Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-07-28
SINGULAR SLAVE CASE IN PITILADEL.
PHIA.


hon the Philadelphia Bulletin, July Is.
Much excitement was caused ut Walnut street
Wharf, yesterday afternoon, by the liberation of a
slave family. 1t seems that a gentleman from Nir-
ginia, who is on his way north for the purpose Of
cmbarking to Central America, was on board the
steamboat Washington, with y female slave and
her two sons Just before the starting Of the line
for New York, one Of the abolitionists got wind OF
the affair, and II colored man accOsted tho party,
who were on the upper deck, and inquired Of the
woman il she was aware that by the laws OF.
Pennsylvania, she had only to step ashore with
her children and they would be free. AT this june
ture the master stepped forward and told the ne
gro that he desired no Interference with his bust
ness, and that the woman knew where she was
going. The colored man replied that he did not
desire to interfere with him, but that he wished
to inform the woman of her rights.
The mother stated that she did not know she
was free, and expressed n desire to be ut liberty.
The Nirginian then said that she could do as she
pleased; if she wished to leave him she could 60
ashore. lie then reminded her of her three chill
dren in Virginia, and asked her if she wished to
be separated from them. "No, Massa," was the
reply, 'but | wants to be free" The slaves were
then seized by the negroes present and hurried
ashore. This proceeding was, however, not ac-
complished without a scuilc. The Virginiau seiz-
ed the colorcd man who had first accostcd the wo-
man, and also collared a wellknown citizen and
prominent abolitionists who had taken an active
part in the matter. The latter threw of the slave.
owner, who demanded of him whether he would
be responsible for these people. The Philadelphia
an replied II will be responsible for every shadow
of a legal claim you have upon them," and handed
him his card.
During the scufle the officer of the boat who
seemed puzzled to understand the proceedings, in
terfered to prevent disorder. The Nirginian went
on shore and made an effort to obtain the assis-
lance of the police. The latter declined to inter
fere. The woman and her two children were fl
nally hurried up Dock-st. and put into q cab amid
the cheers of the crowd. The vehicle was driven
rapidly down town, and the discounted owner was
left to digest his modification the best way he
could. The Virginian stated that he was Min
lister to one Of the Central American Govern
ments.
From the Philadelphia Bulletin, July 10.
The slave case has assumed q more serious phase
than We had anticipated.
Yesterday application was made 20 Judge Kane,
in the United States District Court, for a writ OF
habeas corpus, to be directed to Mr.. Passmore
Williamson. The writ was granted and made re
turnable at 3 O'Clock in the afternoon. AT that
time Mr.. Vandyke appeared for Mr.. Wheeler, and
Edward Hopper for respondent. Mr.. Hopper sta
ted that he had appeared at the request of the re
spondent's father as a mark of respect to the sum
mons of the Court; that Passmore Williamson hat
left for Harrisburgh on private business.
Mr.. Vandyke replied that he who had the wrong
/ tul possession Oh q person SnOulu De present u
answer the writ of the Court; but if the part,
r were not present he would ask for an alias habea
| corpus, returnable at such time as the Court Nigh
suggest. His Honor then fixed this morning at II
r O'Clock for tho return of the writ.
+ The writ commands Mr.. Williamson to bring il
the bodies of Jane, Dan and Isaiah, the servant
of Mr.. Wheeler, to await and abide the decree 0
Q the Court.
J., Yesterday afternoon Deputy United States Mar
shals jenkins and Crossin arrested five colore'
men on the charge Of riot and committing an as
sault and battery on Mr.. Wheeler at the time q
the rescue of the slaves.
The prisoners were taken before Alderman Free
: man, and committed in default Of bail Tor a furthe
h hearing at IL o'clock this morning.
r This morning at 10 o'clock the return to the wri
r Of alias habeas corpus was made by presence o
o the body to whom the writ was directed. MI
States, and Messrs. Gilpin, Hopper, Pierce an
Birney on the part of the respondent.
d The respondent, Passmore Williamson, Esq
It made a return to the Court to the effect that tn
II bodies of Jane, Daniel and Isaiah. mentioned i
s the writ to him directed, were not now, and ha
h not been ut any time in the custody, power or POI
session Of the then respondent.
Mr.. Vandyke made a statement, as he said, {
the facts of the case, and said if his statemcr
t was true, the return was false.
Mr.. Hopper, one of the respondents counse
then asked time to prepare testimony to prove tn
return.
The Court said that if the evidence was gon
|, into and q primd .Jacte case was made out, til
. Court must bind over the respondent on q charg
. of perjury, and Of course evidence for the defens
4 could not be taken. lie could not agree to a pos
ponement. If the facts are as stated by the reli
n tor, tbere has been q cruel outrage Of a most erin
inal nature.
Hon. John II. Wheeler swore: Is a native {
North Carolina; is the owner of the colored pei
II sons named Jane, Daniel and Isaiah; left Washing
ington City on Wednesday the 18th, under an OF
der from Government to embark at New York fO
st Nicaragua, to which port he was an accredite
j. ambassador; he had been in the service aoout
year; his wife and three servants were with him
reached Philadelphia about ! o'clock on his wa
to New York; shortly before 5 o'clock, 1.-THE las
x bell had just rupg at 8 minutes before 81 while
e was reading the evening papers, an individual
e whom | recognized as Ar. Passmore williamson
docking at the respondent)came up to me ant
h asked if he might speak to my servants; witness
replied that he could not imagine what bushes
70 he could have with his (witness's servants, an,
st that if he had anything to say, witness was tn
it proper person to say it To-; Mr.. Williamson the
,r pushed past witness and asked the woman (Jane
e if she was a slave, and if she knew she was in
" free country, or something like it, and then, q
they (the servants) would like to be free;" the wo
h man replied that she knew with whom she was e
T. ing where and how she was going; the respor
dent then took her by the arm and began to fore
her away; witness interfered, land said to Nj
Y Williamson, IL wish you would 60 away tw
Y colored fellows who had come up then seized an
: held witness, and one of them said, "lt you max
1 any resistance / will cut your throat" 10 not kno'