Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-24

rescue OF three slaves "a woman ana iler TWO Doys)
in Philadelphia, from the custody of their owner,
John ii. Wheeler, OF N. c., the United States
Minister to Nicaragua. The following is the tes-
timony Of Mr. Wheeler, given on Friday, be-
fore the u s. Court in Philadelphia, ON the occa-
sion of the examination of Passmore Williamson
and five negroes, charged with being concerned
in the rescue
Mr.. Wheeler, sworn.--ls native of North
Carolina; is tho owner of the colored persons
named Jane, Daniel and Isaiah; left Washington
city on "Wednesday, the 18TH under an order from
government, at New York for Nicaragua, TO
which.port he was accredited Ambassador He
had been in that service about year, had come
home short time ago and was ordered to return
in consequence of the confused state of political
affairs in that country his wife and three servants
were with him, reached Philadelphia about a
quarter past O'Clock on his way to New York;
forced TO leave the boat to GO to the residence
of his father-in-law, Thomas Sully, Esq, to get
some things for Mrs Wheeler; had obtained the
trunk containing the articles spoken of and re-
turned to the wharf, but found the 2 clock train
gone; had to wait until five o clock for the next
train-which time was spent at the nearest hotel,
Bloodgood's, at Walnut street wharf; going
on board the boat at little before five o'clock,
retired with the three servants to the hurricane
deck to get out Of the noise and hustle, shortly
five minutes before FIVE; while was reading the
evening papers an individual whom recognize as
Mr.. Passmore Williamson Cooking at the respon-
dent) came up to me and asked if he might speak
to my servants, witness replied that he could not
imagine what business he could have with his
(witnesso servants, and that if he had anything
TO say, witness the proper person to say 1t to-
Mr.. Williamson then pushed past witness and
asked the woman (Jane) if "she was slave, and
if she knew she was in free country" or some
thing like it, and then; 'sif they (the servants)
would like to be Free" The woman replied that
she knew with whom she was going, where and
how she was going He (respondent) then took
took her by the arm, and began to force her away,
witness interfered and said to Mr.. Williamson,
81 wish you would go away" two colorcd fellows
who had come up, then seized and held witness,
and one of them said, eff you make any ress-
lance, will cut your throat" do not know the
proper names of the negroes who seized and held
me, one Of them is called "Rabbit;" by the inter
ference OF some gentlemen. who seemed to be a
traveller, the negroes released the witness and he
hurried down to the lower deck, and saw Will
hanson hurrying the woman of, and other color
ed persons with the boys, who were struggling to
get away; went up to Williamson and asked him
what he was going to do with the woman, he
answered that his name was Passmore William
son, that he could be found at 7th and Arch sts.,
and that he would be responsible for any legal
claim he (witness) might have on the slaves; by
this time the colored persons with Mr.. William
son had got the servants off the wharf and turn
ing down the first street above the wharf Front
street, i hurried them into carriage which was
standing about square below Walnut street, in
large open space with large warehouses in it
dock street, after the negroes had got off the
boat, MIR. Williamson walked behind the crowd
and said something in a whisper to large burly
policeman, who standing near.
The witness spoke to the policeman, asking
the outrage, but the policeman refused to have
anything to do with the matter, as che was not
save-catcher."
Cross examined. Mr.. Williamson walked back
with me from the carriage; he offered to write his
name down, but ] told him | could Write it my
self he gave directions TO the driver; it was
not a regular coach stand; there were no other
carriages near; the people standing about the car
riage, and who hurried the servants into it, were
coored.
Thomas Wallace, the police officer referred to,
testified that he the affair, and that the two
slave boys made desperate efforts to escape from
their captors; and that Williamson was follow
ing the crowd. Captain Heath testified that one
of the boys cried murder, and that both of them
said they did not want to go with the mob. Sew
eral other witnesses corroborated the evidence of
Mr.. Wheeler.
Williamson having made return to the court
to the effect that the bodies of Jane, Daniel, and
III,
were not now, and had not been at any time, in
his custody, power, or possession
MIR. Vandyke; for the prosecution, moved that
he be held in bonds for contempt in making
false return to the court and that he be held in
$1,000 TO answer charge of wilfnl perjury.
Mr.. Gilpin, for the defense, asked whether the
court would now hear the respondent on the
question Of contempt. He was instructed by his
client TO say, that evidence could be offered which
would put different complexion on the case
Judge Kane said he would either hear counsel
on the question it now stands, or he would hear
evidence for respondent.
Mr.. Hooper said the motion of the District At
torney had taken himself and friends by surprise,
and he would ask time for consideration.
Judge Kane understood that the respondent was
not willing to take the stand and swear that he
had further evidence to offer. If the respondent
would make oath that he had such evidence in
prospect, the court would consider the application
for a continuance.
Mr.. Passmore Williamson was then affirmed,
and testified in substance as follows: After the
colored people left Dock street in the carriage
saw no more of them. do not know where they
are, have had no control over them, nor have !
had any hand4h their escape. My whole connec-
ton with the affair was this-l had heard that
these three persons were in the city, and felt
anxious TO inform them of their rights. For this
purpose went to Bloodgood's Hotel, where saw
yellow boy; asked him about the matter, and
he told me whore the party was.
When went upon the upper deck Of the boat
| saw that man (pointing to Mr.. Wheeler;) APP
preached the colored woman and asked her if she
knew her rights; that by law she was free. Mr..
w. asked me what wanted; told him my err
rand. He (Mr. W. kept interfering and said
she knew her rights, and he did not want any in
reference with his affairs. Mr.. W. reminded
her Of her children at home, and asked her If she
wanted TO leave them; she replied that she did
not, but that she wanted TO be free. Mr.. Wheeler
insisted that the woman did not want to go.
There was an excitement and the children cried
saw them taken away. The object was secured
of enabling them to act IN accordance with their
rights.
Question by Mr.. Vandyke.-Was il your object
to take them from Mr.. Wheeler
Answer-It was, if they desired il.
Cross-examined.-Wm. STILL coored man.
first informed me of the matter; he laid upon my
desk note containing the facts; told him to 90
to the wharf and attend TO il, that was going
out Of town; afterwards altered my mind, and
went to the boat; was there before VIM Still
j do not know who engaged the carriage; don I
know who had hold Of Mr.. Wheeler; told Mr.