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[183]
in search of the fugitive.
Being unable to obtain any information concerning him, he cooled down considerably, and went to inform Friend Hopper that he would give a deed of manumission for two hundred dollars; but his offer was rejected.
‘Why that was your own proposal!’
vociferated the Colonel.
‘Very true,’ he replied; ‘and offered thee the money; but thou refused to take it.’
After storming awhile, the master went off to obtain legal advice from the Hon. John Sergeant.
Meanwhile, several of the colored people had entered a complaint against him for personal abuse and damage done to their furniture.
He was obliged to give bonds for his appearance at the next court, to answer their accusations.
This was a grievous humiliation for a proud Virginian, who had been educated to think that colored people had no civil rights.
In this unpleasant dilemma, his lawyer advised him to give a deed of manumission for one hundred and fifty dollars; promising to exert his influence to have the mortifying suits withdrawn.
The proposed terms were accepted, and the money promptly paid by the slave from his own earnings.
But when Mr. Sergeant proposed that the suits for assault and battery should be withdrawn, Friend Hopper replied, ‘I have no authority to dismiss them.’
Boston, J. P. Jewett and Company; Cleveland, Ohio: Jewett, Proctor and Worthington; London; Low and Company, 1854.
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