New-York daily tribune., 1856-07-17
THE DCLIVERER or BOX BROWN
MEETING OF CoLoRED CITIZENS OF PHIL.

MEETING OF COLOREU CITIZENS OF PHIL.
Correspondence of The N. Y Tribune
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, July ), 1886.
Samuel A. Smith, who boxed uo Henry Box
Brown. in Richmond, Va, and forsarded him ey
overland express to Philadelphia and who was a.
rested and convicted eight years ago for ooAi'g up
two other slaves aso directed TO Philadelphia, having
served out his Imprisonment in the Penent'ary, was
released on the lsth ut and arrived in this cty on
the 2lst.
Though be has lost all bis property; Though he was
refused witnesses his trial 700 officer could be ound
WIN would serve summons ~itDessl; Though for
FIVE long month"; in hot weather, he was KEEP, hedr1y
chained 10 cell four by eight feet in dimensions;
though be received fee dreacfA sta1s, aimed at his
heart by a bribed assassin; nevertheless he st re-
i,,ces in the motives which prompted him 10 undo
the heavy burdens and let the oppressed 60 free "
Having resided nearly all his life in the South where
be had Travelled ard much Of the peculiar insti'
tuition" and had witnessed the most hornd enormtes
inflicted upon the slave la il happened " be the ease
with now and then pobe.mnded man or woman 10
the South,) Mr.. $ could not refrain from believing
that the black man well as the white has God.
given rights. CoDseque entity, he was not accustomed
- shed tears when poor creature escaped from his
"knd matter nor was he willing to tum deaf ear
to bis appeals and grosns when he kuew he was thirst
ing for Freedom!
From 1879 up to the day he was incarcersted, many
hsd sought his aid and counsel had they sought in
vain.
In various places he operated with success. In
Richmond, however, it seemed expedient TO invent
plan for certain emergencies; hence the Boz ard
E1presS plan was devised, at the instance Of a few
IL. L.l II ha,s
to die in box, on the road to liberty rather than
continue longer under the yoke. Blu. those heroes
ell into the power Of their enemies Mr.. Smith had
OF been long in the PeDentisry before he had fully
aimed the confidence and esteem of the Supernten.
dent ard other officers. Finding him 70 be humsne
and generous hented-showing kindness toward all,
especially in buying bread, &c, for the starving
prisoners, and by timely note OF warning which had
saved the life Of of the keepers, for whoee de.
stIucion bold plot had been aranged-the officers
felt Disposed to show him such favsrs a. the lsw
would allow. But their good Intentions were soou
frustrated.
The IDquisitiop, commonly called Legsla,ure,)
being 10 session in Richmond hearing that the Super.
rtendent had been speaking well Of Smith and circu.
atrg petitions for his pardon, Indignantly demanded
TO know if the rumor was well founded Two weeks
we're placed upon oath to soemnly testify in the
matter. One OF the keepers swore that bis life had
been saved by Smith. Col. Morgan, the Superinten.
dent frequt Dtly testified in writing and verbally TO
Smiths good department; acknowledged that he had
circulated petitions, &c and took the position that
he sincerely believed that it would be to the interest
OF the institution to pardon him. calling the attention
of the uquiston at the to the fact that not
uDfre part)Ops had beeo o.. an. min
under sentence Of death for the most cold blooded
murder, to cay nothing of other gross crimes. The
effort for the pardon wa. abandoned, for the
following reason given by the Governor: =" / can't,
nor 'front.', pardon him %
In view of the unparalleled Injustice which M. &.
bad suffered well on account Of the aid he had
rendered to the slave, his arrival in this ety the
colored citizens Of Phadephia fet that he wss enti
tied to their sympathy and aid ard straightway in
invited him to remain few days, until arrangements
could be made for mass meeting TO receive him.
Accordingly on last Monday evening maze meeting
convened in the Israel Church, and the Rev. VIM. T.
Cato was called TO the chair and VIM Srll appointed
Secretary The Chsirpan introduced the object Of the
meeting. Having lived ip the South, he claimed 10
kiow all about The workings Of the oppressive system
VI Slavery generally, and declared that
pg the many exposures OF the evil which came under
bo own observation, the most gsrng descriptions fell
ar short Of the realities his eyes had Witnessed
He then Introduced Mr.. Smith, who arose and in
plain marner briefly told his story assuring
the audience that he had always hated slavery, and
had taken great pleasure in helping many out of Il,
ahd 'boogh b" had suffered much physically and pe-
cunisny for the causes sake, ye. he murmured not,
but rtjoieed in what he had done,
Amer taking his seat, addresses were further male
by the Rev. s. Smith, Messrs. Kinnard, Br,npe,,
Bradway and Others
Inc following resolutions were adopted:
"hsred We, The colored citi1sns of Phaelphj. bsve
sohs US ssmuel Smith, who lcarcsrsfed over
y-ss the Richmond Peptentsry for dong an .c that
honorable 10 hs feelings and his Justice and
th.refore ' ~ ''
Re"tred That we welcome him to this city AZ msrtyrO
the csust Of Freedom.
Re,ord That eesrly tender him cur gratitude the
5000 be has done 10 our sutsriog
Reserec That sympsthize With him o~ss, uj
ferIss III the cause OF the tsoddsn ssys VS.
Fremont MEETISG.-A large and spirited gathering
for Freedom and Fremont took place at Norw n Cor
ners on Thursday evening, which Esquire Clcyes,
D.noCIat, PIE sided.
TIE venerable Josiah Quincy has cent $50 70 the
Young american Fremont Club of B ~,on, 10 cd 10