--A Philadelphia negro named
Evans Lemon, recently came to this city to reside, having become attached to a gentleman now living here, and into whose service he desired to enter, in preference to remaining at the
North.
The fact was made known to the police, and the negro was arrested and taken before the
Mayor to answer for remaining here contrary to law. There was no evidence that the gentleman aforesaid brought him here, but it appeared that the negro was extremely anxious to live with him as a slave, well knowing that Coffee is much better off "away down
South" than anywhere else.
This, however, could not be permitted, as no free negro has a right to emigrate to this State.
He was therefore required to give bond and security to return to the other side of
Mason and
Dixon's line forth with, which was done.
Though the law in relation to bringing free negroes into
Virginia has been placed within everybody's reach, there still seems to exist some misapprehension or ignorance of its provisions.
It is as follows:
‘
"Any free person who shall bring a free negro into this State, shall be confined in jail not more than six months, and fined not exceeding five hundred dollars. This section shall not apply to a person traveling into or through the
State, with a free negro as a servant nor to a master or skipper of a vessel or steamboat, with a free negro on board who shall depart therewith; but any such free negro who shall be found away from such vessel or boat, or from the lodgings of his employer, exception the business or with the written permission of such master or employer, shall be punished with stripes."
’
