Report of the Proceedings at the Examination of Charles G. Davis, Esq., on the Charge of Aiding and Abetting in the Rescue of a Fugitive Slave: Held in Boston, in February, 1851.Davis, Charles G. (Charles Gideon)
History
Report of the Proceedings at the Examination of Charles G. Davis, Esq., on the Charge of Aiding and Abetting in the Rescue of a Fugitive Slave: Held in Boston, in February, 1851.
Davis, Charles G. (Charles Gideon)
Davis, Charles G. (Charles Gideon), 1820-1903 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Fugitive slaves -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Massachusetts -- Boston; United States -- Fugitive slave law (1850)
_Fred. D. Byrnes._ Am a Deputy Marshal. Saw Davis in room on Saturday
sometime while proceedings were going on. The first thing I heard Mr.
Davis say, was "Damn mean business." The prisoner was in the bar. Mr.
Sawin was on one side of the prisoner, and Mr. Clark on the other. Mr.
Davis was within two feet of the prisoner, and I was near Mr. Davis.
This was before the adjournment. Afterwards, near the rail on the left
of the room, Mr. Davis came along and put his hand on my shoulder, and
said--"This is a damned pretty mess," or, "you are a damned pretty set,"
and "every one of you ought to have your throats cut." After that, and
when nearly all the people had left, Mr. Wright and Davis came along,
and I said to Mr. Davis, "I always took you for a gentleman until
to-day, but I am very sorry to say I can't say it now." He said, "Why?"
I repeated his remark about cutting our throats, and he replied--"Well,
I say so now." Mr. Davis then went out. I saw nothing out of the way
when he went out. After Mr. Wright had passed out, I saw Mr. Davis near
the wall on the right of the door, and close to the steps. I heard a
voice that I then took to be Mr. Davis's, say--"Take him out, boys--take
him out." I did not see his lips move, but I thought it was him who
spoke the words, and I think so now. I am acquainted with Mr. Davis, and
knew it to be Mr. Davis's voice, and no other one's voice. His shoulder
was resting, or leaning against the wall. I had passed through the baize
door with Mr. Wright, so that I could see a person at the corner of the
wall at the outer door.
_Cross examined._ Mr. Hutchins had the charge of the door. I did not
notice his position. Did see Mr. Clark's position. I saw nothing
different in your going out from others going out. Clark and Hutchins
were in front of me. I do not think the baize door closed on you before
Mr. Wright came. The shout was after the pulling of the door commenced.
Before that there had been several attempts to pull the door open. I had
seen the ends of fingers on the edge of the door before that repeatedly.
There was no rush when you passed out; but there may have been some
hands on the door. I had gently led Mr. Wright as far out as the
threshold when the rush commenced. I saw no obstructions in your way
when you went out. I can't say whether Mr. Hutchins had to let go of the
knob or not, when you got out. I thought at the time, that you meant to
call the people in, and I so told our people then.
Mr. Davis cross examined the witness very minutely as to the repeated
opening and shutting of the baize and outer door during the minute prior
to the rush, and also as to his position from moment to moment, and the
positions of Clark and Hutchins, at and near the door. He testified that
he was somewhat hard of hearing, more so some days than on others.
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