Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-08-25
Fran the PENNSYLVANIA Mquirer.
TUMULT AT BURLINGTON, \. j.
SIAA L lASE

We regret 10 record the following account of Il
scene ot excitement and tumut, at the hitherto
peaceful AMI always delightful ntlc city of Bur
lmgton, \. J. The circumstances which formed
the qHo ammo OF the proceedings on both sides are
,omewbat singular; and IN presenting them To our
readers, we have cnlravotrd to krcp'in view the
maxim of" audi ottcram paricm."
Aout II years ago, mulalto arrived in the VI
entity of Burlington, who called himself" Severn
Martin He soon obtained employment, was in
dustIious, and married colorcd wife, bv whom he
had one child, who is now alive lie worked las
we are inlormed) for several years under Mr.
Emily, IA brlck-ma>er, near BorIcntown Du-
ring tins perodhI, wife dicd-lnd lie married a.
mother, also a colorcd woman, now living and by
whom he has children. Bv course of indus
try and trugallty he saved from 100 10 $500, and
had pun chased small piece OF ground and cot
tagc, A Three Tuns illaer, Mansfield Township
Burlington Co, where he resided with his family
or some years the world went well with Severn
Marlin-whcn, unhappilv for him, "A man who had
known him III irginia, found him out and in
formed his old master of his whereabouts" His
old master then wendell hi, way To New Jersey,
found the report correct and in due form of law
made claim upon Severn Martin under his old
name of = Negro sam"
The proprietor of Severn Martin, alias Negro
State OF ir.inia," Colonel William Christian"
lie brought letter OF introduction from Mr. " isc
a member oi congress from that state, to Mr. In
-crSol OF tins. Colonel E.. stated that he had
purchased" sam, not 50 much from IA motive of
requiring ms ScryIccS-but because sam had mar
red female slave on his estate, by whom he had
eight children-and his old wife and family were
there now. He paid Si5O for Sam, but had re-
ccivcd very itlc advantage from his labor, as the
sand sam soon after ram away The reason of lis
leaving was nos ON account of bard work or i'll u
sage, bn. because he was Jealous of his wic-as
he (Col ChriSrlan) had every rcasonto believe,
without any us grounds
The circumstances as We have detailed them,
now became matters OF public notorcty and as
Severn Martin, ALIAS Negro SAM had conducted
himself we'll great excitement prevailed.
On Saturday last. the cast was heard in the
Mayors Coull, before his Honor, John Larzalerc.
Esq. Mayor of the city. The particulars were in
vcSHgated IN the most impartial manner-the
Mayor postponed the court at one stage of the pro-
ceedings, Tor two hours, to enable Sans friends To
orlhg forward some papers in his favor. An old
paper was accordingly produced, hut it had no
bearing whatever upon the question. Two Wit
ncsses appeared who swore to Sam, and he wa,
further identified by two large, natural white mark,
on ms body there was Mrd mark, which Inc
admitted without examination. Col. Christian adj
dressing linn, sad, D." sam, you know never ahu.
SEQ Nou-tiiat You were not llltrcatcd in my employ
but made comfortable. Was it not so p Sans 81
lence gave assent. Colonel Christian observed
that Sam used to make shoes, and was otherwise,
employ ed in handcrai trade, mwhich occupation
he had rendered himself useful. Ills aye is rs or
%. The case being very clear judgment was
given IN favor of the cllmant-and Sam WAS ia
leave his cottage, aud once more return TO Viz
gina and 10 slavery.
ne next business was To remove him bu
TINS was no easy matter, a crowd of al least
ooo persons, whltc aS well rs cuorrd had assem-
bled ON the wharf.-the great majority of whom
declared that he should not be taken away. N,
say the great majority, because our informant
states that there were some amongst them. in fa
vonr OF the master.
The State Rights steamboat. observing tl
mob approach towards the edge of the wharf
went on her way, before sam, hand cuflcd ,oa cnn'
stable, arrived. 1t was then at,emptcdto nm bio,
on the ferry boat, but the hoaiman wnulI no, ro
oeNed him, and defending himself against the par