Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-20
RAN AWAY WITH SLAVES
The Unsuccessful Attempt of Drayton and
Savers
An Incident That Caused a Sensation
Fifty Years Ago-A CeIe-
brated Trial.
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
The names of Drayton and Savers will
recall to the minds of old citizens an Incl
dent which made a profound sensation in
Washington nearly fifty years ago 1t was
the attempt of these men to run off with a
number of slaves, and transport them be-
yond the confines of the slave-holdiug
states, and, doubtless, of the Union. For
they could not have been entirely safe
against reclamation this side of the Canada
line. The scheme was stupidity conceived
and attempted to be executed. These men,
Daniel Drayton and Edward Sayers, came
here with a small sailing schooner hoping
to outsail or outwit the officers of the nu-
merous steamers which were afioat on the
Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay. 1t was
in April, 1913. They Lad little difficulty in
enuclng seventy-two slaves on board, and
started down the river in the night time.
The absence of so many slaves from their
homes at one time could not fail to be talk
ed of by neighbors, and to lead to the con-
clusion that ii was a concerted movement.
The police We're set to work and suspicion
fell upon the schooner which had taken
French leave. A steam tug was immediate
ly fitted out with arms, equipments and
some thirty resolute young men on board.
For time the schooner was favored by
the wind, and made good Roadway down
the river. But before reaching the bay the
wind changed, and blew with such force as
to brighten the captain and crew, who de-
cided TO run into cove on the MARYLAND
side. Meantime, their pursuers were steam
ing away after them, and the next day
caught sight of the fugitives in their ILL
chosen hiding place. There were more men
on board the schooner, black and white
than on the steam tug, and if they had had
the courage of their convictions" as the
French say, there is no saying what would
have been the result of this struggle be-
tween fTPannnl Sla h.
OF the Potomac. But the leaders of the
fugitiyes were cowardly fellows, and sur
rendered without striking a blow They
We're brought back to Washington. The
slaves were returned to their masters ard
Drayton and Sayers were committed to
Jail.
Their Trial md Imprisonment.
They were indicted at the October term of
the Criminal Court on a charge of larceny.
There were forty indictments, doubtless one
for the invasion of each Shareholders claim
A trial in one of the forty cases took place.
which resulted in conviction James NJ.
Carlisle, esq, the eminent lawyer of that
day, appeared for the defendants. Philip
Barton Key was the district attorney. An
appeal was taken to the Circuit Court of
the District. The decision of the court be-
low was overruled, whereupon new inoict-
ments We're found in seventy-two cases
against each defendant, on which they were
convicted under an old Maryland statute of
1896, which was engrafted on the District
code by the act of cession. Tha act i'm
posed a fine for transporting slaves.
Drayton was sentenced to pay, in every
case, $40 and costs. Savers was sentenced
TO 500 in every case, with costs; and they
were to remain in Jail until these large sums
were paid. Drayton must raise s10.0s0 and
the costs on seventy-two indictments; Say
ers must raise $500, with the costs on sew
enty-two indictments. They were kept in
close confinement on these verdicts antil the
summer of 1872. when they were pardoned
out by PRESIDENT Fillmore on the urgent and
repeated solicitations of Mr.. Sumner. They
might have been released sooner if their
northern friends had come to their relief
WITH the twenty or more thousand dollars
Tor which they were neld. But no move
ment seems to have been made in this d.
rectlon and the alternative was 10 wait un-
tll President could be elected who was
less welded to slavery than was Mr.. Polk
These men were confined in a room, the
walls of which were painted whitA or I hite-
washed. The effect was seriously to injure
their eyes, and one of them became blind
Even after the pardon was granted they
ran great risk of losing the benefit of it.
since Virginia set up claim 10 them on the
ground that they had viola ted the laws OF
that state. 1t seems that some of tine slaves
belonged to citizens of Virginia and were
probably hired to Neutrality-suspicious., or they
may have heard of the opportunity OF max
ing their escape and came over to avail OF
ii.
MI -. II. H. STUART the secretary OF Inc
Interior, was Virgiman, ard at his in
stance the marshal refused az first TO re-
lease the prisoners before the application OF
the governor to the President for their rem
dition could arrive. Hut AIR. Sumner. who
| took profound interest in the case de-
| manded them in right nf the president's
pardon, which could not be suspended in
| Difference to a possible demand of a Cover.
| nor. The marshal yelled ami Mr. Sumner
accompanied the prisoners 10 the lodgings
| of Mr.. Jacob Bigelow AT the corner Of Itl
| and Z streets, where the iron building now
| stands. Mr.. Sumner then called at the pub
| LEGATION office of the National Era, which
| was then on 18th street. where Lansburgh'
store is now located. His purpose was C
| consult with DIR. Bailey upon the most ex
| peditious method of getting the prisoner:
| beyond the reach of slavehoid;ng governors
| Their Escape to the North.
| The doctor was not present, but his chief
| clerk, Mr.. Clephane. undertook the job
| which was by no means an easy, safe OF
pleasant one. He took the men to his own
| home, gave them supper. and went out to
| engage a hack in which to take them to
| Baltimore. This was no easy task. 1t was
now dark, and the lowering clouds threat.
ened heavy rain. But at length he found a
man who agreed to take them in considera.
| ton of SO. They started at O'Clock
| The rain poured down in torrents, and the
| streams were flooded. The Anacostia OF
| Eastern branch is TO be crossed twice in
1
| lower ford. At sight of the swollen stream
| the hackman was appalled,, and refused e
| go further. Mr.. Clephane, who rode with
| the driver, says he drew a large key from
| his pocket, and, putting ii TO the hack.
mans ear in the darkness. threatened tC
shoot if he did not go forward. This nearer
| danger had the desired effect, and the
horses plunged in. The water came into
| the carriage, but no worse consequence fol
! lowed. All the way to Baltimore tho
streams were swollen, and for much of the
| way the rain poured down; but at length
| the weather cleared and the moon shons
| out brightly. At one point, where a stream
| is crossed by a covered bridge, two mer
stepped out and seized the reins. Mr.. c
concluded that these men were pursuer.
from Washington, but directed the driver
| to whip up. The horses dashed by them
and the robbers got out of the way. They
arrived in the vicinity of Baltimore after
daylight, dismissed the hack. took break
| fast and walked to the Northern Contra
depot. Mr.. Clephane purchased tickets fol
| the eX-prisoners and saw them on board
the train. He waited in Baltimore unit
they reached Harrisburg. from which plac,
they sent him a dispatch stating that the,
had arrived safely.
| Returning to Washington, Mr.. Clephan,
ha ma I'll