New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-17
~ FowLERs 81 WELLS, Psychologists
and Publishers Clinton Hall. 1871 Nsssau-st the Park
An Alleged Fugitive slave Captured and nf
forwards Rescued by n Mob.
From The Boston Traveller OF FeO. H.

At about twelve o'clock this forenoon, al
legged fugitive slave, named Shadrach, was arrest
ed by the United States Marshal, at Taft's Corn
hill Coffee House. The arrest was made without
opposition. The prisoner was conveyed TO the
United States Circuit Court Room. where
crowd Of spectators speedily gathered.
The warrant was issued by L. 5. Commissioner
q. T. Curtis upon comp plant of John Kupper, at
torney OF John De Bree, Purser OF U. 5. N, re-
siding at Norfolk. De Bree claims that Shadrach
belongs TO him, and that he escaped IN lo49. Seth
]. Thomas appeared for claimant. 5. e. Sewall,
Ellis Gray LoriDg and others for the defendant.
The counsel for the deiendent desired post
ponement, upon the ground that time would be
wanted to get together evidence, aud prepare Tor
defence. The Commissioner said he was DIS
posed 10 grant this. In the mean time, for the
information of efendsnt counsel, the documents
upon which the warrant was issued were read by
Seth ]. Thomas ESQ, counsel for claimant. They
consisted of various dispositions taken before the
United States Judge at Norfolk, to the effect that
Shadrach was the true and lawful slave OF John
De Bree and that he escaped on the Sd OF May
1850. Other documents were put in TO chow how
DeBree came possessed of the alleged fugitive
one deposition was TO the effect that deponent
had seen Shadrsch ia Norfolk as the slave OF De-
Bree, and afterwards in Boston, where Shadrach
told him that he had escaped from DeBree; other
dispositions were TO the effect that they had seen
Shadraeh in Norfolk as the slave of DeBree.
At the conclusion OF the reading OF the docu
ments, the Commissioner postponed the further
consideration Of the case to Tuesday next, at 10
A. N.
its occupants, the prisoner remaining In the Gus
tody of Deputy Marshal Riley aud his assistants
The Counsel OF the defendant then had long con.
sultation with him as to the line Of defence.
Among the most prominent Of them were Richard
II. Dana, Jr, g. (. Sewall, Esq, and Ellis Gray
Loring. Besides these there were number of
lau- vhN hair
By a law of the State, the use of the Jail is
forbidden for the confinement of prisoner under
the fugitive slave process, and therefore he will
either be confined in the Court room until Tuesday,
or in case of any attempt at rescue he will be
taken to the Navy Yard.
about feet inches high, of rather stout build
He has been employed as waiter for about three
months at what is known as the Cornhi Coffee
House, kept by MIR raft At the time of the ex-
citement relative TO Craft and his wife, the pris
oner left the City and went Eastward but after.
ward returned He appeared ia Court with his
waters apron on, and seemed calm and com.
posed.
At o'clock the stairway of the Court Room and
the avenues OF the Court House were crowded
with blacks and whites males and females, but
no acts of violence or threats were made.
y. S-ReScue Of the Prisoner BIZ a Mob.
Since writing the above, we learn the following
facts Of the rescae of the alleged fugitive:
About two o'clock, after the consultation of
lawyers had ceased, and as Mr. Davis, the last
lawyer, was leaving the Court Room, which had
been locked since the adjournment OF the hearing,
with several officers stationed at each door,
the door was forcibly thrown open by band Of
colored men, who with loud cries of "tear him
away" filed the room to the number of a hun.
dred or more
The officers at the door were kicked, cufed,
ana knocked about In every direction, and not.
W h.. -
twenty strong upon the inside, the prisoner was
seized by the mob and carried off in triumph.
One negro seized the sword Of the United
States Marshal and Aourished il about the heads
of all who opposed him. The sword was after.
wards found in the street. and taken back.
No adequate description can be given NJ tho
scene in the Court Room. TIE attack vs. 40
sudden aud unexpected that the officers had NOT
time to make defence or gather around the pris.
oner. We do not hear that any weapons were
used, or that any one was seriously injured.
We believe there were no white persons en-.
gagged ia the rescue.