The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-19
From the Macon { GAO JOsrnsland Messenger.
The HostOn Excitsmsat.


the negroes belonging to DR.. Collins and Ira Tay-
Tor, beg you 70 give place to the subjoned simple
narrative OF facts. Iii given from recollection
but ana willing to make affidavit of its correct
ness. OF coupe, it does not contain statement of
svevy asiny which transpired; but it does contain
every thing which ia at all important
The statements which have been copied in this
Gty, and in the South generally. by certain class
ct papers. are taken from the Boston Chr0nofype,
and other abolition prints, and are gross msrepre-
sentaticns OF tacts, and entirely unworthy OF any
confidence.
We left Macon for the purpose of purchasing
machinery for the establishment of bucket fac
tory and variety works ia this city. did not
even know that Mr.. Hughes was entrusted with
the recovery of the slaves until after We arrived at
New York, when he asked me 10 identify the ne
We left Macon Friday, October IL, arrived in
New York Tuesday following. Remained there
till Friday, p. M, and arrived at Boston next
morning. Kept still on Saturday and Sunday.
u On Monday attended to buying machinery.
Mr.. Hughes applied to Judge Woodbury. for a war
rant. The Judge would not issue il; said 1t was
the business Of the commissioners.
MIR. Hughes applied to three separate commits
sioners, who sent him from one to another. The
last one refused, until he could get all the commits
sioners and judges together
In this way the matter was deferred until Thurs
day night, when the meeting of commissioners was
held. At this meeting our business and the names
Of the parties for whom the warrant was demanded
leaked out
went to see Craft on Tuesday, had long con
vcrsation with him. He said that Ellen was anx.
ious to return South and would do SO II she could
get funds and an opportunity; desired me to bring
letter to Ellen's mother. l agreed to go back
next morning to get the letter, if did not 60 to
Worcester.
Wednesday.-Wcnt to Worcester and returned;
found the letter at the hotel.
Thursday morning. Saw Craft. He told me that
Ellen had been to zee me at his shop on Wednes-
day. l wrote no letter TO Graft. The one publish
ed was forgery. The day the letter purports to
/ n Worcester
Friday morning.-Judge Woodbury. Issued the
warrant, about nine o'clock, in open court.
1t was at once known, and the negroes and aboli-
tonists began to assemble about the court house,
and watch Every few minutes negro lawyer
would peep into the marshals Office to see what
was going on-warrant placed in marshals hands
nothing donc--marsh shall said if he could be
WINGED that Graft was in Cambridge street. he
would go and arrest hiun--seemed timid and in
clincd 10 back out
calling Craft a slave-were taken to deputy sheriff
Riggs ofiice--obtaincd bail for SIC, 900 each at
once, from Mcssrs. Riley L. Freeman and Thayer
Il Co. No great excitement.
Afternoon Negroes in large numbers around
tho United States Hotel. changed my hat--mixed
among them, and talked with them. They said
there were kidnappers from the South in town
that Knghtwas in Jail, and they were after Hughes.
o Sunday Went to Charlestown, and about the
city all day-no sign of any disturbance.
Monday.-We were again arrested on charge
of attempting to kidnap Graft and wife-carried to
Court square, TO Deputy Corbin's objective thou
sand persons present. One thousand five hundred
negroes and i've hundred whites, of the lowest
der. Gave bonds in ten thousand dollars each,
signed by Messrs. Riley, Willis, and others, be-
leve-crowd in the Office very great-oticer sent
for carrago--let office to 60 into 1t. MIR. Hughes
got in. The crowd rushed upon it, 30 that could
not reach it-they Missed us, called US boodhounds
&c, apparently for the purpose OF exciting US to
some act Of violcnce-some OF them seized upon the
horses and attempted to open the doors-Mr, H.,
who was in the carriage, laughed at them, and
made sport of them.
The driver was not instructed where to go, and,
being greatly alarmed, left for Cambridge. When
he reached the bridge, MIR. Hughes knew where he
was, and ordered him to carry him back to the no
tel. The driver turned but meeting the crowd
fused to go further. MIR. Hughes then left the
rage and procured buggy and driver, and
turned TO the hotel-some Of the negroes came up
to him. He ordered them to keep off, They said
they did not wish to hurt him bot only to let the
people know that he a slave hunter.
remained in the office half hour, and left in
cab-thc mob Kissing and pulling my coat, call
ing me slave hunter, bloodhound, &c; but was
resolved to resent no insult that was plainly
what they wanted me to do. One negro followed
to the Hotel, but did not come near me.
Monday afternoon.-Grcat crowd at hotel-ne-
groes outside-whtes came into the parlors and
passages. At 81 O'Clock other warrants were is
sued against Us for slanderng Ellen Craft and in
Iuring her business. Gave bond, each, tor $40 900
at the hotel, Messrs. Riley Thayer Co., Willis
and others signing for Understood great
crowd was assembled at Court square for the pur
pose OF mobbing Us, officer Corbin wished 10 carry
us there. The mob had been collected by the hand
bills which had been placed about the streets.
That night great crowd came to the hotel 10 see
us-Mr. Hughes not WE'LL went down, sat
in the parlor, and conversed with them, answering
many questions in regard 10 the Crafts, and the
treatment of slaves generally.
Was no little amused at some, the more honest
but deuded, who actually seemed TO think that
negroes were chained every night after they
g. "A Il. fgst <0fl.s Il
Tuesday Committee of hundred (white
men) waited on the proprietors of the house.
curing them to turn us out, and ordering us 10
ieape. This was peremptorily refused by both US
and the proprietors.
Noon.-Comnittcc of sixteen called, saying that
II we did not leave Instantly We would be mobbcd
Wero not in--but landlord answered for US, and by
our authority given in the morning, that we would
not leave till we were ready.
Evening .-Committee Of (whitc) ladies called
sent cards 20 room and desired TO sec us. We were
not in, and, OF course, were deprived Of the mex
pressibe pleasure ofsecing them.
At night.-Mr. Hughes, not very well. remained
In biz room. went down stairs again, and re-
manned in the parlor on the night before. Among
the crowd were many polite gentlemen, who APP
pearcd TO be gratifying their curiosity greater
mass however, were Aboiitionsts.
Wednesdsy.-yery early Rev. Theodore Parker
came to our room, followed 10y fifty or sixty per
sons, greatly excited said he had suppressed a
mob twice-came "a a Christian--as a servant of
TIE LORD and irend 20 request Va 10 fsars s city
instantly -not 10 wait for the cars, but 10 take a
carrage--did not think he could suppress. the mob
any longer We rcfused-tod him that we should
treat their committees with perfect contempt
would leave when the mob dispersed and our con-
.venience suited, but not before
During the day passed freely about the city--all
was quiet. In the evening came TO New York by
advice of counsel in order 20 get further instruc-
tions, and TO allow the excitement 10 die away.
During this time Craft and wife were reported 20
u. to be locked up in the house Of white man.
whose name forget.
From all saw and heard and experienced while
in Boston, am convinced that public opinion there,
in regard TO the Fugitive Slave Law is undergoing
change. II is true, the Abolitionists and negroes
very numerous, and apparently have things
very much their own way al present. The bust.
ncss men, and men Of property with whom
conversed generally took but little interest in the
matter; but said that the law ought TO be executed;
that they wished 10 get rid of the negroes and that
II II came TO trial Of strength, the negroes and
Abotioniss would be put down. This, however,
will take time.
believe that Mr.. Hughes will ultimately sue
coed in getting the negroes. My only regret s,
that my own private business compelled me TO re.
tan bcfp \ Lit. o..J