Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-02-21
Slave Catching-who Pays.

Most of our readers will recollect the case Of
John BodiDg, the Poughkeepsie tailor. who was
arrested in August, 1851, as an alleged fugitive
slave, brought from Poughkeepse 10 New York,
and went through the form of three days trial;
and although proved to have only one-twelhh of
negro blood, was sent back 10 South Carolina, in
TO slavery.
Owing TO the good character of John, and the
intellectual and religious standing Of bis wife, his
friends resolved to purchase him. The history of
that negotiation is interesting. The price first
proposed was 81 $50. or thereabouts; his friends
offered TO give that but wished the claimants first
to make out primG facie case of his slavery
This was agreed to- After the trial had proceed
cd little, the sum was increased to S. 800, be-
cause ''additiona costs had been incurred. -
His friends, however, determined to give even
that sum.
When the trial was over, ST. $50 was demand
ed, and the plea for this extra $3.50, was that The
Marshal would have TO be paid.
However, under the circumstances, Bodng's
friends Submitted TO this exaclion, and set about
raising the money. 1t was soon asceTtained that
the amount was forthcoming. Then a new con-
dltion was attached to the purchase, which was,
that Bolding must 60 back into slavery, at all
events, so as to make an example of him, and
teach the North the law This was sore con-
ulilOn. Ills lileuuS ueuluII6uS Uut SSBlUg no al
tentative, and moved by tender sympathy for him
and bis sorrowiul wife, this humiliating condition
was agreed TO.
John was seated in carriage, taken TO the
steamboat, and just as he was bidding his friends
and his wife's kindred goodbye, expecting to re-
turn free man in few days, both he aud they
were astounded to learn that 81 900 was now the
price of his redemption.
This intelligence, communicated at this late hour
was both to John and his friends, chilling in the
extreme. The lberality of those generous and sym
pathetic friends had been taxed to its utmost. The
claimant was demonstrated with, but all to no pun
pose. The plea for this last exacion was, that the
Marshal'S fees would be increased, with the other
expenses, in taking him to South Carolina.
Boiling was then told by his counsel and friends
that it was doubtful if this demand woul ever be
submitted to, and that he must not indulge any deu.
sive hopes. He left peaceabIy and quietly, but sor-
rowful emotions. He was taken back, shut up for
weeks in prison, by order OF mob, and had no nt-
nation for long time of what was doing by his
friends. Those friends rallied once more, made a.
noble push, the 81, 900 raised and deposited in
Poughkeepse Bank and Geographic despatch sent
TO that effect The claimant, the absence of Bold.
ing's COUNSEL pocketed the funds, aud after weeks
Of delay, Boding returned.
But the cream of the story is yet to be told Af.
Ter four five, eight and nine hundred dol!ais had
been from time time clapped on to meet the costs
expenses, "Marshas fees,' &c., we have ,docu.
ment from Washington that gives us yet another bill
that Uncle Sam seems TO be connected with
Here il is properly certified:
. InItte Matter Of John Boldmg, Fugitive Slave
Mileage conveying Fugitives from New York to
South Carolina, 773 miles, at 81 IL cents per
mile $3.50 81 2
Maintaining prisoner three days at 81 800
Mileage Of two assistants conveying fugi.
live from New York to South Carroll.
Ma, at 81 &c $40 10