New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-10
ATTEMPT TO KIDNAP A NEGRO coy.

A bold atempt to kidnap and convey to the South a
coored boy named William Percival was made known
to the police Friday. 1t appears that on Thursday
afternoon Capt. SrmOnd Of the schooner Napoleon
accidentally met colored man named Thomas Lewis,
who keeJs saiors boarding house at No. Catharine
lane and told him that young Percival had run away
rom his ship. The Captain requested Lewis to md the
boy and have him arrested and sent on board lntinat
pg that the lad was indebted TO the ship Lewis APP
rears to have instituted search for the boy and on
THURSDAY night found him at another clearinghouse in
CathaIine lane, and Immediately summoned Officer
Golden Of the Sixth Ward 20 arrest him.
Tie officer took the boy into custody and conveyed
him TO the Sation-House. Il is a common thing, we
understand for the police TO arrest runaway sailors, OF
whatever nation or color, upon complaint being made
against them for deserton. The boy detained at
the Station House to await the call of Capt. Srmond
Meantime, Capt. Bowling Of the Sixth Ward had
conversation with the boy, and at once suspected that
lie was wanted simply to be taken South and sold into
Slavery The story told by the boy was repeated by
him to our reporter and is Substantially as follows;
THE BoYs STATEMENT.
Nv name il William Pertival, aud am IA years OF
age; l was born in Irnldad lny father Il c0lorei
soldier in the British army at that place and he ana
nv mother lived together in the barracks there; one
Sunday evening about two months ago was standing
the dock, when capt. Slfmond OF lne scnoOneI W
roleon was rowed ashore in a small boat the Captain
went up into the city, and the men in the boat induced
me TO get in with them; when the captain returned
were al rowed off to the schooner; when we got
on board the Captain asked if did not want to sail
with him IA cabin.boy told bin should like 10;
Lad teen driving cart in Trinidad and as did not like
il, willing to run away from homei the schooner
laid there three four days after went on board but
nv PARENTS did not know where [ was finally
sailed for the West Indies and from there to the Hamp
ton Roads we laid there few days and then went to
Petersburg. Va. we laid there several days, during
which time accompanied Captain Sirrnond on shore
several times; from there we went 10 Norfolk, and
from thence came directly here; we arrived at this
port about two weeks since; few days ago learned
that the Captain was going 10 Charleston, ;. u,
of which place the Captain is a native, to load
for the West Indies; the crew. consisting of four
coored sailors another boy end myself refused TO go,
and all left the vessel were afraid togo South again
for fear We would be sold left the vessel on Thursday
and went 10 live with coored man in Cahsrne lane,
where remained until was arrested by policeman;
during the voyage here the captain whipped me once
witha heavy rope because the fire went out In the
cabin; few nights ago, willie was waitin4in the
cabin for the captain TO board fell asleep on
the floor; he came in, and finding me asleep put bis
foot upon my neck and squeezed me almost to death;
my neck is very yet IN consequence; my parents
always treated me well, and am very anxious to get
back to them never went to sea before, but always
attended school until a few months ego, when l went
TO driving q cart in Trinidad
On Friday evening Capt. Srmond sent the following
note, written in very bad English, TO Capt Downing:
DEAR SIR: learn from Thomas Lewis thai you
lave my boy William i'll charge. would be thankful
to you If Won could send him 10 me by the mate Dir.
Summeryie. want 10 carry him home, ~ his parents
will expect this of me. BY doing have requested
You viii greatly oblige, yours truly,
Sahooarr hopoleon Dec. g. 1860. d. p. sIRMOND.
Mr.. Summerylle the mate, who IL q white man, rep
resented that the boy ndentured to Capt Sirmond,
and tta the Captain had given bonds in 900 to return
him 10 his parents So far from complying with the
request in tie above note, Capt. Bowling took the
boy to Superintendent Kennedys Office and he was
sont TO the Eighth Ward Siation-House for the night.
This was deemed the safest course, as a number OF
cooied people had gathered about the Sixth Wand Sta
ton House with view Of rescuing the boy. Dir. s. l..
Macomber appeared ac counsel for the Police De-
rartment in the matter, and lie Immediately informed
Capt siOrd to appear st Headquarters with the boys
ndentures which be claimed 70 have, and show thai he
bad II right 10 him.
The British Consul was also notified Of the matter,
and requested 10 attend to it. Capt. sirnond having
failed TO appear claimant for the boy, he WIS Oh
Saturday afternoon delivered 10 the British Consul to
10 raturu,d Ia Trinidad