Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-12-27
From the New York Herald; Dec. q.

4 Il
arrest of another Of COLOR alleged to be Fugtira
Slape-U. S. Commissioners Court before Chs. NJ Hail.
Esq
eres occurred the City Hail. in consequence OF the ar
rest of color named Henry Long who alleged to
be fugitive slave and brought before the United States
Commissioners Court in pursuance Of the recent act OF
Congress II will be ecoected that James Hamlet was the
first man arrested under the Fugitive Slave law in this cy
and that after the examination in his case and the order
for his slavery he purchased by subscription
entered into by the coored population and some white aoo-
litionists.
The alleged fugitive In the present instance who was
brought before Mr. Hail. the newly appointed commissioner
TO this Court has been, for time, waiter in the Pa
c6c Hotel Greenwich street, in this CITY, where he was ar
rested Yesterday by three of the MarshaPs officers while in
the of attending waiter at the one O'Clock dinner OF
the Pacific Hotel He carried away and appeared in
he had been TAKEN dressed in his white Jacket
and apron The prisoner mildooking man, about the
middle stature and apparently not more than three or four
thirty years of age He Is claimed by Dr. VIM W. Par
kerr by virtue Of power Of attorney from Dr.. John T.
Smith, In the State of Virginia, from whom II is alleged he
aped in 1878.
The prisoner was arrested about one O'clock and the
| time.
large number of persons in attendance, amongst
whom Dr.. McCune Smith of this city, and several
other members of the colored population. The greatest
anxiety manifested but there disposition TO offer
resistance the law though there warmly
ed sympathy freely given by MIR. Lewis Iappan who was
present during the examination.
couple OF members of the bar who accidentally heard
of the arrest to tender their gratutous services 10 the
/
ness and produced power of attorney from John T. Smith,
by which he claimed Henry Long as his slave.
VIM; " Parker being sworn deposed-that he knew
John T. Smith Of Russell county, Virgina ne had slave
named Henry Long, who was generally called and known
az "Henry the prisoner is the person whom called Henry
have seen him in the employ OF MT smith, IN Inc year
services DIV due 10 Mr. Smith, and have been due since
that time.
Crossexaneacd by Mr.. Charles Whitehead.-I have
known Henry for FIVE years last past that is three years be-
fore he left Virginia. connection of Dr.. Smith, who
married my ws sister, and have Henry several times
engaged In driving cart for his MASTER attended Henry
as physician; have hired him out often for Dr.. Smith,
hired him last the dock at Rchmond he was subse.
qaeny missed and advertised him. but could not find him.
practitioner oil medicine in Richmond for three years.
Odd you not attend other slaves for Mr.. Smith? A
No; Mr. Smith lives three hundred and fifty miles from Rich
mond and he had but the one slave in Rchmond have fire.
queny attended him Henry and sat up all night with him.
l heard he in New York last year, from Mr.. Lib
by, who had previously hired him, and who met him
in New York. Q.-How do you know he was slave 2
Al have him at Mr.. Smiths house. and agreed to
hire him QDd you the title deeds or au-
hory by which Mr. Smith held this man as slave7 A
No sir have not Q.-Have you any other means Of
knowing that this is slave than seeing him with MIR.
Smith and your hiring him outl Al have not except
have heard sister speak Of him being very use
full servant, snd the property OF Dr. Smith Q-Are not
some Of the black servants in Virginia, reemenl A-Cer-
any; have heard Mr. Smith speak OF him his servant;
the and slaves both engaged in the kind OF
work Virginia. and black free persons as well as slaves,
sometimes called servants beyond what have seen and
what have heard from Dr.. Smith and my sister, have no
knowledge OF his being slaves Smltn mas sent
~ three hundred and fifty miles TO Inc for the purpose
Of hiring him out, have been employed in similar
mission before would do so for any other man. or
under any other circumstances but from the fact OF his
having escaped when my CHARGE have no desire for II;
the North this business and expect that my
expenses will be paid.
arrested man. Henry by virtue Of the warrant produc
ed arrested him to-day at the Pacific Hotel in this city
On cross examination the witness said that he does no,
know whether the Henry is the person specified in the
warrant know nothing about him, only that Mr. Parker
he las, witnes pointed him out TO me; was informed by
Mr. Parker that he the Pacific HOTEL and, one OF
the United States Marshals bound TO 60 and effect
the arrests have been engaged In an arrest OF this
kind beforc have frequently arrested black men but not
as fugitive slaves.
John H. Smack deposed that he has known Henry to DO
servant at Haskns Libbys the wharf at Richmond;
that's all know about him; don't know who hired him
there have heard Haskins Libby speak OF Henry as
having escaped and know that he is The man In question
Cros. examined-I am captain of packet ship plying
between New York and Richmond don't know that Hen
ry is slaves he hired for year. to work IN Haskns
q Libby's sorei don't know free man that works in
any store in Rchmond not TO get cent for my ies-
mony ere my vessel is ready for SEM do not expect any
passengers would not take them hey Dare not
put a slave board my vesse have no interest IN the
recovery Of this person fugitive slave.
! The testimony for the prosecution here closed.
Mr. Whitehead then applied for a postponement OF the
hearing on the ground that the man had been arrested at ons
o'clock il Is now three and the prisoner had been brought
here Immediately. There was therefore, no opportunity OF
his communication with those who knew him. All be
asked was an adjournment for couple OF hours All ne
wan ted was to procure witnesses from the New England
! Hotel
| Mr. Parker protested against an adjournment
The Commissioner asked prisoners counsel for an ahda
| yt of the necessity for adjournment.
The United States Marshal said If adjournment were
granted he would suggest that 1t be I'LL next morning as
would be nconvencn all persons 10 hold an evening
sion.
An affidavit then drawn up to the effect that man
employed at the New England Hotel could prove that he
HENRY was in this city the time that he alleged
have escaped from Richmond and that the said witness
could adduce testimony which would save him from lifelong
servitude.
MI Parker said the witness could be brought here in
" minutes and he begged that the Commissioner would
postpone the I'LL morrow, as twas necessary fol