Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-07-15
political.
SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF co.
LUMBIA.


bound to respect" is a practical fact in the
District Of Columbia
On the 2sth day Of March last, Emanuel
Mason free colored man Of this city, and
District Of ColumGa) was tried and convict
ed, in the Criminal Court Of this city and
District, on the grave charge OF "harboring
and entertaining slave boy Ben, in February
last for one hundred hoursW The indict-
ment contained three counts, under some old
barbarous colonial law, concocted and devised
by whom, nobody knows--long since obsolete
and forgotten, for its nominal date is 1907,
nearly 90 years before the American Reyo-
luton; and the fine, under said old "BRIrGsH
ACT, was some hpndred pounds Of tobacco per
hour for one huudred hours
The fact in the case are these Said Mason
and his wife were once the slaves Of Miss
Sally or Sarah Forrest, and all resided near
Marlboro, Nd Some years since, said En-
anuel Mason was taken sick and was confn-
ed with jnfamatory rheumatism, and was, by
the doctors. given up as incurable. The mis-
trcss then offered to sell him for 500, but no
one would buy him. After a long while, he
began TO get a little better, and his mistress
then offered him for $500, but nobody would
buy him. Then the mistress told Mason that
she would sell him TO himself for 5000, and
he might pay her by instalments. He did
agree to buy himself and has since paid all of
the $500 purchase money.
In the meantime. he has partially recovered
his health and strength. has hired his wife bv
the month and bv the wear. kent house. and
raised several children at his own expense
and as soonns tbev have becone large enough
to be of service-sav at about ten years
these children have all been taken from him
and nut TO service. or sold bv his late mis-
tress. who Il, sdl the mistress of his wife.
About six wears since. the said Mason moved
to Washington with his slave wife. where the
mistress had taken up her residence. He
brought with him the last three children of
his family. bone of his bone and blood of bis
blood. but the mistress claimed them as her
property. although an reared at Masen's ex-
pense The oldest of the three-an active
girl. now abou, fourteen years Of age-was
taken away four or five wears since the next.
a son. was taken about two or three wears
since. Then there was left only .LrrrGE
BEN" now about ten years old. if alive
No doubt the father ft that affection for
the child which kind nature prompted. A.
bout one wear since. or perhaps more. the
mistress took the wife and mother homo to
her own house. leaving only " LiHie Ben" with
the aged father. and rumor said the boy would
soon be sent for also. Then. how appropr-
ate the language Of poor old Jacob Israel.
Me have We bereaved of NV children Jo-
scph is not. and Simeon is not. and We will
take BENJAMIN aray W And in September
last. ono of the numerous "unifoymed police
of this city approachod the humble residence
Of said Mason. In pursuit of the little boy
"Beniamin." When Ben. who was short
distance from the house saw this "ubiformed"
officer of the Government. he ran off to parts
unknown. The officer did not see the bov
Ben: or. If he did. he did not know him
but demanded the boy of the father. who had
him not in his possession OF power. and has
probably not seen little Ben since When
the officer could not find the boy, be request
ed Mason the father to 20 and look up the
boy. and bring him to the office. This he
neglected 10 do. In few days thereafter.
the officer arrested said Mason. and took him
before Justice William Mulloy, Esq, but
nothing unlawful appearing against said Ma
SON. he was I'M due time DISCHARGED. In Feb
ruary last. a certain uniformed police officer.
and a certain other Justice of the peace. ap-
pearcd. 40 early dawn in the morning. at the
or residence of said Mason. and in
hot haste hurried him off to iail. where he
was kept two or three days. and then re-
leased ON l.5OO blil-S2 600 was at first
on the dav first above named.
said Mason was convicted. and fortv-nine
honest poor man suffer in most filthy iail
with ielons, without bed. and
with very poor scanty food. awaiting for the
decision or sentence of the court. which we
ind announced in the Natoaal HteHigencer
IF May II. 1859, in these words: Emanuel
Mason. coIored.) recently convicted of har.
boring his son, a slave, the property of Miss
Forrest. was Yesterday sentenced to pay a
inc of slGG &C. being 81 &C for every hour
The slave was SO harborod: onc-half of said