitive + Slave Law of California. By _habeas corpus_ the case was + carried before Judge C.P. Hester, of the District Court. + Mitchell was discharged on the ground (we believe) that the + California Law was unconstitutional; also that the + proceedings were "absolutely void." On the 21st April (or + May) "another attempt was made to reduce George to slavery at + San Francisco." He was brought before the United States + District Court, Judge Hoffman presiding, claimed under the + United States Fugitive Law as the property of the above-named + Cooper. [The result of the trial not known.]--_San Jose + Telegraph_. + + _At Dayville, Connecticut_, June 13, 1855, an attempt was + made to seize a fugitive slave; "but the citizens interfered + and the fugitive escaped." He was claimed by a resident of + Pomfret, who said he had bought him in Cuba.--_Hartford + Religious Herald_. + + _At Burlington, Iowa_, a colored man, called DICK, was + arrested and taken before United States Commissioner Frazee. + "Much excitement was caused." He was claimed as belonging to + Thomas Ruthford, Clark County, Missouri. Dick was discharged + as not being the man claimed. (June, 1855.) + + _A white girl_, fourteen years of age, daughter of Mr. Samuel + Godshall, of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania, while + walking upon the road, was seized by two men, a plaster put + upon her mouth, and she taken in a close carriage in the + direction of Maryland. After going twelve miles, they put her + out of the carriage, "in a secluded and woody portion of the + country, threatening to kill her if she made any alarm, when + they drove away as fast as they could." Some colored people + met her, got the plaster off her mouth, and aided her + home. It was supposed the kidnappers mistook her for a + mulatto girl; but discovering their blunder dismissed + her.--_Philadelphia Ledger_, July 9, 1855. + + _The Norristown (Penn.) Herald_ relates a case similar to the + preceding. Benjamin Johnson, a white lad of fifteen, on his + way from his father's, at Evansburg, to S. Jarrett's, near + Jeffersonville, was invited to ride by a man in a carriage. + The man took him by an unusual route; night coming on, the + boy was alarmed and attempted to escape, "when the villain + caught him and drove off at full speed, and by threats and + blows prevented him from making any alarm." He drove to a + distance of fifteen miles beyond Jeffersonville, when the boy + succeeded in making his escape. (July, 1855.) + + JANE JOHNSON, and her two sons, (colored,) brought into + Philadelphia (on their way to New York and thence to + Nicaragua) by John H. Wheeler. Stopped to dine at Bloodgood's + Hotel. Jane there made known her desire to be free. + Information of the same was conveyed to Passmore Williamson, + Secretary of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, an old + association founded by Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush, and + others. Mr. Williamson went to the hotel, and found that the + party had gone to the steamboat, at the foot of Walnut + Street. He proceeded thither, found them, and told the mother + that she and her sons had been legally made free by being + brought by their master into a free State. After some delay, + Jane rose to leave the boat. Wheeler endeavored to detain + her. Williamson held Wheeler back, and the woman went on + shore, a number of colored persons taking up the boys and + carrying them from the boat. They were enabled to escape. + (July 18, 1855.) + + The celebrated case of PASSMORE WILLIAMSON followed, before + Judge Kane, of the United States District Court. (See "Case + of Passmore Williamson," reported in full, and published in + Philadelphia, by Uriah Hunt & Son, 1856.) On the 27th July, + Mr. Williamson was committed to Moyamensing Prison, by Judge + Kane, "for a contempt of the court in refusing to answer to + the writ of _habeas corpus_;" Mr. W. _having answered_ that + he had not, and never had had, the custody of the three + alleged slaves, and therefore could not produce them in + court. Mr. Williamson was kept in prison until November 3d, + when he was discharged by Judge Kane, the technical + "contempt" having been removed. + + CELESTE, a mulatto woman, claimed as a slave, before Judge + Burgoyne, Cincinnati, Ohio. It appeared that she was + brought to Cincinnati by her master, and she was set + free.--_Cincinnati Gazette_, July 7, 1855. + + _Two fugitives_, in Indiana, (September, 1855,) requested aid + of the conductor of the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad. + The aid given was to take them back to Madison, whence they + were conveyed over the river to Kentucky. Before leaving that + State they had been hunted and attacked by dogs. These they + had despatched with their knives. The conductor was dismissed + from his position. An agent of the express company was said + to have aided him in the surrender of the men.--_Madison + Courier_. + + JACK, a colored boy, nine years of age, "claimed by Joseph + Tucker, of Mobile, as his slave, was sent back to his master + from Boston, in the brig Selma, Captain Rogers, on the 18th + inst." (October, 1855.)--_Boston Times_. + + JACOB GREEN, a colored man, was seized near Hollidaysburg, + Pennsylvania, by one Parsons, as a fugitive slave. + Parsons could show no authority for detaining Green, who, + with the help of some bystanders, released himself and + escaped.--_Hollidaysburg Standard_, October 24, 1855. + + _Four men indicted for kidnapping_ at Greensburg, Indiana, + in the Spring of 1855. Their names--David and Thomas Maple, + Morrison, and McCloskey. Charged with kidnapping two men, + whom they conveyed to a slave state, and sold as slaves. The + two Maples, fearing the indictment, absconded. The other two + were arrested, and brought to trial in October, 1855, at the + State Court, before Judge Logan. "Defendants' counsel moved + to quash the indictment, for the reason that the section of + the statute of Indiana against kidnapping was in violation of + the acts of Congress, and, therefore, void; and the Court + accordingly quashed the indictment"--_Indianapolis Journal_. + + _Eight fugitives from Kentucky_ reached Adams County, Ohio, + closely followed by several Kentuckians, who attempted to + search the houses of several of the citizens. "The people, + indignant at this outrage, assembled with arms, and placed an + injunction upon these summary proceedings." "The men-hunters + then offered $2,000 to any traitor who would betray the + fugitives into their hands. But, so far as we have learned, + the bribe was as unsuccessful as the attempted search." + (November, 1855.)--_Carroll Free Press_. + + _At Wilson's Corner, Bensalem, Buck's County, Pa._, Dec. 13, + 1855, a colored man in the employ of John Henderson was + seized by three men, who tied him, threw him into a wagon, + and drove off at full speed. They were seen, and quickly + followed by men on horseback. After two hours' hard riding, + the kidnappers were overtaken. A fight ensued--the black man + was released; when three pistol-shots were fired by the + kidnappers, killing a horse, and wounding one of the rescuing + party severely. A statement of the facts was published, as + an advertisement, in the _Philadelphia Ledger_, signed by + William Williams and John Henderson. + + "_Two very bright mulatto girls_," says the _Staunton (Va.) + Spectator_, "one belonging to Mr. John Churchman, and the + other to the estate of Colonel Crawford, deceased, took the + cars at Staunton, on the morning of December 30, 1855, and + made their way successfully to Baltimore, en route for a free + State. At Baltimore they were detected just as they were + about to take the train for Philadelphia, and information of + their arrest was immediately forwarded to D. Churchman, of + this place." On the following Friday they were taken back to + Virginia. "They were so nearly white that their success in + imposing upon the conductors of the cars is not astonishing, + and the only wonder is that they were detected at all. Since + their return, the negro girls have been sold--Mr. Churchman's + for $1,050, and the other for $950." + + FANNY, a colored child of fire years old, was taken from + Chicago, Illinois, into Tennessee, and sold for $250. A man + named F.M. Chapman, with his servant William R. Tracy, were + arrested as the kidnappers, and taken before Justice DeWolf. + Chapman claimed to have owned the child in Arkansas, and to + have brought her to Illinois [thereby making her free.] He + procured Tracy to take the child to Tennessee and sell her. + The result of the case not known. (January, 1856.) + + _Two fugitives_, passing through Ohio, (January, 1856,) were + closely pursued and nearly overtaken at Columbus, Ohio. "Ten + minutes previous warning only saved the fugitives from their + pursuers." Deputy Marshal J. Underwood, being called on to + act in the case, refused, and resigned his office, saying, he + did not expect to be "called upon to help execute the odious + Fugitive Slave Law."--_Cincinnati Commercial_. + +[--> The following may, not improperly, find a place here.] + + The House of Delegates of Virginia, early in 1856, adopted + the following:--"_Be it resolved by the General Assembly_, + That our Representatives in Congress are requested, and our + Senators be and are hereby instructed, to secure the passage + of a law making full compensation to all owners whose slaves + have or may hereafter escape into any of the non-slaveholding + States of this Union, and there be withheld from those to + whom such service or labor may be due." + + _Fourteen persons of color_, held at Los Angelos, California, + early in 1856, as the servants of one Robert Smith, were + brought before Judge Benjamin Hays, on a writ of _habeas + corpus_. Smith alleged that he formerly resided in + Mississippi, where he owned these persons; was now about to + remove to Texas, and designed to take these persons with him + as his slaves. Judge Hays decided that they were all free, + and those under twenty-one years of age were placed in the + charge of the sheriff, as their special guardian.--_Los + Angelos Star._ The opinion of Judge Hays (who was said to be + a native of South Carolina,) is a very able one, and under + the circumstances, of much interest. It may be found in the + _Standard_, of April 5, 1856. + + _Two colored lads_, named RALLS and LOGAN, living in + Cincinnati, were kidnapped thence by two men, named Orr and + Simpkins, and taken to St. Louis, Missouri, where the men + tried to sell them. The men were arrested as kidnappers. + (March, 1856.) + + _The Decatur (Illinois) Chronicle_ states that "a man charged + with being a fugitive slave was recently arrested at that + place and carried off, no one knows where. The sheriff of the + county was the willing instrument in the hands of the + claimants; no attempt to appeal to the law was made, the + negro being carried off as if he were a stray horse or dog." + The _Chicago Tribune_ says: "If this is a true statement of + the affair, that sheriff has laid himself liable to the + charge of kidnapping, and should at once be proceeded against + with such rigor as his offence demands." (April, 1856.) + +MARGARET GARNER _and seven others_, at Cincinnati, Ohio, January, +1856. Of this recent and peculiarly painful case we give a somewhat +detailed account, mainly taken from the Cincinnati papers of the +day. + + About ten o'clock on Sunday, 27th January, 1856, a + party of eight slaves--two men, two women, and four + children--belonging to Archibald K. Gaines and John Marshall, + of Richwood Station, Boone County, Kentucky, about sixteen + miles from Covington, escaped from their owners. Three of the + party are father, mother, and son, whose names are Simon, + Mary, and Simon, Jr.; the others are Margaret, wife of Simon, + Jr., and her four children. The three first are the property + of Marshall, and the others of Gaines. + + They took a sleigh and two horses belonging to Mr. Marshall, + and drove to the river bank, opposite Cincinnati, and crossed + over to the city on the ice. They were missed a few hours + after their flight, and Mr. Gaines, springing on a horse, + followed in pursuit. On reaching the river shore, he learned + that a resident had found the horses standing in the road. He + then crossed over to the City, and after a few hours diligent + inquiry, he learned that his slaves were in a house about a + quarter of a mile below the Mill Creek Bridge, on the river + road, occupied by a colored man named Kite. + + He proceeded to the office of United States Commissioner John + L. Pendery, and procuring the necessary warrants, with United + States Deputy Marshal Ellis, and a large body of assistants, + went on Monday to the place where his fugitives were + concealed. Arriving at the premises, word was sent to the + fugitives to surrender. A firm and decided negative was the + response. The officers, backed by a large crowd, then made a + descent. Breaking open the doors, they were assailed by the + negroes with cudgels and pistols. Several shots were fired, + but only one took effect, so far as we could ascertain. A + bullet struck a man named John Patterson, one of the + Marshal's deputies; tearing off a finger of his right hand, + and dislocating several of his teeth. No other of the + officers were injured, the negroes being rendered powerless + before they could reload their weapons. + + On looking around, horrible was the sight which met the + officers' eyes. In one corner of the room was a nearly white + child, bleeding to death. Her throat was cut from ear to ear, + and the blood was spouting out profusely, showing that the + deed was but recently committed. Scarcely was this fact + noticed, when a scream issuing from an adjoining room drew + their attention thither. A glance into the apartment revealed + a negro woman holding in her hand a knife literally dripping + with gore, over the heads of two little negro children, who + were crouched to the floor, and uttering the cries whose + agonized peals had first startled them. Quickly the knife was + wrested from the hand of the excited woman, and a more close + investigation instituted as to the condition, of the infants. + They were discovered to be cut across the head and + shoulders, but not very seriously injured, although the blood + trickled down their backs and upon their clothes. + + The woman avowed herself the mother of the children, and said + that she had killed one and would like to kill the three + others, rather than see them again reduced to slavery! By + this time the crowd about the premises had become prodigious, + and it was with no inconsiderable difficulty that the negroes + were secured in carriages, and brought to the United States + District Court-rooms, on Fourth Street. The populace followed + the vehicle closely, but evinced no active desire to effect a + rescue. Rumors of the story soon circulated all over the + city. Nor were they exaggerated, as is usually the case. For + once, reality surpassed the wildest thought of fiction. + + The slaves, on reaching the marshal's office, seated + themselves around the stove with dejected countenances, and + preserved a moody silence, answering all questions propounded + to them in monosyllables, or refusing to answer at all. Simon + is apparently about fifty-five years of age, and Mary about + fifty. The son of Mr. Marshall, who is here, in order, if + possible, to recover the property of his father, says that + they have always been faithful servants, and have frequently + been on this side of the river. Simon, Jr., is a young man, + about twenty-two years old, of a very lithe and active form, + and rather a mild and pleasant countenance. Margaret is a + dark mulatto, twenty-three years of age; her countenance is + far from being vicious, and her senses, yesterday, appeared + partially stultified from the exciting trials she had + endured. After remaining about two hours at the marshal's + office, Commissioner Pendery announced that the slaves would + be removed to the custody of the United States Marshal until + nine o'clock Tuesday morning, when the case would come up for + examination. + + The slaves were then taken down stairs to the street-door, + when a wild and exciting scene presented itself; the + sidewalks and the middle of the street were thronged with + people, and a couple of coaches were at the door in order to + convey the captives to the station-house. The slaves were + guarded by a strong posse of officers, and as they made their + appearance on the street, it was evident that there was a + strong sympathy in their favor. When they were led to the + carriage-doors, there were loud cries of "Drive on!" "Don't + take them!" The coachmen, either from alarm or from a + sympathetic feeling, put the whip to their horses, and drove + rapidly off, leaving the officers with their fugitives on the + sidewalk. They started on foot with their charge to the + Hammond Street station-house, where they secured their + prisoners for the night. + + The slaves claimed that they had been on this side of the + river frequently, by consent of their masters. + + About three o'clock application was made to Judge Burgoyne + for a writ of _habeas corpus_, to bring the slaves before + him. This was put in the hands of Deputy Sheriff Buckingham + to serve, who, accompanied by several assistants, proceeded + to Hammond Street station-house, where the slaves were + lodged. Mr. Bennett, Deputy United States Marshal, was + unwilling to give them up, and a long time was spent + parleying between the marshal and the sheriff's officers. The + sheriff being determined that the writ should be executed, + Mr. Bennett went out to take counsel with his friends. + Finally, through the advice of Mayor Faran, Mr. Bennett + agreed to lodge the slaves in the jail, ready to be taken out + at the order of Judge Burgoyne. Mr. Buckingham obtained the + complete control of the slaves. + + On the morning of the 29th, Sheriff Brashears, being advised + by lawyers that Judge Burgoyne had no right to issue his writ + for the slaves, and remembering Judge McLean's decision in + the Rosetta case, made a return on the writ of _habeas + corpus_, that the slaves were in the custody of the United + States Marshal, and, therefore, without his jurisdiction. + This returned the slaves to the custody of the Marshal. By + agreement, the parties permitted the slaves to remain in the + county jail during that day, with the understanding that + their examination should commence the next morning, before + Commissioner Pendery. An inquest had been held on the body of + the child which was killed, and a verdict was found by the + jury charging the death of the child upon the mother, who it + was said would be held under the laws of Ohio to answer the + charge of murder. An examination took place on Wednesday, + before the United States Commissioner. Time was allowed their + counsel to obtain evidence to show that they had been brought + into the State at former times by their masters. A meeting of + citizens was held on Thursday evening, to express sympathy + with the alleged fugitives. + + The _Cincinnati Commercial_ of January 30, said:--The mother + is of an interesting appearance, a mulatto of considerable + intelligence of manner, and with a good address. In reply to + a gentleman who yesterday complimented her upon the looks of + her little boy, she said, "You should have seen my little + girl that--that--[she did not like to say, was killed]--that + died, that was the bird." + + The _Cincinnati Gazette_, of January 30, said:--We learn that + the mother of the dead child acknowledges that she had killed + it, and that her determination was to have killed all the + children, and then destroy herself, rather than return to + slavery. She and the others complain of cruel treatment on + the part of their master, and allege that as the cause of + their attempted escape. + + The coroner's jury, after examining the citizens present at + the time of the arrest, went to the jail last evening, and + examined the grandmother of the child--one of the slaves. She + testified that the mother, when she saw they would be + captured, caught a butcher knife and ran to the children, + saying she would kill them rather than to have them return to + slavery, and cut the throat of the child, calling on the + grandmother to help her kill them. The grandmother said she + would not do it, and hid under a bed. + + The jury gave a verdict as follows:--That said child was + killed by its mother, Margaret Garner, with a butcher knife, + with which she cut its throat. + + Two of the jurors also find that the two men arrested as + fugitives were accessories to the murder. + + "The murdered child was almost white, and was a little girl + of rare beauty." + + The examination of witnesses was continued until Monday, + February 4, when the commissioner listened to the arguments + of counsel until February 7th. Messrs. Jolliffe and Gitchell + appeared for the fugitives, and Colonel Chambers, of + Cincinnati, and Mr. Finnell, of Covington, Kentucky, for the + claimants of the slaves. A great number of assistants, + (amounting very nearly to five hundred,) were employed by the + United States Marshal, H.H. Robinson, from the first, making + the expenses to the United States Government very large; for + their twenty-eight days' service alone, at $2.00 per day, + amounting to over $22,000. February 8th, the case was closed, + so far as related to the three slaves of Mr. Marshall, but + the decision was postponed. The examination in regard to + MARGARET and her children was farther continued. It was + publicly stated that Commissioner Pendery had declared that + he "would not send the woman back into slavery while a charge + or indictment for murder lay against her." Colonel Chambers, + counsel for the slave-claimants, in his argument, "read + long extracts from a pamphlet entitled, 'A Northern + Presbyter's Second Letter to Ministers of the Gospel of all + Denominations, on Slavery, by Nathan Lord, of Dartmouth + College,' approving and recommending Dr. Lord's views." + Colonel Chambers having alluded, in his remarks, to Mrs. Lucy + Stone Blackwell, and said that she had sought to give a knife + to Margaret Garner, the Court gave permission to Mrs. + Blackwell to reply to Colonel C. Mrs. B. preferred not to + speak at the bar, but addressed the crowded court-room + directly after the adjournment. Her eloquent remarks will be + found in the papers of the day. At the close of the hearing, + February 14th, the commissioner adjourned his court to the + 21st, afterwards to the 26th, when, he said, he would give + his decision. + + Meantime the case was making some progress in the State + courts. Sheriff Brashears having made return to the Common + Pleas Court that the fugitives were in the custody of the + United States Marshal, Judge Carter said this could not be + received as a true return, as they were in the County jail, + under the sheriff's control. The sheriff then amended his + return, so as to state that the prisoners were in his + custody, as required in the writ, and this was received by + the Court. The fugitives now came fully into the charge of + the State authorities. The sheriff held them "by virtue of a + _capias_ issued on an indictment by the grand jury for + murder." + + The slaves declared they would go dancing to the gallows + rather than to be sent back into slavery. + + On the 26th February, Commissioner Pendery gave his decision. + First, he refused to discharge Margaret and three others from + the custody of the United States Marshal and deliver them to + the Sheriff of Hamilton County, although held to answer, + under the laws of Ohio, to the charge of murder. He then + proceeded to consider the claim of Marshall to three of the + slaves, decided it to be valid, and ordered them into + Marshall's custody. He then considered Gaines's claim to + Margaret and her three surviving children, decided that also + to be good and valid, and ordered them to be delivered into + the possession of said Gaines. + + The case of the rightful custody, as between the United + States Marshal and the Ohio Sheriff also came on, February + 26th before Judge Leavitt, of the United States District + Court, and was argued by counsel on both sides. On the 28th, + Judge Leavitt decided that the custody was with the United + States Marshal. The substance of Judge L.'s argument and + decision is found in the following extract. + + "Judge McLean says: 'Neither this nor any other Court of the + United States, nor Judge thereof, can issue a _habeas corpus_ + to bring up a prisoner who is in custody under the sentence + or execution of a State Court, for any other purpose than to + be used as a witness. And it is immaterial whether the + imprisonment be under _civil or criminal process_.' If it be + true, as there asserted, that no Federal Court can interfere + with the exercise of the proper jurisdiction of a State + Court, either in a civil or criminal case, the converse of + the proposition is equally true. And it results that a State + Court cannot take from an officer of the United States, even + on a criminal charge, the custody of a person in execution on + a civil case. + + "It is said in argument that if these persons cannot be held + by the arrest of the Sheriff under the State process, the + rights and dignity of Ohio are invaded without the + possibility of redress. I cannot concur in this view. The + Constitution and laws of the United States provide for a + reclamation of these persons, by a demand on the Executive of + Kentucky. It is true, if now remanded to the claimant and + taken back to Kentucky as slaves, they cannot be said to have + fled from justice in Ohio; but it would clearly be a case + within the spirit and intention of the Constitution and the + Act of Congress, and I trust nothing would be hazarded by the + prediction that upon demand properly made upon the Governor + of Kentucky, he would order them to be surrendered to the + authorities of Ohio to answer to its violated law. I am sure + it is not going too far to say that if the strictness of the + law did not require this, an appeal to comity would not be in + vain." + + Mr. Chambers said his client, Mr. Gaines, authorized him to + say that he would hold the woman Margaret, who had killed her + child, subject to the requisition of the Governor of Ohio, to + answer for any crime she might have committed in Ohio. + + Judge Leavitt's decision covered the cases of the four adult + fugitives. Another legal process was going on, at the same + time, before Judge Burgoyne, of the Probate Court, viz.--a + hearing under a writ of _habeas corpus_ allowed by Judge + Burgoyne, alleging the illegal detention, by the United + States Marshal, of the three negro children, Samuel, Thomas, + and Silla Garner, which took place in the Probate Court, + before Judge B., on the afternoon of February 27. + + Mr. Jolliffe said he represented the infants at the request + of their father and mother, who had solicited him to save the + children, if possible. + + Messrs. Headington and Ketchum appeared for the United States + Marshal. + + Judge Burgoyne intimated that, in view of the serious and + important questions involved, he should require some time to + render a decision. He intimated, however, that a majority of + the Judges of the Supreme Court having passed on the + constitutionality of the Fugitive Slave Law was no reason why + he should not take up the Constitution and read it for + himself, being sworn to support the Constitution of the + United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio. + + Mr. Ketchum suggested that his Honor was as much bound in + conscience to regard the decision of the majority of the + Judges of the United States Courts as the express provisions + of the Constitution itself. + + Judge Burgoyne said, that however the decisions of the Judges + of the United States Courts might aid him in coming to a + conclusion, where the obligations of his conscience were + involved, he could not screen himself behind a decision made + by somebody else. + + Judge Burgoyne subsequently decided that, in as far as the + Fugitive Slave Law was intended to suspend the writ of + _habeas corpus_--and he believed that it was so intended--it + clearly transcended the limits prescribed by the + Constitution, and is "utterly void." Judge B. required the + United States Marshal to answer to the writ on the following + Friday; and on his neglect to do so, fined and imprisoned + him. Judge Leavitt, of the United States Court, soon released + the Marshal from prison. + + The _Cincinnati Columbian_, of February 29, gave the + following account:--The last act of the drama of the + fugitives was yesterday performed by the rendition of the + seven persons whose advent into the city, under the bloody + auspices of murder, caused such a sensation in the community. + After the decision of Judge Leavitt, Sheriff Brashears + surrendered the four fugitives in his custody, under a + _capias_ from an Ohio court, to United States Marshal + Robinson. An omnibus was brought to the jail, and the + fugitives were led into it--a crowd of spectators looking on. + + Margaret was in custody of Deputy-Marshal Brown. She appeared + greatly depressed and dispirited. The little infant, Silla, + was carried by Pfc. Russell, the door-keeper of the United + States Court, and was crying violently. Pollock, the reporter + of the proceedings in the United States Court, conducted + another of the fugitives, and all were safely lodged in the + omnibus, which drove down to the Covington ferry-boat; but, + although a large crowd followed it, no hootings or other + signs of excitement or disapprobation were shown. + + On arriving at the Kentucky shore, a large crowd was in + attendance, which expressed its pleasure at the termination + of the long proceedings in this city by triumphant shouts. + The fugitives were escorted to the jail, where they were + safely incarcerated, and the crowd moved off to the Magnolia + Hotel, where several toasts were given and drank. The crowd + outside were addressed from the balcony by H.H. Robinson, + Esq., United States Marshal for the Southern District of + Ohio, who declared that he had done his duty and no more, and + that it was a pleasure to him to perform an act that added + another link to the glorious chain that bound the Union. + [What a _Union_! For what "glorious" purposes!] + + Mr. Finnell, attorney for the claimants, said he never loved + the Union so dearly as now. It was proved to be a substantial + reality. + + Judge Flinn also addressed to the crowd one of his peculiar + orations; and was followed by Mr. Gaines, owner of Margaret + and the children. After hearty cheering the crowd dispersed. + + Further to signalize their triumph, the slaveholders set on + the Covington mob to attack Mr. Babb, reporter for one of the + Cincinnati papers, on the charge of being an abolitionist, + and that gentleman was knocked down, kicked, trampled on, + and would undoubtedly have been murdered, but for the + interference of some of the United States Deputy Marshals. + + A legal irregularity on the part of the Sheriff was brought + to the notice of Judge Carter on the morning of February 29. + It was passed over lightly. + + On the Sunday after the delivery of the slaves, they were + visited in the Covington jail by Rev. P.C. Bassett, whose + account of his interview, especially with Margaret, was + published in the _American Baptist_, and may also be found in + the _National Antislavery Standard_ of March 15, 1850. + Margaret confessed that she had killed the child. "I + inquired," says Mr. Bassett, "if she were not excited almost + to madness when she committed the act! 'No,' she replied, 'I + was as cool as I now am; and would much rather kill them at + once, and thus end their sufferings, than have them taken + back to slavery and be murdered by piece-meal.' She then told + the story of her wrongs. She spoke of her days of suffering, + of her nights of unmitigated toil, while the bitter tears + coursed their way down her cheeks." + + Governor Chase, of Ohio, made a requisition upon Governor + Morehead, of Kentucky, for the surrender of Margaret Garner, + charged with murder. The requisition was taken by Joseph + Cooper, Esq. to Gov. Morehead, at Frankfort, on the _6th of + March_--an unpardonable delay in the circumstances. Gov. + Morehead issued an order for the surrender of Margaret. On + taking it to Louisville, Mr. Cooper found that Margaret, with + her infant child, and the rest of Mr. Gaines's slaves had + been sent down the river in the steamboat Henry Lewis, to be + sold in Arkansas. Thus it was that Gaines kept his pledged + word that Margaret should be surrendered upon the requisition + of the Governor of Ohio! On the passage down the Ohio, the + steamboat, in which the slaves were embarked, came in + collision with another boat, and so violently that Margaret + and her child, with many others, were thrown into the water. + About twenty-five persons perished. A colored man seized + Margaret and drew her back to the boat, but her babe was + drowned! "The mother," says a correspondent of the + _Louisville Courier_, "exhibited no other feeling than joy at + the loss of her child." So closed another act of this + terrible tragedy. The slaves were transferred to another + boat, and taken to their destination. (_See_ Mr. Cooper's + letter to Gov. Chase, dated Columbus, March 11, 1856.) Almost + immediately on the above tragic news, followed the tidings + that Gaines had determined to bring Margaret back to + Covington, Kentucky, and hold her subject to the requisition + of the Governor of Ohio. Evidently he could not stand up + under the infamy of his conduct. Margaret was brought back, + and placed in Covington jail, to await a requisition. On + Wednesday, Mr. Cox, the prosecuting-attorney, received the + necessary papers from Gov. Chase, and the next day + (Thursday), two of the Sheriffs deputies went over to + Covington for Margaret, but did not find her, as she had been + taken away from the jail the night before. The jailor said he + had given her up on Wednesday night, to a man who came there + with a written order from her master, Gaines, but could not + tell where she had been taken. The officers came back and + made a return 'not found.' + + The _Cincinnati Gazette_ said,--"On Friday our sheriff + received information which induced him to believe that she + had been sent on the railroad to Lexington, thence via + Frankfort to Louisville, there to be shipped off to the New + Orleans slave market. + + He immediately telegraphed to the sheriff at Louisville (who + holds the original warrant from Gov. Morehead, granted on the + requisition of Gov. Chase,) to arrest her there, and had a + deputy in readiness to go down for her. But he has received + no reply to his dispatch. As she was taken out on Wednesday + night, there is reason to apprehend that she has already + passed Louisville, and is now on her way to New Orleans. + + Why Mr. Gaines brought Margaret back at all, we cannot + comprehend. If it was to vindicate his character, he was most + unfortunate in the means he selected, for his duplicity has + now placed this in a worse light than ever before, and kept + before the public the miserable spectacle of his dishonor. + + We have learned now, by experience, what is that boasted + comity of Kentucky on which Judge Leavitt so earnestly + advised Ohio to rely." + + The assertion of the _Louisville Journal_, that Margaret was + kept in Covington jail "ten days," and that the Ohio + authorities had been notified of the same, is pronounced to + be untrue in both particulars by the _Cincinnati Gazette_, + which paper also declares that prompt action was taken by the + governor of Ohio, and the attorney and sheriff of Hamilton + County, as soon as the fact was known. + + Here we must leave MARGARET, a noble woman indeed, whose + heroic spirit and daring have won the willing, and extorted + the unwilling, admiration of hundreds of thousands. Alas for + her! after so terrible a struggle, so bloody a sacrifice, so + near to deliverance once, twice, and even a third time, to + be, by the villainy and lying or her "respectable" white + owner again engulphed in the abyss of Slavery! What her fate + is to be, it is not hard to conjecture. But friendless, + heart-stricken, robbed of her children, outraged as she has + been, not wholly without friends, + + "Yea, three firm friends, more sure than day and night, + Herself, her Maker, and the angel Death." + + * * * * * + +Extract from a sermon recently delivered in Cleveland, Ohio, by Rev. +H. BUSHNELL, from the following text: "And it was so, that all that +saw it, said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that +the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this +day: CONSIDER OF IT, TAKE ADVICE, AND SPEAK YOUR MINDS."--JUDGES +XIX: 30. + + A few weeks ago, just at dawn of day, might be seen a company + of strangers crossing the winter bridge over the Ohio River, + from the State of Kentucky, into the great city of our own + State, whose hundred church-spires point to heaven, telling + the travellers that in this place the God of Abraham was + worshipped, and that here Jesus the Messiah was known, and + his religion of love taught and believed. And yet, no one + asked them in or offered them any hospitality, or sympathy, + or assistance. After wandering from street to street, a poor + laboring man gave them the shelter of his humble cabin, for + they were strangers and in distress. Soon it was known abroad + that this poor man had offered them the hospitalities of his + home, and a rude and ferocious rabble soon gathered around + his dwelling, demanding his guests. With loud clamor and + horrid threatening they broke down his doors, and rushed upon + the strangers. They were an old man and his wife, their + daughter and her husband with four children; and they were of + the tribe of slaves fleeing from a bondage which was worse + than death. There was now no escape--the tribes of Israel had + banded against them. On the side of the oppressor there is + power. And the young wife and mother, into whose very soul + the iron had entered, hearing the cry of the master: "Now + we'll have you all!" turning from the side of her husband and + father, with whom she had stood to repel the foe, seized a + knife, and with a single blow nearly severed the head from + the body of her darling daughter, and throwing its bloody + corpse at his feet, exclaimed, "Yes, you _shall_ have us all! + take that!" and with another blow inflicted a ghastly wound + upon the head of her beautiful son, repeating, "Yes, you + _shall_ have us all--take that!" meanwhile calling upon her + old mother to help her in the quick work of emancipation--for + there were two more. But the pious old grandmother could not + do it, and it was now too late--the rescuers had subdued and + bound them. They were on their way back to the house of their + bondage--a life more bitter than death! On their way through + that city of churches whose hundred spires told of Jesus and + the good Father above; on their way amid the throng of + Christian men, whose noble sires had said and sung, "Give me + _liberty_, or give me _death_." + + But they all tarried in the great Queen City of the West--in + chains, and in a felon's cell. There our preacher visited + them again and again. There he saw the old grandfather and + his aged companion, whose weary pilgrimage of unrequited toil + and tears was nearly at its end. And there stood the young + father and the heroic wife "Margaret." Said the preacher, + "Margaret, why did you kill your child?" "It was my own," she + said, "given me of God, to do the best a mother could in its + behalf. _I have done the best I could!_ I would have done + more and better for the rest! I knew it was better for them + to go home to God than back to slavery." "But why did you not + trust in God--why not wait and hope?" "I did wait, and then + we dared to do, and fled in fear, but in hope; hope fled--God + did not appear to save--_I did the best I could!"_ + + And who was this woman? A noble, womanly, amiable, + _affectionate mother_. "But was she not deranged?" Not at + all--calm, intelligent, but resolute and determined. "But was + she not fiendish, or beside herself with passion?" No, she + was most tender and affectionate, and all her passion was + that of a _mother's fondest love_. I reasoned with her, said + the preacher; tried to awaken a sense of guilt, and lead her + to repentance and to Christ. But there was no remorse, no + desire of pardon, no reception of Christ or his religion. To + her it was a religion of _slavery_, more cruel than death. + And where had she lived? where thus taught? Not down among + the rice swamps of Georgia, or on the banks of Red River. No, + but within sixteen miles of the Queen City of the West! In a + nominally Christian family--whose master was most liberal in + support of the Gospel, and whose mistress was a communicant + at the Lord's table, and a professed follower of Christ! + Here, in this family, where slavery is found in its mildest + form, she had been kept in ignorance of God's will and word, + and learned to know that the mildest form of American + slavery, at this day of Christian civilization and Democratic + liberty, was worse than death itself! She had learned by an + experience of many years, that it was so bad she had rather + take the life of her own dearest child, without the hope of + Heaven for herself, than that _it_ should experience its + unutterable agonies, which were to be found even in a + Christian family! But here are her two little boys, of eight + and ten years of age. Taking the eldest boy by the hand, the + preacher said to him, kindly and gently, "Come here, my boy; + what is your name?" "Tom, sir." "Yes, _Thomas_." "No sir, + _Tom_." "Well, Tom, how old are you?" "Three _months_." "And + how old is your little brother?" "Six _months_, sir!" "And + have you no other name but Tom?" "No." "What is your father's + name?" "Haven't got any!" "Who made you, Tom?" "Nobody!" "Did + you ever hear of God or Jesus Christ?" "No, sir." And this + was slavery in its best estate. By and by the aged couple, + and the young man and his wife, the remaining children, with + the master, and the dead body of the little one, were + escorted through the streets of the Queen City of the West by + a _national guard of armed men_, back to the great and + chivalrous State of old Kentucky and away to the shambles of + the South--back to a life-long servitude of hopeless despair. + It was a long, sad, silent procession down to the banks of + the Ohio; and as it passed, the death-knell of freedom tolled + heavily. The sovereignty of Ohio trailed in the dust beneath + the oppressor's foot, and the great confederacy of the tribes + of modern Israel attended the funeral obsequies, and made + ample provision for the necessary expenses! "And it was so, + that all that saw it, said, _There was no such deed done, nor + seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of + the land of Egypt unto this day_; CONSIDER OF IT, TAKE + ADVICE, AND SPEAK YOUR MINDS!" + + * * * * * + +With the sad case of MARGARET GARNER we close, for the present, the +record of the Fugitive Slave Law, as its history has been daily +writing itself in our country's annals. Enactment of hell! which has +marked every step of its progress over the land by suffering and by +crimes,--crimes of the bloodiest dye, groanings which cannot fully +be uttered; which is tracked by the dripping blood of its victims, +by their terrors and by their despair; against which, and against +that Wicked Nation which enacted it, and which suffers it still to +stand as their LAW, the cries of the down-trodden poor go up +continually into the ears of God,--cries of bitterest anguish, +mingled with fiercest execrations--thousands of Rachels weeping for +their children, and will not be comforted, because they _are not_. + +Reader, is your patriotism of the kind which believes, with the +supporters of old monarchies, that the Sovereign Power can do no +wrong? Consider the long record which has been laid before you, and +say if your country has not enacted a most wicked, cruel, and +shameful law, which merits only the condemnation and abhorrence of +every heart. Consider that this law was aimed at the life, liberty, +and happiness of the poor and least-privileged portion of our +people--a class whom the laws should befriend, protect, and raise +up. What is the true character of a law, whose working, whose fruits +are such as this meagre outline of its history shows? Is it fit that +such deeds and such a law should have your sanction and support? +Will you remain in a moment's doubt whether to be a friend or a foe +to such a law? Will you countenance or support the man, in the +church or in the state, who is not its open and out-spoken opponent? +Will you not, rather, yourself trample it under foot, as alike the +disgrace of your country, the enemy of humanity, and the enemy of +God? And nobly join, with heart and hand, every honest man who seeks +to load with the opprobrium they deserve, the law itself and +everything that justifies and upholds it? + + +In this tract no mention is made of that great company of slaves +who, flying from their intolerable wrongs and burdens, are overtaken +before reaching the Free States--(alas, that we should mock +ourselves with this empty name of _free_!)--and carried back into a +more remote and hopeless slavery; nor of the thousands who, having +fled in former years, and established themselves in industry and +comfort in the Northern States, were compelled again to become +fugitives, leaving their little all behind them, into a still more +Northern land where, under British law, they find at last a +resting-place and protection; nor to any great extent of the +numerous cases of white citizens, prosecuted, fined, harassed in +every way, for the _crime_ of giving shelter and succor to the +hunted wanderers. To have included these--all emphatically _victims_ +of the Fugitive Slave Law--would swell our tract into a volume. What +a testimony against our land and our people is given by their +accumulated weight! EVERY LIVING MAN AND WOMAN is GUILTY OF THIS +GREAT SIN, WHO EITHER BY APOLOGY, OR BY SILENCE, LENDS IT THE LEAST +SUPPORT. + +--> In a record like the foregoing, dealing so largely with facts +and dates, perfect accuracy is not to be expected, although much +pains have been taken to make it strictly correct. Any information, +on good authority, which will help to make the record more exact, +or more complete, will be very gratefully received. It should be +addressed to SAMUEL MAY, JR., No. 21 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. + + * * * * * + +Published at the office of the AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, +No. 138 Nassau Street, New York. Also to be had at the Anti-Slavery +Offices, No. 21 Cornhill, Boston, and No. 31 North Fifth Street, +Philadelphia; of JOEL McMILLAN, Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio, and +of JACOB WALTON, Jr., Adrian, Michigan. + + +[Transcriber's note: The following remain as in the original: +Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Los Angelos; Pittsburgh Saturday Visiter.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Fugitive Slave Law and Its Victims +by American Anti-Slavery Society + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13990 *** diff --git a/13990-h/13990-h.htm b/13990-h/13990-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bca938a --- /dev/null +++ b/13990-h/13990-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2588 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= + "text/html; charset=UTF-8"> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Fugitive Slave Law, and its Victims, + by . + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + P {margin-top: .75em; margin-bottom: .75em;} + H1,H2,H3,H4{text-align: center;} + HR {width: 33%;margin-top: 1em;margin-bottom: 1em;} + BODY{margin-left: 10%;margin-right: 10%;} + .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */ + .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ + // ==> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13990 ***</div> + +<h3><i>ANTI-SLAVERY TRACTS. No. 18.</i></h3> + +<h1>THE<br /> + +FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW<br /> + +AND<br /> + +ITS VICTIMS.</h1> + + +<h4>AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY,<br /> +138 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK.<br /> +1856.</h4> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<h3><i>ANTI-SLAVERY TRACTS. No. 18.</i></h3> + +<h2>THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW, AND ITS VICTIMS.</h2> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Fugitive Slave Law was enacted by Congress in September, +1850, received the signature of HOWELL COBB, [of Georgia,] as +Speaker of the House of Representatives, of WILLIAM R. KING, +[of Alabama,] as President of the Senate, and was "approved," +September 18th, of that year, by MILLARD FILLMORE, +Acting President of the United States.</p> + +<p>The authorship of the Bill is generally ascribed to James M. +Mason, Senator from Virginia. Before proceeding to the principal +object of this tract, it is proper to give a synopsis of the Act itself, +which was well called, by the New York <i>Evening Post</i>, "An Act +for the Encouragement of Kidnapping." It is in ten sections.</p> +<br /> + +<p>SYNOPSIS OF THE LAW.</p> + +<p>SECTION 1. United States Commissioners "authorized and required +to exercise and discharge all the powers and duties conferred +by this act." + +<p>SECT. 2. Commissioners for the Territories to be appointed by the +Superior Court of the same.</p> + +<p>SECT. 3. United States Circuit Courts, and Superior Courts of +Territories, required to enlarge the number of Commissioners, +"with a view to afford reasonable facilities to reclaim fugitives +from labor," &c.</p> + +<p>SECT. 4. Commissioners put on the same footing with Judges +of the United States Courts, with regard to enforcing the Law and +its penalties.</p> + +<p>SECT. 5. United States Marshals and deputy marshals, who may +refuse to act under the Law, to be fined One Thousand dollars, to +the use of the claimant. If a fugitive escape from the custody of +the Marshal, the Marshal to be liable for his full value. Commissioners +authorized to appoint special officers, and to call out the +<i>posse comitatus</i>, &c.</p> + +<p>SECT. 6. The claimant of any fugitive slave, or his attorney, +"may pursue and reclaim such fugitive person," either by procuring +a warrant from some judge or commissioner, "or by seizing +and arresting such fugitive, where the same can be done without +process;" to take such fugitive before such judge or commissioner, +"whose duty it shall be to hear and determine the case of such +claimant in a summary manner," and, if satisfied of the identity of +the prisoner, to grant a certificate to said claimant to "remove +such fugitive person back to the State or Territory from whence he +or she may have escaped,"—using "such reasonable force or restraint +as may be necessary under the circumstances of the case." +"In no trial or hearing under this act shall the testimony of such +alleged fugitive be admitted in evidence." All molestation of the +claimant, in the removal of his slave, "by any process issued by +any court, judge, magistrate, or other person whomsoever," to be +prevented.</p> + +<p>SECT. 7. Any person obstructing the arrest of a fugitive, or +attempting his or her rescue, or aiding him or her to escape, or +harboring and concealing a fugitive, knowing him to be such, shall +be subject to a fine of not exceeding one thousand dollars, and to +be imprisoned not exceeding six months, and shall also "forfeit +and pay the sum of one thousand dollars for each fugitive so <i>lost</i>."</p> + +<p>SECT. 8. Marshals, deputies, clerks, and special officers to receive +usual fees; Commissioners to receive ten dollars, if fugitive +is given up to claimant; otherwise, five dollars; to be paid by +claimant. </p> + +<p>SECT. 9. If claimant make affidavit that he fears a rescue of such +fugitive from his possession, the officer making the arrest to retain +him in custody, and "to remove him to the State whence he fled." +Said officer "to employ so many persons as he may deem necessary." +All, while so employed, be paid out of the Treasury of +the United States.</p> + +<p>Sect. 10. [This Section provides an additional and wholly distinct +method for the capture of a fugitive; and, it may be added, +one of the loosest and most extraordinary that ever appeared on the +pages of Statute book.] Any person, from whom one held to service +or labor has escaped, upon making "satisfactory proof" of +such escape before any court of record, or judge thereof in vacation—a +record of matter so proved shall be made by such court, +or judge, and also a description of the person escaping, "with such +convenient certainty as may be;"—a copy of which record, duly +attested, "being produced in any other State, Territory, or District," +and "being exhibited to any judge, commissioner, or other +officer authorized," &c. "shall be held and taken to be full and +conclusive evidence of the fact of escape, and that the service or +labor of the person escaping is due to the party in such record +mentioned;" when, on satisfactory proof of identity, "he or she +shall be delivered up to the claimant." "<i>Provided</i>, That nothing +herein contained shall be construed as requiring the production of +a transcript of such record as evidence as aforesaid; but in its absence, +the claim shall be heard and determined upon other satisfactory +proofs competent in law."</p> +<br /> + +<p>The name of the NORTHERN men who voted for this cruel +kidnapping law should not be forgotten. Until they repent, and +do works meet for repentance, let their names stand high and conspicuous +on the roll of infamy. Let the "slow-moving finger of +scorn" point them out, when they walk among men, and the stings +of shame, disappointment, and remorse continually visit them in +secret, till they are forced to cry, "my punishment is greater than +I can bear." As to the <i>Southern</i> men who voted for the law, they +only appeared in their legitimate character of oppressors of the +poor—whom God will repay, in his own time. The thousand-tongued +voices of their brother's blood cry against them from the +ground.</p> + +<p>The following is the vote, in the SENATE, on the engrossment +of the bill:—</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>YEAS,—Atchison, Badger, Barnwell, Bell, Berrien, Butler, Davis +(of Mississippi), Dawson, A.C. DODGE (of Iowa), Downs, +Foote, Houston, Hunter, JONES (of Iowa), King, Mangum, Mason, +Pearce, Rusk, Sebastian, Soulé, Spruance, STURGEON (of +Pennsylvania), Turney, Underwood, Wales, Yulee.—27.</p> + +<p>NAYS.—Baldwin, Bradbury, Chase, Cooper, Davis (of Massachusetts), +Dayton, Henry Dodge (of Wisconsin), Greene, Smith, +Upham, Walker, Winthrop.—12.</p> + +<p>ABSENT, OR NOT VOTING.—Benton, Borland, <i>Bright</i> of Indiana, +<i>Clarke</i> of Rhode Island, Clay, <i>Cass</i> of Michigan, Clemens, <i>Dickinson</i> +of New York, <i>Douglas</i> of Illinois, <i>Ewing</i> of Ohio, <i>Felch</i> of Michigan, +<i>Hale</i> of New Hampshire, <i>Hamlin</i> of Maine, <i>Miller</i> of New +Jersey, Morton, <i>Norris</i> of New Hampshire, <i>Phelps</i> of Vermont, +Pratt, <i>Seward</i> of New York, <i>Shields</i> of Illinois, <i>Whitcomb</i> of Indiana. +[Fifteen Northern Senators absent from the vote.]</p></div> +<br /> + +<p>On the final passage of the Bill in the Senate, the yeas and nays +were not taken. <i>D.S. Dickinson</i> of New York, who had been absent +when the vote was taken on the engrossment, spoke in favor +of the bill. Mr. Seward was said to be absent from the city, detained +by ill health.</p> + +<p>When the Bill came up in the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, +(September 12th,) JAMES THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, +got the floor,—doubtless by a previous understanding with the +Speaker,—and addressed the House in support of the Bill. He +closed his remarks by <i>moving the previous question</i>! It was ordered, +and thus all opportunity for reply, and for discussion of the Bill +was cut off. The Bill was then passed to its third reading—equivalent +to enactment—by a vote of 109 YEAS, to 75 NAYS; as +follows:—</p> + +<p>YEAS.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>Maine.</i>—THOMAS J.D. FULLER, of Calais; ELBRIDGE GERRY, of +Waterford; NATHANIEL S. LITTLEFIELD, of Bridgton. </p> + +<p><i>New Hampshire.</i>—HARRY HIBBARD, of Bath; CHARLES H. +PEASLEE, of Concord. </p> + +<p><i>Massachusetts.</i>—SAMUEL A. ELIOT, of Boston.</p> + +<p><i>New York.</i>—HIRAM WALDEN, of Waldensville.</p> + +<p><i>New Jersey.</i>—ISAAC WILDRICK, of Blairstown.</p> + +<p><i>Pennsylvania.</i>—MILO M. DIMMICK, of Stroudsburg; JOB MANN, +of Bedford; J.X. MCLANAHAN, of Chambersburg; JOHN ROBBINS, +Jr., of Philadelphia; THOMAS ROSS, of Doylestown; JAMES THOMPSON, +of Erie. </p> + +<p><i>Ohio.</i>—MOSES HOAGLAND, of Millersburg; JOHN K. MILLER, of +Mount Vernon; JOHN L. TAYLOR, of Chillicothe. </p> + +<p><i>Michigan.</i>—ALEXANDER W. BUELL, of Detroit. </p> + +<p><i>Indiana.</i>—NATHANIEL ALBERTSON, of Greenville; WILLIAM J. +BROWN, of Amity; CYRUS L. DUNHAM, of Salem; WILLIS A. GORMAN, +of Bloomington; JOSEPH E. MCDONALD, of Crawfordsville; +EDWARD W. MCGAUGHEY, of Rockville.</p> + +<p><i>Illinois.</i>—WILLIAM H. BISSELL, of Belleville; THOMAS L. HARRIS, +of Petersburg; JOHN A. MCCLERNAND; WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON, +of Quincy; TIMOTHY R. YOUNG, of Marshall.</p> + +<p><i>Iowa.</i>—SHEPHERD LEFFLER, of Burlington.</p> + +<p><i>California.</i>—EDWARD GILBERT.</p></div> + +<p>[All these Northern Traitors called themselves <i>Democrats</i>! save +three—<i>Eliot</i> of Massachusetts, <i>Taylor</i> of Ohio, and <i>McGaughey</i> of +Indiana, who were Whigs.]</p> + +<p>==> Every Representative of a Slaveholding State, who voted at +all, voted YEA. Their names are needless, and are omitted.</p> +<br /> + +<p>NAYS</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>Maine.</i>—Otis, Sawtelle, Stetson. + +<p><i>New Hampshire.</i>—Amos Tuck.</p> + +<p><i>Vermont.</i>—Hebard, Henry, Meacham.</p> + +<p><i>Massachusetts.</i>—Allen, Duncan, Fowler, Mann.</p> + +<p><i>Rhode Island.</i>—Dixon, King.</p> + +<p><i>Connecticut.</i>—Butler, Booth, Waldo.</p> + +<p><i>New York.</i>—Alexander, Bennett, Briggs, Burrows, Gott, Gould, +Halloway, Jackson, John A. King, Preston King, Matteson, +McKissock, Nelson, Putnam, Rumsey, Sackett, Schermerhorn, +Schoolcraft, Thurman, Underhill, Silvester.</p> + +<p><i>New Jersey.</i>—Hay, King.</p> + +<p><i>Pennsylvania.</i>—Calvin, Chandler, Dickey, Freedley, Hampton, +Howe, Moore, Pitman, Reed, Stevens.</p> + +<p><i>Ohio.</i>—Cable, Carter, Campbell, M.B. Corwin, Crowell, Disney, +Evans, Giddings, Hunter, Morris, Root, Vinton, Whittlesey, +Wood.</p> + +<p><i>Michigan.</i>—Bingham, Sprague.</p> + +<p><i>Indiana.</i>—Fitch, Harlan, Julian, Robinson.</p> + +<p><i>Illinois.</i>—Baker, Wentworth.</p> + +<p><i>Wisconsin.</i>—Cole, Doty, Durkee.</p> + +<p><i>California.</i>—Wright.</p></div> +<br /> + +<p>ABSENT, OR NOT VOTING.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>Andrews, Ashmun (Mass.), Bokee, Brooks, Butler, Casey, +Cleveland (Conn.), Clarke, Conger, Duer, Gilmore, Goodenow, +Grinnell (Mass.), Levin, Nes, Newell, Ogle, Olds, Peck, Phoenix, +Potter, Reynolds, Risley, Rockwell (Mass.), Rose, Schenck, +Spaulding, Strong, Sweetser, Thompson (Iowa), Van Dyke, White, +Wilmot (Penn.) [33—all Northern men.]</p> + +<p>[Fifteen Southern Representatives did not vote.]</p></div> + +<p>DANIEL WEBSTER was not a member of the Senate when the vote +on the Fugitive Slave Bill was taken. He had been made Secretary +of State, a short time previous. All, however, will remember the +powerful aid which he gave to the new compromise measures, and +among them to the Fugitive Slave Bill, in his notorious Seventh of +March Speech, [1850.] A few extracts from that Speech will show +how heavily the responsibility of the existence of this law rests +upon DANIEL WEBSTER:—</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>"I suppose there is to be found no injunction against that relation +[Slavery] between man and man, in the teachings of the Gospel +of Jesus Christ, or of any of his Apostles."—<i>Webster's 7th March +Speech</i>, (<i>Authorized Edition</i>,) p. 9.</p> + +<p>"One complaint of the South has, in my opinion, just foundation; +and that is, that there has been found at the North, among +individuals and among legislators, a disinclination to perform, fully, +their Constitutional duties in regard to the return of persons bound +to service, who have escaped into the free States. In that respect, +it is my judgment that the South is right, and the North is wrong." +* * * * "My friend at the head of the Judiciary Committee +[Mr. MASON of Virginia] has a bill on the subject now before the +Senate, with some amendments to it, WHICH I PROPOSE TO SUPPORT, +WITH ALL ITS PROVISIONS, <i>to the fullest extent</i>."—<i>Idem.</i> p. 29.</p> + +<p>He proceeded to assure the Senate that the North would, on +due consideration, fulfil "their constitutional obligations" "<i>with +alacrity</i>." "Therefore, I repeat, sir, that here is a ground of complaint +against the North well founded, which ought to be removed, +which it is now in the power of the different departments of this +Government to remove; which calls for the enactment of proper +laws authorizing the judicature of this Government, in the several +States, to do all that is necessary for the recapture of fugitive +slaves, and for the restoration of them to those who claim them +Wherever I go, and whenever I speak on the subject, and when I +speak here, I desire to speak to the whole North, I say that the +South has been injured in this respect, and has a right to complain; +and the North has been too careless of what, I think, the +Constitution peremptorily and emphatically enjoins upon her as a +duty."—<i>Idem.</i> p. 30.</p></div> + +<p>In a speech in the United States Senate, July 17, 1850, made +with an evident view to calm that Northern feeling which had +been aroused and excited by his 7th of March speech, beyond the +power of priest or politician wholly to subdue, Mr. WEBSTER said +there were various misapprehensions respecting the working of the +proposed Fugitive Slave Bill:—</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>"The first of these misapprehensions," he said, "is an exaggerated +sense of the actual evil of the reclamation of fugitive +slaves, felt by Massachusetts and the other New England States. +What produced that? The cases do not exist. There has not +been a case within the knowledge of this generation, in which a +man has been taken back from Massachusetts into slavery by process +of law, not one." * * * * "Not only has there been no +case, so far as I can learn, of the reclamation of a slave by his master, +which ended in taking him back to slavery, in this generation, +but I will add, that, as far as I have been able to go back in my +researches, as far as I have been able to hear and learn, in all that +region there has been no one case of false claim. * * * <i>There +is no danger of any such violation being perpetrated."<a name='FNanchor_A_1'></a><a href='#Footnote_A_1'>[A]</a>—Webster's +Speech on the Compromise Bill, in the United States Senate, 17th of +July, 1850, edition of Gideon & Co., Washington</i>, pp. 23-25.</p> + +<a name='Footnote_A_1'></a><a href='#FNanchor_A_1'>[A]</a><div class='note'>See also Mr. Webster's letter to the Citizens of Newburyport, dated May 15th, +1850, wherein he urges the same point, with great pains of argument.</div></div> + +<p>With such words did Mr. Webster endeavor to allay Northern +alarm, and to create the impression (which was created and which +prevailed extensively with his friends) that the Fugitive Law was +only a concession to Southern feeling, and that few or no attempts +to enforce it were likely to be made.</p> + +<p>But when a few months had proved him a false prophet, and +the Southern chase after fugitive men, women, and children had +become hot and fierce, and in one or two instances the hunter had +been foiled in his attempts and had lost his prey, Mr. Webster +changed his tone, as follows:—</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>In May, 1851, at Syracuse, N.Y., he said: "Depend upon it, +the Law [the Fugitive Slave Law] will be executed in its spirit +and to its letter. It will be executed in all the great cities—here +in Syracuse, in the midst of the next Anti-Slavery Convention, if +the occasion shall arise."</p></div> + +<p>Certainly, so far as in Mr. Webster lay, so far as was in the +power of Mr. Fillmore, and the officers of the United States Government +generally, and of the still larger crowd of <i>expectants</i> of +office, nothing was left undone to introduce the tactics, discipline, +and customs of the Southern plantation into our Northern cities +and towns, in order to enforce the Fugitive Law.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The remainder of this Tract will be devoted to a record, as complete +as circumstances enable us to make, of the VICTIMS OF THE +FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW. It is a terrible record, which the people of +this country should never allow to sleep in oblivion, until the disgraceful +and bloody system of Slavery is swept from our land, and +with it, all Compromise Bills, all Constitutional Guarantees to +Slavery, all Fugitive Slave Laws. The established and accredited +newspapers of the day, without reference to party distinctions, are +the authorities relied upon in making up this record, and the <i>dates</i> +being given with each case, the reader is enabled to verify the +same, and the few particulars which the compass of the Tract +allows to be given with each. With all the effort which has been +made to secure a good degree of completeness and exactness, the +present record must of necessity be an imperfect one, and fall short +of exhibiting all the enormities of the Act in question.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>JAMES HAMLET, <i>of New York, September, 1850</i>, was the first +victim. He was surrendered by United States Commissioner +Gardiner to the agent of one Mary Brown, of Baltimore, who +claimed him as her slave. He was taken to Baltimore. An effort +was immediately made to purchase his freedom, and in the existing +state of the public feeling, the sum demanded by his mistress, +$800, was quickly raised. Hamlet was brought back to New York +with great rejoicings.</p> + +<p><i>Near Bedford, Penn., October 1.</i> Ten fugitives, from Virginia, +were attacked in Pennsylvania—one mortally wounded, another +dangerously. Next morning, both were captured. Five others +entered a mountain hut, and begged relief. The woman supplied +their wants. Her husband went out, procured assistance, captured +the slaves, and received a reward of $255.</p> + +<p><i>Harrisburg, Penn., October.</i> Some slaves, number not stated, +were brought before Commissioner M'Allister, when "the property +was proven, and they were delivered to their masters, who took +them back to Virginia, by railroad, without molestation."</p> + +<p><i>Detroit, 8th October.</i> A negro was arrested under the new law, +and sent to jail for a week, to await evidence. Great numbers +of colored people armed themselves to rescue him. Result not +known.</p> + +<p>HENRY GARNETT, <i>Philadelphia</i>, arrested as the slave of Thomas +P. Jones, of Cecil County, Maryland, and taken before Judge +Grier, of the United States Supreme Court, October 18, 1850, who +declared his determination to execute the law as he found it. The +Judge said that the claimant had not taken the course prescribed +by the fugitive act, and proceeded to explain, in a detailed manner, +what the course should be in such cases. As the claimant +thus failed to make out his case, the prisoner was ordered to be +discharged.</p> + +<p><i>Boston, about 25th October.</i> Attempt to seize WILLIAM and ELLEN +CRAFT. William Craft armed himself, and kept within his +shop. Ellen was concealed in the house of a friend. Their claimants, +named Hughes & Knight, were indicted for defamation of +character, in calling W.C. a slave, and brought before a magistrate. +The feeling excited against them was so great, that they +at length fled from the city. Shortly after, it being considered +hazardous for Mr. and Mrs. Craft to remain in the country, they +were enabled to escape to England.</p> + +<p>[In a letter, dated Macon, Georgia, Nov. 11, John Knight gives +a particular account of the proceedings and experiences of himself +and his friend Hughes, on their then recent visit to Boston for the +purpose, to quote his own language, "of re-capturing William and +Ellen Craft, the negroes belonging to Dr. Collins and Ira Taylor." +Willis H. Hughes also published his statement.]</p> + +<p><i>New Albany, Indiana.</i> A woman and boy given up, and taken +to Louisville. They were so white that, even in Kentucky, a +strong feeling arose in their favor on that ground. They were +finally bought for $600, and set free.</p> + +<p>ADAM GIBSON, <i>Philadelphia, December 21, 1850</i>. Surrendered +by Edward D. Ingraham, United States Commissioner. The case +was hurried through in indecent haste, testimony being admitted +against him of the most groundless character. One witness swore +that Gibson's name was Emery Rice. He was taken to Elkton, +Maryland. There, Mr. William S. Knight, his supposed owner, +refused to receive Gibson, saying he was not the man, and he was +taken back to Philadelphia.</p></div> + +<p>What compensation has the United States Government ever +made to Adam Gibson, for the injurious act of its agent, Ingraham? +Had not the Slaveholder been more honorable than the +Commissioner or the makers of the Fugitive Law, Gibson would +have been in Slavery for life.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>HENRY LONG, <i>New York, December, 1850</i>. Brought before Commissioner +Charles M. Hall, claimed as the fugitive slave of John +T. Smith of Russell County, Virginia. After five or six days' +proceedings, there being some doubt of the Commissioner's legal +right to act, the alleged fugitive, Long, was taken before Judge +Judson, District Judge of the United States. The Castle Garden +Union Safety Committee retained Mr. George Wood in this case, +as counsel for the slave claimant. Long was surrendered by +Judge Judson, and taken to Richmond, Virginia. Judge J. was +complimented by the <i>Washington Union</i> as "a clear-headed, competent, +and independent officer, who has borne himself with equal +discretion, liberality, and firmness. Such judges as he," continues +the <i>Union</i>, "are invaluable in these times of turmoil and agitation." +At Richmond, Long was advertised to be sold at public auction. +On Saturday, January 18th, he was sold, amid the jeers and scoffs +of the spectators, for $750, to David Clapton, of Georgia. The +auctioneers (Pullam & Slade), in commencing, said there was one +condition of the sale. Bonds must be given by the purchaser that +this man shall be carried South, and that he shall be kept South, +and sold, if sold again, to go South; and they declared their intention +to see the terms fully complied with. Long was subsequently +advertised for sale at Atlanta, Georgia.</p> + +<p><i>Near Coatsville, Chester County, Penn.</i> On a writ issued by +Commissioner Ingraham, Deputy Marshal Halzell and other officers, +with the claimant of an alleged fugitive, at night, knocked at +the door of a colored family, and asked for a light to enable them +to mend their broken harness. The door being opened for this +purpose, the marshal's party rushed in, and said they came to +arrest a fugitive slave. Resistance was made by the occupant of +the house and others, and the marshal's party finally driven off—the +slave owner advising that course, and saying, "Well, if this is +a specimen of the pluck of Pennsylvania negroes, I don't want +my slaves back." The master of the house was severely wounded +in the arm by a pistol shot; still he maintained his ground, declaring +the marshal's party should not pass except by first taking +his life.</p> + +<p><i>Marion, Williamson County, Ill., about December 10, 1850.</i> Mr. +O'Havre, of the city police, Memphis, Tennessee, arrested and took +back to Memphis a fugitive slave, belonging to Dr. Young. He +did so, as the Memphis paper states, only "after much difficulty +and heavy expense, being strongly opposed by the Free Soilers +and Abolitionists, but was assisted by Mr. W. Allen, member of +Congress, and other gentlemen."</p> + +<p><i>Philadelphia, about January 10, 1851.</i> G.F. Alberti and others +seized, under the Fugitive Slave Law, a free colored boy, named +JOEL THOMPSON, alleging that he was a slave. The boy was +saved.</p> + +<p>STEPHEN BENNETT, <i>Columbia, Penn.</i>, arrested as the slave of +Edward B. Gallup, of Baltimore. Taken before Commissioner +Ingraham; thence, by <i>habeas corpus</i>, before Judge Kane. He was +saved only by his freedom being purchased by his friends.</p> + +<p><i>The Huntsville (Ala.) Advocate</i>, of January 1, 1851, said that +Messrs. Markwood & Chester had brought back "<i>seven of their +Slaves</i>" from Michigan.</p> + +<p><i>The Memphis (Tenn.) Eagle</i>, of a later date, says that within a +few weeks "at least five fugitive slaves have been brought back +to this city, from free States, with as little trouble as would be had +in recovering stray cows." The same paper adds, "We occasionally +receive letters notifying us that a slave, said to be the property +of some one in this vicinity, has been lodged in jail in Illinois or +Indiana, for his owner, who will please call, pay charges, and take +him away."</p> + +<p><i>In Boston, end of January, 1851.</i> A colored man, lately from +North Carolina, was sought by officers, under Marshal Devens, +aided by a lawyer, named Spencer, provided by the New York +Union Safety Committee. The arrest was not attempted. It was +found that the colored man was too strongly guarded and protected.</p> + +<p>Mrs. TAMOR, or EUPHEMIA WILLIAMS, <i>Philadelphia, February, +1851</i>, mother of six children, arrested and brought before Commissioner +Ingraham, as the slave Mahala, belonging to William T.J. +Purnell, of Worcester County, Maryland, admitted to have been +absent since 1829—twenty-two years. Children all born in Pennsylvania; +oldest about seventeen—a girl. Her husband also in +custody, and alleged to be the slave of another man. Under writ +of <i>habeas corpus</i>, Mrs. Williams was taken before Judge Kane, of +the United States Circuit Court. After a full hearing, she was +discharged, as not being the woman alleged.</p> + +<p>SHADRACH, <i>in Boston, February 15, 1851</i>. Arrested in Taft's +Cornhill Coffee House, by deputies of United States Marshal +Devens, on a warrant issued by George T. Curtis, United States +Commissioner, on the complaint of John Caphart, attorney of John +De Bree, of Norfolk, Va. Seth J. Thomas appeared as counsel for +Caphart. After a brief hearing before G.T. Curtis, Commissioner, +the case was adjourned to the following Tuesday. Shortly after +the adjournment, the court-room was entered by a body of men, +who bore away the prisoner, Shadrach. After which he was heard +of in Montreal, Canada, having successfully, with the aid of many +friends, escaped the snares of all kidnappers, in and out of Boston. +The acting President, MILLARD FILLMORE, issued his proclamation, +countersigned by DANIEL WEBSTER, Secretary of State, +requiring prosecutions to be commenced against all who participated +in the rescue.</p> + +<p><i>Shawneetown, Illinois.</i> A woman was claimed by Mr. Haley, of +Georgia, as his slave; and was delivered up to him by two Justices +of the Peace, (early in 1851.)</p> + +<p><i>Madison, Indiana.</i> George W. Mason, of Davies County, Kentucky, +arrested a colored man, named MITCHUM, who, with his +wife and children, lived near Vernon. The case was tried before +a Justice of the Peace, named Basnett, who was satisfied that +Mitchum was Davis's slave, and had left his service <i>nineteen years +before</i>. The slave was accordingly delivered up, and was taken to +Kentucky, (Feb. 1851.)</p> + +<p><i>Clearfield County, Penn., about 20th January, 1851.</i> A boy was +kidnapped and taken into slavery.—<i>Mercer (Pa.) Presbyterian</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Near Ripley, Ohio.</i> A fugitive slave, about January 20, killed +his pursuer. He was afterwards taken and carried back to +slavery.