09a_TRANS_PioneerDem_Sept28_1860.docx
This newspaper article, entitled “Fugitive Slave Case,” was published in the Pioneer and Democrat (Olympia, Washington Territory) on September 28, 1860. It concerns the escape of Charles Mitchell from James Tilton, in Olympia, to the Crown Colony of Victoria, through a conspiracy of black men from Victoria to hide him on the steamer Eliza Anderson.
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Pioneer and Democrat (Olympia), September 28, 1860
Fugitive Slave Case
The people of Victoria, especially the black element and their sympathizers, have been greatly exhilarated at the escape of a boy from this side, who it appears was sworn to by some negroes as being a slave of James Tilton, Surveyor General of the Territory. They know nothing of the facts.
For the last two or three years, a number of black ingrates around here have been assiduous in their attentions to the negro boy Charley, and held out enticements to him as could not be resisted by a boy of his age, and used to wean his affections from those who have been to him a father and mother, rather than master and mistress. The delightful prospect held out to him of profitable employment, the feasibility of becoming a “free boy” by running away from his master and making his escape to Victoria, and his degraded condition while a “slave” all tended to inflame his mind. But until the arrival of a flashy looking darkey here from Victoria, the arguments were insufficient to wean his affections from his benefactors. But the visitor’s dashing appearance decided Charley to make haste for the land of freedom. For this purpose, he was stowed away by the darkey, who was employed as a steward on the Eliza Anderson. His presence on board was discovered at Steilacoom or Seattle, while the vessel was being searched for a deserting soldier. Questioned by Captain Fleming, Charley revealed all, and was set to work to pay for his passage as well as to learn him a lesson.
Nothing more was thought of him until Governor McGill directed Captain Fleming to Charley’s intention to escape, received from the governor’s little son. Within four miles of Victoria, Charley was placed in close confinement by the officers of the boat with a few of returning him to his owner. Arriving at Victoria, a rabble of philanthropic free blacks and English humanitarians had assembled to set a bond boy free. The first officer, a gentleman in no way well-disposed to the free blacks of Victoria, promised to break open their heads if any attempt was made to break open the vessel’s rooms. The dandy negro steward and another Victoria negro joined in an affidavit wherein they swore “that a negro boy, a fugitive slave who had made frequent attempts to escape and secure his freedom, was then on board the Anderson, detained there against his will.” A Victoria solicitor applied for a writ of habeas corpus, which was served by the sheriff. Thus far, the Victoria Colonist is correct. But it is in decidedly in error in reporting that Captain Fleming and Governor McGill arrived at the conclusion that the slave could not be held and consented to deliver him up. On the contrary, both men protested against the illegality of the proceedings, and denounced the whole affair as a violation of international law and an insult to the American flag. Governor McGill denies the right of a British court to annul the relationship existing between guardian and ward, as between General Tilton and the boy Charley. He very much questions the writ of habeas corpus, based on such frivolous testimony. The witnesses swore that Charley was a slave of General Tilton, but he is not and never was. The witnesses swore that Charley made numerous attempts to escape but this is his first attempt, though his opportunities to escape have been innumerable. The fact is, General Tilton says he is welcome to his liberty and it is hoped he will stay away….