The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-02-16


thing ia his behalf in consequence of not knowing
where he had gone, and not being able TO fad any
trace of him. His place of residence renamed
unknown until the month of September last, when
the following letter received by his friends:
BAYou BEoUF, August, 1852.
Mr.. WIN. PENY or Mr.. LEWIS PARKER,-
GENrLEMEN 1T having been long time since
! l have seen or heard from you, and not knowing
that you are living, it is with uncertainty that l
write to you; but the necessity of the must
/ be my Having been born free just across
the river from you, am certain you must krow
me and am here now a slave I wish you TO
obtain free papers for me, and forward them to me
at Marksvile, La, Parish of Avoyelies, and oblge
Yours, SOLOMON NORTHROP.
On receiving the above letter, Mr.. N. applied TO
Gov. Hunt, Of New York, for such authority as
was necessary for him to proceed to Louisiana, as
an agent to procure the liberation of Solomon.
Proof of his freedom was furnished to Gov. Hunt,
by aft lavits of several gentlemen, Gen. Clarke,
among others. Accordingly, in pursuance of the
laws of New York, Henry B. Northrop was con-
sttuted an agent 10 take such steps, by procuring
evidence, retaining counsel, &c, as were neces-
sary 10 secure the freedom of Solomon, and to ex-
ecute all the duties of his agency. He left Sandy
| Hill, in New York, on the 14;h Of December last
ani came to the city of Washington and stated
the facts of the case to Hon. Pierre Soule, of
Louisiana Hon Mr. Conrad, Secretary of War;
from New o, leans and Judge Nelson, of the Su-
preme Court of the United S ates and other gem
tlemen Tbsy furnished Mr.. N. with strong let
tsrs to gentlemen residing in Louisiana, urging
their assistance in accomplishing the object of le-
storing the man TO freedom.
From Washington. Mr.. n. went by the way of
Pittsburgh and the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to
the mouth of the Red River, and thence up that
river TO Marksville, in the parish of Avoyelles,
where he employed Hoo. John p. Waddill an
eminent lawyer of that place, and consulted with
him as to the best means of finding and obtaining
possession of the He soon ascel tanned there
was such man at MarksviIIe, nor in that vcini-
ty. Bayou Beouf the place where the letter vas
dated, was twenythree miles distant, at its near
est point, and is seventy miles in length. For
reasons which it is unnecessary to give, the very
ptovilential manner n which the residence of the
man was ascertaned, cannot nov be given, al
though the circumstances would add much to the
interest Of the narrative. But he was found with
out great difficulty, and legal proceedings COM
menced. process was placed in the hands of a
sheriff. directing him to proceed 10 Bayou Beouf
. aud take the colored man into his possession, and
wait tho order of the Couit in regard TO lis right
. to freedom The next day. the owner, with his
+ counsel, came to MarksviIie and called upon Mr..
N. who exhibited 10 them the commission which
he had received from the Governor of New York,
and the evidence in his possession relating 10 the
mans being free citizen of New York.
Eppes counsel after examining it, stated to his
client that the evidence was ample and satisfacto-
= ry; that it perfectly useless to ltigate the
;, question further and advised him by al means to
deliver thu colored man up, in order that he mig.
be carried back 10 the State OF New York, in pur-
. suanco of the Governor reqlisition. An article
was drawn up between the claimant and Mr..
No.throp, the counsel for the colored man. and
corded in accordance with the laws of the place
showing that the Lolored man was fee. Having
settled everything atisacorily, the agent and the
rescued man started for New Orleans on the 4tl
OF January inst, and arriving there traced the
titles of the coJred man from Tibaut to Ep;es
:, from Ford 10 Tibaut, and from Freeman to Forl
all the titles being recorded in tie proper books
kept for that purpose.
1t is but just to say that the authorities Of Av-
: oyelles, and indeed at New Orleans, rendered al
:, the assistance in their power secure the man
=, -. who lad been snatched ylainousy from the
> land of freedom, and compelled 10 undergo suffer
ings almost inconcevabIe in this land of hea;hen
ism, wLere slavery exists with features more Re
:. voting than those described in 8. Uncle Toms
Cabin.''
ID Having traced the titles back as far as possib,
CHI in New Otleans, the party then proceeded TO th
d. city of Washington, where Burch lived; an1, oil
i'm making inquiry, found who the keeper of th
lis slave pen in that city 10 154l; and also ascertaine
It'll from the keeper, upon the colored man (Soomo
S, NJ being pointed out TO him, that he place
he that pen in the Spring Of 1884, and there kep
he FOR a short period by Burch.
he Immediately upon the receipt of this Information
,m compl4ia was made before the Police of Washing
his on against Burch, for kidnapping and selling iat
slavery this free colored man. The warrant fo
vs. bis arrest issued the 18th instant by ustc
in Goddard, and returned before Justice Mapse.-
nd Burch arrested and held to bal in the sum c
to $4,000, Shekeis slave trader Of seventeen year
Vas standing, going his BAIL
eft On the 9Th instant at 10 O'clock both parties ar
on peared before the magistrate. Senator Chase
The from Ohio, Gen. Clark aud Henry B. NorIhroI
er, being counsel for the plaintiff, and j. Ii. Bradle
IN for the defendent. Gen. Clark and Henry
ave No.throp, were sworn as witnesses the purt
yes the prosecution, and established the foregon
his facts On the part of the defendant, Benz lmi
hut Shekes and B. A. Thorn were sworn. Tn
ih prosecution offered the colored man who hid bse
and kidnapped, witness the part Of the prose
rec eatlyn but it objected to- and the Court dc
10 ciied that it inudmssable. The evidence ,
lin this colJred man wus absolutely necessary TO prov
o some facts on the part Of the prosecution as Il
III alJne was coguizant Of them.
tile Mr.. Sbekels ,yl,o had bae, No b.f,r. s,,taa