</p> + +<p><i>Burlington, Lawrence County, Ohio, near the end of February, +1851</i>, four liberated slaves were kidnapped, re-enslaved, and sold. +Efforts were made to bring the perpetrators of this nefarious act to +punishment, and restore the victims to freedom.</p> + +<p><i>At Philadelphia, early in March, 1851</i>, occurred the case of the +colored woman HELEN or HANNAH, and her son, a child of +tender years. She was taken before a Commissioner, and thence, +by writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, before Judge Kane. An additional question +arose from the fact that the woman would soon become the +mother of another child. Judge Kane decided that she was the +property of John Perdu, of Baltimore, together with her son, and +her unborn child, and they were all surrendered accordingly, and +taken into slavery.</p> + +<p><i>Pittsburg, March 13, 1851.</i> RICHARD GARDINER was arrested +in Bridgewater, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, claimed as +the property of Miss R. Byers, of Louisville, Kentucky. Judge +Irwin, of the United States District Court, "remanded the fugitive +back to his owner." He was afterwards bought for $600, and +brought into a free State.</p> + +<p><i>The Wilmington (Del.) Journal</i>, in March, 1851, says kidnapping +has become quite frequent in that State; and speaks of a negro +kidnapped in that city, on the previous Wednesday night, by a +man who had been one of the city watchmen.</p> + +<p>THOMAS SIMS, arrested in <i>Boston</i>, April 4, 1851, at first on +pretence of a charge of theft. But when he understood it was as a +fugitive from slavery, he drew a knife and wounded one of the +officers. He was taken before Commissioner George T. Curtis. +To guard against a repetition of the Shadrach rescue, the United +States Marshal, Devens, aided by the Mayor (John P. Bigelow) +and City Marshal (Francis Tukey) of Boston, surrounded the +Court House, in Boston, with heavy chains, guarded it by a strong +extra force of police officers, with a strong body of guards also +within the building, where the fugitive was imprisoned as well as +tried. Several military companies also were called out by the city +authorities, and kept in readiness night and day to act against the +people, should they attempt the deliverance of Sims; Faneuil Hall +itself being turned into barracks for these hirelings of slavery. +Every effort was made by S.E. Sewall, Esq., Hon. Robert Rantoul, +Jr., and Charles G. Loring, Esq., to save Sims from being +returned into slavery, and Boston from the eternal and ineffaceable +disgrace of the act. But in vain. The omnipotent Slave +Power demanded of Boston a victim for its infernal sacrifices. +Millard Fillmore, Daniel Webster, and their numerous tools, on +the Bench, in Commissioners' seats, and other official stations, +or in hopes of gaining such stations bye and bye, had fallen upon +their faces before the monster idol, and sworn that the victim +should be prepared. Thomas Sims was ordered back to slavery +by Commissioner G.T. Curtis, and was taken from the Court +House, in Boston, early on the morning of April 11th, [1851,] to +the Brig Acorn, lying at the end of Long Wharf, and thence in +the custody of officers, to Savannah, Georgia.</p> + +<p>There, after being lodged in jail, and severely and cruelly +whipped, as was reported, he was at length sold, and became +merged and lost in the great multitude of the enslaved population. +The surrender of Sims is said to have cost the United States Government +$10,000; the City of Boston about as much more; and +Mr. Potter, the claimant of Sims, about $2,400, making a total of +some $22,000, directly expended on the case.</p> + +<p><i>Vincennes, Indiana, April, 1851.</i> Four fugitive slaves were +seized, claimed by one Mr. Kirwan, of or near Florence, Alabama. +The magistrate, named Robinson, gave up the fugitives, and they +were taken into slavery.</p> + +<p><i>In Salisbury Township, Penn., April, 1851</i>, an elderly man was +kidnapped and carried into Maryland.</p> + +<p><i>Near Sandy Hill, Chester County, Penn., in March, 1851</i>, a very +worthy and estimable colored man, named Thomas Hall, was +forcibly seized, his house being broken into by three armed ruffians, +who beat him and his wife with clubs. He was kidnapped.</p> + +<p>MOSES JOHNSON, <i>Chicago, Illinois</i>, brought before a United States +Commissioner, discharged as not answering to the description of +the man claimed.</p> + +<p>CHARLES WEDLEY, kidnapped from <i>Pittsburg, Pennsylvania</i>, +and taken into Maryland. He was found, and brought back.</p> + +<p><i>Cincinnati, Ohio, June 3, 1851</i>, an attempt to arrest a fugitive +was made. But a scuffle ensued, in which the man escaped.</p> + +<p><i>Cincinnati, Ohio.</i> About the same time, some slaves, (number +not stated,) belonging to Rev. Mr. Perry and others, of Covington, +Kentucky, were taken in Cincinnati, and carried back to Kentucky.</p> + +<p><i>Philadelphia, end of June, 1851</i>, a colored man was taken away +as a slave, by steamboat. A writ of <i>Habeas Corpus</i> was got out +but the officer could not find the man. This is probably the same +case with that of JESSE WHITMAN, arrested at Wilkesbarre.</p> + +<p>FRANK JACKSON, a free colored man in <i>Mercer, Penn.</i>, was taken, +early in 1851, by a man named Charles May, into Virginia, and +sold as a slave. He tried to escape, but was taken and lodged in +Fincastle jail, Virginia.</p> + +<p>THOMAS SCOTT JOHNSON, free colored man, of <i>New Bedford</i>, was +arrested near Portsmouth, Virginia, and was about to be sold as a +slave; but, by the strenuous interposition of Capt. Card, certificates +were obtained from New Bedford, and he was set at liberty.</p> + +<p>ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, <i>West Chester County, Penn.</i>, delivered into +slavery by Commissioner Jones. (July, 1851.)</p> + +<p>DANIEL HAWKINS, of <i>Lancaster County, Penn.</i>, (July, 1851,) was +brought before Commissioner Ingraham, Philadelphia, and by him +delivered to his claimant, and he was taken into slavery.</p> + +<p><i>New Athens, Ohio, July 8, 1851.</i> Eighteen slaves, who had escaped +from Lewis County, Kentucky, were discovered in an old +building in Adams County, Ohio. Some white men, professing to +be friendly, misled them, and brought them to a house, where +they were imprisoned, bound one by one, and carried back to Kentucky. +[The enactment of the Fugitive Slave Law is the direct +stimulating cause of all these cases of kidnapping.]</p> + +<p><i>Buffalo, August, 1851.</i> Case of DANIEL ——. D. was a cook on +board the steamer "Buckeye State." He was engaged in his avocation, +when Benj. S. Rust, with a warrant from United States +Commissioner H.K. Smith, went on board the boat. Daniel was +called up from below, and as his head appeared above the deck, +Rust struck him a heavy blow, upon the head, with a large billet +of wood, which knocked him back into the cook-room, where he +fell upon the stove and was badly burned. In this state, he was +brought before the Commissioner, "bleeding profusely at the back, +of the head, and at the nose, and was moreover so stupefied by the +assault, that he fell asleep several times during the brief and very +summary proceedings." For most of the time he was unable to +converse with his counsel, and "sat dozing, with the blood slowly +oozing out of his mouth and nostrils." After a very hurried form, +and mockery of a trial, Daniel was ordered to be delivered to Rust, +the Agent of George H. Moore, of Louisville, Kentucky. By a +writ of <i>Habeas Corpus</i>, Daniel was brought before Judge Coakling, +of the United States Court, at Auburn, who gave a decision that +set Daniel at liberty, and he was immediately hurried by his friends +into Canada. Rust was indicted, in Buffalo, for his brutal assault +on Daniel. It was fully proved; he afterwards plead guilty, and; +was let off with the paltry fine of fifty dollars.</p> + +<p>JOHN BOLDING, <i>arrested in Poughkeepsie, New York</i>, claimed as +the property of Barret Anderson, of Columbia, S.C. Bolding was +a young man, of good character, recently married, and had a small +tailor's shop in P. He said he was told, when a boy, that he was +the son of a white man. He was tried before United States Commissioner +Nelson, who ordered him to be delivered up to his +claimants, and he was taken quietly from the city to Columbia, S.C. +The sum of $2,000 was raised in New York, and paid to Bolding's +owner, who had consented to take that sum for him, and Bolding +returned to his family in Poughkeepsie.</p> + +<p><i>Christiana, Lancaster County, Penn., Sept. 1851.</i> Edward Gorsuch, +(represented as a very pious member of a Methodist Church +in Baltimore,) with his son Dickinson, accompanied by the Sheriff +of Lancaster County, Pa., and by a Philadelphia officer named <i>Henry +Kline</i>, went to Christiana to arrest certain slaves of his, who, (as he +had been privately informed by a wretch, named Wm. M. Padgett,) +were living there. An attack was made upon the house, the slave-holder +declaring (as was said) that he "would not leave the place +alive without his slaves." "Then," replied one of them, "you +will not leave here alive." Many shots were fired on both sides, +and the slave-hunter, Edward Gorsuch, was killed.</p> + +<p>At a subsequent trial, a number of persons (nearly forty) were +committed to take their trial for "treason against the United +States, by levying war against the same, in resisting by force of +arms the execution of the Fugitive Slave Law." CASTNER HANWAY +was of the number. After suffering imprisonment and being subjected +to great loss of time and heavy expenses, they were all discharged.</p> + +<p><i>Syracuse, October 1, 1851.</i> JERRY, claimed as the slave of John +McReynolds, of Marion County, Missouri, was brought to trial before +Commissioner J.F. Sabine. He was rescued by a large body +of men from the officers who had him in custody, and was next +heard of in Canada.</p> + +<p><i>James R. Lawrence</i>, a lawyer of Syracuse, acted as counsel for +<i>James Lear</i>, attorney of McReynolds.</p></div> + +<p>[N.B. Daniel Webster's prophecy was not fulfilled.]</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>Columbia, Penn.</i>, (fall of 1851.) Man named HENRY, arrested as +the slave of Dr. Duvall, of Prince George's County, Maryland,—taken +to <i>Harrisburg</i>, before United States Commissioner McAllister +and by him consigned to slavery.</p> + +<p><i>Judge Denning</i>, of Illinois, discharged a negro brought before +him as a fugitive slave, on the ground that the Fugitive Slave Law +was unconstitutional.</p> + +<p><i>Two alleged slaves arrested</i> at <i>Columbia, Penn.</i>, on warrant of +United States Commissioner McAllister,—claimed as property of +W.T. McDermott, of Baltimore. One was carried into slavery, +one escaped. (November, 1851.)</p> + +<p><i>Near New Philadelphia, Maryland</i>, a woman, married to a free +colored man, with whom she had lived ten years, was arrested as +the slave of a Mr. Shreve, of Louisville, Kentucky. She was taken +back to Kentucky.</p> + +<p>RACHEL PARKER, free colored girl, kidnapped from house of +Joseph S. Miller, West Nottingham, Penn., by the "notorious +Elkton Kidnapper, McCreary," Dec. 31, 1851. Mr. Miller tracked +the kidnappers to Baltimore, and tried to recover the girl, but in +vain. On his way home, he was induced to leave the cars, and +was undoubtedly murdered,—it was supposed in revenge of the +death of Gorsuch at Christiana. Mr. Miller's body was found suspended +from a tree. A suit was brought in the Circuit Court of +Baltimore County, for the freedom of Rachel Parker, Jan. 1853. +Over sixty witnesses, from Pennsylvania, attended to testify to her +being free-born, and that she was not the person she was claimed +to be; although, in great bodily terror, she had, after her capture, +confessed herself the alleged slave! So complete and strong was +the evidence in her favor, that, after an eight days' trial, the claimants +abandoned the case, and a verdict was rendered for the freedom +of Rachel, and also of her sister, Elizabeth Parker, who had +been previously kidnapped, and conveyed to New Orleans.</p></div> + +<p>==> McCreary was demanded by Gov. Bigler, of Pennsylvania, +to be delivered up for trial on a charge of kidnapping; but Gov. +Lowe, of Maryland, refused to surrender him. See +<i>Standard</i>, July 2, 1853.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>JAMES TASKER, <i>New York City</i>, (Feb. 1852,) arrested through +the treachery of Police Officer Martin, and brought before United +States Commissioner George W. Morton, as the slave of Jonathan +Pinckney, of Maryland. He was given up, and taken back to +slavery.</p> + +<p>HORACE PRESTON, arrested in <i>Williamsburg, New York</i>, as the +slave of William Reese, of Baltimore, Maryland;—Richard Busteed, +of New York, being Attorney for the slaveholder. He was +brought before United States Commissioner Morton, 1st April, +1852; for several days previous he had been kept a prisoner, and +his wife knew not what had become of him. He was given up by +the Commissioner, and was carried into slavery. The same policeman, +Martin, (who acted in the case of James Tasker,) was active +in this case; being, doubtless, the original informant.</p> + +<p>Preston was afterwards bought for about $1,200, and brought +back.</p> + +<p><i>Columbia, Penn.</i>, (end of March, 1852;) a colored man, named +WILLIAM SMITH, was arrested as a fugitive slave in the lumber +yard of Mr. Gottlieb, by Deputy Marshal Snyder, of Harrisburg, +and police officer Ridgeley, of Baltimore, under a warrant from +Commissioner McAllister. Smith endeavored to escape, when +Ridgeley drew a pistol and shot him dead! Ridgeley was demanded +by the Governor of Pennsylvania, of the Governor of +Maryland, and the demand was referred to the Maryland Legislature.</p> + +<p>Hon. J.R. Giddings proposed the erection of a monument to +Smith.</p> + +<p>JAMES PHILLIPS, who had resided in <i>Harrisburg, Penn.</i>, for fourteen +years, was arrested May 24, 1852, as the former slave of +Dennis Hudson, of Culpepper County, Virginia, afterwards bought +by Henry T. Fant, of Fauquier County. He was brought before +United States Commissioner McAllister. Judge McKinney volunteered +his services to defend the alleged fugitive. The Commissioner, +as soon as possible, ordered the man to be delivered up; +and, after fourteen years' liberty, he was taken back to slavery in +Virginia. Afterwards, bought for $900, and taken back to Harrisburg.</p> + +<p><i>Wilkesbarre, Penn.</i>, (Summer of 1852.) Mr. Harvey arrested +and fined for shielding a slave.</p> + +<p><i>Sacramento, California</i>; a man named Lathrop claimed another +as his slave, and Judge Fry decided that the claim was good, and +ordered the slave to be surrendered. Mr. Lathrop left, with his +slave, for the Atlantic States.</p> + +<p><i>A beautiful young woman</i>, nearly white, was pursued by her +owner [and father] to New York, (end of June, 1852.) There a +large reward was offered to a police officer to discover her, place of +residence. It was discovered, and measures taken for her apprehension; +but the alarm had been taken, and she escaped.</p> + +<p><i>Sacramento, California</i>; three men were seized by a Mr. Perkins, +of Mississippi. The Court decided them to be his property +and they were carried back to Mississippi.—<i>Standard</i>, July 29, 1852.</p> + +<p><i>Petersburg, Penn.</i> Two fugitives from Alabama slavery were +overtaken, and taken back, September, 1852.</p> + +<p>JOHN HENRY WILSON, a lad of fourteen years, kidnapped from +Danville, Pennsylvania, and taken to Baltimore, where he was, +offered for sale to John N. Denning. Kidnappers committed to +jail, October, 1852.</p></div> + +<p>[==> DANIEL WEBSTER, the endorser of the Fugitive Slave +Law, died at Marshfield, Mass., October 24th, 1852, in the very +height of the Law's triumphant operation.]</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>LOUISA</i>, a colored woman, claimed by Mrs. Reese, of San Francisco, +California, was seized by five armed men, and put on board +Steamer Golden Gate, and carried it is not known whither. The +aid of the Law was not invoked. The California <i>Christian Advocate</i>, +from which the above is taken, says, "Two colored men, stewards +on the Golden Gate, were sent back to the States on the last trip +under the State Fugitive Law."</p> + +<p><i>A mulatto woman, in San Francisco</i>, was ordered to be delivered +to her claimant, T.T. Smith, Jackson Country, Missouri, by "Justice +Shepherd,"—<i>San Francisco Herald</i>—in <i>Standard</i>, November +4, 1852.</p> + +<p><i>Sandusky, Ohio.</i> Two men, two women, and several children +were arrested and taken from a steamboat just about to leave for +Detroit. Taken before Mayor Follett, by a man who claimed to +be their owner. R.R. Sloane, Esq., was employed as counsel for +the slaves. No one claiming custody of the slaves, or producing +any writs or warrants, Mr. Sloane signified to the crowd present +that there appeared to be no cause for the detention of the persons. +Immediately a rush was made for the door. A man, who before +had been silent, exclaimed, "Here are the papers—I own the +slaves—I'll hold you individually responsible for their escape." +The slaves escaped into Canada, October, 1852. Mr. Sloane was +afterwards prosecuted for the value of the slaves, and judgment +given against him to the amount of $3,950.</p> + +<p><i>Thirty slaves</i>, says the <i>Maysville</i> (Ky.) <i>Eagle</i>, "escaped from +Mason and Bracken Counties, a short time ago. Some of them +were captured in Ohio, by their owners, at a distance of about +forty miles from the river." "They brought the captured slaves +home without encountering the least obstacle, or even an unkind +word."—<i>Standard</i>, November 4, 1852.</p> + +<p>THE LEMMON SLAVES. At New York, eight persons, claimed +by Jonathan Lemmon, of Norfolk, Virginia, as his slaves, were +brought before Judge Paine, November, 1852. It appeared that +they had been brought to New York by their owner, with a view +of taking them to Texas, as his slaves. Mr. Louis Napoleon, a +respectable colored man, of New York, procured a writ of habeas +corpus, under which they were brought before the court. Their +liberation was called for, under the State Law, not being fugitives, +but brought into a free State by their owner. Said owner appeared, +with Henry D. Lapaugh as his counsel, aided by Mr. +Clinton. At their urgent request, the case was postponed from +time to time, when Judge Paine, with evident reluctance, decreed +the freedom of the slaves. E.D. Culver and John Jay, Esqs., were +counsel for the slaves. The merchants and others of New York +subscribed and paid Mr. Lemmon the sum of $5,280, for loss of his +slaves. The New York <i>Journal of Commerce</i> was very active in +raising this money. The same men were invited to contribute +something for the destitute men, women, and children claimed by +Lemmon. The whole amount given by them all, was two dollars. +About one thousand dollars were raised for them among the better +disposed but less wealthy class.</p> + +<p>THOMAS BROWN alias GEORGE BORDLEY, <i>Philadelphia, November, +1852</i>, was claimed by one Andrew Pearce, Cecil County, Maryland. +Given up to claimant by Commissioner Ingraham. The +arrest of the man was made by the notorious kidnapper, George +F. Alberti. Mr. Pettit, counsel for the claimant.</p></div> + +<p>[Transcriber's note: The following note is inserted after the +next section but does not refer to any specific reported incident.]<br /> +<br /> +==> The Slaveholders of Kentucky begin forming associations for +mutual protection +against loss of runaway slaves. The preamble of the plan of association +proposed at a meeting at Minerva Kentucky, held in the winter of 1852-53, is as +follows:—"Whereas it has become absolutely necessary for the slave-owners of +Kentucky to take such steps as will secure their property, we, the citizens of Mass. +and Bracken counties, do recommend," &c. [end note]</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>RICHARD NEAL, free colored man, kidnapped in Philadelphia +and carried from the city in a carriage towards Maryland. A writ +of <i>habeas corpus</i> was obtained, the kidnappers were overtaken, and +Neal brought back after resistance and various hindrances. The +Supreme Court of Pennsylvania discharged him. February, 1853.</p> + +<p><i>Ten slaves</i>, arrested in Indiana, and taken back to Tennessee, by +W. Carney and others. Resistance was made, and W. Carney +"was very badly injured during the fracas."—<i>Nashville ----</i>, March 5, 1853. +[Transcribers' note: ---- substituted for word cut off on original page.]</p> + +<p><i>Alton, Illinois.</i> A man claimed to belong to Walter Carrico, of +Warren County, Missouri, was arrested by police officers from St. +Louis. After being lodged in jail in St. Louis he made his escape, +and again went into Illinois. He was pursued, found, and taken +back to St. Louis.—<i>St. Louis Republican</i>, March, 1853.</p> + +<p>AMANDA, a slave girl, was brought to St. Louis, from near Memphis, +Tennessee, a year before, by a son of her master, and by him +set free, without his father's consent. After the father's death, an +attempt was made to seize Amanda, and take her back to Tennessee +without trial. This was prevented by officers, the girl taken +from the steamboat Cornelia, and brought before Levi Davis, United +States Commissioner. He decided in favor of the claimants, +(the heirs of the estate, of course.)—<i>St. Louis Republican</i>, March +17, 1853.</p> + +<p>JANE TRAINER, a colored child, about ten years old, in the possession +of Mrs. Rose Cooper, <i>alias</i> Porter, (a woman admitted by +her counsel to be a common prostitute,) was brought before Judge +Duer, of New York City, by a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, which had +been applied for by Charles Trainer, the father of the child, (a free +colored man, who had followed the parties from Mobile to New +York,) and who desired that the custody of his daughter's person +should be granted to him. [June, 1853, and previous.] Judge +Duer decided that it was not within his jurisdiction to determine +to whom the custody of the child belonged; the Supreme Court +of New York must decide that. Judge D. proposed to both parties +that the child should be put into his hands, and he would provide +a proper person for her care and education, but the woman (Porter) +would not consent to this. She evidently designed to train up the +child for a life of shame, and perhaps of slavery also. The case +was brought by a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, before Judge Barculo, of +the Supreme Court, sitting at Brooklyn. The effort to serve the +writ was at first defeated by the notorious New York bully, Captain +Isaiah Rynders, acting, it was said, under the advice of James T. +Brady, counsel for Mrs. Porter. For this interference with, the +law, Rynders and some others were arrested and taken before +Judge Barculo, who let them off on their making an apology! +The second attempt to serve the writ on the child was more successful. +After hearing counsel, Judge Barculo adjudged "that the +said Charles Trainer is entitled to the care and custody of said Jane +Trainer, and directing her to be delivered to him as her father," +&c. In giving his decision, Judge B. said, "It is not to be assumed +that a child under fourteen years of age is possessed of sufficient +discretion to choose her own guardian; a house of ill-fame is not a +suitable place, nor one of its inmates a proper person for the education +of such a child." Jane Trainer's mother was afterwards +bought from slavery in Mobile, Alabama, and enabled to join her +husband and child.</p> + +<p>In 1854, Charles Trainer obtained a verdict in King's County +Court, New York, for $775 damages, against Rose Cooper.</p></div> + +<p>[N.B. Though not strictly a case under the Fugitive Slave +Law, this is very properly inserted here, as the whole spirit of the +woman, of her counsel, and of the means he took to accomplish his +base designs, was clearly instigated by that Law, and by the malignant +influences it brought into action against the colored people, +both slave and free.]</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>BASIL WHITE, Philadelphia, was summarily surrendered into +slavery in Maryland, by United States Commissioner Ingraham, +June 1, 1853. He was betrayed into the clutches of the kidnapper +Alberti, by a colored man named John Dorsey.</p> + +<p><i>Two slaves</i> of Sylvester Singleton, living near Burlington, (Ky.?) +escaped and reached Columbus, Ohio; were there overtaken by +their master, who secured them and took them back with him.—<i>Cincinnati +Enquirer</i>.</p> + +<p>JOHN FREEMAN, a free colored man, seized in Indianapolis, and +claimed as the slave of Pleasant Ellington, a Methodist church-member, +(Summer, 1853,) of Missouri. Freeman pledged himself +to prove that he was not the person he was alleged to be. The +United States Marshal consented to his having time for this, provided +he would go to jail, and pay <i>three dollars a day</i> for a guard +to keep him secure! Bonds to any amount, to secure the marshal +against loss, if Freeman could go at large, were rejected. Freeman's +counsel went to Georgia, and "after many days returned +with a venerable and highly respectable gentleman from Georgia, +Mr. Patillo, (post-master of the place where he resides,) who had +voluntarily made the long journey for the sole purpose of testifying +to his knowledge of Freeman, and that he was well known to be +free!" But Freeman was still kept in jail. After several days, +Ellington brought witnessess to prove F. to be his slave. The +witnesses, and Liston (counsel for Ellington) wished to have Freeman +strip himself, to be examined naked. By advise of his counsel +he refused. The marshal took him to his cell, and compelled +him to strip. The witnesses then swore that he was Ellington's +property. Freeman's counsel produced further evidence that he +had been known as a free man <i>twenty</i> years. Ellington claimed +that he had escaped from him <i>sixteen</i> years before. The man who +did escape from Ellington, just sixteen years before, was discovered +to be living near Malden, Canada. Two of the Kentucky witnesses +visited and recognized him. Freeman was then released, but with +a large debt upon him, $1,200, which had grown up by the unusually +heavy expenses of his defence and long imprisonment, +Freeman brought a suit against Ellington for false imprisonment +laying damages at $10,000. A verdict for $2,000 was given in his +favor, which was agreed to by Ellington's counsel.—<i>Indiana Free +Democrat</i>, May, 1854.</p> + +<p><i>Three slaves</i>, two men and a girl, fled from near Maysville, Kentucky, +into Ohio. Were pursued by their owners and assistants, +five men armed, and were overtaken, says the Maysville <i>Weekly +Express</i>, "at the bridge over Rattlesnake Creek, on the Petersburg +and Greenfield road, about ten o'clock at night," the slaves being, +armed, and accompanied by a white man. Both parties fired, the +negro girl was wounded, but still fled; one of the negro men was +also wounded, and, says the Maysville paper, they "were tracked +a mile and a half by the blood." The other slave was secured and +taken back to Kentucky, "much bruised and cut in the affray." +"The white man," says the same paper, "was also caught and +beaten in a very severe manner with a club, and strong hopes are +entertained that he will die."—<i>Wilmington (Ohio) Republican</i>, July, +22, 1853.</p> + +<p><i>A colored girl</i>, between four and five years old, suddenly disappeared +from Providence, R.I., July 13, 1853; at the same time, a +mulatto woman, who had been heard to make inquiries about the +child, was missing also. Believed to be a case of kidnapping.</p> + +<p><i>A negro boy</i>, says the Memphis <i>Inquirer</i>, "left his owner in this +city," and went on board the steamboat Aurilla Wood, bound for +Cincinnati. By a telegraphic message he was intercepted, taken +from the boat at Cairo, Illinois, and taken back to Memphis. +(Summer, 1853.)</p> + +<p>GEORGE W. MCQUERRY, <i>Cincinnati, Ohio</i>. A colored man, who +had resided three or four years in Ohio, and married a free woman, +by whom he had three children, was remanded to slavery by Judge +McLean (August, 1853.) The man was taken by the United +States Marshal, with a posse, across the river to Covington, Kentucky, +and there delivered to his <i>master</i>!</p> + +<p><i>Two men kidnapped</i> from Chicago, and taken to St. Louis. See +<i>Chicago</i> Tribune, quoted in <i>Standard</i>, Aug. 27, 1853.</p> + +<p><i>Three Slaves</i> taken by <i>Habeas Corpus</i>, from steamboat Tropic, and +brought before Judge Flinn, at Cincinnati, August, 1853. The +woman Hannah expressed a wish to return to her master in the +boat. Judge Flinn ordered her into the custody of the claimants +without investigation. Judge F. asked Hannah if she had the custody +of the child Susan, to which she answered that she had. +Whereupon the Judge also ordered her back into the custody of the +claimants, without examination. Mr. Jolliffe protested against +ordering the child back without examination. The Court said +they would take the responsibility. The examination then proceeded +in the case of the man Edward. It appeared that they were +purchased in Virginia, to be conveyed to Mississippi. The boat +stopped at Cincinnati, and the slaves were twice taken by the agent +of the owners on shore, and upon the territory of Ohio. Mr. Jolliffe +commenced his argument at 7, P.M., and argued that the +slaves, being brought by their owners upon free territory, were +legally free. Mr. J., before finishing, was taken ill, and obliged to +leave the court-room; he first begged the Court to adjourn until +morning, which was refused by Judge Flinn. Judge Keys said the +Ohio river was a highway for all States bordering on it, whose +citizens had a right also to use the adjacent shores for purposes +necessary to navigation. Mr. Zinn stated that Mr. Jolliffe had +been obliged to retire, in consequence of illness, and had requested +him to urge the Court to continue the case. Judge Flinn said—"The +case will he decided to-night; that is decided on. We have +not been silting here four or five hours to determine whether we will +decide the case or not. It will be decided, and you may come up +to it sideways or square; or any way you please; you must come +to it." Mr. Zinn said he was not going to argue. He had made +the request out of courtesy to a professional brother. He doubted +the power of the Court to deliver the boy into slavery. Judge +Flinn said—"I do not wish to hear any arguments of that nature." +The man was then ordered to be taken by the Sheriff, and +delivered to claimant on board the boat,—which was done.—<i>Cincinnati +Gazette</i>, 27th August, 1853.</p> + +<p>PATRICK SNEED, a colored waiter in the Cataract House, Niagara +Falls, arrested on the pretended charge of murder committed in +Savannah, Georgia. He was brought, by <i>Habeas Corpus</i>, before +Judge Sheldon, at Buffalo, (September, 1853,) and by him ordered +to be "fully discharged."</p> + +<p>BILL, [or WILLIAM THOMAS,] a colored waiter at the Phenix +Hotel, Wilkesbarre, Penn., described as a "tall, noble-looking, +intelligent, and active mulatto, nearly white," was attacked by +"Deputy Marshal Wynkoop," Sept. 3, 1853, and four other persons, +(three of them from Virginia.) These men came "suddenly, +from behind, knocked him down with a mace, and partially +shackled him." He struggled hard against the five, shook them +off, and with the handcuff, which had been secured to his right +wrist only "inflicted some hard wounds on the countenances" of +his assailants. Covered with blood, he broke from them, rushed +from the house, and plunged in the river close by, exclaiming, +"I will be drowned rather than taken alive." He was pursued, +fired upon repeatedly, ordered to come out of the water, where he +stood immersed to his neck, or "they would blow his brains out." +He replied, "I will die first." They then deliberately fired at him +four or five different times, the last ball supposed to have struck on +his head, for his face was instantly covered with blood, and he sprang +up and shrieked. The by-standers began to cry "shame" and the +kidnappers retired a short distance for consultation. Bill came out +of the water and lay down on the shore. His pursuers, supposing +him dying, said, "Dead niggers are not worth taking South." +Some one brought and put on him a pair of pantaloons. He +was helped to his feet by a colored man named Rex; on seeing +which, Wynkoop and party headed him and presented their +revolvers, when BILL again ran into the river, "where he remained +upwards of an hour, nothing but his head above water, covered +with blood, and in full view of hundreds who lined the banks." +His claimants dared not follow him into the water; for, as he said +afterward, "he would have died contented, could he have carried +two or three of them down with him." Preparations [rather slow +it would appear,] were made to arrest the murderous gang, but +they had departed from the place. BILL then waded some distance +up the stream, and "was found by some women flat on his face in +a corn-field. They carried him to a place of safety, dressed his +wounds," and the suffering man was seen no more in +Wilkesbarre.—<i>Correspondence of New York Tribune</i>.</p></div> + +<p>Wynkoop and another were afterwards arrested in Philadelphia, +on a charge of riot, the warrant issuing from a State magistrate of +Wilkesbarre, on the complaint of William C. Gildersleeve, of the +place. Mr. Jackson, the constable who held them in custody, was +brought before Judge Grier, of the United States Supreme Court, +by <i>habeas corpus</i>. Judge Grier, during the examination, said:—</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>"I will not have the officers of the United States harassed at +every step in the performance of their duties by every petty magistrate +who chooses to harass them, or by any unprincipled interloper +who chooses to make complaints against them—for I know something +of the man who makes this complaint." "If this man Gildersleeve +fails to make out the facts set forth in the warrant of +arrest, I will request the Prosecuting Attorney of Luzerne County +to prosecute him for perjury. * * * If any tuppenny magistrate, +or any unprincipled interloper can come in, and cause to be +arrested the officers of the United States, whenever they please, it +is a sad affair. * * * If <i>habeas corpuses</i> are to be taken out +alter that manner, I will have an indictment sent to the United +States Grand Jury against the person who applies for the writ, or +assists in getting it, the lawyer who defends it, and the sheriff who +serves the writ. * * * I will see that my officers are protected." +On a subsequent day, Judge Grier gave an elaborate opinion, reciting +the facts in the case, <i>as stated by the prisoners</i>, and ordering +them to be <i>discharged</i>! He said:—"We are unable to perceive, +in this transaction, anything worthy of blame in the conduct of +these officers in their unsuccessful endeavors to fulfil a most dangerous +and disgusting duty; except, perhaps, a want of sufficient +courage and perseverance in the attempt to execute the writ!"</p></div> + +<p>Wynkoop and the other were discharged by Judge Kane on the +ground that they did only what their duty, under the Law, required. +(May, 1854.)</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>A family of colored persons</i>, at Uniontown, Pa., were claimed as +slaves by a man in Virginia. They admitted that they had been +his slaves, but declared that they had come into Pennsylvania with +their master's consent and knowledge, on a visit to some friends +in Fayette County, and were not, therefore, <i>fugitives</i>. This was +overruled, and the negroes were sent back by a United States +Commissioner, name not given. (September, 1853.)<a name='FNanchor_A_2'></a><a href='#Footnote_A_2'>[A]</a>—<i>Pittsburgh +Saturday Visiter</i>.</p> + +<a name='Footnote_A_2'></a><a href='#FNanchor_A_2'>[A]</a><div class='note'><i>A correspondent</i> of the <i>New York Evening Post</i>, writing from Columbus, +Ohio, September 1, 1853, states that a very large number of fugitive slaves are +continually passing through that State; that they are generally armed; and that +they find increasing sympathy among the people on the road, and the boatmen on +the lakes.</div> + +<p><i>A desperate fight</i> between a party of four fugitives and about +double the number of whites, took place in Carroll County, Maryland. +Four white men shot—none dangerously. Two of the +slaves wounded, one severely. They were captured. (October, +1853.)—<i>Westminster (Md.) Democrat</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Washington, Indiana.</i> In April, 1853, GEORGE, a negro man, +was arrested and claimed by a Mr. Rice, of Kentucky, as his slave. +Judge Clemens ordered his surrender to Rice, who took him to +Louisville, and there sold him to a slave-trader, who took him to +Memphis, Tennessee. Here a man from Mississippi claimed that +George was <i>his</i> slave, obtained a writ of replevin, and took possession +of him.</p> + +<p>JOSHUA GLOVER, colored man, claimed as the slave of B.S. Garland, +of St. Louis County, Missouri, was arrested near Racine, +Wisconsin, about the 10th of March, 1854. Arrest made by five +men, who burst suddenly into his shanty, put a pistol to his head, +felled him to the ground, handcuffed him, and took him in a +wagon to Milwaukee jail, a distance of twenty-five miles. They +swore that if he shouted or made the least noise, they would kill +him instantly. When visited, says the <i>Milwaukee Sentinel</i>, "We +found him in his cell. He was cut in two places on the head; the +front of his shirt and vest were soaking and stiff with his own +blood." A writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> was immediately issued; also a +warrant for the arrest of the five men who assaulted and beat him +in his shanty. Thousands of people collected around the jail and +court-house, "the excitement being intense." A vigilance committee +of twenty-five persons was appointed to watch the jail at +night and see that Glover was not secretly taken away. The next +day, at about five o'clock, P.M., a considerable accession of persons +being made to the crowd, and it appearing that every attempt to +save Glover by the laws of Wisconsin had been overruled by United +States Judge Miller, a demand was made for the man. This +being refused, an attack was made upon the door with axes, +planks, &c. It was broken in, the inner door and wall broken +through, and Glover taken from his keepers, brought out, placed +in a wagon, and driven off at great speed.</p> + +<p>S.M. Booth, editor of the <i>Milwaukee Free Democrat</i>, Charles +Clement, of the <i>Racine Advocate</i>, W.H. Waterman, and George S. +Wright were arrested for aiding and abetting the rescue of Glover. +Booth was subsequently discharged by the Supreme Court of +Wisconsin, on the ground that the Fugitive Slave Law is unconstitutional. +He was, however, re-arrested, and held to answer in +the United States Courts, on the same charge; the offered bail was +refused, and he was lodged in jail. The case was subsequently +tried before the District Court of the United States, at Milwaukee, +on the question as to the right of a State judiciary to release +prisoners under a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, who may be in the lawful +custody of United States officers; and also to determine the constitutionality +of the Fugitive Slave Law. (<i>Washington Star</i>, September +20, 1854.) The Attorney General, Caleb Cushing, made +himself very active in pushing forward this case. Mr. Booth, early +in 1855, was fined one thousand dollars and sentenced to one +month's imprisonment. John Ryecraft, for same offence, was sentenced +in a fine of two hundred dollars and imprisonment for ten +days. All for acts such as Christianity and Humanity enjoin. On +a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, Messrs. Booth and Ryecraft were taken +before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, sitting at Madison, and discharged +from imprisonment. This, however, did not relieve them +from the fines imposed by the United States Court. The owner +of the slave brought a civil suit against Mr. Booth, claiming $1,000 +damages for the loss of his slave. Judge Miller decided, July, +1855, that the $1,000 must be paid.</p> + +<p>EDWARD DAVIS, <i>March, 1854</i>. As the steamboat Keystone +State, Captain Hardie, from Savannah, was entering Delaware +Bay, bound to Philadelphia, the men engaged in heaving the lead +heard a voice from under the guards of the boat, calling for help. +A rope was thrown, and a man caught it and was drawn into the +boat in a greatly exhausted state. He had remained in that place +from the time of leaving Savannah, the water frequently sweeping +over him. Some bread in his pocket was saturated with salt water +and dissolved to a pulp. The captain ordered the vessel to be put +in to Newcastle, Delaware, where the fugitive, hardly able to +stand, was taken on shore and put in jail, to await the orders of +his owner, in Savannah. DAVIS claimed to be a free man, and a +native of Philadelphia, and described many localities there. Before +Judge Bradford, at Newcastle, Davis's freedom was fully proved, +and he was discharged. He was again arrested and placed in jail +on the oath of Captain Hardie, that he believed him to be a fugitive +slave and a fugitive from justice. After some weeks' delay, +he was brought to trial before United States Commissioner Samuel +Guthrie, who ordered him to be delivered up to his claimant on +the ground that he was legally a slave, though free-born. It appeared +in evidence that Davis had formerly gone from Pennsylvania +to reside in Maryland, contrary to the laws of that State; +which forbid free colored persons from other States to come there to +reside; and being unable to pay the fine imposed for this offence (!) +by the Orphan's (!) Court of Harford County, was committed to jail +and sold as a slave for life, by Robert McGaw, Sheriff of the +County, to Dr. John G. Archer, of Louisiana, from whom he was +sold to B.M. Campbell, who sold him to William A. Dean, of +Macon, Georgia, the present claimant. Thus a free-born citizen of +Pennsylvania was consigned, <i>by law</i> to slavery for life:</p></div> + +<p>[==> In May, 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Bill was enacted.]</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>ANTHONY BURNS, arrested in Boston, May 24, 1854, as the slave +of Charles F. Suttle, of Alexandria, Virginia, who was present to +claim him, accompanied by a witness from Richmond, Virginia, +named William Brent. Burns was arrested on a warrant granted +by United States Commissioner Edward Greeley Loring, taken to +the court-house in Boston, ironed, and placed in an upper story +room under a strong guard. The hearing commenced the next +morning before Mr. Loring, but was adjourned until Saturday; +May 27, to give the counsel for A. Burns time to examine the case. +On Friday evening, (26th,) an attack was made upon the court-house +by a body of men, with the evident design of rescuing +Burns; a door was forced in, and one of the marshal's special +guard, (named Batchelder,) was killed, whether by the assailants +or by one of his own party is uncertain, it being quite dark; upon +the cry of Batchelder that he was killed, the attacking party +retreated and made no further attempt. The trial of the case +proceeded on Saturday, again on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, +when the Commissioner said he would give his decision on +Friday. During the trial, Burns was continually surrounded by a +numerous body-guard, (said to be at least one hundred and twenty-five +men,) selected by Watson Freeman, United States Marshal, +from the vilest sinks of scoundrelism, corruption, and crime in the +city to be Deputy Marshals for the occasion. These men, with +every form of loathsome impurity and hardened villainy stamped +upon their faces, sat constantly around the prisoner while in the +court-room, the handles of pistols and revolvers visibly protruding +from their breast pockets. A company of United States troops, +from the Navy Yard, occupied the court-house, and guarded all +avenues to the United States court-room. The testimony of +numerous highly respectable witnesses was adduced to show that +Anthony Burns was in Boston a month earlier than the time at +which he was said to have left Richmond. R.H. Dana, Jr. and +Charles M. Ellis, counsel for Burns, made very eloquent and able +arguments in his behalf. Seth J. Thomas and E.G. Parker were +the counsel for Suttle, the case being constantly watched and aided +by the United States District Attorney, Benjamin F. Hallett, who +was in regular telegraphic communication with the President of +the United States, (F. Pierce,) at Washington. An effort was +made, and followed up with much patience, to buy Burns's freedom, +Suttle having offered to sell him for $1,200. The money +was raised and tendered to Suttle, when difficulties were interposed, +especially by Mr. Attorney Hallett, and the attempt failed. +Suttle afterwards declared he would not sell Burns for any sum, +but that he should go back to Virginia. On Friday morning, June +2d, Commissioner Loring gave his decision, overriding all the testimony +in Burns's favor, using certain expressions which fell from +Burns in the first heat and confusion of his arrest, as testimony +against him, and concluding with ordering him to be delivered up +to the claimant. Some four hours were consumed in getting Court +Street, State Street, &c., in a state of readiness for the removal of the +prisoner. A regiment of Massachusetts Infantry had been posted +on Boston Common, under command of Col. Benjamin Franklin (!) +Edmands, from an early hour of the day, in anticipation of the +Commissioner's decision. These troops, which had been called +out by the Mayor, Jerome V.C. Smith, were marched to the scene +of the kidnapping, and so placed as to guard every street, lane, and +other avenue leading to State Street, &c., the route through which +the slave procession was to pass. No individual was suffered to +pass within these guards; but acts of violence were committed by +them on several individuals. Court Square was occupied by two +companies of United States troops, (chiefly Irishmen,) and a large +field-piece was drawn into the centre. All preparations being +made, Watson Freeman (United States Marshal) issued forth from +the court-house with his prisoner, who walked with a firm step, +surrounded by the body-guard of criminals before mentioned, with +drawn United States sabres in their hands, and followed by United +States troops with the aforesaid piece of artillery. Preceded by a +company of Massachusetts mounted troops, under command of +Colonel Isaac H. Wright, this infamous procession took its way +down Court Street, State Street and Commerce Street, (for the +proprietors of Long Wharf refused to allow them to march upon +their premises, through a public highway in all ordinary cases,) to +the T Wharf, where the prisoner was taken on board a steam tow-boat, +and conveyed down the harbor to the United States Revenue +Cutter Morris; in which he was transported to Virginia.</p> + +<p>It may not be amiss to have given, in a single instance, this +somewhat detailed account of the process of seizing, trying, and +delivering up a man into slavery, whose only crime was that +he had fled from a bondage "one hour of which is fraught with +more misery than ages of that which our fathers rose in rebellion +to throw off," Thomas Jefferson, the Virginian slaveholder, himself +being witness.</p> + +<p>Anthony Burns, having been sold into North Carolina, was +afterwards purchased with money subscribed in Boston and vicinity, +for the purpose, and returned to Boston.</p> + +<p>The <i>illegality</i> of the Mayor's conduct in ordering out the military, +and giving to the Colonel of the regiment the entire control +of the same, was fully shown by different and highly competent +writers, among whom was P.W. Chandler, Esq., whose two +articles, in the <i>Boston Advertiser</i>, deserve to be remembered with +respect. The Mayor's excuse was that he desired to <i>keep the peace</i>. +But these Massachusetts troops received pay for their day's work +from the United States Government. Judge HOAR, in a charge to +the Grand Jury, declared the act of the Mayor, in calling out the +militia, to be an infraction of law.</p> +<br /> + +<p>STEPHEN PEMBROKE, and his two sons, <i>Robert</i> and <i>Jacob</i>, 19 and +17 years of age, were arrested in New York almost simultaneously +with the seizure of Burns in Boston; claimed as the slaves of +David Smith and Jacob H. Grove, of Sharpsburg, Washington +County, Maryland. They escaped May 1st, and came to New +York, followed closely by their masters, who discovered their +retreat in Thompson Street, and pounced upon them by night. At +8-1/2 o'clock, next morning, they were taken before United States +Commissioner G.W. Morton, "where the case came up for the +most summary and hasty hearing that has ever characterized our +judicial proceedings." Dunning and Smith were counsel for the +masters, but the fugitives had no counsel; and the hearing was +finished, and a warrant granted to the slave claimants before the +matter became known in the city. When Mr. Jay and Mr. Culver +hastened to the court-room to offer their services to the prisoners, +as counsel, they were assured by officers, <i>and by Commissioner +Morton himself</i>, that the men wanted no counsel, and were not in +the building. On search, however, it was found they were in the +building, locked up in a room. They said they desired counsel +and the aid of friends. A writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> was obtained, but +before it could be served the three men had been removed from +the State, and were on their way to Baltimore. [See the published. +Card of E.D. CULVER, Esq.] Stephen Pembroke was the brother, +and his sons the nephews of Rev. Dr. Pennington, of New York +City, Pastor of a Presbyterian (colored) Church. Stephen Pembroke +was purchased and brought back to New York, ($1,000 +having been contributed for that purpose,) and related his experience +of the slave's life, at a public meeting, held in the Broadway +Tabernacle, July 17, 1854. His sons had been sold, and remained +in slavery.</p> + +<p>JAMES COTES, free man of color, residing in Gibson County, +Indiana, went to Jeffersonville, (Ind.,) to take the cars for Indianapolis. +On going to the depot, at 6, A.M., for the morning train, +he was knocked down, "beat over the head with a brick-bat, and +cut with a bowie-knife, until subdued. He was then tied, and in +open daylight in full view of our populace, borne off bleeding like +a hog." He was undoubtedly taken to the jail, in Louisville. On +crossing the river to Louisville he met the captain of a steamboat, +who knew him to be a free man. (About June 1, 1854.) The +kidnapper was arrested and held to bail in the sum of $1,000, to +take his trial at next Circuit Court.</p> + +<p><i>Near Cedarville, Ohio, May 25, 1854</i>, about noon, "a colored +man, of middle age and respectable appearance, was walking on the +Columbus and Xenia turnpike. He was alone. A man in a buggy +overtook him, and invited him to ride, saying he was a friend to +the colored man, and promising to assist him in obtaining his liberty." +He took the colored man to the house of one Chapman, +"three miles south of Selma, in Greene county." There Chapman +and the other, (whose name was William McCord,) fell upon the +colored man, struck him with a <i>colt</i> upon the head, so that he bled +severely, and bound his hands behind him. "Soon after the negro +got loose and ran down the road; McCord ran after him, crying +'Catch the d——d horse thief,' &c., Chapman and his son following; +negro picked up a stone, the man a club and struck him on +the head, so that he did not throw the stone. He was then tied, +and helped by McCord and Chapman to walk to the buggy. +McCord asked Chapman, the son, to accompany him to Cincinnati +with the colored man, promising to give him half the reward +($200) if he would. They then started, driving very fast." "We +had not gone over two or three miles," said Chapman, "before the +negro died, and after taking him two or three miles further, put +him out, and left him as now discovered,"—viz. in a thick wood, +one mile south of Clifton. The above facts are taken from the +testimony given at the coroner's inquest over the body. "The +jury gave in substance the following verdict:—Deceased came to +his death by blows from a colt and club in the hands of one William +McCord, assisted by the two Chapmans." Chapman, the son, +said that McCord made him a proposition to join and follow kidnapping +for a business, stating that he knew where he could get +four victims immediately. McCord was taken and lodged in +Xenia jail. The Chapmans bound over to take their trial for kidnapping.—<i>Wilmington +(Ohio) Herald of Freedom</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Columbus, Indiana.</i> A Kentuckian endeavored to entice a little +negro boy to go with him, and both were waiting to take the cars, +when mischief was suspected, and a crowd of people proceeded to +the depot, and made the kidnapper release his intended victim. +(June, 1854.)—<i>Indiana Free Democrat</i>.</p> + +<p>---- BROWN, a resident of Henderson, Kentucky, was arrested +for aiding four female slaves to escape from Union County, Kentucky, +to Canada. United States Marshal Ward and Sheriff +Gavitt, of Indiana, made the arrest. He was lodged in Henderson +jail.—<i>Evansville (Ind.) Journal</i>, June 2, 1854.</p> + +<p>Several Kentucky planters, among them Archibald Dixon, +raised $500 in order to secure Brown's conviction and sentence +to penitentiary.</p> + +<p>[Transcriber's note: The following note appears as a footnote to this section without +specific reference to any of the cited cases.]</p> + +<p>==> The case of SOLOMON NORTHUP, though not under the Fugitive Law, is so +striking an illustration of the power which created that law, and of the constant +danger which impends over every colored citizen of the Northern States, fast +threatening to include white citizens also, that it must not he passed over without +mention. He was kidnapped in 1841, from the State of New York, and kept in +slavery twelve years. Two men, named Merrill and Russell, were arrested and +tried as his kidnappers, and the fact fully proven. But the case was got into the +United States Courts, and the criminals went unpunished. [end of note]</p> + +<p><i>Nine slaves</i> left their masters in Boone County, Kentucky, on +Sunday, June 11, 1854, having three horses with them. Arrived +at the river, they turned the horses back, and taking a skiff crossed +at midnight to the Ohio shore. After travelling two or three +miles, they hid during Monday in a clump of bushes. At night +they started northward again. A man, named John Gyser, met +them and promised to assist them. He took them to a stable, +where they were to remain until night. He immediately went to +Covington, Kentucky, learned that $1,000 reward was offered for +their apprehension, and gave information of their place of concealment. +At evening a strong band of Kentuckians, with United +States Deputy Marshal George Thayer, assisted by three Cincinnati +officers, surrounded the stable and took the nine prisoners, +on a warrant issued by United States Commissioner Pendery. +They were all given up to their claimants, and taken back to +Kentucky.</p> + +<p><i>A New Orleans correspondent of the New York Tribune</i>, in a letter +dated July 3, 1854, writes, "During a recent trip up the river I +was on several steamers, and on every boat they had one or more +runaway slaves, who had been caught and were being taken in +<i>irons</i> to their <i>masters</i>."</p> + +<p><i>On the Steamer Alvin Adams</i>, at Madison, Indiana, a man was +arrested as a fugitive and taken to Louisville, Kentucky. He was +claimed as the slave of John H. Page, of Bowling Green. The +<i>Louisville Journal</i>, edited by a Northern man, stigmatised him as a +"rascal," for his attempt to be free. (July, 1854.)</p> + +<p><i>Two colored men</i>, on their way to Chicago, were seized and taken +from the cars at Lasalle, Illinois, by three men, who said they were +not officers. The colored men were known to be free; one was +"a respectable resident of Chicago." Some of the passengers +interfered; but it being night, and very dark, and the cars starting +on the colored men were left in the hands of their kidnappers.</p> + +<p><i>Chicago, Illinois.</i> Three men from Missouri, with a warrant +from the Governor of that State, to take a certain fugitive slave, +seized a man whom they met in the street, bound him with a handkerchief, +and to quicken his steps beat him with the butt of a pistol. +He succeeded in shaking off his captors and fled, a pistol-bullet +being sent after him, which did not hit him. He made good his +escape. The men were arrested and held to trial for assault with +deadly weapons. By an extraordinary conspiracy on the part of +District Attorney Hoyne, Sheriff Bradley, and others, these men +were taken from jail to be carried to Springfield, Illinois, two hundred +miles distant, to appear before Chief Justice Treat, that he +might inquire "whether said alleged kidnappers were justly held +to bail and imprisoned." It was so suddenly done that the counsel +for the kidnapped man and for the State of Illinois had not time +to reach Springfield before the men were discharged and on their +way to Missouri. The Grand Jury of the County (in which Chicago +is) had found a true bill against them, of which the Sheriff +professed to be ignorant, (which was deemed hardly possible,)—under +which bill they would probably have been convicted and +sentenced to the State Prison. Thus the omnipotent Slave Power +reaches forth its hand into our most Northern cities, end saves its +minions from the punishment which their lawless acts have justly +merited.—<i>Chicago Daily Tribune</i>, Sept. 21, 1854.</p></div> + +<p>==> The three kidnappers published a statement in the <i>St. Louis +Republican</i> of September 26.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>HENRY MASSEY, at Philadelphia, September, 1854, was brought +before United States Commissioner E.D. Ingraham, claimed by +Franklin Bright, of Queen Anne's County, Maryland, as his slave. +Arrested in Harrisburg.</p> + +<p>HARVEY, arrested near Cumminsville, Ohio,—escaped,—taken +again in Goshen, about ten miles from Cincinnati, and lodged in +the jail of that city. An investigation of the case was had before +United States Commissioner Pendery, and the slave remanded to +the custody of his master.—<i>Cincinnati Commercial</i>, September 22, +1854.</p> + +<p><i>Byberry, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1854.</i> A carriage load of +suspicious looking men came to this place in the afternoon. They +waited until nightfall, when they burst into the house of a colored +family, "seized the man in presence of his wife and another woman, +threatening to shoot them if they interfered—dragged him +out, beating him over the head with a mace. The poor fellow +continued to scream for help until his voice was stifled by his +groans; they forced him into their carriage and drove off, before +any effectual assistance could be offered." He was a sober and +industrious man, and much respected. His wife was left heartbroken, +with one child.—<i>Norristown (Pa.) Olive Branch</i>.</p> + +<p><i>The Frankfort (Ky.) Yeoman</i>, of November 18, 1854, said:—"Kidnapping +free negroes in Ohio, and deluding our slaves from +their masters to recapture and sell them, is an established profession +of a gang located upon the borders of the Ohio River, combining +with negro-traders in the interior of this State." The names +of some employed in this business are given, two of whom, having +been arrested and imprisoned, threatened to burn the city of +Frankfort for interrupting their business.</p> + +<p>JANE MOORE, a free colored woman, at Cincinnati, November, +1854, seized in the house of her sister, (Sycamore Street,) beaten, +and with the help of a deputy marshal from Covington, Kentucky, +carried over to Covington, and lodged in jail, on pretence of her +being a fugitive slave. She was taken before the Mayor of Covington, +"who heard the case with impartiality." Her freedom was +established, and she released.</p> + +<p><i>At Indianapolis, Indiana, December, 1854</i>, Benjamin B. Waterhouse +was indicted for harboring fugitive slaves, contrary to the +provisions of the Fugitive Law. He was found guilty, but the +jury recommended him "to the favorable consideration of the +Court, and stated that the evidence was barely sufficient to convict." +He was fined fifty dollars and to be imprisoned one hour, +and the government to pay the costs.—-<i>Chicago Tribune</i>.</p> + +<p><i>A Proposition for Kidnapping</i>, on a large scale, was made by +John H. Pope, "police officer and constable," in a letter dated +"Frederick, Maryland, United States of America, January 1, 1855," +and addressed to Mr. Hays, Sheriff of Montreal, Canada. "Vast +numbers of slaves," says Mr. Pope, "escaping from their masters +or owners, succeed in reaching your Provinces, and are, therefore, +without the pale of the 'Fugitive Slave Law,' and can only be +restored by cunning, together with skill. Large rewards are offered +and will be paid for their return, and could I find an efficient person +to act with me, a great deal of money could be made, as I +would equally divide. * * * The only apprehension we have +in approaching too far into Canada is the fear of being arrested; +and had I a good assistant in your city, who would induce the +negroes to the frontier, I would be there to pay the cash. On your +answer, I can furnish names and descriptions of negroes."</p></div> + +<p>This letter was published, doubtless at the Montreal Sheriff's +request, in the <i>Montreal Gazette</i>, January 13, 1855.</p> + +<p>==> The <i>Montreal Gazette</i>, of February 3, published a second +letter from J.H. Pope.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>A warrant was issued in Boston</i>, January 10, 1855, by United +States Commissioner Charles Levi Woodbury, for the arrest of +JOHN JACKSON, as a fugitive from service and labor in Georgia. +Mr. Jackson, who had been for some time in the city, was nowhere +to be found.</p> + +<p>ROSETTA ARMSTEAD, a colored girl, was taken by writ of <i>habeas +corpus</i> before Judge Jamison, at Columbus, Ohio. Rosetta formerly +belonged to Ex-President John Tyler, who <i>gave her</i> to his +daughter, the wife of Rev. Henry M. Dennison, an Episcopal clergyman +of Louisville, Kentucky. Mrs. D. having deceased, Rosetta +was to be sent back to Virginia in care of an infant child, both +being placed in charge of a Dr. Miller, a friend of Mr. Dennison. +Passing through Ohio, the above writ was obtained. Rosetta +expressed her desire to remain in freedom in Ohio. The case was +removed to Cincinnati, and was delayed until Mr. Dennison could +arrive from Louisville. (<i>Ohio State Journal</i>, March 12, 1855.) +The girl was set free; "but was again arrested by the United +States Marshal upon the same warrant which Judge Parker had +declared illegal; thereupon another <i>habeas corpus</i> was issued, +which the Marshal refused to obey; when he was fined $50, and +imprisoned for contempt." Even United States Commissioner +Pendery, before whom the case was brought as that of a fugitive +slave, pronounced the girl free, and she was placed in the care of +a guardian. The United States Marshal being taken by <i>habeas +corpus</i> before Judge McLean, of the United States Supreme Court, +was set at liberty, Judge McL. alleging that the proceedings in the +State Court were null and void!</p> + +<p>GEORGE CLARK, a colored boy, eighteen years of age, in Pennsylvania, +was decoyed into the house of one Thompson, (February +23, 1855,) where he was seized by three men, one of whom was +Solomon Snyders, a well known ruffian and kidnapper in the +neighborhood, who said to him, "Now, George, I am going to take +you to your master." The screams of George fortunately brought +deliverance to him. The three men were arrested, tried, and sentenced +to imprisonment for kidnapping, by the Court of Dauphin +County.—<i>Norristown (Penn.) Olive Branch</i>.</p> + +<p><i>The Norristown (Penn.) Olive Branch</i>, (in connection with the +last named case,) speaks of a case which had occurred a short time +before, under the Fugitive Law, before United States Commissioner +McAllister, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and which has not yet +been mentioned in this record. A colored man and his wife, with +their infant child, were taken, "one morning, very early," before +Commissioner Richard McAllister, and before any counsel could +reach the spot the case had been decided against the man and +woman; but the babe, having been born in Pennsylvania, they did +not "dare to send that" into slavery; "so the only alternative +was to take it away from its mother," which was done, and that +evening the man and woman were taken South. No time had +been allowed to bring forward witnesses in their behalf, and there +was only a single witness against them, and he a boy about seventeen +years old, and a relative of the slave-claimant. The woman's +sufferings, on account of the separation from her child, seemed +greater than for her own fate. The article from the Norristown +paper is in the <i>National Anti-Slavery Standard</i>, June 2, 1855.</p> + +<p>GEORGE MITCHELL, a young colored man, at San Jose, California, +arrested and taken before Justice Allen, April, 1855, "charged +with owing service and labor to one Jesse C. Cooper, of Tennessee." +Mitchell was brought into California by his then owner, in +1849, the year before the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Law. +His arrest was made, under a Fugitive Slave Law of California. +By <i>habeas corpus</i> the case was carried before Judge C.P. Hester, of +the District Court. Mitchell was discharged on the ground (we +believe) that the California Law was unconstitutional; also that +the proceedings were "absolutely void." On the 21st April (or +May) "another attempt was made to reduce George to slavery at +San Francisco." He was brought before the United States District +Court, Judge Hoffman presiding, claimed under the United States +Fugitive Law as the property of the above-named Cooper. [The +result of the trial not known.]—<i>San Jose Telegraph</i>.</p> + +<p><i>At Dayville, Connecticut</i>, June 13, 1855, an attempt was made to +seize a fugitive slave; "but the citizens interfered and the fugitive +escaped." He was claimed by a resident of Pomfret, who said he +had bought him in Cuba.—<i>Hartford Religious Herald</i>.</p> + +<p><i>At Burlington, Iowa</i>, a colored man, called DICK, was arrested +and taken before United States Commissioner Frazee. "Much +excitement was caused." He was claimed as belonging to Thomas +Ruthford, Clark County, Missouri. Dick was discharged as not +being the man claimed. (June, 1855.)</p> + +<p><i>A white girl</i>, fourteen years of age, daughter of Mr. Samuel Godshall, +of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania, while walking +upon the road, was seized by two men, a plaster put upon her +mouth, and she taken in a close carriage in the direction of Maryland. +After going twelve miles, they put her out of the carriage, +"in a secluded and woody portion of the country, threatening to +kill her if she made any alarm, when they drove away as fast as +they could." Some colored people met her, got the plaster off her +mouth, and aided her home. It was supposed the kidnappers +mistook her for a mulatto girl; but discovering their blunder dismissed +her.—<i>Philadelphia Ledger</i>, July 9, 1855.</p> + +<p><i>The Norristown (Penn.) Herald</i> relates a case similar to the preceding. +Benjamin Johnson, a white lad of fifteen, on his way from +his father's, at Evansburg, to S. Jarrett's, near Jeffersonville, was +invited to ride by a man in a carriage. The man took him by an +unusual route; night coming on, the boy was alarmed and attempted +to escape, "when the villain caught him and drove off at +full speed, and by threats and blows prevented him from making +any alarm." He drove to a distance of fifteen miles beyond Jeffersonville, +when the boy succeeded in making his escape. (July, 1855.)</p> + +<p>JANE JOHNSON, and her two sons, (colored,) brought into Philadelphia +(on their way to New York and thence to Nicaragua) by +John H. Wheeler. Stopped to dine at Bloodgood's Hotel. Jane +there made known her desire to be free. Information of the same +was conveyed to Passmore Williamson, Secretary of the Pennsylvania +Abolition Society, an old association founded by Benjamin +Franklin, Benjamin Rush, and others. Mr. Williamson went to +the hotel, and found that the party had gone to the steamboat, at +the foot of Walnut Street. He proceeded thither, found them, and +told the mother that she and her sons had been legally made free +by being brought by their master into a free State. After some +delay, Jane rose to leave the boat. Wheeler endeavored to detain +her. Williamson held Wheeler back, and the woman went on +shore, a number of colored persons taking up the boys and carrying +them from the boat. They were enabled to escape. (July 18, +1855.)</p> + +<p>The celebrated case of PASSMORE WILLIAMSON followed, +before Judge Kane, of the United States District Court. (See +"Case of Passmore Williamson," reported in full, and published +in Philadelphia, by Uriah Hunt & Son, 1856.) On the 27th July, +Mr. Williamson was committed to Moyamensing Prison, by Judge +Kane, "for a contempt of the court in refusing to answer to the +writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>;" Mr. W. <i>having answered</i> that he had not, +and never had had, the custody of the three alleged slaves, and +therefore could not produce them in court. Mr. Williamson was +kept in prison until November 3d, when he was discharged by +Judge Kane, the technical "contempt" having been removed.</p> + +<p>CELESTE, a mulatto woman, claimed as a slave, before Judge +Burgoyne, Cincinnati, Ohio. It appeared that she was brought to +Cincinnati by her master, and she was set free.—<i>Cincinnati Gazette</i>, +July 7, 1855.</p> + +<p><i>Two fugitives</i>, in Indiana, (September, 1855,) requested aid of +the conductor of the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad. The aid +given was to take them back to Madison, whence they were conveyed +over the river to Kentucky. Before leaving that State they +had been hunted and attacked by dogs. These they had despatched +with their knives. The conductor was dismissed from his position. +An agent of the express company was said to have aided him in +the surrender of the men.—<i>Madison Courier</i>.</p> + +<p>JACK, a colored boy, nine years of age, "claimed by Joseph +Tucker, of Mobile, as his slave, was sent back to his master from +Boston, in the brig Selma, Captain Rogers, on the 18th inst." +(October, 1855.)—<i>Boston Times</i>.</p> + +<p>JACOB GREEN, a colored man, was seized near Hollidaysburg, +Pennsylvania, by one Parsons, as a fugitive slave. Parsons could +show no authority for detaining Green, who, with the help of some +bystanders, released himself and escaped.—<i>Hollidaysburg Standard</i>, +October 24, 1855.</p> + +<p><i>Four men indicted for kidnapping</i> at Greensburg, Indiana, in the +Spring of 1855. Their names—David and Thomas Maple, Morrison, +and McCloskey. Charged with kidnapping two men, whom +they conveyed to a slave state, and sold as slaves. The two Maples, +fearing the indictment, absconded. The other two were arrested, +and brought to trial in October, 1855, at the State Court, +before Judge Logan. "Defendants' counsel moved to quash the +indictment, for the reason that the section of the statute of Indiana +against kidnapping was in violation of the acts of Congress, and, +therefore, void; and the Court accordingly quashed the indictment"—<i>Indianapolis +Journal</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Eight fugitives from Kentucky</i> reached Adams County, Ohio, +closely followed by several Kentuckians, who attempted to search +the houses of several of the citizens. "The people, indignant at +this outrage, assembled with arms, and placed an injunction upon +these summary proceedings." "The men-hunters then offered +$2,000 to any traitor who would betray the fugitives into their +hands. But, so far as we have learned, the bribe was as unsuccessful +as the attempted search." (November, 1855.)—<i>Carroll +Free Press</i>.</p> + +<p><i>At Wilson's Corner, Bensalem, Buck's County, Pa.</i>, Dec. 13, 1855, +a colored man in the employ of John Henderson was seized by +three men, who tied him, threw him into a wagon, and drove off +at full speed. They were seen, and quickly followed by men on +horseback. After two hours' hard riding, the kidnappers were +overtaken. A fight ensued—the black man was released; when +three pistol-shots were fired by the kidnappers, killing a horse, and +wounding one of the rescuing party severely. A statement of the +facts was published, as an advertisement, in the <i>Philadelphia +Ledger</i>, signed by William Williams and John Henderson.</p> + +<p>"<i>Two very bright mulatto girls</i>," says the <i>Staunton (Va.) Spectator</i>, +"one belonging to Mr. John Churchman, and the other to the +estate of Colonel Crawford, deceased, took the cars at Staunton, +on the morning of December 30, 1855, and made their way successfully +to Baltimore, en route for a free State. At Baltimore +they were detected just as they were about to take the train for +Philadelphia, and information of their arrest was immediately forwarded +to D. Churchman, of this place." On the following Friday +they were taken back to Virginia. "They were so nearly white +that their success in imposing upon the conductors of the cars is +not astonishing, and the only wonder is that they were detected +at all. Since their return, the negro girls have been sold—Mr. +Churchman's for $1,050, and the other for $950."</p> + +<p>FANNY, a colored child of fire years old, was taken from Chicago, +Illinois, into Tennessee, and sold for $250. A man named F.M. +Chapman, with his servant William R. Tracy, were arrested as the +kidnappers, and taken before Justice DeWolf. Chapman claimed +to have owned the child in Arkansas, and to have brought her to +Illinois [thereby making her free.] He procured Tracy to take the +child to Tennessee and sell her. The result of the case not known. +(January, 1856.)</p> + +<p><i>Two fugitives</i>, passing through Ohio, (January, 1856,) were +closely pursued and nearly overtaken at Columbus, Ohio. "Ten +minutes previous warning only saved the fugitives from their pursuers." +Deputy Marshal J. Underwood, being called on to act in +the case, refused, and resigned his office, saying, he did not expect +to be "called upon to help execute the odious Fugitive Slave +Law."—<i>Cincinnati Commercial</i>.</p></div> + +<p>[==> The following may, not improperly, find a place here.]</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>The House of Delegates of Virginia, early in 1856, adopted the +following:—"<i>Be it resolved by the General Assembly</i>, That our Representatives +in Congress are requested, and our Senators be and +are hereby instructed, to secure the passage of a law making full +compensation to all owners whose slaves have or may hereafter +escape into any of the non-slaveholding States of this Union, and +there be withheld from those to whom such service or labor may +be due."</p> + +<p><i>Fourteen persons of color</i>, held at Los Angelos, California, early +in 1856, as the servants of one Robert Smith, were brought before +Judge Benjamin Hays, on a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>. Smith alleged +that he formerly resided in Mississippi, where he owned these +persons; was now about to remove to Texas, and designed to take +these persons with him as his slaves. Judge Hays decided that +they were all free, and those under twenty-one years of age were +placed in the charge of the sheriff, as their special guardian.—<i>Los +Angelos Star.</i> The opinion of Judge Hays (who was said to be a +native of South Carolina,) is a very able one, and under the circumstances, +of much interest. It may be found in the <i>Standard</i>, +of April 5, 1856.</p> + +<p><i>Two colored lads</i>, named RALLS and LOGAN, living in Cincinnati, +were kidnapped thence by two men, named Orr and +Simpkins, and taken to St. Louis, Missouri, where the men +tried to sell them. The men were arrested as kidnappers. +(March, 1856.)