The true Democrat., 1855-08-14
Slave Rescue in PhiladeIphia.


 Slave Rescue in PhiIadeIphia
 We have an account of the rescue last week of three slavcs--a woman and her two boys in Philadelphia from the custody of their own. CT, John H. Wheeler, of N. C., the United States Minister to Nicaragua The followiny is the testimony of Mir. Wheeler, az given on Friday, beft re the U. S. Court in Phladelpbio on the occasion of the examination of Pass. more Williamson and five negroes, charged with being concerned in the rescue:
 Mir. Wheeler, sworn.-Is a native of North Carolina; IS the owner of the colored person; named Jane, Daniel and ISaiah left Washing ton city OH Wednesday, the 18th, under an order from government, at New York for Mica ragua, to which port he was an accredited am- bassador. He had been in that service abouta year; had come home short time ago and was ordered to return in consequence of the confused state of political affairs in that coun- try; his wife and three servants were with him; reached Philadelphia about quarter past l o'clock on his way to New York; was 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 ob- tained the trunk containing the articles spo- ken of and returned to the wharf, but found the o'clock train gone; had to wait until o'clock for the next train-which time was spent at the nearest hotel, Bloodgood's at Walnut street wharf; on 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 be- fore five o'clock-the last bell had just rung, at five minutes before five; while l was read ing the evening papers an individual whom l recognize as Mir Passmore Williams pn Qook- ing at the respondenD came up to me and ask ed if he might speak to my servants; witness replied that he could not imagine what busi- ness he could have with his (witness) servants, and that if he had anything to say, witness was the proper person to say it to; Mr. Will llamson then pushed past witness and asked the woman (Jane) If "she was a slave, and if she knew she was in free country" or some thing like it, and then, if 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 her by the arm, and began to force her away; witness interiered and said to Mir VII Iiamson, !" 1 wish you would go away" two colored fellows who had come up then seized and held witness, and one of them said, |" If
 " do not know the proper names of the negroes who seized and held me; one of them is call. ed Rabbit" by the interference of some geu- tleman, who seemed to be traveller, the ne- groes released the witness and he hurried down to the lower deck and saw Williamson hurry ing the woman off, and other coored perions with the boys, who were struggling to get away; ent 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 MT. Williamson had got the servants of the wharf, and turning down the first street above the wharf Front street, hurried them into carriage which was standing about square be- low Walnut street. in large open space with large warehouses in 1t Dock street, after the negroes had got off the boat Mir. Williamson walked behind the crowd and said something in whisper to large burly policeman, who vas standing near
 The witness spoke to the policeman asking him to observe the people who were committing the outrage, but the policeman refused to have anything to do with the matter as he vas no. a slave Catcher.'
 " iltIdiIlSOl hdNlitS Hldie return to the court to the effect that the bodies of Jane Daniel and Isaiah, mentioned in the writ to him di- rected were not now, and had not been at any time in his custody, power or possession, MT. 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 5000 dollars to answer charge of wlful per jury.
 MT Hooper said the motion of the district attorney had taken himself and friends by surprise and he would ask time for conside- ration.
 Mir Passmore Williamson was then affirmed and testified in substance as follows: Alter the colored people left Dock street na carriage, saw no more of them. 1 do not know where they are; have had no control over them, nor have l had any hand in their escape. My whole connection with the affair was this-l had heard that these three prisoners were in the city, and felt anxious to inform them of tnelf rights. l went and approached the coOred woman and asked her ii she knew her rights | that by law she was free. Mir w. asked me what wanted; reminded her of her childrena home, and asked her if she wanted to leave them; she replied that she did not, but that she wanted to be free Mir. Wheeler insisted that the woman did not want to go. There was an excitement, and the children cried l saw them taken away.
 Question by Mir. Vandyke.-Was it your ob ject to take them from NIT. Wheeler?
 Answer.--It was if they desired it.
 Cross .examined-Wm Still, colored man first informed me of the matter; he laid upoT my desk note containing the facts. told Still to get the names if he could, anu if they went to New York we would telegraph there; he said there was nothing in the way % their remaining here if they wished. l toN him to hurry down to the Wharf and see tha their wishes were complied with
 Mir. Vandyke contended that the respondents testimony was no testimony at all. Ills state ment was not sufficient to contradict the pOSi' tive evidence of disinterested witnesses was apparent that the latter, the district attof hey contended, had disposed of this property and that he could reach it if he felt disposed The respondent was the ringleader in robblns the owner of his property. He then leaves town and this morning early he has conie' renee with his companion in crime.
 Judge Kane said the cause was so grave, and it's consequences might be so very grave to the respondent, who might even pass into the con. dition of criminal, that he was desirous, be- fore passing upon the two motions, to have time for reflection. In the meantime bail might be taken in $5,OOO for further hearing on the second motion, Con the charge of perjury and the motion for contempt could go over. He would also say, at the risk of it's being cons- dered extra judicial, that if il is really ill the power of the defendant to procure the bodies of the three persons, 1t would to him (the JudgeJ seem better for him to do so Judgc Kane said in conclusion, that he would hold MT Williamson in S5,0OO for a further hearing ai the next term of the court on Friday next Bail was entered. The court room was dense ly crowded with spectators.
 l FLOUR GOING BEGGING.-A At Wellsbuts' last week, q lot of flour was offered for SI pe' barrel, by an individual who had been holidns up for high price, not being willing, som' time ago, to take $10 per barrel The hoW ,xould nnt hrinn the @7 and WIS left com.