Historical Documents - 1850s

   SLAVE-CATCHING IN MARYLAND.––A letter, dated Washington, Sept. 6, says:

   "A few days since, about seventeen slaves, including both sexes, were permitted by their masters, residing in this city, to attend a camp-meeting toward the north part of the State (Maryland). After getting their spiritual strength renewed, they concluded to turn their faces toward the land of the free, and had almost succeeded in reaching a place of safety when the stampede became known. A drover in Baltimore offered to capture the fugitives for a share of the sale money to the cotton plantation of the South. The owners having agreed to his proposition, he went in pursuit, and brought back nine of the party, who were yesterday put en route for the cotton fields. The profits to the catcher, I am told, amounted to more than $2,000. ––The rest of the party have not yet been captured. 

   WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 1857.––A few days since, about seventeen slaves, including both sees, were permitted by their masters, residing in this city, to attend a camp-meeting toward the north part of the State (Maryland). After getting their spiritual strength renewed, they concluded to turn their faces toward the land of the free, and had almost succeeded in reaching a place of safety when the stampede became known. A drover in Baltimore offered to capture the fugitives for a share of the sale money to the cotton plantation of the South. The owners having agreed to his proposition, he went in pursuit, and brought back nine of the party, who were yesterday put en route for the cotton fields. The profits to the catcher, I am told, amounted to more than two thousand dollars. The balance of the party have not yet been captured. 

   ANOTHER NEGRO STAMPEDE.––Twelve Negroes––Gov. Wise's subjects––have escaped from Norfolk. 

   RUNAWAY SLAVES.––A stampede of seventeen slaves took place near Maysville, Ky., on Monday last, who made their escape to Ohio. They were immediately pursued by a party made up on both sides of the river, and, on an attempt being made to capture one of the negroes, he made battle and cut and dangerously wounded two men named Pose Waldron and Wm. P. Dare. The negro was finally overcome by the party and carried back to the Kentucky side where he is now safe in jail, but the two wounded men are said to be in a very critical situation and doubts are expressed whether either of them can recover. The balance of the negroes are yet at large. 

    STAMPEDE OF NEGROES––TWO MEN WOUNDED.

––We find the following in the Maysville Eagle, of the 22d inst.;

   Quite a stampede of negroes occurred on Sunday night last from the neighborhood of Washington in this county, and we are informed that as many as seventeen made they escape to Ohio. They were immediately pursued by a party made up on both sides of the river, and on an attempt being made to capture one of the negroes, belonging to Mr. Wm. Nelson, he made battle and cut and dangerously wounded two men named Pose Waldron and Wm. P. Dare. The negroe was finally overcome by the party and brought back to this side of the river, where he is now safe in jail, but the two wounded men are said to be in a very critical condition, and doubts are expressed whether either of them can recover. The balance of the negroes are yet at large.

   STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.––We learn that on Sunday afternoon last, eleven runaway slaves, from Carroll county, Maryland, passed through the principal street of Carlisle. Their masters were here on Monday in hot pursuit. 

   A stampede of slaves from the plantation of Mr. D.S. Dillon in Bourbon County, Ky., took place last week. Three men and two women fled, and were pursued 26 miles, but they escaped to the Underground Railroad depot in Cincinnati. 

   STAMPEDE OF NEGROES.––We find the following in the Maysville Eagle, of the 22d ult:

   Quite a stampede of negroes occurred on Sunday night last from the neighborhood of Washington, in this county, and we are informed that as many as seventeen made they escape to Ohio. They were immediately pursued by a party made up on both sides of the river, and on an attempt being made to capture one of the negroes, belonging to Mr. Wm. Nelson, he made battle and cut and dangerously wounded two men named Pose Waldron and Wm. P. Dare. The negro was finally overcome by the party and brought back to this side of the river, where he is now safe in jail, but the two wounded men are said to be in a very critical condition, and doubts are expressed whether either of them can recover. The balance of the negroes are yet at large. 