</p> + +<p><i>The Decatur (Illinois) Chronicle</i> states that "a man charged with +being a fugitive slave was recently arrested at that place and carried +off, no one knows where. The sheriff of the county was the +willing instrument in the hands of the claimants; no attempt to +appeal to the law was made, the negro being carried off as if he +were a stray horse or dog." The <i>Chicago Tribune</i> says: "If this is +a true statement of the affair, that sheriff has laid himself liable to +the charge of kidnapping, and should at once be proceeded against +with such rigor as his offence demands." (April, 1856.)</p></div> + +<p>MARGARET GARNER <i>and seven others</i>, at Cincinnati, Ohio, January, +1856. Of this recent and peculiarly painful case we give a +somewhat detailed account, mainly taken from the Cincinnati papers +of the day.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>About ten o'clock on Sunday, 27th January, 1856, a party of +eight slaves—two men, two women, and four children—belonging +to Archibald K. Gaines and John Marshall, of Richwood Station, +Boone County, Kentucky, about sixteen miles from Covington, +escaped from their owners. Three of the party are father, +mother, and son, whose names are Simon, Mary, and Simon, Jr.; +the others are Margaret, wife of Simon, Jr., and her four children. +The three first are the property of Marshall, and the others of +Gaines.</p> + +<p>They took a sleigh and two horses belonging to Mr. Marshall, +and drove to the river bank, opposite Cincinnati, and crossed over +to the city on the ice. They were missed a few hours after their +flight, and Mr. Gaines, springing on a horse, followed in pursuit. +On reaching the river shore, he learned that a resident had found +the horses standing in the road. He then crossed over to the City, +and after a few hours diligent inquiry, he learned that his slaves +were in a house about a quarter of a mile below the Mill Creek +Bridge, on the river road, occupied by a colored man named Kite.</p> + +<p>He proceeded to the office of United States Commissioner John +L. Pendery, and procuring the necessary warrants, with United +States Deputy Marshal Ellis, and a large body of assistants, went +on Monday to the place where his fugitives were concealed. +Arriving at the premises, word was sent to the fugitives to surrender. +A firm and decided negative was the response. The +officers, backed by a large crowd, then made a descent. Breaking +open the doors, they were assailed by the negroes with cudgels +and pistols. Several shots were fired, but only one took effect, so +far as we could ascertain. A bullet struck a man named John +Patterson, one of the Marshal's deputies; tearing off a finger of his +right hand, and dislocating several of his teeth. No other of the +officers were injured, the negroes being rendered powerless before +they could reload their weapons.</p> + +<p>On looking around, horrible was the sight which met the officers' +eyes. In one corner of the room was a nearly white child, bleeding +to death. Her throat was cut from ear to ear, and the blood +was spouting out profusely, showing that the deed was but recently +committed. Scarcely was this fact noticed, when a scream issuing +from an adjoining room drew their attention thither. A glance +into the apartment revealed a negro woman holding in her hand a +knife literally dripping with gore, over the heads of two little negro +children, who were crouched to the floor, and uttering the cries +whose agonized peals had first startled them. Quickly the knife +was wrested from the hand of the excited woman, and a more close +investigation instituted as to the condition, of the infants. They +were discovered to be cut across the head and shoulders, but not +very seriously injured, although the blood trickled down their +backs and upon their clothes.</p> + +<p>The woman avowed herself the mother of the children, and said +that she had killed one and would like to kill the three others, +rather than see them again reduced to slavery! By this time the +crowd about the premises had become prodigious, and it was with +no inconsiderable difficulty that the negroes were secured in carriages, +and brought to the United States District Court-rooms, on +Fourth Street. The populace followed the vehicle closely, but +evinced no active desire to effect a rescue. Rumors of the story +soon circulated all over the city. Nor were they exaggerated, as +is usually the case. For once, reality surpassed the wildest thought +of fiction.</p> + +<p>The slaves, on reaching the marshal's office, seated themselves +around the stove with dejected countenances, and preserved a +moody silence, answering all questions propounded to them in +monosyllables, or refusing to answer at all. Simon is apparently +about fifty-five years of age, and Mary about fifty. The son of +Mr. Marshall, who is here, in order, if possible, to recover the property +of his father, says that they have always been faithful servants, +and have frequently been on this side of the river. Simon, +Jr., is a young man, about twenty-two years old, of a very lithe +and active form, and rather a mild and pleasant countenance. +Margaret is a dark mulatto, twenty-three years of age; her countenance +is far from being vicious, and her senses, yesterday, appeared +partially stultified from the exciting trials she had endured. +After remaining about two hours at the marshal's office, Commissioner +Pendery announced that the slaves would be removed to +the custody of the United States Marshal until nine o'clock Tuesday +morning, when the case would come up for examination.</p> + +<p>The slaves were then taken down stairs to the street-door, when +a wild and exciting scene presented itself; the sidewalks and the +middle of the street were thronged with people, and a couple of +coaches were at the door in order to convey the captives to the +station-house. The slaves were guarded by a strong posse of +officers, and as they made their appearance on the street, it was +evident that there was a strong sympathy in their favor. When +they were led to the carriage-doors, there were loud cries of +"Drive on!" "Don't take them!" The coachmen, either from +alarm or from a sympathetic feeling, put the whip to their horses, +and drove rapidly off, leaving the officers with their fugitives on +the sidewalk. They started on foot with their charge to the Hammond +Street station-house, where they secured their prisoners +for the night.</p> + +<p>The slaves claimed that they had been on this side of the river +frequently, by consent of their masters.</p> + +<p>About three o'clock application was made to Judge Burgoyne +for a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, to bring the slaves before him. This +was put in the hands of Deputy Sheriff Buckingham to serve, who, +accompanied by several assistants, proceeded to Hammond Street +station-house, where the slaves were lodged. Mr. Bennett, Deputy +United States Marshal, was unwilling to give them up, and a +long time was spent parleying between the marshal and the sheriff's +officers. The sheriff being determined that the writ should +be executed, Mr. Bennett went out to take counsel with his friends. +Finally, through the advice of Mayor Faran, Mr. Bennett agreed +to lodge the slaves in the jail, ready to be taken out at the order +of Judge Burgoyne. Mr. Buckingham obtained the complete control +of the slaves.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 29th, Sheriff Brashears, being advised by +lawyers that Judge Burgoyne had no right to issue his writ for the +slaves, and remembering Judge McLean's decision in the Rosetta +case, made a return on the writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, that the slaves +were in the custody of the United States Marshal, and, therefore, +without his jurisdiction. This returned the slaves to the custody +of the Marshal. By agreement, the parties permitted the slaves to +remain in the county jail during that day, with the understanding +that their examination should commence the next morning, before +Commissioner Pendery. An inquest had been held on the body of +the child which was killed, and a verdict was found by the jury +charging the death of the child upon the mother, who it was said +would be held under the laws of Ohio to answer the charge of murder. +An examination took place on Wednesday, before the United +States Commissioner. Time was allowed their counsel to obtain +evidence to show that they had been brought into the State at +former times by their masters. A meeting of citizens was held on +Thursday evening, to express sympathy with the alleged fugitives.</p> + +<p>The <i>Cincinnati Commercial</i> of January 30, said:—The mother is +of an interesting appearance, a mulatto of considerable intelligence +of manner, and with a good address. In reply to a gentleman who +yesterday complimented her upon the looks of her little boy, she +said, "You should have seen my little girl that—that—[she did +not like to say, was killed]—that died, that was the bird."</p> + +<p>The <i>Cincinnati Gazette</i>, of January 30, said:—We learn that the +mother of the dead child acknowledges that she had killed it, and +that her determination was to have killed all the children, and +then destroy herself, rather than return to slavery. She and the +others complain of cruel treatment on the part of their master, and +allege that as the cause of their attempted escape.</p> + +<p>The coroner's jury, after examining the citizens present at the +time of the arrest, went to the jail last evening, and examined the +grandmother of the child—one of the slaves. She testified that +the mother, when she saw they would be captured, caught a +butcher knife and ran to the children, saying she would kill them +rather than to have them return to slavery, and cut the throat of +the child, calling on the grandmother to help her kill them. The +grandmother said she would not do it, and hid under a bed.</p> + +<p>The jury gave a verdict as follows:—That said child was killed +by its mother, Margaret Garner, with a butcher knife, with which +she cut its throat.</p> + +<p>Two of the jurors also find that the two men arrested as fugitives +were accessories to the murder.</p> + +<p>"The murdered child was almost white, and was a little girl of +rare beauty."</p> + +<p>The examination of witnesses was continued until Monday, +February 4, when the commissioner listened to the arguments of +counsel until February 7th. Messrs. Jolliffe and Gitchell appeared +for the fugitives, and Colonel Chambers, of Cincinnati, and Mr. +Finnell, of Covington, Kentucky, for the claimants of the slaves. +A great number of assistants, (amounting very nearly to five hundred,) +were employed by the United States Marshal, H.H. Robinson, +from the first, making the expenses to the United States +Government very large; for their twenty-eight days' service alone, +at $2.00 per day, amounting to over $22,000. February 8th, the +case was closed, so far as related to the three slaves of Mr. Marshall, +but the decision was postponed. The examination in regard +to MARGARET and her children was farther continued. It was +publicly stated that Commissioner Pendery had declared that he +"would not send the woman back into slavery while a charge or +indictment for murder lay against her." Colonel Chambers, counsel +for the slave-claimants, in his argument, "read long extracts +from a pamphlet entitled, 'A Northern Presbyter's Second Letter +to Ministers of the Gospel of all Denominations, on Slavery, by +Nathan Lord, of Dartmouth College,' approving and recommending +Dr. Lord's views." Colonel Chambers having alluded, in his +remarks, to Mrs. Lucy Stone Blackwell, and said that she had +sought to give a knife to Margaret Garner, the Court gave permission +to Mrs. Blackwell to reply to Colonel C. Mrs. B. preferred +not to speak at the bar, but addressed the crowded court-room +directly after the adjournment. Her eloquent remarks will be +found in the papers of the day. At the close of the hearing, +February 14th, the commissioner adjourned his court to the 21st, +afterwards to the 26th, when, he said, he would give his decision.</p> + +<p>Meantime the case was making some progress in the State courts. +Sheriff Brashears having made return to the Common Pleas Court +that the fugitives were in the custody of the United States Marshal, +Judge Carter said this could not be received as a true return, +as they were in the County jail, under the sheriff's control. The +sheriff then amended his return, so as to state that the prisoners +were in his custody, as required in the writ, and this was received +by the Court. The fugitives now came fully into the charge of the +State authorities. The sheriff held them "by virtue of a <i>capias</i> +issued on an indictment by the grand jury for murder."</p> + +<p>The slaves declared they would go dancing to the gallows rather +than to be sent back into slavery.</p> + +<p>On the 26th February, Commissioner Pendery gave his decision. +First, he refused to discharge Margaret and three others from the +custody of the United States Marshal and deliver them to the +Sheriff of Hamilton County, although held to answer, under the +laws of Ohio, to the charge of murder. He then proceeded to +consider the claim of Marshall to three of the slaves, decided it to +be valid, and ordered them into Marshall's custody. He then +considered Gaines's claim to Margaret and her three surviving +children, decided that also to be good and valid, and ordered them +to be delivered into the possession of said Gaines.</p> + +<p>The case of the rightful custody, as between the United States +Marshal and the Ohio Sheriff also came on, February 26th before +Judge Leavitt, of the United States District Court, and was argued +by counsel on both sides. On the 28th, Judge Leavitt decided that +the custody was with the United States Marshal. The substance +of Judge L.'s argument and decision is found in the following +extract. </p> + +<p>"Judge McLean says: 'Neither this nor any other Court of the +United States, nor Judge thereof, can issue a <i>habeas corpus</i> to bring +up a prisoner who is in custody under the sentence or execution of +a State Court, for any other purpose than to be used as a witness. +And it is immaterial whether the imprisonment be under <i>civil or +criminal process</i>.' If it be true, as there asserted, that no Federal +Court can interfere with the exercise of the proper jurisdiction of a +State Court, either in a civil or criminal case, the converse of the +proposition is equally true. And it results that a State Court +cannot take from an officer of the United States, even on a criminal +charge, the custody of a person in execution on a civil case.</p> + +<p>"It is said in argument that if these persons cannot be held by +the arrest of the Sheriff under the State process, the rights and +dignity of Ohio are invaded without the possibility of redress. I +cannot concur in this view. The Constitution and laws of the +United States provide for a reclamation of these persons, by a +demand on the Executive of Kentucky. It is true, if now remanded +to the claimant and taken back to Kentucky as slaves, they cannot +be said to have fled from justice in Ohio; but it would clearly be +a case within the spirit and intention of the Constitution and the +Act of Congress, and I trust nothing would be hazarded by the +prediction that upon demand properly made upon the Governor of +Kentucky, he would order them to be surrendered to the authorities +of Ohio to answer to its violated law. I am sure it is not going +too far to say that if the strictness of the law did not require this, +an appeal to comity would not be in vain."</p> + +<p>Mr. Chambers said his client, Mr. Gaines, authorized him to say +that he would hold the woman Margaret, who had killed her child, +subject to the requisition of the Governor of Ohio, to answer for +any crime she might have committed in Ohio.</p> + +<p>Judge Leavitt's decision covered the cases of the four adult +fugitives. Another legal process was going on, at the same time, +before Judge Burgoyne, of the Probate Court, viz.—a hearing +under a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> allowed by Judge Burgoyne, alleging +the illegal detention, by the United States Marshal, of the three +negro children, Samuel, Thomas, and Silla Garner, which took +place in the Probate Court, before Judge B., on the afternoon of +February 27.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jolliffe said he represented the infants at the request of their +father and mother, who had solicited him to save the children, if +possible.</p> + +<p>Messrs. Headington and Ketchum appeared for the United States +Marshal.</p> + +<p>Judge Burgoyne intimated that, in view of the serious and important +questions involved, he should require some time to render +a decision. He intimated, however, that a majority of the Judges +of the Supreme Court having passed on the constitutionality of the +Fugitive Slave Law was no reason why he should not take up the +Constitution and read it for himself, being sworn to support the +Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State +of Ohio.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ketchum suggested that his Honor was as much bound in +conscience to regard the decision of the majority of the Judges of +the United States Courts as the express provisions of the Constitution +itself.</p> + +<p>Judge Burgoyne said, that however the decisions of the Judges +of the United States Courts might aid him in coming to a conclusion, +where the obligations of his conscience were involved, he +could not screen himself behind a decision made by somebody else.</p> + +<p>Judge Burgoyne subsequently decided that, in as far as the +Fugitive Slave Law was intended to suspend the writ of <i>habeas +corpus</i>—and he believed that it was so intended—it clearly transcended +the limits prescribed by the Constitution, and is "utterly +void." Judge B. required the United States Marshal to answer to +the writ on the following Friday; and on his neglect to do so, fined +and imprisoned him. Judge Leavitt, of the United States Court, +soon released the Marshal from prison.</p> + +<p>The <i>Cincinnati Columbian</i>, of February 29, gave the following +account:—The last act of the drama of the fugitives was yesterday +performed by the rendition of the seven persons whose advent +into the city, under the bloody auspices of murder, caused such a +sensation in the community. After the decision of Judge Leavitt, +Sheriff Brashears surrendered the four fugitives in his custody, +under a <i>capias</i> from an Ohio court, to United States Marshal Robinson. +An omnibus was brought to the jail, and the fugitives +were led into it—a crowd of spectators looking on.</p> + +<p>Margaret was in custody of Deputy-Marshal Brown. She appeared +greatly depressed and dispirited. The little infant, Silla, +was carried by Pfc. Russell, the door-keeper of the United States +Court, and was crying violently. Pollock, the reporter of the +proceedings in the United States Court, conducted another of the +fugitives, and all were safely lodged in the omnibus, which drove +down to the Covington ferry-boat; but, although a large crowd +followed it, no hootings or other signs of excitement or disapprobation +were shown.</p> + +<p>On arriving at the Kentucky shore, a large crowd was in attendance, +which expressed its pleasure at the termination of the long +proceedings in this city by triumphant shouts. The fugitives were +escorted to the jail, where they were safely incarcerated, and the +crowd moved off to the Magnolia Hotel, where several toasts were +given and drank. The crowd outside were addressed from the +balcony by H.H. Robinson, Esq., United States Marshal for the +Southern District of Ohio, who declared that he had done his duty +and no more, and that it was a pleasure to him to perform an act +that added another link to the glorious chain that bound the Union. +[What a <i>Union</i>! For what "glorious" purposes!]</p> + +<p>Mr. Finnell, attorney for the claimants, said he never loved the +Union so dearly as now. It was proved to be a substantial reality.</p> + +<p>Judge Flinn also addressed to the crowd one of his peculiar orations; +and was followed by Mr. Gaines, owner of Margaret and the +children. After hearty cheering the crowd dispersed.</p> + +<p>Further to signalize their triumph, the slaveholders set on the +Covington mob to attack Mr. Babb, reporter for one of the Cincinnati +papers, on the charge of being an abolitionist, and that gentleman +was knocked down, kicked, trampled on, and would undoubtedly +have been murdered, but for the interference of some of +the United States Deputy Marshals.</p> + +<p>A legal irregularity on the part of the Sheriff was brought to the +notice of Judge Carter on the morning of February 29. It was +passed over lightly.</p> + +<p>On the Sunday after the delivery of the slaves, they were visited +in the Covington jail by Rev. P.C. Bassett, whose account of +his interview, especially with Margaret, was published in the +<i>American Baptist</i>, and may also be found in the <i>National Antislavery +Standard</i> of March 15, 1850. Margaret confessed that she had +killed the child. "I inquired," says Mr. Bassett, "if she were not +excited almost to madness when she committed the act! 'No,' +she replied, 'I was as cool as I now am; and would much rather +kill them at once, and thus end their sufferings, than have them +taken back to slavery and be murdered by piece-meal.' She then +told the story of her wrongs. She spoke of her days of suffering, +of her nights of unmitigated toil, while the bitter tears coursed +their way down her cheeks."</p> + +<p>Governor Chase, of Ohio, made a requisition upon Governor +Morehead, of Kentucky, for the surrender of Margaret Garner, +charged with murder. The requisition was taken by Joseph Cooper, +Esq. to Gov. Morehead, at Frankfort, on the <i>6th of March</i>—an +unpardonable delay in the circumstances. Gov. Morehead issued +an order for the surrender of Margaret. On taking it to Louisville, +Mr. Cooper found that Margaret, with her infant child, and +the rest of Mr. Gaines's slaves had been sent down the river in +the steamboat Henry Lewis, to be sold in Arkansas. Thus it was +that Gaines kept his pledged word that Margaret should be surrendered +upon the requisition of the Governor of Ohio! On the +passage down the Ohio, the steamboat, in which the slaves were +embarked, came in collision with another boat, and so violently +that Margaret and her child, with many others, were thrown into +the water. About twenty-five persons perished. A colored man +seized Margaret and drew her back to the boat, but her babe was +drowned! "The mother," says a correspondent of the <i>Louisville +Courier</i>, "exhibited no other feeling than joy at the loss of her +child." So closed another act of this terrible tragedy. The slaves +were transferred to another boat, and taken to their destination. +(<i>See</i> Mr. Cooper's letter to Gov. Chase, dated Columbus, March 11, +1856.) Almost immediately on the above tragic news, followed +the tidings that Gaines had determined to bring Margaret back to +Covington, Kentucky, and hold her subject to the requisition of the +Governor of Ohio. Evidently he could not stand up under the +infamy of his conduct. Margaret was brought back, and placed in +Covington jail, to await a requisition. On Wednesday, Mr. Cox, +the prosecuting-attorney, received the necessary papers from Gov. +Chase, and the next day (Thursday), two of the Sheriffs deputies +went over to Covington for Margaret, but did not find her, as she +had been taken away from the jail the night before. The jailor +said he had given her up on Wednesday night, to a man who came +there with a written order from her master, Gaines, but could not +tell where she had been taken. The officers came back and made +a return 'not found.'</p> + +<p>The <i>Cincinnati Gazette</i> said,—"On Friday our sheriff received +information which induced him to believe that she had been sent +on the railroad to Lexington, thence via Frankfort to Louisville, +there to be shipped off to the New Orleans slave market.</p> + +<p>He immediately telegraphed to the sheriff at Louisville (who +holds the original warrant from Gov. Morehead, granted on the +requisition of Gov. Chase,) to arrest her there, and had a deputy +in readiness to go down for her. But he has received no reply to +his dispatch. As she was taken out on Wednesday night, there is +reason to apprehend that she has already passed Louisville, and is +now on her way to New Orleans.</p> + +<p>Why Mr. Gaines brought Margaret back at all, we cannot comprehend. +If it was to vindicate his character, he was most unfortunate +in the means he selected, for his duplicity has now placed +this in a worse light than ever before, and kept before the public +the miserable spectacle of his dishonor.</p> + +<p>We have learned now, by experience, what is that boasted comity +of Kentucky on which Judge Leavitt so earnestly advised Ohio to +rely."</p> + +<p>The assertion of the <i>Louisville Journal</i>, that Margaret was kept +in Covington jail "ten days," and that the Ohio authorities had +been notified of the same, is pronounced to be untrue in both particulars +by the <i>Cincinnati Gazette</i>, which paper also declares that +prompt action was taken by the governor of Ohio, and the attorney +and sheriff of Hamilton County, as soon as the fact was known.</p> + +<p>Here we must leave MARGARET, a noble woman indeed, whose +heroic spirit and daring have won the willing, and extorted the +unwilling, admiration of hundreds of thousands. Alas for her! +after so terrible a struggle, so bloody a sacrifice, so near to deliverance +once, twice, and even a third time, to be, by the villainy +and lying or her "respectable" white owner again engulphed in +the abyss of Slavery! What her fate is to be, it is not hard to conjecture. +But friendless, heart-stricken, robbed of her children, +outraged as she has been, not wholly without friends,</p> + +<p> "Yea, three firm friends, more sure than day and night,<br /> + Herself, her Maker, and the angel Death."</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /><br /> + +Extract from a sermon recently delivered in Cleveland, Ohio, +by Rev. H. BUSHNELL, from the following text: "And it was so, +that all that saw it, said, There was no such deed done nor seen +from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land +of Egypt unto this day: CONSIDER OF IT, TAKE ADVICE, AND SPEAK +YOUR MINDS."—JUDGES XIX: 30. + +<div class='blkquot'><p>A few weeks ago, just at dawn of day, might be seen a company +of strangers crossing the winter bridge over the Ohio River, from +the State of Kentucky, into the great city of our own State, whose +hundred church-spires point to heaven, telling the travellers that +in this place the God of Abraham was worshipped, and that here +Jesus the Messiah was known, and his religion of love taught and +believed. And yet, no one asked them in or offered them any +hospitality, or sympathy, or assistance. After wandering from +street to street, a poor laboring man gave them the shelter of his +humble cabin, for they were strangers and in distress. Soon it was +known abroad that this poor man had offered them the hospitalities +of his home, and a rude and ferocious rabble soon gathered around +his dwelling, demanding his guests. With loud clamor and horrid +threatening they broke down his doors, and rushed upon the +strangers. They were an old man and his wife, their daughter +and her husband with four children; and they were of the tribe of +slaves fleeing from a bondage which was worse than death. There +was now no escape—the tribes of Israel had banded against them. +On the side of the oppressor there is power. And the young wife +and mother, into whose very soul the iron had entered, hearing +the cry of the master: "Now we'll have you all!" turning from +the side of her husband and father, with whom she had stood to +repel the foe, seized a knife, and with a single blow nearly severed +the head from the body of her darling daughter, and throwing its +bloody corpse at his feet, exclaimed, "Yes, you <i>shall</i> have us all! +take that!" and with another blow inflicted a ghastly wound upon +the head of her beautiful son, repeating, "Yes, you <i>shall</i> have us +all—take that!" meanwhile calling upon her old mother to help +her in the quick work of emancipation—for there were two more. But +the pious old grandmother could not do it, and it was now too +late—the rescuers had subdued and bound them. They were on +their way back to the house of their bondage—a life more bitter +than death! On their way through that city of churches whose +hundred spires told of Jesus and the good Father above; on their +way amid the throng of Christian men, whose noble sires had said +and sung, "Give me <i>liberty</i>, or give me <i>death</i>."</p> + +<p>But they all tarried in the great Queen City of the West—in +chains, and in a felon's cell. There our preacher visited them +again and again. There he saw the old grandfather and his aged +companion, whose weary pilgrimage of unrequited toil and tears +was nearly at its end. And there stood the young father and the +heroic wife "Margaret." Said the preacher, "Margaret, why did +you kill your child?" "It was my own," she said, "given me of +God, to do the best a mother could in its behalf. <i>I have done the +best I could!</i> I would have done more and better for the rest! I +knew it was better for them to go home to God than back to +slavery." "But why did you not trust in God—why not wait +and hope?" "I did wait, and then we dared to do, and fled in +fear, but in hope; hope fled—God did not appear to save—<i>I did +the best I could!"</i></p> + +<p>And who was this woman? A noble, womanly, amiable, <i>affectionate +mother</i>. "But was she not deranged?" Not at all—calm, +intelligent, but resolute and determined. "But was she not fiendish, +or beside herself with passion?" No, she was most tender +and affectionate, and all her passion was that of a <i>mother's fondest +love</i>. I reasoned with her, said the preacher; tried to awaken a +sense of guilt, and lead her to repentance and to Christ. But there +was no remorse, no desire of pardon, no reception of Christ or his +religion. To her it was a religion of <i>slavery</i>, more cruel than death. +And where had she lived? where thus taught? Not down among +the rice swamps of Georgia, or on the banks of Red River. No, +but within sixteen miles of the Queen City of the West! In a +nominally Christian family—whose master was most liberal in +support of the Gospel, and whose mistress was a communicant at +the Lord's table, and a professed follower of Christ! Here, in this +family, where slavery is found in its mildest form, she had been +kept in ignorance of God's will and word, and learned to know +that the mildest form of American slavery, at this day of Christian +civilization and Democratic liberty, was worse than death itself! +She had learned by an experience of many years, that it was so +bad she had rather take the life of her own dearest child, without +the hope of Heaven for herself, than that <i>it</i> should experience its +unutterable agonies, which were to be found even in a Christian +family! But here are her two little boys, of eight and ten years of +age. Taking the eldest boy by the hand, the preacher said to him, +kindly and gently, "Come here, my boy; what is your name?" +"Tom, sir." "Yes, <i>Thomas</i>." "No sir, <i>Tom</i>." "Well, Tom, +how old are you?" "Three <i>months</i>." "And how old is your +little brother?" "Six <i>months</i>, sir!" "And have you no other +name but Tom?" "No." "What is your father's name?" +"Haven't got any!" "Who made you, Tom?" "Nobody!" +"Did you ever hear of God or Jesus Christ?" "No, sir." And +this was slavery in its best estate. By and by the aged couple, +and the young man and his wife, the remaining children, with the +master, and the dead body of the little one, were escorted through +the streets of the Queen City of the West by a <i>national guard of +armed men</i>, back to the great and chivalrous State of old Kentucky +and away to the shambles of the South—back to a life-long servitude +of hopeless despair. It was a long, sad, silent procession +down to the banks of the Ohio; and as it passed, the death-knell +of freedom tolled heavily. The sovereignty of Ohio trailed in the +dust beneath the oppressor's foot, and the great confederacy of the +tribes of modern Israel attended the funeral obsequies, and made +ample provision for the necessary expenses! "And it was so, that +all that saw it, said, <i>There was no such deed done, nor seen from the +day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto +this day</i>; CONSIDER OF IT, TAKE ADVICE, AND SPEAK YOUR MINDS!"</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>With the sad case of MARGARET GARNER we close, for the present, +the record of the Fugitive Slave Law, as its history has been +daily writing itself in our country's annals. Enactment of hell! +which has marked every step of its progress over the land by suffering +and by crimes,—crimes of the bloodiest dye, groanings which +cannot fully be uttered; which is tracked by the dripping blood of +its victims, by their terrors and by their despair; against which, +and against that Wicked Nation which enacted it, and which suffers +it still to stand as their LAW, the cries of the down-trodden +poor go up continually into the ears of God,—cries of bitterest +anguish, mingled with fiercest execrations—thousands of Rachels +weeping for their children, and will not be comforted, because they +<i>are not</i>.</p> + +<p>Reader, is your patriotism of the kind which believes, with the +supporters of old monarchies, that the Sovereign Power can do no +wrong? Consider the long record which has been laid before you, +and say if your country has not enacted a most wicked, cruel, and +shameful law, which merits only the condemnation and abhorrence +of every heart. Consider that this law was aimed at the life, liberty, +and happiness of the poor and least-privileged portion of our +people—a class whom the laws should befriend, protect, and raise +up. What is the true character of a law, whose working, whose +fruits are such as this meagre outline of its history shows? Is it +fit that such deeds and such a law should have your sanction and +support? Will you remain in a moment's doubt whether to be a +friend or a foe to such a law? Will you countenance or support +the man, in the church or in the state, who is not its open and +out-spoken opponent? Will you not, rather, yourself trample it +under foot, as alike the disgrace of your country, the enemy of +humanity, and the enemy of God? And nobly join, with heart +and hand, every honest man who seeks to load with the opprobrium +they deserve, the law itself and everything that justifies +and upholds it?</p> + +<p>In this tract no mention is made of that great company of slaves +who, flying from their intolerable wrongs and burdens, are overtaken +before reaching the Free States—(alas, that we should +mock ourselves with this empty name of <i>free</i>!)—and carried back +into a more remote and hopeless slavery; nor of the thousands +who, having fled in former years, and established themselves in +industry and comfort in the Northern States, were compelled again +to become fugitives, leaving their little all behind them, into a still +more Northern land where, under British law, they find at last a +resting-place and protection; nor to any great extent of the numerous +cases of white citizens, prosecuted, fined, harassed in every +way, for the <i>crime</i> of giving shelter and succor to the hunted wanderers. +To have included these—all emphatically <i>victims</i> of the +Fugitive Slave Law—would swell our tract into a volume. What +a testimony against our land and our people is given by their accumulated +weight! EVERY LIVING MAN AND WOMAN is GUILTY OF +THIS GREAT SIN, WHO EITHER BY APOLOGY, OR BY SILENCE, LENDS +IT THE LEAST SUPPORT.</p> + +<p>==> In a record like the foregoing, dealing so largely with facts +and dates, perfect accuracy is not to be expected, although much +pains have been taken to make it strictly correct. Any information, +on good authority, which will help to make the record more +exact, or more complete, will be very gratefully received. It should +be addressed to SAMUEL MAY, JR., No. 21 Cornhill, Boston, Mass.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><i>Published at the office of the</i> AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, +<i>No. 138 Nassau Street, New York. Also to be had at the Anti-Slavery +Offices, No. 21 Cornhill, Boston, and No. 31 North Fifth +Street, Philadelphia; of</i> JOEL McMILLAN, <i>Salem, Columbiana Co., +Ohio, and of</i> JACOB WALTON, Jr., <i>Adrian, Michigan</i>.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>[Transcriber's note: The following remain as in the original: +Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Los Angelos; Pittsburgh Saturday Visiter.] + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13990 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + + diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2af62cf --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #13990 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13990) diff --git a/old/13990-8.txt b/old/13990-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0b1888b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13990-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3105 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Fugitive Slave Law and Its Victims +by American Anti-Slavery Society + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Fugitive Slave Law and Its Victims + Anti-Slavery Tracts No. 18 + +Author: American Anti-Slavery Society + +Release Date: November 9, 2004 [EBook #13990] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW *** + + + + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Andrea Ball and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + +THE + +FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW + +AND + +ITS VICTIMS. + +AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, +138 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK. +1856. + + + + +ANTI-SLAVERY TRACTS. No. 18. + + * * * * * + +THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW, AND ITS VICTIMS. + + * * * * * + +The Fugitive Slave Law was enacted by Congress in September, 1850, +received the signature of HOWELL COBB, [of Georgia,] as Speaker of +the House of Representatives, of WILLIAM R. KING, [of Alabama,] as +President of the Senate, and was "approved," September 18th, of that +year, by MILLARD FILLMORE, Acting President of the United States. + +The authorship of the Bill is generally ascribed to James M. Mason, +Senator from Virginia. Before proceeding to the principal object of +this tract, it is proper to give a synopsis of the Act itself, which +was well called, by the New York _Evening Post_, "An Act for the +Encouragement of Kidnapping." It is in ten sections. + + +SYNOPSIS OF THE LAW. + +SECTION 1. United States Commissioners "authorized and required to +exercise and discharge all the powers and duties conferred by this +act." + +SECT. 2. Commissioners for the Territories to be appointed by the +Superior Court of the same. + +SECT. 3. United States Circuit Courts, and Superior Courts of +Territories, required to enlarge the number of Commissioners, "with +a view to afford reasonable facilities to reclaim fugitives from +labor," &c. + +SECT. 4. Commissioners put on the same footing with Judges of the +United States Courts, with regard to enforcing the Law and its +penalties. + +SECT. 5. United States Marshals and deputy marshals, who may refuse +to act under the Law, to be fined One Thousand dollars, to the use +of the claimant. If a fugitive escape from the custody of the +Marshal, the Marshal to be liable for his full value. Commissioners +authorized to appoint special officers, and to call out the _posse +comitatus_, &c. + +SECT. 6. The claimant of any fugitive slave, or his attorney, "may +pursue and reclaim such fugitive person," either by procuring a +warrant from some judge or commissioner, "or by seizing and +arresting such fugitive, where the same can be done without +process;" to take such fugitive before such judge or commissioner, +"whose duty it shall be to hear and determine the case of such +claimant in a summary manner," and, if satisfied of the identity of +the prisoner, to grant a certificate to said claimant to "remove +such fugitive person back to the State or Territory from whence he +or she may have escaped,"--using "such reasonable force or restraint +as may be necessary under the circumstances of the case." "In no +trial or hearing under this act shall the testimony of such alleged +fugitive be admitted in evidence." All molestation of the claimant, +in the removal of his slave, "by any process issued by any court, +judge, magistrate, or other person whomsoever," to be prevented. + +SECT. 7. Any person obstructing the arrest of a fugitive, or +attempting his or her rescue, or aiding him or her to escape, or +harboring and concealing a fugitive, knowing him to be such, shall +be subject to a fine of not exceeding one thousand dollars, and to +be imprisoned not exceeding six months, and shall also "forfeit and +pay the sum of one thousand dollars for each fugitive so _lost_." + +SECT. 8. Marshals, deputies, clerks, and special officers to receive +usual fees; Commissioners to receive ten dollars, if fugitive is +given up to claimant; otherwise, five dollars; to be paid by +claimant. + +SECT. 9. If claimant make affidavit that he fears a rescue of such +fugitive from his possession, the officer making the arrest to +retain him in custody, and "to remove him to the State whence he +fled." Said officer "to employ so many persons as he may deem +necessary." All, while so employed, be paid out of the Treasury of +the United States. + +Sect. 10. [This Section provides an additional and wholly distinct +method for the capture of a fugitive; and, it may be added, one of +the loosest and most extraordinary that ever appeared on the pages +of Statute book.] Any person, from whom one held to service or labor +has escaped, upon making "satisfactory proof" of such escape before +any court of record, or judge thereof in vacation--a record of +matter so proved shall be made by such court, or judge, and also a +description of the person escaping, "with such convenient certainty +as may be;"--a copy of which record, duly attested, "being produced +in any other State, Territory, or District," and "being exhibited to +any judge, commissioner, or other officer authorized," &c. "shall be +held and taken to be full and conclusive evidence of the fact of +escape, and that the service or labor of the person escaping is due +to the party in such record mentioned;" when, on satisfactory proof +of identity, "he or she shall be delivered up to the claimant." +"_Provided_, That nothing herein contained shall be construed as +requiring the production of a transcript of such record as evidence +as aforesaid; but in its absence, the claim shall be heard and +determined upon other satisfactory proofs competent in law." + + +The name of the NORTHERN men who voted for this cruel kidnapping law +should not be forgotten. Until they repent, and do works meet for +repentance, let their names stand high and conspicuous on the roll +of infamy. Let the "slow-moving finger of scorn" point them out, +when they walk among men, and the stings of shame, disappointment, +and remorse continually visit them in secret, till they are forced +to cry, "my punishment is greater than I can bear." As to the +_Southern_ men who voted for the law, they only appeared in their +legitimate character of oppressors of the poor--whom God will repay, +in his own time. The thousand-tongued voices of their brother's +blood cry against them from the ground. + +The following is the vote, in the SENATE, on the engrossment of the +bill:-- + + YEAS,--Atchison, Badger, Barnwell, Bell, Berrien, Butler, + Davis (of Mississippi), Dawson, A.C. DODGE (of Iowa), Downs, + Foote, Houston, Hunter, JONES (of Iowa), King, Mangum, Mason, + Pearce, Rusk, Sebastian, Soulé, Spruance, STURGEON (of + Pennsylvania), Turney, Underwood, Wales, Yulee.--27. + + NAYS.--Baldwin, Bradbury, Chase, Cooper, Davis (of + Massachusetts), Dayton, Henry Dodge (of Wisconsin), Greene, + Smith, Upham, Walker, Winthrop.--12. + + ABSENT, OR NOT VOTING.--Benton, Borland, _Bright_ of Indiana, + _Clarke_ of Rhode Island, Clay, _Cass_ of Michigan, Clemens, + _Dickinson_ of New York, _Douglas_ of Illinois, _Ewing_ of + Ohio, _Felch_ of Michigan, _Hale_ of New Hampshire, _Hamlin_ + of Maine, _Miller_ of New Jersey, Morton, _Norris_ of New + Hampshire, _Phelps_ of Vermont, Pratt, _Seward_ of New York, + _Shields_ of Illinois, _Whitcomb_ of Indiana. [Fifteen + Northern Senators absent from the vote.] + + +On the final passage of the Bill in the Senate, the yeas and nays +were not taken. _D.S. Dickinson_ of New York, who had been absent +when the vote was taken on the engrossment, spoke in favor of the +bill. Mr. Seward was said to be absent from the city, detained by +ill health. + +When the Bill came up in the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, (September +12th,) JAMES THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, got the floor,--doubtless by +a previous understanding with the Speaker,--and addressed the House +in support of the Bill. He closed his remarks by _moving the +previous question_! It was ordered, and thus all opportunity for +reply, and for discussion of the Bill was cut off. The Bill was then +passed to its third reading--equivalent to enactment--by a vote of +109 YEAS, to 75 NAYS; as follows:-- + +YEAS. + _Maine._--THOMAS J.D. FULLER, of Calais; ELBRIDGE GERRY, of + Waterford; NATHANIEL S. LITTLEFIELD, of Bridgton. + + _New Hampshire._--HARRY HIBBARD, of Bath; CHARLES H. PEASLEE, + of Concord. + + _Massachusetts._--SAMUEL A. ELIOT, of Boston. + + _New York._--HIRAM WALDEN, of Waldensville. + + _New Jersey._--ISAAC WILDRICK, of Blairstown. + + _Pennsylvania._--MILO M. DIMMICK, of Stroudsburg; JOB MANN, + of Bedford; J.X. MCLANAHAN, of Chambersburg; JOHN ROBBINS, + Jr., of Philadelphia; THOMAS ROSS, of Doylestown; JAMES + THOMPSON, of Erie. + + _Ohio._--MOSES HOAGLAND, of Millersburg; JOHN K. MILLER, of + Mount Vernon; JOHN L. TAYLOR, of Chillicothe. + + _Michigan._--ALEXANDER W. BUELL, of Detroit. + + _Indiana._--NATHANIEL ALBERTSON, of Greenville; WILLIAM J. + BROWN, of Amity; CYRUS L. DUNHAM, of Salem; WILLIS A. GORMAN, + of Bloomington; JOSEPH E. MCDONALD, of Crawfordsville; EDWARD + W. MCGAUGHEY, of Rockville. + + _Illinois._--WILLIAM H. BISSELL, of Belleville; THOMAS L. + HARRIS, of Petersburg; JOHN A. MCCLERNAND; WILLIAM A. + RICHARDSON, of Quincy; TIMOTHY R. YOUNG, of Marshall. + + _Iowa._--SHEPHERD LEFFLER, of Burlington. + + _California._--EDWARD GILBERT. + +[All these Northern Traitors called themselves _Democrats_! save +three--_Eliot_ of Massachusetts, _Taylor_ of Ohio, and _McGaughey_ +of Indiana, who were Whigs.] + +--> Every Representative of a Slaveholding State, who voted at all, +voted YEA. Their names are needless, and are omitted. + + +NAYS + _Maine._--Otis, Sawtelle, Stetson. + + _New Hampshire._--Amos Tuck. + + _Vermont._--Hebard, Henry, Meacham. + + _Massachusetts._--Allen, Duncan, Fowler, Mann. + + _Rhode Island._--Dixon, King. + + _Connecticut._--Butler, Booth, Waldo. + + _New York._--Alexander, Bennett, Briggs, Burrows, Gott, + Gould, Halloway, Jackson, John A. King, Preston King, + Matteson, McKissock, Nelson, Putnam, Rumsey, Sackett, + Schermerhorn, Schoolcraft, Thurman, Underhill, Silvester. + + _New Jersey._--Hay, King. + + _Pennsylvania._--Calvin, Chandler, Dickey, Freedley, Hampton, + Howe, Moore, Pitman, Reed, Stevens. + + _Ohio._--Cable, Carter, Campbell, M.B. Corwin, Crowell, + Disney, Evans, Giddings, Hunter, Morris, Root, Vinton, + Whittlesey, Wood. + + _Michigan._--Bingham, Sprague. + + _Indiana._--Fitch, Harlan, Julian, Robinson. + + _Illinois._--Baker, Wentworth. + + _Wisconsin._--Cole, Doty, Durkee. + + _California._--Wright. + + +ABSENT, OR NOT VOTING. + Andrews, Ashmun (Mass.), Bokee, Brooks, Butler, Casey, + Cleveland (Conn.), Clarke, Conger, Duer, Gilmore, Goodenow, + Grinnell (Mass.), Levin, Nes, Newell, Ogle, Olds, Peck, + Phoenix, Potter, Reynolds, Risley, Rockwell (Mass.), Rose, + Schenck, Spaulding, Strong, Sweetser, Thompson (Iowa), Van + Dyke, White, Wilmot (Penn.) [33--all Northern men.] + + [Fifteen Southern Representatives did not vote.] + +DANIEL WEBSTER was not a member of the Senate when the vote on the +Fugitive Slave Bill was taken. He had been made Secretary of State, +a short time previous. All, however, will remember the powerful aid +which he gave to the new compromise measures, and among them to the +Fugitive Slave Bill, in his notorious Seventh of March Speech, +[1850.] A few extracts from that Speech will show how heavily the +responsibility of the existence of this law rests upon DANIEL +WEBSTER:-- + + "I suppose there is to be found no injunction against + that relation [Slavery] between man and man, in the + teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or of any of his + Apostles."--_Webster's 7th March Speech_, (_Authorized + Edition_,) p. 9. + + "One complaint of the South has, in my opinion, just + foundation; and that is, that there has been found at + the North, among individuals and among legislators, a + disinclination to perform, fully, their Constitutional duties + in regard to the return of persons bound to service, who have + escaped into the free States. In that respect, it is my + judgment that the South is right, and the North is wrong." + * * * * "My friend at the head of the Judiciary Committee + [Mr. MASON of Virginia] has a bill on the subject now before + the Senate, with some amendments to it, WHICH I PROPOSE + TO SUPPORT, WITH ALL ITS PROVISIONS, _to the fullest + extent_."--_Idem._ p. 29. + + He proceeded to assure the Senate that the North would, on + due consideration, fulfil "their constitutional obligations" + "_with alacrity_." "Therefore, I repeat, sir, that here is a + ground of complaint against the North well founded, which + ought to be removed, which it is now in the power of the + different departments of this Government to remove; which + calls for the enactment of proper laws authorizing the + judicature of this Government, in the several States, to do + all that is necessary for the recapture of fugitive slaves, + and for the restoration of them to those who claim them + Wherever I go, and whenever I speak on the subject, and when + I speak here, I desire to speak to the whole North, I say + that the South has been injured in this respect, and has a + right to complain; and the North has been too careless of + what, I think, the Constitution peremptorily and emphatically + enjoins upon her as a duty."--_Idem._ p. 30. + +In a speech in the United States Senate, July 17, 1850, made with an +evident view to calm that Northern feeling which had been aroused +and excited by his 7th of March speech, beyond the power of priest +or politician wholly to subdue, Mr. WEBSTER said there were various +misapprehensions respecting the working of the proposed Fugitive +Slave Bill:-- + + "The first of these misapprehensions," he said, "is an + exaggerated sense of the actual evil of the reclamation of + fugitive slaves, felt by Massachusetts and the other New + England States. What produced that? The cases do not exist. + There has not been a case within the knowledge of this + generation, in which a man has been taken back from + Massachusetts into slavery by process of law, not one." + * * * * "Not only has there been no case, so far as I can + learn, of the reclamation of a slave by his master, which + ended in taking him back to slavery, in this generation, but + I will add, that, as far as I have been able to go back in my + researches, as far as I have been able to hear and learn, in + all that region there has been no one case of false claim. + * * * _There is no danger of any such violation being + perpetrated."[A]--Webster's Speech on the Compromise Bill, in + the United States Senate, 17th of July, 1850, edition of + Gideon & Co., Washington_, pp. 23-25. + + [Footnote A: See also Mr. Webster's letter to the Citizens of + Newburyport, dated May 15th, 1850, wherein he urges the same + point, with great pains of argument.] + +With such words did Mr. Webster endeavor to allay Northern alarm, +and to create the impression (which was created and which prevailed +extensively with his friends) that the Fugitive Law was only a +concession to Southern feeling, and that few or no attempts to +enforce it were likely to be made. + +But when a few months had proved him a false prophet, and the +Southern chase after fugitive men, women, and children had become +hot and fierce, and in one or two instances the hunter had been +foiled in his attempts and had lost his prey, Mr. Webster changed +his tone, as follows:-- + + In May, 1851, at Syracuse, N.Y., he said: "Depend upon it, + the Law [the Fugitive Slave Law] will be executed in its + spirit and to its letter. It will be executed in all the + great cities--here in Syracuse, in the midst of the next + Anti-Slavery Convention, if the occasion shall arise." + +Certainly, so far as in Mr. Webster lay, so far as was in the power +of Mr. Fillmore, and the officers of the United States Government +generally, and of the still larger crowd of _expectants_ of office, +nothing was left undone to introduce the tactics, discipline, and +customs of the Southern plantation into our Northern cities and +towns, in order to enforce the Fugitive Law. + + * * * * * + +The remainder of this Tract will be devoted to a record, as complete +as circumstances enable us to make, of the VICTIMS OF THE FUGITIVE +SLAVE LAW. It is a terrible record, which the people of this country +should never allow to sleep in oblivion, until the disgraceful and +bloody system of Slavery is swept from our land, and with it, all +Compromise Bills, all Constitutional Guarantees to Slavery, all +Fugitive Slave Laws. The established and accredited newspapers +of the day, without reference to party distinctions, are the +authorities relied upon in making up this record, and the _dates_ +being given with each case, the reader is enabled to verify the +same, and the few particulars which the compass of the Tract allows +to be given with each. With all the effort which has been made to +secure a good degree of completeness and exactness, the present +record must of necessity be an imperfect one, and fall short of +exhibiting all the enormities of the Act in question. + + JAMES HAMLET, _of New York, September, 1850_, was the first + victim. He was surrendered by United States Commissioner + Gardiner to the agent of one Mary Brown, of Baltimore, who + claimed him as her slave. He was taken to Baltimore. An + effort was immediately made to purchase his freedom, and in + the existing state of the public feeling, the sum demanded by + his mistress, $800, was quickly raised. Hamlet was brought + back to New York with great rejoicings. + + _Near Bedford, Penn., October 1._ Ten fugitives, from + Virginia, were attacked in Pennsylvania--one mortally + wounded, another dangerously. Next morning, both were + captured. Five others entered a mountain hut, and begged + relief. The woman supplied their wants. Her husband went out, + procured assistance, captured the slaves, and received a + reward of $255. + + _Harrisburg, Penn., October._ Some slaves, number not + stated, were brought before Commissioner M'Allister, when + "the property was proven, and they were delivered to their + masters, who took them back to Virginia, by railroad, without + molestation." + + _Detroit, 8th October._ A negro was arrested under the new + law, and sent to jail for a week, to await evidence. Great + numbers of colored people armed themselves to rescue him. + Result not known. + + HENRY GARNETT, _Philadelphia_, arrested as the slave of + Thomas P. Jones, of Cecil County, Maryland, and taken before + Judge Grier, of the United States Supreme Court, October 18, + 1850, who declared his determination to execute the law as he + found it. The Judge said that the claimant had not taken the + course prescribed by the fugitive act, and proceeded to + explain, in a detailed manner, what the course should be in + such cases. As the claimant thus failed to make out his case, + the prisoner was ordered to be discharged. + + _Boston, about 25th October._ Attempt to seize WILLIAM and + ELLEN CRAFT. William Craft armed himself, and kept within + his shop. Ellen was concealed in the house of a friend. + Their claimants, named Hughes & Knight, were indicted for + defamation of character, in calling W.C. a slave, and brought + before a magistrate. The feeling excited against them was so + great, that they at length fled from the city. Shortly after, + it being considered hazardous for Mr. and Mrs. Craft to + remain in the country, they were enabled to escape to + England. + + [In a letter, dated Macon, Georgia, Nov. 11, John Knight + gives a particular account of the proceedings and experiences + of himself and his friend Hughes, on their then recent visit + to Boston for the purpose, to quote his own language, "of + re-capturing William and Ellen Craft, the negroes belonging + to Dr. Collins and Ira Taylor." Willis H. Hughes also + published his statement.] + + _New Albany, Indiana._ A woman and boy given up, and taken to + Louisville. They were so white that, even in Kentucky, a + strong feeling arose in their favor on that ground. They were + finally bought for $600, and set free. + + ADAM GIBSON, _Philadelphia, December 21, 1850_. Surrendered + by Edward D. Ingraham, United States Commissioner. The case + was hurried through in indecent haste, testimony being + admitted against him of the most groundless character. One + witness swore that Gibson's name was Emery Rice. He was taken + to Elkton, Maryland. There, Mr. William S. Knight, his + supposed owner, refused to receive Gibson, saying he was not + the man, and he was taken back to Philadelphia. + +What compensation has the United States Government ever made to Adam +Gibson, for the injurious act of its agent, Ingraham? Had not the +Slaveholder been more honorable than the Commissioner or the makers +of the Fugitive Law, Gibson would have been in Slavery for life. + + HENRY LONG, _New York, December, 1850_. Brought before + Commissioner Charles M. Hall, claimed as the fugitive slave + of John T. Smith of Russell County, Virginia. After five or + six days' proceedings, there being some doubt of the + Commissioner's legal right to act, the alleged fugitive, + Long, was taken before Judge Judson, District Judge of the + United States. The Castle Garden Union Safety Committee + retained Mr. George Wood in this case, as counsel for the + slave claimant. Long was surrendered by Judge Judson, and + taken to Richmond, Virginia. Judge J. was complimented by the + _Washington Union_ as "a clear-headed, competent, and + independent officer, who has borne himself with equal + discretion, liberality, and firmness. Such judges as he," + continues the _Union_, "are invaluable in these times of + turmoil and agitation." At Richmond, Long was advertised to + be sold at public auction. On Saturday, January 18th, he was + sold, amid the jeers and scoffs of the spectators, for $750, + to David Clapton, of Georgia. The auctioneers (Pullam & + Slade), in commencing, said there was one condition of the + sale. Bonds must be given by the purchaser that this man + shall be carried South, and that he shall be kept South, and + sold, if sold again, to go South; and they declared their + intention to see the terms fully complied with. Long was + subsequently advertised for sale at Atlanta, Georgia. + + _Near Coatsville, Chester County, Penn._ On a writ issued by + Commissioner Ingraham, Deputy Marshal Halzell and other + officers, with the claimant of an alleged fugitive, at night, + knocked at the door of a colored family, and asked for a + light to enable them to mend their broken harness. The door + being opened for this purpose, the marshal's party rushed in, + and said they came to arrest a fugitive slave. Resistance was + made by the occupant of the house and others, and the + marshal's party finally driven off--the slave owner advising + that course, and saying, "Well, if this is a specimen of the + pluck of Pennsylvania negroes, I don't want my slaves back." + The master of the house was severely wounded in the arm by a + pistol shot; still he maintained his ground, declaring the + marshal's party should not pass except by first taking his + life. + + _Marion, Williamson County, Ill., about December 10, 1850._ + Mr. O'Havre, of the city police, Memphis, Tennessee, arrested + and took back to Memphis a fugitive slave, belonging to Dr. + Young. He did so, as the Memphis paper states, only "after + much difficulty and heavy expense, being strongly opposed by + the Free Soilers and Abolitionists, but was assisted by Mr. + W. Allen, member of Congress, and other gentlemen." + + _Philadelphia, about January 10, 1851._ G.F. Alberti and + others seized, under the Fugitive Slave Law, a free colored + boy, named JOEL THOMPSON, alleging that he was a slave. The + boy was saved. + + STEPHEN BENNETT, _Columbia, Penn._, arrested as the slave of + Edward B. Gallup, of Baltimore. Taken before Commissioner + Ingraham; thence, by _habeas corpus_, before Judge Kane. He + was saved only by his freedom being purchased by his friends. + + _The Huntsville (Ala.) Advocate_, of January 1, 1851, said + that Messrs. Markwood & Chester had brought back "_seven of + their Slaves_" from Michigan. + + _The Memphis (Tenn.) Eagle_, of a later date, says that + within a few weeks "at least five fugitive slaves have been + brought back to this city, from free States, with as little + trouble as would be had in recovering stray cows." The same + paper adds, "We occasionally receive letters notifying us + that a slave, said to be the property of some one in this + vicinity, has been lodged in jail in Illinois or Indiana, for + his owner, who will please call, pay charges, and take him + away." + + _In Boston, end of January, 1851._ A colored man, lately from + North Carolina, was sought by officers, under Marshal Devens, + aided by a lawyer, named Spencer, provided by the New York + Union Safety Committee. The arrest was not attempted. It was + found that the colored man was too strongly guarded and + protected. + + Mrs. TAMOR, or EUPHEMIA WILLIAMS, _Philadelphia, February, + 1851_, mother of six children, arrested and brought before + Commissioner Ingraham, as the slave Mahala, belonging to + William T.J. Purnell, of Worcester County, Maryland, admitted + to have been absent since 1829--twenty-two years. Children + all born in Pennsylvania; oldest about seventeen--a girl. Her + husband also in custody, and alleged to be the slave of + another man. Under writ of _habeas corpus_, Mrs. Williams was + taken before Judge Kane, of the United States Circuit Court. + After a full hearing, she was discharged, as not being the + woman alleged. + + SHADRACH, _in Boston, February 15, 1851_. Arrested in Taft's + Cornhill Coffee House, by deputies of United States Marshal + Devens, on a warrant issued by George T. Curtis, United + States Commissioner, on the complaint of John Caphart, + attorney of John De Bree, of Norfolk, Va. Seth J. Thomas + appeared as counsel for Caphart. After a brief hearing before + G.T. Curtis, Commissioner, the case was adjourned to the + following Tuesday. Shortly after the adjournment, the + court-room was entered by a body of men, who bore away the + prisoner, Shadrach. After which he was heard of in Montreal, + Canada, having successfully, with the aid of many friends, + escaped the snares of all kidnappers, in and out of Boston. + The acting President, MILLARD FILLMORE, issued his + proclamation, countersigned by DANIEL WEBSTER, Secretary of + State, requiring prosecutions to be commenced against all who + participated in the rescue. + + _Shawneetown, Illinois._ A woman was claimed by Mr. Haley, + of Georgia, as his slave; and was delivered up to him by two + Justices of the Peace, (early in 1851.) + + _Madison, Indiana._ George W. Mason, of Davies County, + Kentucky, arrested a colored man, named MITCHUM, who, with + his wife and children, lived near Vernon. The case was tried + before a Justice of the Peace, named Basnett, who was + satisfied that Mitchum was Davis's slave, and had left his + service _nineteen years before_. The slave was accordingly + delivered up, and was taken to Kentucky, (Feb. 1851.) + + _Clearfield County, Penn., about 20th January, 1851._ A + boy was kidnapped and taken into slavery.--_Mercer (Pa.) + Presbyterian_. + + _Near Ripley, Ohio._ A fugitive slave, about January 20, + killed his pursuer. He was afterwards taken and carried back + to slavery. + + _Burlington, Lawrence County, Ohio, near the end of February, + 1851_, four liberated slaves were kidnapped, re-enslaved, and + sold. Efforts were made to bring the perpetrators of this + nefarious act to punishment, and restore the victims to + freedom. + + _At Philadelphia, early in March, 1851_, occurred the case of + the colored woman HELEN or HANNAH, and her son, a child of + tender years. She was taken before a Commissioner, and + thence, by writ of _habeas corpus_, before Judge Kane. An + additional question arose from the fact that the woman would + soon become the mother of another child. Judge Kane decided + that she was the property of John Perdu, of Baltimore, + together with her son, and her unborn child, and they were + all surrendered accordingly, and taken into slavery. + + _Pittsburg, March 13, 1851._ RICHARD GARDINER was arrested in + Bridgewater, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, claimed as the + property of Miss R. Byers, of Louisville, Kentucky. Judge + Irwin, of the United States District Court, "remanded the + fugitive back to his owner." He was afterwards bought for + $600, and brought into a free State. + + _The Wilmington (Del.) Journal_, in March, 1851, says + kidnapping has become quite frequent in that State; and + speaks of a negro kidnapped in that city, on the previous + Wednesday night, by a man who had been one of the city + watchmen. + + THOMAS SIMS, arrested in _Boston_, April 4, 1851, at first on + pretence of a charge of theft. But when he understood it was + as a fugitive from slavery, he drew a knife and wounded one + of the officers. He was taken before Commissioner George T. + Curtis. To guard against a repetition of the Shadrach rescue, + the United States Marshal, Devens, aided by the Mayor (John + P. Bigelow) and City Marshal (Francis Tukey) of Boston, + surrounded the Court House, in Boston, with heavy chains, + guarded it by a strong extra force of police officers, with a + strong body of guards also within the building, where the + fugitive was imprisoned as well as tried. Several military + companies also were called out by the city authorities, and + kept in readiness night and day to act against the people, + should they attempt the deliverance of Sims; Faneuil Hall + itself being turned into barracks for these hirelings of + slavery. Every effort was made by S.E. Sewall, Esq., Hon. + Robert Rantoul, Jr., and Charles G. Loring, Esq., to save + Sims from being returned into slavery, and Boston from the + eternal and ineffaceable disgrace of the act. But in vain. + The omnipotent Slave Power demanded of Boston a victim for + its infernal sacrifices. Millard Fillmore, Daniel Webster, + and their numerous tools, on the Bench, in Commissioners' + seats, and other official stations, or in hopes of gaining + such stations bye and bye, had fallen upon their faces + before the monster idol, and sworn that the victim should + be prepared. Thomas Sims was ordered back to slavery by + Commissioner G.T. Curtis, and was taken from the Court House, + in Boston, early on the morning of April 11th, [1851,] to the + Brig Acorn, lying at the end of Long Wharf, and thence in the + custody of officers, to Savannah, Georgia. + + There, after being lodged in jail, and severely and cruelly + whipped, as was reported, he was at length sold, and became + merged and lost in the great multitude of the enslaved + population. The surrender of Sims is said to have cost the + United States Government $10,000; the City of Boston about as + much more; and Mr. Potter, the claimant of Sims, about + $2,400, making a total of some $22,000, directly expended on + the case. + + _Vincennes, Indiana, April, 1851._ Four fugitive slaves were + seized, claimed by one Mr. Kirwan, of or near Florence, + Alabama. The magistrate, named Robinson, gave up the + fugitives, and they were taken into slavery. + + _In Salisbury Township, Penn., April, 1851_, an elderly man + was kidnapped and carried into Maryland. + + _Near Sandy Hill, Chester County, Penn., in March, 1851_, a + very worthy and estimable colored man, named Thomas Hall, was + forcibly seized, his house being broken into by three armed + ruffians, who beat him and his wife with clubs. He was + kidnapped. + + MOSES JOHNSON, _Chicago, Illinois_, brought before a United + States Commissioner, discharged as not answering to the + description of the man claimed. + + CHARLES WEDLEY, kidnapped from _Pittsburg, Pennsylvania_, and + taken into Maryland. He was found, and brought back. + + _Cincinnati, Ohio, June 3, 1851_, an attempt to arrest a + fugitive was made. But a scuffle ensued, in which the man + escaped. + + _Cincinnati, Ohio._ About the same time, some slaves, (number + not stated,) belonging to Rev. Mr. Perry and others, of + Covington, Kentucky, were taken in Cincinnati, and carried + back to Kentucky. + + _Philadelphia, end of June, 1851_, a colored man was taken + away as a slave, by steamboat. A writ of _Habeas Corpus_ was + got out but the officer could not find the man. This is + probably the same case with that of JESSE WHITMAN, arrested + at Wilkesbarre. + + FRANK JACKSON, a free colored man in _Mercer, Penn._, was + taken, early in 1851, by a man named Charles May, into + Virginia, and sold as a slave. He tried to escape, but was + taken and lodged in Fincastle jail, Virginia. + + THOMAS SCOTT JOHNSON, free colored man, of _New Bedford_, was + arrested near Portsmouth, Virginia, and was about to be sold + as a slave; but, by the strenuous interposition of Capt. + Card, certificates were obtained from New Bedford, and he was + set at liberty. + + ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, _West Chester County, Penn._, delivered + into slavery by Commissioner Jones. (July, 1851.) + + DANIEL HAWKINS, of _Lancaster County, Penn._, (July, 1851,) + was brought before Commissioner Ingraham, Philadelphia, and + by him delivered to his claimant, and he was taken into + slavery. + + _New Athens, Ohio, July 8, 1851._ Eighteen slaves, who had + escaped from Lewis County, Kentucky, were discovered in + an old building in Adams County, Ohio. Some white men, + professing to be friendly, misled them, and brought them to a + house, where they were imprisoned, bound one by one, and + carried back to Kentucky. [The enactment of the Fugitive + Slave Law is the direct stimulating cause of all these cases + of kidnapping.] + + _Buffalo, August, 1851._ Case of DANIEL ----. D. was a cook + on board the steamer "Buckeye State." He was engaged in his + avocation, when Benj. S. Rust, with a warrant from United + States Commissioner H.K. Smith, went on board the boat. + Daniel was called up from below, and as his head appeared + above the deck, Rust struck him a heavy blow, upon the head, + with a large billet of wood, which knocked him back into the + cook-room, where he fell upon the stove and was badly burned. + In this state, he was brought before the Commissioner, + "bleeding profusely at the back, of the head, and at the + nose, and was moreover so stupefied by the assault, that he + fell asleep several times during the brief and very summary + proceedings." For most of the time he was unable to converse + with his counsel, and "sat dozing, with the blood slowly + oozing out of his mouth and nostrils." After a very hurried + form, and mockery of a trial, Daniel was ordered to be + delivered to Rust, the Agent of George H. Moore, of + Louisville, Kentucky. By a writ of _Habeas Corpus_, Daniel + was brought before Judge Coakling, of the United States + Court, at Auburn, who gave a decision that set Daniel at + liberty, and he was immediately hurried by his friends into + Canada. Rust was indicted, in Buffalo, for his brutal assault + on Daniel. It was fully proved; he afterwards plead guilty, + and; was let off with the paltry fine of fifty dollars. + + JOHN BOLDING, _arrested in Poughkeepsie, New York_, claimed + as the property of Barret Anderson, of Columbia, S.C. Bolding + was a young man, of good character, recently married, and had + a small tailor's shop in P. He said he was told, when a boy, + that he was the son of a white man. He was tried before + United States Commissioner Nelson, who ordered him to be + delivered up to his claimants, and he was taken quietly from + the city to Columbia, S.C. The sum of $2,000 was raised in + New York, and paid to Bolding's owner, who had consented to + take that sum for him, and Bolding returned to his family in + Poughkeepsie. + + _Christiana, Lancaster County, Penn., Sept. 1851._ Edward + Gorsuch, (represented as a very pious member of a Methodist + Church in Baltimore,) with his son Dickinson, accompanied by + the Sheriff of Lancaster County, Pa., and by a Philadelphia + officer named _Henry Kline_, went to Christiana to arrest + certain slaves of his, who, (as he had been privately + informed by a wretch, named Wm. M. Padgett,) were living + there. An attack was made upon the house, the slave-holder + declaring (as was said) that he "would not leave the place + alive without his slaves." "Then," replied one of them, "you + will not leave here alive." Many shots were fired on both + sides, and the slave-hunter, Edward Gorsuch, was killed. + + At a subsequent trial, a number of persons (nearly forty) + were committed to take their trial for "treason against + the United States, by levying war against the same, in + resisting by force of arms the execution of the Fugitive + Slave Law." CASTNER HANWAY was of the number. After + suffering imprisonment and being subjected to great loss + of time and heavy expenses, they were all discharged. + + _Syracuse, October 1, 1851._ JERRY, claimed as the slave of + John McReynolds, of Marion County, Missouri, was brought to + trial before Commissioner J.F. Sabine. He was rescued by a + large body of men from the officers who had him in custody, + and was next heard of in Canada. + + _James R. Lawrence_, a lawyer of Syracuse, acted as counsel + for _James Lear_, attorney of McReynolds. + +[N.B. Daniel Webster's prophecy was not fulfilled.] + + _Columbia, Penn._, (fall of 1851.) Man named HENRY, arrested + as the slave of Dr. Duvall, of Prince George's County, + Maryland,--taken to _Harrisburg_, before United States + Commissioner McAllister and by him consigned to slavery. + + _Judge Denning_, of Illinois, discharged a negro brought + before him as a fugitive slave, on the ground that the + Fugitive Slave Law was unconstitutional. + + _Two alleged slaves arrested_ at _Columbia, Penn._, on + warrant of United States Commissioner McAllister,--claimed as + property of W.T. McDermott, of Baltimore. One was carried + into slavery, one escaped. (November, 1851.) + + _Near New Philadelphia, Maryland_, a woman, married to a free + colored man, with whom she had lived ten years, was arrested + as the slave of a Mr. Shreve, of Louisville, Kentucky. She + was taken back to Kentucky. + + RACHEL PARKER, free colored girl, kidnapped from house of + Joseph S. Miller, West Nottingham, Penn., by the "notorious + Elkton Kidnapper, McCreary," Dec. 31, 1851. Mr. Miller + tracked the kidnappers to Baltimore, and tried to recover the + girl, but in vain. On his way home, he was induced to leave + the cars, and was undoubtedly murdered,--it was supposed in + revenge of the death of Gorsuch at Christiana. Mr. Miller's + body was found suspended from a tree. A suit was brought in + the Circuit Court of Baltimore County, for the freedom of + Rachel Parker, Jan. 1853. Over sixty witnesses, from + Pennsylvania, attended to testify to her being free-born, and + that she was not the person she was claimed to be; although, + in great bodily terror, she had, after her capture, confessed + herself the alleged slave! So complete and strong was the + evidence in her favor, that, after an eight days' trial, the + claimants abandoned the case, and a verdict was rendered for + the freedom of Rachel, and also of her sister, Elizabeth + Parker, who had been previously kidnapped, and conveyed to + New Orleans. + +--> McCreary was demanded by Gov. Bigler, of Pennsylvania, to be +delivered up for trial on a charge of kidnapping; but Gov. Lowe, of +Maryland, refused to surrender him. See _Standard_, July 2, 1853. + + JAMES TASKER, _New York City_, (Feb. 1852,) arrested through + the treachery of Police Officer Martin, and brought before + United States Commissioner George W. Morton, as the slave of + Jonathan Pinckney, of Maryland. He was given up, and taken + back to slavery. + + HORACE PRESTON, arrested in _Williamsburg, New York_, as the + slave of William Reese, of Baltimore, Maryland;--Richard + Busteed, of New York, being Attorney for the slaveholder. He + was brought before United States Commissioner Morton, 1st + April, 1852; for several days previous he had been kept a + prisoner, and his wife knew not what had become of him. He + was given up by the Commissioner, and was carried into + slavery. The same policeman, Martin, (who acted in the case + of James Tasker,) was active in this case; being, doubtless, + the original informant. + + Preston was afterwards bought for about $1,200, and brought + back. + + _Columbia, Penn._, (end of March, 1852;) a colored man, named + WILLIAM SMITH, was arrested as a fugitive slave in the + lumber yard of Mr. Gottlieb, by Deputy Marshal Snyder, of + Harrisburg, and police officer Ridgeley, of Baltimore, under + a warrant from Commissioner McAllister. Smith endeavored to + escape, when Ridgeley drew a pistol and shot him dead! + Ridgeley was demanded by the Governor of Pennsylvania, of the + Governor of Maryland, and the demand was referred to the + Maryland Legislature. + + Hon. J.R. Giddings proposed the erection of a monument to + Smith. + + JAMES PHILLIPS, who had resided in _Harrisburg, Penn._, for + fourteen years, was arrested May 24, 1852, as the former + slave of Dennis Hudson, of Culpepper County, Virginia, + afterwards bought by Henry T. Fant, of Fauquier County. He + was brought before United States Commissioner McAllister. + Judge McKinney volunteered his services to defend the alleged + fugitive. The Commissioner, as soon as possible, ordered the + man to be delivered up; and, after fourteen years' liberty, + he was taken back to slavery in Virginia. Afterwards, bought + for $900, and taken back to Harrisburg. + + _Wilkesbarre, Penn._, (Summer of 1852.) Mr. Harvey arrested + and fined for shielding a slave. + + _Sacramento, California_; a man named Lathrop claimed another + as his slave, and Judge Fry decided that the claim was good, + and ordered the slave to be surrendered. Mr. Lathrop left, + with his slave, for the Atlantic States. + + _A beautiful young woman_, nearly white, was pursued by her + owner [and father] to New York, (end of June, 1852.) There a + large reward was offered to a police officer to discover her, + place of residence. It was discovered, and measures taken for + her apprehension; but the alarm had been taken, and she + escaped. + + _Sacramento, California_; three men were seized by a Mr. + Perkins, of Mississippi. The Court decided them to be his + property and they were carried back to Mississippi.