During his stay in Philadelphia, on this occasion, he stopped for about
a fortnight with the writer, and it was most gratifying to learn from
him that he was no new worker on the U.G.R.R. But that he had long hated
slavery thoroughly, and although surrounded with perils on every side,
he had not failed to help a poor slave whenever the opportunity was
presented.
Pecuniary aid, to some extent, was rendered him in this city, for which
he was grateful, and after being united in marriage, by Wm. H. Furness,
D.D., to a lady who had remained faithful to him through all his sore
trials and sufferings, he took his departure for Western New York, with
a good conscience and an unshaken faith in the belief that in aiding his
fellow-man to freedom he had but simply obeyed the word of Him who
taught man to do unto others as he would be done by.
* * * * *
TRIAL OF THE EMANCIPATORS OF COL. J.H. WHEELER'S SLAVES, JANE JOHNSON
AND HER TWO LITTLE BOYS.
Among other duties devolving on the Vigilance Committee when hearing of
slaves brought into the State by their owners, was immediately to inform
such persons that as they were not fugitives, but were brought into the
State by their masters, they were entitled to their freedom without
another moment's service, and that they could have the assistance of the
Committee and the advice of counsel without charge, by simply availing
themselves of these proffered favors.
Many slave-holders fully understood the law in this particular, and were
also equally posted with regard to the vigilance of abolitionists.
Consequently they avoided bringing slaves beyond Mason and Dixon's Line
in traveling North. But some slave-holders were not thus mindful of the
laws, or were too arrogant to take heed, as may be seen in the case of
Colonel John H. Wheeler, of North Carolina, the United States Minister
to Nicaragua. In passing through Philadelphia from Washington, one very
warm July day in 1855, accompanied by three of his slaves, his high
official equilibrium, as well as his assumed rights under the
Constitution, received a terrible shock at the hands of the Committee.
Therefore, for the readers of these pages, and in order to completely
illustrate the various phases of the work of the Committee in the days
of Slavery, this case, selected from many others, is a fitting one.
However, for more than a brief recital of some of the more prominent
incidents, it will not be possible to find room in this volume. And,
indeed, the necessity of so doing is precluded by the fact that Mr.
Williamson in justice to himself and the cause of freedom, with great
pains and singular ability, gathered the most important facts bearing on
his memorable trial and imprisonment, and published them in a neat
volume for historical reference.
In order to bring fully before the reader the beginning of this
interesting and exciting case, it seems only necessary to publish the
subjoined letter, written by one of the actors in the drama, and
addressed to the New York Tribune, and an additional paragraph which may
be requisite to throw light on a special point, which Judge Kane decided
was concealed in the "obstinate" breast of Passmore Williamson, as said
Williamson persistently refused before the said Judge's court, to own
that he had a knowledge of the mystery in question. After which, a brief
glance at some of the more important points of the case must suffice.