Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-07-28
FUGITIVE SLAVE INSTRUMENTATION
CIRCUS MISTAKE.

An event occurred yesterday, which though lu-
dicrous, shows how earnest our citizens are in
their opposition to the Fugitive Slave Law, and to
Slave catchers in particular. We proceed to give
it in full below.
The report that q slave catcher had arrived at
the Mononehela House and was about to confer
with the Slave Commissioner about the recapture
of his fugitive slave, spread to all parts Of the city
and as may be supposed, no little excitement was
manifested by the Underground Railway men and
by other Abolitionists in the city. Committees Of
citizens were appointed to take the matter in hand
find out his intentions and adopt such measures
as the circumstances of tho case called for.
The supposed slave catcher, who had not for q
moment the least misgiving that he was regarded
in that odious light, was in bed when the Commit
tee waited upon him to find out all about him.
His astonishment may be conceived, and he made
all haste to explain. His name is ii. b. Northup,
and he resided at Sandy Hill, Washington county
New York, and having had an urgent call to be in
Philadelphia, wished to leave directions with the
United States Clerk relative to the transaction OF
some business, so that he might leave The city, by
the ten o'clock train. A stranger, he made en-
quiries for the residence of Mr.. Sprowl and he
was directed there by DR.. McCook, Jr.
So far from being a slave catcher, or having the
least sympathy with the law, he was the individual
who rescued Solomon Northup, whose worl
Twelve Years a Slave" every body has read, from
slavery in Louisiana. lie felt mortified that aftel
! uS ObE SoiiiiNStiOh ~ liz NduoO ~ chOuiu W
regarded in SO odious a light.
One Of the committee observed that, as REGARDED
his name, he might have stolen it, gently insinua
ting that a slave catcher would not hesitate at
small matter of that kind. At last however III
convinced them of his identity; they also statct
that in all the colored congregations in the cit,
notice had been given from the pulpit that slave
catchers were in town, and that every fugitiv
slave in the city had better conceal himself, whicl
advice was doubtless Immediately and rather ex
tensiyely acted upon.
DR.. McCook in the meantime had suffered grea
annoyance from our jealous anti-slavery friends
who supposed he was in league with the slave
catcher. Even after the matter was fully explain
ed, the annoyance continued, as the matter had be
come ajoke too good to keep quiet about.
Mr.. Northup was waited upon by several com
mittces of colored persons and whites, at the clerk
Office yesterday morning, while he was transactin,
his business, when he again explained to the salts
faction of all concerned.
We had some conversation with Mr.. N. and he
states he bears his fate with resignation though i
was rather Notifying that after the years he ha,
spent in the anti-slavery cause, he should SO sud
denly find himself classed with so dishonorable
set. Still, he said, it was an evidence that Pitts
~burghers are all right on the subject of the law.
From the spirit manifested we are of the opin
ion that a slave catcher would have but a sma
chance in this city, as without doubt the colore
persons in the city keep themselves posted up per
iectly.-Journat and piSitOr, July lGM.