--_Standard_, + July 29, 1852. + + _Petersburg, Penn._ Two fugitives from Alabama slavery were + overtaken, and taken back, September, 1852. + + JOHN HENRY WILSON, a lad of fourteen years, kidnapped from + Danville, Pennsylvania, and taken to Baltimore, where he was, + offered for sale to John N. Denning. Kidnappers committed to + jail, October, 1852. + +[--> DANIEL WEBSTER, the endorser of the Fugitive Slave Law, died at +Marshfield, Mass., October 24th, 1852, in the very height of the +Law's triumphant operation.] + + _LOUISA_, a colored woman, claimed by Mrs. Reese, of San + Francisco, California, was seized by five armed men, and put + on board Steamer Golden Gate, and carried it is not known + whither. The aid of the Law was not invoked. The California + _Christian Advocate_, from which the above is taken, says, + "Two colored men, stewards on the Golden Gate, were sent back + to the States on the last trip under the State Fugitive Law." + + _A mulatto woman, in San Francisco_, was ordered to be + delivered to her claimant, T.T. Smith, Jackson Country, + Missouri, by "Justice Shepherd,"--_San Francisco Herald_--in + _Standard_, November 4, 1852. + + _Sandusky, Ohio._ Two men, two women, and several children + were arrested and taken from a steamboat just about to leave + for Detroit. Taken before Mayor Follett, by a man who claimed + to be their owner. R.R. Sloane, Esq., was employed as counsel + for the slaves. No one claiming custody of the slaves, or + producing any writs or warrants, Mr. Sloane signified to the + crowd present that there appeared to be no cause for the + detention of the persons. Immediately a rush was made for the + door. A man, who before had been silent, exclaimed, "Here are + the papers--I own the slaves--I'll hold you individually + responsible for their escape." The slaves escaped into + Canada, October, 1852. Mr. Sloane was afterwards prosecuted + for the value of the slaves, and judgment given against him + to the amount of $3,950. + + _Thirty slaves_, says the _Maysville_ (Ky.) _Eagle_, "escaped + from Mason and Bracken Counties, a short time ago. Some of + them were captured in Ohio, by their owners, at a distance of + about forty miles from the river." "They brought the captured + slaves home without encountering the least obstacle, or even + an unkind word."--_Standard_, November 4, 1852. + + THE LEMMON SLAVES. At New York, eight persons, claimed by + Jonathan Lemmon, of Norfolk, Virginia, as his slaves, were + brought before Judge Paine, November, 1852. It appeared that + they had been brought to New York by their owner, with a view + of taking them to Texas, as his slaves. Mr. Louis Napoleon, a + respectable colored man, of New York, procured a writ of + habeas corpus, under which they were brought before the + court. Their liberation was called for, under the State Law, + not being fugitives, but brought into a free State by their + owner. Said owner appeared, with Henry D. Lapaugh as his + counsel, aided by Mr. Clinton. At their urgent request, the + case was postponed from time to time, when Judge Paine, with + evident reluctance, decreed the freedom of the slaves. E.D. + Culver and John Jay, Esqs., were counsel for the slaves. The + merchants and others of New York subscribed and paid Mr. + Lemmon the sum of $5,280, for loss of his slaves. The New + York _Journal of Commerce_ was very active in raising this + money. The same men were invited to contribute something for + the destitute men, women, and children claimed by Lemmon. The + whole amount given by them all, was two dollars. About one + thousand dollars were raised for them among the better + disposed but less wealthy class. + + THOMAS BROWN alias GEORGE BORDLEY, _Philadelphia, November, + 1852_, was claimed by one Andrew Pearce, Cecil County, + Maryland. Given up to claimant by Commissioner Ingraham. The + arrest of the man was made by the notorious kidnapper, George + F. Alberti. Mr. Pettit, counsel for the claimant. + +[Transcriber's note: The following note is inserted after the +following section but does not refer to any specific reported +incident.] + +--> The Slaveholders of Kentucky begin forming associations for +mutual protection against loss of runaway slaves. The preamble of +the plan of association proposed at a meeting at Minerva Kentucky, +held in the winter of 1852-53, is as follows:--"Whereas it has +become absolutely necessary for the slave-owners of Kentucky to take +such steps as will secure their property, we, the citizens of Mass. +and Bracken counties, do recommend," &c. [end note] + + RICHARD NEAL, free colored man, kidnapped in Philadelphia and + carried from the city in a carriage towards Maryland. A writ + of _habeas corpus_ was obtained, the kidnappers were + overtaken, and Neal brought back after resistance and various + hindrances. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania discharged him. + February, 1853. + + _Ten slaves_, arrested in Indiana, and taken back to + Tennessee, by W. Carney and others. Resistance was + made, and W. Carney "was very badly injured during the + fracas."--_Nashville ----_, March 5, 1853. [Transcribers' + note: ---- substituted for word cut off on original page.] + + _Alton, Illinois._ A man claimed to belong to Walter Carrico, + of Warren County, Missouri, was arrested by police officers + from St. Louis. After being lodged in jail in St. Louis he + made his escape, and again went into Illinois. He was + pursued, found, and taken back to St. Louis.--_St. Louis + Republican_, March, 1853. + + AMANDA, a slave girl, was brought to St. Louis, from near + Memphis, Tennessee, a year before, by a son of her master, + and by him set free, without his father's consent. After the + father's death, an attempt was made to seize Amanda, and take + her back to Tennessee without trial. This was prevented by + officers, the girl taken from the steamboat Cornelia, and + brought before Levi Davis, United States Commissioner. He + decided in favor of the claimants, (the heirs of the estate, + of course.)--_St. Louis Republican_, March 17, 1853. + + JANE TRAINER, a colored child, about ten years old, in the + possession of Mrs. Rose Cooper, _alias_ Porter, (a woman + admitted by her counsel to be a common prostitute,) was + brought before Judge Duer, of New York City, by a writ of + _habeas corpus_, which had been applied for by Charles + Trainer, the father of the child, (a free colored man, who + had followed the parties from Mobile to New York,) and who + desired that the custody of his daughter's person should be + granted to him. [June, 1853, and previous.] Judge Duer + decided that it was not within his jurisdiction to determine + to whom the custody of the child belonged; the Supreme Court + of New York must decide that. Judge D. proposed to both + parties that the child should be put into his hands, and he + would provide a proper person for her care and education, but + the woman (Porter) would not consent to this. She evidently + designed to train up the child for a life of shame, and + perhaps of slavery also. The case was brought by a writ of + _habeas corpus_, before Judge Barculo, of the Supreme Court, + sitting at Brooklyn. The effort to serve the writ was at + first defeated by the notorious New York bully, Captain + Isaiah Rynders, acting, it was said, under the advice of + James T. Brady, counsel for Mrs. Porter. For this + interference with, the law, Rynders and some others were + arrested and taken before Judge Barculo, who let them off on + their making an apology! The second attempt to serve the writ + on the child was more successful. After hearing counsel, + Judge Barculo adjudged "that the said Charles Trainer is + entitled to the care and custody of said Jane Trainer, and + directing her to be delivered to him as her father," &c. In + giving his decision, Judge B. said, "It is not to be assumed + that a child under fourteen years of age is possessed of + sufficient discretion to choose her own guardian; a house of + ill-fame is not a suitable place, nor one of its inmates a + proper person for the education of such a child." Jane + Trainer's mother was afterwards bought from slavery in + Mobile, Alabama, and enabled to join her husband and child. + + In 1854, Charles Trainer obtained a verdict in King's County + Court, New York, for $775 damages, against Rose Cooper. + +[N.B. Though not strictly a case under the Fugitive Slave Law, this +is very properly inserted here, as the whole spirit of the woman, of +her counsel, and of the means he took to accomplish his base +designs, was clearly instigated by that Law, and by the malignant +influences it brought into action against the colored people, both +slave and free.] + + BASIL WHITE, Philadelphia, was summarily surrendered into + slavery in Maryland, by United States Commissioner Ingraham, + June 1, 1853. He was betrayed into the clutches of the + kidnapper Alberti, by a colored man named John Dorsey. + + _Two slaves_ of Sylvester Singleton, living near Burlington, + (Ky.?) escaped and reached Columbus, Ohio; were there + overtaken by their master, who secured them and took them + back with him.--_Cincinnati Enquirer_. + + JOHN FREEMAN, a free colored man, seized in Indianapolis, and + claimed as the slave of Pleasant Ellington, a Methodist + church-member, (Summer, 1853,) of Missouri. Freeman pledged + himself to prove that he was not the person he was alleged to + be. The United States Marshal consented to his having time + for this, provided he would go to jail, and pay _three + dollars a day_ for a guard to keep him secure! Bonds to any + amount, to secure the marshal against loss, if Freeman could + go at large, were rejected. Freeman's counsel went to + Georgia, and "after many days returned with a venerable and + highly respectable gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Patillo, + (post-master of the place where he resides,) who had + voluntarily made the long journey for the sole purpose of + testifying to his knowledge of Freeman, and that he was well + known to be free!" But Freeman was still kept in jail. After + several days, Ellington brought witnessess to prove F. to be + his slave. The witnesses, and Liston (counsel for Ellington) + wished to have Freeman strip himself, to be examined naked. + By advise of his counsel he refused. The marshal took him to + his cell, and compelled him to strip. The witnesses then + swore that he was Ellington's property. Freeman's counsel + produced further evidence that he had been known as a free + man _twenty_ years. Ellington claimed that he had escaped + from him _sixteen_ years before. The man who did escape from + Ellington, just sixteen years before, was discovered to be + living near Malden, Canada. Two of the Kentucky witnesses + visited and recognized him. Freeman was then released, but + with a large debt upon him, $1,200, which had grown up by + the unusually heavy expenses of his defence and long + imprisonment, Freeman brought a suit against Ellington for + false imprisonment laying damages at $10,000. A verdict for + $2,000 was given in his favor, which was agreed to by + Ellington's counsel.--_Indiana Free Democrat_, May, 1854. + + _Three slaves_, two men and a girl, fled from near Maysville, + Kentucky, into Ohio. Were pursued by their owners and + assistants, five men armed, and were overtaken, says the + Maysville _Weekly Express_, "at the bridge over Rattlesnake + Creek, on the Petersburg and Greenfield road, about ten + o'clock at night," the slaves being, armed, and accompanied + by a white man. Both parties fired, the negro girl was + wounded, but still fled; one of the negro men was also + wounded, and, says the Maysville paper, they "were tracked a + mile and a half by the blood." The other slave was secured + and taken back to Kentucky, "much bruised and cut in the + affray." "The white man," says the same paper, "was also + caught and beaten in a very severe manner with a club, and + strong hopes are entertained that he will die."--_Wilmington + (Ohio) Republican_, July, 22, 1853. + + _A colored girl_, between four and five years old, suddenly + disappeared from Providence, R.I., July 13, 1853; at the same + time, a mulatto woman, who had been heard to make inquiries + about the child, was missing also. Believed to be a case of + kidnapping. + + _A negro boy_, says the Memphis _Inquirer_, "left his owner + in this city," and went on board the steamboat Aurilla Wood, + bound for Cincinnati. By a telegraphic message he was + intercepted, taken from the boat at Cairo, Illinois, and + taken back to Memphis. (Summer, 1853.) + + GEORGE W. MCQUERRY, _Cincinnati, Ohio_. A colored man, who + had resided three or four years in Ohio, and married a free + woman, by whom he had three children, was remanded to slavery + by Judge McLean (August, 1853.) The man was taken by the + United States Marshal, with a posse, across the river to + Covington, Kentucky, and there delivered to his _master_! + + _Two men kidnapped_ from Chicago, and taken to St. Louis. See + _Chicago_ Tribune, quoted in _Standard_, Aug. 27, 1853. + + _Three Slaves_ taken by _Habeas Corpus_, from steamboat + Tropic, and brought before Judge Flinn, at Cincinnati, + August, 1853. The woman Hannah expressed a wish to return to + her master in the boat. Judge Flinn ordered her into the + custody of the claimants without investigation. Judge F. + asked Hannah if she had the custody of the child Susan, to + which she answered that she had. Whereupon the Judge also + ordered her back into the custody of the claimants, without + examination. Mr. Jolliffe protested against ordering the + child back without examination. The Court said they would + take the responsibility. The examination then proceeded in + the case of the man Edward. It appeared that they were + purchased in Virginia, to be conveyed to Mississippi. The + boat stopped at Cincinnati, and the slaves were twice taken + by the agent of the owners on shore, and upon the territory + of Ohio. Mr. Jolliffe commenced his argument at 7, P.M., and + argued that the slaves, being brought by their owners upon + free territory, were legally free. Mr. J., before finishing, + was taken ill, and obliged to leave the court-room; he first + begged the Court to adjourn until morning, which was refused + by Judge Flinn. Judge Keys said the Ohio river was a highway + for all States bordering on it, whose citizens had a right + also to use the adjacent shores for purposes necessary to + navigation. Mr. Zinn stated that Mr. Jolliffe had been + obliged to retire, in consequence of illness, and had + requested him to urge the Court to continue the case. Judge + Flinn said--"The case will he decided to-night; that is + decided on. We have not been silting here four or five hours + to determine whether we will decide the case or not. It will + be decided, and you may come up to it sideways or square; or + any way you please; you must come to it." Mr. Zinn said he + was not going to argue. He had made the request out of + courtesy to a professional brother. He doubted the power of + the Court to deliver the boy into slavery. Judge Flinn + said--"I do not wish to hear any arguments of that nature." + The man was then ordered to be taken by the Sheriff, and + delivered to claimant on board the boat,--which was + done.--_Cincinnati Gazette_, 27th August, 1853. + + PATRICK SNEED, a colored waiter in the Cataract House, + Niagara Falls, arrested on the pretended charge of murder + committed in Savannah, Georgia. He was brought, by _Habeas + Corpus_, before Judge Sheldon, at Buffalo, (September, 1853,) + and by him ordered to be "fully discharged." + + BILL, [or WILLIAM THOMAS,] a colored waiter at the + Phenix Hotel, Wilkesbarre, Penn., described as a "tall, + noble-looking, intelligent, and active mulatto, nearly + white," was attacked by "Deputy Marshal Wynkoop," Sept. 3, + 1853, and four other persons, (three of them from Virginia.) + These men came "suddenly, from behind, knocked him down with + a mace, and partially shackled him." He struggled hard + against the five, shook them off, and with the handcuff, + which had been secured to his right wrist only "inflicted + some hard wounds on the countenances" of his assailants. + Covered with blood, he broke from them, rushed from the + house, and plunged in the river close by, exclaiming, "I will + be drowned rather than taken alive." He was pursued, fired + upon repeatedly, ordered to come out of the water, where he + stood immersed to his neck, or "they would blow his brains + out." He replied, "I will die first." They then deliberately + fired at him four or five different times, the last ball + supposed to have struck on his head, for his face was + instantly covered with blood, and he sprang up and shrieked. + The by-standers began to cry "shame" and the kidnappers + retired a short distance for consultation. Bill came out of + the water and lay down on the shore. His pursuers, supposing + him dying, said, "Dead niggers are not worth taking South." + Some one brought and put on him a pair of pantaloons. He was + helped to his feet by a colored man named Rex; on seeing + which, Wynkoop and party headed him and presented their + revolvers, when BILL again ran into the river, "where he + remained upwards of an hour, nothing but his head above + water, covered with blood, and in full view of hundreds who + lined the banks." His claimants dared not follow him into + the water; for, as he said afterward, "he would have died + contented, could he have carried two or three of them down + with him." Preparations [rather slow it would appear,] were + made to arrest the murderous gang, but they had departed + from the place. BILL then waded some distance up the stream, + and "was found by some women flat on his face in a + corn-field. They carried him to a place of safety, dressed + his wounds," and the suffering man was seen no more in + Wilkesbarre.--_Correspondence of New York Tribune_. + +Wynkoop and another were afterwards arrested in Philadelphia, on a +charge of riot, the warrant issuing from a State magistrate of +Wilkesbarre, on the complaint of William C. Gildersleeve, of the +place. Mr. Jackson, the constable who held them in custody, was +brought before Judge Grier, of the United States Supreme Court, by +_habeas corpus_. Judge Grier, during the examination, said:-- + + "I will not have the officers of the United States harassed + at every step in the performance of their duties by every + petty magistrate who chooses to harass them, or by any + unprincipled interloper who chooses to make complaints + against them--for I know something of the man who makes this + complaint." "If this man Gildersleeve fails to make out the + facts set forth in the warrant of arrest, I will request the + Prosecuting Attorney of Luzerne County to prosecute him + for perjury. * * * If any tuppenny magistrate, or any + unprincipled interloper can come in, and cause to be arrested + the officers of the United States, whenever they please, it + is a sad affair. * * * If _habeas corpuses_ are to be taken + out alter that manner, I will have an indictment sent to the + United States Grand Jury against the person who applies for + the writ, or assists in getting it, the lawyer who defends + it, and the sheriff who serves the writ. * * * I will see + that my officers are protected." On a subsequent day, Judge + Grier gave an elaborate opinion, reciting the facts in the + case, _as stated by the prisoners_, and ordering them to be + _discharged_! He said:--"We are unable to perceive, in this + transaction, anything worthy of blame in the conduct of these + officers in their unsuccessful endeavors to fulfil a most + dangerous and disgusting duty; except, perhaps, a want of + sufficient courage and perseverance in the attempt to execute + the writ!" + +Wynkoop and the other were discharged by Judge Kane on the ground that +they did only what their duty, under the Law, required. (May, 1854.) + + _A family of colored persons_, at Uniontown, Pa., were + claimed as slaves by a man in Virginia. They admitted that + they had been his slaves, but declared that they had come + into Pennsylvania with their master's consent and knowledge, + on a visit to some friends in Fayette County, and were not, + therefore, _fugitives_. This was overruled, and the negroes + were sent back by a United States Commissioner, name not + given. (September, 1853.)[A]--_Pittsburgh Saturday Visiter_. + + [Footnote A: _A correspondent_ of the _New York Evening + Post_, writing from Columbus, Ohio, September 1, 1853, states + that a very large number of fugitive slaves are continually + passing through that State; that they are generally armed; + and that they find increasing sympathy among the people on + the road, and the boatmen on the lakes.] + + _A desperate fight_ between a party of four fugitives and + about double the number of whites, took place in Carroll + County, Maryland. Four white men shot--none dangerously. Two + of the slaves wounded, one severely. They were captured. + (October, 1853.)--_Westminster (Md.) Democrat_. + + _Washington, Indiana._ In April, 1853, GEORGE, a negro man, + was arrested and claimed by a Mr. Rice, of Kentucky, as his + slave. Judge Clemens ordered his surrender to Rice, who took + him to Louisville, and there sold him to a slave-trader, who + took him to Memphis, Tennessee. Here a man from Mississippi + claimed that George was _his_ slave, obtained a writ of + replevin, and took possession of him. + + JOSHUA GLOVER, colored man, claimed as the slave of B.S. + Garland, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was arrested near + Racine, Wisconsin, about the 10th of March, 1854. Arrest made + by five men, who burst suddenly into his shanty, put a pistol + to his head, felled him to the ground, handcuffed him, and + took him in a wagon to Milwaukee jail, a distance of + twenty-five miles. They swore that if he shouted or made the + least noise, they would kill him instantly. When visited, + says the _Milwaukee Sentinel_, "We found him in his cell. He + was cut in two places on the head; the front of his shirt and + vest were soaking and stiff with his own blood." A writ of + _habeas corpus_ was immediately issued; also a warrant for + the arrest of the five men who assaulted and beat him in his + shanty. Thousands of people collected around the jail and + court-house, "the excitement being intense." A vigilance + committee of twenty-five persons was appointed to watch the + jail at night and see that Glover was not secretly taken + away. The next day, at about five o'clock, P.M., a + considerable accession of persons being made to the crowd, + and it appearing that every attempt to save Glover by the + laws of Wisconsin had been overruled by United States Judge + Miller, a demand was made for the man. This being refused, an + attack was made upon the door with axes, planks, &c. It was + broken in, the inner door and wall broken through, and Glover + taken from his keepers, brought out, placed in a wagon, and + driven off at great speed. + + S.M. Booth, editor of the _Milwaukee Free Democrat_, Charles + Clement, of the _Racine Advocate_, W.H. Waterman, and George + S. Wright were arrested for aiding and abetting the rescue of + Glover. Booth was subsequently discharged by the Supreme + Court of Wisconsin, on the ground that the Fugitive Slave Law + is unconstitutional. He was, however, re-arrested, and held + to answer in the United States Courts, on the same charge; + the offered bail was refused, and he was lodged in jail. The + case was subsequently tried before the District Court of the + United States, at Milwaukee, on the question as to the right + of a State judiciary to release prisoners under a writ of + _habeas corpus_, who may be in the lawful custody of United + States officers; and also to determine the constitutionality + of the Fugitive Slave Law. (_Washington Star_, September 20, + 1854.) The Attorney General, Caleb Cushing, made himself very + active in pushing forward this case. Mr. Booth, early in + 1855, was fined one thousand dollars and sentenced to one + month's imprisonment. John Ryecraft, for same offence, was + sentenced in a fine of two hundred dollars and imprisonment + for ten days. All for acts such as Christianity and Humanity + enjoin. On a writ of _habeas corpus_, Messrs. Booth and + Ryecraft were taken before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, + sitting at Madison, and discharged from imprisonment. This, + however, did not relieve them from the fines imposed by the + United States Court. The owner of the slave brought a civil + suit against Mr. Booth, claiming $1,000 damages for the loss + of his slave. Judge Miller decided, July, 1855, that the + $1,000 must be paid. + + EDWARD DAVIS, _March, 1854_. As the steamboat Keystone State, + Captain Hardie, from Savannah, was entering Delaware Bay, + bound to Philadelphia, the men engaged in heaving the lead + heard a voice from under the guards of the boat, calling for + help. A rope was thrown, and a man caught it and was drawn + into the boat in a greatly exhausted state. He had remained + in that place from the time of leaving Savannah, the water + frequently sweeping over him. Some bread in his pocket was + saturated with salt water and dissolved to a pulp. The + captain ordered the vessel to be put in to Newcastle, + Delaware, where the fugitive, hardly able to stand, was taken + on shore and put in jail, to await the orders of his owner, + in Savannah. DAVIS claimed to be a free man, and a native of + Philadelphia, and described many localities there. Before + Judge Bradford, at Newcastle, Davis's freedom was fully + proved, and he was discharged. He was again arrested and + placed in jail on the oath of Captain Hardie, that he + believed him to be a fugitive slave and a fugitive from + justice. After some weeks' delay, he was brought to trial + before United States Commissioner Samuel Guthrie, who ordered + him to be delivered up to his claimant on the ground that he + was legally a slave, though free-born. It appeared in + evidence that Davis had formerly gone from Pennsylvania to + reside in Maryland, contrary to the laws of that State; which + forbid free colored persons from other States to come there + to reside; and being unable to pay the fine imposed for this + offence (!) by the Orphan's (!) Court of Harford County, was + committed to jail and sold as a slave for life, by Robert + McGaw, Sheriff of the County, to Dr. John G. Archer, of + Louisiana, from whom he was sold to B.M. Campbell, who sold + him to William A. Dean, of Macon, Georgia, the present + claimant. Thus a free-born citizen of Pennsylvania was + consigned, _by law_ to slavery for life: + +[-->In May, 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Bill was enacted.] + + ANTHONY BURNS, arrested in Boston, May 24, 1854, as the slave + of Charles F. Suttle, of Alexandria, Virginia, who was + present to claim him, accompanied by a witness from Richmond, + Virginia, named William Brent. Burns was arrested on a + warrant granted by United States Commissioner Edward Greeley + Loring, taken to the court-house in Boston, ironed, and + placed in an upper story room under a strong guard. The + hearing commenced the next morning before Mr. Loring, but was + adjourned until Saturday; May 27, to give the counsel for A. + Burns time to examine the case. On Friday evening, (26th,) an + attack was made upon the court-house by a body of men, with + the evident design of rescuing Burns; a door was forced in, + and one of the marshal's special guard, (named Batchelder,) + was killed, whether by the assailants or by one of his own + party is uncertain, it being quite dark; upon the cry of + Batchelder that he was killed, the attacking party retreated + and made no further attempt. The trial of the case proceeded + on Saturday, again on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, when + the Commissioner said he would give his decision on Friday. + During the trial, Burns was continually surrounded by a + numerous body-guard, (said to be at least one hundred and + twenty-five men,) selected by Watson Freeman, United States + Marshal, from the vilest sinks of scoundrelism, corruption, + and crime in the city to be Deputy Marshals for the occasion. + These men, with every form of loathsome impurity and + hardened villainy stamped upon their faces, sat constantly + around the prisoner while in the court-room, the handles of + pistols and revolvers visibly protruding from their breast + pockets. A company of United States troops, from the Navy + Yard, occupied the court-house, and guarded all avenues to + the United States court-room. The testimony of numerous + highly respectable witnesses was adduced to show that Anthony + Burns was in Boston a month earlier than the time at which he + was said to have left Richmond. R.H. Dana, Jr. and Charles M. + Ellis, counsel for Burns, made very eloquent and able + arguments in his behalf. Seth J. Thomas and E.G. Parker were + the counsel for Suttle, the case being constantly watched and + aided by the United States District Attorney, Benjamin F. + Hallett, who was in regular telegraphic communication with + the President of the United States, (F. Pierce,) at + Washington. An effort was made, and followed up with much + patience, to buy Burns's freedom, Suttle having offered to + sell him for $1,200. The money was raised and tendered to + Suttle, when difficulties were interposed, especially by Mr. + Attorney Hallett, and the attempt failed. Suttle afterwards + declared he would not sell Burns for any sum, but that he + should go back to Virginia. On Friday morning, June 2d, + Commissioner Loring gave his decision, overriding all the + testimony in Burns's favor, using certain expressions which + fell from Burns in the first heat and confusion of his + arrest, as testimony against him, and concluding with + ordering him to be delivered up to the claimant. Some four + hours were consumed in getting Court Street, State Street, + &c., in a state of readiness for the removal of the prisoner. + A regiment of Massachusetts Infantry had been posted on + Boston Common, under command of Col. Benjamin Franklin (!) + Edmands, from an early hour of the day, in anticipation of + the Commissioner's decision. These troops, which had been + called out by the Mayor, Jerome V.C. Smith, were marched to + the scene of the kidnapping, and so placed as to guard every + street, lane, and other avenue leading to State Street, &c., + the route through which the slave procession was to pass. No + individual was suffered to pass within these guards; but acts + of violence were committed by them on several individuals. + Court Square was occupied by two companies of United States + troops, (chiefly Irishmen,) and a large field-piece was drawn + into the centre. All preparations being made, Watson Freeman + (United States Marshal) issued forth from the court-house + with his prisoner, who walked with a firm step, surrounded by + the body-guard of criminals before mentioned, with drawn + United States sabres in their hands, and followed by United + States troops with the aforesaid piece of artillery. Preceded + by a company of Massachusetts mounted troops, under command + of Colonel Isaac H. Wright, this infamous procession took its + way down Court Street, State Street and Commerce Street, (for + the proprietors of Long Wharf refused to allow them to march + upon their premises, through a public highway in all ordinary + cases,) to the T Wharf, where the prisoner was taken on board + a steam tow-boat, and conveyed down the harbor to the United + States Revenue Cutter Morris; in which he was transported to + Virginia. + + It may not be amiss to have given, in a single instance, this + somewhat detailed account of the process of seizing, trying, + and delivering up a man into slavery, whose only crime was + that he had fled from a bondage "one hour of which is fraught + with more misery than ages of that which our fathers rose in + rebellion to throw off," Thomas Jefferson, the Virginian + slaveholder, himself being witness. + + Anthony Burns, having been sold into North Carolina, was + afterwards purchased with money subscribed in Boston and + vicinity, for the purpose, and returned to Boston. + + The _illegality_ of the Mayor's conduct in ordering out the + military, and giving to the Colonel of the regiment the + entire control of the same, was fully shown by different and + highly competent writers, among whom was P.W. Chandler, Esq., + whose two articles, in the _Boston Advertiser_, deserve to be + remembered with respect. The Mayor's excuse was that he + desired to _keep the peace_. But these Massachusetts troops + received pay for their day's work from the United States + Government. Judge HOAR, in a charge to the Grand Jury, + declared the act of the Mayor, in calling out the militia, to + be an infraction of law. + + + STEPHEN PEMBROKE, and his two sons, _Robert_ and _Jacob_, + 19 and 17 years of age, were arrested in New York almost + simultaneously with the seizure of Burns in Boston; claimed + as the slaves of David Smith and Jacob H. Grove, of + Sharpsburg, Washington County, Maryland. They escaped May + 1st, and came to New York, followed closely by their masters, + who discovered their retreat in Thompson Street, and pounced + upon them by night. At 8-1/2 o'clock, next morning, they were + taken before United States Commissioner G.W. Morton, "where + the case came up for the most summary and hasty hearing that + has ever characterized our judicial proceedings." Dunning and + Smith were counsel for the masters, but the fugitives had no + counsel; and the hearing was finished, and a warrant granted + to the slave claimants before the matter became known in the + city. When Mr. Jay and Mr. Culver hastened to the court-room + to offer their services to the prisoners, as counsel, they + were assured by officers, _and by Commissioner Morton + himself_, that the men wanted no counsel, and were not in the + building. On search, however, it was found they were in the + building, locked up in a room. They said they desired counsel + and the aid of friends. A writ of _habeas corpus_ was + obtained, but before it could be served the three men had + been removed from the State, and were on their way to + Baltimore. [See the published. Card of E.D. CULVER, Esq.] + Stephen Pembroke was the brother, and his sons the nephews + of Rev. Dr. Pennington, of New York City, Pastor of a + Presbyterian (colored) Church. Stephen Pembroke was purchased + and brought back to New York, ($1,000 having been contributed + for that purpose,) and related his experience of the slave's + life, at a public meeting, held in the Broadway Tabernacle, + July 17, 1854. His sons had been sold, and remained in + slavery. + + JAMES COTES, free man of color, residing in Gibson County, + Indiana, went to Jeffersonville, (Ind.,) to take the cars for + Indianapolis. On going to the depot, at 6, A.M., for the + morning train, he was knocked down, "beat over the head with + a brick-bat, and cut with a bowie-knife, until subdued. He + was then tied, and in open daylight in full view of our + populace, borne off bleeding like a hog." He was undoubtedly + taken to the jail, in Louisville. On crossing the river to + Louisville he met the captain of a steamboat, who knew him to + be a free man. (About June 1, 1854.) The kidnapper was + arrested and held to bail in the sum of $1,000, to take his + trial at next Circuit Court. + + _Near Cedarville, Ohio, May 25, 1854_, about noon, "a colored + man, of middle age and respectable appearance, was walking on + the Columbus and Xenia turnpike. He was alone. A man in a + buggy overtook him, and invited him to ride, saying he was a + friend to the colored man, and promising to assist him in + obtaining his liberty." He took the colored man to the house + of one Chapman, "three miles south of Selma, in Greene + county." There Chapman and the other, (whose name was William + McCord,) fell upon the colored man, struck him with a _colt_ + upon the head, so that he bled severely, and bound his hands + behind him. "Soon after the negro got loose and ran down the + road; McCord ran after him, crying 'Catch the d----d horse + thief,' &c., Chapman and his son following; negro picked up + a stone, the man a club and struck him on the head, so that + he did not throw the stone. He was then tied, and helped + by McCord and Chapman to walk to the buggy. McCord asked + Chapman, the son, to accompany him to Cincinnati with the + colored man, promising to give him half the reward ($200) if + he would. They then started, driving very fast." "We had not + gone over two or three miles," said Chapman, "before the + negro died, and after taking him two or three miles further, + put him out, and left him as now discovered,"--viz. in a + thick wood, one mile south of Clifton. The above facts are + taken from the testimony given at the coroner's inquest + over the body. "The jury gave in substance the following + verdict:--Deceased came to his death by blows from a colt + and club in the hands of one William McCord, assisted by + the two Chapmans." Chapman, the son, said that McCord made + him a proposition to join and follow kidnapping for a + business, stating that he knew where he could get four + victims immediately. McCord was taken and lodged in Xenia + jail. The Chapmans bound over to take their trial for + kidnapping.--_Wilmington (Ohio) Herald of Freedom_. + + _Columbus, Indiana._ A Kentuckian endeavored to entice a + little negro boy to go with him, and both were waiting to + take the cars, when mischief was suspected, and a crowd of + people proceeded to the depot, and made the kidnapper + release his intended victim. (June, 1854.)--_Indiana Free + Democrat_. + + ---- BROWN, a resident of Henderson, Kentucky, was arrested + for aiding four female slaves to escape from Union County, + Kentucky, to Canada. United States Marshal Ward and Sheriff + Gavitt, of Indiana, made the arrest. He was lodged in + Henderson jail.--_Evansville (Ind.) Journal_, June 2, 1854. + + Several Kentucky planters, among them Archibald Dixon, raised + $500 in order to secure Brown's conviction and sentence to + penitentiary. + + [Transcriber's note: The following note appears as a footnote + to this section without specific reference to any of the + cited cases.] + + --> The case of SOLOMON NORTHUP, though not under the + Fugitive Law, is so striking an illustration of the power + which created that law, and of the constant danger which + impends over every colored citizen of the Northern States, + fast threatening to include white citizens also, that it must + not he passed over without mention. He was kidnapped in 1841, + from the State of New York, and kept in slavery twelve years. + Two men, named Merrill and Russell, were arrested and tried + as his kidnappers, and the fact fully proven. But the case + was got into the United States Courts, and the criminals went + unpunished. [end of note] + + _Nine slaves_ left their masters in Boone County, Kentucky, + on Sunday, June 11, 1854, having three horses with them. + Arrived at the river, they turned the horses back, and taking + a skiff crossed at midnight to the Ohio shore. After + travelling two or three miles, they hid during Monday in a + clump of bushes. At night they started northward again. A + man, named John Gyser, met them and promised to assist them. + He took them to a stable, where they were to remain until + night. He immediately went to Covington, Kentucky, learned + that $1,000 reward was offered for their apprehension, and + gave information of their place of concealment. At evening a + strong band of Kentuckians, with United States Deputy Marshal + George Thayer, assisted by three Cincinnati officers, + surrounded the stable and took the nine prisoners, on a + warrant issued by United States Commissioner Pendery. They + were all given up to their claimants, and taken back to + Kentucky. + + _A New Orleans correspondent of the New York Tribune_, in a + letter dated July 3, 1854, writes, "During a recent trip up + the river I was on several steamers, and on every boat they + had one or more runaway slaves, who had been caught and were + being taken in _irons_ to their _masters_." + + _On the Steamer Alvin Adams_, at Madison, Indiana, a man was + arrested as a fugitive and taken to Louisville, Kentucky. + He was claimed as the slave of John H. Page, of Bowling + Green. The _Louisville Journal_, edited by a Northern man, + stigmatised him as a "rascal," for his attempt to be free. + (July, 1854.) + + _Two colored men_, on their way to Chicago, were seized and + taken from the cars at Lasalle, Illinois, by three men, who + said they were not officers. The colored men were known to + be free; one was "a respectable resident of Chicago." Some of + the passengers interfered; but it being night, and very dark, + and the cars starting on the colored men were left in the + hands of their kidnappers. + + _Chicago, Illinois._ Three men from Missouri, with a warrant + from the Governor of that State, to take a certain fugitive + slave, seized a man whom they met in the street, bound him + with a handkerchief, and to quicken his steps beat him with + the butt of a pistol. He succeeded in shaking off his captors + and fled, a pistol-bullet being sent after him, which did not + hit him. He made good his escape. The men were arrested and + held to trial for assault with deadly weapons. By an + extraordinary conspiracy on the part of District Attorney + Hoyne, Sheriff Bradley, and others, these men were taken from + jail to be carried to Springfield, Illinois, two hundred + miles distant, to appear before Chief Justice Treat, that he + might inquire "whether said alleged kidnappers were justly + held to bail and imprisoned." It was so suddenly done that + the counsel for the kidnapped man and for the State of + Illinois had not time to reach Springfield before the men + were discharged and on their way to Missouri. The Grand Jury + of the County (in which Chicago is) had found a true bill + against them, of which the Sheriff professed to be ignorant, + (which was deemed hardly possible,)--under which bill they + would probably have been convicted and sentenced to the State + Prison. Thus the omnipotent Slave Power reaches forth its + hand into our most Northern cities, end saves its minions + from the punishment which their lawless acts have justly + merited.--_Chicago Daily Tribune_, Sept. 21, 1854. + +--> The three kidnappers published a statement in the _St. Louis +Republican_ of September 26. + + HENRY MASSEY, at Philadelphia, September, 1854, was brought + before United States Commissioner E.D. Ingraham, claimed by + Franklin Bright, of Queen Anne's County, Maryland, as his + slave. Arrested in Harrisburg. + + HARVEY, arrested near Cumminsville, Ohio,--escaped,--taken + again in Goshen, about ten miles from Cincinnati, and lodged + in the jail of that city. An investigation of the case was + had before United States Commissioner Pendery, and the + slave remanded to the custody of his master.--_Cincinnati + Commercial_, September 22, 1854. + + _Byberry, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1854._ A carriage load + of suspicious looking men came to this place in the + afternoon. They waited until nightfall, when they burst into + the house of a colored family, "seized the man in presence of + his wife and another woman, threatening to shoot them if they + interfered--dragged him out, beating him over the head with a + mace. The poor fellow continued to scream for help until his + voice was stifled by his groans; they forced him into their + carriage and drove off, before any effectual assistance + could be offered." He was a sober and industrious man, and + much respected. His wife was left heartbroken, with one + child.--_Norristown (Pa.) Olive Branch_. + + _The Frankfort (Ky.) Yeoman_, of November 18, 1854, + said:--"Kidnapping free negroes in Ohio, and deluding our + slaves from their masters to recapture and sell them, is an + established profession of a gang located upon the borders of + the Ohio River, combining with negro-traders in the interior + of this State." The names of some employed in this business + are given, two of whom, having been arrested and imprisoned, + threatened to burn the city of Frankfort for interrupting + their business. + + JANE MOORE, a free colored woman, at Cincinnati, November, + 1854, seized in the house of her sister, (Sycamore Street,) + beaten, and with the help of a deputy marshal from Covington, + Kentucky, carried over to Covington, and lodged in jail, + on pretence of her being a fugitive slave. She was taken + before the Mayor of Covington, "who heard the case with + impartiality." Her freedom was established, and she released. + + _At Indianapolis, Indiana, December, 1854_, Benjamin B. + Waterhouse was indicted for harboring fugitive slaves, + contrary to the provisions of the Fugitive Law. He was found + guilty, but the jury recommended him "to the favorable + consideration of the Court, and stated that the evidence was + barely sufficient to convict." He was fined fifty dollars and + to be imprisoned one hour, and the government to pay the + costs.---_Chicago Tribune_. + + _A Proposition for Kidnapping_, on a large scale, was made by + John H. Pope, "police officer and constable," in a letter + dated "Frederick, Maryland, United States of America, January + 1, 1855," and addressed to Mr. Hays, Sheriff of Montreal, + Canada. "Vast numbers of slaves," says Mr. Pope, "escaping + from their masters or owners, succeed in reaching your + Provinces, and are, therefore, without the pale of the + 'Fugitive Slave Law,' and can only be restored by cunning, + together with skill. Large rewards are offered and will be + paid for their return, and could I find an efficient person + to act with me, a great deal of money could be made, as I + would equally divide. * * * The only apprehension we have in + approaching too far into Canada is the fear of being + arrested; and had I a good assistant in your city, who would + induce the negroes to the frontier, I would be there to pay + the cash. On your answer, I can furnish names and + descriptions of negroes." + +This letter was published, doubtless at the Montreal Sheriff's +request, in the _Montreal Gazette_, January 13, 1855. + +--> The _Montreal Gazette_, of February 3, published a second letter +from J.H. Pope. + + _A warrant was issued in Boston_, January 10, 1855, by United + States Commissioner Charles Levi Woodbury, for the arrest of + JOHN JACKSON, as a fugitive from service and labor in + Georgia. Mr. Jackson, who had been for some time in the city, + was nowhere to be found. + + ROSETTA ARMSTEAD, a colored girl, was taken by writ of + _habeas corpus_ before Judge Jamison, at Columbus, Ohio. + Rosetta formerly belonged to Ex-President John Tyler, who + _gave her_ to his daughter, the wife of Rev. Henry M. + Dennison, an Episcopal clergyman of Louisville, Kentucky. + Mrs. D. having deceased, Rosetta was to be sent back to + Virginia in care of an infant child, both being placed in + charge of a Dr. Miller, a friend of Mr. Dennison. Passing + through Ohio, the above writ was obtained. Rosetta expressed + her desire to remain in freedom in Ohio. The case was removed + to Cincinnati, and was delayed until Mr. Dennison could + arrive from Louisville. (_Ohio State Journal_, March 12, + 1855.) The girl was set free; "but was again arrested by the + United States Marshal upon the same warrant which Judge + Parker had declared illegal; thereupon another _habeas + corpus_ was issued, which the Marshal refused to obey; when + he was fined $50, and imprisoned for contempt." Even United + States Commissioner Pendery, before whom the case was brought + as that of a fugitive slave, pronounced the girl free, and + she was placed in the care of a guardian. The United States + Marshal being taken by _habeas corpus_ before Judge McLean, + of the United States Supreme Court, was set at liberty, Judge + McL. alleging that the proceedings in the State Court were + null and void! + + GEORGE CLARK, a colored boy, eighteen years of age, in + Pennsylvania, was decoyed into the house of one Thompson, + (February 23, 1855,) where he was seized by three men, one of + whom was Solomon Snyders, a well known ruffian and kidnapper + in the neighborhood, who said to him, "Now, George, I am + going to take you to your master." The screams of George + fortunately brought deliverance to him. The three men were + arrested, tried, and sentenced to imprisonment for + kidnapping, by the Court of Dauphin County.--_Norristown + (Penn.) Olive Branch_. + + _The Norristown (Penn.) Olive Branch_, (in connection with + the last named case,) speaks of a case which had occurred a + short time before, under the Fugitive Law, before United + States Commissioner McAllister, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, + and which has not yet been mentioned in this record. A + colored man and his wife, with their infant child, were + taken, "one morning, very early," before Commissioner Richard + McAllister, and before any counsel could reach the spot the + case had been decided against the man and woman; but the + babe, having been born in Pennsylvania, they did not "dare to + send that" into slavery; "so the only alternative was to take + it away from its mother," which was done, and that evening + the man and woman were taken South. No time had been allowed + to bring forward witnesses in their behalf, and there was + only a single witness against them, and he a boy about + seventeen years old, and a relative of the slave-claimant. + The woman's sufferings, on account of the separation from + her child, seemed greater than for her own fate. The article + from the Norristown paper is in the _National Anti-Slavery + Standard_, June 2, 1855. + + GEORGE MITCHELL, a young colored man, at San Jose, + California, arrested and taken before Justice Allen, April, + 1855, "charged with owing service and labor to one Jesse C. + Cooper, of Tennessee." Mitchell was brought into California + by his then owner, in 1849, the year before the enactment of + the Fugitive Slave Law. His arrest was made, under a Fugitive + Slave Law of California. By _habeas corpus_ the case was + carried before Judge C.P. Hester, of the District Court. + Mitchell was discharged on the ground (we believe) that the + California Law was unconstitutional; also that the + proceedings were "absolutely void." On the 21st April (or + May) "another attempt was made to reduce George to slavery at + San Francisco." He was brought before the United States + District Court, Judge Hoffman presiding, claimed under the + United States Fugitive Law as the property of the above-named + Cooper. [The result of the trial not known.]--_San Jose + Telegraph_. + + _At Dayville, Connecticut_, June 13, 1855, an attempt was + made to seize a fugitive slave; "but the citizens interfered + and the fugitive escaped." He was claimed by a resident of + Pomfret, who said he had bought him in Cuba.--_Hartford + Religious Herald_. + + _At Burlington, Iowa_, a colored man, called DICK, was + arrested and taken before United States Commissioner Frazee. + "Much excitement was caused." He was claimed as belonging to + Thomas Ruthford, Clark County, Missouri. Dick was discharged + as not being the man claimed. (June, 1855.) + + _A white girl_, fourteen years of age, daughter of Mr. Samuel + Godshall, of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania, while + walking upon the road, was seized by two men, a plaster put + upon her mouth, and she taken in a close carriage in the + direction of Maryland. After going twelve miles, they put her + out of the carriage, "in a secluded and woody portion of the + country, threatening to kill her if she made any alarm, when + they drove away as fast as they could." Some colored people + met her, got the plaster off her mouth, and aided her + home. It was supposed the kidnappers mistook her for a + mulatto girl; but discovering their blunder dismissed + her.--_Philadelphia Ledger_, July 9, 1855. + + _The Norristown (Penn.) Herald_ relates a case similar to the + preceding. Benjamin Johnson, a white lad of fifteen, on his + way from his father's, at Evansburg, to S. Jarrett's, near + Jeffersonville, was invited to ride by a man in a carriage. + The man took him by an unusual route; night coming on, the + boy was alarmed and attempted to escape, "when the villain + caught him and drove off at full speed, and by threats and + blows prevented him from making any alarm." He drove to a + distance of fifteen miles beyond Jeffersonville, when the boy + succeeded in making his escape. (July, 1855.) + + JANE JOHNSON, and her two sons, (colored,) brought into + Philadelphia (on their way to New York and thence to + Nicaragua) by John H. Wheeler. Stopped to dine at Bloodgood's + Hotel. Jane there made known her desire to be free. + Information of the same was conveyed to Passmore Williamson, + Secretary of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, an old + association founded by Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush, and + others. Mr. Williamson went to the hotel, and found that the + party had gone to the steamboat, at the foot of Walnut + Street. He proceeded thither, found them, and told the mother + that she and her sons had been legally made free by being + brought by their master into a free State. After some delay, + Jane rose to leave the boat. Wheeler endeavored to detain + her. Williamson held Wheeler back, and the woman went on + shore, a number of colored persons taking up the boys and + carrying them from the boat. They were enabled to escape. + (July 18, 1855.) + + The celebrated case of PASSMORE WILLIAMSON followed, before + Judge Kane, of the United States District Court. (See "Case + of Passmore Williamson," reported in full, and published in + Philadelphia, by Uriah Hunt & Son, 1856.) On the 27th July, + Mr. Williamson was committed to Moyamensing Prison, by Judge + Kane, "for a contempt of the court in refusing to answer to + the writ of _habeas corpus_;" Mr. W. _having answered_ that + he had not, and never had had, the custody of the three + alleged slaves, and therefore could not produce them in + court. Mr. Williamson was kept in prison until November 3d, + when he was discharged by Judge Kane, the technical + "contempt" having been removed. + + CELESTE, a mulatto woman, claimed as a slave, before Judge + Burgoyne, Cincinnati, Ohio. It appeared that she was + brought to Cincinnati by her master, and she was set + free.--_Cincinnati Gazette_, July 7, 1855. + + _Two fugitives_, in Indiana, (September, 1855,) requested aid + of the conductor of the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad. + The aid given was to take them back to Madison, whence they + were conveyed over the river to Kentucky. Before leaving that + State they had been hunted and attacked by dogs. These they + had despatched with their knives. The conductor was dismissed + from his position. An agent of the express company was said + to have aided him in the surrender of the men.--_Madison + Courier_. + + JACK, a colored boy, nine years of age, "claimed by Joseph + Tucker, of Mobile, as his slave, was sent back to his master + from Boston, in the brig Selma, Captain Rogers, on the 18th + inst." (October, 1855.)--_Boston Times_. + + JACOB GREEN, a colored man, was seized near Hollidaysburg, + Pennsylvania, by one Parsons, as a fugitive slave. + Parsons could show no authority for detaining Green, who, + with the help of some bystanders, released himself and + escaped.--_Hollidaysburg Standard_, October 24, 1855. + + _Four men indicted for kidnapping_ at Greensburg, Indiana, + in the Spring of 1855. Their names--David and Thomas Maple, + Morrison, and McCloskey. Charged with kidnapping two men, + whom they conveyed to a slave state, and sold as slaves. The + two Maples, fearing the indictment, absconded. The other two + were arrested, and brought to trial in October, 1855, at the + State Court, before Judge Logan. "Defendants' counsel moved + to quash the indictment, for the reason that the section of + the statute of Indiana against kidnapping was in violation of + the acts of Congress, and, therefore, void; and the Court + accordingly quashed the indictment"--_Indianapolis Journal_. + + _Eight fugitives from Kentucky_ reached Adams County, Ohio, + closely followed by several Kentuckians, who attempted to + search the houses of several of the citizens. "The people, + indignant at this outrage, assembled with arms, and placed an + injunction upon these summary proceedings." "The men-hunters + then offered $2,000 to any traitor who would betray the + fugitives into their hands. But, so far as we have learned, + the bribe was as unsuccessful as the attempted search." + (November, 1855.)--_Carroll Free Press_. + + _At Wilson's Corner, Bensalem, Buck's County, Pa._, Dec. 13, + 1855, a colored man in the employ of John Henderson was + seized by three men, who tied him, threw him into a wagon, + and drove off at full speed. They were seen, and quickly + followed by men on horseback. After two hours' hard riding, + the kidnappers were overtaken. A fight ensued--the black man + was released; when three pistol-shots were fired by the + kidnappers, killing a horse, and wounding one of the rescuing + party severely. A statement of the facts was published, as + an advertisement, in the _Philadelphia Ledger_, signed by + William Williams and John Henderson. + + "_Two very bright mulatto girls_," says the _Staunton (Va.) + Spectator_, "one belonging to Mr. John Churchman, and the + other to the estate of Colonel Crawford, deceased, took the + cars at Staunton, on the morning of December 30, 1855, and + made their way successfully to Baltimore, en route for a free + State. At Baltimore they were detected just as they were + about to take the train for Philadelphia, and information of + their arrest was immediately forwarded to D. Churchman, of + this place." On the following Friday they were taken back to + Virginia. "They were so nearly white that their success in + imposing upon the conductors of the cars is not astonishing, + and the only wonder is that they were detected at all. Since + their return, the negro girls have been sold--Mr. Churchman's + for $1,050, and the other for $950." + + FANNY, a colored child of fire years old, was taken from + Chicago, Illinois, into Tennessee, and sold for $250. A man + named F.M. Chapman, with his servant William R. Tracy, were + arrested as the kidnappers, and taken before Justice DeWolf. + Chapman claimed to have owned the child in Arkansas, and to + have brought her to Illinois [thereby making her free.] He + procured Tracy to take the child to Tennessee and sell her. + The result of the case not known. (January, 1856.) + + _Two fugitives_, passing through Ohio, (January, 1856,) were + closely pursued and nearly overtaken at Columbus, Ohio. "Ten + minutes previous warning only saved the fugitives from their + pursuers." Deputy Marshal J. Underwood, being called on to + act in the case, refused, and resigned his office, saying, he + did not expect to be "called upon to help execute the odious + Fugitive Slave Law."--_Cincinnati Commercial_. + +[--> The following may, not improperly, find a place here.] + + The House of Delegates of Virginia, early in 1856, adopted + the following:--"_Be it resolved by the General Assembly_, + That our Representatives in Congress are requested, and our + Senators be and are hereby instructed, to secure the passage + of a law making full compensation to all owners whose slaves + have or may hereafter escape into any of the non-slaveholding + States of this Union, and there be withheld from those to + whom such service or labor may be due." + + _Fourteen persons of color_, held at Los Angelos, California, + early in 1856, as the servants of one Robert Smith, were + brought before Judge Benjamin Hays, on a writ of _habeas + corpus_. Smith alleged that he formerly resided in + Mississippi, where he owned these persons; was now about to + remove to Texas, and designed to take these persons with him + as his slaves. Judge Hays decided that they were all free, + and those under twenty-one years of age were placed in the + charge of the sheriff, as their special guardian.--_Los + Angelos Star._ The opinion of Judge Hays (who was said to be + a native of South Carolina,) is a very able one, and under + the circumstances, of much interest. It may be found in the + _Standard_, of April 5, 1856. + + _Two colored lads_, named RALLS and LOGAN, living in + Cincinnati, were kidnapped thence by two men, named Orr and + Simpkins, and taken to St. Louis, Missouri, where the men + tried to sell them. The men were arrested as kidnappers. + (March, 1856.) + + _The Decatur (Illinois) Chronicle_ states that "a man charged + with being a fugitive slave was recently arrested at that + place and carried off, no one knows where. The sheriff of the + county was the willing instrument in the hands of the + claimants; no attempt to appeal to the law was made, the + negro being carried off as if he were a stray horse or dog." + The _Chicago Tribune_ says: "If this is a true statement of + the affair, that sheriff has laid himself liable to the + charge of kidnapping, and should at once be proceeded against + with such rigor as his offence demands." (April, 1856.) + +MARGARET GARNER _and seven others_, at Cincinnati, Ohio, January, +1856. Of this recent and peculiarly painful case we give a somewhat +detailed account, mainly taken from the Cincinnati papers of the +day. + + About ten o'clock on Sunday, 27th January, 1856, a + party of eight slaves--two men, two women, and four + children--belonging to Archibald K. Gaines and John Marshall, + of Richwood Station, Boone County, Kentucky, about sixteen + miles from Covington, escaped from their owners. Three of the + party are father, mother, and son, whose names are Simon, + Mary, and Simon, Jr.; the others are Margaret, wife of Simon, + Jr., and her four children. The three first are the property + of Marshall, and the others of Gaines. + + They took a sleigh and two horses belonging to Mr. Marshall, + and drove to the river bank, opposite Cincinnati, and crossed + over to the city on the ice. They were missed a few hours + after their flight, and Mr. Gaines, springing on a horse, + followed in pursuit. On reaching the river shore, he learned + that a resident had found the horses standing in the road. He + then crossed over to the City, and after a few hours diligent + inquiry, he learned that his slaves were in a house about a + quarter of a mile below the Mill Creek Bridge, on the river + road, occupied by a colored man named Kite. + + He proceeded to the office of United States Commissioner John + L. Pendery, and procuring the necessary warrants, with United + States Deputy Marshal Ellis, and a large body of assistants, + went on Monday to the place where his fugitives were + concealed. Arriving at the premises, word was sent to the + fugitives to surrender. A firm and decided negative was the + response. The officers, backed by a large crowd, then made a + descent. Breaking open the doors, they were assailed by the + negroes with cudgels and pistols. Several shots were fired, + but only one took effect, so far as we could ascertain. A + bullet struck a man named John Patterson, one of the + Marshal's deputies; tearing off a finger of his right hand, + and dislocating several of his teeth. No other of the + officers were injured, the negroes being rendered powerless + before they could reload their weapons. + + On looking around, horrible was the sight which met the + officers' eyes. In one corner of the room was a nearly white + child, bleeding to death. Her throat was cut from ear to ear, + and the blood was spouting out profusely, showing that the + deed was but recently committed. Scarcely was this fact + noticed, when a scream issuing from an adjoining room drew + their attention thither. A glance into the apartment revealed + a negro woman holding in her hand a knife literally dripping + with gore, over the heads of two little negro children, who + were crouched to the floor, and uttering the cries whose + agonized peals had first startled them. Quickly the knife was + wrested from the hand of the excited woman, and a more close + investigation instituted as to the condition, of the infants. + They were discovered to be cut across the head and + shoulders, but not very seriously injured, although the blood + trickled down their backs and upon their clothes. + + The woman avowed herself the mother of the children, and said + that she had killed one and would like to kill the three + others, rather than see them again reduced to slavery! By + this time the crowd about the premises had become prodigious, + and it was with no inconsiderable difficulty that the negroes + were secured in carriages, and brought to the United States + District Court-rooms, on Fourth Street. The populace followed + the vehicle closely, but evinced no active desire to effect a + rescue. Rumors of the story soon circulated all over the + city. Nor were they exaggerated, as is usually the case. For + once, reality surpassed the wildest thought of fiction. + + The slaves, on reaching the marshal's office, seated + themselves around the stove with dejected countenances, and + preserved a moody silence, answering all questions propounded + to them in monosyllables, or refusing to answer at all. Simon + is apparently about fifty-five years of age, and Mary about + fifty. The son of Mr. Marshall, who is here, in order, if + possible, to recover the property of his father, says that + they have always been faithful servants, and have frequently + been on this side of the river. Simon, Jr., is a young man, + about twenty-two years old, of a very lithe and active form, + and rather a mild and pleasant countenance. Margaret is a + dark mulatto, twenty-three years of age; her countenance is + far from being vicious, and her senses, yesterday, appeared + partially stultified from the exciting trials she had + endured. After remaining about two hours at the marshal's + office, Commissioner Pendery announced that the slaves would + be removed to the custody of the United States Marshal until + nine o'clock Tuesday morning, when the case would come up for + examination. + + The slaves were then taken down stairs to the street-door, + when a wild and exciting scene presented itself; the + sidewalks and the middle of the street were thronged with + people, and a couple of coaches were at the door in order to + convey the captives to the station-house. The slaves were + guarded by a strong posse of officers, and as they made their + appearance on the street, it was evident that there was a + strong sympathy in their favor. When they were led to the + carriage-doors, there were loud cries of "Drive on!" "Don't + take them!" The coachmen, either from alarm or from a + sympathetic feeling, put the whip to their horses, and drove + rapidly off, leaving the officers with their fugitives on the + sidewalk. They started on foot with their charge to the + Hammond Street station-house, where they secured their + prisoners for the night. + + The slaves claimed that they had been on this side of the + river frequently, by consent of their masters. + + About three o'clock application was made to Judge Burgoyne + for a writ of _habeas corpus_, to bring the slaves before + him. This was put in the hands of Deputy Sheriff Buckingham + to serve, who, accompanied by several assistants, proceeded + to Hammond Street station-house, where the slaves were + lodged. Mr. Bennett, Deputy United States Marshal, was + unwilling to give them up, and a long time was spent + parleying between the marshal and the sheriff's officers. The + sheriff being determined that the writ should be executed, + Mr. Bennett went out to take counsel with his friends. + Finally, through the advice of Mayor Faran, Mr. Bennett + agreed to lodge the slaves in the jail, ready to be taken out + at the order of Judge Burgoyne. Mr. Buckingham obtained the + complete control of the slaves. + + On the morning of the 29th, Sheriff Brashears, being advised + by lawyers that Judge Burgoyne had no right to issue his writ + for the slaves, and remembering Judge McLean's decision in + the Rosetta case, made a return on the writ of _habeas + corpus_, that the slaves were in the custody of the United + States Marshal, and, therefore, without his jurisdiction. + This returned the slaves to the custody of the Marshal. By + agreement, the parties permitted the slaves to remain in the + county jail during that day, with the understanding that + their examination should commence the next morning, before + Commissioner Pendery. An inquest had been held on the body of + the child which was killed, and a verdict was found by the + jury charging the death of the child upon the mother, who it + was said would be held under the laws of Ohio to answer the + charge of murder. An examination took place on Wednesday, + before the United States Commissioner. Time was allowed their + counsel to obtain evidence to show that they had been brought + into the State at former times by their masters. A meeting of + citizens was held on Thursday evening, to express sympathy + with the alleged fugitives. + + The _Cincinnati Commercial_ of January 30, said:--The mother + is of an interesting appearance, a mulatto of considerable + intelligence of manner, and with a good address. In reply to + a gentleman who yesterday complimented her upon the looks of + her little boy, she said, "You should have seen my little + girl that--that--[she did not like to say, was killed]--that + died, that was the bird." + + The _Cincinnati Gazette_, of January 30, said:--We learn that + the mother of the dead child acknowledges that she had killed + it, and that her determination was to have killed all the + children, and then destroy herself, rather than return to + slavery. She and the others complain of cruel treatment on + the part of their master, and allege that as the cause of + their attempted escape. + + The coroner's jury, after examining the citizens present at + the time of the arrest, went to the jail last evening, and + examined the grandmother of the child--one of the slaves. She + testified that the mother, when she saw they would be + captured, caught a butcher knife and ran to the children, + saying she would kill them rather than to have them return to + slavery, and cut the throat of the child, calling on the + grandmother to help her kill them. The grandmother said she + would not do it, and hid under a bed. + + The jury gave a verdict as follows:--That said child was + killed by its mother, Margaret Garner, with a butcher knife, + with which she cut its throat. + + Two of the jurors also find that the two men arrested as + fugitives were accessories to the murder. + + "The murdered child was almost white, and was a little girl + of rare beauty." + + The examination of witnesses was continued until Monday, + February 4, when the commissioner listened to the arguments + of counsel until February 7th. Messrs. Jolliffe and Gitchell + appeared for the fugitives, and Colonel Chambers, of + Cincinnati, and Mr. Finnell, of Covington, Kentucky, for the + claimants of the slaves. A great number of assistants, + (amounting very nearly to five hundred,) were employed by the + United States Marshal, H.H. Robinson, from the first, making + the expenses to the United States Government very large; for + their twenty-eight days' service alone, at $2.00 per day, + amounting to over $22,000. February 8th, the case was closed, + so far as related to the three slaves of Mr. Marshall, but + the decision was postponed. The examination in regard to + MARGARET and her children was farther continued. It was + publicly stated that Commissioner Pendery had declared that + he "would not send the woman back into slavery while a charge + or indictment for murder lay against her." Colonel Chambers, + counsel for the slave-claimants, in his argument, "read + long extracts from a pamphlet entitled, 'A Northern + Presbyter's Second Letter to Ministers of the Gospel of all + Denominations, on Slavery, by Nathan Lord, of Dartmouth + College,' approving and recommending Dr. Lord's views." + Colonel Chambers having alluded, in his remarks, to Mrs. Lucy + Stone Blackwell, and said that she had sought to give a knife + to Margaret Garner, the Court gave permission to Mrs. + Blackwell to reply to Colonel C. Mrs. B. preferred not to + speak at the bar, but addressed the crowded court-room + directly after the adjournment. Her eloquent remarks will be + found in the papers of the day. At the close of the hearing, + February 14th, the commissioner adjourned his court to the + 21st, afterwards to the 26th, when, he said, he would give + his decision. + + Meantime the case was making some progress in the State + courts. Sheriff Brashears having made return to the Common + Pleas Court that the fugitives were in the custody of the + United States Marshal, Judge Carter said this could not be + received as a true return, as they were in the County jail, + under the sheriff's control. The sheriff then amended his + return, so as to state that the prisoners were in his + custody, as required in the writ, and this was received by + the Court. The fugitives now came fully into the charge of + the State authorities. The sheriff held them "by virtue of a + _capias_ issued on an indictment by the grand jury for + murder." + + The slaves declared they would go dancing to the gallows + rather than to be sent back into slavery. + + On the 26th February, Commissioner Pendery gave his decision. + First, he refused to discharge Margaret and three others from + the custody of the United States Marshal and deliver them to + the Sheriff of Hamilton County, although held to answer, + under the laws of Ohio, to the charge of murder. He then + proceeded to consider the claim of Marshall to three of the + slaves, decided it to be valid, and ordered them into + Marshall's custody. He then considered Gaines's claim to + Margaret and her three surviving children, decided that also + to be good and valid, and ordered them to be delivered into + the possession of said Gaines. + + The case of the rightful custody, as between the United + States Marshal and the Ohio Sheriff also came on, February + 26th before Judge Leavitt, of the United States District + Court, and was argued by counsel on both sides. On the 28th, + Judge Leavitt decided that the custody was with the United + States Marshal. The substance of Judge L.'s argument and + decision is found in the following extract. + + "Judge McLean says: 'Neither this nor any other Court of the + United States, nor Judge thereof, can issue a _habeas corpus_ + to bring up a prisoner who is in custody under the sentence + or execution of a State Court, for any other purpose than to + be used as a witness. And it is immaterial whether the + imprisonment be under _civil or criminal process_.' If it be + true, as there asserted, that no Federal Court can interfere + with the exercise of the proper jurisdiction of a State + Court, either in a civil or criminal case, the converse of + the proposition is equally true. And it results that a State + Court cannot take from an officer of the United States, even + on a criminal charge, the custody of a person in execution on + a civil case. + + "It is said in argument that if these persons cannot be held + by the arrest of the Sheriff under the State process, the + rights and dignity of Ohio are invaded without the + possibility of redress. I cannot concur in this view. The + Constitution and laws of the United States provide for a + reclamation of these persons, by a demand on the Executive of + Kentucky. It is true, if now remanded to the claimant and + taken back to Kentucky as slaves, they cannot be said to have + fled from justice in Ohio; but it would clearly be a case + within the spirit and intention of the Constitution and the + Act of Congress, and I trust nothing would be hazarded by the + prediction that upon demand properly made upon the Governor + of Kentucky, he would order them to be surrendered to the + authorities of Ohio to answer to its violated law. I am sure + it is not going too far to say that if the strictness of the + law did not require this, an appeal to comity would not be in + vain." + + Mr. Chambers said his client, Mr. Gaines, authorized him to + say that he would hold the woman Margaret, who had killed her + child, subject to the requisition of the Governor of Ohio, to + answer for any crime she might have committed in Ohio. + + Judge Leavitt's decision covered the cases of the four adult + fugitives. Another legal process was going on, at the same + time, before Judge Burgoyne, of the Probate Court, viz.