side in the middle states, have never been within our borders to reside, but

ers, and every guard and caution is thrown around them in order to prevent the truth of their story from being known to the purchaser, until the wages of iniquity have been pocketed by the seller, and he has secured his retreat; and when the truth of the transaction is afterwards developed, it at once becomes a question between the interest and the conscience of the holder, who has given value for what he considered a legal property, and hence the tedious and protracted decisions, that so frequently attend cases of kidnapping.

There is a kind of noble feeling in the people of Mississippi in relation to this subject, if we may judge from the sample before us, that does them infinite credit; they denounce in the strongest terms of detestation, the illegal and infamous traffick which is the subject of our discussion. It is indeed exhilirating to the friends of humanity, to perceive, that even the chief magistrate of the commonwealth can condescend from his exalted situation to inquire into the misfortunes of a poor kidnapped boy, "and to stretch forth his hand to relieve those who are ready to perish." To all who thus do, a blessing is promised by him whose word is truth. It is our deliberate opinion, founded upon much observation and experience, that the difficulties which have occasionally arisen in opposition to the claimants of fugitives from labour, who having absconded from their masters' service, have harboured in this and other of the middle states, has in a great degree been the consequence of the repeated aggressions of this kind, and by unauthorized attempts of persons under claim of law; and we further believe on unquestionable authority, that many slaves who have been missed from the states of Maryland and Virginia particularly, and who are supposed to redren are whipped unmercifully for their veracity, and directed to tell a tale better suited to the views of the professed masters. This discipline is continued at intervals until they become so completely drilled, that a stranger, whether the professed owner is present or not, can scarcely obtain from them, by any means whatever, any other account than the false one which has been prepared for them.

last 12 years at least, been the subjects of a most cruel oppression, the victims of a gang of unprincipled kidnappers, who have so far almost with impunity set at defiance the laws of God and man. Many of their haunts are now known to the police of this city, and it would seem there has been a regular system of operations carried on, a chain of posts established from Pennsylvania to Louisiana. It gives us great pleasure to publish a letter on the subject written by the late Richard Stockton, then attorney general of Mississippi, it breathes all that humanity and fine feeling for which he was so well known and so greatly beloved by his friends.

NARRATIVE OF SAMUEL SCOMP.

City of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, ss. Mayor's Office, June 30, 1826.

Samuel Scomp, deposeth that he is about sixteen years of age; that he is the bound servant of David Hill of New Jersey, was to serve Mr. Hill until he was 25 years old, ran away from his said master and came to Philadelphia in the summer of the last year 1825, was at Market street wharf, in water melon and peach time; a small mulatto man named J. Smith, spoke to deponent to help him bring a load of water melons from the Navy Yard up to Market street wharf, for which Smith was to pay him a quarter dollar; they walked down town, below the Navy Yard and the Rope Walks, clear of all the houses, when a little boat came ashore from a small sloop at anchor near the middle of the river; Smith asked the white man in the boat if he had water melons to sell, said he had plenty; when they got on board, a white man by the name of Joseph Johnson, asked them to go into the cabin to take a drink; they did so, no persons but themselves were in the cabin; Joe Johnson came down in a few minutes, crossed deponent's hands and tied them with rope yarn, at the same time he tied Smith's hands in the same way, (this was about 8 o'clock in the morning,) Johnson said to deponent, that deponent's father and himself were slaves and had

