The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-08-03
PRICE ONE CENT.
THE WHEELER SLAVE cAsE.

s The New York Tribune contains what pu n, ports TO
be an sffidsvit Of jane Johnson the slave wornsn
who, with her two children, escaped from ,hs eus.
tody of Mr.. Wheeler, of North Csroiins. vhiIe il
Philadelphia. LIS dated at Now Yak, and sworn
te before Judge Culver of Brooklyn. After statins
that Mr.. Wheeler bought her aud her two children.
two yearssgo. from Mr.. CORNELIUS CREW of RfcL.
mond, she goes on to say .G50Gt e3 &
l have one other child only, and he 10 in Rich.
u1onGi have not seen him for about two ve.rs
expect to sec him again Mr.. wheeier brousbt rns
and my two children to Philadelphia on the wav To
without my two children and he cspsentsd 10 - 80
them; we came to Philadelphia by the cars .tonred
at Mr.. suliy's Mr. Wheeleps father-iu.lav. a few
noments; then went to the steam boat for Nsw York
81 clock, bus were too late; went into Blood.
soods Hotel; Mr. Wheeler went to dinner: IN.
thing to saw asa 70 'ed eooTes IN 70 hsy
spose to me to say 4 was free woman trsvs5lin,
with minister; ataid at Bloodsood,s iii az
O'CLOCK; Mr Wheeler kept his eye on ma all the
time except when he was at dinner: he l.ft II.
dinner to come and see If was safe and ii an
lored woman and told her was slave woman. that
n1y master bad told me not to speak cofored pso
pie, and that ii any of them spoke to to saw that
was fres but am not free but want to be free:
she sad. Poor thing pity you;' after that ssw a
coiored man and said the thing to him; he said
he would telesraph to New York, and two men
would meet me at O'Clock and take me with them
after that we went on board the boat; Mr. Wheeler
sat beside me on the deak; saw coIored gentle.
lhoH Couc on poaIc, ne DecEOfied fe uOfGe5
my head, and could not go; Mr. Wbeeler was besid.
me and was afraid white gentleman then ceme
and said to Mr.. Wheslsr, Il want 10 speak to your
servant and tell her Of her rights, Mr. Wheeler rose
and said If you have anything to say ,sv ir to me:
she snows her right.;, the hite gentlemsn asked
me L wanted to be free; said 4 do. bat belong
t. this gentleman, can't have it > he replied,
Yes you can, come with US, you are as free as
your master; If you want your freedom come
now; if you go back to Wsshin gton you may never
get rose to go; Mr.. Wheeler spoke and said
Il will give you your freedom;" but he had never
promised it before, and knew be neverwould give
it to me; the white gentleman held out his hnnd,
and went toward him | was ready for the word
bsfnre 1t was given me; took the children by the
hands who both cried, for they frightened; but
both stopped when they got on shores colored m an
carried the little one, led the other by the hand;
we walked down the street till got to hack; no.
body forced me away; nobody pulled me, and nobody
led me; went awey of my own free will /; always
wished to be free and meant to be free when came
North; hardly expected it in Philadelphia but
thought should get free In New York; have been
comfartabls and happy since left Mr.. Wheeler
and so are the children; don't want to 60 back;
could have gone in Philadelphia if had wanted to;
could 60 now; but would rather dis than 20 back
l wish to make this statement before ma gistrate,
because understand that Mr.. Williamson s in prison
on my acconnt and hope the truth may be Of BEN
fl to him. -