ABSTRACT
James Davis was a slave in Maryland. About the year 1795, he left his master’s service, and went to Philadelphia, where he, soon after, married. He resided in Mead alley, in the district of Southwark, and supported himself and family, comfortably, by sawing wood. In the summer of 1805, as I was going down Front street, early in the morning, when nearly opposite the alley above mentioned, all of a sudden my ears were saluted with the sound of several voices, which seemed to denote great distress. I immediately hastened to the place whence the noise proceeded. Opening the door of the house occupied by Davis, I saw four or five men, among whom were two city constables; the others were strangers; one of them was Davis’ master. Upon going into the house, I was informed by his wife, they had spoken kindly to him, made many inquiries as to how he was getting along and expressed much interest for him. At length, his master told him that he thought, when he was able, he ought to make him some compensation for his time. He asked Davis if he could not make him a small payment during the ensuing autumn, as the busy season was near at hand. By these insidious means, he threw Davis completely off his guard; for he naturally concluded from his conversation, that he did not intend to wrest him from his family. As soon as he had got concessions from the poor fellow, sufficient to establish his claim to him as his slave, he threw off the mask, and appeared in his true colors, that of a cruel, hard-hearted slave holder. He ordered the officers to secure him, and they immediately hand-cuffed him. On seeing this, his wife and children uttered the shrieks that drew my attention to the house. My feelings were deeply affected, and I used all the entreaty of which I was capable, to induce the unfeeling sinner to release the man. But it was all to no purpose; he disregarded the cries and 192entreaties of the wife and children, and treated them and me with ridicule. The children hung round me, clasping my knees, and begging me not to let those men take away their father. The scene was distressing beyond description.
