Runaway Slaves Delighted Hearts of Advertising
Managers, and Antics of
Militia Excited Applause.
Old newspapers make good reading--if they are old enough. Like the
deciphering of moss-covered epitaphs, the reading of journals of other
days gives rise to reflections that mingle the sweet with the sad. It
shows plainly that time does not alter human nature, much as customs may
change.
_The American Weekly Mercury_ was formerly published in Philadelphia. An
examination of the issue for November 29, 1722, brings to light this
interesting advertisement:
Run away from Ezekiel Balding of Hempstead on Long-Island,
one Indian Man Slave, named Dick, of Middle Stature and of a
smiling Countenance. He speaks English pretty well, and no
other Language. He can read. He has a big nose, and has
white scratches on his Arm, and a blue spot on the Inside of
one of his Wrists, and a little above his Shirt wrist-bands.
He run away about the Beginning of September, and had a
homespun Shirt and a dark coloured Drugget Coat. We have
been informed, that he intended to get into Indian-habit.
Others tell, that he has said he would go towards New London
and Rhode-Island, and so to Sea.
Whoever can take up the said Indian Man, and secure him, and
give Notice to his Master so that he can be had again shall
have Three Pounds Reward, besides reasonable Charges.
Whether Dick was ever caught may never be known, for he seems to have made
no deep impression on history, though his "smiling Countenance" is here
immortalized.
Another Indian receives mention for another reason in the issue for
September 2, 1723, the item coming from Boston:
On Monday Night last at Judge Sewall's, and the Night
following at Judge Dudley's, was entertained one of the
oldest Indians in New-England; John Quittamog, living in the
Nipmug Countrey, near Woodstock. He is reckoned to be above
One Hundred and Twelve Years old. The English Inhabitants of
Woodstock remember him as a very old Man for near Forty
Years past, and that he has all along affirmed and which he
still affirms, that he was at Boston when the English first
arrived; and when there was but One Cellar in the Place, and
that near the Common, and then brought down a Bushel and a
half of Corn upon his Back. He says that the Massachusetts
Indians sent up word to the Nipmugs, that if they had any
Corn to spare the English wanted it, and it would be worth
their while to bring some of it down. He is now in good
Health, and has his Understanding and Memory very entire,
considering his great Age, and is capable of Traveling on
Foot Ten Miles in a Day.
The year 1723 seems nearly as far back to us as the year in which the
English first settled on Boston Harbor. But Judge Sewall and Judge Dudley
and their friends considered John Quittamog as interesting as we should
consider a man, still living, who had witnessed the duel between Alexander
Hamilton and Aaron Burr.
The genial "neighborhood note" style of journalism is in evidence in this
item from Boston in the issue for November 20, 1721:
We hear from Amesbury, That the generous and charitable
Captain of that Place, Lately warned his Company to appear
at the Place of Parade, well armed with their Axes instead
of their Firelocks; after which he marched them into the
Woods, where (with invincible Courage) they slew as many
Trees as made 30 Cord of Wood, and carted it to the Water
side, in order to be brought hither, for the Relief of the
Poor of this Place.
The man who inserted the following notice was manifestly in earnest:
Whereas Mathew Burne of Chester County served John Camm two
Years (that is ten or twelve months) at Stocking weaving and
other work, during which time John Camms Stockings bore many
Reflections and now the said Mathew Burne goes about Selling
Stockings in John Camms name as though they were his make,
which is false and not True.
For incoherence Mr. Camm's English is a match for the printed request
which, within a few years, was attached to the doors of a hotel at
Lexington, Ky.:
"Guests are respectfully requested, if either leaves the room before the
other is up, to lock and bolt the door again immediately upon his
departure."