ABSTRACT
THOMAS HUGHES AND JOHN P. DARG. – Thomas Hughes came with his master, John P. Darg, to this city, in the latter part of the 8th month, 1838, and soon afterwards left his service, taking with him seven or eight thousand dollars of the master’s money. Six thousand, nine hundred and eight dollars, were recovered through my instrumentality and returned to Darg. Barney Corse negotiated the business, and previously to his having any knowledge that the lost money had been recovered, he agreed with Darg that Hughes should be manumitted forthwith, on condition that the whole, or the greater part of the money taken, as advertised in “The Sun,” should be returned. Much the greater part of this money was returned, as above mentioned, and consequently Tom became legally entitled to his freedom. It is generally known, that he was sentenced to the State prison for the term of two years, that being the shortest term allowed by law for the offence of which he was convicted. It has been invidiously asserted, that he had been tampered with by abolitionists previously to leaving Darg’s service; but all who have read the trial must see, that there is not the least ground even for suspicion of the kind. It has also been said, that, preferring slavery to freedom, he had voluntarily returned into bondage. This is equally false with the other. The facts of the case are these.
