Star.
London, England, 1818-07-30 00:00:00

VROM THIL SIMI, JUNE 10.

" We are authorized, and we deem it our duty to
give a fuller statement of the facts, than that con-
tained in our Paper of Monday last, in relkion to
the Free People of Colour and Slaves, who were
taken up on Sunday last, whilst holding an unlawful
meeting in the form of a distinct congregation ; as
from the very hasty manner in which the paragraph
was drawn up, some erroneous impressions may go
!abroad. It is well known that in every church is
Charleston, and throughout the State, accommoda-
tions arc provided for such of the Negroes and the
Free People of Colour, as choose to attend Divine
Service, and that large numbers of them are Com-
municants. By sundry Acts of the Legislature, it is
positively forbidden that Slaves, or Free People of
Colour, should assemble " for the purpose of mental
instruction," unless a majority of the assembly be
composed of white persons. This law has been in
force since 1800, and, until lately, has been so far ob-
served,
that the public authorities had no occasion'
to take measures under it. A few weeks since some
blacks constituted as Bishops and Preachers in one of,
the Northern cities came here, and endeavoured to
hold me;:tinfTs of black congregatioas exclusively,'
and one of their congregations was taken up and con-
fined, and the next day dismissed personally by the
City Magistrates, who explained the law to them,
and admonished them to abstain from a repetition of
a like breach of the laws. The Black Priests after-
wards endeavoured to get the City Council to grant a
dispensation and allow them to hold their meetings in
the way they wished. It was fully explained again to
them, that the law of the Sta:e was obligatory on the
City Council, who not only, without the presence of
a single white person, could not dispense with its pro•
visions, but were also disposed to support so essential
a part of the policy of the State. Notwithstanding all
these lenient measures, the same preachers, in open
violation of the law, and in defiance, as it were, both
'of the State and City Authorities, last Sunday held
in a house in the suburbs of the city, a large and un-
lawful assemblage of Free People of Colour and Slaves,
as they had done before. This assembly was ttken
up by the City-guard, and although every individual
was liable, by law, both to imprisontoenr and corporal
chastisement, yet the penalty was mitigate:;, and in-
flicted only on a few of the ringleaders."

43IERICAN LIBERTY!

PROM TILE AMERICAN DAILY ADVERTISER.

The Citizens of Philadelphia and its vicinity, arc
earnestly requested to use their best exertions in bring-
ing to justice those cruel stealers of men, who are
now prowling about our streets, watching for oppor-
tunities to setae upon their prey.
Persons accustomed to plead the cause of the op-
pressed Africans, have long been familiar with the
practices of certain well known characters, who, un-
der pretence of legal procedure, aided by the crime
of perjury, have practised a species of kidnapping on
free people of colour—but formerly when the price
of Slaves, (so called) to the Southward, was compa-
ratively small, cruelty and avarice rarely prompted
Men Stealers to make a direct attack upon their vic-
tims, erithout, at least, the plea, however false, of a
legal claim.
At this time the case is different, for the high price
given for coloured persons in the Southern Market,
has induced desperate and abandtined men to com-
mit daring outrages on these people, in defiance tit
every law—Human and Divine—in proof of this as•
sertion, the following case is now made known to
the public :
Un the evening of the 7th ult, a coloured man and
his wife, (the man being in the service of Joseph
Botch, of this city, merchant,) were suddenly and
violently seized by five men, armed with clubs, who
were secreted in a grass lot, on the south-west corner
of Locust and Broad-streets—the man was struck
several times with a club, and received an injury in
the forehead, but happily was not so stunned by the
blows as to prevent him from struggling, and ciying
murder—his wife was likewise seized, joined in loud
shrieks, and in the same cry of murder!
Several respectable persons residing in the neigh-
bourhood, ran towards the place whence the cries
proceeded, when the villains finding their diabolical
plans were not likely to be carried into effect, fled
across the lot towards Schuylkill.
One of the neighbours, a respectable white woman,
was returning from a place of worship, and a few
minutes before the attack on the coloured people, as
she passed the lot, she heard the voices of men, with-
out seeing any person—as she was alone, her hus-
band being unwell at home, she was alarmed, and
ran home in great haste, and informed her husband
of the cause; almost immediately after this, herself
and husband were alarmed by the cries of he poor'
blacks, and. she distinctly heard several blows that
were given on the occasion.
The coloured man and his wife, state, that in
passing up Locust-street,between Tenth and Eleventh-
streets, when opposite to a lamp, two white men,'
genteelly dressed, passed before them and looked
them full in the face, but said nothing ; they observed
that these men followed them a short distance, they
then lost sight of them, when they came to the lot
where these highwaymen were secreted, their atten•
tion was arrested by perceiving a mail crouched on
his hands and knees, by the sick of the fence; this ex-
cited their fears, but almost Immediately the Human
Tiger, sprang upon his prey, and (bur others jumped
• oser the fence and joined in the attack—among the
four, were two in the dress of gentlemen, whom ;he
L blacks believe to be the same they saw opposite the
lamp, as already stated.
' The place appears to have been judiciously chosen
' for the dark and cruel purposes of these kidnappers,
for had they succeeded in knocking down the black
man, and then gagging him and his defenceless wife,
they might have Pursued their way to Schuylkill, or

