ABSTRACT
Captain James Brown, who resided in Penn street, Philadelphia, had a colored boy bound to him as an apprentice. Brown was in the habit of staying out late at night, seldom returning to his family before twelve or one o’clock. The boy was obliged to sit up and let his master in. Being often fatigued with the labor of the day, he would frequently fall asleep; so that when his master came home, he would knock at the door several times before he could rouse the boy from his slumbers. On these occasions, the poor lad was certain of getting a severe beating with the captain’s cane. His common treatment in the family was also very severe; so much so, as to attract the attention of the neighbors; several of whom frequently called upon me, and solicited my attention to the case. I made several attempts to see the captain, but could never find him at home.
