Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-11-26
The slave Case Statement of Mr.. Lennon.

ffOm tie J0UrRai Of Commerce.
Son the 18Th day of October last I left nv
home in Bath County, Virginia, with the view
of enigratug to Texas, taking with me nv
wife, seven children and eight slaves. | reached
Richmond on the Both day of October, and re-
maiued Ih,re until the Tuesday following, en-
deavolng meanwhile to engage passage in
some vessel tor New Orleans Finding, how>
ever, that no passenger vessel would be sailing
from that port to New Orlean, from some three
weeks thereafter, went to Norfolk and took
passage in the steamer GIN IF RchmonI, for
the port of New York, with Inc intention OF
proceeding directly from New York to New
Orleans having no idea, before leaving Nor>
folk, that there could be any difficulty in gorg
to New York with my slaves, aud proceeding
thence to New Orleans. had been told and
believed that ! could do so with entire safety.
"Mr. AsHMEAD, who was a clerk on the
/ CUy Of R'chmond, told the. on the voyage to
New York, that | need not be at all uneasy
about tossing the slaves that the law was in
my favor in New York, and was bound to pro-
tect me III the possession and property Of my
slaves and that the Mayor OF lhi, Cty would
see HAT it was doue, provided any difficulty
should occur. Mr.. AsHMEAD promised me,
while on our way to New York, that he would
Immediately after the Ciiy If Richmond got
into the harbor of New York, procure pas
sage for myself, family and slaves, in some
ship going at once from that port to New Or
/ leans
"Under these circumstances, and thinking
that all WAS right, arrived in the harbor OF
New York, about AZ O'Clock in the afternoon,
on the st inst.
"When the Ci'y of Richmond had thus ar
rived at New \ ORR, Mr.. A-HMEAn went rs Iore,
telling me that he was going to procure pas
sage for Us IN steamer ready to sail tor New
Orleans. At er an absence OF about an hour,
or AN hour and halt he retained, and stated
to me that he had been unable to lind the man
whom he went to see in regard to obtaining
the passage, but handed TO me piece Of pa
Ter whch lie said contained tie name OF that
person, and directed me to 90 with 1t to place
in SJuth-s. | went there accordingly, and at
| the door met man who said to me that he
was the individual named in the paper. ! told
| him that | wanted to engage passage tor New
| Orleans, IN vessel proceeding at once to thai
| port, upon which myself, family, and slaves
| could be placed that night. lie replied, thar
! he would Immediately transfer all Of Us thai
night to the steamer Memphis, which would
! sail for New Orleans the next morning. then
went with him inside the Office, where passage
tickets were given to me. lie then stated that
he would send round tor my family, slaves, and
baggage, to the Guy Of Richmond, and transfer
everything on board OF the steamer Memphis
| He and then went to the Guy Of Richmond
and very soon two hacks came there, which he
stated had been ordered by him, and into which
myself, family and slaves got, under MS dIrec-
ton, he saying TO US that they were to convey
us to the steamer Memphis. The hack, then,
instead Of proceeding 10 The steamer Memphis,
d owe round to his office in South-street. Here
| Was told that must pay our fare before being
put on board OF the Memphis. then paid the
amount, being $l6l. As soon as this money
was paid, the hack drivers refused to take us
to The steamer Memphis, but carried us, aga INST
our earnest protest, to a house, No. Carlisle
street, dropped us down upon The Sidewalk, and
drove oil 1t was now dark and We being ~
ter strangers in the City, were compelled to
stay at that place till morning. The next morn
ing the 9th instant the steamer Memphis sail
ed, leaving myself, family and slaves, aud while
she was departing from the wharf, word was
sent to Inc that my slaves mad been taken into
Court. The result OF the proceedings IN Court
has deprived me OF all my property, amounting
at least, 10 SIS 600,
JONATHAN LENNON.
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