THE ANTI-SLAVERY RECORD. VOL. I. JULY, 1835 NO. 7. [Illustration: [See page 63.]] SCENES IN THE CITY PRISON OF NEW YORK. STEPHEN DOWNING. This man was arrested as a fugitive, by a Virginia planter, and imprisoned in Bridewell, where he remained eighteen months. The inmates of the prison knew him well, and they were always ready to speak a good word for Downing. After the planter had got his _legal_ right allowed, either because his lawyer’s bill was so heavy, or because he hoped Downing’s friends would _buy_ him, he neglected to take him away for three months. By this delay he forfeited his right to do so, as was decided by Judge Edwards. But Downing’s release was referred to the Supreme Court, which was to meet in two weeks. To the disappointment of every body, this was prevented by another _Judge_,[1] who, contrary to his promise, secretly wrote for, and by a partial statement, obtained from the Supreme Court, at Albany, an order for the removal of poor Downing, and, before his friends were aware of the plot, _he was shipped for Virginia_. Here we see intrigue and perfidy used with impunity to deprive this poor man of his liberty, which, had it been used in the case of a dog, would have consigned its perpetrators to remediless disgrace.――Such is the strength of _a pro-slavery public_ sentiment! [1] See Emancipator for November 4, 1834. FRANCIS SMITH Was a young man of small stature, but of keen eye and intelligent countenance. While a lad, in the time of the last war, he and his master were taken prisoners at sea and carried to Nova Scotia. His servile condition becoming known to the British officers, they compelled his master to give him free papers. But when the prisoners were exchanged, his master persuaded him to return with him to Virginia, by the promise that he should still be free. But he was sold. In Richmond he for some years had hired his time, and kept a well known fruit shop. At last he became the marriage portion of his master’s daughter, and was speedily to be removed as part and parcel of the _set out_ of the bride. To this he demurred, threw himself upon his inalienable rights, and came to New York. Here he occupied himself for some months as a waiter, much to the satisfaction of his employer. The object of his affections, a very worthy and industrious free colored girl, had found her way to New Haven, Connecticut. Thither it was fixed that Francis should follow, and after their marriage they should proceed with their united means to a place of greater safety. But the kind Christian _white_ bridegroom had come on from Virginia to search for his runaway _property_, and by the aid of a professed slave taker in the city, discovered the retreat of Francis and his intended movements. At the appointed hour for the steamboat to start, the colored young man came quietly on board with his little bundle. The fell tigers were in ambush――the slave-taker Boudinot, a constable, and