the persons arrested were their slaves; consequently Friend Hoppers attendance could be of no possible benefit to them.
It went on to say that the magistrate understood his business, and could do justice without his assistance; but if, notwithstanding this warning, he did attend at the magistrate's office, for the purpose of wresting from these gentlemen their property, his house would be burned while himself and family were asleep in it, and his life would certainly be taken.
The writer invoked the most awful imprecations upon himself if he did not carry these threats into execution.
was too much accustomed to such epistles to be disturbed by them.
He put it in his pocket, and said nothing about it, lest his wife should be alarmed.
A few minutes afterward, he received a message from some colored people begging him to go to the assistance of the fugitives; and when the trial came on, he was at the alderman's office, of course.
Richard Rush was counsel for the claimants.
The colored prisoners had no lawyer.
This examination was carried on with much earnestness and excitement.
One of the Virginians failed in proof as to the identity of the person he claimed.
In the case of several others, the power of attorney was pronounced informal by the magistrate.
After a long protracted controversy, during which Friend Hopper
threw as many difficulties in the way as