, 1862-05-22
THE CASE OF ROBERT SMALL,


Robert Small is one Of the class cata-
1ogued in the list Of humanity as persons
of color" in which only one color and its
approximate shades are meant. He is fur
ther, Of those members Of American society
usually understood to be referred to in the
phrase Of the Constitution, sowing service
or labor" And this Indebtedness Of Rob
ert Small lay in the State Of South Caro-
lima, where, until recently, hehas servcdas !
pilot On small Charleston armed steam-
er, kind Of marine orderly to the rebel
Gen. Ripley. With these obligations rest
ing upon him, Of Service or labor" due to
TIC man who had likely enough paid $4,000
for Robert, as he was none Of your ordinary
niggers. and with the responsibility resting
upon him as harbor pilot, Robert
On Tuesday morning Of last week,
made a fugitive Of himself Aud in
no mean way either. None Of your cut
ting 10 the bush, in ragged pantaloons, to
sort with alligators and rattlesnakes,
and with mosquitoes for your blood rela-
tions. Robert on the morning Of May 18th,
go; up steam On his little steamer Planter,
and dropped down the bay, dipping his
rehel colors as he passed the forts and
stcaming straight out to sea where in the
offing lar the blockading Federal fleet.
Toward the pearest vessel steered Robert
Small with his rebel colors exchanged for
the white flag, running however no light
risk Of getting ball through his craft for
bis temerity st that grey hour Of the morn
ing, He was seen, however, and the Off
Gers Of the heet heard his story.
And now let us finish the narrative in strict
accordance with the spirit Of Order No.
g." and following the teachings Of secession
sheets like the Chicago Times Robert
Small is taken directly before Commodore
Dupont, who receives him fercely. Tt
Roberts humble plea, that, conceiving ht
might better himself, he had ventured K
run away with the steamer Planter, tn
Commodore only fowns. Hewin not hea
word Of it What, steal steamer an
four cannon, and full complement 9
rebel Tags, and a valuable $4,000 nigge1
that's Robert hirnself,) and a whole blac
creT, f1emen, cook and cabin-boy, Wit
five *enches and three children, alts
. gcther q good $4,000 worth Of nigge
property. as blacks 60 on dull marke
Not to be thought Of, that Feaers
officers can counteDance such acts. WIS
can we expect but that the rebels will b
come eraspc7a1ed," q conclusion many
our best officers are diligently striving ,
avoid, and some Of them. if We may DO
row from the yulgate, "have not dor
anything else" On this showing Cot
Dupont, who keeps by him copy Of Ge
Halleek's Order No. 8, decides the cas-
A squad Of marines are speedily detaile
The bad and dangerous Robert is condut
ed back to the Planters deck in irons E
6lack companions in guilt arc severely lie
tured on their turpitude, and steam Is g
up for the return trip. In short Co,
Dupont sends the black rascal a,
his stolen property straight back
Cen. Ripley With pleasant lett
exchanging few packages Of tea a
coffee, and q box Of Havanas for 60,
fresh vegetables The whole affair ha.
delightful denouement you observe. .Dn
You see it7 Well, we wonder, for II
amy officers hare done, time and Il
again, since this war begun. So Ct
Dupont only followed established pre-
dent. & 81
Bnt you hasn seen IN the dispatches t
Commodore Dupont, like q etrasghtforw