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The master went away, but soon returned with two constables and a lawyer, who was very clamorous in his threats of what would be the consequences if the slave was not at once surrendered to the gentleman.
One of the officers said he had a warrant to search the house.
‘Very well,’ replied Friend Hopper, ‘execute it.’
‘I have great respect for you,’ rejoined the officer.
‘I should be sorry to search your house by virtue of the warrant.
I hope you will consent to my doing so without.’
‘There is no need of delicacy on this occasion,’ replied Friend Hopper.
‘Thou hadst better proceed to the extent of thy authority.’
‘You give your consent, do you?’
inquired the officer.
He answered, ‘No, I do not. If thou hast a warrant, of course my consent is not necessary.
Proceed to the full extent of thy authority.
But if thou goest one inch beyond, thou wilt have reason to repent of it.’
The party left the house utterly discomfited.
He afterward learned that they had applied for a search-warrant, but could not procure one.
The first step in the process of securing the lad's freedom was to obtain proof that he had been in Philadelphia six months. The landlord of the hotel where the master lodged, refused to say anything on
Boston, J. P. Jewett and Company; Cleveland, Ohio: Jewett, Proctor and Worthington; London; Low and Company, 1854.
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