ABSTRACT
About the year 1806, a Frenchman resided in Spring Garden, Philadelphia, by the name of___Bouilla, who had a small mulatto girl named Amy, about nine years old. He was not married, but he lived with a woman as his wife. Bouilla and his mistress treated the child with great cruelty. I was repeatedly called upon by the neighbors, who were much grieved at the hard usage which the little creature was obliged to endure. At length, I was informed that she was about to be sent into the country. Apprehending she would be disposed of to some person who might make a slave of her, I called to see Bouilla, and made some inquiry as to where the child was to go. He was blind; and upon knocking at their door, the woman opened it, and stood before me, as though she wished to prevent my entering the house. Upon my making known my errand, she called to Bouilla, who stepped up beside her, and they conversed together, perhaps half a minute, in French, when the door was unceremoniously slammed, and locked. Being very averse to adopting coercive measures, I returned home, and addressed a civil note to him, explaining the object of my visit, and asking permission to have a friendly interview. I sent a lad with it, and directed him to wait for an answer. Bouilla and his woman could speak English; she fluently. After reading my note, they told the lad to tell me to mind my own business; that they wanted nothing to do with me. I concluded to take their advice, and believing it to be my business to take the child from them, I made application to John Hunter, a magistrate, procured a warrant, and taking an officer with me, proceeded to Bouilla’s. On the way, we called upon Thomas Harrison, who accompanied us. Upon arriving at the house, and knocking at the door, it was opened, and we walked in. Bouilla and the woman were in the 314parlor, but as soon as they were informed of our object in coming, he ran up stairs. After some time spent in parleying with the woman, the officer attempted to go up to execute his warrant; but seeing Bouilla at the head of the stairs, with a gun in his hand, he suddenly retreated, and refused to make another attempt to arrest him. Being urged to take him, he positively refused; saying he was under no obligation to risk his life. We explained the nature of the business, and entreated the man to come down, but he refused, and declared he would shoot the first person that attempted to come to him. After some time, I took off my shoes, and as quick and as softly as I could, I stepped up stairs, laid hold of the gun, and held it over my shoulder. In an instant it discharged. The load struck the plastering of the stairway behind me, and made it fly in all directions; and there arose a loud cry, “Mr. Hopper is killed! Mr. Hopper is killed!” But I was not; as this present writing showeth.
