The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-04-19
VOL. XVII.

where several idlers were assembled, who
seemed 10 have no other business than 70
await my coming, but the mayor was not
there. waited an hour, expecting every
moment be would make his appearance,
those around me in the mean time whisper
ing among themselves, though theysaid moth
ing to me. took no notice of them, but
began To get very inpatient for the expected
interview. A ruffanly looking man soon
came in with large bunch of keys. Step
this way, madam said he. followed him
without tho least apprehension, supposing
the mayor would be respectful enough to
hear mo in his own room rather than before
a crowd, for had done nothing, and had
nothing to fear. / was led through two or
three large rooms, and through an infrmary,
where there were several sick people in bed.
Where are you going? said to the
men. This way, ma am" said he opening
a door that led by a fight Of steps to long.
dark passage, on either side OF the passage
were the underground cells. looked
around me. Two or three rough-looking
fellows stood ready to do the jailer's bidding
while he opened one Of these dirty, dismal
cells.
Come down, said he, and 60 in there. ;
| asked in surprise, what does this mean ?
: IL means that you are to be put in here;
il is the mayors orders
was thrust in and locked up. Shortly
after, the same man opened the door and
wished me to give my name in full. told
him | should not answer his questions;
wished to see the mayor Immediately. He
said | must wait until was called for, and
then locked the door. saw no one again
that day. Night came-nine o'clock.
grew sick and faint with breathing the foul
air; had scarcely recovered from recent
sickness. The poor wretches dragged from
the streets, screaming and groaning, were
thrown in cells around me, from which
was separated only by thin partition. No
place could be more painfully disagreeable
to pass night in than that.
| / knocked ON the door TO attract the at
teption of the turnkey as he was passing; he
opened the door and asked what wanted;
aud asked him il he would put me in de-
cent room: he said no, the mayor had left
strict orders that should bc kept there un-
oil he chose TO see me, when asked the man
TO take u note or message to some of my
friends or acquaintance rs needed some re
lief; he said " This place is as good as the
other cells, and you have gos to stay here.
You have reason to fear lest something wore
than death may happen to you. Your sem
timents don't suit the people here l told
to 90 away and lock the door, as I would
not hear another word from him. He lett
then without any more words, and saw no
one again that night.
In the morning, a pail ofwater was put in
the cell. but nothing else. At two o'clock
the door was unlocked by an officer who told
me the mayor was ready to sec me. There
were many people stationed along the pas
sagos, but they did not say word rs walk
ed through 10 the mayors room, which was
filled with respectable looking men. The
mayor read the charges he had written down.
No witness was called; no one appeared
against me. The examination was us fol-
lows
Mrs. Bottsford, you are accused Of
treason and seditionr
Il understand you have been tampering
with the slaycs?'
1T is utterly false, sir, / have had moth
ing to say to the slaves
You are an abOlitionist 2
| 'Yes.'
You have expressed Abolition sentiments ?
| Il have on a few occasions when asked |:
| can name all | ever cOnyersed with, and
what said to them will say here. lived
here nearly year, attending closely to my
own business have not injured or Offend
ed any one, and have been well treated until
now; cannot see why should DO subject
I'd to this outrage.
You say you have been well treated p
YES, until now,'
Then think you have been well treated.
been prOftably employed, and have received
our money, while you hated us ?
Il have not hated the people / have
no friendship for slavery l have not seen
anything in Charleston to give NE more
favorable impression of il quite otherwise.
have paid for all have had here, have
received what earned. owe you no graf
itude.'
Iwould advise you to 60 home
l shall certainly do 50 Us soon as can
settle my business. have no desire to stay
a moment longer
The mayor then said he had not heard
anything against my character. You are
spoken OF said he, as quiet and respect
able. But require bail for your good con-
duct. lfyou can find anyone 10 be bail for
YOU to the amount OF three hundred dollars,
II can dismiss you.'
|, | told him had not been guilty Of any
bad conduct, and could not get any bail. lie
. then left the room with one or two more.
As | afterwards learned, he was persuaded
that was an emissary for some Northern
society or publisher. | saw no more OF him.
He sent the turnkey in: was ordered to the
cell again and locked up, Some OF the
friends from the house left felt alarmed,
and had been several times to enquire about
me, but could get no satisfactory answer,
and were rudely driven away.
In an hour or 50 an officer opened the door
and said must 90 with him as the mayor
had given me over to the State Attorney.
We crossed the Citadel Park to the Office Of
Magistrate Kanepanx. Twenty or thirty
citizens were gathered there, and among
them one whom wassacquainted with. |
! spoke to him, and asked him IL he was the
, complainant He said he was. indig-
nantly asked him il he was not ashamed OF
, himself: II Il were possible he could do any
thing 80 contemplate. Without waiting
! for his reply, the magistrate answered for
him: This man has done perfectly right; |
should have done just 50 myself; why, II you
: had been man. you would have been hung
, up on one of the trees of the PARK; you would
never have got here alive l asked very
calmly, II any one wanted my life. No, the
, Magistrate said, as was u woman my life
. would be spared, But the mayor had been
d too lenient; he had raised my bail to $4,000
!, in default Of which must 90 to Jail. told
him it made no difference about the amount
oil the bail; l was no criminal, and l needed
J. no hail.
Are yon not an abolitionist p
Il You are charged with treason and sedi-
ton, and tampering with slaves
AL these charges are utterly false: have