Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-05-16
ATTEMPT TO CARRY OFF TWO SLAVES,

ATTEMPT TO CARRY OFF TWO SLAVES!
Considerable excitement was produced in our com
munity at an early hour yesterday, by the discov-
cry OF a daring attempt run off two valuable
slaves, hired in this city. One Of them named Al
fred, has been hired for some years by Mai Tall
man of the Washington Hotel, and belonos TO the
estate of Archibald Govan, decd, of Hanover and
the other, Sawney, has also been fine hotcl-wai-
ter with Mr. J. NJ. Sublett and is the property of
Mrs. Caroline NJ. Christian OF New Kent county.
" 'ihe man Who arranged for, and who was at
tempting to effect their escape, is generally beiev
CD 10 be Sdinuel N. Smith, parsonage who moved
10 'hs city some years since, figured extensively in
the shoe business, under the sign of the Red Boot"
anu has several times been arrested upon serious
charges, but has some way or other managed to es-
cape from the strong arm OF the law.
The facts of the case, as have been able to
CLEAN them, appear to be these About half past
seven yesterday morning, dray was driven up to
Adams s Co.'s Express Office, having upon 1.-TWO
large boxes about the size OF those commonly used
in the dry goods business and known as No. O.
They were directed to
"W. p. WILLIAMSON,
No 50 Button Woud Street,
Philadelphia"
The Express Clerk having some suspicion abou,
the boxes communicated with MIR. Barroll the Ex-
press Agent of this city, who, having previously had
some animation from his correspondent, Mr. San
ford, of Philadelphia, that an attempt might be
made 10 run off some of our slaves in boxes through
the medium of tho Axpress, directed the driver to
let them remain on the dray, and drive them i'm
media;ely 10 the depot al the same time directing
his assistant to take up Ratchet in his wagon, for
the purpose u! opening the boxes at the depot and
confirming or removing his suspicion short time
after the dray had left, Smith went into the En-
press Office, and inquired, whether bay of meal
which he had left to be forwarded, had gone or no,
his true purpose, doubtless, being-to see whether
the boxes had duly gone.
Upon reaching the Depot Mr. Barroll opened
one OF the boxes, and discovering a negro therein,
he immediately nailed the top down arian and com
muncated the discovery 10 of tho officers Of the
the train, Smith having at time been seen near
and having afterwards disappeared He afterwards
got on the train some distance higher up the street
lhe negroes still in the boxes were driven down
10 The Mayors Office removed from their hot nests
ami placed in custody. Each of them had in the
box small bundle Of clothes, pair of boots fancy
fan, and bladder filled with water ia drink. tied
around the neck with siOemakey's end showing
very concus'vely that Smith had made all the prep.
aratons twas lucky that the negroes were discov-
cred, on the score of humanity, as they must GER
tanIy heve died before reaching even Fredericks-
ourS 1heir boxes were very close, having only
small vent holes al either end and superadded ia
this, would have been the intense coseness of the
Express freight car, in which they would have been
placed with many packages on them.
As soon as 1t was found that Smith had escaped
telegraphc messages were Immediately sent to red
ercksbnrg and other Northern places TO accompIish
his arrest; and about l2o'cock yesterday, the Tel
graph announced the gratifying intelligence that
he had been arrested by Officer Caldwell at Fred
ericksburg, and would be brought TO Richmond bv
the downward train in the evening
partial examination of the case was made by
MS honor, the tdayor, on yesterday morning. and
each witness recognised in the sum of $500. To an
pear at his office to day. when full one, we have
no doubt will be made
Mr.. WIN. Is. Barroll, the Express agent was
sworn, and gave in substance the testimony before
mentioned.
nj. P. w. Grubbs stated that he had furnished
E'r't'I win tho Statiouary with which III, Wrote
letter to this man Williamson Of Philadelphia MIR.
Stephen H. Fisher, the keeper of the shoe store
with whom Smith lives, testified as to having seen
letter in Smiths possession directed to ". p.
Williamson, whom Smith had told him was DOING
large business in Northern Liberties, Phiade3
Phla, and whom he was going or to see, for the
purpose OF joining in business. Mr.. f. on being
shown the dray ticket which accompanied the box
es, recognized it as being in the hand writing of
Smith, and at the request of the Mayor went 10 his
store and brought business book in which en-
tries had been made by Smith, which, upon be-
Ing compared with the penmanship OF the ticket
were found TO be identical. The ticket was as fol-
lows:
(''May 9Th, 40
WV 'as0S ilOih H. SIeI 10 Express Olfice.")
Miss Catharine Dol5ow being duly sworn, testi
fed that she had been living with Mr.. Smith about
six months. She was not his wife. Had never seen
the two negroes in Court in Mr. Fishers store with
Smith. except on business. Was late in getting up
Eat breakfast with Smith up stairs. Mr.. Fisher
had been at the store some time when she rosc.-
Considerable trepldation) What she said she ut
tered in the presence Of God and the Court
The Mayor reminded her that she had taken a
solemn oath 20 tell the whole truth, and she must
regard herself always in the presence Of Omnipo
tence.
Told 10 take her seat.
Sarah. mu!atto--toxamined after the cusso-
mary injunction, that she would lose her Gears.
&C." for failing to tell the truth Lived with Mr.
Smith about fortnight. Had seen the boxes in
his kitchen. D!dn't know who made them Were
there when she came TO live with him. Didn't
sleep III the kitchen, but in the garret. Mr. Smith
did not take breakfast at home. Saw Mr. Smith,
from an upper window. get the cars as they passed
the door Richmond Wing, .May9
FROM THE NATIONAL ISTEIIIGENcFP