run away from him in Maryland, that this was the first time he had seen him since; had a large Spanish knife, with which he threatened to cut his throat if he resisted or made a noise. John Smith sat still in the mean time, Joe Johnson then untied Smith and told him to be off, and not let him catch him there again; there was no peaches, or melons, or corn, or other cargo on board the sloop, she was ballasted with stone; saw Smith in the boat going ashore, a white man lifted the hatch of the sloop and put him below and came down and put a round horse lock on his legs; thinks this man's name was Collins, for he heard Joe Johnson as they went afterwards through a corn field call him by that name. When deponent was put into the hold of the sloop, he found Enos Tilghman and Alexander Manlove already there, Enos was in irons, Alexander was not; these boys told deponent they had been caught the night before, by the same John Smith. The same day a boy, who called himself Joe Johnson, a sweep, about 16 years old, was also brought on board by John Smith, and was also immediately put in leg irons. Cornelius Sinclair, (who was sold at Tuscaloosa,) was the last one brought on board the sloop by John Smith, about an hour after the boy Joe Johnson; he also had leg irons put on him; Collins came down, and said to them, Now boys, be still make no noise or I'H cut your throats. On the same night they got up the anchor and went down the river, and were on the water about a week, when they were landed, he don't know whether in Delaware or Maryland, about twenty miles from Joe Johnson's house, don't think the sloop was at sea on this occasion, they landed in a kind of pond about two hours after sun down, the irons were taken off their legs, and ropes tied round their necks, they were then marched through marshes, corn fields, and brushwood, until they were taken up by a carriage driven by Joe Johnson, and carried to his house; they were confined in a garret there in irons 24 hours, then carried to Jesse Cannon's on a Sunday night, by him (Cannon,) and by Ebenezer F. Johnson; this was the first time the boys ever saw Ebenezer, they were kept at

Jesse Cannon's about a week in irons in a garret. On a Saturday night they were put into a wagon with Mary Fisher, (and another woman who said she was a slave named Maria Neal.) Mary Fisher declared she was a free woman, had been kidnapped, and carried to Patty Cannon's; they rode about three miles in the wagon, which was drove by John Smith the mulatto; Ebenezer Johnson and his wife, were behind in a gig; they were put into a boat and rowed on board of a larger sloop than the one they were first in on the Delaware; they were put into the hold in irons and kept so, the vessel went to sea for about a week, when they again landed, he don't know where; he don't know either of the sloops' names, the last sloop was commanded by Robert Dunn, an old man who also cooked on board; Ebenezer Johnson and his wife and Jesse Cannon, were passengers on board, and helped to work the vessel. Deponent and fellow prisoners were then marched through Alabama, with the irons off in the day time, and put on always when they stopt; Cornelius Sinclair was parted from them, and said to be sold in Tuscaloosa, for 400 dollars, as he heard Ebenezer Johnson tell his wife; they had a one horse wagon with some provision and baggage, it was generally drove by the little boys Enos Tilghman and Alexander Manlove; the wagon was followed by Ebenezer and his wife in the gig; the older and bigger prisoners walked as he believes 600 miles, until they arrived at Rocky Spring; believes they walked 30 miles a day, without shoes; when they complained of sore feet and being unable to travel they were most cruelly flogged; that deponent has received more than fifty lashes at one time; that himself, Joe and Cornelius, were most frequently flogged; their feet became frosted in Alabama; that on one occasion this deponent attempted to escape while in the Choctaw nation, but was caught by an Indian, and returned to Ebenezer Johnson, who flogged him with a hand saw and with hickories in a most dreadful manner; (the back of this deponent and his head, were dreadfully scarred by the repeated beatings he had received, (the party of prisoners except Cornelius,

remained near a month and a half, near a small town called Ashville, within 16 miles of the Cherokee nation, low down in Alabama; Ebenezer Johnson owned a log house and some land there; they then proceeded to Rocky Spring; and when within 7 miles of Rocky Spring, Joe Johnson, one of the boys, died in the wagon in conse

correspondence between you, forthwith to New Orleans, and that you may expect them shortly. He has no doubt from the documents transmitted, but that they have been basely kidnapped, and are really entitled to their freedom. He is, however, under obligations to have them returned, if their freedom is not established by the first

ings he received from Ebenezer Johnson: deponent once heard Johnson's wife declare that it did her good to see him beat the boys; Joe was lame and frosted in the feet, was very weak, and for near three weeks fell frequently as he walked; the weather was very cold in Alabama; about one day before he died he was severely flogged with a cart whip, he died in the wagon; Mrs. Johnson was in the wagon when he died; Ebenezer had previously sold his horse and gig and one horse wagon, and traded for a four horse wagon; they were all except the slave woman, taken from Ebenezer Johnson by Mr. John W. Hamilton, a planter, about seven miles east of Rocky Spring, who kept them and provided well for them, and took care of them for four or five months, until he took them to Natchez, put them on board of a steam boat and sent them to Benjamin Morgan at New Orleans, who procured them a passage to this port, where they arrived on the 29th inst. Mary Fisher, the woman, declined coming by sea, and preferred remaining with Mr. Hamilton, where she enjoyed the rights of a free woman; and further deponent sayeth not.

