The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1850-11-30
THE FUGIrIVE-SLAV CASE. IN
BOSTON.

Georgia, the following ommunication iron
Hlr Knight. one of tke gentlemen who wa
> made to figure SO extensively in the lat'
case of Crafts and bis wife 1t is a yer,
particular detail Of the facts as they occur
red. aud bears the impress Of truth in al
respects. This is the first authentic ac
count of the transaction which we havs
seen, and we have read it with curiosit,
and interest. Two facts struck US as some
what extraordinary: tie hesitation and in
efhclency of the commissioners to act, and
the trepdation Of the marshal.
From the Macon (Ga.) Journal, Nov 49,
THE BOSTON EXCITEMENT
Macon, (Ga. Nov. II. 1850.
| Messrs Editors: As many incorrec,
and contradictory reports are in circula
ton IN regard to the visit Of Mr. Willis II.
Hughes to Boston, for the purpose of re.
capturing William and Ellen Crafts. the
negroes belonging TO DR. Collins and Ira
Iaylor, l beg you to give place to the
subJoined simple narrative Of facts 1t is
! gwen from recollection; but am willing
| to make affidavit of its correctness Of
course it does not contain a statement of
everything which transpred, but it does
contain everything which is at all impor
tant.
The statements which have been copied
in this city, and in the South generally. bv
a certain class of papers, are taken from
the Boston Chronotype and other abolition
prints, and are gross misrepresentation of
facts, and entirely unworthy Of any conf.
dence.
We left Macon for the purpose of pur-
chasing machinery for the establishment q f
bucket factory and variety works in this
city. | did not even know that Mr. Hughes
was intrusted with the recovery of the
slaves until after we arrived at New York ,
when he asked me to identify the negroes.
We left Macon, Friday. October II,
arrived in New York Tuesday following;
remained there till Friday, 5, p. m., and
arrived at Boston next morning; kept still |
on Saturday and Sunday.
On Monday l attended to buying ina
chinery. Mr. Hughes applied to Judge
Woodbury. for warrant. The Judge
would not issue it; said it was the business
= ~. -,..,-,,; ss;orqre
commissioners, who sent him from one to
another. The last one refused, until he
could get all the commissioners and judges
together.
In this way the matter was deferred until
Thursday night, when the meeting Of com
missioners was held. At this meeting our
business and the names of the parties for
whom the warrant was demanded leaked
out.
went to see Crafts on Tuesday; had
long conversation with him. He SAID that
Ellen was anxious to return South, and
would do so if she could get funds and an
opportunity; desired me to bring letter to
Eller's mother. agreed to go back next
morning to get the letter, if did not 90
to Worcester.
Uednesday Went to Worcester and
returned; found the letter at the Hotel
Thursday anorning-Saw Crafts; he
told me that Ellen had been to see me at
his shop on Wednesday. Iwrote no let
ter to Crafts. The one published was
forgery. The day the letter purports to
have been written l was in Worcester.
Friday morning. Judge Woodbury.
issued the warrant about 9 o'clock, in open
court.
1t was at once known, and the negroes
and abolitlonists began to assemble about
the court house and watch us. Every few
minutes, a negro lawyer would peep into
the marshal Office to see what was going
on. Warrant placed in marshal's hands
great; nothing was done. Marshal said
in Cambridge street he would go and ar
rest him seemed timid and Inclined to
back out.
Saturday. Were both arrested for
calling Crafts slave were taken to De-
putty Sheriff Riggs office obtained bail
for $4,000 each at once. from Messrs
Riley & Freeman and Thayer & Co. No
great excitement.
afternoon Negroes in large numbers
around the United States Hotel. l chang
ed my hat. mixed among them. and talked
with them. They said there were kid
nappers from the South in town-that
Knight was is Jail, and they were after
Hughes.
Su,,day-Wcnt to Charlestown, and
about the city all day. No sisnsof any
disturbance.
Monday were again arrested. on
a charge of attempting to kidnap Crafts
and wife !; were carried to Court square,
to Deputy Corbin's Office; 1900 persons
present-l,5 800 negroes and 500 whites Of
the lowest order. Gave bonds in $4,000
each, signed by Messrs Riley. Willis, aud
others, | believe. Crowd in the office
very great. Officer sent for carriage
left Office to get into it. Mr. Hughes got