Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-06-06
Ren HnIl.r. Irrnnae.l.

TT We are requested by the U. S. attor-
ney to say that the assertion in the Boston
AtlaS of Saturday morning, that ga dstn-
guished broker offered to purchase Burns of
Col. Suttle on Friday, deliverable on board
of the revenue cutter, and that Mr.. Hallett
interferred and finally persuaded the owner
not to part with him" has no truth in 1t.
The following statement from the broker
alluded to, clearly convicts Mr.. Hallett of
telling falsehood, but it will not surprise any
one who knows him.
BosToN, Saturday, June g. 1854.
10 the Editors of the atlas You have
called my attention to an article in your pa
per of this morning, signed L., and to a con-
tradiction OF its statement in the Journal of
this evening, by authority of the United
States District Attorney. l know nothing of
the origin of either of these articles, but will,
at your request, give you a narrative of my
own connection with the recent negotiation
for the freedom of Byrnes,'' believing that
such narrative will be altogether pertinent to
the fact which you seek to establish, namely,
the interference of the United States District
| Attorney i'll the negotiation above referred to.
On Saturday afternoon last, the Rev. Mr..
| Grimes called upon me and said that the own
| er of Byrnes had offered to sell him for 1920,
and that he (Mr. Grimes) was anxious to
raise the money at once. He desired my ad-
| vice and assistance in the matter, and request
| ed me to draw up suitable subscription pa
per for that purpose, which L did in these
! words -
| t'BosToN, May 81, 1854.
eve the undersigned agree pay Anthony Byrnes,
ORDER the set against respective names for
the purpose Of enabling him to obtain his freedom from
the United States Government in the hands of whose off
| he is now held slave.
This paper will be presented by the REV. L. A. Grimes,
| pastor OF the 18th Baptist Church."
Upon this paper Mr.. Grimes obtained sig
natures for 1850, and with the aid of Col.
Suites counsel, Messrs Parker and Thomas,
| who interested themselves in this matter, $500
more was got in a check, conditionally, and
held by Mr.. Parker. 1t was agreed by me
| that l should be near at hand Saturday
night to assist and advance the money, which
was accordingly done, and my check for $500,
early in the night was placed in the hands of
the United States Marshal for this purpose
| About eleven o'clock, all parties being repre-
| sented, we met at Mr.. Commissioner Loring's
office. This gentleman, with commendable
| alacrity, prepared necessary papers. AT this
| juncture the actual money was insisted on,
| which threatened for time the completion of
| the negotiation; but anticipating this contil-
| gency, which, under all the circumstances, was
| not an unreasonable demand, we adjourned
| to the MarshaPs office, and prepared myself
| with the needful tender. The United States
! Attorney, MIR. Hallett, was in attendance, and
| the respective parties Immediately discussed
| the mode of procedure. The hour of IL was
| rapidly approaching, after which no action
| could be taken. Mr.. Grimes was prepared to
receive Byrnes, and anxious to take him as he
might peacefully. The matter fingered, and
official action ceased.
l am not disposed to charge any one with
designedly defeating the desired end on that
occasion. The business was new, the ques-
ton raised novel; But when we had proceed
ed thus far, and were ready in good faith to
make good the sum requisite Monday, in
view also of the friendly understanding, had
after midnight with all parties in interest, we
had right to expect Byrness liberation on
Monday. When that day came the owner
refused to treat. Learning from rumor only
that $4,000 had been named as the sum then
asked for, 1 on Monday addressed Col. SUIT
tie, then in Court, respectful note, remind
ing him of the position of things ON Saturday
night, and urging that Mr.. Crimes had the
right to expect the original agreement to be
carried out, but further asking him, If any
additional sum was required, to which he re-
piled, that the g case is before the court, and
must await its decision
Tuesday morning had an interview with
Col. Suttle, in the U. $. Marshals Office
| lie seemed disposed to listen to me. and met
| the subject i'll manly way. He said he wish
ed to take the boy back, after which he would
sell him. lie wanted to see the result of the
trial, at any rate. l stated to HIM that we
considered his claim to Byrnes clear enough,
and that he would be delivered over to him,
| urging particularly upon him, that the boys
/ liberation was not sought for, except with his
| free consent, and his clam being fully salts
lied.
Col. Suttle replied that he appreciated our
motives, and that he felt disposed to meet u.s.
| He then stated what he would do. | accepted
! his proposal at once; it was not entirely salts
factory to me, was content. AT my request
/ he was about to commit our agreement to writ
ing, when Mr.. B. +. Hallett entered the office,
and they two engaged in conversation apart
from me. Presently Col. Suttle returned to
me and said-'I must withdraw what have
done with you." We both Immediately ap.
preached Mr.. Hallett, who said, pointing to
the spot where Mr.. Batchelder fell, i'll sight of
which we stood-''that blood must be ayeng-
ed" made some pertinent reply, rebuking
so extraordinary speech, and left the room.
On Friday, soon after the decision had been
rendered, finding Col. Suttle had gone OIL
board the Cutter at an early hour, l waited
upon his counsel, Messrs. Thomas and Park
er, at the Court House, and there renewed
my proposition. Both these gentlemen prompt
ly interested themselves i'll my purpose, which
was to tender the claimant full satisfaction,
and receive the surrender of Burnes from him,
either there, in State street, or ON board the
! Cutter, at his own option. 1t was arranged
between us that Mr.. Parker should go at once
on board the Gutter, and make an arrange
ment if possible with the Col. provided
ample funds and returned Immediately to the
| Court House, when found that there would
be difficulty in getting on board the Cutter.
Application was made by me to the Marshal,
he interposed no objection, and 1 offered to
| place Mr.. Parker alongside thevessel. Present.
I ly Mr.. Parker took Inc aside and said these
words: "Col. Suttle has pledged himself to
! Mr.. Hallett that he will not sell his boy until
he gets him home" Thus the matter ended.
/ repeat, i'll view of all these considerations,
| the conclusion must come home irresistably to
every candid mind, that there was one per-
sonage, who, officially or individually, in this
connection, either did do, or left undone, some
thing whereby his interference became essen
tlal to a less painful termination of this case.
| Respectfully,
| HAMILTON WILLIS.
| CHOLERA IN New YoRK.-It is understood
that the paeket-ship North America, now w.
| ing at Quarantine, had cholera on board on
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