--a + hearing under a writ of _habeas corpus_ allowed by Judge + Burgoyne, alleging the illegal detention, by the United + States Marshal, of the three negro children, Samuel, Thomas, + and Silla Garner, which took place in the Probate Court, + before Judge B., on the afternoon of February 27. + + Mr. Jolliffe said he represented the infants at the request + of their father and mother, who had solicited him to save the + children, if possible. + + Messrs. Headington and Ketchum appeared for the United States + Marshal. + + Judge Burgoyne intimated that, in view of the serious and + important questions involved, he should require some time to + render a decision. He intimated, however, that a majority of + the Judges of the Supreme Court having passed on the + constitutionality of the Fugitive Slave Law was no reason why + he should not take up the Constitution and read it for + himself, being sworn to support the Constitution of the + United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio. + + Mr. Ketchum suggested that his Honor was as much bound in + conscience to regard the decision of the majority of the + Judges of the United States Courts as the express provisions + of the Constitution itself. + + Judge Burgoyne said, that however the decisions of the Judges + of the United States Courts might aid him in coming to a + conclusion, where the obligations of his conscience were + involved, he could not screen himself behind a decision made + by somebody else. + + Judge Burgoyne subsequently decided that, in as far as the + Fugitive Slave Law was intended to suspend the writ of + _habeas corpus_--and he believed that it was so intended--it + clearly transcended the limits prescribed by the + Constitution, and is "utterly void." Judge B. required the + United States Marshal to answer to the writ on the following + Friday; and on his neglect to do so, fined and imprisoned + him. Judge Leavitt, of the United States Court, soon released + the Marshal from prison. + + The _Cincinnati Columbian_, of February 29, gave the + following account:--The last act of the drama of the + fugitives was yesterday performed by the rendition of the + seven persons whose advent into the city, under the bloody + auspices of murder, caused such a sensation in the community. + After the decision of Judge Leavitt, Sheriff Brashears + surrendered the four fugitives in his custody, under a + _capias_ from an Ohio court, to United States Marshal + Robinson. An omnibus was brought to the jail, and the + fugitives were led into it--a crowd of spectators looking on. + + Margaret was in custody of Deputy-Marshal Brown. She appeared + greatly depressed and dispirited. The little infant, Silla, + was carried by Pfc. Russell, the door-keeper of the United + States Court, and was crying violently. Pollock, the reporter + of the proceedings in the United States Court, conducted + another of the fugitives, and all were safely lodged in the + omnibus, which drove down to the Covington ferry-boat; but, + although a large crowd followed it, no hootings or other + signs of excitement or disapprobation were shown. + + On arriving at the Kentucky shore, a large crowd was in + attendance, which expressed its pleasure at the termination + of the long proceedings in this city by triumphant shouts. + The fugitives were escorted to the jail, where they were + safely incarcerated, and the crowd moved off to the Magnolia + Hotel, where several toasts were given and drank. The crowd + outside were addressed from the balcony by H.H. Robinson, + Esq., United States Marshal for the Southern District of + Ohio, who declared that he had done his duty and no more, and + that it was a pleasure to him to perform an act that added + another link to the glorious chain that bound the Union. + [What a _Union_! For what "glorious" purposes!] + + Mr. Finnell, attorney for the claimants, said he never loved + the Union so dearly as now. It was proved to be a substantial + reality. + + Judge Flinn also addressed to the crowd one of his peculiar + orations; and was followed by Mr. Gaines, owner of Margaret + and the children. After hearty cheering the crowd dispersed. + + Further to signalize their triumph, the slaveholders set on + the Covington mob to attack Mr. Babb, reporter for one of the + Cincinnati papers, on the charge of being an abolitionist, + and that gentleman was knocked down, kicked, trampled on, + and would undoubtedly have been murdered, but for the + interference of some of the United States Deputy Marshals. + + A legal irregularity on the part of the Sheriff was brought + to the notice of Judge Carter on the morning of February 29. + It was passed over lightly. + + On the Sunday after the delivery of the slaves, they were + visited in the Covington jail by Rev. P.C. Bassett, whose + account of his interview, especially with Margaret, was + published in the _American Baptist_, and may also be found in + the _National Antislavery Standard_ of March 15, 1850. + Margaret confessed that she had killed the child. "I + inquired," says Mr. Bassett, "if she were not excited almost + to madness when she committed the act! 'No,' she replied, 'I + was as cool as I now am; and would much rather kill them at + once, and thus end their sufferings, than have them taken + back to slavery and be murdered by piece-meal.' She then told + the story of her wrongs. She spoke of her days of suffering, + of her nights of unmitigated toil, while the bitter tears + coursed their way down her cheeks." + + Governor Chase, of Ohio, made a requisition upon Governor + Morehead, of Kentucky, for the surrender of Margaret Garner, + charged with murder. The requisition was taken by Joseph + Cooper, Esq. to Gov. Morehead, at Frankfort, on the _6th of + March_--an unpardonable delay in the circumstances. Gov. + Morehead issued an order for the surrender of Margaret. On + taking it to Louisville, Mr. Cooper found that Margaret, with + her infant child, and the rest of Mr. Gaines's slaves had + been sent down the river in the steamboat Henry Lewis, to be + sold in Arkansas. Thus it was that Gaines kept his pledged + word that Margaret should be surrendered upon the requisition + of the Governor of Ohio! On the passage down the Ohio, the + steamboat, in which the slaves were embarked, came in + collision with another boat, and so violently that Margaret + and her child, with many others, were thrown into the water. + About twenty-five persons perished. A colored man seized + Margaret and drew her back to the boat, but her babe was + drowned! "The mother," says a correspondent of the + _Louisville Courier_, "exhibited no other feeling than joy at + the loss of her child." So closed another act of this + terrible tragedy. The slaves were transferred to another + boat, and taken to their destination. (_See_ Mr. Cooper's + letter to Gov. Chase, dated Columbus, March 11, 1856.) Almost + immediately on the above tragic news, followed the tidings + that Gaines had determined to bring Margaret back to + Covington, Kentucky, and hold her subject to the requisition + of the Governor of Ohio. Evidently he could not stand up + under the infamy of his conduct. Margaret was brought back, + and placed in Covington jail, to await a requisition. On + Wednesday, Mr. Cox, the prosecuting-attorney, received the + necessary papers from Gov. Chase, and the next day + (Thursday), two of the Sheriffs deputies went over to + Covington for Margaret, but did not find her, as she had been + taken away from the jail the night before. The jailor said he + had given her up on Wednesday night, to a man who came there + with a written order from her master, Gaines, but could not + tell where she had been taken. The officers came back and + made a return 'not found.' + + The _Cincinnati Gazette_ said,--"On Friday our sheriff + received information which induced him to believe that she + had been sent on the railroad to Lexington, thence via + Frankfort to Louisville, there to be shipped off to the New + Orleans slave market. + + He immediately telegraphed to the sheriff at Louisville (who + holds the original warrant from Gov. Morehead, granted on the + requisition of Gov. Chase,) to arrest her there, and had a + deputy in readiness to go down for her. But he has received + no reply to his dispatch. As she was taken out on Wednesday + night, there is reason to apprehend that she has already + passed Louisville, and is now on her way to New Orleans. + + Why Mr. Gaines brought Margaret back at all, we cannot + comprehend. If it was to vindicate his character, he was most + unfortunate in the means he selected, for his duplicity has + now placed this in a worse light than ever before, and kept + before the public the miserable spectacle of his dishonor. + + We have learned now, by experience, what is that boasted + comity of Kentucky on which Judge Leavitt so earnestly + advised Ohio to rely." + + The assertion of the _Louisville Journal_, that Margaret was + kept in Covington jail "ten days," and that the Ohio + authorities had been notified of the same, is pronounced to + be untrue in both particulars by the _Cincinnati Gazette_, + which paper also declares that prompt action was taken by the + governor of Ohio, and the attorney and sheriff of Hamilton + County, as soon as the fact was known. + + Here we must leave MARGARET, a noble woman indeed, whose + heroic spirit and daring have won the willing, and extorted + the unwilling, admiration of hundreds of thousands. Alas for + her! after so terrible a struggle, so bloody a sacrifice, so + near to deliverance once, twice, and even a third time, to + be, by the villainy and lying or her "respectable" white + owner again engulphed in the abyss of Slavery! What her fate + is to be, it is not hard to conjecture. But friendless, + heart-stricken, robbed of her children, outraged as she has + been, not wholly without friends, + + "Yea, three firm friends, more sure than day and night, + Herself, her Maker, and the angel Death." + + * * * * * + +Extract from a sermon recently delivered in Cleveland, Ohio, by Rev. +H. BUSHNELL, from the following text: "And it was so, that all that +saw it, said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that +the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this +day: CONSIDER OF IT, TAKE ADVICE, AND SPEAK YOUR MINDS."--JUDGES +XIX: 30. + + A few weeks ago, just at dawn of day, might be seen a company + of strangers crossing the winter bridge over the Ohio River, + from the State of Kentucky, into the great city of our own + State, whose hundred church-spires point to heaven, telling + the travellers that in this place the God of Abraham was + worshipped, and that here Jesus the Messiah was known, and + his religion of love taught and believed. And yet, no one + asked them in or offered them any hospitality, or sympathy, + or assistance. After wandering from street to street, a poor + laboring man gave them the shelter of his humble cabin, for + they were strangers and in distress. Soon it was known abroad + that this poor man had offered them the hospitalities of his + home, and a rude and ferocious rabble soon gathered around + his dwelling, demanding his guests. With loud clamor and + horrid threatening they broke down his doors, and rushed upon + the strangers. They were an old man and his wife, their + daughter and her husband with four children; and they were of + the tribe of slaves fleeing from a bondage which was worse + than death. There was now no escape--the tribes of Israel had + banded against them. On the side of the oppressor there is + power. And the young wife and mother, into whose very soul + the iron had entered, hearing the cry of the master: "Now + we'll have you all!" turning from the side of her husband and + father, with whom she had stood to repel the foe, seized a + knife, and with a single blow nearly severed the head from + the body of her darling daughter, and throwing its bloody + corpse at his feet, exclaimed, "Yes, you _shall_ have us all! + take that!" and with another blow inflicted a ghastly wound + upon the head of her beautiful son, repeating, "Yes, you + _shall_ have us all--take that!" meanwhile calling upon her + old mother to help her in the quick work of emancipation--for + there were two more. But the pious old grandmother could not + do it, and it was now too late--the rescuers had subdued and + bound them. They were on their way back to the house of their + bondage--a life more bitter than death! On their way through + that city of churches whose hundred spires told of Jesus and + the good Father above; on their way amid the throng of + Christian men, whose noble sires had said and sung, "Give me + _liberty_, or give me _death_." + + But they all tarried in the great Queen City of the West--in + chains, and in a felon's cell. There our preacher visited + them again and again. There he saw the old grandfather and + his aged companion, whose weary pilgrimage of unrequited toil + and tears was nearly at its end. And there stood the young + father and the heroic wife "Margaret." Said the preacher, + "Margaret, why did you kill your child?" "It was my own," she + said, "given me of God, to do the best a mother could in its + behalf. _I have done the best I could!_ I would have done + more and better for the rest! I knew it was better for them + to go home to God than back to slavery." "But why did you not + trust in God--why not wait and hope?" "I did wait, and then + we dared to do, and fled in fear, but in hope; hope fled--God + did not appear to save--_I did the best I could!"_ + + And who was this woman? A noble, womanly, amiable, + _affectionate mother_. "But was she not deranged?" Not at + all--calm, intelligent, but resolute and determined. "But was + she not fiendish, or beside herself with passion?" No, she + was most tender and affectionate, and all her passion was + that of a _mother's fondest love_. I reasoned with her, said + the preacher; tried to awaken a sense of guilt, and lead her + to repentance and to Christ. But there was no remorse, no + desire of pardon, no reception of Christ or his religion. To + her it was a religion of _slavery_, more cruel than death. + And where had she lived? where thus taught? Not down among + the rice swamps of Georgia, or on the banks of Red River. No, + but within sixteen miles of the Queen City of the West! In a + nominally Christian family--whose master was most liberal in + support of the Gospel, and whose mistress was a communicant + at the Lord's table, and a professed follower of Christ! + Here, in this family, where slavery is found in its mildest + form, she had been kept in ignorance of God's will and word, + and learned to know that the mildest form of American + slavery, at this day of Christian civilization and Democratic + liberty, was worse than death itself! She had learned by an + experience of many years, that it was so bad she had rather + take the life of her own dearest child, without the hope of + Heaven for herself, than that _it_ should experience its + unutterable agonies, which were to be found even in a + Christian family! But here are her two little boys, of eight + and ten years of age. Taking the eldest boy by the hand, the + preacher said to him, kindly and gently, "Come here, my boy; + what is your name?" "Tom, sir." "Yes, _Thomas_." "No sir, + _Tom_." "Well, Tom, how old are you?" "Three _months_." "And + how old is your little brother?" "Six _months_, sir!" "And + have you no other name but Tom?" "No." "What is your father's + name?" "Haven't got any!" "Who made you, Tom?" "Nobody!" "Did + you ever hear of God or Jesus Christ?" "No, sir." And this + was slavery in its best estate. By and by the aged couple, + and the young man and his wife, the remaining children, with + the master, and the dead body of the little one, were + escorted through the streets of the Queen City of the West by + a _national guard of armed men_, back to the great and + chivalrous State of old Kentucky and away to the shambles of + the South--back to a life-long servitude of hopeless despair. + It was a long, sad, silent procession down to the banks of + the Ohio; and as it passed, the death-knell of freedom tolled + heavily. The sovereignty of Ohio trailed in the dust beneath + the oppressor's foot, and the great confederacy of the tribes + of modern Israel attended the funeral obsequies, and made + ample provision for the necessary expenses! "And it was so, + that all that saw it, said, _There was no such deed done, nor + seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of + the land of Egypt unto this day_; CONSIDER OF IT, TAKE + ADVICE, AND SPEAK YOUR MINDS!" + + * * * * * + +With the sad case of MARGARET GARNER we close, for the present, the +record of the Fugitive Slave Law, as its history has been daily +writing itself in our country's annals. Enactment of hell! which has +marked every step of its progress over the land by suffering and by +crimes,--crimes of the bloodiest dye, groanings which cannot fully +be uttered; which is tracked by the dripping blood of its victims, +by their terrors and by their despair; against which, and against +that Wicked Nation which enacted it, and which suffers it still to +stand as their LAW, the cries of the down-trodden poor go up +continually into the ears of God,--cries of bitterest anguish, +mingled with fiercest execrations--thousands of Rachels weeping for +their children, and will not be comforted, because they _are not_. + +Reader, is your patriotism of the kind which believes, with the +supporters of old monarchies, that the Sovereign Power can do no +wrong? Consider the long record which has been laid before you, and +say if your country has not enacted a most wicked, cruel, and +shameful law, which merits only the condemnation and abhorrence of +every heart. Consider that this law was aimed at the life, liberty, +and happiness of the poor and least-privileged portion of our +people--a class whom the laws should befriend, protect, and raise +up. What is the true character of a law, whose working, whose fruits +are such as this meagre outline of its history shows? Is it fit that +such deeds and such a law should have your sanction and support? +Will you remain in a moment's doubt whether to be a friend or a foe +to such a law? Will you countenance or support the man, in the +church or in the state, who is not its open and out-spoken opponent? +Will you not, rather, yourself trample it under foot, as alike the +disgrace of your country, the enemy of humanity, and the enemy of +God? And nobly join, with heart and hand, every honest man who seeks +to load with the opprobrium they deserve, the law itself and +everything that justifies and upholds it? + + +In this tract no mention is made of that great company of slaves +who, flying from their intolerable wrongs and burdens, are overtaken +before reaching the Free States--(alas, that we should mock +ourselves with this empty name of _free_!)--and carried back into a +more remote and hopeless slavery; nor of the thousands who, having +fled in former years, and established themselves in industry and +comfort in the Northern States, were compelled again to become +fugitives, leaving their little all behind them, into a still more +Northern land where, under British law, they find at last a +resting-place and protection; nor to any great extent of the +numerous cases of white citizens, prosecuted, fined, harassed in +every way, for the _crime_ of giving shelter and succor to the +hunted wanderers. To have included these--all emphatically _victims_ +of the Fugitive Slave Law--would swell our tract into a volume. What +a testimony against our land and our people is given by their +accumulated weight! EVERY LIVING MAN AND WOMAN is GUILTY OF THIS +GREAT SIN, WHO EITHER BY APOLOGY, OR BY SILENCE, LENDS IT THE LEAST +SUPPORT. + +--> In a record like the foregoing, dealing so largely with facts +and dates, perfect accuracy is not to be expected, although much +pains have been taken to make it strictly correct. Any information, +on good authority, which will help to make the record more exact, +or more complete, will be very gratefully received. It should be +addressed to SAMUEL MAY, JR., No. 21 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. + + * * * * * + +Published at the office of the AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, +No. 138 Nassau Street, New York. Also to be had at the Anti-Slavery +Offices, No. 21 Cornhill, Boston, and No. 31 North Fifth Street, +Philadelphia; of JOEL McMILLAN, Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio, and +of JACOB WALTON, Jr., Adrian, Michigan. + + +[Transcriber's note: The following remain as in the original: +Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Los Angelos; Pittsburgh Saturday Visiter.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Fugitive Slave Law and Its Victims +by American Anti-Slavery Society + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW *** + +***** This file should be named 13990-8.txt or 13990-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/9/9/13990/ + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Andrea Ball and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Fugitive Slave Law and Its Victims + Anti-Slavery Tracts No. 18 + +Author: American Anti-Slavery Society + +Release Date: November 9, 2004 [EBook #13990] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW *** + + + + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Andrea Ball and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<h3><i>ANTI-SLAVERY TRACTS. No. 18.</i></h3> + +<h1>THE<br /> + +FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW<br /> + +AND<br /> + +ITS VICTIMS.</h1> + + +<h4>AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY,<br /> +138 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK.<br /> +1856.</h4> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<h3><i>ANTI-SLAVERY TRACTS. No. 18.</i></h3> + +<h2>THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW, AND ITS VICTIMS.</h2> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Fugitive Slave Law was enacted by Congress in September, +1850, received the signature of HOWELL COBB, [of Georgia,] as +Speaker of the House of Representatives, of WILLIAM R. KING, +[of Alabama,] as President of the Senate, and was "approved," +September 18th, of that year, by MILLARD FILLMORE, +Acting President of the United States.</p> + +<p>The authorship of the Bill is generally ascribed to James M. +Mason, Senator from Virginia. Before proceeding to the principal +object of this tract, it is proper to give a synopsis of the Act itself, +which was well called, by the New York <i>Evening Post</i>, "An Act +for the Encouragement of Kidnapping." It is in ten sections.</p> +<br /> + +<p>SYNOPSIS OF THE LAW.</p> + +<p>SECTION 1. United States Commissioners "authorized and required +to exercise and discharge all the powers and duties conferred +by this act." + +<p>SECT. 2. Commissioners for the Territories to be appointed by the +Superior Court of the same.</p> + +<p>SECT. 3. United States Circuit Courts, and Superior Courts of +Territories, required to enlarge the number of Commissioners, +"with a view to afford reasonable facilities to reclaim fugitives +from labor," &c.</p> + +<p>SECT. 4. Commissioners put on the same footing with Judges +of the United States Courts, with regard to enforcing the Law and +its penalties.</p> + +<p>SECT. 5. United States Marshals and deputy marshals, who may +refuse to act under the Law, to be fined One Thousand dollars, to +the use of the claimant. If a fugitive escape from the custody of +the Marshal, the Marshal to be liable for his full value. Commissioners +authorized to appoint special officers, and to call out the +<i>posse comitatus</i>, &c.</p> + +<p>SECT. 6. The claimant of any fugitive slave, or his attorney, +"may pursue and reclaim such fugitive person," either by procuring +a warrant from some judge or commissioner, "or by seizing +and arresting such fugitive, where the same can be done without +process;" to take such fugitive before such judge or commissioner, +"whose duty it shall be to hear and determine the case of such +claimant in a summary manner," and, if satisfied of the identity of +the prisoner, to grant a certificate to said claimant to "remove +such fugitive person back to the State or Territory from whence he +or she may have escaped,"—using "such reasonable force or restraint +as may be necessary under the circumstances of the case." +"In no trial or hearing under this act shall the testimony of such +alleged fugitive be admitted in evidence." All molestation of the +claimant, in the removal of his slave, "by any process issued by +any court, judge, magistrate, or other person whomsoever," to be +prevented.</p> + +<p>SECT. 7. Any person obstructing the arrest of a fugitive, or +attempting his or her rescue, or aiding him or her to escape, or +harboring and concealing a fugitive, knowing him to be such, shall +be subject to a fine of not exceeding one thousand dollars, and to +be imprisoned not exceeding six months, and shall also "forfeit +and pay the sum of one thousand dollars for each fugitive so <i>lost</i>."</p> + +<p>SECT. 8. Marshals, deputies, clerks, and special officers to receive +usual fees; Commissioners to receive ten dollars, if fugitive +is given up to claimant; otherwise, five dollars; to be paid by +claimant. </p> + +<p>SECT. 9. If claimant make affidavit that he fears a rescue of such +fugitive from his possession, the officer making the arrest to retain +him in custody, and "to remove him to the State whence he fled." +Said officer "to employ so many persons as he may deem necessary." +All, while so employed, be paid out of the Treasury of +the United States.</p> + +<p>Sect. 10. [This Section provides an additional and wholly distinct +method for the capture of a fugitive; and, it may be added, +one of the loosest and most extraordinary that ever appeared on the +pages of Statute book.] Any person, from whom one held to service +or labor has escaped, upon making "satisfactory proof" of +such escape before any court of record, or judge thereof in vacation—a +record of matter so proved shall be made by such court, +or judge, and also a description of the person escaping, "with such +convenient certainty as may be;"—a copy of which record, duly +attested, "being produced in any other State, Territory, or District," +and "being exhibited to any judge, commissioner, or other +officer authorized," &c. "shall be held and taken to be full and +conclusive evidence of the fact of escape, and that the service or +labor of the person escaping is due to the party in such record +mentioned;" when, on satisfactory proof of identity, "he or she +shall be delivered up to the claimant." "<i>Provided</i>, That nothing +herein contained shall be construed as requiring the production of +a transcript of such record as evidence as aforesaid; but in its absence, +the claim shall be heard and determined upon other satisfactory +proofs competent in law."</p> +<br /> + +<p>The name of the NORTHERN men who voted for this cruel +kidnapping law should not be forgotten. Until they repent, and +do works meet for repentance, let their names stand high and conspicuous +on the roll of infamy. Let the "slow-moving finger of +scorn" point them out, when they walk among men, and the stings +of shame, disappointment, and remorse continually visit them in +secret, till they are forced to cry, "my punishment is greater than +I can bear." As to the <i>Southern</i> men who voted for the law, they +only appeared in their legitimate character of oppressors of the +poor—whom God will repay, in his own time. The thousand-tongued +voices of their brother's blood cry against them from the +ground.</p> + +<p>The following is the vote, in the SENATE, on the engrossment +of the bill:—</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>YEAS,—Atchison, Badger, Barnwell, Bell, Berrien, Butler, Davis +(of Mississippi), Dawson, A.C. DODGE (of Iowa), Downs, +Foote, Houston, Hunter, JONES (of Iowa), King, Mangum, Mason, +Pearce, Rusk, Sebastian, Soulé, Spruance, STURGEON (of +Pennsylvania), Turney, Underwood, Wales, Yulee.—27.</p> + +<p>NAYS.—Baldwin, Bradbury, Chase, Cooper, Davis (of Massachusetts), +Dayton, Henry Dodge (of Wisconsin), Greene, Smith, +Upham, Walker, Winthrop.—12.</p> + +<p>ABSENT, OR NOT VOTING.—Benton, Borland, <i>Bright</i> of Indiana, +<i>Clarke</i> of Rhode Island, Clay, <i>Cass</i> of Michigan, Clemens, <i>Dickinson</i> +of New York, <i>Douglas</i> of Illinois, <i>Ewing</i> of Ohio, <i>Felch</i> of Michigan, +<i>Hale</i> of New Hampshire, <i>Hamlin</i> of Maine, <i>Miller</i> of New +Jersey, Morton, <i>Norris</i> of New Hampshire, <i>Phelps</i> of Vermont, +Pratt, <i>Seward</i> of New York, <i>Shields</i> of Illinois, <i>Whitcomb</i> of Indiana. +[Fifteen Northern Senators absent from the vote.]</p></div> +<br /> + +<p>On the final passage of the Bill in the Senate, the yeas and nays +were not taken. <i>D.S. Dickinson</i> of New York, who had been absent +when the vote was taken on the engrossment, spoke in favor +of the bill. Mr. Seward was said to be absent from the city, detained +by ill health.</p> + +<p>When the Bill came up in the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, +(September 12th,) JAMES THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, +got the floor,—doubtless by a previous understanding with the +Speaker,—and addressed the House in support of the Bill. He +closed his remarks by <i>moving the previous question</i>! It was ordered, +and thus all opportunity for reply, and for discussion of the Bill +was cut off. The Bill was then passed to its third reading—equivalent +to enactment—by a vote of 109 YEAS, to 75 NAYS; as +follows:—</p> + +<p>YEAS.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>Maine.</i>—THOMAS J.D. FULLER, of Calais; ELBRIDGE GERRY, of +Waterford; NATHANIEL S. LITTLEFIELD, of Bridgton. </p> + +<p><i>New Hampshire.</i>—HARRY HIBBARD, of Bath; CHARLES H. +PEASLEE, of Concord. </p> + +<p><i>Massachusetts.</i>—SAMUEL A. ELIOT, of Boston.</p> + +<p><i>New York.</i>—HIRAM WALDEN, of Waldensville.</p> + +<p><i>New Jersey.</i>—ISAAC WILDRICK, of Blairstown.</p> + +<p><i>Pennsylvania.</i>—MILO M. DIMMICK, of Stroudsburg; JOB MANN, +of Bedford; J.X. MCLANAHAN, of Chambersburg; JOHN ROBBINS, +Jr., of Philadelphia; THOMAS ROSS, of Doylestown; JAMES THOMPSON, +of Erie. </p> + +<p><i>Ohio.</i>—MOSES HOAGLAND, of Millersburg; JOHN K. MILLER, of +Mount Vernon; JOHN L. TAYLOR, of Chillicothe. </p> + +<p><i>Michigan.</i>—ALEXANDER W. BUELL, of Detroit. </p> + +<p><i>Indiana.</i>—NATHANIEL ALBERTSON, of Greenville; WILLIAM J. +BROWN, of Amity; CYRUS L. DUNHAM, of Salem; WILLIS A. GORMAN, +of Bloomington; JOSEPH E. MCDONALD, of Crawfordsville; +EDWARD W. MCGAUGHEY, of Rockville.</p> + +<p><i>Illinois.</i>—WILLIAM H. BISSELL, of Belleville; THOMAS L. HARRIS, +of Petersburg; JOHN A. MCCLERNAND; WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON, +of Quincy; TIMOTHY R. YOUNG, of Marshall.</p> + +<p><i>Iowa.</i>—SHEPHERD LEFFLER, of Burlington.</p> + +<p><i>California.</i>—EDWARD GILBERT.</p></div> + +<p>[All these Northern Traitors called themselves <i>Democrats</i>! save +three—<i>Eliot</i> of Massachusetts, <i>Taylor</i> of Ohio, and <i>McGaughey</i> of +Indiana, who were Whigs.]</p> + +<p>==> Every Representative of a Slaveholding State, who voted at +all, voted YEA. Their names are needless, and are omitted.</p> +<br /> + +<p>NAYS</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>Maine.</i>—Otis, Sawtelle, Stetson. + +<p><i>New Hampshire.</i>—Amos Tuck.</p> + +<p><i>Vermont.</i>—Hebard, Henry, Meacham.</p> + +<p><i>Massachusetts.</i>—Allen, Duncan, Fowler, Mann.</p> + +<p><i>Rhode Island.</i>—Dixon, King.</p> + +<p><i>Connecticut.</i>—Butler, Booth, Waldo.</p> + +<p><i>New York.</i>—Alexander, Bennett, Briggs, Burrows, Gott, Gould, +Halloway, Jackson, John A. King, Preston King, Matteson, +McKissock, Nelson, Putnam, Rumsey, Sackett, Schermerhorn, +Schoolcraft, Thurman, Underhill, Silvester.</p> + +<p><i>New Jersey.</i>—Hay, King.</p> + +<p><i>Pennsylvania.</i>—Calvin, Chandler, Dickey, Freedley, Hampton, +Howe, Moore, Pitman, Reed, Stevens.</p> + +<p><i>Ohio.</i>—Cable, Carter, Campbell, M.B. Corwin, Crowell, Disney, +Evans, Giddings, Hunter, Morris, Root, Vinton, Whittlesey, +Wood.</p> + +<p><i>Michigan.</i>—Bingham, Sprague.</p> + +<p><i>Indiana.</i>—Fitch, Harlan, Julian, Robinson.</p> + +<p><i>Illinois.</i>—Baker, Wentworth.</p> + +<p><i>Wisconsin.</i>—Cole, Doty, Durkee.</p> + +<p><i>California.</i>—Wright.</p></div> +<br /> + +<p>ABSENT, OR NOT VOTING.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>Andrews, Ashmun (Mass.), Bokee, Brooks, Butler, Casey, +Cleveland (Conn.), Clarke, Conger, Duer, Gilmore, Goodenow, +Grinnell (Mass.), Levin, Nes, Newell, Ogle, Olds, Peck, Phoenix, +Potter, Reynolds, Risley, Rockwell (Mass.), Rose, Schenck, +Spaulding, Strong, Sweetser, Thompson (Iowa), Van Dyke, White, +Wilmot (Penn.) [33—all Northern men.]</p> + +<p>[Fifteen Southern Representatives did not vote.]</p></div> + +<p>DANIEL WEBSTER was not a member of the Senate when the vote +on the Fugitive Slave Bill was taken. He had been made Secretary +of State, a short time previous. All, however, will remember the +powerful aid which he gave to the new compromise measures, and +among them to the Fugitive Slave Bill, in his notorious Seventh of +March Speech, [1850.] A few extracts from that Speech will show +how heavily the responsibility of the existence of this law rests +upon DANIEL WEBSTER:—</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>"I suppose there is to be found no injunction against that relation +[Slavery] between man and man, in the teachings of the Gospel +of Jesus Christ, or of any of his Apostles."—<i>Webster's 7th March +Speech</i>, (<i>Authorized Edition</i>,) p. 9.</p> + +<p>"One complaint of the South has, in my opinion, just foundation; +and that is, that there has been found at the North, among +individuals and among legislators, a disinclination to perform, fully, +their Constitutional duties in regard to the return of persons bound +to service, who have escaped into the free States. In that respect, +it is my judgment that the South is right, and the North is wrong." +* * * * "My friend at the head of the Judiciary Committee +[Mr. MASON of Virginia] has a bill on the subject now before the +Senate, with some amendments to it, WHICH I PROPOSE TO SUPPORT, +WITH ALL ITS PROVISIONS, <i>to the fullest extent</i>."—<i>Idem.</i> p. 29.</p> + +<p>He proceeded to assure the Senate that the North would, on +due consideration, fulfil "their constitutional obligations" "<i>with +alacrity</i>." "Therefore, I repeat, sir, that here is a ground of complaint +against the North well founded, which ought to be removed, +which it is now in the power of the different departments of this +Government to remove; which calls for the enactment of proper +laws authorizing the judicature of this Government, in the several +States, to do all that is necessary for the recapture of fugitive +slaves, and for the restoration of them to those who claim them +Wherever I go, and whenever I speak on the subject, and when I +speak here, I desire to speak to the whole North, I say that the +South has been injured in this respect, and has a right to complain; +and the North has been too careless of what, I think, the +Constitution peremptorily and emphatically enjoins upon her as a +duty."—<i>Idem.</i> p. 30.</p></div> + +<p>In a speech in the United States Senate, July 17, 1850, made +with an evident view to calm that Northern feeling which had +been aroused and excited by his 7th of March speech, beyond the +power of priest or politician wholly to subdue, Mr. WEBSTER said +there were various misapprehensions respecting the working of the +proposed Fugitive Slave Bill:—</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>"The first of these misapprehensions," he said, "is an exaggerated +sense of the actual evil of the reclamation of fugitive +slaves, felt by Massachusetts and the other New England States. +What produced that? The cases do not exist. There has not +been a case within the knowledge of this generation, in which a +man has been taken back from Massachusetts into slavery by process +of law, not one." * * * * "Not only has there been no +case, so far as I can learn, of the reclamation of a slave by his master, +which ended in taking him back to slavery, in this generation, +but I will add, that, as far as I have been able to go back in my +researches, as far as I have been able to hear and learn, in all that +region there has been no one case of false claim. * * * <i>There +is no danger of any such violation being perpetrated."<a name='FNanchor_A_1'></a><a href='#Footnote_A_1'>[A]</a>—Webster's +Speech on the Compromise Bill, in the United States Senate, 17th of +July, 1850, edition of Gideon & Co., Washington</i>, pp. 23-25.</p> + +<a name='Footnote_A_1'></a><a href='#FNanchor_A_1'>[A]</a><div class='note'>See also Mr. Webster's letter to the Citizens of Newburyport, dated May 15th, +1850, wherein he urges the same point, with great pains of argument.</div></div> + +<p>With such words did Mr. Webster endeavor to allay Northern +alarm, and to create the impression (which was created and which +prevailed extensively with his friends) that the Fugitive Law was +only a concession to Southern feeling, and that few or no attempts +to enforce it were likely to be made.</p> + +<p>But when a few months had proved him a false prophet, and +the Southern chase after fugitive men, women, and children had +become hot and fierce, and in one or two instances the hunter had +been foiled in his attempts and had lost his prey, Mr. Webster +changed his tone, as follows:—</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>In May, 1851, at Syracuse, N.Y., he said: "Depend upon it, +the Law [the Fugitive Slave Law] will be executed in its spirit +and to its letter. It will be executed in all the great cities—here +in Syracuse, in the midst of the next Anti-Slavery Convention, if +the occasion shall arise."</p></div> + +<p>Certainly, so far as in Mr. Webster lay, so far as was in the +power of Mr. Fillmore, and the officers of the United States Government +generally, and of the still larger crowd of <i>expectants</i> of +office, nothing was left undone to introduce the tactics, discipline, +and customs of the Southern plantation into our Northern cities +and towns, in order to enforce the Fugitive Law.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The remainder of this Tract will be devoted to a record, as complete +as circumstances enable us to make, of the VICTIMS OF THE +FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW. It is a terrible record, which the people of +this country should never allow to sleep in oblivion, until the disgraceful +and bloody system of Slavery is swept from our land, and +with it, all Compromise Bills, all Constitutional Guarantees to +Slavery, all Fugitive Slave Laws. The established and accredited +newspapers of the day, without reference to party distinctions, are +the authorities relied upon in making up this record, and the <i>dates</i> +being given with each case, the reader is enabled to verify the +same, and the few particulars which the compass of the Tract +allows to be given with each. With all the effort which has been +made to secure a good degree of completeness and exactness, the +present record must of necessity be an imperfect one, and fall short +of exhibiting all the enormities of the Act in question.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>JAMES HAMLET, <i>of New York, September, 1850</i>, was the first +victim. He was surrendered by United States Commissioner +Gardiner to the agent of one Mary Brown, of Baltimore, who +claimed him as her slave. He was taken to Baltimore. An effort +was immediately made to purchase his freedom, and in the existing +state of the public feeling, the sum demanded by his mistress, +$800, was quickly raised. Hamlet was brought back to New York +with great rejoicings.</p> + +<p><i>Near Bedford, Penn., October 1.</i> Ten fugitives, from Virginia, +were attacked in Pennsylvania—one mortally wounded, another +dangerously. Next morning, both were captured. Five others +entered a mountain hut, and begged relief. The woman supplied +their wants. Her husband went out, procured assistance, captured +the slaves, and received a reward of $255.</p> + +<p><i>Harrisburg, Penn., October.</i> Some slaves, number not stated, +were brought before Commissioner M'Allister, when "the property +was proven, and they were delivered to their masters, who took +them back to Virginia, by railroad, without molestation."</p> + +<p><i>Detroit, 8th October.</i> A negro was arrested under the new law, +and sent to jail for a week, to await evidence. Great numbers +of colored people armed themselves to rescue him. Result not +known.</p> + +<p>HENRY GARNETT, <i>Philadelphia</i>, arrested as the slave of Thomas +P. Jones, of Cecil County, Maryland, and taken before Judge +Grier, of the United States Supreme Court, October 18, 1850, who +declared his determination to execute the law as he found it. The +Judge said that the claimant had not taken the course prescribed +by the fugitive act, and proceeded to explain, in a detailed manner, +what the course should be in such cases. As the claimant +thus failed to make out his case, the prisoner was ordered to be +discharged.</p> + +<p><i>Boston, about 25th October.</i> Attempt to seize WILLIAM and ELLEN +CRAFT. William Craft armed himself, and kept within his +shop. Ellen was concealed in the house of a friend. Their claimants, +named Hughes & Knight, were indicted for defamation of +character, in calling W.C. a slave, and brought before a magistrate. +The feeling excited against them was so great, that they +at length fled from the city. Shortly after, it being considered +hazardous for Mr. and Mrs. Craft to remain in the country, they +were enabled to escape to England.</p> + +<p>[In a letter, dated Macon, Georgia, Nov. 11, John Knight gives +a particular account of the proceedings and experiences of himself +and his friend Hughes, on their then recent visit to Boston for the +purpose, to quote his own language, "of re-capturing William and +Ellen Craft, the negroes belonging to Dr. Collins and Ira Taylor." +Willis H. Hughes also published his statement.]</p> + +<p><i>New Albany, Indiana.</i> A woman and boy given up, and taken +to Louisville. They were so white that, even in Kentucky, a +strong feeling arose in their favor on that ground. They were +finally bought for $600, and set free.</p> + +<p>ADAM GIBSON, <i>Philadelphia, December 21, 1850</i>. Surrendered +by Edward D. Ingraham, United States Commissioner. The case +was hurried through in indecent haste, testimony being admitted +against him of the most groundless character. One witness swore +that Gibson's name was Emery Rice. He was taken to Elkton, +Maryland. There, Mr. William S. Knight, his supposed owner, +refused to receive Gibson, saying he was not the man, and he was +taken back to Philadelphia.</p></div> + +<p>What compensation has the United States Government ever +made to Adam Gibson, for the injurious act of its agent, Ingraham? +Had not the Slaveholder been more honorable than the +Commissioner or the makers of the Fugitive Law, Gibson would +have been in Slavery for life.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>HENRY LONG, <i>New York, December, 1850</i>. Brought before Commissioner +Charles M. Hall, claimed as the fugitive slave of John +T. Smith of Russell County, Virginia. After five or six days' +proceedings, there being some doubt of the Commissioner's legal +right to act, the alleged fugitive, Long, was taken before Judge +Judson, District Judge of the United States. The Castle Garden +Union Safety Committee retained Mr. George Wood in this case, +as counsel for the slave claimant. Long was surrendered by +Judge Judson, and taken to Richmond, Virginia. Judge J. was +complimented by the <i>Washington Union</i> as "a clear-headed, competent, +and independent officer, who has borne himself with equal +discretion, liberality, and firmness. Such judges as he," continues +the <i>Union</i>, "are invaluable in these times of turmoil and agitation." +At Richmond, Long was advertised to be sold at public auction. +On Saturday, January 18th, he was sold, amid the jeers and scoffs +of the spectators, for $750, to David Clapton, of Georgia. The +auctioneers (Pullam & Slade), in commencing, said there was one +condition of the sale. Bonds must be given by the purchaser that +this man shall be carried South, and that he shall be kept South, +and sold, if sold again, to go South; and they declared their intention +to see the terms fully complied with. Long was subsequently +advertised for sale at Atlanta, Georgia.</p> + +<p><i>Near Coatsville, Chester County, Penn.</i> On a writ issued by +Commissioner Ingraham, Deputy Marshal Halzell and other officers, +with the claimant of an alleged fugitive, at night, knocked at +the door of a colored family, and asked for a light to enable them +to mend their broken harness. The door being opened for this +purpose, the marshal's party rushed in, and said they came to +arrest a fugitive slave. Resistance was made by the occupant of +the house and others, and the marshal's party finally driven off—the +slave owner advising that course, and saying, "Well, if this is +a specimen of the pluck of Pennsylvania negroes, I don't want +my slaves back." The master of the house was severely wounded +in the arm by a pistol shot; still he maintained his ground, declaring +the marshal's party should not pass except by first taking +his life.</p> + +<p><i>Marion, Williamson County, Ill., about December 10, 1850.</i> Mr. +O'Havre, of the city police, Memphis, Tennessee, arrested and took +back to Memphis a fugitive slave, belonging to Dr. Young. He +did so, as the Memphis paper states, only "after much difficulty +and heavy expense, being strongly opposed by the Free Soilers +and Abolitionists, but was assisted by Mr. W. Allen, member of +Congress, and other gentlemen."</p> + +<p><i>Philadelphia, about January 10, 1851.</i> G.F. Alberti and others +seized, under the Fugitive Slave Law, a free colored boy, named +JOEL THOMPSON, alleging that he was a slave. The boy was +saved.</p> + +<p>STEPHEN BENNETT, <i>Columbia, Penn.</i>, arrested as the slave of +Edward B. Gallup, of Baltimore. Taken before Commissioner +Ingraham; thence, by <i>habeas corpus</i>, before Judge Kane. He was +saved only by his freedom being purchased by his friends.</p> + +<p><i>The Huntsville (Ala.) Advocate</i>, of January 1, 1851, said that +Messrs. Markwood & Chester had brought back "<i>seven of their +Slaves</i>" from Michigan.</p> + +<p><i>The Memphis (Tenn.) Eagle</i>, of a later date, says that within a +few weeks "at least five fugitive slaves have been brought back +to this city, from free States, with as little trouble as would be had +in recovering stray cows." The same paper adds, "We occasionally +receive letters notifying us that a slave, said to be the property +of some one in this vicinity, has been lodged in jail in Illinois or +Indiana, for his owner, who will please call, pay charges, and take +him away."</p> + +<p><i>In Boston, end of January, 1851.</i> A colored man, lately from +North Carolina, was sought by officers, under Marshal Devens, +aided by a lawyer, named Spencer, provided by the New York +Union Safety Committee. The arrest was not attempted. It was +found that the colored man was too strongly guarded and protected.</p> + +<p>Mrs. TAMOR, or EUPHEMIA WILLIAMS, <i>Philadelphia, February, +1851</i>, mother of six children, arrested and brought before Commissioner +Ingraham, as the slave Mahala, belonging to William T.J. +Purnell, of Worcester County, Maryland, admitted to have been +absent since 1829—twenty-two years. Children all born in Pennsylvania; +oldest about seventeen—a girl. Her husband also in +custody, and alleged to be the slave of another man. Under writ +of <i>habeas corpus</i>, Mrs. Williams was taken before Judge Kane, of +the United States Circuit Court. After a full hearing, she was +discharged, as not being the woman alleged.</p> + +<p>SHADRACH, <i>in Boston, February 15, 1851</i>. Arrested in Taft's +Cornhill Coffee House, by deputies of United States Marshal +Devens, on a warrant issued by George T. Curtis, United States +Commissioner, on the complaint of John Caphart, attorney of John +De Bree, of Norfolk, Va. Seth J. Thomas appeared as counsel for +Caphart. After a brief hearing before G.T. Curtis, Commissioner, +the case was adjourned to the following Tuesday. Shortly after +the adjournment, the court-room was entered by a body of men, +who bore away the prisoner, Shadrach. After which he was heard +of in Montreal, Canada, having successfully, with the aid of many +friends, escaped the snares of all kidnappers, in and out of Boston. +The acting President, MILLARD FILLMORE, issued his proclamation, +countersigned by DANIEL WEBSTER, Secretary of State, +requiring prosecutions to be commenced against all who participated +in the rescue.</p> + +<p><i>Shawneetown, Illinois.</i> A woman was claimed by Mr. Haley, of +Georgia, as his slave; and was delivered up to him by two Justices +of the Peace, (early in 1851.)</p> + +<p><i>Madison, Indiana.</i> George W. Mason, of Davies County, Kentucky, +arrested a colored man, named MITCHUM, who, with his +wife and children, lived near Vernon. The case was tried before +a Justice of the Peace, named Basnett, who was satisfied that +Mitchum was Davis's slave, and had left his service <i>nineteen years +before</i>. The slave was accordingly delivered up, and was taken to +Kentucky, (Feb. 1851.)</p> + +<p><i>Clearfield County, Penn., about 20th January, 1851.</i> A boy was +kidnapped and taken into slavery.—<i>Mercer (Pa.) Presbyterian</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Near Ripley, Ohio.</i> A fugitive slave, about January 20, killed +his pursuer. He was afterwards taken and carried back to +slavery.</p> + +<p><i>Burlington, Lawrence County, Ohio, near the end of February, +1851</i>, four liberated slaves were kidnapped, re-enslaved, and sold. +Efforts were made to bring the perpetrators of this nefarious act to +punishment, and restore the victims to freedom.</p> + +<p><i>At Philadelphia, early in March, 1851</i>, occurred the case of the +colored woman HELEN or HANNAH, and her son, a child of +tender years. She was taken before a Commissioner, and thence, +by writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, before Judge Kane. An additional question +arose from the fact that the woman would soon become the +mother of another child. Judge Kane decided that she was the +property of John Perdu, of Baltimore, together with her son, and +her unborn child, and they were all surrendered accordingly, and +taken into slavery.</p> + +<p><i>Pittsburg, March 13, 1851.</i> RICHARD GARDINER was arrested +in Bridgewater, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, claimed as +the property of Miss R. Byers, of Louisville, Kentucky. Judge +Irwin, of the United States District Court, "remanded the fugitive +back to his owner." He was afterwards bought for $600, and +brought into a free State.</p> + +<p><i>The Wilmington (Del.) Journal</i>, in March, 1851, says kidnapping +has become quite frequent in that State; and speaks of a negro +kidnapped in that city, on the previous Wednesday night, by a +man who had been one of the city watchmen.</p> + +<p>THOMAS SIMS, arrested in <i>Boston</i>, April 4, 1851, at first on +pretence of a charge of theft. But when he understood it was as a +fugitive from slavery, he drew a knife and wounded one of the +officers. He was taken before Commissioner George T. Curtis. +To guard against a repetition of the Shadrach rescue, the United +States Marshal, Devens, aided by the Mayor (John P. Bigelow) +and City Marshal (Francis Tukey) of Boston, surrounded the +Court House, in Boston, with heavy chains, guarded it by a strong +extra force of police officers, with a strong body of guards also +within the building, where the fugitive was imprisoned as well as +tried. Several military companies also were called out by the city +authorities, and kept in readiness night and day to act against the +people, should they attempt the deliverance of Sims; Faneuil Hall +itself being turned into barracks for these hirelings of slavery. +Every effort was made by S.E. Sewall, Esq., Hon. Robert Rantoul, +Jr., and Charles G. Loring, Esq., to save Sims from being +returned into slavery, and Boston from the eternal and ineffaceable +disgrace of the act. But in vain. The omnipotent Slave +Power demanded of Boston a victim for its infernal sacrifices. +Millard Fillmore, Daniel Webster, and their numerous tools, on +the Bench, in Commissioners' seats, and other official stations, +or in hopes of gaining such stations bye and bye, had fallen upon +their faces before the monster idol, and sworn that the victim +should be prepared. Thomas Sims was ordered back to slavery +by Commissioner G.T. Curtis, and was taken from the Court +House, in Boston, early on the morning of April 11th, [1851,] to +the Brig Acorn, lying at the end of Long Wharf, and thence in +the custody of officers, to Savannah, Georgia.</p> + +<p>There, after being lodged in jail, and severely and cruelly +whipped, as was reported, he was at length sold, and became +merged and lost in the great multitude of the enslaved population. +The surrender of Sims is said to have cost the United States Government +$10,000; the City of Boston about as much more; and +Mr. Potter, the claimant of Sims, about $2,400, making a total of +some $22,000, directly expended on the case.</p> + +<p><i>Vincennes, Indiana, April, 1851.</i> Four fugitive slaves were +seized, claimed by one Mr. Kirwan, of or near Florence, Alabama. +The magistrate, named Robinson, gave up the fugitives, and they +were taken into slavery.</p> + +<p><i>In Salisbury Township, Penn., April, 1851</i>, an elderly man was +kidnapped and carried into Maryland.</p> + +<p><i>Near Sandy Hill, Chester County, Penn., in March, 1851</i>, a very +worthy and estimable colored man, named Thomas Hall, was +forcibly seized, his house being broken into by three armed ruffians, +who beat him and his wife with clubs. He was kidnapped.</p> + +<p>MOSES JOHNSON, <i>Chicago, Illinois</i>, brought before a United States +Commissioner, discharged as not answering to the description of +the man claimed.</p> + +<p>CHARLES WEDLEY, kidnapped from <i>Pittsburg, Pennsylvania</i>, +and taken into Maryland. He was found, and brought back.</p> + +<p><i>Cincinnati, Ohio, June 3, 1851</i>, an attempt to arrest a fugitive +was made. But a scuffle ensued, in which the man escaped.</p> + +<p><i>Cincinnati, Ohio.</i> About the same time, some slaves, (number +not stated,) belonging to Rev. Mr. Perry and others, of Covington, +Kentucky, were taken in Cincinnati, and carried back to Kentucky.</p> + +<p><i>Philadelphia, end of June, 1851</i>, a colored man was taken away +as a slave, by steamboat. A writ of <i>Habeas Corpus</i> was got out +but the officer could not find the man. This is probably the same +case with that of JESSE WHITMAN, arrested at Wilkesbarre.</p> + +<p>FRANK JACKSON, a free colored man in <i>Mercer, Penn.</i>, was taken, +early in 1851, by a man named Charles May, into Virginia, and +sold as a slave. He tried to escape, but was taken and lodged in +Fincastle jail, Virginia.</p> + +<p>THOMAS SCOTT JOHNSON, free colored man, of <i>New Bedford</i>, was +arrested near Portsmouth, Virginia, and was about to be sold as a +slave; but, by the strenuous interposition of Capt. Card, certificates +were obtained from New Bedford, and he was set at liberty.</p> + +<p>ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, <i>West Chester County, Penn.</i>, delivered into +slavery by Commissioner Jones. (July, 1851.)</p> + +<p>DANIEL HAWKINS, of <i>Lancaster County, Penn.</i>, (July, 1851,) was +brought before Commissioner Ingraham, Philadelphia, and by him +delivered to his claimant, and he was taken into slavery.</p> + +<p><i>New Athens, Ohio, July 8, 1851.</i> Eighteen slaves, who had escaped +from Lewis County, Kentucky, were discovered in an old +building in Adams County, Ohio. Some white men, professing to +be friendly, misled them, and brought them to a house, where +they were imprisoned, bound one by one, and carried back to Kentucky. +[The enactment of the Fugitive Slave Law is the direct +stimulating cause of all these cases of kidnapping.]</p> + +<p><i>Buffalo, August, 1851.</i> Case of DANIEL ——. D. was a cook on +board the steamer "Buckeye State." He was engaged in his avocation, +when Benj. S. Rust, with a warrant from United States +Commissioner H.K. Smith, went on board the boat. Daniel was +called up from below, and as his head appeared above the deck, +Rust struck him a heavy blow, upon the head, with a large billet +of wood, which knocked him back into the cook-room, where he +fell upon the stove and was badly burned. In this state, he was +brought before the Commissioner, "bleeding profusely at the back, +of the head, and at the nose, and was moreover so stupefied by the +assault, that he fell asleep several times during the brief and very +summary proceedings." For most of the time he was unable to +converse with his counsel, and "sat dozing, with the blood slowly +oozing out of his mouth and nostrils." After a very hurried form, +and mockery of a trial, Daniel was ordered to be delivered to Rust, +the Agent of George H. Moore, of Louisville, Kentucky. By a +writ of <i>Habeas Corpus</i>, Daniel was brought before Judge Coakling, +of the United States Court, at Auburn, who gave a decision that +set Daniel at liberty, and he was immediately hurried by his friends +into Canada. Rust was indicted, in Buffalo, for his brutal assault +on Daniel. It was fully proved; he afterwards plead guilty, and; +was let off with the paltry fine of fifty dollars.</p> + +<p>JOHN BOLDING, <i>arrested in Poughkeepsie, New York</i>, claimed as +the property of Barret Anderson, of Columbia, S.C. Bolding was +a young man, of good character, recently married, and had a small +tailor's shop in P. He said he was told, when a boy, that he was +the son of a white man. He was tried before United States Commissioner +Nelson, who ordered him to be delivered up to his +claimants, and he was taken quietly from the city to Columbia, S.C. +The sum of $2,000 was raised in New York, and paid to Bolding's +owner, who had consented to take that sum for him, and Bolding +returned to his family in Poughkeepsie.</p> + +<p><i>Christiana, Lancaster County, Penn., Sept. 1851.</i> Edward Gorsuch, +(represented as a very pious member of a Methodist Church +in Baltimore,) with his son Dickinson, accompanied by the Sheriff +of Lancaster County, Pa., and by a Philadelphia officer named <i>Henry +Kline</i>, went to Christiana to arrest certain slaves of his, who, (as he +had been privately informed by a wretch, named Wm. M. Padgett,) +were living there. An attack was made upon the house, the slave-holder +declaring (as was said) that he "would not leave the place +alive without his slaves." "Then," replied one of them, "you +will not leave here alive." Many shots were fired on both sides, +and the slave-hunter, Edward Gorsuch, was killed.</p> + +<p>At a subsequent trial, a number of persons (nearly forty) were +committed to take their trial for "treason against the United +States, by levying war against the same, in resisting by force of +arms the execution of the Fugitive Slave Law." CASTNER HANWAY +was of the number. After suffering imprisonment and being subjected +to great loss of time and heavy expenses, they were all discharged.</p> + +<p><i>Syracuse, October 1, 1851.</i> JERRY, claimed as the slave of John +McReynolds, of Marion County, Missouri, was brought to trial before +Commissioner J.F. Sabine. He was rescued by a large body +of men from the officers who had him in custody, and was next +heard of in Canada.</p> + +<p><i>James R. Lawrence</i>, a lawyer of Syracuse, acted as counsel for +<i>James Lear</i>, attorney of McReynolds.</p></div> + +<p>[N.B. Daniel Webster's prophecy was not fulfilled.]</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>Columbia, Penn.</i>, (fall of 1851.) Man named HENRY, arrested as +the slave of Dr. Duvall, of Prince George's County, Maryland,—taken +to <i>Harrisburg</i>, before United States Commissioner McAllister +and by him consigned to slavery.</p> + +<p><i>Judge Denning</i>, of Illinois, discharged a negro brought before +him as a fugitive slave, on the ground that the Fugitive Slave Law +was unconstitutional.</p> + +<p><i>Two alleged slaves arrested</i> at <i>Columbia, Penn.</i>, on warrant of +United States Commissioner McAllister,—claimed as property of +W.T. McDermott, of Baltimore. One was carried into slavery, +one escaped. (November, 1851.)</p> + +<p><i>Near New Philadelphia, Maryland</i>, a woman, married to a free +colored man, with whom she had lived ten years, was arrested as +the slave of a Mr. Shreve, of Louisville, Kentucky. She was taken +back to Kentucky.</p> + +<p>RACHEL PARKER, free colored girl, kidnapped from house of +Joseph S. Miller, West Nottingham, Penn., by the "notorious +Elkton Kidnapper, McCreary," Dec. 31, 1851. Mr. Miller tracked +the kidnappers to Baltimore, and tried to recover the girl, but in +vain. On his way home, he was induced to leave the cars, and +was undoubtedly murdered,—it was supposed in revenge of the +death of Gorsuch at Christiana. Mr. Miller's body was found suspended +from a tree. A suit was brought in the Circuit Court of +Baltimore County, for the freedom of Rachel Parker, Jan. 1853. +Over sixty witnesses, from Pennsylvania, attended to testify to her +being free-born, and that she was not the person she was claimed +to be; although, in great bodily terror, she had, after her capture, +confessed herself the alleged slave! So complete and strong was +the evidence in her favor, that, after an eight days' trial, the claimants +abandoned the case, and a verdict was rendered for the freedom +of Rachel, and also of her sister, Elizabeth Parker, who had +been previously kidnapped, and conveyed to New Orleans.</p></div> + +<p>==> McCreary was demanded by Gov. Bigler, of Pennsylvania, +to be delivered up for trial on a charge of kidnapping; but Gov. +Lowe, of Maryland, refused to surrender him. See +<i>Standard</i>, July 2, 1853.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>JAMES TASKER, <i>New York City</i>, (Feb. 1852,) arrested through +the treachery of Police Officer Martin, and brought before United +States Commissioner George W. Morton, as the slave of Jonathan +Pinckney, of Maryland. He was given up, and taken back to +slavery.</p> + +<p>HORACE PRESTON, arrested in <i>Williamsburg, New York</i>, as the +slave of William Reese, of Baltimore, Maryland;—Richard Busteed, +of New York, being Attorney for the slaveholder. He was +brought before United States Commissioner Morton, 1st April, +1852; for several days previous he had been kept a prisoner, and +his wife knew not what had become of him. He was given up by +the Commissioner, and was carried into slavery. The same policeman, +Martin, (who acted in the case of James Tasker,) was active +in this case; being, doubtless, the original informant.</p> + +<p>Preston was afterwards bought for about $1,200, and brought +back.</p> + +<p><i>Columbia, Penn.</i>, (end of March, 1852;) a colored man, named +WILLIAM SMITH, was arrested as a fugitive slave in the lumber +yard of Mr. Gottlieb, by Deputy Marshal Snyder, of Harrisburg, +and police officer Ridgeley, of Baltimore, under a warrant from +Commissioner McAllister. Smith endeavored to escape, when +Ridgeley drew a pistol and shot him dead! Ridgeley was demanded +by the Governor of Pennsylvania, of the Governor of +Maryland, and the demand was referred to the Maryland Legislature.</p> + +<p>Hon. J.R. Giddings proposed the erection of a monument to +Smith.</p> + +<p>JAMES PHILLIPS, who had resided in <i>Harrisburg, Penn.</i>, for fourteen +years, was arrested May 24, 1852, as the former slave of +Dennis Hudson, of Culpepper County, Virginia, afterwards bought +by Henry T. Fant, of Fauquier County. He was brought before +United States Commissioner McAllister. Judge McKinney volunteered +his services to defend the alleged fugitive. The Commissioner, +as soon as possible, ordered the man to be delivered up; +and, after fourteen years' liberty, he was taken back to slavery in +Virginia. Afterwards, bought for $900, and taken back to Harrisburg.</p> + +<p><i>Wilkesbarre, Penn.</i>, (Summer of 1852.) Mr. Harvey arrested +and fined for shielding a slave.</p> + +<p><i>Sacramento, California</i>; a man named Lathrop claimed another +as his slave, and Judge Fry decided that the claim was good, and +ordered the slave to be surrendered. Mr. Lathrop left, with his +slave, for the Atlantic States.</p> + +<p><i>A beautiful young woman</i>, nearly white, was pursued by her +owner [and father] to New York, (end of June, 1852.) There a +large reward was offered to a police officer to discover her, place of +residence. It was discovered, and measures taken for her apprehension; +but the alarm had been taken, and she escaped.</p> + +<p><i>Sacramento, California</i>; three men were seized by a Mr. Perkins, +of Mississippi. The Court decided them to be his property +and they were carried back to Mississippi.—<i>Standard</i>, July 29, 1852.</p> + +<p><i>Petersburg, Penn.</i> Two fugitives from Alabama slavery were +overtaken, and taken back, September, 1852.</p> + +<p>JOHN HENRY WILSON, a lad of fourteen years, kidnapped from +Danville, Pennsylvania, and taken to Baltimore, where he was, +offered for sale to John N. Denning. Kidnappers committed to +jail, October, 1852.</p></div> + +<p>[==> DANIEL WEBSTER, the endorser of the Fugitive Slave +Law, died at Marshfield, Mass., October 24th, 1852, in the very +height of the Law's triumphant operation.]</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>LOUISA</i>, a colored woman, claimed by Mrs. Reese, of San Francisco, +California, was seized by five armed men, and put on board +Steamer Golden Gate, and carried it is not known whither. The +aid of the Law was not invoked. The California <i>Christian Advocate</i>, +from which the above is taken, says, "Two colored men, stewards +on the Golden Gate, were sent back to the States on the last trip +under the State Fugitive Law."</p> + +<p><i>A mulatto woman, in San Francisco</i>, was ordered to be delivered +to her claimant, T.T. Smith, Jackson Country, Missouri, by "Justice +Shepherd,"—<i>San Francisco Herald</i>—in <i>Standard</i>, November +4, 1852.</p> + +<p><i>Sandusky, Ohio.</i> Two men, two women, and several children +were arrested and taken from a steamboat just about to leave for +Detroit. Taken before Mayor Follett, by a man who claimed to +be their owner. R.R. Sloane, Esq., was employed as counsel for +the slaves. No one claiming custody of the slaves, or producing +any writs or warrants, Mr. Sloane signified to the crowd present +that there appeared to be no cause for the detention of the persons. +Immediately a rush was made for the door. A man, who before +had been silent, exclaimed, "Here are the papers—I own the +slaves—I'll hold you individually responsible for their escape." +The slaves escaped into Canada, October, 1852. Mr. Sloane was +afterwards prosecuted for the value of the slaves, and judgment +given against him to the amount of $3,950.</p> + +<p><i>Thirty slaves</i>, says the <i>Maysville</i> (Ky.) <i>Eagle</i>, "escaped from +Mason and Bracken Counties, a short time ago. Some of them +were captured in Ohio, by their owners, at a distance of about +forty miles from the river." "They brought the captured slaves +home without encountering the least obstacle, or even an unkind +word."—<i>Standard</i>, November 4, 1852.</p> + +<p>THE LEMMON SLAVES. At New York, eight persons, claimed +by Jonathan Lemmon, of Norfolk, Virginia, as his slaves, were +brought before Judge Paine, November, 1852. It appeared that +they had been brought to New York by their owner, with a view +of taking them to Texas, as his slaves. Mr. Louis Napoleon, a +respectable colored man, of New York, procured a writ of habeas +corpus, under which they were brought before the court. Their +liberation was called for, under the State Law, not being fugitives, +but brought into a free State by their owner. Said owner appeared, +with Henry D. Lapaugh as his counsel, aided by Mr. +Clinton. At their urgent request, the case was postponed from +time to time, when Judge Paine, with evident reluctance, decreed +the freedom of the slaves. E.D. Culver and John Jay, Esqs., were +counsel for the slaves. The merchants and others of New York +subscribed and paid Mr. Lemmon the sum of $5,280, for loss of his +slaves. The New York <i>Journal of Commerce</i> was very active in +raising this money. The same men were invited to contribute +something for the destitute men, women, and children claimed by +Lemmon. The whole amount given by them all, was two dollars. +About one thousand dollars were raised for them among the better +disposed but less wealthy class.</p> + +<p>THOMAS BROWN alias GEORGE BORDLEY, <i>Philadelphia, November, +1852</i>, was claimed by one Andrew Pearce, Cecil County, Maryland. +Given up to claimant by Commissioner Ingraham. The +arrest of the man was made by the notorious kidnapper, George +F. Alberti. Mr. Pettit, counsel for the claimant.</p></div> + +<p>[Transcriber's note: The following note is inserted after the +next section but does not refer to any specific reported incident.]<br /> +<br /> +==> The Slaveholders of Kentucky begin forming associations for +mutual protection +against loss of runaway slaves. The preamble of the plan of association +proposed at a meeting at Minerva Kentucky, held in the winter of 1852-53, is as +follows:—"Whereas it has become absolutely necessary for the slave-owners of +Kentucky to take such steps as will secure their property, we, the citizens of Mass. +and Bracken counties, do recommend," &c. [end note]</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>RICHARD NEAL, free colored man, kidnapped in Philadelphia +and carried from the city in a carriage towards Maryland. A writ +of <i>habeas corpus</i> was obtained, the kidnappers were overtaken, and +Neal brought back after resistance and various hindrances. The +Supreme Court of Pennsylvania discharged him. February, 1853.</p> + +<p><i>Ten slaves</i>, arrested in Indiana, and taken back to Tennessee, by +W. Carney and others. Resistance was made, and W. Carney +"was very badly injured during the fracas."—<i>Nashville ----</i>, March 5, 1853. +[Transcribers' note: ---- substituted for word cut off on original page.]</p> + +<p><i>Alton, Illinois.</i> A man claimed to belong to Walter Carrico, of +Warren County, Missouri, was arrested by police officers from St. +Louis. After being lodged in jail in St. Louis he made his escape, +and again went into Illinois. He was pursued, found, and taken +back to St. Louis.—<i>St. Louis Republican</i>, March, 1853.</p> + +<p>AMANDA, a slave girl, was brought to St. Louis, from near Memphis, +Tennessee, a year before, by a son of her master, and by him +set free, without his father's consent. After the father's death, an +attempt was made to seize Amanda, and take her back to Tennessee +without trial. This was prevented by officers, the girl taken +from the steamboat Cornelia, and brought before Levi Davis, United +States Commissioner. He decided in favor of the claimants, +(the heirs of the estate, of course.)—<i>St. Louis Republican</i>, March +17, 1853.</p> + +<p>JANE TRAINER, a colored child, about ten years old, in the possession +of Mrs. Rose Cooper, <i>alias</i> Porter, (a woman admitted by +her counsel to be a common prostitute,) was brought before Judge +Duer, of New York City, by a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, which had +been applied for by Charles Trainer, the father of the child, (a free +colored man, who had followed the parties from Mobile to New +York,) and who desired that the custody of his daughter's person +should be granted to him. [June, 1853, and previous.] Judge +Duer decided that it was not within his jurisdiction to determine +to whom the custody of the child belonged; the Supreme Court +of New York must decide that. Judge D. proposed to both parties +that the child should be put into his hands, and he would provide +a proper person for her care and education, but the woman (Porter) +would not consent to this. She evidently designed to train up the +child for a life of shame, and perhaps of slavery also. The case +was brought by a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, before Judge Barculo, of +the Supreme Court, sitting at Brooklyn. The effort to serve the +writ was at first defeated by the notorious New York bully, Captain +Isaiah Rynders, acting, it was said, under the advice of James T. +Brady, counsel for Mrs. Porter. For this interference with, the +law, Rynders and some others were arrested and taken before +Judge Barculo, who let them off on their making an apology! +The second attempt to serve the writ on the child was more successful. +After hearing counsel, Judge Barculo adjudged "that the +said Charles Trainer is entitled to the care and custody of said Jane +Trainer, and directing her to be delivered to him as her father," +&c. In giving his decision, Judge B. said, "It is not to be assumed +that a child under fourteen years of age is possessed of sufficient +discretion to choose her own guardian; a house of ill-fame is not a +suitable place, nor one of its inmates a proper person for the education +of such a child." Jane Trainer's mother was afterwards +bought from slavery in Mobile, Alabama, and enabled to join her +husband and child.</p> + +<p>In 1854, Charles Trainer obtained a verdict in King's County +Court, New York, for $775 damages, against Rose Cooper.