The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-11

THE ATTEMPT TO CARRY OFF Two S1AvEs!-
Considerable excitement was produced in our COM
munity at early hour yesterday, by the discovery
of daring attempt to run off two valuable slaves,
hired in this city. One of them, named Alfred,
has been hired for some years by Major Tallman,
Of the Washington Hotel and belongs to the estate
OF Archibald Govan, deceased, OF Hanover; and
the other, Sawney has also been fine hotel waiter
with Mr. J. M. Sublett, and is the property of Mrs.
Caroline NJ Christian, of New Kent county. The
man who arranged for, and who was attempting to
effect, their escape, Is generally belleved TO De Sa-
muel A. Smith, parsonage who moved to this city
some years since, figured extensively In the shoe
business, under the sign of the cred Boot" and
haseeveraltimes been arrcstedupon seriouscharges,
but has some way or other managed to escape from
the strong arm OF the law.
The facts of the case, as we have been able to
CLEAN them, appear 10 be these. About half-past
seven yesterday morning, a dray was driven up to
Adams d Co.'s Express office, having upon 1t two
large boxes, about the size OF those commonly
used in the dry goods business, and known as No.
3. They were directed to "W; p. Williamson,
No. 80 'Buttonwood street, Philadelphia" The
boxes. communicated with Mr.. Barroll, the Ex-
press agent of this city, who, having previously
had some intimation from. his correspondent, MIR.
Sanford, of Philadelphia, that an attempt might be
through the medium of the Express, directed the
drverto let them remain the dray, and drive them
immediateyto the depot; at the same time directing
his assistant TO take up Ratchet IN his wagon, for
confirming or removing his suspicious A short time
after the dray had left Smith went into the Express
Office, and inquired whether bag of meal, which
he had left to be forwarded, had gone or not! his
true purpose, doubtless, beng to see whether the
Upon reaching the depot, Mr.. Barroll opened
one of the boxes, and discovering negro therein,
he Immediately nailed the top down again, and
communicated the discovery to one OF the officers
of the train, Smith having at one time been seen
near and having afterwards disappeared. He
afterwards got on the tram some distance higher
up the street The negroes, still in the boxes,
were driven down to the mayors Office, removed
from their hot nests, and placed In custody. Each
of them had in the box a small bundle of clothes,
pair of bosts fancy fan, and bladder filled with
water to drink, tied around the neck with shoe
makers end, showing very concusively that Smith
had made all the preparations. It was lucky that
the negroes were discovered, on the score OF hui
mainly, as they must certainly have died before
reaching even Fredericksburg. Their boxes were
end and superadded to this would have been the
intense closcness of the Express freight car, in
which they would have been placed with many
packages on them. -,
Geographic messages were immediately sent to
Fredericksburg, and other northern places, to ac-
compsh his arrest and about twelve O'Clock yes
tcrdsy the telegraph announced n ,ne sd5aihyng IN
Caldwell, of Fredericksburg, and would be brought
to Richmond by the downward train In the eve
ming.
his honor the Mayor, on yesterday morning, and
each witness recognised in the sum OF $500, to APP
pear at his office to-day, when full one, we have
no doubt, will be made. =,
Mr. VIM B. Barro the Express agent, was
sworn, and gave, in substance, the testimony be-
fore mentioned. e.
Smith with the stationery, with which ne wrote a
letter TO this man Williamson, of Philadelphia.
MIR. Stephen H. Fisher, the keeper ofthe shoe store,
with whom Smith lives, testified as to having seen
a letter in Smiths possession, directed to W. +.
Williamson, whom Smith had told hun was doing
a large business in Northern Liberties, Phladel-
phia. and whom he was gong on to- see, for the
purpose of Joining in business (1r. f., on being
shown the dray ticket which accompanied the
boxes, recognised it as being in the handwrtingof
Smith, and, at the request of the Mayor, went to
his store and brought business book, in which
entries had been made by Smith, which, upon be-
ing compared with the penmanshp of the ticket,
were found to be identical. The ticket was as fol-
lows
"May 9Th, -.
"two cases from II. Tyler to Express oflice."O
Mics CAruARINE DoIBow, being duly sworn, tes-
tilted that she had been living with Mr. Smith
about six months. She was not his wife. Had
never seen the negroes in court in Mr.. Fishers
store with Smith, except on business. Was late
in getting up Eat break fast with Smith up stairs.
Mr.. Fisher had been at the store some time when
raid che uttered in the presence OF God and the
Court.
solemn oath to tell the whole truth, and she must
regard herself always in the presence Of Omnipo-
Rncc.1
SARAH. mulatto. examined, after the Gus
tomary Injunction, that she would lose her "ears,
NC" for failing to tell the truth.-Lived with Mr.
smith about a fortnight. Had seen the boxes in
his kitchen. Didn't know who made them. were
there when she came to live with him; Didn't
sleep in the kitchen, but in the garnet. Mr.. Smith
did not take breakfast at home. Saw Mr.. Smith,
from an upper window, get on the cars as they