Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-06-22
AIEs.Ex ANDi&9As
THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE %. 1926.

Kidaappers Arested yesterday attended
Magistrates Court, when Thomas Smoot and
William White, craftsmen, from the Eastern
Shore Of Maryland, were examined upon
charge of having, the day previously sold ne
gro boy, to whom, as it appeared, they had no
claim. The first was permitted, as an accessory,
to give bail, in the sum Of $500, for his appear
ance at the next term of the Circuit Court for
this County; and the latter, as the principal, was
committed to iail-his offence precluding the
benef, Of recognisance. Under these circum-
stances, we shall refrain FROM speculative re-
marks that might have tendency to prejudice
their case, and shall con6ne ourselves 10 brief
narrative Of the facts as they were recorded by
the Magistrate.
Thomas Smoot is the owner and master oil a
small schooner called the independence, and
William White, sailor, in Shoots employ.
The vessel was last from Richmond, via Nor
folk, where she remained two or three hours
On her arrival in the District she proceeded
10 Georgetown and delivered her cargo, and on
Tuesday evening last came to Alexandria.--
White Immediately called on Charles A:
Stokes, a purchaser Of Negroes, sojourning
here, and offered the boy for sale, informing him
that he, (White) was acting as the agent OF
Captain Smoot Finding that sale could be
effected, he returned to the vessel, and in COM
nany with Smoot carried the boy 10 the house
of Elias Legg, where Stokes lodged. Two
hundred and seventy-6ve dollars were offered,
and after some consultation between Smoot and
White, Smoot retired; the offer was accepted
by White, The boy delivered, and bill OF sale,
Declaring him to be slave for life, was sign
ed by White who received the money. Du-
ring the negotiation the boy was questioned
by Lege * Stokes, ana acknowledged himself
the slave Of White, who he said had purchased
him about four years back. In few minutes
after White was gone, the boy became alarmed
and declared that he was free: stating that his
name was Harrison Scott, and that his mother,
Peggy Scott, free woman, resided in Norfolk,
Virginia.
Stokes and Leggimmedia,ely pursued the
men who had sold him, and found the vessel
few wards from the wharf, just about TO make
sail. The declaration Of the boy was repeated
TO them, and White was requested TO come on
shore and cancel the contract, which he readily
consented to do, and went with Stokes * Legg
TO the house, for the purpose of returning the
money and receiving the boy. Stokes received
the money and detained him, while Legg was
procuring warrant for his arrest. Upon learn
ing that he was to be arrested he offered Stokes
$3.50 to favor his escape, which was rejected.
Smoot was likewise arrested, and It being then
near nine O'Clock, PM. they were committed to
Jail until the following morning, yesterday
yhcn,,heir examination resulted as has been
stated While going from Less's house to
the magistrates Office, on the evening that
White was arrested, he attempted to escape by
running, as did also the boy, but they were
soon oyertaken and secured
Ii was stated by the boy, and acknowledged
by all, that he went on board Shoots vessel IN
a skifT, while she was descending the James RI
vcr, with view of getting passage to Norfolk,
where, he informed them, his mother resided
When The ressel arrived at Norfolk, the boy
says he was not permitted to land, but Smoot,
White, and another sailor on board, named
Thomas Remmer, alledged that he preferred re-
on board, and White and Remmer
said that the boy agreed TO become the slave
Of White. These are all the facts that are ma
terial.
Since the trial We learn tina, Elijah Hefier-
ton, one of the hands employed in the scam
boa, Potomac, knows the boy, and was In
Richmond, short time since, when the same
boy was taken up as runaway, and discharged
by the Mayor on HeHerton's evidence that ne
knew him and his mother to be free inhabitants
Of Norfolk.
The Editor Of the National Gazette has re-
ceiyed file Of Mexican papers to the l4th oil
May They contain translation OF President
Adams's Message 10 the House OF Representa-
tiyes relative to the Panama Mission.
The following proceedings took place in the
Mexican Chamber Of Deputies on the 18th Of
April:
"Sr. Gonzales Angslo said have The ho-