</p></div> + +<p>[N.B. Though not strictly a case under the Fugitive Slave +Law, this is very properly inserted here, as the whole spirit of the +woman, of her counsel, and of the means he took to accomplish his +base designs, was clearly instigated by that Law, and by the malignant +influences it brought into action against the colored people, +both slave and free.]</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>BASIL WHITE, Philadelphia, was summarily surrendered into +slavery in Maryland, by United States Commissioner Ingraham, +June 1, 1853. He was betrayed into the clutches of the kidnapper +Alberti, by a colored man named John Dorsey.</p> + +<p><i>Two slaves</i> of Sylvester Singleton, living near Burlington, (Ky.?) +escaped and reached Columbus, Ohio; were there overtaken by +their master, who secured them and took them back with him.—<i>Cincinnati +Enquirer</i>.</p> + +<p>JOHN FREEMAN, a free colored man, seized in Indianapolis, and +claimed as the slave of Pleasant Ellington, a Methodist church-member, +(Summer, 1853,) of Missouri. Freeman pledged himself +to prove that he was not the person he was alleged to be. The +United States Marshal consented to his having time for this, provided +he would go to jail, and pay <i>three dollars a day</i> for a guard +to keep him secure! Bonds to any amount, to secure the marshal +against loss, if Freeman could go at large, were rejected. Freeman's +counsel went to Georgia, and "after many days returned +with a venerable and highly respectable gentleman from Georgia, +Mr. Patillo, (post-master of the place where he resides,) who had +voluntarily made the long journey for the sole purpose of testifying +to his knowledge of Freeman, and that he was well known to be +free!" But Freeman was still kept in jail. After several days, +Ellington brought witnessess to prove F. to be his slave. The +witnesses, and Liston (counsel for Ellington) wished to have Freeman +strip himself, to be examined naked. By advise of his counsel +he refused. The marshal took him to his cell, and compelled +him to strip. The witnesses then swore that he was Ellington's +property. Freeman's counsel produced further evidence that he +had been known as a free man <i>twenty</i> years. Ellington claimed +that he had escaped from him <i>sixteen</i> years before. The man who +did escape from Ellington, just sixteen years before, was discovered +to be living near Malden, Canada. Two of the Kentucky witnesses +visited and recognized him. Freeman was then released, but with +a large debt upon him, $1,200, which had grown up by the unusually +heavy expenses of his defence and long imprisonment, +Freeman brought a suit against Ellington for false imprisonment +laying damages at $10,000. A verdict for $2,000 was given in his +favor, which was agreed to by Ellington's counsel.—<i>Indiana Free +Democrat</i>, May, 1854.</p> + +<p><i>Three slaves</i>, two men and a girl, fled from near Maysville, Kentucky, +into Ohio. Were pursued by their owners and assistants, +five men armed, and were overtaken, says the Maysville <i>Weekly +Express</i>, "at the bridge over Rattlesnake Creek, on the Petersburg +and Greenfield road, about ten o'clock at night," the slaves being, +armed, and accompanied by a white man. Both parties fired, the +negro girl was wounded, but still fled; one of the negro men was +also wounded, and, says the Maysville paper, they "were tracked +a mile and a half by the blood." The other slave was secured and +taken back to Kentucky, "much bruised and cut in the affray." +"The white man," says the same paper, "was also caught and +beaten in a very severe manner with a club, and strong hopes are +entertained that he will die."—<i>Wilmington (Ohio) Republican</i>, July, +22, 1853.</p> + +<p><i>A colored girl</i>, between four and five years old, suddenly disappeared +from Providence, R.I., July 13, 1853; at the same time, a +mulatto woman, who had been heard to make inquiries about the +child, was missing also. Believed to be a case of kidnapping.</p> + +<p><i>A negro boy</i>, says the Memphis <i>Inquirer</i>, "left his owner in this +city," and went on board the steamboat Aurilla Wood, bound for +Cincinnati. By a telegraphic message he was intercepted, taken +from the boat at Cairo, Illinois, and taken back to Memphis. +(Summer, 1853.)</p> + +<p>GEORGE W. MCQUERRY, <i>Cincinnati, Ohio</i>. A colored man, who +had resided three or four years in Ohio, and married a free woman, +by whom he had three children, was remanded to slavery by Judge +McLean (August, 1853.) The man was taken by the United +States Marshal, with a posse, across the river to Covington, Kentucky, +and there delivered to his <i>master</i>!</p> + +<p><i>Two men kidnapped</i> from Chicago, and taken to St. Louis. See +<i>Chicago</i> Tribune, quoted in <i>Standard</i>, Aug. 27, 1853.</p> + +<p><i>Three Slaves</i> taken by <i>Habeas Corpus</i>, from steamboat Tropic, and +brought before Judge Flinn, at Cincinnati, August, 1853. The +woman Hannah expressed a wish to return to her master in the +boat. Judge Flinn ordered her into the custody of the claimants +without investigation. Judge F. asked Hannah if she had the custody +of the child Susan, to which she answered that she had. +Whereupon the Judge also ordered her back into the custody of the +claimants, without examination. Mr. Jolliffe protested against +ordering the child back without examination. The Court said +they would take the responsibility. The examination then proceeded +in the case of the man Edward. It appeared that they were +purchased in Virginia, to be conveyed to Mississippi. The boat +stopped at Cincinnati, and the slaves were twice taken by the agent +of the owners on shore, and upon the territory of Ohio. Mr. Jolliffe +commenced his argument at 7, P.M., and argued that the +slaves, being brought by their owners upon free territory, were +legally free. Mr. J., before finishing, was taken ill, and obliged to +leave the court-room; he first begged the Court to adjourn until +morning, which was refused by Judge Flinn. Judge Keys said the +Ohio river was a highway for all States bordering on it, whose +citizens had a right also to use the adjacent shores for purposes +necessary to navigation. Mr. Zinn stated that Mr. Jolliffe had +been obliged to retire, in consequence of illness, and had requested +him to urge the Court to continue the case. Judge Flinn said—"The +case will he decided to-night; that is decided on. We have +not been silting here four or five hours to determine whether we will +decide the case or not. It will be decided, and you may come up +to it sideways or square; or any way you please; you must come +to it." Mr. Zinn said he was not going to argue. He had made +the request out of courtesy to a professional brother. He doubted +the power of the Court to deliver the boy into slavery. Judge +Flinn said—"I do not wish to hear any arguments of that nature." +The man was then ordered to be taken by the Sheriff, and +delivered to claimant on board the boat,—which was done.—<i>Cincinnati +Gazette</i>, 27th August, 1853.</p> + +<p>PATRICK SNEED, a colored waiter in the Cataract House, Niagara +Falls, arrested on the pretended charge of murder committed in +Savannah, Georgia. He was brought, by <i>Habeas Corpus</i>, before +Judge Sheldon, at Buffalo, (September, 1853,) and by him ordered +to be "fully discharged."</p> + +<p>BILL, [or WILLIAM THOMAS,] a colored waiter at the Phenix +Hotel, Wilkesbarre, Penn., described as a "tall, noble-looking, +intelligent, and active mulatto, nearly white," was attacked by +"Deputy Marshal Wynkoop," Sept. 3, 1853, and four other persons, +(three of them from Virginia.) These men came "suddenly, +from behind, knocked him down with a mace, and partially +shackled him." He struggled hard against the five, shook them +off, and with the handcuff, which had been secured to his right +wrist only "inflicted some hard wounds on the countenances" of +his assailants. Covered with blood, he broke from them, rushed +from the house, and plunged in the river close by, exclaiming, +"I will be drowned rather than taken alive." He was pursued, +fired upon repeatedly, ordered to come out of the water, where he +stood immersed to his neck, or "they would blow his brains out." +He replied, "I will die first." They then deliberately fired at him +four or five different times, the last ball supposed to have struck on +his head, for his face was instantly covered with blood, and he sprang +up and shrieked. The by-standers began to cry "shame" and the +kidnappers retired a short distance for consultation. Bill came out +of the water and lay down on the shore. His pursuers, supposing +him dying, said, "Dead niggers are not worth taking South." +Some one brought and put on him a pair of pantaloons. He +was helped to his feet by a colored man named Rex; on seeing +which, Wynkoop and party headed him and presented their +revolvers, when BILL again ran into the river, "where he remained +upwards of an hour, nothing but his head above water, covered +with blood, and in full view of hundreds who lined the banks." +His claimants dared not follow him into the water; for, as he said +afterward, "he would have died contented, could he have carried +two or three of them down with him." Preparations [rather slow +it would appear,] were made to arrest the murderous gang, but +they had departed from the place. BILL then waded some distance +up the stream, and "was found by some women flat on his face in +a corn-field. They carried him to a place of safety, dressed his +wounds," and the suffering man was seen no more in +Wilkesbarre.—<i>Correspondence of New York Tribune</i>.</p></div> + +<p>Wynkoop and another were afterwards arrested in Philadelphia, +on a charge of riot, the warrant issuing from a State magistrate of +Wilkesbarre, on the complaint of William C. Gildersleeve, of the +place. Mr. Jackson, the constable who held them in custody, was +brought before Judge Grier, of the United States Supreme Court, +by <i>habeas corpus</i>. Judge Grier, during the examination, said:—</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>"I will not have the officers of the United States harassed at +every step in the performance of their duties by every petty magistrate +who chooses to harass them, or by any unprincipled interloper +who chooses to make complaints against them—for I know something +of the man who makes this complaint." "If this man Gildersleeve +fails to make out the facts set forth in the warrant of +arrest, I will request the Prosecuting Attorney of Luzerne County +to prosecute him for perjury. * * * If any tuppenny magistrate, +or any unprincipled interloper can come in, and cause to be +arrested the officers of the United States, whenever they please, it +is a sad affair. * * * If <i>habeas corpuses</i> are to be taken out +alter that manner, I will have an indictment sent to the United +States Grand Jury against the person who applies for the writ, or +assists in getting it, the lawyer who defends it, and the sheriff who +serves the writ. * * * I will see that my officers are protected." +On a subsequent day, Judge Grier gave an elaborate opinion, reciting +the facts in the case, <i>as stated by the prisoners</i>, and ordering +them to be <i>discharged</i>! He said:—"We are unable to perceive, +in this transaction, anything worthy of blame in the conduct of +these officers in their unsuccessful endeavors to fulfil a most dangerous +and disgusting duty; except, perhaps, a want of sufficient +courage and perseverance in the attempt to execute the writ!"</p></div> + +<p>Wynkoop and the other were discharged by Judge Kane on the +ground that they did only what their duty, under the Law, required. +(May, 1854.)</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>A family of colored persons</i>, at Uniontown, Pa., were claimed as +slaves by a man in Virginia. They admitted that they had been +his slaves, but declared that they had come into Pennsylvania with +their master's consent and knowledge, on a visit to some friends +in Fayette County, and were not, therefore, <i>fugitives</i>. This was +overruled, and the negroes were sent back by a United States +Commissioner, name not given. (September, 1853.)<a name='FNanchor_A_2'></a><a href='#Footnote_A_2'>[A]</a>—<i>Pittsburgh +Saturday Visiter</i>.</p> + +<a name='Footnote_A_2'></a><a href='#FNanchor_A_2'>[A]</a><div class='note'><i>A correspondent</i> of the <i>New York Evening Post</i>, writing from Columbus, +Ohio, September 1, 1853, states that a very large number of fugitive slaves are +continually passing through that State; that they are generally armed; and that +they find increasing sympathy among the people on the road, and the boatmen on +the lakes.</div> + +<p><i>A desperate fight</i> between a party of four fugitives and about +double the number of whites, took place in Carroll County, Maryland. +Four white men shot—none dangerously. Two of the +slaves wounded, one severely. They were captured. (October, +1853.)—<i>Westminster (Md.) Democrat</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Washington, Indiana.</i> In April, 1853, GEORGE, a negro man, +was arrested and claimed by a Mr. Rice, of Kentucky, as his slave. +Judge Clemens ordered his surrender to Rice, who took him to +Louisville, and there sold him to a slave-trader, who took him to +Memphis, Tennessee. Here a man from Mississippi claimed that +George was <i>his</i> slave, obtained a writ of replevin, and took possession +of him.</p> + +<p>JOSHUA GLOVER, colored man, claimed as the slave of B.S. Garland, +of St. Louis County, Missouri, was arrested near Racine, +Wisconsin, about the 10th of March, 1854. Arrest made by five +men, who burst suddenly into his shanty, put a pistol to his head, +felled him to the ground, handcuffed him, and took him in a +wagon to Milwaukee jail, a distance of twenty-five miles. They +swore that if he shouted or made the least noise, they would kill +him instantly. When visited, says the <i>Milwaukee Sentinel</i>, "We +found him in his cell. He was cut in two places on the head; the +front of his shirt and vest were soaking and stiff with his own +blood." A writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> was immediately issued; also a +warrant for the arrest of the five men who assaulted and beat him +in his shanty. Thousands of people collected around the jail and +court-house, "the excitement being intense." A vigilance committee +of twenty-five persons was appointed to watch the jail at +night and see that Glover was not secretly taken away. The next +day, at about five o'clock, P.M., a considerable accession of persons +being made to the crowd, and it appearing that every attempt to +save Glover by the laws of Wisconsin had been overruled by United +States Judge Miller, a demand was made for the man. This +being refused, an attack was made upon the door with axes, +planks, &c. It was broken in, the inner door and wall broken +through, and Glover taken from his keepers, brought out, placed +in a wagon, and driven off at great speed.</p> + +<p>S.M. Booth, editor of the <i>Milwaukee Free Democrat</i>, Charles +Clement, of the <i>Racine Advocate</i>, W.H. Waterman, and George S. +Wright were arrested for aiding and abetting the rescue of Glover. +Booth was subsequently discharged by the Supreme Court of +Wisconsin, on the ground that the Fugitive Slave Law is unconstitutional. +He was, however, re-arrested, and held to answer in +the United States Courts, on the same charge; the offered bail was +refused, and he was lodged in jail. The case was subsequently +tried before the District Court of the United States, at Milwaukee, +on the question as to the right of a State judiciary to release +prisoners under a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, who may be in the lawful +custody of United States officers; and also to determine the constitutionality +of the Fugitive Slave Law. (<i>Washington Star</i>, September +20, 1854.) The Attorney General, Caleb Cushing, made +himself very active in pushing forward this case. Mr. Booth, early +in 1855, was fined one thousand dollars and sentenced to one +month's imprisonment. John Ryecraft, for same offence, was sentenced +in a fine of two hundred dollars and imprisonment for ten +days. All for acts such as Christianity and Humanity enjoin. On +a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, Messrs. Booth and Ryecraft were taken +before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, sitting at Madison, and discharged +from imprisonment. This, however, did not relieve them +from the fines imposed by the United States Court. The owner +of the slave brought a civil suit against Mr. Booth, claiming $1,000 +damages for the loss of his slave. Judge Miller decided, July, +1855, that the $1,000 must be paid.</p> + +<p>EDWARD DAVIS, <i>March, 1854</i>. As the steamboat Keystone +State, Captain Hardie, from Savannah, was entering Delaware +Bay, bound to Philadelphia, the men engaged in heaving the lead +heard a voice from under the guards of the boat, calling for help. +A rope was thrown, and a man caught it and was drawn into the +boat in a greatly exhausted state. He had remained in that place +from the time of leaving Savannah, the water frequently sweeping +over him. Some bread in his pocket was saturated with salt water +and dissolved to a pulp. The captain ordered the vessel to be put +in to Newcastle, Delaware, where the fugitive, hardly able to +stand, was taken on shore and put in jail, to await the orders of +his owner, in Savannah. DAVIS claimed to be a free man, and a +native of Philadelphia, and described many localities there. Before +Judge Bradford, at Newcastle, Davis's freedom was fully proved, +and he was discharged. He was again arrested and placed in jail +on the oath of Captain Hardie, that he believed him to be a fugitive +slave and a fugitive from justice. After some weeks' delay, +he was brought to trial before United States Commissioner Samuel +Guthrie, who ordered him to be delivered up to his claimant on +the ground that he was legally a slave, though free-born. It appeared +in evidence that Davis had formerly gone from Pennsylvania +to reside in Maryland, contrary to the laws of that State; +which forbid free colored persons from other States to come there to +reside; and being unable to pay the fine imposed for this offence (!) +by the Orphan's (!) Court of Harford County, was committed to jail +and sold as a slave for life, by Robert McGaw, Sheriff of the +County, to Dr. John G. Archer, of Louisiana, from whom he was +sold to B.M. Campbell, who sold him to William A. Dean, of +Macon, Georgia, the present claimant. Thus a free-born citizen of +Pennsylvania was consigned, <i>by law</i> to slavery for life:</p></div> + +<p>[==> In May, 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Bill was enacted.]</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>ANTHONY BURNS, arrested in Boston, May 24, 1854, as the slave +of Charles F. Suttle, of Alexandria, Virginia, who was present to +claim him, accompanied by a witness from Richmond, Virginia, +named William Brent. Burns was arrested on a warrant granted +by United States Commissioner Edward Greeley Loring, taken to +the court-house in Boston, ironed, and placed in an upper story +room under a strong guard. The hearing commenced the next +morning before Mr. Loring, but was adjourned until Saturday; +May 27, to give the counsel for A. Burns time to examine the case. +On Friday evening, (26th,) an attack was made upon the court-house +by a body of men, with the evident design of rescuing +Burns; a door was forced in, and one of the marshal's special +guard, (named Batchelder,) was killed, whether by the assailants +or by one of his own party is uncertain, it being quite dark; upon +the cry of Batchelder that he was killed, the attacking party +retreated and made no further attempt. The trial of the case +proceeded on Saturday, again on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, +when the Commissioner said he would give his decision on +Friday. During the trial, Burns was continually surrounded by a +numerous body-guard, (said to be at least one hundred and twenty-five +men,) selected by Watson Freeman, United States Marshal, +from the vilest sinks of scoundrelism, corruption, and crime in the +city to be Deputy Marshals for the occasion. These men, with +every form of loathsome impurity and hardened villainy stamped +upon their faces, sat constantly around the prisoner while in the +court-room, the handles of pistols and revolvers visibly protruding +from their breast pockets. A company of United States troops, +from the Navy Yard, occupied the court-house, and guarded all +avenues to the United States court-room. The testimony of +numerous highly respectable witnesses was adduced to show that +Anthony Burns was in Boston a month earlier than the time at +which he was said to have left Richmond. R.H. Dana, Jr. and +Charles M. Ellis, counsel for Burns, made very eloquent and able +arguments in his behalf. Seth J. Thomas and E.G. Parker were +the counsel for Suttle, the case being constantly watched and aided +by the United States District Attorney, Benjamin F. Hallett, who +was in regular telegraphic communication with the President of +the United States, (F. Pierce,) at Washington. An effort was +made, and followed up with much patience, to buy Burns's freedom, +Suttle having offered to sell him for $1,200. The money +was raised and tendered to Suttle, when difficulties were interposed, +especially by Mr. Attorney Hallett, and the attempt failed. +Suttle afterwards declared he would not sell Burns for any sum, +but that he should go back to Virginia. On Friday morning, June +2d, Commissioner Loring gave his decision, overriding all the testimony +in Burns's favor, using certain expressions which fell from +Burns in the first heat and confusion of his arrest, as testimony +against him, and concluding with ordering him to be delivered up +to the claimant. Some four hours were consumed in getting Court +Street, State Street, &c., in a state of readiness for the removal of the +prisoner. A regiment of Massachusetts Infantry had been posted +on Boston Common, under command of Col. Benjamin Franklin (!) +Edmands, from an early hour of the day, in anticipation of the +Commissioner's decision. These troops, which had been called +out by the Mayor, Jerome V.C. Smith, were marched to the scene +of the kidnapping, and so placed as to guard every street, lane, and +other avenue leading to State Street, &c., the route through which +the slave procession was to pass. No individual was suffered to +pass within these guards; but acts of violence were committed by +them on several individuals. Court Square was occupied by two +companies of United States troops, (chiefly Irishmen,) and a large +field-piece was drawn into the centre. All preparations being +made, Watson Freeman (United States Marshal) issued forth from +the court-house with his prisoner, who walked with a firm step, +surrounded by the body-guard of criminals before mentioned, with +drawn United States sabres in their hands, and followed by United +States troops with the aforesaid piece of artillery. Preceded by a +company of Massachusetts mounted troops, under command of +Colonel Isaac H. Wright, this infamous procession took its way +down Court Street, State Street and Commerce Street, (for the +proprietors of Long Wharf refused to allow them to march upon +their premises, through a public highway in all ordinary cases,) to +the T Wharf, where the prisoner was taken on board a steam tow-boat, +and conveyed down the harbor to the United States Revenue +Cutter Morris; in which he was transported to Virginia.</p> + +<p>It may not be amiss to have given, in a single instance, this +somewhat detailed account of the process of seizing, trying, and +delivering up a man into slavery, whose only crime was that +he had fled from a bondage "one hour of which is fraught with +more misery than ages of that which our fathers rose in rebellion +to throw off," Thomas Jefferson, the Virginian slaveholder, himself +being witness.</p> + +<p>Anthony Burns, having been sold into North Carolina, was +afterwards purchased with money subscribed in Boston and vicinity, +for the purpose, and returned to Boston.</p> + +<p>The <i>illegality</i> of the Mayor's conduct in ordering out the military, +and giving to the Colonel of the regiment the entire control +of the same, was fully shown by different and highly competent +writers, among whom was P.W. Chandler, Esq., whose two +articles, in the <i>Boston Advertiser</i>, deserve to be remembered with +respect. The Mayor's excuse was that he desired to <i>keep the peace</i>. +But these Massachusetts troops received pay for their day's work +from the United States Government. Judge HOAR, in a charge to +the Grand Jury, declared the act of the Mayor, in calling out the +militia, to be an infraction of law.</p> +<br /> + +<p>STEPHEN PEMBROKE, and his two sons, <i>Robert</i> and <i>Jacob</i>, 19 and +17 years of age, were arrested in New York almost simultaneously +with the seizure of Burns in Boston; claimed as the slaves of +David Smith and Jacob H. Grove, of Sharpsburg, Washington +County, Maryland. They escaped May 1st, and came to New +York, followed closely by their masters, who discovered their +retreat in Thompson Street, and pounced upon them by night. At +8-1/2 o'clock, next morning, they were taken before United States +Commissioner G.W. Morton, "where the case came up for the +most summary and hasty hearing that has ever characterized our +judicial proceedings." Dunning and Smith were counsel for the +masters, but the fugitives had no counsel; and the hearing was +finished, and a warrant granted to the slave claimants before the +matter became known in the city. When Mr. Jay and Mr. Culver +hastened to the court-room to offer their services to the prisoners, +as counsel, they were assured by officers, <i>and by Commissioner +Morton himself</i>, that the men wanted no counsel, and were not in +the building. On search, however, it was found they were in the +building, locked up in a room. They said they desired counsel +and the aid of friends. A writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> was obtained, but +before it could be served the three men had been removed from +the State, and were on their way to Baltimore. [See the published. +Card of E.D. CULVER, Esq.] Stephen Pembroke was the brother, +and his sons the nephews of Rev. Dr. Pennington, of New York +City, Pastor of a Presbyterian (colored) Church. Stephen Pembroke +was purchased and brought back to New York, ($1,000 +having been contributed for that purpose,) and related his experience +of the slave's life, at a public meeting, held in the Broadway +Tabernacle, July 17, 1854. His sons had been sold, and remained +in slavery.</p> + +<p>JAMES COTES, free man of color, residing in Gibson County, +Indiana, went to Jeffersonville, (Ind.,) to take the cars for Indianapolis. +On going to the depot, at 6, A.M., for the morning train, +he was knocked down, "beat over the head with a brick-bat, and +cut with a bowie-knife, until subdued. He was then tied, and in +open daylight in full view of our populace, borne off bleeding like +a hog." He was undoubtedly taken to the jail, in Louisville. On +crossing the river to Louisville he met the captain of a steamboat, +who knew him to be a free man. (About June 1, 1854.) The +kidnapper was arrested and held to bail in the sum of $1,000, to +take his trial at next Circuit Court.</p> + +<p><i>Near Cedarville, Ohio, May 25, 1854</i>, about noon, "a colored +man, of middle age and respectable appearance, was walking on the +Columbus and Xenia turnpike. He was alone. A man in a buggy +overtook him, and invited him to ride, saying he was a friend to +the colored man, and promising to assist him in obtaining his liberty." +He took the colored man to the house of one Chapman, +"three miles south of Selma, in Greene county." There Chapman +and the other, (whose name was William McCord,) fell upon the +colored man, struck him with a <i>colt</i> upon the head, so that he bled +severely, and bound his hands behind him. "Soon after the negro +got loose and ran down the road; McCord ran after him, crying +'Catch the d——d horse thief,' &c., Chapman and his son following; +negro picked up a stone, the man a club and struck him on +the head, so that he did not throw the stone. He was then tied, +and helped by McCord and Chapman to walk to the buggy. +McCord asked Chapman, the son, to accompany him to Cincinnati +with the colored man, promising to give him half the reward +($200) if he would. They then started, driving very fast." "We +had not gone over two or three miles," said Chapman, "before the +negro died, and after taking him two or three miles further, put +him out, and left him as now discovered,"—viz. in a thick wood, +one mile south of Clifton. The above facts are taken from the +testimony given at the coroner's inquest over the body. "The +jury gave in substance the following verdict:—Deceased came to +his death by blows from a colt and club in the hands of one William +McCord, assisted by the two Chapmans." Chapman, the son, +said that McCord made him a proposition to join and follow kidnapping +for a business, stating that he knew where he could get +four victims immediately. McCord was taken and lodged in +Xenia jail. The Chapmans bound over to take their trial for kidnapping.—<i>Wilmington +(Ohio) Herald of Freedom</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Columbus, Indiana.</i> A Kentuckian endeavored to entice a little +negro boy to go with him, and both were waiting to take the cars, +when mischief was suspected, and a crowd of people proceeded to +the depot, and made the kidnapper release his intended victim. +(June, 1854.)—<i>Indiana Free Democrat</i>.</p> + +<p>---- BROWN, a resident of Henderson, Kentucky, was arrested +for aiding four female slaves to escape from Union County, Kentucky, +to Canada. United States Marshal Ward and Sheriff +Gavitt, of Indiana, made the arrest. He was lodged in Henderson +jail.—<i>Evansville (Ind.) Journal</i>, June 2, 1854.</p> + +<p>Several Kentucky planters, among them Archibald Dixon, +raised $500 in order to secure Brown's conviction and sentence +to penitentiary.</p> + +<p>[Transcriber's note: The following note appears as a footnote to this section without +specific reference to any of the cited cases.]</p> + +<p>==> The case of SOLOMON NORTHUP, though not under the Fugitive Law, is so +striking an illustration of the power which created that law, and of the constant +danger which impends over every colored citizen of the Northern States, fast +threatening to include white citizens also, that it must not he passed over without +mention. He was kidnapped in 1841, from the State of New York, and kept in +slavery twelve years. Two men, named Merrill and Russell, were arrested and +tried as his kidnappers, and the fact fully proven. But the case was got into the +United States Courts, and the criminals went unpunished. [end of note]</p> + +<p><i>Nine slaves</i> left their masters in Boone County, Kentucky, on +Sunday, June 11, 1854, having three horses with them. Arrived +at the river, they turned the horses back, and taking a skiff crossed +at midnight to the Ohio shore. After travelling two or three +miles, they hid during Monday in a clump of bushes. At night +they started northward again. A man, named John Gyser, met +them and promised to assist them. He took them to a stable, +where they were to remain until night. He immediately went to +Covington, Kentucky, learned that $1,000 reward was offered for +their apprehension, and gave information of their place of concealment. +At evening a strong band of Kentuckians, with United +States Deputy Marshal George Thayer, assisted by three Cincinnati +officers, surrounded the stable and took the nine prisoners, +on a warrant issued by United States Commissioner Pendery. +They were all given up to their claimants, and taken back to +Kentucky.</p> + +<p><i>A New Orleans correspondent of the New York Tribune</i>, in a letter +dated July 3, 1854, writes, "During a recent trip up the river I +was on several steamers, and on every boat they had one or more +runaway slaves, who had been caught and were being taken in +<i>irons</i> to their <i>masters</i>."</p> + +<p><i>On the Steamer Alvin Adams</i>, at Madison, Indiana, a man was +arrested as a fugitive and taken to Louisville, Kentucky. He was +claimed as the slave of John H. Page, of Bowling Green. The +<i>Louisville Journal</i>, edited by a Northern man, stigmatised him as a +"rascal," for his attempt to be free. (July, 1854.)</p> + +<p><i>Two colored men</i>, on their way to Chicago, were seized and taken +from the cars at Lasalle, Illinois, by three men, who said they were +not officers. The colored men were known to be free; one was +"a respectable resident of Chicago." Some of the passengers +interfered; but it being night, and very dark, and the cars starting +on the colored men were left in the hands of their kidnappers.</p> + +<p><i>Chicago, Illinois.</i> Three men from Missouri, with a warrant +from the Governor of that State, to take a certain fugitive slave, +seized a man whom they met in the street, bound him with a handkerchief, +and to quicken his steps beat him with the butt of a pistol. +He succeeded in shaking off his captors and fled, a pistol-bullet +being sent after him, which did not hit him. He made good his +escape. The men were arrested and held to trial for assault with +deadly weapons. By an extraordinary conspiracy on the part of +District Attorney Hoyne, Sheriff Bradley, and others, these men +were taken from jail to be carried to Springfield, Illinois, two hundred +miles distant, to appear before Chief Justice Treat, that he +might inquire "whether said alleged kidnappers were justly held +to bail and imprisoned." It was so suddenly done that the counsel +for the kidnapped man and for the State of Illinois had not time +to reach Springfield before the men were discharged and on their +way to Missouri. The Grand Jury of the County (in which Chicago +is) had found a true bill against them, of which the Sheriff +professed to be ignorant, (which was deemed hardly possible,)—under +which bill they would probably have been convicted and +sentenced to the State Prison. Thus the omnipotent Slave Power +reaches forth its hand into our most Northern cities, end saves its +minions from the punishment which their lawless acts have justly +merited.—<i>Chicago Daily Tribune</i>, Sept. 21, 1854.</p></div> + +<p>==> The three kidnappers published a statement in the <i>St. Louis +Republican</i> of September 26.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>HENRY MASSEY, at Philadelphia, September, 1854, was brought +before United States Commissioner E.D. Ingraham, claimed by +Franklin Bright, of Queen Anne's County, Maryland, as his slave. +Arrested in Harrisburg.</p> + +<p>HARVEY, arrested near Cumminsville, Ohio,—escaped,—taken +again in Goshen, about ten miles from Cincinnati, and lodged in +the jail of that city. An investigation of the case was had before +United States Commissioner Pendery, and the slave remanded to +the custody of his master.—<i>Cincinnati Commercial</i>, September 22, +1854.</p> + +<p><i>Byberry, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1854.</i> A carriage load of +suspicious looking men came to this place in the afternoon. They +waited until nightfall, when they burst into the house of a colored +family, "seized the man in presence of his wife and another woman, +threatening to shoot them if they interfered—dragged him +out, beating him over the head with a mace. The poor fellow +continued to scream for help until his voice was stifled by his +groans; they forced him into their carriage and drove off, before +any effectual assistance could be offered." He was a sober and +industrious man, and much respected. His wife was left heartbroken, +with one child.—<i>Norristown (Pa.) Olive Branch</i>.</p> + +<p><i>The Frankfort (Ky.) Yeoman</i>, of November 18, 1854, said:—"Kidnapping +free negroes in Ohio, and deluding our slaves from +their masters to recapture and sell them, is an established profession +of a gang located upon the borders of the Ohio River, combining +with negro-traders in the interior of this State." The names +of some employed in this business are given, two of whom, having +been arrested and imprisoned, threatened to burn the city of +Frankfort for interrupting their business.</p> + +<p>JANE MOORE, a free colored woman, at Cincinnati, November, +1854, seized in the house of her sister, (Sycamore Street,) beaten, +and with the help of a deputy marshal from Covington, Kentucky, +carried over to Covington, and lodged in jail, on pretence of her +being a fugitive slave. She was taken before the Mayor of Covington, +"who heard the case with impartiality." Her freedom was +established, and she released.</p> + +<p><i>At Indianapolis, Indiana, December, 1854</i>, Benjamin B. Waterhouse +was indicted for harboring fugitive slaves, contrary to the +provisions of the Fugitive Law. He was found guilty, but the +jury recommended him "to the favorable consideration of the +Court, and stated that the evidence was barely sufficient to convict." +He was fined fifty dollars and to be imprisoned one hour, +and the government to pay the costs.—-<i>Chicago Tribune</i>.</p> + +<p><i>A Proposition for Kidnapping</i>, on a large scale, was made by +John H. Pope, "police officer and constable," in a letter dated +"Frederick, Maryland, United States of America, January 1, 1855," +and addressed to Mr. Hays, Sheriff of Montreal, Canada. "Vast +numbers of slaves," says Mr. Pope, "escaping from their masters +or owners, succeed in reaching your Provinces, and are, therefore, +without the pale of the 'Fugitive Slave Law,' and can only be +restored by cunning, together with skill. Large rewards are offered +and will be paid for their return, and could I find an efficient person +to act with me, a great deal of money could be made, as I +would equally divide. * * * The only apprehension we have +in approaching too far into Canada is the fear of being arrested; +and had I a good assistant in your city, who would induce the +negroes to the frontier, I would be there to pay the cash. On your +answer, I can furnish names and descriptions of negroes."</p></div> + +<p>This letter was published, doubtless at the Montreal Sheriff's +request, in the <i>Montreal Gazette</i>, January 13, 1855.</p> + +<p>==> The <i>Montreal Gazette</i>, of February 3, published a second +letter from J.H. Pope.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>A warrant was issued in Boston</i>, January 10, 1855, by United +States Commissioner Charles Levi Woodbury, for the arrest of +JOHN JACKSON, as a fugitive from service and labor in Georgia. +Mr. Jackson, who had been for some time in the city, was nowhere +to be found.</p> + +<p>ROSETTA ARMSTEAD, a colored girl, was taken by writ of <i>habeas +corpus</i> before Judge Jamison, at Columbus, Ohio. Rosetta formerly +belonged to Ex-President John Tyler, who <i>gave her</i> to his +daughter, the wife of Rev. Henry M. Dennison, an Episcopal clergyman +of Louisville, Kentucky. Mrs. D. having deceased, Rosetta +was to be sent back to Virginia in care of an infant child, both +being placed in charge of a Dr. Miller, a friend of Mr. Dennison. +Passing through Ohio, the above writ was obtained. Rosetta +expressed her desire to remain in freedom in Ohio. The case was +removed to Cincinnati, and was delayed until Mr. Dennison could +arrive from Louisville. (<i>Ohio State Journal</i>, March 12, 1855.) +The girl was set free; "but was again arrested by the United +States Marshal upon the same warrant which Judge Parker had +declared illegal; thereupon another <i>habeas corpus</i> was issued, +which the Marshal refused to obey; when he was fined $50, and +imprisoned for contempt." Even United States Commissioner +Pendery, before whom the case was brought as that of a fugitive +slave, pronounced the girl free, and she was placed in the care of +a guardian. The United States Marshal being taken by <i>habeas +corpus</i> before Judge McLean, of the United States Supreme Court, +was set at liberty, Judge McL. alleging that the proceedings in the +State Court were null and void!</p> + +<p>GEORGE CLARK, a colored boy, eighteen years of age, in Pennsylvania, +was decoyed into the house of one Thompson, (February +23, 1855,) where he was seized by three men, one of whom was +Solomon Snyders, a well known ruffian and kidnapper in the +neighborhood, who said to him, "Now, George, I am going to take +you to your master." The screams of George fortunately brought +deliverance to him. The three men were arrested, tried, and sentenced +to imprisonment for kidnapping, by the Court of Dauphin +County.—<i>Norristown (Penn.) Olive Branch</i>.</p> + +<p><i>The Norristown (Penn.) Olive Branch</i>, (in connection with the +last named case,) speaks of a case which had occurred a short time +before, under the Fugitive Law, before United States Commissioner +McAllister, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and which has not yet +been mentioned in this record. A colored man and his wife, with +their infant child, were taken, "one morning, very early," before +Commissioner Richard McAllister, and before any counsel could +reach the spot the case had been decided against the man and +woman; but the babe, having been born in Pennsylvania, they did +not "dare to send that" into slavery; "so the only alternative +was to take it away from its mother," which was done, and that +evening the man and woman were taken South. No time had +been allowed to bring forward witnesses in their behalf, and there +was only a single witness against them, and he a boy about seventeen +years old, and a relative of the slave-claimant. The woman's +sufferings, on account of the separation from her child, seemed +greater than for her own fate. The article from the Norristown +paper is in the <i>National Anti-Slavery Standard</i>, June 2, 1855.</p> + +<p>GEORGE MITCHELL, a young colored man, at San Jose, California, +arrested and taken before Justice Allen, April, 1855, "charged +with owing service and labor to one Jesse C. Cooper, of Tennessee." +Mitchell was brought into California by his then owner, in +1849, the year before the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Law. +His arrest was made, under a Fugitive Slave Law of California. +By <i>habeas corpus</i> the case was carried before Judge C.P. Hester, of +the District Court. Mitchell was discharged on the ground (we +believe) that the California Law was unconstitutional; also that +the proceedings were "absolutely void." On the 21st April (or +May) "another attempt was made to reduce George to slavery at +San Francisco." He was brought before the United States District +Court, Judge Hoffman presiding, claimed under the United States +Fugitive Law as the property of the above-named Cooper. [The +result of the trial not known.]—<i>San Jose Telegraph</i>.</p> + +<p><i>At Dayville, Connecticut</i>, June 13, 1855, an attempt was made to +seize a fugitive slave; "but the citizens interfered and the fugitive +escaped." He was claimed by a resident of Pomfret, who said he +had bought him in Cuba.—<i>Hartford Religious Herald</i>.</p> + +<p><i>At Burlington, Iowa</i>, a colored man, called DICK, was arrested +and taken before United States Commissioner Frazee. "Much +excitement was caused." He was claimed as belonging to Thomas +Ruthford, Clark County, Missouri. Dick was discharged as not +being the man claimed. (June, 1855.)</p> + +<p><i>A white girl</i>, fourteen years of age, daughter of Mr. Samuel Godshall, +of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania, while walking +upon the road, was seized by two men, a plaster put upon her +mouth, and she taken in a close carriage in the direction of Maryland. +After going twelve miles, they put her out of the carriage, +"in a secluded and woody portion of the country, threatening to +kill her if she made any alarm, when they drove away as fast as +they could." Some colored people met her, got the plaster off her +mouth, and aided her home. It was supposed the kidnappers +mistook her for a mulatto girl; but discovering their blunder dismissed +her.—<i>Philadelphia Ledger</i>, July 9, 1855.</p> + +<p><i>The Norristown (Penn.) Herald</i> relates a case similar to the preceding. +Benjamin Johnson, a white lad of fifteen, on his way from +his father's, at Evansburg, to S. Jarrett's, near Jeffersonville, was +invited to ride by a man in a carriage. The man took him by an +unusual route; night coming on, the boy was alarmed and attempted +to escape, "when the villain caught him and drove off at +full speed, and by threats and blows prevented him from making +any alarm." He drove to a distance of fifteen miles beyond Jeffersonville, +when the boy succeeded in making his escape. (July, 1855.)</p> + +<p>JANE JOHNSON, and her two sons, (colored,) brought into Philadelphia +(on their way to New York and thence to Nicaragua) by +John H. Wheeler. Stopped to dine at Bloodgood's Hotel. Jane +there made known her desire to be free. Information of the same +was conveyed to Passmore Williamson, Secretary of the Pennsylvania +Abolition Society, an old association founded by Benjamin +Franklin, Benjamin Rush, and others. Mr. Williamson went to +the hotel, and found that the party had gone to the steamboat, at +the foot of Walnut Street. He proceeded thither, found them, and +told the mother that she and her sons had been legally made free +by being brought by their master into a free State. After some +delay, Jane rose to leave the boat. Wheeler endeavored to detain +her. Williamson held Wheeler back, and the woman went on +shore, a number of colored persons taking up the boys and carrying +them from the boat. They were enabled to escape. (July 18, +1855.)</p> + +<p>The celebrated case of PASSMORE WILLIAMSON followed, +before Judge Kane, of the United States District Court. (See +"Case of Passmore Williamson," reported in full, and published +in Philadelphia, by Uriah Hunt & Son, 1856.) On the 27th July, +Mr. Williamson was committed to Moyamensing Prison, by Judge +Kane, "for a contempt of the court in refusing to answer to the +writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>;" Mr. W. <i>having answered</i> that he had not, +and never had had, the custody of the three alleged slaves, and +therefore could not produce them in court. Mr. Williamson was +kept in prison until November 3d, when he was discharged by +Judge Kane, the technical "contempt" having been removed.</p> + +<p>CELESTE, a mulatto woman, claimed as a slave, before Judge +Burgoyne, Cincinnati, Ohio. It appeared that she was brought to +Cincinnati by her master, and she was set free.—<i>Cincinnati Gazette</i>, +July 7, 1855.</p> + +<p><i>Two fugitives</i>, in Indiana, (September, 1855,) requested aid of +the conductor of the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad. The aid +given was to take them back to Madison, whence they were conveyed +over the river to Kentucky. Before leaving that State they +had been hunted and attacked by dogs. These they had despatched +with their knives. The conductor was dismissed from his position. +An agent of the express company was said to have aided him in +the surrender of the men.—<i>Madison Courier</i>.</p> + +<p>JACK, a colored boy, nine years of age, "claimed by Joseph +Tucker, of Mobile, as his slave, was sent back to his master from +Boston, in the brig Selma, Captain Rogers, on the 18th inst." +(October, 1855.)—<i>Boston Times</i>.</p> + +<p>JACOB GREEN, a colored man, was seized near Hollidaysburg, +Pennsylvania, by one Parsons, as a fugitive slave. Parsons could +show no authority for detaining Green, who, with the help of some +bystanders, released himself and escaped.—<i>Hollidaysburg Standard</i>, +October 24, 1855.</p> + +<p><i>Four men indicted for kidnapping</i> at Greensburg, Indiana, in the +Spring of 1855. Their names—David and Thomas Maple, Morrison, +and McCloskey. Charged with kidnapping two men, whom +they conveyed to a slave state, and sold as slaves. The two Maples, +fearing the indictment, absconded. The other two were arrested, +and brought to trial in October, 1855, at the State Court, +before Judge Logan. "Defendants' counsel moved to quash the +indictment, for the reason that the section of the statute of Indiana +against kidnapping was in violation of the acts of Congress, and, +therefore, void; and the Court accordingly quashed the indictment"—<i>Indianapolis +Journal</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Eight fugitives from Kentucky</i> reached Adams County, Ohio, +closely followed by several Kentuckians, who attempted to search +the houses of several of the citizens. "The people, indignant at +this outrage, assembled with arms, and placed an injunction upon +these summary proceedings." "The men-hunters then offered +$2,000 to any traitor who would betray the fugitives into their +hands. But, so far as we have learned, the bribe was as unsuccessful +as the attempted search." (November, 1855.)—<i>Carroll +Free Press</i>.</p> + +<p><i>At Wilson's Corner, Bensalem, Buck's County, Pa.</i>, Dec. 13, 1855, +a colored man in the employ of John Henderson was seized by +three men, who tied him, threw him into a wagon, and drove off +at full speed. They were seen, and quickly followed by men on +horseback. After two hours' hard riding, the kidnappers were +overtaken. A fight ensued—the black man was released; when +three pistol-shots were fired by the kidnappers, killing a horse, and +wounding one of the rescuing party severely. A statement of the +facts was published, as an advertisement, in the <i>Philadelphia +Ledger</i>, signed by William Williams and John Henderson.</p> + +<p>"<i>Two very bright mulatto girls</i>," says the <i>Staunton (Va.) Spectator</i>, +"one belonging to Mr. John Churchman, and the other to the +estate of Colonel Crawford, deceased, took the cars at Staunton, +on the morning of December 30, 1855, and made their way successfully +to Baltimore, en route for a free State. At Baltimore +they were detected just as they were about to take the train for +Philadelphia, and information of their arrest was immediately forwarded +to D. Churchman, of this place." On the following Friday +they were taken back to Virginia. "They were so nearly white +that their success in imposing upon the conductors of the cars is +not astonishing, and the only wonder is that they were detected +at all. Since their return, the negro girls have been sold—Mr. +Churchman's for $1,050, and the other for $950."</p> + +<p>FANNY, a colored child of fire years old, was taken from Chicago, +Illinois, into Tennessee, and sold for $250. A man named F.M. +Chapman, with his servant William R. Tracy, were arrested as the +kidnappers, and taken before Justice DeWolf. Chapman claimed +to have owned the child in Arkansas, and to have brought her to +Illinois [thereby making her free.] He procured Tracy to take the +child to Tennessee and sell her. The result of the case not known. +(January, 1856.)</p> + +<p><i>Two fugitives</i>, passing through Ohio, (January, 1856,) were +closely pursued and nearly overtaken at Columbus, Ohio. "Ten +minutes previous warning only saved the fugitives from their pursuers." +Deputy Marshal J. Underwood, being called on to act in +the case, refused, and resigned his office, saying, he did not expect +to be "called upon to help execute the odious Fugitive Slave +Law."—<i>Cincinnati Commercial</i>.</p></div> + +<p>[==> The following may, not improperly, find a place here.]</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>The House of Delegates of Virginia, early in 1856, adopted the +following:—"<i>Be it resolved by the General Assembly</i>, That our Representatives +in Congress are requested, and our Senators be and +are hereby instructed, to secure the passage of a law making full +compensation to all owners whose slaves have or may hereafter +escape into any of the non-slaveholding States of this Union, and +there be withheld from those to whom such service or labor may +be due."</p> + +<p><i>Fourteen persons of color</i>, held at Los Angelos, California, early +in 1856, as the servants of one Robert Smith, were brought before +Judge Benjamin Hays, on a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>. Smith alleged +that he formerly resided in Mississippi, where he owned these +persons; was now about to remove to Texas, and designed to take +these persons with him as his slaves. Judge Hays decided that +they were all free, and those under twenty-one years of age were +placed in the charge of the sheriff, as their special guardian.—<i>Los +Angelos Star.</i> The opinion of Judge Hays (who was said to be a +native of South Carolina,) is a very able one, and under the circumstances, +of much interest. It may be found in the <i>Standard</i>, +of April 5, 1856.</p> + +<p><i>Two colored lads</i>, named RALLS and LOGAN, living in Cincinnati, +were kidnapped thence by two men, named Orr and +Simpkins, and taken to St. Louis, Missouri, where the men +tried to sell them. The men were arrested as kidnappers. +(March, 1856.)</p> + +<p><i>The Decatur (Illinois) Chronicle</i> states that "a man charged with +being a fugitive slave was recently arrested at that place and carried +off, no one knows where. The sheriff of the county was the +willing instrument in the hands of the claimants; no attempt to +appeal to the law was made, the negro being carried off as if he +were a stray horse or dog." The <i>Chicago Tribune</i> says: "If this is +a true statement of the affair, that sheriff has laid himself liable to +the charge of kidnapping, and should at once be proceeded against +with such rigor as his offence demands." (April, 1856.)</p></div> + +<p>MARGARET GARNER <i>and seven others</i>, at Cincinnati, Ohio, January, +1856. Of this recent and peculiarly painful case we give a +somewhat detailed account, mainly taken from the Cincinnati papers +of the day.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>About ten o'clock on Sunday, 27th January, 1856, a party of +eight slaves—two men, two women, and four children—belonging +to Archibald K. Gaines and John Marshall, of Richwood Station, +Boone County, Kentucky, about sixteen miles from Covington, +escaped from their owners. Three of the party are father, +mother, and son, whose names are Simon, Mary, and Simon, Jr.; +the others are Margaret, wife of Simon, Jr., and her four children. +The three first are the property of Marshall, and the others of +Gaines.</p> + +<p>They took a sleigh and two horses belonging to Mr. Marshall, +and drove to the river bank, opposite Cincinnati, and crossed over +to the city on the ice. They were missed a few hours after their +flight, and Mr. Gaines, springing on a horse, followed in pursuit. +On reaching the river shore, he learned that a resident had found +the horses standing in the road. He then crossed over to the City, +and after a few hours diligent inquiry, he learned that his slaves +were in a house about a quarter of a mile below the Mill Creek +Bridge, on the river road, occupied by a colored man named Kite.</p> + +<p>He proceeded to the office of United States Commissioner John +L. Pendery, and procuring the necessary warrants, with United +States Deputy Marshal Ellis, and a large body of assistants, went +on Monday to the place where his fugitives were concealed. +Arriving at the premises, word was sent to the fugitives to surrender. +A firm and decided negative was the response. The +officers, backed by a large crowd, then made a descent. Breaking +open the doors, they were assailed by the negroes with cudgels +and pistols. Several shots were fired, but only one took effect, so +far as we could ascertain. A bullet struck a man named John +Patterson, one of the Marshal's deputies; tearing off a finger of his +right hand, and dislocating several of his teeth. No other of the +officers were injured, the negroes being rendered powerless before +they could reload their weapons.</p> + +<p>On looking around, horrible was the sight which met the officers' +eyes. In one corner of the room was a nearly white child, bleeding +to death. Her throat was cut from ear to ear, and the blood +was spouting out profusely, showing that the deed was but recently +committed. Scarcely was this fact noticed, when a scream issuing +from an adjoining room drew their attention thither. A glance +into the apartment revealed a negro woman holding in her hand a +knife literally dripping with gore, over the heads of two little negro +children, who were crouched to the floor, and uttering the cries +whose agonized peals had first startled them. Quickly the knife +was wrested from the hand of the excited woman, and a more close +investigation instituted as to the condition, of the infants. They +were discovered to be cut across the head and shoulders, but not +very seriously injured, although the blood trickled down their +backs and upon their clothes.</p> + +<p>The woman avowed herself the mother of the children, and said +that she had killed one and would like to kill the three others, +rather than see them again reduced to slavery! By this time the +crowd about the premises had become prodigious, and it was with +no inconsiderable difficulty that the negroes were secured in carriages, +and brought to the United States District Court-rooms, on +Fourth Street. The populace followed the vehicle closely, but +evinced no active desire to effect a rescue. Rumors of the story +soon circulated all over the city. Nor were they exaggerated, as +is usually the case. For once, reality surpassed the wildest thought +of fiction.</p> + +<p>The slaves, on reaching the marshal's office, seated themselves +around the stove with dejected countenances, and preserved a +moody silence, answering all questions propounded to them in +monosyllables, or refusing to answer at all. Simon is apparently +about fifty-five years of age, and Mary about fifty. The son of +Mr. Marshall, who is here, in order, if possible, to recover the property +of his father, says that they have always been faithful servants, +and have frequently been on this side of the river. Simon, +Jr., is a young man, about twenty-two years old, of a very lithe +and active form, and rather a mild and pleasant countenance. +Margaret is a dark mulatto, twenty-three years of age; her countenance +is far from being vicious, and her senses, yesterday, appeared +partially stultified from the exciting trials she had endured. +After remaining about two hours at the marshal's office, Commissioner +Pendery announced that the slaves would be removed to +the custody of the United States Marshal until nine o'clock Tuesday +morning, when the case would come up for examination.</p> + +<p>The slaves were then taken down stairs to the street-door, when +a wild and exciting scene presented itself; the sidewalks and the +middle of the street were thronged with people, and a couple of +coaches were at the door in order to convey the captives to the +station-house. The slaves were guarded by a strong posse of +officers, and as they made their appearance on the street, it was +evident that there was a strong sympathy in their favor. When +they were led to the carriage-doors, there were loud cries of +"Drive on!" "Don't take them!" The coachmen, either from +alarm or from a sympathetic feeling, put the whip to their horses, +and drove rapidly off, leaving the officers with their fugitives on +the sidewalk. They started on foot with their charge to the Hammond +Street station-house, where they secured their prisoners +for the night.</p> + +<p>The slaves claimed that they had been on this side of the river +frequently, by consent of their masters.</p> + +<p>About three o'clock application was made to Judge Burgoyne +for a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, to bring the slaves before him. This +was put in the hands of Deputy Sheriff Buckingham to serve, who, +accompanied by several assistants, proceeded to Hammond Street +station-house, where the slaves were lodged. Mr. Bennett, Deputy +United States Marshal, was unwilling to give them up, and a +long time was spent parleying between the marshal and the sheriff's +officers. The sheriff being determined that the writ should +be executed, Mr. Bennett went out to take counsel with his friends. +Finally, through the advice of Mayor Faran, Mr. Bennett agreed +to lodge the slaves in the jail, ready to be taken out at the order +of Judge Burgoyne. Mr. Buckingham obtained the complete control +of the slaves.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 29th, Sheriff Brashears, being advised by +lawyers that Judge Burgoyne had no right to issue his writ for the +slaves, and remembering Judge McLean's decision in the Rosetta +case, made a return on the writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, that the slaves +were in the custody of the United States Marshal, and, therefore, +without his jurisdiction. This returned the slaves to the custody +of the Marshal. By agreement, the parties permitted the slaves to +remain in the county jail during that day, with the understanding +that their examination should commence the next morning, before +Commissioner Pendery. An inquest had been held on the body of +the child which was killed, and a verdict was found by the jury +charging the death of the child upon the mother, who it was said +would be held under the laws of Ohio to answer the charge of murder. +An examination took place on Wednesday, before the United +States Commissioner. Time was allowed their counsel to obtain +evidence to show that they had been brought into the State at +former times by their masters. A meeting of citizens was held on +Thursday evening, to express sympathy with the alleged fugitives.</p> + +<p>The <i>Cincinnati Commercial</i> of January 30, said:—The mother is +of an interesting appearance, a mulatto of considerable intelligence +of manner, and with a good address. In reply to a gentleman who +yesterday complimented her upon the looks of her little boy, she +said, "You should have seen my little girl that—that—[she did +not like to say, was killed]—that died, that was the bird."</p> + +<p>The <i>Cincinnati Gazette</i>, of January 30, said:—We learn that the +mother of the dead child acknowledges that she had killed it, and +that her determination was to have killed all the children, and +then destroy herself, rather than return to slavery. She and the +others complain of cruel treatment on the part of their master, and +allege that as the cause of their attempted escape.</p> + +<p>The coroner's jury, after examining the citizens present at the +time of the arrest, went to the jail last evening, and examined the +grandmother of the child—one of the slaves. She testified that +the mother, when she saw they would be captured, caught a +butcher knife and ran to the children, saying she would kill them +rather than to have them return to slavery, and cut the throat of +the child, calling on the grandmother to help her kill them. The +grandmother said she would not do it, and hid under a bed.</p> + +<p>The jury gave a verdict as follows:—That said child was killed +by its mother, Margaret Garner, with a butcher knife, with which +she cut its throat.</p> + +<p>Two of the jurors also find that the two men arrested as fugitives +were accessories to the murder.</p> + +<p>"The murdered child was almost white, and was a little girl of +rare beauty."</p> + +<p>The examination of witnesses was continued until Monday, +February 4, when the commissioner listened to the arguments of +counsel until February 7th. Messrs. Jolliffe and Gitchell appeared +for the fugitives, and Colonel Chambers, of Cincinnati, and Mr. +Finnell, of Covington, Kentucky, for the claimants of the slaves. +A great number of assistants, (amounting very nearly to five hundred,) +were employed by the United States Marshal, H.H. Robinson, +from the first, making the expenses to the United States +Government very large; for their twenty-eight days' service alone, +at $2.00 per day, amounting to over $22,000. February 8th, the +case was closed, so far as related to the three slaves of Mr. Marshall, +but the decision was postponed. The examination in regard +to MARGARET and her children was farther continued. It was +publicly stated that Commissioner Pendery had declared that he +"would not send the woman back into slavery while a charge or +indictment for murder lay against her." Colonel Chambers, counsel +for the slave-claimants, in his argument, "read long extracts +from a pamphlet entitled, 'A Northern Presbyter's Second Letter +to Ministers of the Gospel of all Denominations, on Slavery, by +Nathan Lord, of Dartmouth College,' approving and recommending +Dr. Lord's views." Colonel Chambers having alluded, in his +remarks, to Mrs. Lucy Stone Blackwell, and said that she had +sought to give a knife to Margaret Garner, the Court gave permission +to Mrs. Blackwell to reply to Colonel C. Mrs. B. preferred +not to speak at the bar, but addressed the crowded court-room +directly after the adjournment. Her eloquent remarks will be +found in the papers of the day. At the close of the hearing, +February 14th, the commissioner adjourned his court to the 21st, +afterwards to the 26th, when, he said, he would give his decision.</p> + +<p>Meantime the case was making some progress in the State courts. +Sheriff Brashears having made return to the Common Pleas Court +that the fugitives were in the custody of the United States Marshal, +Judge Carter said this could not be received as a true return, +as they were in the County jail, under the sheriff's control. The +sheriff then amended his return, so as to state that the prisoners +were in his custody, as required in the writ, and this was received +by the Court. The fugitives now came fully into the charge of the +State authorities. The sheriff held them "by virtue of a <i>capias</i> +issued on an indictment by the grand jury for murder."</p> + +<p>The slaves declared they would go dancing to the gallows rather +than to be sent back into slavery.</p> + +<p>On the 26th February, Commissioner Pendery gave his decision. +First, he refused to discharge Margaret and three others from the +custody of the United States Marshal and deliver them to the +Sheriff of Hamilton County, although held to answer, under the +laws of Ohio, to the charge of murder. He then proceeded to +consider the claim of Marshall to three of the slaves, decided it to +be valid, and ordered them into Marshall's custody. He then +considered Gaines's claim to Margaret and her three surviving +children, decided that also to be good and valid, and ordered them +to be delivered into the possession of said Gaines.</p> + +<p>The case of the rightful custody, as between the United States +Marshal and the Ohio Sheriff also came on, February 26th before +Judge Leavitt, of the United States District Court, and was argued +by counsel on both sides. On the 28th, Judge Leavitt decided that +the custody was with the United States Marshal. The substance +of Judge L.'s argument and decision is found in the following +extract. </p> + +<p>"Judge McLean says: 'Neither this nor any other Court of the +United States, nor Judge thereof, can issue a <i>habeas corpus</i> to bring +up a prisoner who is in custody under the sentence or execution of +a State Court, for any other purpose than to be used as a witness. +And it is immaterial whether the imprisonment be under <i>civil or +criminal process</i>.' If it be true, as there asserted, that no Federal +Court can interfere with the exercise of the proper jurisdiction of a +State Court, either in a civil or criminal case, the converse of the +proposition is equally true. And it results that a State Court +cannot take from an officer of the United States, even on a criminal +charge, the custody of a person in execution on a civil case.</p> + +<p>"It is said in argument that if these persons cannot be held by +the arrest of the Sheriff under the State process, the rights and +dignity of Ohio are invaded without the possibility of redress. I +cannot concur in this view. The Constitution and laws of the +United States provide for a reclamation of these persons, by a +demand on the Executive of Kentucky. It is true, if now remanded +to the claimant and taken back to Kentucky as slaves, they cannot +be said to have fled from justice in Ohio; but it would clearly be +a case within the spirit and intention of the Constitution and the +Act of Congress, and I trust nothing would be hazarded by the +prediction that upon demand properly made upon the Governor of +Kentucky, he would order them to be surrendered to the authorities +of Ohio to answer to its violated law. I am sure it is not going +too far to say that if the strictness of the law did not require this, +an appeal to comity would not be in vain."</p> + +<p>Mr. Chambers said his client, Mr. Gaines, authorized him to say +that he would hold the woman Margaret, who had killed her child, +subject to the requisition of the Governor of Ohio, to answer for +any crime she might have committed in Ohio.</p> + +<p>Judge Leavitt's decision covered the cases of the four adult +fugitives. Another legal process was going on, at the same time, +before Judge Burgoyne, of the Probate Court, viz.—a hearing +under a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> allowed by Judge Burgoyne, alleging +the illegal detention, by the United States Marshal, of the three +negro children, Samuel, Thomas, and Silla Garner, which took +place in the Probate Court, before Judge B., on the afternoon of +February 27.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jolliffe said he represented the infants at the request of their +father and mother, who had solicited him to save the children, if +possible.</p> + +<p>Messrs. Headington and Ketchum appeared for the United States +Marshal.</p> + +<p>Judge Burgoyne intimated that, in view of the serious and important +questions involved, he should require some time to render +a decision. He intimated, however, that a majority of the Judges +of the Supreme Court having passed on the constitutionality of the +Fugitive Slave Law was no reason why he should not take up the +Constitution and read it for himself, being sworn to support the +Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State +of Ohio.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ketchum suggested that his Honor was as much bound in +conscience to regard the decision of the majority of the Judges of +the United States Courts as the express provisions of the Constitution +itself.</p> + +<p>Judge Burgoyne said, that however the decisions of the Judges +of the United States Courts might aid him in coming to a conclusion, +where the obligations of his conscience were involved, he +could not screen himself behind a decision made by somebody else.</p> + +<p>Judge Burgoyne subsequently decided that, in as far as the +Fugitive Slave Law was intended to suspend the writ of <i>habeas +corpus</i>—and he believed that it was so intended—it clearly transcended +the limits prescribed by the Constitution, and is "utterly +void." Judge B. required the United States Marshal to answer to +the writ on the following Friday; and on his neglect to do so, fined +and imprisoned him. Judge Leavitt, of the United States Court, +soon released the Marshal from prison.</p> + +<p>The <i>Cincinnati Columbian</i>, of February 29, gave the following +account:—The last act of the drama of the fugitives was yesterday +performed by the rendition of the seven persons whose advent +into the city, under the bloody auspices of murder, caused such a +sensation in the community. After the decision of Judge Leavitt, +Sheriff Brashears surrendered the four fugitives in his custody, +under a <i>capias</i> from an Ohio court, to United States Marshal Robinson. +An omnibus was brought to the jail, and the fugitives +were led into it—a crowd of spectators looking on.</p> + +<p>Margaret was in custody of Deputy-Marshal Brown. She appeared +greatly depressed and dispirited. The little infant, Silla, +was carried by Pfc. Russell, the door-keeper of the United States +Court, and was crying violently. Pollock, the reporter of the +proceedings in the United States Court, conducted another of the +fugitives, and all were safely lodged in the omnibus, which drove +down to the Covington ferry-boat; but, although a large crowd +followed it, no hootings or other signs of excitement or disapprobation +were shown.</p> + +<p>On arriving at the Kentucky shore, a large crowd was in attendance, +which expressed its pleasure at the termination of the long +proceedings in this city by triumphant shouts. The fugitives were +escorted to the jail, where they were safely incarcerated, and the +crowd moved off to the Magnolia Hotel, where several toasts were +given and drank. The crowd outside were addressed from the +balcony by H.H. Robinson, Esq., United States Marshal for the +Southern District of Ohio, who declared that he had done his duty +and no more, and that it was a pleasure to him to perform an act +that added another link to the glorious chain that bound the Union. +[What a <i>Union</i>! For what "glorious" purposes!]</p> + +<p>Mr. Finnell, attorney for the claimants, said he never loved the +Union so dearly as now. It was proved to be a substantial reality.</p> + +<p>Judge Flinn also addressed to the crowd one of his peculiar orations; +and was followed by Mr. Gaines, owner of Margaret and the +children. After hearty cheering the crowd dispersed.</p> + +<p>Further to signalize their triumph, the slaveholders set on the +Covington mob to attack Mr. Babb, reporter for one of the Cincinnati +papers, on the charge of being an abolitionist, and that gentleman +was knocked down, kicked, trampled on, and would undoubtedly +have been murdered, but for the interference of some of +the United States Deputy Marshals.</p> + +<p>A legal irregularity on the part of the Sheriff was brought to the +notice of Judge Carter on the morning of February 29. It was +passed over lightly.</p> + +<p>On the Sunday after the delivery of the slaves, they were visited +in the Covington jail by Rev. P.C. Bassett, whose account of +his interview, especially with Margaret, was published in the +<i>American Baptist</i>, and may also be found in the <i>National Antislavery +Standard</i> of March 15, 1850. Margaret confessed that she had +killed the child. "I inquired," says Mr. Bassett, "if she were not +excited almost to madness when she committed the act! 'No,' +she replied, 'I was as cool as I now am; and would much rather +kill them at once, and thus end their sufferings, than have them +taken back to slavery and be murdered by piece-meal.' She then +told the story of her wrongs. She spoke of her days of suffering, +of her nights of unmitigated toil, while the bitter tears coursed +their way down her cheeks."</p> + +<p>Governor Chase, of Ohio, made a requisition upon Governor +Morehead, of Kentucky, for the surrender of Margaret Garner, +charged with murder. The requisition was taken by Joseph Cooper, +Esq. to Gov. Morehead, at Frankfort, on the <i>6th of March</i>—an +unpardonable delay in the circumstances. Gov. Morehead issued +an order for the surrender of Margaret. On taking it to Louisville, +Mr. Cooper found that Margaret, with her infant child, and +the rest of Mr. Gaines's slaves had been sent down the river in +the steamboat Henry Lewis, to be sold in Arkansas. Thus it was +that Gaines kept his pledged word that Margaret should be surrendered +upon the requisition of the Governor of Ohio! On the +passage down the Ohio, the steamboat, in which the slaves were +embarked, came in collision with another boat, and so violently +that Margaret and her child, with many others, were thrown into +the water. About twenty-five persons perished. A colored man +seized Margaret and drew her back to the boat, but her babe was +drowned! "The mother," says a correspondent of the <i>Louisville +Courier</i>, "exhibited no other feeling than joy at the loss of her +child." So closed another act of this terrible tragedy. The slaves +were transferred to another boat, and taken to their destination. +(<i>See</i> Mr. Cooper's letter to Gov. Chase, dated Columbus, March 11, +1856.) Almost immediately on the above tragic news, followed +the tidings that Gaines had determined to bring Margaret back to +Covington, Kentucky, and hold her subject to the requisition of the +Governor of Ohio. Evidently he could not stand up under the +infamy of his conduct. Margaret was brought back, and placed in +Covington jail, to await a requisition. On Wednesday, Mr. Cox, +the prosecuting-attorney, received the necessary papers from Gov. +Chase, and the next day (Thursday), two of the Sheriffs deputies +went over to Covington for Margaret, but did not find her, as she +had been taken away from the jail the night before. The jailor +said he had given her up on Wednesday night, to a man who came +there with a written order from her master, Gaines, but could not +tell where she had been taken. The officers came back and made +a return 'not found.'