sibility be subject to serious inconvenience, and labours under considerable anxiety. The necessity you suggest of having their testimony, to ensure a conviction of the wretches who have thus torn them from their friends, has induced me to advise him to send them and risk the consequences. If the felons should be convicted, you will oblige a most worthy man by forwarding to him the record, properly and legally authenticated. He has been already at great trouble and expense, and a suit to recover them from him, would be at once burthensome and perplexing.

It is a subject of deep regret to me that proper measures were not taken to ascertain the cause of the death of one of the unfortunate youths, at the time the rest were stopped. There is no doubt upon my mind, but that he was cruelly and barbarously murdered. The situation of Sam and Enos, too clearly proves the treatment they had received, and if their testimony can be relied upon, the cause of the other's death is apparent. Mary Fisher is entirely unwilling to go by sea, but prefers remaining until an opportunity may occur to send her by land. She is treated as a free woman, and will be held subject to your orders. I would suggest the propriety of sending on the evidences of her freedom, if you should deem it advisable to give directions for her return. She is still in the possession of Mr. Hamilton, who is a man every way worthy of confidence, and who will be guided entirely by your decision as to her future destination. The state of Mississippi, is a slave holding state, but be assured, Sir, there is no community that holds in greater abhorrence, the infamous traffic carried on by negro stealers, and none that by public sentiment and by legislative enactment, give greater facilities, for those unjustly de

tained, to, obtain their emancipation. A simple petition will put the parties upon trial before any of our Circuit Courts, no person can evade the obligations of the law, and the legal guards against oppression are ample and encouraging. There has not been a solitary instance, among the numerous applications annually made, when time has not been allowed to procure testimony, even from the most distant parts. Public feeling is uniformly enlisted in favour of the petitioning slave, the bar are ever ready to tender their professional services, and the provisions of our humane statutes are enforced, and generally at the expense of our own fellow citizens, who are innocent purchasers. For myself I can say, that in my private situation, and as attorney general of the state of Mississippi, no trouble will be considered too great, and no exertions shall be spared, to bring to a punishment, which under our law is capital, those infamous miscreants who thus deal in human suffering; and believe me, Sir, in pursuing the dictates of my own feelings, I am but acting in conformity with the general sentiment of the citizens of the state. With the most respectful consideration, I remain your obedient servant, RICHARD STOCKTON.

Natchez, March 2, 1827.

We can scarcely conceive of any crime more repugnant to the feelings of humanity, than that of kidnapping, none which should be more positively denounced by a civilized people, none which should be more promptly acted against, in order to bring the offenders to justice, and restore the captives to their homes and their families. We are induced to make these remarks, by reading in the American Daily Advertiser, the following account of a number of free, persons of colour, who were stolen and brought on by force from the respective places of their birth or of their homes, and sold as slaves in this state, and other southern sections of the Union. Shortly after reading the account, we applied to Duncan S. Walker, Esq. of this city, for such further information on the subject as he might be in possession of, and the editor feels not only indebted

to him for his politeness on the occasion, but as a citizen of this state, for his benevolent and persevering endeavours to bring the criminals to justice, to liberate the captives and restore them to their families and their friends.

In laying the circumstances connected with the stealing of the negroes before the public, we cannot forbear to express our belief, that there is not any portion of the American people, who view with more horror, transactions of this kind, than those of the state of Mississippi; none we are certain that would more readily step forth to aid the constituted authorities in bringing the offenders to justice, and to assist in doing every thing that was proper to release the victims of their rapacity from bondage; for the manner of making them slaves and dragging them from their homes and their connexions, is an outrage against the laws of God and man.

