GEORGE F. ALBERTI PERSONATED BY A MEMBER OF THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE--A
LADY FRIGHTENED BY A PLACARD.
One afternoon, the quiet of the Anti-Slavery Office was suddenly
agitated by the contents of a letter, privately placed in the hands of
J. Miller McKim by one of the clerks of the Philadelphia Ledger office.
Said letter it would seem, had been dropped into the box of the Ledger
office, instead of the U.S. box (one of which, was also in the Ledger
office), through a mistake, and seeing that it bore the name of a
well-known slave-catcher, Alberti, the clerk had a great desire to know
its import. Whether it was or was not sealed, the writer cannot say, it
certainly was not sealed when it reached the Anti-Slavery office. It
stated that a lady from Maryland was then in Philadelphia, stopping at a
boarding-house on Arch Street, and that she was very desirous of seeing
the above-mentioned Alberti, with a view of obtaining his services to
help catch an Underground Rail Road sojourner, whom she claimed as her
property. That she wrote the letter could not be proved, but that it was
sent by her consent, there was no doubt. In order to save the poor
fellow from his impending doom, it seemed that nothing would avail but a
bold strategical movement. Mr. McKim proposed to find some one who would
be willing to answer for Alberti. Cyrus Whitson, a member of the
Committee, in Mr. McKim's judgment, could manage the matter
successfully. At that time, C. Whitson was engaged in the Free Labor
store, at the corner of Fifth and Cherry streets, near the Anti-Slavery
office. On being sent for, he immediately answered the summons, and Mr.
McKim at once made known to him his plan, which was to save a fellow-man
from being dragged back to bondage, by visiting the lady, and
ascertaining from her in conversation the whereabouts of the fugitives,
the names of the witnesses, and all the particulars. Nothing could have
delighted the shrewd Whitson better; he saw just how he could effect the
matter, without the slightest probable failure. So off he started for
the boarding-house.
Arriving, he rang the bell, and when the servant appeared, he asked if
Miss Wilson, from Maryland, was stopping there. "She is," was the
answer. "I wish to see her." "Walk in the parlor, sir." In went Mr. W.,
with his big whiskers. Soon Miss Wilson entered the parlor, a tall, and
rather fine-looking well dressed lady. Mr. Whitson bowing, politely
addressed her, substantially thus:
"I have come to see you instead of Mr. Geo. F. Alberti, to whom you
addressed a note, this morning. Circumstances, over which Mr. A. had no
control, prevented his coming, so I have come, madam, to look after your
business in his place. Now, madam, I wish it to be distinctly understood
in the outset, that whatever transpires between us, so far as this
business is concerned, must be kept strictly confidential, by no means,
must this matter be allowed to leak out; if it does, the darned
abolitionists (excuse me), may ruin me; at any rate we should not be
able to succeed in getting your slave. I am particular on this point,
remember."
"You are perfectly right, Sir, indeed I am very glad that your plan is
to conduct this matter in this manner, for I do not want my name mixed
up with it in any way."
"Very well, madam, I think we understand each other pretty well; now
please give me the name of the fugitive, his age, size, and color, and
where he may be found, how long he has been away, and the witness who
can be relied on to identify him after he is arrested."
Miss Wilson carefully communicated these important particulars, while
Mr. Whitson faithfully penciled down every word. At the close of the
interview he gave her to understand that the matter should be attended
to immediately, and that he thought there would be no difficulty in
securing the fugitive. "You shall hear from me soon, madam, good
afternoon."
In five minutes after this interview Whitson was back to the
Anti-slavery Office with all Miss Wilson's secrets. The first thing to
be attended was to send a messenger to the place where the fugitive was
at work, with a view of securing his safety; this was a success. The man
was found, and, frightened almost out of his wits, he dropped all and
followed the messenger, who bore him the warning. In the meanwhile Mr.
McKim was preparing, with great dispatch, the subjoined document for the
enlightenment and warning of all.