New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-22
THE REIGN OF RUFFIANISM.
SOUTHERN Gf1IVAIRY.
A WOMAN'S STORY.

arrest and confinement in tie jail at Charleston D, C
during the months Of October and November ias'
which feel is due TO many friends wlo have Ainuy
interested themselves in my behalf and WHO are ucer
rous of more Satisfactory information concerning NY
case.
left New-York for Charleston on the hrs' Gay OF
December, 1859; when / arrived in tho Iater city'
was not aware Of any ill-ieeng or rreJudice against
the Northern people, but | soon learned oil crnei
outrages and violent threats against strangers from 'ne
North. and these called forth the indignation couiu
no, ALWAYS conc a. as was quite unprepared Tor sucs
DEVELOPMENTS IL civilized community. For this rta-
sou confined myself quietly and closely to my bus-
ness seeking DO acquaintarces.
lad gone thither with the most peaceable and
friendly intentions, harborng no purpose OF needing
with local institutions, though my sentiments we're by
10 means favorable TO Slavery. was very careful To
hold no conversation with any of the colored people,
they knew nothing Of me, and was an utter stranger
TO them ALL and should have remained 70 lad not the
persecution suffered given me notorieiy. never
forced my opinions on any one, but when asked what
thought of Slavery always told them the truth In
friendly spirit dsclaming all intention Of interfering
with them had too much respect for them 10 sup
pose they could respect pandering hyPocnte ana l.
therefore told them my sentiments which were the
result of early education admitted that their edu-
cation and habits made it natural for us TO der on 'ne
question of Slavery and their tide, they appeared
10 hive no SUSPICION Of me. The Summer passed mus
quietly away, and bad no more fear there thsh IL
had been living in my Northern home
1t was on tie 9th Of SePtenh her that, Us was alone
in nv ,m having hardly recovered fom severe Ill
nees large and man pres nted himself Dciore
me without permission or announcement. lie demand
"a NV name. told him and asked what he wished
He stated Inst be was one Of the Viilant Police, and
ordered me 10 go with him to the May ors Court that
officer having cent for me- ! said would not go, ana
asked him what right he bad to Insult and modest me-
whether be had any written authority TO demand my
preserce. He sud No. Then followed this converse
toni beginning itby asking;
What does tie Mayor want Of met
"Iundersand you are an AboliiOnist."
" Yes; and what of that! -
ssYou must come with me or / will take you by
force" said he, angrily.
considered for moment, and decided on the whole
it was beet to 20 with him quietly. Thought proba-
bic the Mayor Lad been imposed upon 10y some IDLE
reports, and tlat after bearing what Lad TO say he
would dismiss with an apology for being the occa'
sion OF THU unwonted intrusion. Immediately made
my self ready. and went with the man TO the Guard
House ! was usbered into tie common Court room,
where several idlers were assembled who seemed -
have 10 otier business than ~ await my coming but
the Mayor was not there l wai'ed al hour, expect
| ing every moment he would male his appearance,
those around me in the mean tine wElsIti1ng among
themselves though they said nothing 10 me. took no
IOice Of them but began 10 get very impatient Tor my
| expected interview. Iufisnly looking man soon
came in carrying large bunch Of keys. step Tins
| wav. Madam, said he. ] followed him without the
least Apprehension suppOsng tie Mayor would be
respectful enough 10 hear me IN his own room rather
than before a crowd for l had done nothing, and had
nothing 10 fear was led through two or three large
rooms andthrcueh an inmary, where there were sew
ersl sick pe1ec in bed.
"Where are you going'" said TO the man. This
wav, ma am ssid he, opening d door that led by
fight Of steps TO long, dark passage on each noe
were the underground cels. looked around me-
Two or three rough looking felows eood by NE ready
to do The aiers bidding While he opened one Of these
dirty, dismal cells
Come down. said lie, "and 60 in there" asked,
in surprise what does this mean = " IL neaIs that
Won are to be put in lere it the Mayors orders"
| was thrust in aud locked up Shortly after The
same man opened the door and wiShed me to give my
name in full told lin should not answer hs ques-
| tons; wished 70 see the Mayor immediately. de
sad must wait until called for, and then locked
! the door. saw no again that day. Night came
g o'clock. grew sick and faint from breathing the
foul air had scarcely recovered from recent Sickness
The poor wreches dragged from the streets scream
! ing aud groenng, thrown In cels around me,
from which was separated only by thin board par
ttion. No place could be painfully disagseable
| to pass night in than that.
Al. to Tho tent pf
turnkey 90 be was passing; be opened the door, and
asked what ] wanted; told him wanted to get out
of that place, and asked him il LIE woud Put me in
decent room no. the MAY or Lad e strict orders that
should be kept there until lie chose to me, when
aked the pon TO take a note message TO rome Of
my friends or acquaintance, needed some relief
he sad "Ths place is good tho other cells, and
you have got to stay here You have 10 fear
LETT something wore than death may happen you.
Your sentiments don't euit the people here" told
him 70 10 away and lock the door, would not lear
another word from him. lie left then without any
more words, and saw no one again that night.
In the morning, pail of water put in the cell,
but nothing else. AT O'Clock the door unlocked
by an officer, who told me the Mayor was ready TO
see me. There were many people stationed along the
passages, but they did not ray word as | walked
through to the Mayors room, which was filed with
respectable-lookng men,
The Mayor read tie charges be bad written down.
No witness wGs called n one appeared against me.
The examination was as follows:
"Mrs BOtsford, you accused Of treason and sedi
TONI
" j en- not guilty Of tresBon or sedition."
al understand you have been tanpering With savesi"
at is utterly false Sir, have had nothing 10 Say to
the slaves