</p> + +<p>The <i>Cincinnati Gazette</i> said,—"On Friday our sheriff received +information which induced him to believe that she had been sent +on the railroad to Lexington, thence via Frankfort to Louisville, +there to be shipped off to the New Orleans slave market.</p> + +<p>He immediately telegraphed to the sheriff at Louisville (who +holds the original warrant from Gov. Morehead, granted on the +requisition of Gov. Chase,) to arrest her there, and had a deputy +in readiness to go down for her. But he has received no reply to +his dispatch. As she was taken out on Wednesday night, there is +reason to apprehend that she has already passed Louisville, and is +now on her way to New Orleans.</p> + +<p>Why Mr. Gaines brought Margaret back at all, we cannot comprehend. +If it was to vindicate his character, he was most unfortunate +in the means he selected, for his duplicity has now placed +this in a worse light than ever before, and kept before the public +the miserable spectacle of his dishonor.</p> + +<p>We have learned now, by experience, what is that boasted comity +of Kentucky on which Judge Leavitt so earnestly advised Ohio to +rely."</p> + +<p>The assertion of the <i>Louisville Journal</i>, that Margaret was kept +in Covington jail "ten days," and that the Ohio authorities had +been notified of the same, is pronounced to be untrue in both particulars +by the <i>Cincinnati Gazette</i>, which paper also declares that +prompt action was taken by the governor of Ohio, and the attorney +and sheriff of Hamilton County, as soon as the fact was known.</p> + +<p>Here we must leave MARGARET, a noble woman indeed, whose +heroic spirit and daring have won the willing, and extorted the +unwilling, admiration of hundreds of thousands. Alas for her! +after so terrible a struggle, so bloody a sacrifice, so near to deliverance +once, twice, and even a third time, to be, by the villainy +and lying or her "respectable" white owner again engulphed in +the abyss of Slavery! What her fate is to be, it is not hard to conjecture. +But friendless, heart-stricken, robbed of her children, +outraged as she has been, not wholly without friends,</p> + +<p> "Yea, three firm friends, more sure than day and night,<br /> + Herself, her Maker, and the angel Death."</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /><br /> + +Extract from a sermon recently delivered in Cleveland, Ohio, +by Rev. H. BUSHNELL, from the following text: "And it was so, +that all that saw it, said, There was no such deed done nor seen +from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land +of Egypt unto this day: CONSIDER OF IT, TAKE ADVICE, AND SPEAK +YOUR MINDS."—JUDGES XIX: 30. + +<div class='blkquot'><p>A few weeks ago, just at dawn of day, might be seen a company +of strangers crossing the winter bridge over the Ohio River, from +the State of Kentucky, into the great city of our own State, whose +hundred church-spires point to heaven, telling the travellers that +in this place the God of Abraham was worshipped, and that here +Jesus the Messiah was known, and his religion of love taught and +believed. And yet, no one asked them in or offered them any +hospitality, or sympathy, or assistance. After wandering from +street to street, a poor laboring man gave them the shelter of his +humble cabin, for they were strangers and in distress. Soon it was +known abroad that this poor man had offered them the hospitalities +of his home, and a rude and ferocious rabble soon gathered around +his dwelling, demanding his guests. With loud clamor and horrid +threatening they broke down his doors, and rushed upon the +strangers. They were an old man and his wife, their daughter +and her husband with four children; and they were of the tribe of +slaves fleeing from a bondage which was worse than death. There +was now no escape—the tribes of Israel had banded against them. +On the side of the oppressor there is power. And the young wife +and mother, into whose very soul the iron had entered, hearing +the cry of the master: "Now we'll have you all!" turning from +the side of her husband and father, with whom she had stood to +repel the foe, seized a knife, and with a single blow nearly severed +the head from the body of her darling daughter, and throwing its +bloody corpse at his feet, exclaimed, "Yes, you <i>shall</i> have us all! +take that!" and with another blow inflicted a ghastly wound upon +the head of her beautiful son, repeating, "Yes, you <i>shall</i> have us +all—take that!" meanwhile calling upon her old mother to help +her in the quick work of emancipation—for there were two more. But +the pious old grandmother could not do it, and it was now too +late—the rescuers had subdued and bound them. They were on +their way back to the house of their bondage—a life more bitter +than death! On their way through that city of churches whose +hundred spires told of Jesus and the good Father above; on their +way amid the throng of Christian men, whose noble sires had said +and sung, "Give me <i>liberty</i>, or give me <i>death</i>."</p> + +<p>But they all tarried in the great Queen City of the West—in +chains, and in a felon's cell. There our preacher visited them +again and again. There he saw the old grandfather and his aged +companion, whose weary pilgrimage of unrequited toil and tears +was nearly at its end. And there stood the young father and the +heroic wife "Margaret." Said the preacher, "Margaret, why did +you kill your child?" "It was my own," she said, "given me of +God, to do the best a mother could in its behalf. <i>I have done the +best I could!</i> I would have done more and better for the rest! I +knew it was better for them to go home to God than back to +slavery." "But why did you not trust in God—why not wait +and hope?" "I did wait, and then we dared to do, and fled in +fear, but in hope; hope fled—God did not appear to save—<i>I did +the best I could!"</i></p> + +<p>And who was this woman? A noble, womanly, amiable, <i>affectionate +mother</i>. "But was she not deranged?" Not at all—calm, +intelligent, but resolute and determined. "But was she not fiendish, +or beside herself with passion?" No, she was most tender +and affectionate, and all her passion was that of a <i>mother's fondest +love</i>. I reasoned with her, said the preacher; tried to awaken a +sense of guilt, and lead her to repentance and to Christ. But there +was no remorse, no desire of pardon, no reception of Christ or his +religion. To her it was a religion of <i>slavery</i>, more cruel than death. +And where had she lived? where thus taught? Not down among +the rice swamps of Georgia, or on the banks of Red River. No, +but within sixteen miles of the Queen City of the West! In a +nominally Christian family—whose master was most liberal in +support of the Gospel, and whose mistress was a communicant at +the Lord's table, and a professed follower of Christ! Here, in this +family, where slavery is found in its mildest form, she had been +kept in ignorance of God's will and word, and learned to know +that the mildest form of American slavery, at this day of Christian +civilization and Democratic liberty, was worse than death itself! +She had learned by an experience of many years, that it was so +bad she had rather take the life of her own dearest child, without +the hope of Heaven for herself, than that <i>it</i> should experience its +unutterable agonies, which were to be found even in a Christian +family! But here are her two little boys, of eight and ten years of +age. Taking the eldest boy by the hand, the preacher said to him, +kindly and gently, "Come here, my boy; what is your name?" +"Tom, sir." "Yes, <i>Thomas</i>." "No sir, <i>Tom</i>." "Well, Tom, +how old are you?" "Three <i>months</i>." "And how old is your +little brother?" "Six <i>months</i>, sir!" "And have you no other +name but Tom?" "No." "What is your father's name?" +"Haven't got any!" "Who made you, Tom?" "Nobody!" +"Did you ever hear of God or Jesus Christ?" "No, sir." And +this was slavery in its best estate. By and by the aged couple, +and the young man and his wife, the remaining children, with the +master, and the dead body of the little one, were escorted through +the streets of the Queen City of the West by a <i>national guard of +armed men</i>, back to the great and chivalrous State of old Kentucky +and away to the shambles of the South—back to a life-long servitude +of hopeless despair. It was a long, sad, silent procession +down to the banks of the Ohio; and as it passed, the death-knell +of freedom tolled heavily. The sovereignty of Ohio trailed in the +dust beneath the oppressor's foot, and the great confederacy of the +tribes of modern Israel attended the funeral obsequies, and made +ample provision for the necessary expenses! "And it was so, that +all that saw it, said, <i>There was no such deed done, nor seen from the +day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto +this day</i>; CONSIDER OF IT, TAKE ADVICE, AND SPEAK YOUR MINDS!"</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>With the sad case of MARGARET GARNER we close, for the present, +the record of the Fugitive Slave Law, as its history has been +daily writing itself in our country's annals. Enactment of hell! +which has marked every step of its progress over the land by suffering +and by crimes,—crimes of the bloodiest dye, groanings which +cannot fully be uttered; which is tracked by the dripping blood of +its victims, by their terrors and by their despair; against which, +and against that Wicked Nation which enacted it, and which suffers +it still to stand as their LAW, the cries of the down-trodden +poor go up continually into the ears of God,—cries of bitterest +anguish, mingled with fiercest execrations—thousands of Rachels +weeping for their children, and will not be comforted, because they +<i>are not</i>.</p> + +<p>Reader, is your patriotism of the kind which believes, with the +supporters of old monarchies, that the Sovereign Power can do no +wrong? Consider the long record which has been laid before you, +and say if your country has not enacted a most wicked, cruel, and +shameful law, which merits only the condemnation and abhorrence +of every heart. Consider that this law was aimed at the life, liberty, +and happiness of the poor and least-privileged portion of our +people—a class whom the laws should befriend, protect, and raise +up. What is the true character of a law, whose working, whose +fruits are such as this meagre outline of its history shows? Is it +fit that such deeds and such a law should have your sanction and +support? Will you remain in a moment's doubt whether to be a +friend or a foe to such a law? Will you countenance or support +the man, in the church or in the state, who is not its open and +out-spoken opponent? Will you not, rather, yourself trample it +under foot, as alike the disgrace of your country, the enemy of +humanity, and the enemy of God? And nobly join, with heart +and hand, every honest man who seeks to load with the opprobrium +they deserve, the law itself and everything that justifies +and upholds it?</p> + +<p>In this tract no mention is made of that great company of slaves +who, flying from their intolerable wrongs and burdens, are overtaken +before reaching the Free States—(alas, that we should +mock ourselves with this empty name of <i>free</i>!)—and carried back +into a more remote and hopeless slavery; nor of the thousands +who, having fled in former years, and established themselves in +industry and comfort in the Northern States, were compelled again +to become fugitives, leaving their little all behind them, into a still +more Northern land where, under British law, they find at last a +resting-place and protection; nor to any great extent of the numerous +cases of white citizens, prosecuted, fined, harassed in every +way, for the <i>crime</i> of giving shelter and succor to the hunted wanderers. +To have included these—all emphatically <i>victims</i> of the +Fugitive Slave Law—would swell our tract into a volume. What +a testimony against our land and our people is given by their accumulated +weight! EVERY LIVING MAN AND WOMAN is GUILTY OF +THIS GREAT SIN, WHO EITHER BY APOLOGY, OR BY SILENCE, LENDS +IT THE LEAST SUPPORT.</p> + +<p>==> In a record like the foregoing, dealing so largely with facts +and dates, perfect accuracy is not to be expected, although much +pains have been taken to make it strictly correct. Any information, +on good authority, which will help to make the record more +exact, or more complete, will be very gratefully received. It should +be addressed to SAMUEL MAY, JR., No. 21 Cornhill, Boston, Mass.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><i>Published at the office of the</i> AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, +<i>No. 138 Nassau Street, New York. Also to be had at the Anti-Slavery +Offices, No. 21 Cornhill, Boston, and No. 31 North Fifth +Street, Philadelphia; of</i> JOEL McMILLAN, <i>Salem, Columbiana Co., +Ohio, and of</i> JACOB WALTON, Jr., <i>Adrian, Michigan</i>.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>[Transcriber's note: The following remain as in the original: +Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Los Angelos; Pittsburgh Saturday Visiter.] + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Fugitive Slave Law and Its Victims +by American Anti-Slavery Society + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW *** + +***** This file should be named 13990-h.htm or 13990-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/9/9/13990/ + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Andrea Ball and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Fugitive Slave Law and Its Victims + Anti-Slavery Tracts No. 18 + +Author: American Anti-Slavery Society + +Release Date: November 9, 2004 [EBook #13990] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW *** + + + + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Andrea Ball and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + +THE + +FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW + +AND + +ITS VICTIMS. + +AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, +138 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK. +1856. + + + + +ANTI-SLAVERY TRACTS. No. 18. + + * * * * * + +THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW, AND ITS VICTIMS. + + * * * * * + +The Fugitive Slave Law was enacted by Congress in September, 1850, +received the signature of HOWELL COBB, [of Georgia,] as Speaker of +the House of Representatives, of WILLIAM R. KING, [of Alabama,] as +President of the Senate, and was "approved," September 18th, of that +year, by MILLARD FILLMORE, Acting President of the United States. + +The authorship of the Bill is generally ascribed to James M. Mason, +Senator from Virginia. Before proceeding to the principal object of +this tract, it is proper to give a synopsis of the Act itself, which +was well called, by the New York _Evening Post_, "An Act for the +Encouragement of Kidnapping." It is in ten sections. + + +SYNOPSIS OF THE LAW. + +SECTION 1. United States Commissioners "authorized and required to +exercise and discharge all the powers and duties conferred by this +act." + +SECT. 2. Commissioners for the Territories to be appointed by the +Superior Court of the same. + +SECT. 3. United States Circuit Courts, and Superior Courts of +Territories, required to enlarge the number of Commissioners, "with +a view to afford reasonable facilities to reclaim fugitives from +labor," &c. + +SECT. 4. Commissioners put on the same footing with Judges of the +United States Courts, with regard to enforcing the Law and its +penalties. + +SECT. 5. United States Marshals and deputy marshals, who may refuse +to act under the Law, to be fined One Thousand dollars, to the use +of the claimant. If a fugitive escape from the custody of the +Marshal, the Marshal to be liable for his full value. Commissioners +authorized to appoint special officers, and to call out the _posse +comitatus_, &c. + +SECT. 6. The claimant of any fugitive slave, or his attorney, "may +pursue and reclaim such fugitive person," either by procuring a +warrant from some judge or commissioner, "or by seizing and +arresting such fugitive, where the same can be done without +process;" to take such fugitive before such judge or commissioner, +"whose duty it shall be to hear and determine the case of such +claimant in a summary manner," and, if satisfied of the identity of +the prisoner, to grant a certificate to said claimant to "remove +such fugitive person back to the State or Territory from whence he +or she may have escaped,"--using "such reasonable force or restraint +as may be necessary under the circumstances of the case." "In no +trial or hearing under this act shall the testimony of such alleged +fugitive be admitted in evidence." All molestation of the claimant, +in the removal of his slave, "by any process issued by any court, +judge, magistrate, or other person whomsoever," to be prevented. + +SECT. 7. Any person obstructing the arrest of a fugitive, or +attempting his or her rescue, or aiding him or her to escape, or +harboring and concealing a fugitive, knowing him to be such, shall +be subject to a fine of not exceeding one thousand dollars, and to +be imprisoned not exceeding six months, and shall also "forfeit and +pay the sum of one thousand dollars for each fugitive so _lost_." + +SECT. 8. Marshals, deputies, clerks, and special officers to receive +usual fees; Commissioners to receive ten dollars, if fugitive is +given up to claimant; otherwise, five dollars; to be paid by +claimant. + +SECT. 9. If claimant make affidavit that he fears a rescue of such +fugitive from his possession, the officer making the arrest to +retain him in custody, and "to remove him to the State whence he +fled." Said officer "to employ so many persons as he may deem +necessary." All, while so employed, be paid out of the Treasury of +the United States. + +Sect. 10. [This Section provides an additional and wholly distinct +method for the capture of a fugitive; and, it may be added, one of +the loosest and most extraordinary that ever appeared on the pages +of Statute book.] Any person, from whom one held to service or labor +has escaped, upon making "satisfactory proof" of such escape before +any court of record, or judge thereof in vacation--a record of +matter so proved shall be made by such court, or judge, and also a +description of the person escaping, "with such convenient certainty +as may be;"--a copy of which record, duly attested, "being produced +in any other State, Territory, or District," and "being exhibited to +any judge, commissioner, or other officer authorized," &c. "shall be +held and taken to be full and conclusive evidence of the fact of +escape, and that the service or labor of the person escaping is due +to the party in such record mentioned;" when, on satisfactory proof +of identity, "he or she shall be delivered up to the claimant." +"_Provided_, That nothing herein contained shall be construed as +requiring the production of a transcript of such record as evidence +as aforesaid; but in its absence, the claim shall be heard and +determined upon other satisfactory proofs competent in law." + + +The name of the NORTHERN men who voted for this cruel kidnapping law +should not be forgotten. Until they repent, and do works meet for +repentance, let their names stand high and conspicuous on the roll +of infamy. Let the "slow-moving finger of scorn" point them out, +when they walk among men, and the stings of shame, disappointment, +and remorse continually visit them in secret, till they are forced +to cry, "my punishment is greater than I can bear." As to the +_Southern_ men who voted for the law, they only appeared in their +legitimate character of oppressors of the poor--whom God will repay, +in his own time. The thousand-tongued voices of their brother's +blood cry against them from the ground. + +The following is the vote, in the SENATE, on the engrossment of the +bill:-- + + YEAS,--Atchison, Badger, Barnwell, Bell, Berrien, Butler, + Davis (of Mississippi), Dawson, A.C. DODGE (of Iowa), Downs, + Foote, Houston, Hunter, JONES (of Iowa), King, Mangum, Mason, + Pearce, Rusk, Sebastian, Soule, Spruance, STURGEON (of + Pennsylvania), Turney, Underwood, Wales, Yulee.--27. + + NAYS.--Baldwin, Bradbury, Chase, Cooper, Davis (of + Massachusetts), Dayton, Henry Dodge (of Wisconsin), Greene, + Smith, Upham, Walker, Winthrop.--12. + + ABSENT, OR NOT VOTING.--Benton, Borland, _Bright_ of Indiana, + _Clarke_ of Rhode Island, Clay, _Cass_ of Michigan, Clemens, + _Dickinson_ of New York, _Douglas_ of Illinois, _Ewing_ of + Ohio, _Felch_ of Michigan, _Hale_ of New Hampshire, _Hamlin_ + of Maine, _Miller_ of New Jersey, Morton, _Norris_ of New + Hampshire, _Phelps_ of Vermont, Pratt, _Seward_ of New York, + _Shields_ of Illinois, _Whitcomb_ of Indiana. [Fifteen + Northern Senators absent from the vote.] + + +On the final passage of the Bill in the Senate, the yeas and nays +were not taken. _D.S. Dickinson_ of New York, who had been absent +when the vote was taken on the engrossment, spoke in favor of the +bill. Mr. Seward was said to be absent from the city, detained by +ill health. + +When the Bill came up in the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, (September +12th,) JAMES THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, got the floor,--doubtless by +a previous understanding with the Speaker,--and addressed the House +in support of the Bill. He closed his remarks by _moving the +previous question_! It was ordered, and thus all opportunity for +reply, and for discussion of the Bill was cut off. The Bill was then +passed to its third reading--equivalent to enactment--by a vote of +109 YEAS, to 75 NAYS; as follows:-- + +YEAS. + _Maine._--THOMAS J.D. FULLER, of Calais; ELBRIDGE GERRY, of + Waterford; NATHANIEL S. LITTLEFIELD, of Bridgton. + + _New Hampshire._--HARRY HIBBARD, of Bath; CHARLES H. PEASLEE, + of Concord. + + _Massachusetts._--SAMUEL A. ELIOT, of Boston. + + _New York._--HIRAM WALDEN, of Waldensville. + + _New Jersey._--ISAAC WILDRICK, of Blairstown. + + _Pennsylvania._--MILO M. DIMMICK, of Stroudsburg; JOB MANN, + of Bedford; J.X. MCLANAHAN, of Chambersburg; JOHN ROBBINS, + Jr., of Philadelphia; THOMAS ROSS, of Doylestown; JAMES + THOMPSON, of Erie. + + _Ohio._--MOSES HOAGLAND, of Millersburg; JOHN K. MILLER, of + Mount Vernon; JOHN L. TAYLOR, of Chillicothe. + + _Michigan._--ALEXANDER W. BUELL, of Detroit. + + _Indiana._--NATHANIEL ALBERTSON, of Greenville; WILLIAM J. + BROWN, of Amity; CYRUS L. DUNHAM, of Salem; WILLIS A. GORMAN, + of Bloomington; JOSEPH E. MCDONALD, of Crawfordsville; EDWARD + W. MCGAUGHEY, of Rockville. + + _Illinois._--WILLIAM H. BISSELL, of Belleville; THOMAS L. + HARRIS, of Petersburg; JOHN A. MCCLERNAND; WILLIAM A. + RICHARDSON, of Quincy; TIMOTHY R. YOUNG, of Marshall. + + _Iowa._--SHEPHERD LEFFLER, of Burlington. + + _California._--EDWARD GILBERT. + +[All these Northern Traitors called themselves _Democrats_! save +three--_Eliot_ of Massachusetts, _Taylor_ of Ohio, and _McGaughey_ +of Indiana, who were Whigs.] + +--> Every Representative of a Slaveholding State, who voted at all, +voted YEA. Their names are needless, and are omitted. + + +NAYS + _Maine._--Otis, Sawtelle, Stetson. + + _New Hampshire._--Amos Tuck. + + _Vermont._--Hebard, Henry, Meacham. + + _Massachusetts._--Allen, Duncan, Fowler, Mann. + + _Rhode Island._--Dixon, King. + + _Connecticut._--Butler, Booth, Waldo. + + _New York._--Alexander, Bennett, Briggs, Burrows, Gott, + Gould, Halloway, Jackson, John A. King, Preston King, + Matteson, McKissock, Nelson, Putnam, Rumsey, Sackett, + Schermerhorn, Schoolcraft, Thurman, Underhill, Silvester. + + _New Jersey._--Hay, King. + + _Pennsylvania._--Calvin, Chandler, Dickey, Freedley, Hampton, + Howe, Moore, Pitman, Reed, Stevens. + + _Ohio._--Cable, Carter, Campbell, M.B. Corwin, Crowell, + Disney, Evans, Giddings, Hunter, Morris, Root, Vinton, + Whittlesey, Wood. + + _Michigan._--Bingham, Sprague. + + _Indiana._--Fitch, Harlan, Julian, Robinson. + + _Illinois._--Baker, Wentworth. + + _Wisconsin._--Cole, Doty, Durkee. + + _California._--Wright. + + +ABSENT, OR NOT VOTING. + Andrews, Ashmun (Mass.), Bokee, Brooks, Butler, Casey, + Cleveland (Conn.), Clarke, Conger, Duer, Gilmore, Goodenow, + Grinnell (Mass.), Levin, Nes, Newell, Ogle, Olds, Peck, + Phoenix, Potter, Reynolds, Risley, Rockwell (Mass.), Rose, + Schenck, Spaulding, Strong, Sweetser, Thompson (Iowa), Van + Dyke, White, Wilmot (Penn.) [33--all Northern men.] + + [Fifteen Southern Representatives did not vote.] + +DANIEL WEBSTER was not a member of the Senate when the vote on the +Fugitive Slave Bill was taken. He had been made Secretary of State, +a short time previous. All, however, will remember the powerful aid +which he gave to the new compromise measures, and among them to the +Fugitive Slave Bill, in his notorious Seventh of March Speech, +[1850.] A few extracts from that Speech will show how heavily the +responsibility of the existence of this law rests upon DANIEL +WEBSTER:-- + + "I suppose there is to be found no injunction against + that relation [Slavery] between man and man, in the + teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or of any of his + Apostles."--_Webster's 7th March Speech_, (_Authorized + Edition_,) p. 9. + + "One complaint of the South has, in my opinion, just + foundation; and that is, that there has been found at + the North, among individuals and among legislators, a + disinclination to perform, fully, their Constitutional duties + in regard to the return of persons bound to service, who have + escaped into the free States. In that respect, it is my + judgment that the South is right, and the North is wrong." + * * * * "My friend at the head of the Judiciary Committee + [Mr. MASON of Virginia] has a bill on the subject now before + the Senate, with some amendments to it, WHICH I PROPOSE + TO SUPPORT, WITH ALL ITS PROVISIONS, _to the fullest + extent_."--_Idem._ p. 29. + + He proceeded to assure the Senate that the North would, on + due consideration, fulfil "their constitutional obligations" + "_with alacrity_." "Therefore, I repeat, sir, that here is a + ground of complaint against the North well founded, which + ought to be removed, which it is now in the power of the + different departments of this Government to remove; which + calls for the enactment of proper laws authorizing the + judicature of this Government, in the several States, to do + all that is necessary for the recapture of fugitive slaves, + and for the restoration of them to those who claim them + Wherever I go, and whenever I speak on the subject, and when + I speak here, I desire to speak to the whole North, I say + that the South has been injured in this respect, and has a + right to complain; and the North has been too careless of + what, I think, the Constitution peremptorily and emphatically + enjoins upon her as a duty."--_Idem._ p. 30. + +In a speech in the United States Senate, July 17, 1850, made with an +evident view to calm that Northern feeling which had been aroused +and excited by his 7th of March speech, beyond the power of priest +or politician wholly to subdue, Mr. WEBSTER said there were various +misapprehensions respecting the working of the proposed Fugitive +Slave Bill:-- + + "The first of these misapprehensions," he said, "is an + exaggerated sense of the actual evil of the reclamation of + fugitive slaves, felt by Massachusetts and the other New + England States. What produced that? The cases do not exist. + There has not been a case within the knowledge of this + generation, in which a man has been taken back from + Massachusetts into slavery by process of law, not one." + * * * * "Not only has there been no case, so far as I can + learn, of the reclamation of a slave by his master, which + ended in taking him back to slavery, in this generation, but + I will add, that, as far as I have been able to go back in my + researches, as far as I have been able to hear and learn, in + all that region there has been no one case of false claim. + * * * _There is no danger of any such violation being + perpetrated."[A]--Webster's Speech on the Compromise Bill, in + the United States Senate, 17th of July, 1850, edition of + Gideon & Co., Washington_, pp. 23-25. + + [Footnote A: See also Mr. Webster's letter to the Citizens of + Newburyport, dated May 15th, 1850, wherein he urges the same + point, with great pains of argument.] + +With such words did Mr. Webster endeavor to allay Northern alarm, +and to create the impression (which was created and which prevailed +extensively with his friends) that the Fugitive Law was only a +concession to Southern feeling, and that few or no attempts to +enforce it were likely to be made. + +But when a few months had proved him a false prophet, and the +Southern chase after fugitive men, women, and children had become +hot and fierce, and in one or two instances the hunter had been +foiled in his attempts and had lost his prey, Mr. Webster changed +his tone, as follows:-- + + In May, 1851, at Syracuse, N.Y., he said: "Depend upon it, + the Law [the Fugitive Slave Law] will be executed in its + spirit and to its letter. It will be executed in all the + great cities--here in Syracuse, in the midst of the next + Anti-Slavery Convention, if the occasion shall arise." + +Certainly, so far as in Mr. Webster lay, so far as was in the power +of Mr. Fillmore, and the officers of the United States Government +generally, and of the still larger crowd of _expectants_ of office, +nothing was left undone to introduce the tactics, discipline, and +customs of the Southern plantation into our Northern cities and +towns, in order to enforce the Fugitive Law. + + * * * * * + +The remainder of this Tract will be devoted to a record, as complete +as circumstances enable us to make, of the VICTIMS OF THE FUGITIVE +SLAVE LAW. It is a terrible record, which the people of this country +should never allow to sleep in oblivion, until the disgraceful and +bloody system of Slavery is swept from our land, and with it, all +Compromise Bills, all Constitutional Guarantees to Slavery, all +Fugitive Slave Laws. The established and accredited newspapers +of the day, without reference to party distinctions, are the +authorities relied upon in making up this record, and the _dates_ +being given with each case, the reader is enabled to verify the +same, and the few particulars which the compass of the Tract allows +to be given with each. With all the effort which has been made to +secure a good degree of completeness and exactness, the present +record must of necessity be an imperfect one, and fall short of +exhibiting all the enormities of the Act in question. + + JAMES HAMLET, _of New York, September, 1850_, was the first + victim. He was surrendered by United States Commissioner + Gardiner to the agent of one Mary Brown, of Baltimore, who + claimed him as her slave. He was taken to Baltimore. An + effort was immediately made to purchase his freedom, and in + the existing state of the public feeling, the sum demanded by + his mistress, $800, was quickly raised. Hamlet was brought + back to New York with great rejoicings. + + _Near Bedford, Penn., October 1._ Ten fugitives, from + Virginia, were attacked in Pennsylvania--one mortally + wounded, another dangerously. Next morning, both were + captured. Five others entered a mountain hut, and begged + relief. The woman supplied their wants. Her husband went out, + procured assistance, captured the slaves, and received a + reward of $255. + + _Harrisburg, Penn., October._ Some slaves, number not + stated, were brought before Commissioner M'Allister, when + "the property was proven, and they were delivered to their + masters, who took them back to Virginia, by railroad, without + molestation." + + _Detroit, 8th October._ A negro was arrested under the new + law, and sent to jail for a week, to await evidence. Great + numbers of colored people armed themselves to rescue him. + Result not known. + + HENRY GARNETT, _Philadelphia_, arrested as the slave of + Thomas P. Jones, of Cecil County, Maryland, and taken before + Judge Grier, of the United States Supreme Court, October 18, + 1850, who declared his determination to execute the law as he + found it. The Judge said that the claimant had not taken the + course prescribed by the fugitive act, and proceeded to + explain, in a detailed manner, what the course should be in + such cases. As the claimant thus failed to make out his case, + the prisoner was ordered to be discharged. + + _Boston, about 25th October._ Attempt to seize WILLIAM and + ELLEN CRAFT. William Craft armed himself, and kept within + his shop. Ellen was concealed in the house of a friend. + Their claimants, named Hughes & Knight, were indicted for + defamation of character, in calling W.C. a slave, and brought + before a magistrate. The feeling excited against them was so + great, that they at length fled from the city. Shortly after, + it being considered hazardous for Mr. and Mrs. Craft to + remain in the country, they were enabled to escape to + England. + + [In a letter, dated Macon, Georgia, Nov. 11, John Knight + gives a particular account of the proceedings and experiences + of himself and his friend Hughes, on their then recent visit + to Boston for the purpose, to quote his own language, "of + re-capturing William and Ellen Craft, the negroes belonging + to Dr. Collins and Ira Taylor." Willis H. Hughes also + published his statement.] + + _New Albany, Indiana._ A woman and boy given up, and taken to + Louisville. They were so white that, even in Kentucky, a + strong feeling arose in their favor on that ground. They were + finally bought for $600, and set free. + + ADAM GIBSON, _Philadelphia, December 21, 1850_. Surrendered + by Edward D. Ingraham, United States Commissioner. The case + was hurried through in indecent haste, testimony being + admitted against him of the most groundless character. One + witness swore that Gibson's name was Emery Rice. He was taken + to Elkton, Maryland. There, Mr. William S. Knight, his + supposed owner, refused to receive Gibson, saying he was not + the man, and he was taken back to Philadelphia. + +What compensation has the United States Government ever made to Adam +Gibson, for the injurious act of its agent, Ingraham? Had not the +Slaveholder been more honorable than the Commissioner or the makers +of the Fugitive Law, Gibson would have been in Slavery for life. + + HENRY LONG, _New York, December, 1850_. Brought before + Commissioner Charles M. Hall, claimed as the fugitive slave + of John T. Smith of Russell County, Virginia. After five or + six days' proceedings, there being some doubt of the + Commissioner's legal right to act, the alleged fugitive, + Long, was taken before Judge Judson, District Judge of the + United States. The Castle Garden Union Safety Committee + retained Mr. George Wood in this case, as counsel for the + slave claimant. Long was surrendered by Judge Judson, and + taken to Richmond, Virginia. Judge J. was complimented by the + _Washington Union_ as "a clear-headed, competent, and + independent officer, who has borne himself with equal + discretion, liberality, and firmness. Such judges as he," + continues the _Union_, "are invaluable in these times of + turmoil and agitation." At Richmond, Long was advertised to + be sold at public auction. On Saturday, January 18th, he was + sold, amid the jeers and scoffs of the spectators, for $750, + to David Clapton, of Georgia. The auctioneers (Pullam & + Slade), in commencing, said there was one condition of the + sale. Bonds must be given by the purchaser that this man + shall be carried South, and that he shall be kept South, and + sold, if sold again, to go South; and they declared their + intention to see the terms fully complied with. Long was + subsequently advertised for sale at Atlanta, Georgia. + + _Near Coatsville, Chester County, Penn._ On a writ issued by + Commissioner Ingraham, Deputy Marshal Halzell and other + officers, with the claimant of an alleged fugitive, at night, + knocked at the door of a colored family, and asked for a + light to enable them to mend their broken harness. The door + being opened for this purpose, the marshal's party rushed in, + and said they came to arrest a fugitive slave. Resistance was + made by the occupant of the house and others, and the + marshal's party finally driven off--the slave owner advising + that course, and saying, "Well, if this is a specimen of the + pluck of Pennsylvania negroes, I don't want my slaves back." + The master of the house was severely wounded in the arm by a + pistol shot; still he maintained his ground, declaring the + marshal's party should not pass except by first taking his + life. + + _Marion, Williamson County, Ill., about December 10, 1850._ + Mr. O'Havre, of the city police, Memphis, Tennessee, arrested + and took back to Memphis a fugitive slave, belonging to Dr. + Young. He did so, as the Memphis paper states, only "after + much difficulty and heavy expense, being strongly opposed by + the Free Soilers and Abolitionists, but was assisted by Mr. + W. Allen, member of Congress, and other gentlemen." + + _Philadelphia, about January 10, 1851._ G.F. Alberti and + others seized, under the Fugitive Slave Law, a free colored + boy, named JOEL THOMPSON, alleging that he was a slave. The + boy was saved. + + STEPHEN BENNETT, _Columbia, Penn._, arrested as the slave of + Edward B. Gallup, of Baltimore. Taken before Commissioner + Ingraham; thence, by _habeas corpus_, before Judge Kane. He + was saved only by his freedom being purchased by his friends. + + _The Huntsville (Ala.) Advocate_, of January 1, 1851, said + that Messrs. Markwood & Chester had brought back "_seven of + their Slaves_" from Michigan. + + _The Memphis (Tenn.) Eagle_, of a later date, says that + within a few weeks "at least five fugitive slaves have been + brought back to this city, from free States, with as little + trouble as would be had in recovering stray cows." The same + paper adds, "We occasionally receive letters notifying us + that a slave, said to be the property of some one in this + vicinity, has been lodged in jail in Illinois or Indiana, for + his owner, who will please call, pay charges, and take him + away." + + _In Boston, end of January, 1851._ A colored man, lately from + North Carolina, was sought by officers, under Marshal Devens, + aided by a lawyer, named Spencer, provided by the New York + Union Safety Committee. The arrest was not attempted. It was + found that the colored man was too strongly guarded and + protected. + + Mrs. TAMOR, or EUPHEMIA WILLIAMS, _Philadelphia, February, + 1851_, mother of six children, arrested and brought before + Commissioner Ingraham, as the slave Mahala, belonging to + William T.J. Purnell, of Worcester County, Maryland, admitted + to have been absent since 1829--twenty-two years. Children + all born in Pennsylvania; oldest about seventeen--a girl. Her + husband also in custody, and alleged to be the slave of + another man. Under writ of _habeas corpus_, Mrs. Williams was + taken before Judge Kane, of the United States Circuit Court. + After a full hearing, she was discharged, as not being the + woman alleged. + + SHADRACH, _in Boston, February 15, 1851_. Arrested in Taft's + Cornhill Coffee House, by deputies of United States Marshal + Devens, on a warrant issued by George T. Curtis, United + States Commissioner, on the complaint of John Caphart, + attorney of John De Bree, of Norfolk, Va. Seth J. Thomas + appeared as counsel for Caphart. After a brief hearing before + G.T. Curtis, Commissioner, the case was adjourned to the + following Tuesday. Shortly after the adjournment, the + court-room was entered by a body of men, who bore away the + prisoner, Shadrach. After which he was heard of in Montreal, + Canada, having successfully, with the aid of many friends, + escaped the snares of all kidnappers, in and out of Boston. + The acting President, MILLARD FILLMORE, issued his + proclamation, countersigned by DANIEL WEBSTER, Secretary of + State, requiring prosecutions to be commenced against all who + participated in the rescue. + + _Shawneetown, Illinois._ A woman was claimed by Mr. Haley, + of Georgia, as his slave; and was delivered up to him by two + Justices of the Peace, (early in 1851.) + + _Madison, Indiana._ George W. Mason, of Davies County, + Kentucky, arrested a colored man, named MITCHUM, who, with + his wife and children, lived near Vernon. The case was tried + before a Justice of the Peace, named Basnett, who was + satisfied that Mitchum was Davis's slave, and had left his + service _nineteen years before_. The slave was accordingly + delivered up, and was taken to Kentucky, (Feb. 1851.) + + _Clearfield County, Penn., about 20th January, 1851._ A + boy was kidnapped and taken into slavery.--_Mercer (Pa.) + Presbyterian_. + + _Near Ripley, Ohio._ A fugitive slave, about January 20, + killed his pursuer. He was afterwards taken and carried back + to slavery. + + _Burlington, Lawrence County, Ohio, near the end of February, + 1851_, four liberated slaves were kidnapped, re-enslaved, and + sold. Efforts were made to bring the perpetrators of this + nefarious act to punishment, and restore the victims to + freedom. + + _At Philadelphia, early in March, 1851_, occurred the case of + the colored woman HELEN or HANNAH, and her son, a child of + tender years. She was taken before a Commissioner, and + thence, by writ of _habeas corpus_, before Judge Kane. An + additional question arose from the fact that the woman would + soon become the mother of another child. Judge Kane decided + that she was the property of John Perdu, of Baltimore, + together with her son, and her unborn child, and they were + all surrendered accordingly, and taken into slavery. + + _Pittsburg, March 13, 1851._ RICHARD GARDINER was arrested in + Bridgewater, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, claimed as the + property of Miss R. Byers, of Louisville, Kentucky. Judge + Irwin, of the United States District Court, "remanded the + fugitive back to his owner." He was afterwards bought for + $600, and brought into a free State. + + _The Wilmington (Del.) Journal_, in March, 1851, says + kidnapping has become quite frequent in that State; and + speaks of a negro kidnapped in that city, on the previous + Wednesday night, by a man who had been one of the city + watchmen. + + THOMAS SIMS, arrested in _Boston_, April 4, 1851, at first on + pretence of a charge of theft. But when he understood it was + as a fugitive from slavery, he drew a knife and wounded one + of the officers. He was taken before Commissioner George T. + Curtis. To guard against a repetition of the Shadrach rescue, + the United States Marshal, Devens, aided by the Mayor (John + P. Bigelow) and City Marshal (Francis Tukey) of Boston, + surrounded the Court House, in Boston, with heavy chains, + guarded it by a strong extra force of police officers, with a + strong body of guards also within the building, where the + fugitive was imprisoned as well as tried. Several military + companies also were called out by the city authorities, and + kept in readiness night and day to act against the people, + should they attempt the deliverance of Sims; Faneuil Hall + itself being turned into barracks for these hirelings of + slavery. Every effort was made by S.E. Sewall, Esq., Hon. + Robert Rantoul, Jr., and Charles G. Loring, Esq., to save + Sims from being returned into slavery, and Boston from the + eternal and ineffaceable disgrace of the act. But in vain. + The omnipotent Slave Power demanded of Boston a victim for + its infernal sacrifices. Millard Fillmore, Daniel Webster, + and their numerous tools, on the Bench, in Commissioners' + seats, and other official stations, or in hopes of gaining + such stations bye and bye, had fallen upon their faces + before the monster idol, and sworn that the victim should + be prepared. Thomas Sims was ordered back to slavery by + Commissioner G.T. Curtis, and was taken from the Court House, + in Boston, early on the morning of April 11th, [1851,] to the + Brig Acorn, lying at the end of Long Wharf, and thence in the + custody of officers, to Savannah, Georgia. + + There, after being lodged in jail, and severely and cruelly + whipped, as was reported, he was at length sold, and became + merged and lost in the great multitude of the enslaved + population. The surrender of Sims is said to have cost the + United States Government $10,000; the City of Boston about as + much more; and Mr. Potter, the claimant of Sims, about + $2,400, making a total of some $22,000, directly expended on + the case. + + _Vincennes, Indiana, April, 1851._ Four fugitive slaves were + seized, claimed by one Mr. Kirwan, of or near Florence, + Alabama. The magistrate, named Robinson, gave up the + fugitives, and they were taken into slavery. + + _In Salisbury Township, Penn., April, 1851_, an elderly man + was kidnapped and carried into Maryland. + + _Near Sandy Hill, Chester County, Penn., in March, 1851_, a + very worthy and estimable colored man, named Thomas Hall, was + forcibly seized, his house being broken into by three armed + ruffians, who beat him and his wife with clubs. He was + kidnapped. + + MOSES JOHNSON, _Chicago, Illinois_, brought before a United + States Commissioner, discharged as not answering to the + description of the man claimed. + + CHARLES WEDLEY, kidnapped from _Pittsburg, Pennsylvania_, and + taken into Maryland. He was found, and brought back. + + _Cincinnati, Ohio, June 3, 1851_, an attempt to arrest a + fugitive was made. But a scuffle ensued, in which the man + escaped. + + _Cincinnati, Ohio._ About the same time, some slaves, (number + not stated,) belonging to Rev. Mr. Perry and others, of + Covington, Kentucky, were taken in Cincinnati, and carried + back to Kentucky. + + _Philadelphia, end of June, 1851_, a colored man was taken + away as a slave, by steamboat. A writ of _Habeas Corpus_ was + got out but the officer could not find the man. This is + probably the same case with that of JESSE WHITMAN, arrested + at Wilkesbarre. + + FRANK JACKSON, a free colored man in _Mercer, Penn._, was + taken, early in 1851, by a man named Charles May, into + Virginia, and sold as a slave. He tried to escape, but was + taken and lodged in Fincastle jail, Virginia. + + THOMAS SCOTT JOHNSON, free colored man, of _New Bedford_, was + arrested near Portsmouth, Virginia, and was about to be sold + as a slave; but, by the strenuous interposition of Capt. + Card, certificates were obtained from New Bedford, and he was + set at liberty. + + ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, _West Chester County, Penn._, delivered + into slavery by Commissioner Jones. (July, 1851.) + + DANIEL HAWKINS, of _Lancaster County, Penn._, (July, 1851,) + was brought before Commissioner Ingraham, Philadelphia, and + by him delivered to his claimant, and he was taken into + slavery. + + _New Athens, Ohio, July 8, 1851._ Eighteen slaves, who had + escaped from Lewis County, Kentucky, were discovered in + an old building in Adams County, Ohio. Some white men, + professing to be friendly, misled them, and brought them to a + house, where they were imprisoned, bound one by one, and + carried back to Kentucky. [The enactment of the Fugitive + Slave Law is the direct stimulating cause of all these cases + of kidnapping.] + + _Buffalo, August, 1851._ Case of DANIEL ----. D. was a cook + on board the steamer "Buckeye State." He was engaged in his + avocation, when Benj. S. Rust, with a warrant from United + States Commissioner H.K. Smith, went on board the boat. + Daniel was called up from below, and as his head appeared + above the deck, Rust struck him a heavy blow, upon the head, + with a large billet of wood, which knocked him back into the + cook-room, where he fell upon the stove and was badly burned. + In this state, he was brought before the Commissioner, + "bleeding profusely at the back, of the head, and at the + nose, and was moreover so stupefied by the assault, that he + fell asleep several times during the brief and very summary + proceedings." For most of the time he was unable to converse + with his counsel, and "sat dozing, with the blood slowly + oozing out of his mouth and nostrils." After a very hurried + form, and mockery of a trial, Daniel was ordered to be + delivered to Rust, the Agent of George H. Moore, of + Louisville, Kentucky. By a writ of _Habeas Corpus_, Daniel + was brought before Judge Coakling, of the United States + Court, at Auburn, who gave a decision that set Daniel at + liberty, and he was immediately hurried by his friends into + Canada. Rust was indicted, in Buffalo, for his brutal assault + on Daniel. It was fully proved; he afterwards plead guilty, + and; was let off with the paltry fine of fifty dollars. + + JOHN BOLDING, _arrested in Poughkeepsie, New York_, claimed + as the property of Barret Anderson, of Columbia, S.C. Bolding + was a young man, of good character, recently married, and had + a small tailor's shop in P. He said he was told, when a boy, + that he was the son of a white man. He was tried before + United States Commissioner Nelson, who ordered him to be + delivered up to his claimants, and he was taken quietly from + the city to Columbia, S.C. The sum of $2,000 was raised in + New York, and paid to Bolding's owner, who had consented to + take that sum for him, and Bolding returned to his family in + Poughkeepsie. + + _Christiana, Lancaster County, Penn., Sept. 1851._ Edward + Gorsuch, (represented as a very pious member of a Methodist + Church in Baltimore,) with his son Dickinson, accompanied by + the Sheriff of Lancaster County, Pa., and by a Philadelphia + officer named _Henry Kline_, went to Christiana to arrest + certain slaves of his, who, (as he had been privately + informed by a wretch, named Wm. M. Padgett,) were living + there. An attack was made upon the house, the slave-holder + declaring (as was said) that he "would not leave the place + alive without his slaves." "Then," replied one of them, "you + will not leave here alive." Many shots were fired on both + sides, and the slave-hunter, Edward Gorsuch, was killed. + + At a subsequent trial, a number of persons (nearly forty) + were committed to take their trial for "treason against + the United States, by levying war against the same, in + resisting by force of arms the execution of the Fugitive + Slave Law." CASTNER HANWAY was of the number. After + suffering imprisonment and being subjected to great loss + of time and heavy expenses, they were all discharged. + + _Syracuse, October 1, 1851._ JERRY, claimed as the slave of + John McReynolds, of Marion County, Missouri, was brought to + trial before Commissioner J.F. Sabine. He was rescued by a + large body of men from the officers who had him in custody, + and was next heard of in Canada. + + _James R. Lawrence_, a lawyer of Syracuse, acted as counsel + for _James Lear_, attorney of McReynolds. + +[N.B. Daniel Webster's prophecy was not fulfilled.] + + _Columbia, Penn._, (fall of 1851.) Man named HENRY, arrested + as the slave of Dr. Duvall, of Prince George's County, + Maryland,--taken to _Harrisburg_, before United States + Commissioner McAllister and by him consigned to slavery. + + _Judge Denning_, of Illinois, discharged a negro brought + before him as a fugitive slave, on the ground that the + Fugitive Slave Law was unconstitutional. + + _Two alleged slaves arrested_ at _Columbia, Penn._, on + warrant of United States Commissioner McAllister,--claimed as + property of W.T. McDermott, of Baltimore. One was carried + into slavery, one escaped. (November, 1851.) + + _Near New Philadelphia, Maryland_, a woman, married to a free + colored man, with whom she had lived ten years, was arrested + as the slave of a Mr. Shreve, of Louisville, Kentucky. She + was taken back to Kentucky. + + RACHEL PARKER, free colored girl, kidnapped from house of + Joseph S. Miller, West Nottingham, Penn., by the "notorious + Elkton Kidnapper, McCreary," Dec. 31, 1851. Mr. Miller + tracked the kidnappers to Baltimore, and tried to recover the + girl, but in vain. On his way home, he was induced to leave + the cars, and was undoubtedly murdered,--it was supposed in + revenge of the death of Gorsuch at Christiana. Mr. Miller's + body was found suspended from a tree. A suit was brought in + the Circuit Court of Baltimore County, for the freedom of + Rachel Parker, Jan. 1853. Over sixty witnesses, from + Pennsylvania, attended to testify to her being free-born, and + that she was not the person she was claimed to be; although, + in great bodily terror, she had, after her capture, confessed + herself the alleged slave! So complete and strong was the + evidence in her favor, that, after an eight days' trial, the + claimants abandoned the case, and a verdict was rendered for + the freedom of Rachel, and also of her sister, Elizabeth + Parker, who had been previously kidnapped, and conveyed to + New Orleans. + +--> McCreary was demanded by Gov. Bigler, of Pennsylvania, to be +delivered up for trial on a charge of kidnapping; but Gov. Lowe, of +Maryland, refused to surrender him. See _Standard_, July 2, 1853. + + JAMES TASKER, _New York City_, (Feb. 1852,) arrested through + the treachery of Police Officer Martin, and brought before + United States Commissioner George W. Morton, as the slave of + Jonathan Pinckney, of Maryland. He was given up, and taken + back to slavery. + + HORACE PRESTON, arrested in _Williamsburg, New York_, as the + slave of William Reese, of Baltimore, Maryland;--Richard + Busteed, of New York, being Attorney for the slaveholder. He + was brought before United States Commissioner Morton, 1st + April, 1852; for several days previous he had been kept a + prisoner, and his wife knew not what had become of him. He + was given up by the Commissioner, and was carried into + slavery. The same policeman, Martin, (who acted in the case + of James Tasker,) was active in this case; being, doubtless, + the original informant. + + Preston was afterwards bought for about $1,200, and brought + back. + + _Columbia, Penn._, (end of March, 1852;) a colored man, named + WILLIAM SMITH, was arrested as a fugitive slave in the + lumber yard of Mr. Gottlieb, by Deputy Marshal Snyder, of + Harrisburg, and police officer Ridgeley, of Baltimore, under + a warrant from Commissioner McAllister. Smith endeavored to + escape, when Ridgeley drew a pistol and shot him dead! + Ridgeley was demanded by the Governor of Pennsylvania, of the + Governor of Maryland, and the demand was referred to the + Maryland Legislature. + + Hon. J.R. Giddings proposed the erection of a monument to + Smith. + + JAMES PHILLIPS, who had resided in _Harrisburg, Penn._, for + fourteen years, was arrested May 24, 1852, as the former + slave of Dennis Hudson, of Culpepper County, Virginia, + afterwards bought by Henry T. Fant, of Fauquier County. He + was brought before United States Commissioner McAllister. + Judge McKinney volunteered his services to defend the alleged + fugitive. The Commissioner, as soon as possible, ordered the + man to be delivered up; and, after fourteen years' liberty, + he was taken back to slavery in Virginia. Afterwards, bought + for $900, and taken back to Harrisburg. + + _Wilkesbarre, Penn._, (Summer of 1852.) Mr. Harvey arrested + and fined for shielding a slave. + + _Sacramento, California_; a man named Lathrop claimed another + as his slave, and Judge Fry decided that the claim was good, + and ordered the slave to be surrendered. Mr. Lathrop left, + with his slave, for the Atlantic States. + + _A beautiful young woman_, nearly white, was pursued by her + owner [and father] to New York, (end of June, 1852.) There a + large reward was offered to a police officer to discover her, + place of residence. It was discovered, and measures taken for + her apprehension; but the alarm had been taken, and she + escaped. + + _Sacramento, California_; three men were seized by a Mr. + Perkins, of Mississippi. The Court decided them to be his + property and they were carried back to Mississippi.--_Standard_, + July 29, 1852. + + _Petersburg, Penn._ Two fugitives from Alabama slavery were + overtaken, and taken back, September, 1852. + + JOHN HENRY WILSON, a lad of fourteen years, kidnapped from + Danville, Pennsylvania, and taken to Baltimore, where he was, + offered for sale to John N. Denning. Kidnappers committed to + jail, October, 1852. + +[--> DANIEL WEBSTER, the endorser of the Fugitive Slave Law, died at +Marshfield, Mass., October 24th, 1852, in the very height of the +Law's triumphant operation.] + + _LOUISA_, a colored woman, claimed by Mrs. Reese, of San + Francisco, California, was seized by five armed men, and put + on board Steamer Golden Gate, and carried it is not known + whither. The aid of the Law was not invoked. The California + _Christian Advocate_, from which the above is taken, says, + "Two colored men, stewards on the Golden Gate, were sent back + to the States on the last trip under the State Fugitive Law." + + _A mulatto woman, in San Francisco_, was ordered to be + delivered to her claimant, T.T. Smith, Jackson Country, + Missouri, by "Justice Shepherd,"--_San Francisco Herald_--in + _Standard_, November 4, 1852. + + _Sandusky, Ohio._ Two men, two women, and several children + were arrested and taken from a steamboat just about to leave + for Detroit. Taken before Mayor Follett, by a man who claimed + to be their owner. R.R. Sloane, Esq., was employed as counsel + for the slaves. No one claiming custody of the slaves, or + producing any writs or warrants, Mr. Sloane signified to the + crowd present that there appeared to be no cause for the + detention of the persons. Immediately a rush was made for the + door. A man, who before had been silent, exclaimed, "Here are + the papers--I own the slaves--I'll hold you individually + responsible for their escape." The slaves escaped into + Canada, October, 1852. Mr. Sloane was afterwards prosecuted + for the value of the slaves, and judgment given against him + to the amount of $3,950. + + _Thirty slaves_, says the _Maysville_ (Ky.) _Eagle_, "escaped + from Mason and Bracken Counties, a short time ago. Some of + them were captured in Ohio, by their owners, at a distance of + about forty miles from the river." "They brought the captured + slaves home without encountering the least obstacle, or even + an unkind word."--_Standard_, November 4, 1852. + + THE LEMMON SLAVES. At New York, eight persons, claimed by + Jonathan Lemmon, of Norfolk, Virginia, as his slaves, were + brought before Judge Paine, November, 1852. It appeared that + they had been brought to New York by their owner, with a view + of taking them to Texas, as his slaves. Mr. Louis Napoleon, a + respectable colored man, of New York, procured a writ of + habeas corpus, under which they were brought before the + court. Their liberation was called for, under the State Law, + not being fugitives, but brought into a free State by their + owner. Said owner appeared, with Henry D. Lapaugh as his + counsel, aided by Mr. Clinton. At their urgent request, the + case was postponed from time to time, when Judge Paine, with + evident reluctance, decreed the freedom of the slaves. E.D. + Culver and John Jay, Esqs., were counsel for the slaves. The + merchants and others of New York subscribed and paid Mr. + Lemmon the sum of $5,280, for loss of his slaves. The New + York _Journal of Commerce_ was very active in raising this + money. The same men were invited to contribute something for + the destitute men, women, and children claimed by Lemmon. The + whole amount given by them all, was two dollars. About one + thousand dollars were raised for them among the better + disposed but less wealthy class. + + THOMAS BROWN alias GEORGE BORDLEY, _Philadelphia, November, + 1852_, was claimed by one Andrew Pearce, Cecil County, + Maryland. Given up to claimant by Commissioner Ingraham. The + arrest of the man was made by the notorious kidnapper, George + F. Alberti. Mr. Pettit, counsel for the claimant. + +[Transcriber's note: The following note is inserted after the +following section but does not refer to any specific reported +incident.] + +--> The Slaveholders of Kentucky begin forming associations for +mutual protection against loss of runaway slaves. The preamble of +the plan of association proposed at a meeting at Minerva Kentucky, +held in the winter of 1852-53, is as follows:--"Whereas it has +become absolutely necessary for the slave-owners of Kentucky to take +such steps as will secure their property, we, the citizens of Mass. +and Bracken counties, do recommend," &c. [end note] + + RICHARD NEAL, free colored man, kidnapped in Philadelphia and + carried from the city in a carriage towards Maryland. A writ + of _habeas corpus_ was obtained, the kidnappers were + overtaken, and Neal brought back after resistance and various + hindrances. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania discharged him. + February, 1853. + + _Ten slaves_, arrested in Indiana, and taken back to + Tennessee, by W. Carney and others. Resistance was + made, and W. Carney "was very badly injured during the + fracas."--_Nashville ----_, March 5, 1853. [Transcribers' + note: ---- substituted for word cut off on original page.] + + _Alton, Illinois._ A man claimed to belong to Walter Carrico, + of Warren County, Missouri, was arrested by police officers + from St. Louis. After being lodged in jail in St. Louis he + made his escape, and again went into Illinois. He was + pursued, found, and taken back to St. Louis.--_St. Louis + Republican_, March, 1853. + + AMANDA, a slave girl, was brought to St. Louis, from near + Memphis, Tennessee, a year before, by a son of her master, + and by him set free, without his father's consent. After the + father's death, an attempt was made to seize Amanda, and take + her back to Tennessee without trial. This was prevented by + officers, the girl taken from the steamboat Cornelia, and + brought before Levi Davis, United States Commissioner. He + decided in favor of the claimants, (the heirs of the estate, + of course.)--_St. Louis Republican_, March 17, 1853. + + JANE TRAINER, a colored child, about ten years old, in the + possession of Mrs. Rose Cooper, _alias_ Porter, (a woman + admitted by her counsel to be a common prostitute,) was + brought before Judge Duer, of New York City, by a writ of + _habeas corpus_, which had been applied for by Charles + Trainer, the father of the child, (a free colored man, who + had followed the parties from Mobile to New York,) and who + desired that the custody of his daughter's person should be + granted to him. [June, 1853, and previous.] Judge Duer + decided that it was not within his jurisdiction to determine + to whom the custody of the child belonged; the Supreme Court + of New York must decide that. Judge D. proposed to both + parties that the child should be put into his hands, and he + would provide a proper person for her care and education, but + the woman (Porter) would not consent to this. She evidently + designed to train up the child for a life of shame, and + perhaps of slavery also. The case was brought by a writ of + _habeas corpus_, before Judge Barculo, of the Supreme Court, + sitting at Brooklyn. The effort to serve the writ was at + first defeated by the notorious New York bully, Captain + Isaiah Rynders, acting, it was said, under the advice of + James T. Brady, counsel for Mrs. Porter. For this + interference with, the law, Rynders and some others were + arrested and taken before Judge Barculo, who let them off on + their making an apology! The second attempt to serve the writ + on the child was more successful. After hearing counsel, + Judge Barculo adjudged "that the said Charles Trainer is + entitled to the care and custody of said Jane Trainer, and + directing her to be delivered to him as her father," &c. In + giving his decision, Judge B. said, "It is not to be assumed + that a child under fourteen years of age is possessed of + sufficient discretion to choose her own guardian; a house of + ill-fame is not a suitable place, nor one of its inmates a + proper person for the education of such a child." Jane + Trainer's mother was afterwards bought from slavery in + Mobile, Alabama, and enabled to join her husband and child. + + In 1854, Charles Trainer obtained a verdict in King's County + Court, New York, for $775 damages, against Rose Cooper. + +[N.B. Though not strictly a case under the Fugitive Slave Law, this +is very properly inserted here, as the whole spirit of the woman, of +her counsel, and of the means he took to accomplish his base +designs, was clearly instigated by that Law, and by the malignant +influences it brought into action against the colored people, both +slave and free.] + + BASIL WHITE, Philadelphia, was summarily surrendered into + slavery in Maryland, by United States Commissioner Ingraham, + June 1, 1853. He was betrayed into the clutches of the + kidnapper Alberti, by a colored man named John Dorsey. + + _Two slaves_ of Sylvester Singleton, living near Burlington, + (Ky.?) escaped and reached Columbus, Ohio; were there + overtaken by their master, who secured them and took them + back with him.--_Cincinnati Enquirer_. + + JOHN FREEMAN, a free colored man, seized in Indianapolis, and + claimed as the slave of Pleasant Ellington, a Methodist + church-member, (Summer, 1853,) of Missouri. Freeman pledged + himself to prove that he was not the person he was alleged to + be. The United States Marshal consented to his having time + for this, provided he would go to jail, and pay _three + dollars a day_ for a guard to keep him secure! Bonds to any + amount, to secure the marshal against loss, if Freeman could + go at large, were rejected. Freeman's counsel went to + Georgia, and "after many days returned with a venerable and + highly respectable gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Patillo, + (post-master of the place where he resides,) who had + voluntarily made the long journey for the sole purpose of + testifying to his knowledge of Freeman, and that he was well + known to be free!" But Freeman was still kept in jail. After + several days, Ellington brought witnessess to prove F. to be + his slave. The witnesses, and Liston (counsel for Ellington) + wished to have Freeman strip himself, to be examined naked. + By advise of his counsel he refused. The marshal took him to + his cell, and compelled him to strip. The witnesses then + swore that he was Ellington's property. Freeman's counsel + produced further evidence that he had been known as a free + man _twenty_ years. Ellington claimed that he had escaped + from him _sixteen_ years before. The man who did escape from + Ellington, just sixteen years before, was discovered to be + living near Malden, Canada. Two of the Kentucky witnesses + visited and recognized him. Freeman was then released, but + with a large debt upon him, $1,200, which had grown up by + the unusually heavy expenses of his defence and long + imprisonment, Freeman brought a suit against Ellington for + false imprisonment laying damages at $10,000. A verdict for + $2,000 was given in his favor, which was agreed to by + Ellington's counsel.--_Indiana Free Democrat_, May, 1854. + + _Three slaves_, two men and a girl, fled from near Maysville, + Kentucky, into Ohio. Were pursued by their owners and + assistants, five men armed, and were overtaken, says the + Maysville _Weekly Express_, "at the bridge over Rattlesnake + Creek, on the Petersburg and Greenfield road, about ten + o'clock at night," the slaves being, armed, and accompanied + by a white man. Both parties fired, the negro girl was + wounded, but still fled; one of the negro men was also + wounded, and, says the Maysville paper, they "were tracked a + mile and a half by the blood." The other slave was secured + and taken back to Kentucky, "much bruised and cut in the + affray." "The white man," says the same paper, "was also + caught and beaten in a very severe manner with a club, and + strong hopes are entertained that he will die."--_Wilmington + (Ohio) Republican_, July, 22, 1853. + + _A colored girl_, between four and five years old, suddenly + disappeared from Providence, R.I., July 13, 1853; at the same + time, a mulatto woman, who had been heard to make inquiries + about the child, was missing also. Believed to be a case of + kidnapping. + + _A negro boy_, says the Memphis _Inquirer_, "left his owner + in this city," and went on board the steamboat Aurilla Wood, + bound for Cincinnati. By a telegraphic message he was + intercepted, taken from the boat at Cairo, Illinois, and + taken back to Memphis. (Summer, 1853.) + + GEORGE W. MCQUERRY, _Cincinnati, Ohio_. A colored man, who + had resided three or four years in Ohio, and married a free + woman, by whom he had three children, was remanded to slavery + by Judge McLean (August, 1853.) The man was taken by the + United States Marshal, with a posse, across the river to + Covington, Kentucky, and there delivered to his _master_! + + _Two men kidnapped_ from Chicago, and taken to St. Louis. See + _Chicago_ Tribune, quoted in _Standard_, Aug. 27, 1853. + + _Three Slaves_ taken by _Habeas Corpus_, from steamboat + Tropic, and brought before Judge Flinn, at Cincinnati, + August, 1853. The woman Hannah expressed a wish to return to + her master in the boat. Judge Flinn ordered her into the + custody of the claimants without investigation. Judge F. + asked Hannah if she had the custody of the child Susan, to + which she answered that she had. Whereupon the Judge also + ordered her back into the custody of the claimants, without + examination. Mr. Jolliffe protested against ordering the + child back without examination. The Court said they would + take the responsibility. The examination then proceeded in + the case of the man Edward. It appeared that they were + purchased in Virginia, to be conveyed to Mississippi. The + boat stopped at Cincinnati, and the slaves were twice taken + by the agent of the owners on shore, and upon the territory + of Ohio. Mr. Jolliffe commenced his argument at 7, P.M., and + argued that the slaves, being brought by their owners upon + free territory, were legally free. Mr. J., before finishing, + was taken ill, and obliged to leave the court-room; he first + begged the Court to adjourn until morning, which was refused + by Judge Flinn. Judge Keys said the Ohio river was a highway + for all States bordering on it, whose citizens had a right + also to use the adjacent shores for purposes necessary to + navigation. Mr. Zinn stated that Mr. Jolliffe had been + obliged to retire, in consequence of illness, and had + requested him to urge the Court to continue the case. Judge + Flinn said--"The case will he decided to-night; that is + decided on. We have not been silting here four or five hours + to determine whether we will decide the case or not. It will + be decided, and you may come up to it sideways or square; or + any way you please; you must come to it." Mr. Zinn said he + was not going to argue. He had made the request out of + courtesy to a professional brother. He doubted the power of + the Court to deliver the boy into slavery. Judge Flinn + said--"I do not wish to hear any arguments of that nature." + The man was then ordered to be taken by the Sheriff, and + delivered to claimant on board the boat,--which was + done.--_Cincinnati Gazette_, 27th August, 1853. + + PATRICK SNEED, a colored waiter in the Cataract House, + Niagara Falls, arrested on the pretended charge of murder + committed in Savannah, Georgia. He was brought, by _Habeas + Corpus_, before Judge Sheldon, at Buffalo, (September, 1853,) + and by him ordered to be "fully discharged." + + BILL, [or WILLIAM THOMAS,] a colored waiter at the + Phenix Hotel, Wilkesbarre, Penn., described as a "tall, + noble-looking, intelligent, and active mulatto, nearly + white," was attacked by "Deputy Marshal Wynkoop," Sept. 3, + 1853, and four other persons, (three of them from Virginia.) + These men came "suddenly, from behind, knocked him down with + a mace, and partially shackled him." He struggled hard + against the five, shook them off, and with the handcuff, + which had been secured to his right wrist only "inflicted + some hard wounds on the countenances" of his assailants. + Covered with blood, he broke from them, rushed from the + house, and plunged in the river close by, exclaiming, "I will + be drowned rather than taken alive." He was pursued, fired + upon repeatedly, ordered to come out of the water, where he + stood immersed to his neck, or "they would blow his brains + out." He replied, "I will die first." They then deliberately + fired at him four or five different times, the last ball + supposed to have struck on his head, for his face was + instantly covered with blood, and he sprang up and shrieked. + The by-standers began to cry "shame" and the kidnappers + retired a short distance for consultation. Bill came out of + the water and lay down on the shore. His pursuers, supposing + him dying, said, "Dead niggers are not worth taking South." + Some one brought and put on him a pair of pantaloons. He was + helped to his feet by a colored man named Rex; on seeing + which, Wynkoop and party headed him and presented their + revolvers, when BILL again ran into the river, "where he + remained upwards of an hour, nothing but his head above + water, covered with blood, and in full view of hundreds who + lined the banks." His claimants dared not follow him into + the water; for, as he said afterward, "he would have died + contented, could he have carried two or three of them down + with him." Preparations [rather slow it would appear,] were + made to arrest the murderous gang, but they had departed + from the place. BILL then waded some distance up the stream, + and "was found by some women flat on his face in a + corn-field. They carried him to a place of safety, dressed + his wounds," and the suffering man was seen no more in + Wilkesbarre.--_Correspondence of New York Tribune_. + +Wynkoop and another were afterwards arrested in Philadelphia, on a +charge of riot, the warrant issuing from a State magistrate of +Wilkesbarre, on the complaint of William C. Gildersleeve, of the +place. Mr. Jackson, the constable who held them in custody, was +brought before Judge Grier, of the United States Supreme Court, by +_habeas corpus_. Judge Grier, during the examination, said:-- + + "I will not have the officers of the United States harassed + at every step in the performance of their duties by every + petty magistrate who chooses to harass them, or by any + unprincipled interloper who chooses to make complaints + against them--for I know something of the man who makes this + complaint." "If this man Gildersleeve fails to make out the + facts set forth in the warrant of arrest, I will request the + Prosecuting Attorney of Luzerne County to prosecute him + for perjury. * * * If any tuppenny magistrate, or any + unprincipled interloper can come in, and cause to be arrested + the officers of the United States, whenever they please, it + is a sad affair. * * * If _habeas corpuses_ are to be taken + out alter that manner, I will have an indictment sent to the + United States Grand Jury against the person who applies for + the writ, or assists in getting it, the lawyer who defends + it, and the sheriff who serves the writ. * * * I will see + that my officers are protected." On a subsequent day, Judge + Grier gave an elaborate opinion, reciting the facts in the + case, _as stated by the prisoners_, and ordering them to be + _discharged_! He said:--"We are unable to perceive, in this + transaction, anything worthy of blame in the conduct of these + officers in their unsuccessful endeavors to fulfil a most + dangerous and disgusting duty; except, perhaps, a want of + sufficient courage and perseverance in the attempt to execute + the writ!" + +Wynkoop and the other were discharged by Judge Kane on the ground that +they did only what their duty, under the Law, required. (May, 1854.) + + _A family of colored persons_, at Uniontown, Pa., were + claimed as slaves by a man in Virginia. They admitted that + they had been his slaves, but declared that they had come + into Pennsylvania with their master's consent and knowledge, + on a visit to some friends in Fayette County, and were not, + therefore, _fugitives_. This was overruled, and the negroes + were sent back by a United States Commissioner, name not + given. (September, 1853.)[A]--_Pittsburgh Saturday Visiter_. + + [Footnote A: _A correspondent_ of the _New York Evening + Post_, writing from Columbus, Ohio, September 1, 1853, states + that a very large number of fugitive slaves are continually + passing through that State; that they are generally armed; + and that they find increasing sympathy among the people on + the road, and the boatmen on the lakes.] + + _A desperate fight_ between a party of four fugitives and + about double the number of whites, took place in Carroll + County, Maryland. Four white men shot--none dangerously. Two + of the slaves wounded, one severely. They were captured. + (October, 1853.)