Freeman, Watson (fl. 1850-1857) to Aaron V. Brown
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09028.07 Author/Creator: Freeman, Watson (fl. 1850-1857) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Manuscript letter Date: 25 May 1857 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 25 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy
Letter to the Postmaster General recommending Colonel Isaac H. Wright to the office of postmaster of Boston. Mentions that Wright upheld the Fugitive Slave law and was one of the first to offer assistance during the arrest of fugitive slave Anthony Burns in 1854. Writes "On the day of the rendition, the 2d of June, Col. Wright's cavalry corps constituted the head of the Brigade column, and by his judicious conduct and unremitted energy he did much to preserve the peace, and prevent the fanatical mob from breaking forth into acts of violence against the posse under my direction." Marked as a copy.
Freeman was the U.S. Marshal of Massachusetts charged with enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act. Anthony Burns was the property of Charles Suttle of Alexandria, Virginia. Burns escaped slavery and fled to Boston. Suttle tried to reclaim Burns and Freeman, as U.S. Marshal, arrested Burns, enraging abolitionists. A mob descended on the courthouse where Burns was being held and attempted to free him. In the melee, a deputy was killed. Burns was convicted on 2 June 1854 and sent back into slavery. A few months later, a black Boston church raised the money to purchase his freedom.
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