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attended, bringing witnesses with her from Maryland; which of course involved much trouble and expense.
After several years, the trial came on; but it was found she had left some of her principal witnesses at home.
Most of the forenoon was spent in disputes about points of law, and the admissibility of certain evidence.
The court then adjourned to three in the afternoon.
Mrs. Sears was informed that even if the court adjudged Mary to be her slave, Friend Hopper would doubtless fail to produce her, and they would be compelled to go through another process to recover from him the penalty of the bond.
She had become exceedingly weary of the law, the trouble and expense of which had far exceeded her expectations.
She therefore instructed her lawyer to try to effect a compromise.
Friend Hopper, being consulted for this purpose, offered to pay two hundred and fifty dollars for Mary, if the claimant would pay the costs.
She accepted the terms, well pleased to escape from further litigation.
When the court met in the afternoon, they were informed that the matter was settled; and the jury with consent of parties, rendered a verdict that Mary was free.
By her own earnings, and donations from sympathizing friends, she gradually repaid Isaac W. Morris three hundred dollars toward the sum he had advanced for the expenses of her trial.
Boston, J. P. Jewett and Company; Cleveland, Ohio: Jewett, Proctor and Worthington; London; Low and Company, 1854.
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