STAMPEDE OF NEGROES.––Quite a stampede of negroes occurred on Sunday night last from the neighborhood of Washington in this county, and we are informed that as many as seventeen made they escape to Ohio. They were immediately pursued by a party made up on both sides of the river, and on an attempt being made to capture one of the negroes, belonging to Mr. Wm. Nelson, he made battle and cut and dangerously wounded two men named Pose Waldron and Wm. P. Dare. The negroe was finally overcome by the party and brought back to this side of the river, where he is now safe in jail, but the two wounded men are said to be in a very critical condition, and doubts are expressed whether either of them can recover. The rest of the negroes are yet at large.––Marysville (Ky.) Eagle, Tuesday. 

   NEGRO STAMPEDE IN KENTUCKY.––We learn from the Maysville Eagle, that an escape of seventeen negroes was made from the neighborhood of Washington, Mason county, of that State, on the 20th ult. They made good their way into Ohio. Only one was recaptured. The Eagle gives the following description of the pursuit and capture of one of the gang of runaways:

   They were immediately pursued by a party made up on both sides of the river, and on an attempt being made to capture one of the negroes, belonging to Mr. Wm. Nelson, he made battle and cut and dangerously wounded two men named Pose Waldron and Wm. P. Dare. The negroe was finally overcome by the party and brought back to this side of the river, where he is now safe in jail, but the two wounded men are said to be in a very critical condition, and doubts are expressed whether either of them can recover.

   The balance of the negroes are yet at large.

   Stampede of Slaves.––About six o'clock yesterday morning, Mr. Daniel S. Dillon, who resides at his farm in Bourbon county, Ky., about thirty-five miles from the Ohio river, discovered that five of his negroes, three men and two women, were missing. Upon going to the stable, it was discovered that they had harnessed a horse to a light spring wagon which was missing from an adjoining shed, and in which, after the family had retired to rest, they had driven off. In company with two of his neighbors, Mr. Dillon pursued the fugitives to within four miles of the Ohio river, where they found the horse and wagon, the former tied to a fence, where he had apparently been standing some time. Subsequent inquiry induced Mr.

    Slave-Catching in Maryland.

A letter dated Washington, Sept. 6, says:

   "A few days since, about seventeen slaves, including both sees, were permitted by their masters, residing in this city, to attend a camp-meeting toward the north part of the State (Maryland). After getting their spiritual strength renewed, they concluded to turn their faces toward the land of the free, and had almost succeeded in reaching a place of safety when the stampede became known. A drover in Baltimore offered to capture the fugitives for a share of the sale money to the cotton plantation of the South. The owners having agreed to his proposition, he went in pursuit, and brought back nine of the party, who were yesterday put en route for the cotton fields. The profits to the catcher, I am told, amounted to more than $2,000. ––The rest of the party have not yet been captured. 

             STAMPEDE OF NEGROES.

   NORFOLK, Oct. 19--Ten negroes made their escape from their owners in this city last night, and have gone North. 

   LETTER FROM KENTUCKY.

AGRICULTURAL FAIRS, AND THE WAY THEY DO THEM IN KY.––OUTSIDE ATTRACTIONS––THE 'CRISIS'––A NEGRO STAMPEDE, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES––THE SECOND SCENE IN THE MATRIMONIAL DRAMA, WITH A MORAL.

              MINERVA, Ky., October 14, 1857.

   A GREAT STAMPEDE OF SLAVES took place at Cambridge, Md., on Saturday night last. No less than thirty made their escape––fifteen belonging to Samuel Pattison, Esq., seven to Miss Jane Cator; three to Richard Keene; one to W.V. Brannock; one to Reuben D. phillips; one to the estate of Wm. D. Traverse, deceased, and two free negroes. These make forty four who have left that place within two weeks. Messrs. Pattison, Phillips and Brannock had offered a reward of $3,100 for the apprehension of their slaves. 

   A GREAT stampede of slaves took place at Cambridge, Md., on Saturday night last. No less than thirty made their escape––fifteen belonging to Samuel Pattison, Esq., seven to Miss Jane Cator, one to Richard Keene; one to W.V. Brannock; one to Reuben D. phillips; one to the estate of Wm. D. Traverse, deceased, and two free negroes. These make forty four who have left that place within two weeks. Messrs. Pattison, Phillips and Brannock had offered a reward of $3,100 for the apprehension of their slaves. 