During the last session of the legislature, we endeavoured by a variety of arguments, founded on the policy which we thought was necessary, from the situation of this state, to pursue, to pass a law prohibiting the introduction of slaves into this state, and we were in hopes, from the self-evident necessity of such a measure, no difficulties would have been interposed to prevent the passage of the act; we are however gratified to learn that the opposition to it was of a very feeble character, and that no apprehensions are to be entertained as to the passage of such a law at the next session. The transactions which have led us at this time to refer to our former remarks, will we hope, convince every citizen, of the state, of the necessity of prohibiting the introduction of slaves within its limits, excepting the application of it to our positive and settled citizens, or those who are about to become such. It is true we have a law prohibiting certain descriptions of slaves from being brought into the state, but it is very inefficient and difficult of execution.

At the last session of the criminal court of this county, an attempt was made to carry the law into operation. Several individuals implicated in the violation of it, were presented by the grand jury, and bills found against them, and though the defen

dants were ably defended by their counsel, R. H. Adams and W. B. Griffith, Esquires, before Judge Winchester, on a motion to quash the presentment, yet the strength of argument and the eloquence of the counsels for the state, Robert Walker and George Adams, Esquires, would undoubtedly have prevailed, but for the defect which was evident in the presentment. As our fellow citizens have deemed the subject worthy of great consideration, and as it is rendered more particularly so in consequence of the number of free negroes forcibly brought into this state for sale, we avail ourselves of Mr. Walker's permission to publish such documents connected with the affair alluded to, as have not yet been made known and with which he has furnished us.

Independently of every humane consideration of the subject, it is proper to observe that the dangers to be apprehended from the kidnapping of negroes into this state is of a very serious character. Good slaves may be stolen or seduced from good masters; husbands, wives and children may be separated from each other, it is true, by the cunning and management of the kidnapper, and many heart-rending scenes may occur, the recital of which would create a sympathy in the bosom of every human being. But to the people of a slave holding state, the evils to be apprehended from the introduction of such negroes are of no ordinary character; the bad as well as the good, the bond as well as the free, are alike liable to be seized by the kidnapper and brought into the state, and however much we might be disposed to liberate a free negro from the irons of the wretch who stole him, yet for the most part free negroes are the worst description of people that could even willingly be brought among us. Policy, therefore, as well as humanity, requires that our citizens take every measure in their power to assist in restoring these unfortunate beings to their homes and their families; most certain we are, whatever some few of our Atlantic brethren may think to the contrary, that scarcely any established citizen of the state could be found, who would be willing to hold in bondage, a fellow being, who of right

ought to be free, and such as are known to have done so are not esteem ed in our society.

Natchez, December 23, 1826.

DEAR SIR.-The enclosed statement of a most cruel and complicated piece of villany, was accidentally discovered by the servant of Mr. Holmes, (late Governor of this State,) and afterwards taken down by D. S. Walker, Esq. a gentleman of the bar, whose professional services we have thought advisable to engage, and whose note we herewith send you.

Public justice requires that prompt measures be taken, to release these unfortunate persons, and if possible to punish the aggressors. Aware of the benevolent feelings of the Philadelphians, and the readiness with which the public authorities would be exerted in the cause of humanity, we have not hesitated to institute an inquiry for their relief. Some creditable person or persons, will have to be sent out for the purpose of identifying these people, and to prove their condition. The residence of many of these persons is unknown to us, but it is believed they may be all found upon search.

Since this statement was made out, the woman, Lydia Smith, has been brought to this city, and sold as a slave, measures are now taking to have her secured against further removal. We are, respectfully, your obedient servants, DAVID HOLMES, J. E. DAVIS.

The Hon. Joseph Watson, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia.

THE NARRATIVE,

Of Peter Hook, a black boy, now in the possession of Mr. Perryman, of Holmesville, Pike county, Mississippi, says, that he is free. That he was born in Philadelphia. He seems, from his statement, to have been kidnapped June, 1825. That he was induced one evening by a black man whom they called John, to go down to a schooner near Arch street wharf to get a dram. That a white man, whom they called Joe Johnson, took him down, tied his hands across and chained him to the pump. Two boys, William Miller,