Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1848-04-27

THE RUNAWAY SLAvEs.-Interesting ac-
count of their Capture.-The Washington
Union gives the following account of the
chase and capture of the Pearl, having on
board ~ slaves who had been enticed from
their homes in Washington and George
town:
We have just had an interesting interview
with H. C. Williams, Esq, who at the re-
quest of several citizens ofGeorgetown,j join
ed a volunteer party, and was elected their
I'commander to poceed down the river in the
steamer Salem, Captain Baker, to capture The
sloop Pearl, Of So tons, of Whi,ehill, New
Jersey. owned by the master, Edward Say
rers,) Caleb Aaronson, and another; which
said sloop had left the steamboat wharf, be-
low the Long Bridge, about 2 O'Clock on
Sunday morning last; but, in consequence
of getting aground did not pass Alexandra
till sunrise.
The party consisted Of about thirty in
number, besides The crew of the steamer,
which left The wharf a. Georgetown about
l O'Clock, p. m. Below Fort Washington
they met the Noun, Vernon, whose gentie-
manly captain (Rogers) could give no nfor-
nation of the Pearl" as it had probably
passed Aqua Creek before he came out. The
Wind being very fair, the Peal made a rapid
sail, and, if it had continued on its course,
would with difficulty, if at all, have been
overtaken by the Salem.
The first intelligence received was from
fishing smack i; and shortly thereafter (say
about 5 o'clock, p. m.) more accurate infor-
nation was obtained from Capt.. Guylher,
Of the steamer columbia, from Baltimore
He stated he had passed vessel answering
lhedescHplon of the Pearl, in the Nanjemoy
reach making her then about fifteen miles
ahead.
Captain Baker increased his speed, under
the encouraging prospects, the wind and
tide being now in his favor, and continued
the chase with spirit, until about 4 O'clock,
Monday morning, when vessel was espied
at anchor, in Cornfeld harbor, cove on the
Maryland shore, aaording good shelter from
the high winds then blowing from the bay,
and not likely to be observed by passing
steamers; being few miles from the light
house on Point Look Out
Feeling confident from the appearance of
the vessel, that this was the Pearl, Captain
Baker promptly closed upon the vessel,
rounded TO, and placed the steamer along side.
The volunteers Immediately jumped on
board, but found no one on deck, the matches
being closed. These were guarded, and
Daniel Drayton, the supposed master and
ringleader of the the thieves was ordered to
come up. After some time, and very reluc-
family, he did SO, and was placed under
guard. He confessed he was one of the
guilty men who had received and concealed
the slaves on board the vessel; admitted he
had had interviews with persons who had
undertaken 10 send the slaves on board, but
lie would not give their names, saying if he
did not, and should be convicted, the adolf
lionalists would support his family. The
real captain of the "Pearl," Edward Savers,
was then called up, and put under guard, his
answers being evasive and unsatisfactory
The third white person on board, Chester
English, said he had been duped and impos-
ed upon by the other two; he wept bitter
ly, and protested he had had no part in the
criminaity of the concern, and seemed will
ling to tell all he knew. The chief kid
nappers themselves had admitted he knew
nothing OF their plans, aud had been direct
ed after nigh. to receive the slaves, who, they
said to him, were going down the river on
an excursion Of pleasure.
The steamer, with the s1oop in tow, a
bout z O'Clock, arrived at Piney Point, where
the vessel was left in charge Of the VOL
unteers till the steamer returned, at IL o.
clock, with fuel from Cone river They
reached this city at half-past 2 yesterday
morning. and, after getting within its juris-
diclion, Mr.. Williams, being magistrate of
the same, summoned the parties before him,
and, after hearing the testimony, committed
Sayers and Drayton for further examination,
which is to take place this day a. O'Clock
at the Jail. The slaves were committed as
runaways, to be dealt with according TO law;
3S men and boys, 26 women and girls, and
Is children-77 in ALL
When landed, the prisoners were guarded
by the volunteers, and marched in double
file to the Jail. So confident were the civil
officers in tie efficacy of the civil authority,
that Major Williams prohibited the volun-
teers from carrying arms and although
by large assembly, no sign of
occurred till near the avenue,
when some indiscreet persons of both sides
produced disturbance, which caused the
white prisoners for their personal safety, to
be sent in hack to the Jail, under charge
Of officers. No cannon was carried on board
the steamer, as has been reported. Too
much credi, canno, be given to Capt. Baker
and the volunteers for their energy and dis
cre,ion in the whole proceeding.
The JERSEY SLAVE SCHooNER.-A letter
from G. S. Cannon, attorney of Mr.. Aaron
son, of Bordentown, owner of the Peal, Capt.
Sayres, captured with runaway slaves on the