Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-08-19
Attempted Abduction of a Slave.

Yesterday morning Rev. NJ. Robbins missed from his
sbpvard his negro boy John, about Is years of age
and from some circumstances not necessary to state
he was lead to suppose that the boy on board the
schooner Geo. Harrs cleared the previous day for New
York.
About II o'clock Messrs j. NJ. Stevenson and J. Fl.
Fanner with some other gentlemen went down the river
in a boat. They came across the schooner about ten
miles down the river. After examining the crew,
thorough search was made, and the boy found Sc
GREETED under the floor of the cabin where he had got by
going through the floor of the BOBBY hatch.
The boy states that two negro seanlen board the
schooner named Bill and Tom had prevailed upon him
by sundry promises 90 North and that he aboard
on Monday night about o'clock. The boy together
with the two negro seamen referred to- brought to
town by Messrs. F. & S. and are now lodged in Jail.
The offence of abductng a slave is capital felony
by the laws of this State. These men will get a
fair trial. If proved guilty we trust that no mawkish
sensibty-no legal bubble will be allowed to divert
the law from its due course for the evil has grown no
erable and patience has indeed ceased to be virtue
Daily Journal 17h ust
nSg@This forenoon at IL O'Clock, VIM. Ell. Stubs,
Thomas Lundsfeld, VIM. Summers and John Williams,
coored sailors board the schr George HGrrS bound
for New York were examined before Justices Taylor,
Alderman and Stevenson, the charge seducng and
Conceang John, q negro boy belonging to Rev. III.
Robbins with the view Of removing said boy from the
State and from the custody and possession Of his said
master
Z. c. Miller, Esq, appeared for the State, - AL
Ien Esq., for the defence. MIR. Miller read the Revised
Code which appears to class the offence charged against
4IO II, poOito1 fnlOnV
Mr.. Robbins was examined to prove that the boy
John belonged to him, absent fromhs service with
out leave and that he had no permission written
bal for being on board the Geo. Harriss.
Mr.. SILVER was examined as to finding the boy con-
ceaed on board the schooner under the cabin floor at
point accessible by way of the boobyhatch, under the
wheel Apparently in slowing the vessel some provs
ion had been made for him. the space did not appear
to have been filed up in the usual manner. Mr.. Shve
stated that the Captain when spoken to- readily admit
ted a search and assisted in it.
The boy John q very intelligent negro, testified tina
all the negroes had told him that he had chance nos
to get off, and that they would see that he was wei
taken care Of and had plenty to eat on the voyage
New ork and that they would then take him to Bosto
where he would be free and could make plenty of mon
ey. Tom and Bill told him when to go on board ALI
when the vessel would go. When he came on boar
Tom showed him where to 60. Tom seems to be tn
most active Bill Stubbs who says be born in \.
the next. The others appear to have expressed assem-
but taken no very active part.
The boy when questioned stated distinctly that no whit
person on board the schooner knew anything about hi
being on board There did not appear to be the Sigh
est ground for supposng that any white person d
know. Captain Gilbert came up williDgly-VoluntarI!
Some apparently suspicious circumstances lead to IL
arrest of the French steward of the vessel but these CT
cumstances being explained, he was discharged.
The prisoners were committed to await trial at Il
next Superior Court for this County. The boy Jol
was also committed to testify, Mr.. Robbins wishing hi
to remain in the custody OF the authorities. There W.
no argument by counsel, but disposition displayed
get at the real state of the case.
Daily Journal Of ycac1 day.