--_Westminster (Md.) Democrat_. + + _Washington, Indiana._ In April, 1853, GEORGE, a negro man, + was arrested and claimed by a Mr. Rice, of Kentucky, as his + slave. Judge Clemens ordered his surrender to Rice, who took + him to Louisville, and there sold him to a slave-trader, who + took him to Memphis, Tennessee. Here a man from Mississippi + claimed that George was _his_ slave, obtained a writ of + replevin, and took possession of him. + + JOSHUA GLOVER, colored man, claimed as the slave of B.S. + Garland, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was arrested near + Racine, Wisconsin, about the 10th of March, 1854. Arrest made + by five men, who burst suddenly into his shanty, put a pistol + to his head, felled him to the ground, handcuffed him, and + took him in a wagon to Milwaukee jail, a distance of + twenty-five miles. They swore that if he shouted or made the + least noise, they would kill him instantly. When visited, + says the _Milwaukee Sentinel_, "We found him in his cell. He + was cut in two places on the head; the front of his shirt and + vest were soaking and stiff with his own blood." A writ of + _habeas corpus_ was immediately issued; also a warrant for + the arrest of the five men who assaulted and beat him in his + shanty. Thousands of people collected around the jail and + court-house, "the excitement being intense." A vigilance + committee of twenty-five persons was appointed to watch the + jail at night and see that Glover was not secretly taken + away. The next day, at about five o'clock, P.M., a + considerable accession of persons being made to the crowd, + and it appearing that every attempt to save Glover by the + laws of Wisconsin had been overruled by United States Judge + Miller, a demand was made for the man. This being refused, an + attack was made upon the door with axes, planks, &c. It was + broken in, the inner door and wall broken through, and Glover + taken from his keepers, brought out, placed in a wagon, and + driven off at great speed. + + S.M. Booth, editor of the _Milwaukee Free Democrat_, Charles + Clement, of the _Racine Advocate_, W.H. Waterman, and George + S. Wright were arrested for aiding and abetting the rescue of + Glover. Booth was subsequently discharged by the Supreme + Court of Wisconsin, on the ground that the Fugitive Slave Law + is unconstitutional. He was, however, re-arrested, and held + to answer in the United States Courts, on the same charge; + the offered bail was refused, and he was lodged in jail. The + case was subsequently tried before the District Court of the + United States, at Milwaukee, on the question as to the right + of a State judiciary to release prisoners under a writ of + _habeas corpus_, who may be in the lawful custody of United + States officers; and also to determine the constitutionality + of the Fugitive Slave Law. (_Washington Star_, September 20, + 1854.) The Attorney General, Caleb Cushing, made himself very + active in pushing forward this case. Mr. Booth, early in + 1855, was fined one thousand dollars and sentenced to one + month's imprisonment. John Ryecraft, for same offence, was + sentenced in a fine of two hundred dollars and imprisonment + for ten days. All for acts such as Christianity and Humanity + enjoin. On a writ of _habeas corpus_, Messrs. Booth and + Ryecraft were taken before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, + sitting at Madison, and discharged from imprisonment. This, + however, did not relieve them from the fines imposed by the + United States Court. The owner of the slave brought a civil + suit against Mr. Booth, claiming $1,000 damages for the loss + of his slave. Judge Miller decided, July, 1855, that the + $1,000 must be paid. + + EDWARD DAVIS, _March, 1854_. As the steamboat Keystone State, + Captain Hardie, from Savannah, was entering Delaware Bay, + bound to Philadelphia, the men engaged in heaving the lead + heard a voice from under the guards of the boat, calling for + help. A rope was thrown, and a man caught it and was drawn + into the boat in a greatly exhausted state. He had remained + in that place from the time of leaving Savannah, the water + frequently sweeping over him. Some bread in his pocket was + saturated with salt water and dissolved to a pulp. The + captain ordered the vessel to be put in to Newcastle, + Delaware, where the fugitive, hardly able to stand, was taken + on shore and put in jail, to await the orders of his owner, + in Savannah. DAVIS claimed to be a free man, and a native of + Philadelphia, and described many localities there. Before + Judge Bradford, at Newcastle, Davis's freedom was fully + proved, and he was discharged. He was again arrested and + placed in jail on the oath of Captain Hardie, that he + believed him to be a fugitive slave and a fugitive from + justice. After some weeks' delay, he was brought to trial + before United States Commissioner Samuel Guthrie, who ordered + him to be delivered up to his claimant on the ground that he + was legally a slave, though free-born. It appeared in + evidence that Davis had formerly gone from Pennsylvania to + reside in Maryland, contrary to the laws of that State; which + forbid free colored persons from other States to come there + to reside; and being unable to pay the fine imposed for this + offence (!) by the Orphan's (!) Court of Harford County, was + committed to jail and sold as a slave for life, by Robert + McGaw, Sheriff of the County, to Dr. John G. Archer, of + Louisiana, from whom he was sold to B.M. Campbell, who sold + him to William A. Dean, of Macon, Georgia, the present + claimant. Thus a free-born citizen of Pennsylvania was + consigned, _by law_ to slavery for life: + +[-->In May, 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Bill was enacted.] + + ANTHONY BURNS, arrested in Boston, May 24, 1854, as the slave + of Charles F. Suttle, of Alexandria, Virginia, who was + present to claim him, accompanied by a witness from Richmond, + Virginia, named William Brent. Burns was arrested on a + warrant granted by United States Commissioner Edward Greeley + Loring, taken to the court-house in Boston, ironed, and + placed in an upper story room under a strong guard. The + hearing commenced the next morning before Mr. Loring, but was + adjourned until Saturday; May 27, to give the counsel for A. + Burns time to examine the case. On Friday evening, (26th,) an + attack was made upon the court-house by a body of men, with + the evident design of rescuing Burns; a door was forced in, + and one of the marshal's special guard, (named Batchelder,) + was killed, whether by the assailants or by one of his own + party is uncertain, it being quite dark; upon the cry of + Batchelder that he was killed, the attacking party retreated + and made no further attempt. The trial of the case proceeded + on Saturday, again on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, when + the Commissioner said he would give his decision on Friday. + During the trial, Burns was continually surrounded by a + numerous body-guard, (said to be at least one hundred and + twenty-five men,) selected by Watson Freeman, United States + Marshal, from the vilest sinks of scoundrelism, corruption, + and crime in the city to be Deputy Marshals for the occasion. + These men, with every form of loathsome impurity and + hardened villainy stamped upon their faces, sat constantly + around the prisoner while in the court-room, the handles of + pistols and revolvers visibly protruding from their breast + pockets. A company of United States troops, from the Navy + Yard, occupied the court-house, and guarded all avenues to + the United States court-room. The testimony of numerous + highly respectable witnesses was adduced to show that Anthony + Burns was in Boston a month earlier than the time at which he + was said to have left Richmond. R.H. Dana, Jr. and Charles M. + Ellis, counsel for Burns, made very eloquent and able + arguments in his behalf. Seth J. Thomas and E.G. Parker were + the counsel for Suttle, the case being constantly watched and + aided by the United States District Attorney, Benjamin F. + Hallett, who was in regular telegraphic communication with + the President of the United States, (F. Pierce,) at + Washington. An effort was made, and followed up with much + patience, to buy Burns's freedom, Suttle having offered to + sell him for $1,200. The money was raised and tendered to + Suttle, when difficulties were interposed, especially by Mr. + Attorney Hallett, and the attempt failed. Suttle afterwards + declared he would not sell Burns for any sum, but that he + should go back to Virginia. On Friday morning, June 2d, + Commissioner Loring gave his decision, overriding all the + testimony in Burns's favor, using certain expressions which + fell from Burns in the first heat and confusion of his + arrest, as testimony against him, and concluding with + ordering him to be delivered up to the claimant. Some four + hours were consumed in getting Court Street, State Street, + &c., in a state of readiness for the removal of the prisoner. + A regiment of Massachusetts Infantry had been posted on + Boston Common, under command of Col. Benjamin Franklin (!) + Edmands, from an early hour of the day, in anticipation of + the Commissioner's decision. These troops, which had been + called out by the Mayor, Jerome V.C. Smith, were marched to + the scene of the kidnapping, and so placed as to guard every + street, lane, and other avenue leading to State Street, &c., + the route through which the slave procession was to pass. No + individual was suffered to pass within these guards; but acts + of violence were committed by them on several individuals. + Court Square was occupied by two companies of United States + troops, (chiefly Irishmen,) and a large field-piece was drawn + into the centre. All preparations being made, Watson Freeman + (United States Marshal) issued forth from the court-house + with his prisoner, who walked with a firm step, surrounded by + the body-guard of criminals before mentioned, with drawn + United States sabres in their hands, and followed by United + States troops with the aforesaid piece of artillery. Preceded + by a company of Massachusetts mounted troops, under command + of Colonel Isaac H. Wright, this infamous procession took its + way down Court Street, State Street and Commerce Street, (for + the proprietors of Long Wharf refused to allow them to march + upon their premises, through a public highway in all ordinary + cases,) to the T Wharf, where the prisoner was taken on board + a steam tow-boat, and conveyed down the harbor to the United + States Revenue Cutter Morris; in which he was transported to + Virginia. + + It may not be amiss to have given, in a single instance, this + somewhat detailed account of the process of seizing, trying, + and delivering up a man into slavery, whose only crime was + that he had fled from a bondage "one hour of which is fraught + with more misery than ages of that which our fathers rose in + rebellion to throw off," Thomas Jefferson, the Virginian + slaveholder, himself being witness. + + Anthony Burns, having been sold into North Carolina, was + afterwards purchased with money subscribed in Boston and + vicinity, for the purpose, and returned to Boston. + + The _illegality_ of the Mayor's conduct in ordering out the + military, and giving to the Colonel of the regiment the + entire control of the same, was fully shown by different and + highly competent writers, among whom was P.W. Chandler, Esq., + whose two articles, in the _Boston Advertiser_, deserve to be + remembered with respect. The Mayor's excuse was that he + desired to _keep the peace_. But these Massachusetts troops + received pay for their day's work from the United States + Government. Judge HOAR, in a charge to the Grand Jury, + declared the act of the Mayor, in calling out the militia, to + be an infraction of law. + + + STEPHEN PEMBROKE, and his two sons, _Robert_ and _Jacob_, + 19 and 17 years of age, were arrested in New York almost + simultaneously with the seizure of Burns in Boston; claimed + as the slaves of David Smith and Jacob H. Grove, of + Sharpsburg, Washington County, Maryland. They escaped May + 1st, and came to New York, followed closely by their masters, + who discovered their retreat in Thompson Street, and pounced + upon them by night. At 8-1/2 o'clock, next morning, they were + taken before United States Commissioner G.W. Morton, "where + the case came up for the most summary and hasty hearing that + has ever characterized our judicial proceedings." Dunning and + Smith were counsel for the masters, but the fugitives had no + counsel; and the hearing was finished, and a warrant granted + to the slave claimants before the matter became known in the + city. When Mr. Jay and Mr. Culver hastened to the court-room + to offer their services to the prisoners, as counsel, they + were assured by officers, _and by Commissioner Morton + himself_, that the men wanted no counsel, and were not in the + building. On search, however, it was found they were in the + building, locked up in a room. They said they desired counsel + and the aid of friends. A writ of _habeas corpus_ was + obtained, but before it could be served the three men had + been removed from the State, and were on their way to + Baltimore. [See the published. Card of E.D. CULVER, Esq.] + Stephen Pembroke was the brother, and his sons the nephews + of Rev. Dr. Pennington, of New York City, Pastor of a + Presbyterian (colored) Church. Stephen Pembroke was purchased + and brought back to New York, ($1,000 having been contributed + for that purpose,) and related his experience of the slave's + life, at a public meeting, held in the Broadway Tabernacle, + July 17, 1854. His sons had been sold, and remained in + slavery. + + JAMES COTES, free man of color, residing in Gibson County, + Indiana, went to Jeffersonville, (Ind.,) to take the cars for + Indianapolis. On going to the depot, at 6, A.M., for the + morning train, he was knocked down, "beat over the head with + a brick-bat, and cut with a bowie-knife, until subdued. He + was then tied, and in open daylight in full view of our + populace, borne off bleeding like a hog." He was undoubtedly + taken to the jail, in Louisville. On crossing the river to + Louisville he met the captain of a steamboat, who knew him to + be a free man. (About June 1, 1854.) The kidnapper was + arrested and held to bail in the sum of $1,000, to take his + trial at next Circuit Court. + + _Near Cedarville, Ohio, May 25, 1854_, about noon, "a colored + man, of middle age and respectable appearance, was walking on + the Columbus and Xenia turnpike. He was alone. A man in a + buggy overtook him, and invited him to ride, saying he was a + friend to the colored man, and promising to assist him in + obtaining his liberty." He took the colored man to the house + of one Chapman, "three miles south of Selma, in Greene + county." There Chapman and the other, (whose name was William + McCord,) fell upon the colored man, struck him with a _colt_ + upon the head, so that he bled severely, and bound his hands + behind him. "Soon after the negro got loose and ran down the + road; McCord ran after him, crying 'Catch the d----d horse + thief,' &c., Chapman and his son following; negro picked up + a stone, the man a club and struck him on the head, so that + he did not throw the stone. He was then tied, and helped + by McCord and Chapman to walk to the buggy. McCord asked + Chapman, the son, to accompany him to Cincinnati with the + colored man, promising to give him half the reward ($200) if + he would. They then started, driving very fast." "We had not + gone over two or three miles," said Chapman, "before the + negro died, and after taking him two or three miles further, + put him out, and left him as now discovered,"--viz. in a + thick wood, one mile south of Clifton. The above facts are + taken from the testimony given at the coroner's inquest + over the body. "The jury gave in substance the following + verdict:--Deceased came to his death by blows from a colt + and club in the hands of one William McCord, assisted by + the two Chapmans." Chapman, the son, said that McCord made + him a proposition to join and follow kidnapping for a + business, stating that he knew where he could get four + victims immediately. McCord was taken and lodged in Xenia + jail. The Chapmans bound over to take their trial for + kidnapping.--_Wilmington (Ohio) Herald of Freedom_. + + _Columbus, Indiana._ A Kentuckian endeavored to entice a + little negro boy to go with him, and both were waiting to + take the cars, when mischief was suspected, and a crowd of + people proceeded to the depot, and made the kidnapper + release his intended victim. (June, 1854.)--_Indiana Free + Democrat_. + + ---- BROWN, a resident of Henderson, Kentucky, was arrested + for aiding four female slaves to escape from Union County, + Kentucky, to Canada. United States Marshal Ward and Sheriff + Gavitt, of Indiana, made the arrest. He was lodged in + Henderson jail.--_Evansville (Ind.) Journal_, June 2, 1854. + + Several Kentucky planters, among them Archibald Dixon, raised + $500 in order to secure Brown's conviction and sentence to + penitentiary. + + [Transcriber's note: The following note appears as a footnote + to this section without specific reference to any of the + cited cases.] + + --> The case of SOLOMON NORTHUP, though not under the + Fugitive Law, is so striking an illustration of the power + which created that law, and of the constant danger which + impends over every colored citizen of the Northern States, + fast threatening to include white citizens also, that it must + not he passed over without mention. He was kidnapped in 1841, + from the State of New York, and kept in slavery twelve years. + Two men, named Merrill and Russell, were arrested and tried + as his kidnappers, and the fact fully proven. But the case + was got into the United States Courts, and the criminals went + unpunished. [end of note] + + _Nine slaves_ left their masters in Boone County, Kentucky, + on Sunday, June 11, 1854, having three horses with them. + Arrived at the river, they turned the horses back, and taking + a skiff crossed at midnight to the Ohio shore. After + travelling two or three miles, they hid during Monday in a + clump of bushes. At night they started northward again. A + man, named John Gyser, met them and promised to assist them. + He took them to a stable, where they were to remain until + night. He immediately went to Covington, Kentucky, learned + that $1,000 reward was offered for their apprehension, and + gave information of their place of concealment. At evening a + strong band of Kentuckians, with United States Deputy Marshal + George Thayer, assisted by three Cincinnati officers, + surrounded the stable and took the nine prisoners, on a + warrant issued by United States Commissioner Pendery. They + were all given up to their claimants, and taken back to + Kentucky. + + _A New Orleans correspondent of the New York Tribune_, in a + letter dated July 3, 1854, writes, "During a recent trip up + the river I was on several steamers, and on every boat they + had one or more runaway slaves, who had been caught and were + being taken in _irons_ to their _masters_." + + _On the Steamer Alvin Adams_, at Madison, Indiana, a man was + arrested as a fugitive and taken to Louisville, Kentucky. + He was claimed as the slave of John H. Page, of Bowling + Green. The _Louisville Journal_, edited by a Northern man, + stigmatised him as a "rascal," for his attempt to be free. + (July, 1854.) + + _Two colored men_, on their way to Chicago, were seized and + taken from the cars at Lasalle, Illinois, by three men, who + said they were not officers. The colored men were known to + be free; one was "a respectable resident of Chicago." Some of + the passengers interfered; but it being night, and very dark, + and the cars starting on the colored men were left in the + hands of their kidnappers. + + _Chicago, Illinois._ Three men from Missouri, with a warrant + from the Governor of that State, to take a certain fugitive + slave, seized a man whom they met in the street, bound him + with a handkerchief, and to quicken his steps beat him with + the butt of a pistol. He succeeded in shaking off his captors + and fled, a pistol-bullet being sent after him, which did not + hit him. He made good his escape. The men were arrested and + held to trial for assault with deadly weapons. By an + extraordinary conspiracy on the part of District Attorney + Hoyne, Sheriff Bradley, and others, these men were taken from + jail to be carried to Springfield, Illinois, two hundred + miles distant, to appear before Chief Justice Treat, that he + might inquire "whether said alleged kidnappers were justly + held to bail and imprisoned." It was so suddenly done that + the counsel for the kidnapped man and for the State of + Illinois had not time to reach Springfield before the men + were discharged and on their way to Missouri. The Grand Jury + of the County (in which Chicago is) had found a true bill + against them, of which the Sheriff professed to be ignorant, + (which was deemed hardly possible,)--under which bill they + would probably have been convicted and sentenced to the State + Prison. Thus the omnipotent Slave Power reaches forth its + hand into our most Northern cities, end saves its minions + from the punishment which their lawless acts have justly + merited.--_Chicago Daily Tribune_, Sept. 21, 1854. + +--> The three kidnappers published a statement in the _St. Louis +Republican_ of September 26. + + HENRY MASSEY, at Philadelphia, September, 1854, was brought + before United States Commissioner E.D. Ingraham, claimed by + Franklin Bright, of Queen Anne's County, Maryland, as his + slave. Arrested in Harrisburg. + + HARVEY, arrested near Cumminsville, Ohio,--escaped,--taken + again in Goshen, about ten miles from Cincinnati, and lodged + in the jail of that city. An investigation of the case was + had before United States Commissioner Pendery, and the + slave remanded to the custody of his master.--_Cincinnati + Commercial_, September 22, 1854. + + _Byberry, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1854._ A carriage load + of suspicious looking men came to this place in the + afternoon. They waited until nightfall, when they burst into + the house of a colored family, "seized the man in presence of + his wife and another woman, threatening to shoot them if they + interfered--dragged him out, beating him over the head with a + mace. The poor fellow continued to scream for help until his + voice was stifled by his groans; they forced him into their + carriage and drove off, before any effectual assistance + could be offered." He was a sober and industrious man, and + much respected. His wife was left heartbroken, with one + child.--_Norristown (Pa.) Olive Branch_. + + _The Frankfort (Ky.) Yeoman_, of November 18, 1854, + said:--"Kidnapping free negroes in Ohio, and deluding our + slaves from their masters to recapture and sell them, is an + established profession of a gang located upon the borders of + the Ohio River, combining with negro-traders in the interior + of this State." The names of some employed in this business + are given, two of whom, having been arrested and imprisoned, + threatened to burn the city of Frankfort for interrupting + their business. + + JANE MOORE, a free colored woman, at Cincinnati, November, + 1854, seized in the house of her sister, (Sycamore Street,) + beaten, and with the help of a deputy marshal from Covington, + Kentucky, carried over to Covington, and lodged in jail, + on pretence of her being a fugitive slave. She was taken + before the Mayor of Covington, "who heard the case with + impartiality." Her freedom was established, and she released. + + _At Indianapolis, Indiana, December, 1854_, Benjamin B. + Waterhouse was indicted for harboring fugitive slaves, + contrary to the provisions of the Fugitive Law. He was found + guilty, but the jury recommended him "to the favorable + consideration of the Court, and stated that the evidence was + barely sufficient to convict." He was fined fifty dollars and + to be imprisoned one hour, and the government to pay the + costs.---_Chicago Tribune_. + + _A Proposition for Kidnapping_, on a large scale, was made by + John H. Pope, "police officer and constable," in a letter + dated "Frederick, Maryland, United States of America, January + 1, 1855," and addressed to Mr. Hays, Sheriff of Montreal, + Canada. "Vast numbers of slaves," says Mr. Pope, "escaping + from their masters or owners, succeed in reaching your + Provinces, and are, therefore, without the pale of the + 'Fugitive Slave Law,' and can only be restored by cunning, + together with skill. Large rewards are offered and will be + paid for their return, and could I find an efficient person + to act with me, a great deal of money could be made, as I + would equally divide. * * * The only apprehension we have in + approaching too far into Canada is the fear of being + arrested; and had I a good assistant in your city, who would + induce the negroes to the frontier, I would be there to pay + the cash. On your answer, I can furnish names and + descriptions of negroes." + +This letter was published, doubtless at the Montreal Sheriff's +request, in the _Montreal Gazette_, January 13, 1855. + +--> The _Montreal Gazette_, of February 3, published a second letter +from J.H. Pope. + + _A warrant was issued in Boston_, January 10, 1855, by United + States Commissioner Charles Levi Woodbury, for the arrest of + JOHN JACKSON, as a fugitive from service and labor in + Georgia. Mr. Jackson, who had been for some time in the city, + was nowhere to be found. + + ROSETTA ARMSTEAD, a colored girl, was taken by writ of + _habeas corpus_ before Judge Jamison, at Columbus, Ohio. + Rosetta formerly belonged to Ex-President John Tyler, who + _gave her_ to his daughter, the wife of Rev. Henry M. + Dennison, an Episcopal clergyman of Louisville, Kentucky. + Mrs. D. having deceased, Rosetta was to be sent back to + Virginia in care of an infant child, both being placed in + charge of a Dr. Miller, a friend of Mr. Dennison. Passing + through Ohio, the above writ was obtained. Rosetta expressed + her desire to remain in freedom in Ohio. The case was removed + to Cincinnati, and was delayed until Mr. Dennison could + arrive from Louisville. (_Ohio State Journal_, March 12, + 1855.) The girl was set free; "but was again arrested by the + United States Marshal upon the same warrant which Judge + Parker had declared illegal; thereupon another _habeas + corpus_ was issued, which the Marshal refused to obey; when + he was fined $50, and imprisoned for contempt." Even United + States Commissioner Pendery, before whom the case was brought + as that of a fugitive slave, pronounced the girl free, and + she was placed in the care of a guardian. The United States + Marshal being taken by _habeas corpus_ before Judge McLean, + of the United States Supreme Court, was set at liberty, Judge + McL. alleging that the proceedings in the State Court were + null and void! + + GEORGE CLARK, a colored boy, eighteen years of age, in + Pennsylvania, was decoyed into the house of one Thompson, + (February 23, 1855,) where he was seized by three men, one of + whom was Solomon Snyders, a well known ruffian and kidnapper + in the neighborhood, who said to him, "Now, George, I am + going to take you to your master." The screams of George + fortunately brought deliverance to him. The three men were + arrested, tried, and sentenced to imprisonment for + kidnapping, by the Court of Dauphin County.--_Norristown + (Penn.) Olive Branch_. + + _The Norristown (Penn.) Olive Branch_, (in connection with + the last named case,) speaks of a case which had occurred a + short time before, under the Fugitive Law, before United + States Commissioner McAllister, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, + and which has not yet been mentioned in this record. A + colored man and his wife, with their infant child, were + taken, "one morning, very early," before Commissioner Richard + McAllister, and before any counsel could reach the spot the + case had been decided against the man and woman; but the + babe, having been born in Pennsylvania, they did not "dare to + send that" into slavery; "so the only alternative was to take + it away from its mother," which was done, and that evening + the man and woman were taken South. No time had been allowed + to bring forward witnesses in their behalf, and there was + only a single witness against them, and he a boy about + seventeen years old, and a relative of the slave-claimant. + The woman's sufferings, on account of the separation from + her child, seemed greater than for her own fate. The article + from the Norristown paper is in the _National Anti-Slavery + Standard_, June 2, 1855. + + GEORGE MITCHELL, a young colored man, at San Jose, + California, arrested and taken before Justice Allen, April, + 1855, "charged with owing service and labor to one Jesse C. + Cooper, of Tennessee." Mitchell was brought into California + by his then owner, in 1849, the year before the enactment of + the Fugitive Slave Law. His arrest was made, under a Fugitive + Slave Law of California. By _habeas corpus_ the case was + carried before Judge C.P. Hester, of the District Court. + Mitchell was discharged on the ground (we believe) that the + California Law was unconstitutional; also that the + proceedings were "absolutely void." On the 21st April (or + May) "another attempt was made to reduce George to slavery at + San Francisco." He was brought before the United States + District Court, Judge Hoffman presiding, claimed under the + United States Fugitive Law as the property of the above-named + Cooper. [The result of the trial not known.]--_San Jose + Telegraph_. + + _At Dayville, Connecticut_, June 13, 1855, an attempt was + made to seize a fugitive slave; "but the citizens interfered + and the fugitive escaped." He was claimed by a resident of + Pomfret, who said he had bought him in Cuba.--_Hartford + Religious Herald_. + + _At Burlington, Iowa_, a colored man, called DICK, was + arrested and taken before United States Commissioner Frazee. + "Much excitement was caused." He was claimed as belonging to + Thomas Ruthford, Clark County, Missouri. Dick was discharged + as not being the man claimed. (June, 1855.) + + _A white girl_, fourteen years of age, daughter of Mr. Samuel + Godshall, of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania, while + walking upon the road, was seized by two men, a plaster put + upon her mouth, and she taken in a close carriage in the + direction of Maryland. After going twelve miles, they put her + out of the carriage, "in a secluded and woody portion of the + country, threatening to kill her if she made any alarm, when + they drove away as fast as they could." Some colored people + met her, got the plaster off her mouth, and aided her + home. It was supposed the kidnappers mistook her for a + mulatto girl; but discovering their blunder dismissed + her.--_Philadelphia Ledger_, July 9, 1855. + + _The Norristown (Penn.) Herald_ relates a case similar to the + preceding. Benjamin Johnson, a white lad of fifteen, on his + way from his father's, at Evansburg, to S. Jarrett's, near + Jeffersonville, was invited to ride by a man in a carriage. + The man took him by an unusual route; night coming on, the + boy was alarmed and attempted to escape, "when the villain + caught him and drove off at full speed, and by threats and + blows prevented him from making any alarm." He drove to a + distance of fifteen miles beyond Jeffersonville, when the boy + succeeded in making his escape. (July, 1855.) + + JANE JOHNSON, and her two sons, (colored,) brought into + Philadelphia (on their way to New York and thence to + Nicaragua) by John H. Wheeler. Stopped to dine at Bloodgood's + Hotel. Jane there made known her desire to be free. + Information of the same was conveyed to Passmore Williamson, + Secretary of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, an old + association founded by Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush, and + others. Mr. Williamson went to the hotel, and found that the + party had gone to the steamboat, at the foot of Walnut + Street. He proceeded thither, found them, and told the mother + that she and her sons had been legally made free by being + brought by their master into a free State. After some delay, + Jane rose to leave the boat. Wheeler endeavored to detain + her. Williamson held Wheeler back, and the woman went on + shore, a number of colored persons taking up the boys and + carrying them from the boat. They were enabled to escape. + (July 18, 1855.) + + The celebrated case of PASSMORE WILLIAMSON followed, before + Judge Kane, of the United States District Court. (See "Case + of Passmore Williamson," reported in full, and published in + Philadelphia, by Uriah Hunt & Son, 1856.) On the 27th July, + Mr. Williamson was committed to Moyamensing Prison, by Judge + Kane, "for a contempt of the court in refusing to answer to + the writ of _habeas corpus_;" Mr. W. _having answered_ that + he had not, and never had had, the custody of the three + alleged slaves, and therefore could not produce them in + court. Mr. Williamson was kept in prison until November 3d, + when he was discharged by Judge Kane, the technical + "contempt" having been removed. + + CELESTE, a mulatto woman, claimed as a slave, before Judge + Burgoyne, Cincinnati, Ohio. It appeared that she was + brought to Cincinnati by her master, and she was set + free.--_Cincinnati Gazette_, July 7, 1855. + + _Two fugitives_, in Indiana, (September, 1855,) requested aid + of the conductor of the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad. + The aid given was to take them back to Madison, whence they + were conveyed over the river to Kentucky. Before leaving that + State they had been hunted and attacked by dogs. These they + had despatched with their knives. The conductor was dismissed + from his position. An agent of the express company was said + to have aided him in the surrender of the men.--_Madison + Courier_. + + JACK, a colored boy, nine years of age, "claimed by Joseph + Tucker, of Mobile, as his slave, was sent back to his master + from Boston, in the brig Selma, Captain Rogers, on the 18th + inst." (October, 1855.)--_Boston Times_. + + JACOB GREEN, a colored man, was seized near Hollidaysburg, + Pennsylvania, by one Parsons, as a fugitive slave. + Parsons could show no authority for detaining Green, who, + with the help of some bystanders, released himself and + escaped.--_Hollidaysburg Standard_, October 24, 1855. + + _Four men indicted for kidnapping_ at Greensburg, Indiana, + in the Spring of 1855. Their names--David and Thomas Maple, + Morrison, and McCloskey. Charged with kidnapping two men, + whom they conveyed to a slave state, and sold as slaves. The + two Maples, fearing the indictment, absconded. The other two + were arrested, and brought to trial in October, 1855, at the + State Court, before Judge Logan. "Defendants' counsel moved + to quash the indictment, for the reason that the section of + the statute of Indiana against kidnapping was in violation of + the acts of Congress, and, therefore, void; and the Court + accordingly quashed the indictment"--_Indianapolis Journal_. + + _Eight fugitives from Kentucky_ reached Adams County, Ohio, + closely followed by several Kentuckians, who attempted to + search the houses of several of the citizens. "The people, + indignant at this outrage, assembled with arms, and placed an + injunction upon these summary proceedings." "The men-hunters + then offered $2,000 to any traitor who would betray the + fugitives into their hands. But, so far as we have learned, + the bribe was as unsuccessful as the attempted search." + (November, 1855.)--_Carroll Free Press_. + + _At Wilson's Corner, Bensalem, Buck's County, Pa._, Dec. 13, + 1855, a colored man in the employ of John Henderson was + seized by three men, who tied him, threw him into a wagon, + and drove off at full speed. They were seen, and quickly + followed by men on horseback. After two hours' hard riding, + the kidnappers were overtaken. A fight ensued--the black man + was released; when three pistol-shots were fired by the + kidnappers, killing a horse, and wounding one of the rescuing + party severely. A statement of the facts was published, as + an advertisement, in the _Philadelphia Ledger_, signed by + William Williams and John Henderson. + + "_Two very bright mulatto girls_," says the _Staunton (Va.) + Spectator_, "one belonging to Mr. John Churchman, and the + other to the estate of Colonel Crawford, deceased, took the + cars at Staunton, on the morning of December 30, 1855, and + made their way successfully to Baltimore, en route for a free + State. At Baltimore they were detected just as they were + about to take the train for Philadelphia, and information of + their arrest was immediately forwarded to D. Churchman, of + this place." On the following Friday they were taken back to + Virginia. "They were so nearly white that their success in + imposing upon the conductors of the cars is not astonishing, + and the only wonder is that they were detected at all. Since + their return, the negro girls have been sold--Mr. Churchman's + for $1,050, and the other for $950." + + FANNY, a colored child of fire years old, was taken from + Chicago, Illinois, into Tennessee, and sold for $250. A man + named F.M. Chapman, with his servant William R. Tracy, were + arrested as the kidnappers, and taken before Justice DeWolf. + Chapman claimed to have owned the child in Arkansas, and to + have brought her to Illinois [thereby making her free.] He + procured Tracy to take the child to Tennessee and sell her. + The result of the case not known. (January, 1856.) + + _Two fugitives_, passing through Ohio, (January, 1856,) were + closely pursued and nearly overtaken at Columbus, Ohio. "Ten + minutes previous warning only saved the fugitives from their + pursuers." Deputy Marshal J. Underwood, being called on to + act in the case, refused, and resigned his office, saying, he + did not expect to be "called upon to help execute the odious + Fugitive Slave Law."--_Cincinnati Commercial_. + +[--> The following may, not improperly, find a place here.] + + The House of Delegates of Virginia, early in 1856, adopted + the following:--"_Be it resolved by the General Assembly_, + That our Representatives in Congress are requested, and our + Senators be and are hereby instructed, to secure the passage + of a law making full compensation to all owners whose slaves + have or may hereafter escape into any of the non-slaveholding + States of this Union, and there be withheld from those to + whom such service or labor may be due." + + _Fourteen persons of color_, held at Los Angelos, California, + early in 1856, as the servants of one Robert Smith, were + brought before Judge Benjamin Hays, on a writ of _habeas + corpus_. Smith alleged that he formerly resided in + Mississippi, where he owned these persons; was now about to + remove to Texas, and designed to take these persons with him + as his slaves. Judge Hays decided that they were all free, + and those under twenty-one years of age were placed in the + charge of the sheriff, as their special guardian.--_Los + Angelos Star._ The opinion of Judge Hays (who was said to be + a native of South Carolina,) is a very able one, and under + the circumstances, of much interest. It may be found in the + _Standard_, of April 5, 1856. + + _Two colored lads_, named RALLS and LOGAN, living in + Cincinnati, were kidnapped thence by two men, named Orr and + Simpkins, and taken to St. Louis, Missouri, where the men + tried to sell them. The men were arrested as kidnappers. + (March, 1856.) + + _The Decatur (Illinois) Chronicle_ states that "a man charged + with being a fugitive slave was recently arrested at that + place and carried off, no one knows where. The sheriff of the + county was the willing instrument in the hands of the + claimants; no attempt to appeal to the law was made, the + negro being carried off as if he were a stray horse or dog." + The _Chicago Tribune_ says: "If this is a true statement of + the affair, that sheriff has laid himself liable to the + charge of kidnapping, and should at once be proceeded against + with such rigor as his offence demands." (April, 1856.) + +MARGARET GARNER _and seven others_, at Cincinnati, Ohio, January, +1856. Of this recent and peculiarly painful case we give a somewhat +detailed account, mainly taken from the Cincinnati papers of the +day. + + About ten o'clock on Sunday, 27th January, 1856, a + party of eight slaves--two men, two women, and four + children--belonging to Archibald K. Gaines and John Marshall, + of Richwood Station, Boone County, Kentucky, about sixteen + miles from Covington, escaped from their owners. Three of the + party are father, mother, and son, whose names are Simon, + Mary, and Simon, Jr.; the others are Margaret, wife of Simon, + Jr., and her four children. The three first are the property + of Marshall, and the others of Gaines. + + They took a sleigh and two horses belonging to Mr. Marshall, + and drove to the river bank, opposite Cincinnati, and crossed + over to the city on the ice. They were missed a few hours + after their flight, and Mr. Gaines, springing on a horse, + followed in pursuit. On reaching the river shore, he learned + that a resident had found the horses standing in the road. He + then crossed over to the City, and after a few hours diligent + inquiry, he learned that his slaves were in a house about a + quarter of a mile below the Mill Creek Bridge, on the river + road, occupied by a colored man named Kite. + + He proceeded to the office of United States Commissioner John + L. Pendery, and procuring the necessary warrants, with United + States Deputy Marshal Ellis, and a large body of assistants, + went on Monday to the place where his fugitives were + concealed. Arriving at the premises, word was sent to the + fugitives to surrender. A firm and decided negative was the + response. The officers, backed by a large crowd, then made a + descent. Breaking open the doors, they were assailed by the + negroes with cudgels and pistols. Several shots were fired, + but only one took effect, so far as we could ascertain. A + bullet struck a man named John Patterson, one of the + Marshal's deputies; tearing off a finger of his right hand, + and dislocating several of his teeth. No other of the + officers were injured, the negroes being rendered powerless + before they could reload their weapons. + + On looking around, horrible was the sight which met the + officers' eyes. In one corner of the room was a nearly white + child, bleeding to death. Her throat was cut from ear to ear, + and the blood was spouting out profusely, showing that the + deed was but recently committed. Scarcely was this fact + noticed, when a scream issuing from an adjoining room drew + their attention thither. A glance into the apartment revealed + a negro woman holding in her hand a knife literally dripping + with gore, over the heads of two little negro children, who + were crouched to the floor, and uttering the cries whose + agonized peals had first startled them. Quickly the knife was + wrested from the hand of the excited woman, and a more close + investigation instituted as to the condition, of the infants. + They were discovered to be cut across the head and + shoulders, but not very seriously injured, although the blood + trickled down their backs and upon their clothes. + + The woman avowed herself the mother of the children, and said + that she had killed one and would like to kill the three + others, rather than see them again reduced to slavery! By + this time the crowd about the premises had become prodigious, + and it was with no inconsiderable difficulty that the negroes + were secured in carriages, and brought to the United States + District Court-rooms, on Fourth Street. The populace followed + the vehicle closely, but evinced no active desire to effect a + rescue. Rumors of the story soon circulated all over the + city. Nor were they exaggerated, as is usually the case. For + once, reality surpassed the wildest thought of fiction. + + The slaves, on reaching the marshal's office, seated + themselves around the stove with dejected countenances, and + preserved a moody silence, answering all questions propounded + to them in monosyllables, or refusing to answer at all. Simon + is apparently about fifty-five years of age, and Mary about + fifty. The son of Mr. Marshall, who is here, in order, if + possible, to recover the property of his father, says that + they have always been faithful servants, and have frequently + been on this side of the river. Simon, Jr., is a young man, + about twenty-two years old, of a very lithe and active form, + and rather a mild and pleasant countenance. Margaret is a + dark mulatto, twenty-three years of age; her countenance is + far from being vicious, and her senses, yesterday, appeared + partially stultified from the exciting trials she had + endured. After remaining about two hours at the marshal's + office, Commissioner Pendery announced that the slaves would + be removed to the custody of the United States Marshal until + nine o'clock Tuesday morning, when the case would come up for + examination. + + The slaves were then taken down stairs to the street-door, + when a wild and exciting scene presented itself; the + sidewalks and the middle of the street were thronged with + people, and a couple of coaches were at the door in order to + convey the captives to the station-house. The slaves were + guarded by a strong posse of officers, and as they made their + appearance on the street, it was evident that there was a + strong sympathy in their favor. When they were led to the + carriage-doors, there were loud cries of "Drive on!" "Don't + take them!" The coachmen, either from alarm or from a + sympathetic feeling, put the whip to their horses, and drove + rapidly off, leaving the officers with their fugitives on the + sidewalk. They started on foot with their charge to the + Hammond Street station-house, where they secured their + prisoners for the night. + + The slaves claimed that they had been on this side of the + river frequently, by consent of their masters. + + About three o'clock application was made to Judge Burgoyne + for a writ of _habeas corpus_, to bring the slaves before + him. This was put in the hands of Deputy Sheriff Buckingham + to serve, who, accompanied by several assistants, proceeded + to Hammond Street station-house, where the slaves were + lodged. Mr. Bennett, Deputy United States Marshal, was + unwilling to give them up, and a long time was spent + parleying between the marshal and the sheriff's officers. The + sheriff being determined that the writ should be executed, + Mr. Bennett went out to take counsel with his friends. + Finally, through the advice of Mayor Faran, Mr. Bennett + agreed to lodge the slaves in the jail, ready to be taken out + at the order of Judge Burgoyne. Mr. Buckingham obtained the + complete control of the slaves. + + On the morning of the 29th, Sheriff Brashears, being advised + by lawyers that Judge Burgoyne had no right to issue his writ + for the slaves, and remembering Judge McLean's decision in + the Rosetta case, made a return on the writ of _habeas + corpus_, that the slaves were in the custody of the United + States Marshal, and, therefore, without his jurisdiction. + This returned the slaves to the custody of the Marshal. By + agreement, the parties permitted the slaves to remain in the + county jail during that day, with the understanding that + their examination should commence the next morning, before + Commissioner Pendery. An inquest had been held on the body of + the child which was killed, and a verdict was found by the + jury charging the death of the child upon the mother, who it + was said would be held under the laws of Ohio to answer the + charge of murder. An examination took place on Wednesday, + before the United States Commissioner. Time was allowed their + counsel to obtain evidence to show that they had been brought + into the State at former times by their masters. A meeting of + citizens was held on Thursday evening, to express sympathy + with the alleged fugitives. + + The _Cincinnati Commercial_ of January 30, said:--The mother + is of an interesting appearance, a mulatto of considerable + intelligence of manner, and with a good address. In reply to + a gentleman who yesterday complimented her upon the looks of + her little boy, she said, "You should have seen my little + girl that--that--[she did not like to say, was killed]--that + died, that was the bird." + + The _Cincinnati Gazette_, of January 30, said:--We learn that + the mother of the dead child acknowledges that she had killed + it, and that her determination was to have killed all the + children, and then destroy herself, rather than return to + slavery. She and the others complain of cruel treatment on + the part of their master, and allege that as the cause of + their attempted escape. + + The coroner's jury, after examining the citizens present at + the time of the arrest, went to the jail last evening, and + examined the grandmother of the child--one of the slaves. She + testified that the mother, when she saw they would be + captured, caught a butcher knife and ran to the children, + saying she would kill them rather than to have them return to + slavery, and cut the throat of the child, calling on the + grandmother to help her kill them. The grandmother said she + would not do it, and hid under a bed. + + The jury gave a verdict as follows:--That said child was + killed by its mother, Margaret Garner, with a butcher knife, + with which she cut its throat. + + Two of the jurors also find that the two men arrested as + fugitives were accessories to the murder. + + "The murdered child was almost white, and was a little girl + of rare beauty." + + The examination of witnesses was continued until Monday, + February 4, when the commissioner listened to the arguments + of counsel until February 7th. Messrs. Jolliffe and Gitchell + appeared for the fugitives, and Colonel Chambers, of + Cincinnati, and Mr. Finnell, of Covington, Kentucky, for the + claimants of the slaves. A great number of assistants, + (amounting very nearly to five hundred,) were employed by the + United States Marshal, H.H. Robinson, from the first, making + the expenses to the United States Government very large; for + their twenty-eight days' service alone, at $2.00 per day, + amounting to over $22,000. February 8th, the case was closed, + so far as related to the three slaves of Mr. Marshall, but + the decision was postponed. The examination in regard to + MARGARET and her children was farther continued. It was + publicly stated that Commissioner Pendery had declared that + he "would not send the woman back into slavery while a charge + or indictment for murder lay against her." Colonel Chambers, + counsel for the slave-claimants, in his argument, "read + long extracts from a pamphlet entitled, 'A Northern + Presbyter's Second Letter to Ministers of the Gospel of all + Denominations, on Slavery, by Nathan Lord, of Dartmouth + College,' approving and recommending Dr. Lord's views." + Colonel Chambers having alluded, in his remarks, to Mrs. Lucy + Stone Blackwell, and said that she had sought to give a knife + to Margaret Garner, the Court gave permission to Mrs. + Blackwell to reply to Colonel C. Mrs. B. preferred not to + speak at the bar, but addressed the crowded court-room + directly after the adjournment. Her eloquent remarks will be + found in the papers of the day. At the close of the hearing, + February 14th, the commissioner adjourned his court to the + 21st, afterwards to the 26th, when, he said, he would give + his decision. + + Meantime the case was making some progress in the State + courts. Sheriff Brashears having made return to the Common + Pleas Court that the fugitives were in the custody of the + United States Marshal, Judge Carter said this could not be + received as a true return, as they were in the County jail, + under the sheriff's control. The sheriff then amended his + return, so as to state that the prisoners were in his + custody, as required in the writ, and this was received by + the Court. The fugitives now came fully into the charge of + the State authorities. The sheriff held them "by virtue of a + _capias_ issued on an indictment by the grand jury for + murder." + + The slaves declared they would go dancing to the gallows + rather than to be sent back into slavery. + + On the 26th February, Commissioner Pendery gave his decision. + First, he refused to discharge Margaret and three others from + the custody of the United States Marshal and deliver them to + the Sheriff of Hamilton County, although held to answer, + under the laws of Ohio, to the charge of murder. He then + proceeded to consider the claim of Marshall to three of the + slaves, decided it to be valid, and ordered them into + Marshall's custody. He then considered Gaines's claim to + Margaret and her three surviving children, decided that also + to be good and valid, and ordered them to be delivered into + the possession of said Gaines. + + The case of the rightful custody, as between the United + States Marshal and the Ohio Sheriff also came on, February + 26th before Judge Leavitt, of the United States District + Court, and was argued by counsel on both sides. On the 28th, + Judge Leavitt decided that the custody was with the United + States Marshal. The substance of Judge L.'s argument and + decision is found in the following extract. + + "Judge McLean says: 'Neither this nor any other Court of the + United States, nor Judge thereof, can issue a _habeas corpus_ + to bring up a prisoner who is in custody under the sentence + or execution of a State Court, for any other purpose than to + be used as a witness. And it is immaterial whether the + imprisonment be under _civil or criminal process_.' If it be + true, as there asserted, that no Federal Court can interfere + with the exercise of the proper jurisdiction of a State + Court, either in a civil or criminal case, the converse of + the proposition is equally true. And it results that a State + Court cannot take from an officer of the United States, even + on a criminal charge, the custody of a person in execution on + a civil case. + + "It is said in argument that if these persons cannot be held + by the arrest of the Sheriff under the State process, the + rights and dignity of Ohio are invaded without the + possibility of redress. I cannot concur in this view. The + Constitution and laws of the United States provide for a + reclamation of these persons, by a demand on the Executive of + Kentucky. It is true, if now remanded to the claimant and + taken back to Kentucky as slaves, they cannot be said to have + fled from justice in Ohio; but it would clearly be a case + within the spirit and intention of the Constitution and the + Act of Congress, and I trust nothing would be hazarded by the + prediction that upon demand properly made upon the Governor + of Kentucky, he would order them to be surrendered to the + authorities of Ohio to answer to its violated law. I am sure + it is not going too far to say that if the strictness of the + law did not require this, an appeal to comity would not be in + vain." + + Mr. Chambers said his client, Mr. Gaines, authorized him to + say that he would hold the woman Margaret, who had killed her + child, subject to the requisition of the Governor of Ohio, to + answer for any crime she might have committed in Ohio. + + Judge Leavitt's decision covered the cases of the four adult + fugitives. Another legal process was going on, at the same + time, before Judge Burgoyne, of the Probate Court, viz.--a + hearing under a writ of _habeas corpus_ allowed by Judge + Burgoyne, alleging the illegal detention, by the United + States Marshal, of the three negro children, Samuel, Thomas, + and Silla Garner, which took place in the Probate Court, + before Judge B., on the afternoon of February 27. + + Mr. Jolliffe said he represented the infants at the request + of their father and mother, who had solicited him to save the + children, if possible. + + Messrs. Headington and Ketchum appeared for the United States + Marshal. + + Judge Burgoyne intimated that, in view of the serious and + important questions involved, he should require some time to + render a decision. He intimated, however, that a majority of + the Judges of the Supreme Court having passed on the + constitutionality of the Fugitive Slave Law was no reason why + he should not take up the Constitution and read it for + himself, being sworn to support the Constitution of the + United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio. + + Mr. Ketchum suggested that his Honor was as much bound in + conscience to regard the decision of the majority of the + Judges of the United States Courts as the express provisions + of the Constitution itself. + + Judge Burgoyne said, that however the decisions of the Judges + of the United States Courts might aid him in coming to a + conclusion, where the obligations of his conscience were + involved, he could not screen himself behind a decision made + by somebody else. + + Judge Burgoyne subsequently decided that, in as far as the + Fugitive Slave Law was intended to suspend the writ of + _habeas corpus_--and he believed that it was so intended--it + clearly transcended the limits prescribed by the + Constitution, and is "utterly void." Judge B. required the + United States Marshal to answer to the writ on the following + Friday; and on his neglect to do so, fined and imprisoned + him. Judge Leavitt, of the United States Court, soon released + the Marshal from prison. + + The _Cincinnati Columbian_, of February 29, gave the + following account:--The last act of the drama of the + fugitives was yesterday performed by the rendition of the + seven persons whose advent into the city, under the bloody + auspices of murder, caused such a sensation in the community. + After the decision of Judge Leavitt, Sheriff Brashears + surrendered the four fugitives in his custody, under a + _capias_ from an Ohio court, to United States Marshal + Robinson. An omnibus was brought to the jail, and the + fugitives were led into it--a crowd of spectators looking on. + + Margaret was in custody of Deputy-Marshal Brown. She appeared + greatly depressed and dispirited. The little infant, Silla, + was carried by Pfc. Russell, the door-keeper of the United + States Court, and was crying violently. Pollock, the reporter + of the proceedings in the United States Court, conducted + another of the fugitives, and all were safely lodged in the + omnibus, which drove down to the Covington ferry-boat; but, + although a large crowd followed it, no hootings or other + signs of excitement or disapprobation were shown. + + On arriving at the Kentucky shore, a large crowd was in + attendance, which expressed its pleasure at the termination + of the long proceedings in this city by triumphant shouts. + The fugitives were escorted to the jail, where they were + safely incarcerated, and the crowd moved off to the Magnolia + Hotel, where several toasts were given and drank. The crowd + outside were addressed from the balcony by H.H. Robinson, + Esq., United States Marshal for the Southern District of + Ohio, who declared that he had done his duty and no more, and + that it was a pleasure to him to perform an act that added + another link to the glorious chain that bound the Union. + [What a _Union_! For what "glorious" purposes!] + + Mr. Finnell, attorney for the claimants, said he never loved + the Union so dearly as now. It was proved to be a substantial + reality. + + Judge Flinn also addressed to the crowd one of his peculiar + orations; and was followed by Mr. Gaines, owner of Margaret + and the children. After hearty cheering the crowd dispersed. + + Further to signalize their triumph, the slaveholders set on + the Covington mob to attack Mr. Babb, reporter for one of the + Cincinnati papers, on the charge of being an abolitionist, + and that gentleman was knocked down, kicked, trampled on, + and would undoubtedly have been murdered, but for the + interference of some of the United States Deputy Marshals. + + A legal irregularity on the part of the Sheriff was brought + to the notice of Judge Carter on the morning of February 29. + It was passed over lightly. + + On the Sunday after the delivery of the slaves, they were + visited in the Covington jail by Rev. P.C. Bassett, whose + account of his interview, especially with Margaret, was + published in the _American Baptist_, and may also be found in + the _National Antislavery Standard_ of March 15, 1850. + Margaret confessed that she had killed the child. "I + inquired," says Mr. Bassett, "if she were not excited almost + to madness when she committed the act! 'No,' she replied, 'I + was as cool as I now am; and would much rather kill them at + once, and thus end their sufferings, than have them taken + back to slavery and be murdered by piece-meal.' She then told + the story of her wrongs. She spoke of her days of suffering, + of her nights of unmitigated toil, while the bitter tears + coursed their way down her cheeks." + + Governor Chase, of Ohio, made a requisition upon Governor + Morehead, of Kentucky, for the surrender of Margaret Garner, + charged with murder. The requisition was taken by Joseph + Cooper, Esq. to Gov. Morehead, at Frankfort, on the _6th of + March_--an unpardonable delay in the circumstances. Gov. + Morehead issued an order for the surrender of Margaret. On + taking it to Louisville, Mr. Cooper found that Margaret, with + her infant child, and the rest of Mr. Gaines's slaves had + been sent down the river in the steamboat Henry Lewis, to be + sold in Arkansas. Thus it was that Gaines kept his pledged + word that Margaret should be surrendered upon the requisition + of the Governor of Ohio! On the passage down the Ohio, the + steamboat, in which the slaves were embarked, came in + collision with another boat, and so violently that Margaret + and her child, with many others, were thrown into the water. + About twenty-five persons perished. A colored man seized + Margaret and drew her back to the boat, but her babe was + drowned! "The mother," says a correspondent of the + _Louisville Courier_, "exhibited no other feeling than joy at + the loss of her child." So closed another act of this + terrible tragedy. The slaves were transferred to another + boat, and taken to their destination. (_See_ Mr. Cooper's + letter to Gov. Chase, dated Columbus, March 11, 1856.) Almost + immediately on the above tragic news, followed the tidings + that Gaines had determined to bring Margaret back to + Covington, Kentucky, and hold her subject to the requisition + of the Governor of Ohio. Evidently he could not stand up + under the infamy of his conduct. Margaret was brought back, + and placed in Covington jail, to await a requisition. On + Wednesday, Mr. Cox, the prosecuting-attorney, received the + necessary papers from Gov. Chase, and the next day + (Thursday), two of the Sheriffs deputies went over to + Covington for Margaret, but did not find her, as she had been + taken away from the jail the night before. The jailor said he + had given her up on Wednesday night, to a man who came there + with a written order from her master, Gaines, but could not + tell where she had been taken. The officers came back and + made a return 'not found.' + + The _Cincinnati Gazette_ said,--"On Friday our sheriff + received information which induced him to believe that she + had been sent on the railroad to Lexington, thence via + Frankfort to Louisville, there to be shipped off to the New + Orleans slave market. + + He immediately telegraphed to the sheriff at Louisville (who + holds the original warrant from Gov. Morehead, granted on the + requisition of Gov. Chase,) to arrest her there, and had a + deputy in readiness to go down for her. But he has received + no reply to his dispatch. As she was taken out on Wednesday + night, there is reason to apprehend that she has already + passed Louisville, and is now on her way to New Orleans. + + Why Mr. Gaines brought Margaret back at all, we cannot + comprehend. If it was to vindicate his character, he was most + unfortunate in the means he selected, for his duplicity has + now placed this in a worse light than ever before, and kept + before the public the miserable spectacle of his dishonor. + + We have learned now, by experience, what is that boasted + comity of Kentucky on which Judge Leavitt so earnestly + advised Ohio to rely." + + The assertion of the _Louisville Journal_, that Margaret was + kept in Covington jail "ten days," and that the Ohio + authorities had been notified of the same, is pronounced to + be untrue in both particulars by the _Cincinnati Gazette_, + which paper also declares that prompt action was taken by the + governor of Ohio, and the attorney and sheriff of Hamilton + County, as soon as the fact was known. + + Here we must leave MARGARET, a noble woman indeed, whose + heroic spirit and daring have won the willing, and extorted + the unwilling, admiration of hundreds of thousands. Alas for + her! after so terrible a struggle, so bloody a sacrifice, so + near to deliverance once, twice, and even a third time, to + be, by the villainy and lying or her "respectable" white + owner again engulphed in the abyss of Slavery! What her fate + is to be, it is not hard to conjecture. But friendless, + heart-stricken, robbed of her children, outraged as she has + been, not wholly without friends, + + "Yea, three firm friends, more sure than day and night, + Herself, her Maker, and the angel Death." + + * * * * * + +Extract from a sermon recently delivered in Cleveland, Ohio, by Rev. +H. BUSHNELL, from the following text: "And it was so, that all that +saw it, said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that +the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this +day: CONSIDER OF IT, TAKE ADVICE, AND SPEAK YOUR MINDS."--JUDGES +XIX: 30. + + A few weeks ago, just at dawn of day, might be seen a company + of strangers crossing the winter bridge over the Ohio River, + from the State of Kentucky, into the great city of our own + State, whose hundred church-spires point to heaven, telling + the travellers that in this place the God of Abraham was + worshipped, and that here Jesus the Messiah was known, and + his religion of love taught and believed. And yet, no one + asked them in or offered them any hospitality, or sympathy, + or assistance. After wandering from street to street, a poor + laboring man gave them the shelter of his humble cabin, for + they were strangers and in distress. Soon it was known abroad + that this poor man had offered them the hospitalities of his + home, and a rude and ferocious rabble soon gathered around + his dwelling, demanding his guests. With loud clamor and + horrid threatening they broke down his doors, and rushed upon + the strangers. They were an old man and his wife, their + daughter and her husband with four children; and they were of + the tribe of slaves fleeing from a bondage which was worse + than death. There was now no escape--the tribes of Israel had + banded against them. On the side of the oppressor there is + power. And the young wife and mother, into whose very soul + the iron had entered, hearing the cry of the master: "Now + we'll have you all!" turning from the side of her husband and + father, with whom she had stood to repel the foe, seized a + knife, and with a single blow nearly severed the head from + the body of her darling daughter, and throwing its bloody + corpse at his feet, exclaimed, "Yes, you _shall_ have us all! + take that!" and with another blow inflicted a ghastly wound + upon the head of her beautiful son, repeating, "Yes, you + _shall_ have us all--take that!" meanwhile calling upon her + old mother to help her in the quick work of emancipation--for + there were two more. But the pious old grandmother could not + do it, and it was now too late--the rescuers had subdued and + bound them. They were on their way back to the house of their + bondage--a life more bitter than death! On their way through + that city of churches whose hundred spires told of Jesus and + the good Father above; on their way amid the throng of + Christian men, whose noble sires had said and sung, "Give me + _liberty_, or give me _death_." + + But they all tarried in the great Queen City of the West--in + chains, and in a felon's cell. There our preacher visited + them again and again. There he saw the old grandfather and + his aged companion, whose weary pilgrimage of unrequited toil + and tears was nearly at its end. And there stood the young + father and the heroic wife "Margaret." Said the preacher, + "Margaret, why did you kill your child?" "It was my own," she + said, "given me of God, to do the best a mother could in its + behalf. _I have done the best I could!_ I would have done + more and better for the rest! I knew it was better for them + to go home to God than back to slavery." "But why did you not + trust in God--why not wait and hope?" "I did wait, and then + we dared to do, and fled in fear, but in hope; hope fled--God + did not appear to save--_I did the best I could!"_ + + And who was this woman? A noble, womanly, amiable, + _affectionate mother_. "But was she not deranged?" Not at + all--calm, intelligent, but resolute and determined. "But was + she not fiendish, or beside herself with passion?" No, she + was most tender and affectionate, and all her passion was + that of a _mother's fondest love_. I reasoned with her, said + the preacher; tried to awaken a sense of guilt, and lead her + to repentance and to Christ. But there was no remorse, no + desire of pardon, no reception of Christ or his religion. To + her it was a religion of _slavery_, more cruel than death. + And where had she lived? where thus taught? Not down among + the rice swamps of Georgia, or on the banks of Red River. No, + but within sixteen miles of the Queen City of the West! In a + nominally Christian family--whose master was most liberal in + support of the Gospel, and whose mistress was a communicant + at the Lord's table, and a professed follower of Christ! + Here, in this family, where slavery is found in its mildest + form, she had been kept in ignorance of God's will and word, + and learned to know that the mildest form of American + slavery, at this day of Christian civilization and Democratic + liberty, was worse than death itself! She had learned by an + experience of many years, that it was so bad she had rather + take the life of her own dearest child, without the hope of + Heaven for herself, than that _it_ should experience its + unutterable agonies, which were to be found even in a + Christian family! But here are her two little boys, of eight + and ten years of age. Taking the eldest boy by the hand, the + preacher said to him, kindly and gently, "Come here, my boy; + what is your name?" "Tom, sir." "Yes, _Thomas_." "No sir, + _Tom_." "Well, Tom, how old are you?" "Three _months_." "And + how old is your little brother?" "Six _months_, sir!" "And + have you no other name but Tom?" "No." "What is your father's + name?" "Haven't got any!" "Who made you, Tom?" "Nobody!" "Did + you ever hear of God or Jesus Christ?" "No, sir." And this + was slavery in its best estate. By and by the aged couple, + and the young man and his wife, the remaining children, with + the master, and the dead body of the little one, were + escorted through the streets of the Queen City of the West by + a _national guard of armed men_, back to the great and + chivalrous State of old Kentucky and away to the shambles of + the South--back to a life-long servitude of hopeless despair. + It was a long, sad, silent procession down to the banks of + the Ohio; and as it passed, the death-knell of freedom tolled + heavily. The sovereignty of Ohio trailed in the dust beneath + the oppressor's foot, and the great confederacy of the tribes + of modern Israel attended the funeral obsequies, and made + ample provision for the necessary expenses! "And it was so, + that all that saw it, said, _There was no such deed done, nor + seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of + the land of Egypt unto this day_; CONSIDER OF IT, TAKE + ADVICE, AND SPEAK YOUR MINDS!" + + * * * * * + +With the sad case of MARGARET GARNER we close, for the present, the +record of the Fugitive Slave Law, as its history has been daily +writing itself in our country's annals. Enactment of hell! which has +marked every step of its progress over the land by suffering and by +crimes,--crimes of the bloodiest dye, groanings which cannot fully +be uttered; which is tracked by the dripping blood of its victims, +by their terrors and by their despair; against which, and against +that Wicked Nation which enacted it, and which suffers it still to +stand as their LAW, the cries of the down-trodden poor go up +continually into the ears of God,--cries of bitterest anguish, +mingled with fiercest execrations--thousands of Rachels weeping for +their children, and will not be comforted, because they _are not_. + +Reader, is your patriotism of the kind which believes, with the +supporters of old monarchies, that the Sovereign Power can do no +wrong? Consider the long record which has been laid before you, and +say if your country has not enacted a most wicked, cruel, and +shameful law, which merits only the condemnation and abhorrence of +every heart. Consider that this law was aimed at the life, liberty, +and happiness of the poor and least-privileged portion of our +people--a class whom the laws should befriend, protect, and raise +up. What is the true character of a law, whose working, whose fruits +are such as this meagre outline of its history shows? Is it fit that +such deeds and such a law should have your sanction and support? +Will you remain in a moment's doubt whether to be a friend or a foe +to such a law? Will you countenance or support the man, in the +church or in the state, who is not its open and out-spoken opponent? +Will you not, rather, yourself trample it under foot, as alike the +disgrace of your country, the enemy of humanity, and the enemy of +God? And nobly join, with heart and hand, every honest man who seeks +to load with the opprobrium they deserve, the law itself and +everything that justifies and upholds it? + + +In this tract no mention is made of that great company of slaves +who, flying from their intolerable wrongs and burdens, are overtaken +before reaching the Free States--(alas, that we should mock +ourselves with this empty name of _free_!)--and carried back into a +more remote and hopeless slavery; nor of the thousands who, having +fled in former years, and established themselves in industry and +comfort in the Northern States, were compelled again to become +fugitives, leaving their little all behind them, into a still more +Northern land where, under British law, they find at last a +resting-place and protection; nor to any great extent of the +numerous cases of white citizens, prosecuted, fined, harassed in +every way, for the _crime_ of giving shelter and succor to the +hunted wanderers. To have included these--all emphatically _victims_ +of the Fugitive Slave Law--would swell our tract into a volume. What +a testimony against our land and our people is given by their +accumulated weight! EVERY LIVING MAN AND WOMAN is GUILTY OF THIS +GREAT SIN, WHO EITHER BY APOLOGY, OR BY SILENCE, LENDS IT THE LEAST +SUPPORT. + +--> In a record like the foregoing, dealing so largely with facts +and dates, perfect accuracy is not to be expected, although much +pains have been taken to make it strictly correct. Any information, +on good authority, which will help to make the record more exact, +or more complete, will be very gratefully received. It should be +addressed to SAMUEL MAY, JR., No. 21 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. + + * * * * * + +Published at the office of the AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, +No. 138 Nassau Street, New York. Also to be had at the Anti-Slavery +Offices, No. 21 Cornhill, Boston, and No. 31 North Fifth Street, +Philadelphia; of JOEL McMILLAN, Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio, and +of JACOB WALTON, Jr., Adrian, Michigan. + + +[Transcriber's note: The following remain as in the original: +Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Los Angelos; Pittsburgh Saturday Visiter.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Fugitive Slave Law and Its Victims +by American Anti-Slavery Society + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW *** + +***** This file should be named 13990.txt or 13990.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/9/9/13990/ + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Andrea Ball and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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