   A great stampede of slaves took place at Cambridge, Md., on Saturday night last. No less than thirty made their escape. These make forty-four who have left that place within two weeks. 

   NEGRO STAMPEDE––No less than thirty negroes, left Cambridge, Md., by the underground railroad on Saturday night. Fifteen belonging to Samuel Pattison, Esq., seven belonging to Mrs. Jane Cator; three belonging to Richard Keene; one belonging to W.V. Brannock; one belonging to Reuben E. Philps; one belonging to the estate of Wm. D. Traverse, deceased, and two free negroes. These make forty-four who have left there within three weeks. 

   SLAVE STAMPEDE.––The night of Oct. 24th, no less than 30 slaves ran away from Cambridge Maryland. The owners have offered a reward of $3,100 for their apprehension. Forty-four escaped from Cambridge in two weeks. 

   A great stampede of slaves took place at Cambridge, Md., on Saturday night last. No less than thirty made their escape. 

   A stampede of slaves from the plantation of Mr. D.S. Dillon, Bourbon county, Ky., took place last week. 

   A GREAT stampede of slaves took place at Cambridge, Md., on Saturday night last. No less than thirty made their escape––fifteen belonging to Samuel Pattison, Esq., seven to Miss Jane Carter, one to Richard Keene; one to W.V. Brannock; one to Reuben D. Phillips; one to the estate of Wm. D. Traverse, deceased, and two free negroes. These make forty four who have left that place within two weeks. Messrs. Pattison Phillips and Brannock had offered a reward of $3,100 for the apprehension of their slaves. 

   A great stampede of slaves took place at Cambridge, Md., on Saturday night, the 24th. No less than thirty made their escape, making forty-four who have absconded within two weeks. 

   NEGRO STAMPEDE––Last Sunday night, a family of negroes belonging to George W. Fairfax of Preston county, Va., father and mother and five children, took three horses belonging to their master, and made their escape into Pennsylvania. They were pursued on the next day, and overtaken about two miles from Uniontown, when the negroes made desperate resistance, fighting with knives, hatchets, &c., but were finally captured and confined in jail in Morgantown. In the engagement, a man residing in Smithfield, Pa., was wounded. 

   RUNAWAY SLAVES––A great stampede or escape of slaves took place at Cambridge, Maryland, on Saturday nigh last. No less than 30 made their escape––15 belonging to Samuel Pattison, Esq., seven to Mrs. Jane Cator, three belonging to Richard Keene, one to W.V. Brannock, one to Reuben E. Philips, one belonging to the estate of Wm. D. Traverse, deceased, and two free negroes. These make 44 who have left that place within two weeks. Messrs. Pattison, Phillips, and Brannock have offered a reward of $3100 for the apprehension of their slaves. 

   SLAVE STAMPEDE FROM VIRGINIA.––The Richmond South of Nov. 11th, says that on Sunday night, a family of negroes belonging to Geo. W. Fairfax of Preston County, and consisting of father and mother and five children, took three horses belonging to their master, and made good their escape into Pennsylvania. They were pursued on the next day, and overtaken about two miles from Uniontown, when the negroes made desperate resistance, fighting with knives, hatchets, &c., but were finally captured and confined in jail in Morgantown.

   GREAT STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.––A great number of slaves have escaped recently from the neighborhood of Cambridge, Maryland. On the night of the 24th ult., thirty made off in a body, and within a few nights previous to that time fourteen had left. They belonged to different parties, and rewards amounting to $3,100 were offered for their recovery. 

   A stampede of fifteen slaves occurred from Key West on the night of the 6th. A small sail boat, belonging to the Sand-Key Lighthouse, with a month's supply of provisions for the keeper and assistants on board, was taken by the negroes, and in it they were able to elude their pursuers. It is thought they have gone to Nassau. 

From the Key West "Key of the Gulf," of Feb. 13.

   STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.––Last Sabbath morning our city was the scene of no little excitement occasioned by the discovery that during the night some twelve slaves had stolen the U.S. Lighthouse boat––about five tons and tender to Sand Key––and made their escape to seaward. Immediately upon its being known, a reward of some $4000 was offered for the recovery of the slaves, and the several pilot boats and the U.S.L.H. schooner Florida started in search. The pilot boats returned same day, but the Florida and a smack continued the search toward Nassau, and returned next day unsuccessful. Nothing has as yet been heard of the deserters or of the boat. Many persons are of the opinion that if they attempted to cross the Gulf in the boat, all have perished, for no boat could live in such a sea. The escape was well planned and must have been effected during Saturday night or early Sunday morning. 

   STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.––From information which has reached us, there would seem to have been a considerable stampede of slaves from the border valley counties of Virginia during the late Easter holidays. We have heard of seven having made their escape from the plantation of Mr. Mason, in Loudon county, near the Point of Rocks, and two from Berkley county. It is supposed others have also gone. 

   STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.––From information which has reached us, says the Baltimore Sun, there would seem to have been a considerable stampede of slaves from the border valley counties of Virginia during the late Easter holidays. We have heard of seven having made their escape from the plantation of Mr. Mason, in Loudon county, near the Point of Rocks, and two from Berkeley county. It is supposed others have also gone. 

   Business for the Underground Railroad.––A considerable stampede of slaves from the border counties of Virginia took place during the Easter holidays. 

    STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.--From information which has reached us, there would seem to have been a considerable stampede of slaves from the border valley counties of Virginia, during the late Easter holydays [holidays]. We have heard of seven having made their escape from the plantation of Mr. Mason, in Loudon county, near the Point of Rocks, and two from Berkeley county. It is supposed others have also gone.--Balt. Sun, April 9. 

   STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.––From information which has reached us, there would seem to have been a considerable stampede of slaves from the border valley counties of Virginia during the last Easter holidays. We have heard of seven having made their escape from the plantation of Mr. Mason, in Loudon county, near the point of Rocks, and two from Berkley county. It is supposed others have also gone.––Balt. Sun.

   STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.––From information which has reached us, says the Baltimore Sun, there would seem to have been a considerable stampede of slaves from the border valley counties of Virginia during the late Easter holidays. We have heard of seven having made their escape from the plantation of Mr. Mason, in Loudon county, near the Point of Rocks, and two from Berkeley county. It is supposed others have also gone. 

   STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.––From information which has reached us, (says the Baltimore Sun) there would seem to have been a considerable stampede of slaves from the border valley counties of Virignia during the late Easter holidays. We have heard of seven having made their escape from the plantation of Mr. Mason, in Loudon county, near the Point of Rocks, and two from Berke-county. It is supposed others have gone also. 

 .....From information which has reached us, there would seem to have been a considerable stampede of slaves from the border valley counties of Virginia during the late Eater holidays. We have heard of seven having made their escape from the plantation of Mr. Mason, in Loudon county, near the Point of Rocks, and two from Berkeley county. It is supposed others have also gone.––

   The Baltimore Sun says there has been a considerable stampede of slaves from the border valley counties of Virginia, during the late Easter holidays. 

   SLAVERY IN KENTUCKY.––The Louisville Courier says there is now an extraordinary stampede of the slaves in that State. They go off one, two, three, or a dozen at a time. 

   SLAVERY IN KENTUCKY.––The Louisville Courier says there is now an extraordinary stampede of the slaves in that State. Negros are daily escaping from their owners in startling number. They go off, one, two, three, or a dozen at a time. That paper attributes this unusual movement to the presence of numerous Abolitionists. It says, "Black Republicans are as thick in these parts as wolves on a prairie. It is almost respectable to be a nigger-stealer."

   Senator Mason boasted the other day that dire experience was beginning to teach the African race who were their true friends. So many negroes were applying to return to Slavery that Virginia and Texas had been compelled to provide means to permit them to do so. This same discovery seems also to have extended into Kentucky, but as there the negroes act for themselves, instead of being acted for by others, the movement is in quite another direction. The Louisville Courier refers to an extraordinary stampede among the slaves in that State, who, it is said, are daily escaping from their owners in startling numbers, two, three, or a dozen at a time. 

