Anti Slavery Bugle

The Fugitive Freemen Re-captured.

From the Washington Union.

We have just had an interesting interview with H. C. Williams, Esq., who, at the request of several citizens of Georgetown, joined a volunteer party, and was elected their commander to proceed down the river in the steamer Salem, Captain Baker, to capture the sloop Pearl, of 50 tons, of Whitehill, N. J., owned by the master, (Edward Sayres,) Caleb Aranson, and another; which said sloop had left the steamboat wharf, below the Long Bridge, about 2 o'clock on Sunday morning last, but in consequence of getting aground, did not pass Alexandria till sunrise.

The party consisted of about thirty in number, besides the crew of the steamer, which left the wharf of Georgetown about 1 o'clock, P. M. Below Fort Washington they met the Mount Vernon, whose gentlemanly Captain (Rogers) could give no information of the "Pearl," as it had probably passed Aquia Creek before he came out. The wind being fair, the Pearl made a rapid sail, and, if it had continued on its course, would with difficulty, if at all, have been overtaken by the Salem.

The first intelligence received was from a fishing smack: and shortly thereafter (say about 5 o'clock, P. M.) more accurate information was obtained from Capt. Guyther of the steamer Columbia, from Baltimore. He stated he had passed a vessel answering the description of the Pearl, in the Nanjemoy reach; making her then about fifteen miles ahead.

Captain Baker increased his speed, under the encouraging prospects, the wind and tide being now in his favor, and continued the chase with spirit, until about 4 o'clock Monday morning, when a vessel was espied at anchor, in Cornfield harbor, a cove on the Maryland shore, affording a good shelter from the high winds then blowing from the bay, and not likely to be observed by passing steamers; being a few miles from the light-house on Point Look Out.

Feeling confident, from the appearance of the vessel, that this was the Pearl, Captain Baker promptly closed upon the vessel, rounded to, and placed the steamer alongside. The volunteers immediately jumped on board, but found no one on deck, the hatches being all closed. These were guarded, and Daniel Drayton, the supposed master and ring-leader of the thieves, was ordered to come up. After some time, and very reluctantly, he did so, and was placed under guard. He confessed he was one of the guilty men who had received and concealed the slaves on board the vessel; admitted he had interviews with persons who had undertaken to send the slaves on board, but he would not give their names, saying if he did not, and should be convicted the abolitionists would support his family. The real Captain of the "Pearl," Edward Sayers, was then called and put under guard, his answers being evasive and unsatisfactory. The third white person on board, Chester English, said he had been duped and imposed upon by the other two; but he wept bitterly, and protested he had no part in the criminality of the concern, and seemed willing to tell all he knew. The chief kidnappers themselves had admitted he knew nothing of their plans, and had been directed after night to receive the slaves, who, they said to him, were going down the river on an excursion of pleasure.

The steamer with the sloop in tow, about 7 o'clock arrived at Piney Point, where the schooner was left in charge of the volunteers till the steamer returned, at 12 o'clock with fuel from Cone river. They reached this city at 7 yesterday morning, and after getting within its jurisdiction, Mr. Williams, being a magistrate, hearing the testimony, committed Sayers and Drayton for further examination, which is to take place this day at 1 o'clock at the jail. The slaves were committed as runaways, to be dealt with according to law—38 men and boys; 26 women and girls, and 13 children—77 in all.

When landed, the prisoners were guarded by the volunteers, and marched, in double file to the jail. So confident were the officers in the efficacy of the civil authority, that Major Williams prohibited the volunteers from carrying arms; and although followed by a large assembly no sign of disturbance occurred till near the avenue, when some indiscreet persons on both sides produced a disturbance, which caused the white prisoners, for their personal safety, to be sent in a hack to the jail, under a charge of officers. No cannon was carried on board the steamer, as has been reported. Too much credit cannot be given to Captain Baker and the volunteers for their energy and discretion in the whole proceeding.