The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1848-05-05
From the Washington Union, April l9H.
The washington slaves.

1RS washington Slaves
We have just had an interesting interview
with Il. G. Williams, Esq, who, at the request
OF several citizens OF Georgetown, joined a
volunteer party, and was elected their COM
mander, to proceed down the riverin the steam
er Salem, Captain Baker, to capture the sloop
Pearl, Of So tons, Of Whitehill, New Jersey,
owned by the master, Edward sayers,) Caleb
Aaronson, and another; which said sloop had
left the steamboat wharf, below the Long
Bridge, about l O'Clock on Sunday last; butin
consequence Of getting aground, did not pass
Alexandra till sunrise.
The party consisted of about thirty in num-
Der, besides the crew Of the steamer, which
left the wharf Of Georgetown about i O'clock,
P. N. Below Fort Washington, they met the
Mount Vernon, whose g%entlemanly captain
'Rogers) could give no information Of the
"Pearl," as it had probably passed Aqua
Creek before he came out. The wind being
very fair, the Pearl made a rapid sail, and, if it
had continued on its course, would with diff
Guilty, if at all, have been ovsrtaken by the
Salem,
The first intelligence received was from a
fishing smack' and shortly thereafter (say
about S o'clock, p. N.Y. more accurate informa-
ton was obtained from Capt. Guyther, of the
steamer Columbia, from Baltimore. He stated
ne had passed a vessel answering the descrip-
ton Of the Pearl, in the NaniemOy reach; maxi
ing her then about fifteen miles ahead.
Captain Baker increased his speed, under the
encouraging prospects, the wind and tide be-
ing now in his favor, and continued the chase
with spirit, until about A O'Clock, Monday
morning, when a vessel was espIed at anchor,
in Corn6eld harbor, a cove on the Maryland
shore, afiording a good shelter from the high
winds then blowing from the bay, and moi
likely to be. observed by passing steamers; be-
ing a few miles from the lighthouse on Point
Look Out.
Feeling confident, from the appearance o.
the vessel, that this was the Pearl, Capt, Bake
promptly closed upon the vessel, rounded to
and placed the steamer alongside. The volun
teers Immediately jumped on board, but fount
no one on deck, the matches being all closed
These were guarded, and Daniel dayton, thu
supposed master and ringleader of the thieves
was ordered to come up. After some time
and very reluctantly, he did SO, and was placed
under guard. He confessed he was one Of thu
guilty men who had received and concealed
the slaves on board the vessel; admitted hi
had had interviews with persons who had IN
dertaken to send the slaves on board, but h,
would not give their names, saying if he dic
not, and should be convicted, the abolitionist
would support his family. The real captain 0
the "Pearl," Edward H. Sayers, was then call
ed up, and put under guard, his answers being
e~vasive and unsatisfactory. The third white
person on board, Chester English, said he haC
been duped and imposed upon by the othe
two; he wept bitterly, and protested he ha'
no part in the criminality Of the concern, an,
seemed willing to tell all he knew. The chic
kidnappers themselves had admitted he knew
nothing OF .heir plans, and had been directei
after night to receive the slaves, who, they SAT-
to him, were going down the river on an ex
cursion Of pleasure.
The steamer, with the sloop in tow, about
O'Clock, arrived at Piney Point, where tn
schooner was left in charge Of the volunteer
till the steamer returned, at IL O'clock, wit
fuel, from Cone river. They reached this cit.
at h~alf-past 7 yesterday morning, and, ate
getting within it's jurisdiction, Mr.. Williams
being a magistrate of the same, summoned til
parties before him, and, after hearing the ties
timony, committed Sayers and Drayton 70
further examination, which is to take plac
this day pt / O'Clock, at the jail, The slave
were committed as runaways, to be dealt wit
according to law-38 men and boys, 26 wome
and girls, and 10 children-T in all.
), When landed, the prisoners were guarde
by the volunteers, and marched, in double fill
to the Jail. So confident were the civil Officer
in the efficacy Of the civil authority, tht
Major Williams prohibited the volunteers frol
carrying arms; and although followed by
! large assembly, no sign Of disturbance OCcu
, red till near the avenue, when some indiscre'
persons Of both sides produced a disturbanc'
, which caused the white prisoners, for the
| safety, to be sent in hack to the Jail, und'
] charge Of officers. No cannon was carried o
board the steamer, as has been reported. To
much credit cannot be given to Capt. Bak'
and the volunteers for their energy and discr
r ton in the whole proceeding.
fCoyre,Dondence of The NJ o. Commercial Bu