   SLAVERY IN KENTUCKY.––The Louisville Courier says there is now an extraordinary stampede of the slaves in that State. Negroes are daily escaping from their owners in startling numbers. They go off one, two, three, or a dozen at a time. That paper attributes this unusual movement to the presence of numerous Abolitionists. It says, "Black Republicans are as thick in these parts as wolves on a prairie.––It is almost respectable to be a nigger-stealer." 

    From Our Regular Correspondent.

         SAN FRANCISCO, May 12th, 1858.

FRIEND MITCHELL:

   Trouble Among the Brickmakers.––The spirit of lawlessness, and interference with the rights of others, which has exhibited itself in several sections of the city recently, broke out again yesterday morning among several brickyards located upon the Ferry road, Federal Hill. During the early part of the day a band of some twenty-five or thirty men, organized for the object, visited the brick yard of Henry Thomas, Esq. for the purpose of driving off the colored employees, and supplanting them in their places. The work-men were attacked with pistols, and in several instances guns being fired upon them. The colored employees in the yard of the Messrs., adjoining, were also assailed [illegible] shots. It was rumored that one colored man was shot.... Serious difficulty being beign apprehended.... Mr. Thomas induced to apply to the southern district police station for a force to suppress the riotous proceedings. Capt. Woods at once dispatched to the scene Lieut.

   SLAVERY IN KENTUCKY.––The Louisville Courier says there is now an extraordinary stampede of the slaves in that State, by the way of the "underground railroad" to a free-soil region. They go off one, two, three or a dozen at a time. 

   The Louisville Courier says there is now an extraordinary stampede of the slaves in that state. Negroes are daily escaping from their owners in startling numbers.––They go off, one, two, three or a dozen at a time. That paper attributes this unusual movement to the presence of numerous abolitionists. It says, "black republicans are as thick in these parts as wolves on a prairie. It is almost respectable to be a nigger-stealer."

   The Louisville Courier says, there is now an extraordinary stampede of slaves in that state. Negroes are daily escaping from their owners in startling numbers. 

   THE FREE NEGROES OF KANSAS have lately held a meeting to express their approbation of the action of the late Leavenworth Constitutional Convention, by which they are granted the "right of suffrage and the freedom of the schools, on a perfect footing and equality with the white man." They also congratulate their colored friends throughout the country that on the free soil of Kansas the black man has his proper position.--They invite emigration to that territory, as the land of promise to all niggerdom, and we may consequently expect a grand stampede of all black "gemmen" in that direction.--But negroes are only allowed to vote on the adoption of the Leavenworth constitution, and then their own suffrage is to be submitted to a vote of the people. Now suppose the majority in that election decide that the negro shall not be allowed the freeman's privilege. It is in no wise probable that the black republicans intend to carry into practice their doctrines.

   A Mr. Hicks, of Kentucky, lost three negroes, who crossed to Indiana, near Evansville. The owner came to Evansville and secured the services of an officer named Evans, and by his assistance caught his property which was taken back to Kentucky. The reward offered was $500, but when Hicks got his niggers home he refused to pay the reward. The Evansville Enquirer says this is shabby and will injure the slave owners of Kentucky, for their niggers are constantly stampeding. 

  FRANCIS P. BLAIR, from his retirement at Silver Springs Maryland, writes a letter to ELIHU BURRITT, in favor of compensated emancipation. Preliminary, to that, however, there must be some place to which these blacks must be sent as they are emancipated, for the laws of the Slave States will not permit them to remain within the borders of such States, and the laborers of the north will not permit them to fill the northern States, to enter into competition with them. A portion of the vast uncultivated regions of the South, (meaning Central America of South Mexico,) should be obtained for this purpose, which, argues Mr. Blair, the government has as much right to obtain for that as it has to obtain lands on which to plant its expatriated or exiled Indians. Such removal of the free blacks would be fraught with the most beneficial consequences, not only to them, but the nation at large. Indeed, on this point, Mr. Blair has the most rosy anticipations.