Slavery and the ConstitutionBowditch, William I. (William Ingersoll)
Religion
Slavery and the Constitution
Bowditch, William I. (William Ingersoll)
Enslaved persons -- United States -- Social conditions; Slavery -- United States
"$50 REWARD.--Ran away from the subscribers, on Sunday, the 8th
instant, a negro-man, named George. The said slave is about 21 years
of age, black, about 5 feet 6 inches high, weighs about 150 pounds,
has good teeth, and a round and likely face. He was purchased at R.
H. Dickinson & Bro.'s auction-room, on the 22d of March, last, from
Messrs. Millner & Keen, of Pittsylvania Court-house. He was
purchased by them (M. & K.) in Rickingham, N.C.; and he will in all
probability make for that place, as he ran off last April, and was
taken upon his way there, at Amelia Court-house. _The person that
took him on that occasion shot him with small shot on the legs, and
the shot-marks are very perceptible on the hind part or the calves
of his legs._ We will give $50 for the apprehension and delivery of
said boy to R. H. Dickinson & Bro. in Richmond, Va. if taken up
after this date; and, if taken up previous to this date, we will pay
$25 for his delivery here, and the expense of bringing him to this
place from where he may be taken up. KELLY, HUNDLEY, & CO.
"Richmond, Aug. 27, 1847."
The Rev. Mr. Jones would probably instruct "George," that he was shot
because he disobeyed God's commands in running away, and especially
because he "robbed God of his own" in breaking the Sabbath! But how
judicious was the man who took him up on that occasion! He only shot him
with small shot in the legs!
In the "Macon (Ga.) Telegraph," Nov. 27, 1838, we find the following
account of a runaway's den, and of the good luck of a "Mr. Adams," in
running down one of them "with his excellent dogs:"--
"A runaway's den was discovered on Sunday, near the Washington
Spring, in a little patch of woods, where it had been for several
months so artfully concealed under ground, that it was detected only
by accident, though in sight of two or three houses, and near the
road and fields where there has been constant daily passing. The
entrance was concealed by a pile of pine straw, representing a
hog-bed, which being removed, discovered a trap-door and steps that
led to a room about six feet square, comfortably ceiled with plank,
containing a small fireplace, the flue of which was ingeniously
conducted above ground and concealed by the straw. The inmates took
the alarm, and made their escape; _but Mr. Adams and his excellent
dogs being put upon the trail, soon run down and secured one of
them_, which proved to be a negro-fellow who had been out about a
year. He stated that the other occupant was a woman, who had been a
runaway a still longer time. In the den was found a quantity of
meal, bacon, corn, potatoes, &c. and various cooking utensils and
wearing apparel."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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