The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-29
H0H TIE Hdrdv(ra.) Wig.
the Hardy Fugitive Slave Case.

Knowing the interest felt throughout the
country in reference to cases arising under the
Fugitive slave law, and having recently been
subjected to the necessity OF securing It's en-
forcement in the State of New York, ! have con-
cluded to comply with your request to furnish
You with statement of the circumstances at
tending the capture and restoration to me OF my
negro boy, Harrison.
On the night of the 18th of January last, my
boy escaped, with a number of others, from this
county. After prompt and digent pursuit IN
Pennsylvania, whittier conjectured and ascer-
tanned the gang had fled, and after being satisfied
that the obstacles thrown in the way of his ar
rest by portion of the people of Pennsylvania,
would render further trouble and expense un-
availing, abandoned the attempt to secure him,
and determined to submit, as best could, to
the outrage committed upon my rights as
Southern man, by the people 10 whom ! have al
luded. Having, however, received intimatlons
that portion Of the fugitives had taken up their
abode in the vicinity If jamestown, in the State
of New York, on the 22d of September last, in
company with Felix Seymour, esq, and other
neighbors, who had suffered from the bad faith
and villainy of the Abotionists, renewed the
effort to regain Harrison, and started for his
supposed place of concealment. Having pro.
ceeded as far as Baltimore, our party engaged
assist us in our undertaking. In New York we
ascertaned that the marshal lived in Albany.
When we arrived in that city, however, the Off
Ger was absent, and we were compelled to go to
Buffalo, where we found Mr.. Yates, the deputy
marshal, who readily consented to aid us, al
though have been Informed that he sent in his
resignation (Which was refused) before doing
so. Having procured the warrant from Com
missioner Smith, we made our way directly for
Jamestown, which we reached about midnight.
We Immediately went to the house OF the deputy
sheriff, whom we aroused from his slumbers, and
whose assistance we requested. He quickly and
candidly acquainted us with the fact, that he
was down on slavery, whenever and wherever
he found it."
Expecting no aid and receiving no comfort
from that quarter, we fastened to small house
in the neighborhood, where, we understood, we
should find boy of Mr.. Seymour, to whom |
have already adverted. Being disappointed there,
| we went to the house of eolored man named
! Lewis Clarke, where, we were informed, flarri.
son was at work We found him in the yard
milking, surrounded, handcuffed him, and start
ed on our return to Buffalo. About that time
CIarke's household poured forth to the rescue
negro named Storm leading, with gun raised
and leveled at our party, swearing that ne would
shoot We were, however, well armed, and felt
pretty much at our ease, whilst Storm followed
up to Jamestown. Harrison was placed in Ill
as soon as We returned to Buffalo. The Ablli-
tionists went al lively to work to procure his re.
lease, and succeeded in obtaining writ of reple-
vim for that purpose. Without giving detailed
narrative of their efforts, it is sufficient to say
that they failed. Harrison was taken before the
commissioner on the ensuing day, evidence heard,
the cause argued by Hon. Seth C.. Hawley and
n. s. Love, esq, for the fugitive, and James M.
Smith, ESQ.,, of the firm of Haven & Smith, for
the claimant, and the boy remanded to his owner.
The principal objection raised in favor of Harri-
son was, that the affidavit on which the warrant
was issued did not state he escaped from Vir.
ginia or any other place, but simply that he es.
capped. This point was of course overruled.
In the name of the Southern people, tender
thanks to Marshal Bush of Albany, (who joined
US after the arrest of the boy) K. Best, L. Hurt
burt ID. Cooper, VIM. Lockwood. Geo. Sher-
wood and J. Cham berlain, Of Buffalo, for their
efficient services in our behalf Mr.. Best hand
cuffed himself to Harrison and walked with him
from the Jail down the crowded streets of Buff.
falo to the place of trial.
AZ philaaolPhis the daputy marshal Of that
district (whose name has unfortunately escaped
my memory was added to our party, and was
ready to offer all the aid at his command-assur.
ing Us tiidb we thtTe upOH WIlou we
could rely, and that our rights should be protect
ed. Marshal Bush and the gentleman from Buf.
falo accompanied US as far as Baltimore, whence
we hurried home.
In this connection, am pleased to have il in
my power TO commend the upright, downright,
fearless independence of Commissioner Smith.
As citizen of Hardy county, am proud Of the
privilege Of assuring all, that there are manv
patriotic citizens in New York and Pennsylvania
who are ready to aid them in the recapture OF
their fugitives. should rejoice, were this dis.
position more generally diifused, and shall look
with interest to the apprehension and punish
ment OF Storm who attempted to oyerawe US
whilst arresting Harrison.
II simply remsns for me 10 say, that have
been gratiied with the indications which wit.
messed during my expedition, favorable to the
enforcement Of the Fugitive slave law In COM
mon with every man in whose veins there runs a
drop Of Southern blood, look upon the en-
foroement Of that law as essential to the perpe-
tuity Of the Union Of these States. Our feel
ings, our rights, our liberties are involved in it,
There must be sense Of security in the enjoy
ment Of property, or the objects of the confed-
eracy will fail N. ID. PARRAN.
HARDY Co., Va. Oct. 10th, 1851.