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.