Kent County Maryland, March 19, 1755.
Whereas there were several Advertisements, (some of which were printed,
and others of the same Signification written), dispersed through this
Province, describing and offering a Reward of Two Pistoles, &c. for
taking up a Servant Man, named James Francis, and a Mulatto Man Slave
call'd Tobby, both belonging to the subscriber; and ran away on the 11th
Instant:***********
That this Slave shou'd run away and attempt getting his liberty, is very
alarming, as he has always been too kindly used, if any Thing, by his
Master, and one in whom his Master has put great Confidence, and depended
on him to overlook the rest of the Slaves, and he had no Kind of
Provocation to go off. IT SEEMS TO BE THE INTEREST AT LEAST OF EVERY
GENTLEMAN THAT HAS SLAVES, TO BE ACTIVE IN THE BEGINNING OF THESE ATEMPTS,
FOR WHILST WE HAVE THE FRENCH SUCH NEAR NEIGHBORS, WE SHALL NOT HAVE THE
LEAST SECURITY IN THAT KIND OF PROPERTY. I shall be greatly obliged to any
Gentlemen that shall hear of these Fellows, to endeavour to get certain
Intelligence which Way they have taken, and to inform me of it by Express,
and also to employ some active Person or Persons immediately, to take
their Track and pursue them and secure them, and I will thankfully
acknowledge the Favour and immediately answer the Expence attending it.