The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-02-26

GREAT EXCITEMENT IN BOSTON.
ARREST OF ANOTHER FUGITIVE SLAVE
AND HIS RESCUE BY MoB About noon
at Boston on Saturday, Deputy Marshal
Riley, and assistants, arrested at the Corn
Hill Coffse-house, an alleged fugitive slave,
one Frederick Wilkins, or Shadrack, me-
gro waiter, ON warrant issued by the U.
S. Commissioners, G 7. Curtis, on COM
plant that the accused was the property Of
John De Brce, purser in the U. S. Navy,
of Virginia. .Ile.was taken with no oppo-
sition, and carried Immediately to the U.
S. Court room. The Traveller gives the
annexed particulars:
The naws of the arrest spread rapidly,
and the Court room was speedily filled by
alarge crowd Of rather excited spectators.
The. examination, however, went offquiet-
ly. Seth J. Thomas appeared for the claim
ant, and Messrs. Small, Elias Grey, Cor.
ing, and others, for the defence.
The council for the defendant desired a
postponement, upon the ground that time
would be wanted to get together evidence,
and prepare for defence. The commits
sioner said he was disposed to grant this.
In the meantime, for the information of de-
fendant's counsel, the documents upon
which the warrant was issued were read
by Seth J. Thomas, Esq. counsel for claim
ant. They consisted OF various depositions
taken before the United States Judge at
Norfolk, to the effect that Shadrach was
the true and lawful slave Of John DeBfee,
and that no escaped on the Sd Of May,
1850. Other documents were put in to
show how DeBree came possessed ol the
alleged fugitive; one deposition was to the
effect ihatthe deponent had seen Shadrach
in Norfolk as the slave OF DeBrce, and az
forwards in Boston, where Shadrach told
him that he had escaped from DeBree; 9TH
er depositons were to the effect that they
had seen Shadrach in Norfolk as the slave
of DeBree.
T. AT the conclusion of the reading Of the
documents, the commissioner postponed
The further consideration of the case to
Tuesday next, at 10, A. NJ.
/, The deputy marshal then ordered the
room to be cleared Of spectators, which
was gradually done. The prisoner re-
mained in the custody ofa dozen men, as
by law of the State, the jail caIinot be
used to imprison fugitive slaves.
His counsel wishing TO consult with him,
they were readily admitted TO the room to
the number of half a dozen. They re-
mained about an hour, and in the mean
time large crowd Of negroes gathered
upon the outside, blocking up the entrance
to the court room; and, as the door was
opened to let the last lawyer leave the room,
the mob from without suddenly rushed in,
seized and knocked down the officers in
keeping, and filled the court room. The
prisoner himself was frightene ed at their de-
mouiac appearance, and fled with cry of
murder, to the farther end of the room.
He was, however, secured by the mob.
speedily silenced the opposition Of the few
officers in the room, and taken in triumph
down the stairs, and into the street. The
officers did not attempt to follow. and with
shouts OF triumph the mob hurried off with
the fugitive. and were last seen in the vi.
cinity Of Belknap street, where negroes
chiefly congregate.
Ell While the mob was in the court room,
the sword of the marshal, hanging in the
sheath over his desk, was drawn by one of
them and flourished over the heads Of the
officers. 1t was afterwards found in the
street. The moi showed no weapons,
though o number ofthe negroes boasted OF
having revolvers in their possession. One
negro, in-his flight, dropped his knife.
There were several white persons in the
mob, but they did not appear to act in the
rescue. The rescue, Of course, caused
great excitement throughout the city, as
one of the most daring outrages upon
law and order ever enacted. II is thought
impossible to re-arrest the fugitive, as his
friends have no doubt hurried him off, ere
this. 10 the Canadian frontier. U. S. Mar
shat Devant is aoseat in Washington.
The prisoner is of dark copper complex
ion, about feet inches high, Of rather
stout build. lie has been employed as a
waiter or about three months at what is
known as the Cornhill Coffee House, kept
by Mr.. TAFT At the time of the excite
meut relative TO Graft and his wife, the
prisoner left the city and went eastward,
but alterward returned He appeared in
court with his walters apron on, and seem.
ed calm and composed.
...rt. BOSTON MOB TRIAL.
BosToN, Feb. / 9th, ,P M.-The evidence
and the arguments in the case Of Elizur
Wright were finished to-day, but the de-