Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-10-08
From the New London Chronicle October I'd.
a Fugitive Slave Case in New IOndOm-Attelnpt I
Abduct Il NegrO-IIis Rescue and Escape.


AbIuct Negro-IIis Rescue and Escape.
On the goth of September vessel left Wilmington
n c., loaded with yellow pine lumber bound to port
in this vicinity. When six days out from Wilmington
the crew III the fOrecastlG heard sound of rapping
evidently proceeding from the fore hold. On searching
for explanation of the mysterious noise there
found to be "ngger in the wood pile and one of
Africs sable feeble of aspect and evidently
hausted from long fasting, was discovered then and there
Here was trouble for the Captain? Although he had
paid three dollars search fee to the authorizes at
Wilmington, who had explored his vessel in search Of
colored Individuals before left port, and would have
evidently been the last in the world to off "
a slave here live darkey actually in his hands
He felt bad. The cOOrCd individual said he had come
out from among the happy subjects of the patriarchia
institution because he wished to be free that he be-
lOnged to negro who lived about 200 miles
from town of Wilmngton-and that he had secreted
himself in the vessels hold six days before she left port
He had thus been there II days when he was found,
and his stock of provisions had been two pounds Of
crackers and piece of cheese, which he had thought
fully provided for the voyage. The captain dskcd eX-
ccedingy the idea of harboring fugitive but he had
to choose between that and throwing him overheard he
could do no better than TO let him stay aboard until he
reached port.
Yesterday morning at about O'clock the vessel ar
rived off the entrance to Mystic River, six miles east of
the mouth Of this harbOr The captain lowered his boat
and went directly ashore for officer to whose custody
he might surrender his coored passenger On returning,
cd overheard and swan ashore. The captain came to
this city to make efforts for his recapture. In passing
up State street he accdcny glanced into the open door
Of clothing store, and there beheld Cufee before the
glass critically inspecting himself with view tC ascer-
tain whether coat he then trying good fit,
and also if it becoming" lie rushed into the
store and gave the unhappy negro particular fits by
announcing to him the unpleasant intelligence that he
must drop that dunna9e and come along. He led
the crcst-lalcn African directly to the Custom House.
and tO tho Init
States Commissioner, the circumstances of the case. 1t
! had in the meantime become nOiSCd about the
streets that there niger case " In progress
and stir made among the people Judge
Brande9cG of the Police Court hearing of the matter
went down to the Custom House, accompanied by num-
Der of our prominent citizens. Entering the Office Of
the Collector, there found present beside the Col
lecOr the captain of the vessel and the derClic negro
one of the officers of the United States revenue
cutter, stationed ut this port Judge Brandegce inquired
of the Collector ii the negro prisoner, and in
formed that he Uhc CoIcctor as u United States Com
missioner, held him in charge that the man had admit
ted himself TO be fugitive slave. Turning TO the negro
the Judge asked him if he wished to remain there tC
go free He expressed his strong Discrimination to re
main there any longer than absolutely necessary
and desired to 90 at once if that would be generally sat
islactory to those present Judge Brandcgec told hin
to ego, then The collector protested against any in
reference with his movements, but on the advice o
Judge BrandCgCC the negro started The Custom uOuS
cncc of the opposing party prevented their efforts bens
OF much avail and the darkCy CVaporatCd in remarkably
short space OF time. When last he propelne
up Bank street, with coat tails uttering in the rear
and partially hidden from the view 10y the cloud Of dus
he kicked up. We hear that he took passage by thu
underground railroad on his way out from the "land O
the free, To come more back forever
The above speaks for itself 1t shows what any Uni
ted States law is worth in New England in general ano
7 New London, Connecticut in particular. We thnl
our readers will agree with in believing that the ONLY
class of Federal laws likely to be respected in New Eng
land are those giving bounties to their fisheries pro
ecng their manufactures at the expense Of the South
ern planter Judge Brandcgee seems to be fair spcci
men of Connecticut patriots and phiAnhropists, whC
deliberately set at naught the authority Of laws made
pursuance Of the Constitution of the United States.
We cannot - locate the nigger-we don't believe thu
story told by HIM. of course for he is, fear nearly
mean as his friend, Judge Brandegee, who is legally re
sponsibe as his coadutors Either the collector
was derelct Brandegee and others guilty of res
cue But what then there is no United States law
in New England The Union with the South is all OF
one side The Puritans like the advantages but ignore
all the duties and responsibilities imposed by the Con
stituton. This New London case is nothing extraor
binary 1t is the rule. And yet these very people vii
talk about the glorious Union.
i CHANGE OF HoUR-We have been requested to state
that on and after Thursday 18th ns the Steamer Spray
will leave for Smithvile at o'clock, P NJ, instead O