The weekly Anglo-African., 1859-12-31
A WARNING TO C0LORED SEAMEN


A WARNING TO C0L0RED SEAMEN.
The following letter was placed in our
hands by respectable gentleman doing
business in Maiden Lane, n. Y. City. He
is well acquainted with the writer, and
vouches for its truthfulness. From this
statement of Mr.. Lane, it is evidently I'M
safe for any colored seaman to venture in
to any southern port. If slave can be
found base enough to swear that such sea-
man used enticing words to him, then that
seaman will assuredly be sold into slavery.
1t is fixed principle in Southern law, that
free black may testify against free
black, but the testimony of a slave is only
valid against slave. The testimony of
the slave against Mr.. Brodie was void, ac-
cording to the laws of Georgia; it was es-
pecially void as being rebutted by the tes-
timony of two white witnesses-but so
fercely does slavery hunger and thirst for
victims, that laws, even the laws of slavery,
are not regarded as bar against pro-sla-
very voracity.
The captain and seamen Of the bark
raised a sum of money to defend Brodie,
and after his conviction offered large fee
to lawyer to carry the case up; but the
lawyer demanded a fee beyond their
means, and they were obliged to give up.
Mr.. .Brodie is a native of Nassau, n. p,
and therefore British subject Like all
British subjects sailing in American vessels
he took out an American seaman's protec-
ton. He is still held as a slave in the
vicinity of Darien, Ga, and we trust the
matter will be brought to the attention of
the British Consul of this city, or of the
British Minister at ashington.
The lette5 although addressed to Rev.
II. w Beecher, at the date named below,
never reached that gentleman, although a
letter addressed at the same time and sent
| by the same mail to another resident Of
Brooklyn, reached that city in due time.
Doubtless the postmaster at Darien can ac-
count for the difference.
BARK OvERMAy, Aug l, 1858.
Rev. DR.. BEEcHER-De0r S1r:-Know-
ing your kind endeavors in the cause of
the oppressed colored race, / take the lib
erty of addressing this statement, praying
that you will make it as public as possible
that the world may know that there are
men in the United States far worse than the
African slave traders.
The bark Overman, of New York, John
Stirling master, while lying at the Union
Mills, Darien, Georgia, loading lumber,
was visited by an officer with a warrant,
who arrested colored sailor named Will
liam Brodie belonging to said bark, on a
charge of attempting to entice slave to
conceal himself on board of said bark and
escape from slavery; the said slave, the ac-
cuser, being one of the most noted scoun-
drels and villains in the State, he bearing
that character in Darien, and being at the
time Of his affidavit in Jail for some of his
misdeeds
On the 9th of July, at halfpast -,
!
or would be tried by the court at o'clock
same day, on the above charge. Captain
Stirling attended, accompanied by two
white men belonging to said bark, the
captain then and there proved by said two
white men that the negro slave never was
seen to hold a conversation with the above
colored sailor.
The negro slave affirming that the agree
ment was made between the hours of nine
and ten in the forenoon, the mate and two
men being near by. The chief mate swore
positively that it was impossible to be true,
as he was constantly with the said William
during working hours, also at the time
stated in the accusation, the sailor was not
distant ten yards at any one time, in fact
with him all the time, and he, the mate,
was positive that the accusation was will
full fatSeIo0d.
The other white man swore that it was
impossible that the conversation was held
during meal hours or night Strange to
relate, in the face of the sworn testimony
of two respectable white men, the negro
slaves affidavit was taken in preference,
unsupported by any other evidence or cir
| cumStance.
The above colored sailor, William Bro
die, was found guilty and sentenced to
fine of $500 and costs of court; and if the
fine was not paid in ten days, he was to be
advertised for sale, and at the expiration
Of thirty days, he, the said William Brodie,
to be sold at public auction to the highest
bidder.
If you should know of any one that
yyill assist this unfortunate sailor from be-
.ng sold into life of slavery, you will do
an act of benevolence that thousands will
bless. His aged father and mother are
living, also a sister, think, in Baltimore;
the captain noted protest against the YER
dict of the court, and did all in his power
to free the colOred sailor, but it was of no