nto the neck, probably witt.out the least interrupt,
On the present occasion, -.the victims of their la
less violence, have happily escaped from their hru
grasp—they are yct safe, free from the guilt of
Jicfarious an act, they may lie down in peace—hau
although the deluded and wicked authors of this abo-
minable outrage, may continue to elude cheapest!.
Lion of human laws, and to revel a 'tittle longer
the wages and spoils of human blood I I.yet rani
'6o:fits:ice will certainly overtake them,. and perh.i,
on a death bed, when too late—the horrors of their
ikondition may be most awfully opened w their vie-

ig The Spaniards," says a Boson Paper, a h,
imprisoned another American at Cs.diz, Mr. J.
WA ND,tOP, formerly of Norfolk ; he is in the co
man fail ; and the answer to the request to be tr:•1
terrea to Mr. Msaor's castle, was, to remain sal
fled where he wag.'"
LONCEVITY.--It is stated in the Charkstoa Gaul
that there is now living in that City, a Negro man
the advanced age of 113 years I
INCL RDON.— I lie Boston Commercial Advertiser
the 25th ultimo, gives the following criticism on
National Singer of this Country :--4, On Tuesd
evening the lovers of melody had a feast, which it
not too much to say, has never been elualled in
tenon. Mr. Istoxanost gave a specimen of rowers
which we had no idea he prhsessed. Neis a strik:-
example of the superiority of natural pathos a
the tinsel.orriaments of art; and we venture to

his rich, mellow tones make a far deeidlr impres:
on the heart than the most studied graces, aided
the fullest orchestra accomrniments.
ENW.tilf OPERA.—Mi. SITETUDAS.S .admiral
Opera, The Ducal:a, attricted a full and elegant
dience last night. Miss C.anew's Clara is entitlei
the warmest praise. Several of her songs, incited'. _
" When sable night," were encored.- She executed that
charming air with great sweetness, taste, and espy
sion. Ifer style is exactly that of Miss S•revite:
Mr. PaAR%IAN, in Don Carlos, sang with great tact
and delicacy. The other characters were well
rained, and the Piece went off with eclat.

COSIPCTITION or PIPERS.—The annual competi
tion of performers on the Highland Bagpipe tool
place in the Theatre of Edinburgh last week. A!
the ti:stribulion of the prizes to the three best per
formers:, S:r JoHN MURRAY Mac:Ark:oh addressed
them in very eloquent terms, both is the Engl;-'
and Gaelic languages, described the qualifications
necessary to form a good and true Piper. The qr
lifications of a Highland Piper were not limited
his being a good performer on his favourite inst
ment. His conduct ought to be strictly correct ;
exemplary. He must never turn his back on
6/cut/or his foe. The Piper had alwayi held an
nourabh.- rank in die estimation of our ancestors. • i
post in the day of danger, was in the front of.
comrades. It was there his duty to tr.arch forwa
with the cool determination of a trbe llighlars?
stimulating h:s companions to heroic deeds, to
sound of the favourite P;obr,:th of their co.intry ,
A number of line young Highlaadcrs, both rtmrs
and dancers, all very handsomely equipped in
costume of their respective clans, then came force:
to claim the prizes given by the Highland Society
London, to the best dancers of Highland reels ;
Strathspeys, many of which were admirably twin
particularly the Strathspeys or Avosontes. The
uerable Duke of RONGURGO, who formerly served
a Highland Corps, sent a handsome donation to
distributed among the unsuccessful candidates.
Ladies, who crowded the. Theatre, were, in corn
pliment to the occasion, dressed in Thrtan Saai
and Scotch Bounds. Nothiag could exceed the gaiety
and hilarity of the meeting, which is now pa:roni.'
by the Highland Societies both of Edinburgh
London.

Mr. PEEL.--.Tlll'. COTTOMtiOn of Dublin went ui
the Ca ;le on Thursday with the following Addret
Su—We, the Lord Mayor SherdsCommons, and
tens of the City of Dublin, deeply lament Hie carting wk.
e.tti, upon us at this lime tt. address yon. When we cousin.
Sir, the solid and•perrnanent advantages detived to os._r coon'
irons tho consummate wisdom, the Rplutdi2 Watts, the
remitting zeal and dilixence, which .o orninently distinguis
your conduct Its Chief Sucrezary, we cannot tut feel, in cow:,
' with all his Majesty's subjects in this kkagdotn, :he most hear
felt regret that such transcen.lent merit and .ueh eminent wr
are so solo to be withdrawn ?ion) camiut but deg
the intended departure of the trot fiend of Ireland. We

however, some consolation is confaleuct we ertertahs,
in every situation you will prove the auaious guardian of the
tetests of a country which Las always ni-ott gratefully ado-
Scdged your e..viinent services. Acce-et then, Sir, this tribal
our approbation, so 'inlay due to yocr en.alted virtues ; and
Auurcd that your truly estimable quadiait s will. never be mal-
e by the Citizens of Dublin without reverence, or reacelaci
bet with regard.—ln witness," fee.
THE A NutVLR.
" My Loan, •!PD fleuvrwiten.--After to long q conner:
with the Adnainktration of this country, and so long a rebid;
in this city, I catmot, without feelings of the deqrst regret,
leave of timer, who, during my coudnuauce in office, howl
taared me with repeated proofs of theft approbation, area
4111 Ult oat op my approaching resiguatiou of it, lien I p
their esteem and confidence.
" years have now elapsed since I accepted the :tepl
ment of Chief Secretary. I entered epos the perfuntani
the duties attaebed to that appointment, with a full wire o:
Importance, arid' with the apprehensions of my own loco:
Tetley to discharge them, which were relieved only by a CC
outline of the reetitinleof my Intentions.
" I claim credit for nothing more than having acted
sincere desire to promote the welfare e: this country..—.r:.!
have secured the good opinion of that portion of the comm.
which is tompeter.t to form a judgment on the motives
of public men, I cousider myself atnply rte. urdcd.
" I rehect.with satisfaction, on the gctural coiieurrence
has been expressed on those measures which I have fait i
ditty to introit to ihe consideration 4r...filament ; and I acki
ledge with gratitude, the hoerel supoort which I have freque
received tumult:lie with whom I do not concur in general
lithe. It is my earnest hope that 110 distgreement of opinion
particular tubjects.—,nojeaknasies erising from gliketie Fifty f
melon—will ever pi event those who with well to tacit con,
trout cordially co-operating on every occasion on which they
consdentiously ae together; iz promoting its welfare.
0 On the particular question toseidclt you hove Alluded, i
maintenance of the Constitution as at present established,
should have been guilty of peculiar injusnce. if I bow note--
after mature deliberation:, sed from a Sincere conviction. -
fleet on the pan whits I have taken' on that question,
satisfaction which Is inseparable fror an herest discharge
duty; but which is, or the same geneses ascent with deep teeny
that that discharge of duty compels isle to oppose the claims
a large and impurtara class of our ailow-;ubjects.
" With a hope and belief that the motives of my gt.tdie
duct will be justly. appreciated-lewith deep gratitude for
kindness and liberality which I have expetsenced, and
most heartfelt wish for the welfare 511 a happiness cf mu classes
the inhabitants of this country, 1 shall bid vela u to it '‘
stronger anal mere generous feeliegs of attuchiheaa to Irel
[ben inere ishligations of 01/Lial duty &maid kite easparesi, a
with an interest In her foetal mess which will not be distinguiehni
or abet. d when thee; cfoligitticias rhaii have ce-fen.
" linfman Cade, July t 3. " wane