Meanwhile, the unfortunate people who had attempted to escape in the Pearl had to pay the penalty of their love of freedom.  A large number of them, as they were taken out of jail by the persons who claimed to be their owners, were handed over to the slave-traders.  The following account of the departure of a portion of these victims for the southern market was given in a letter which appeared at the time in several northern newspapers: 

    “Washington, April 22, 1848.

“Last evening, as I was passing the railroad depot, I saw a large number of colored people gathered round one of the cars, and, from manifestations of grief among some of them, I was induced to draw near and ascertain the cause of it.  I found in the car towards which they were so eagerly gazing about fifty colored people, some of whom were nearly as white as myself.  A majority of them were of the number who attempted to gain their liberty last week.  About half of them were females, a few of whom had but a slight tinge of African blood in their veins, and were finely formed and beautiful.  The men were ironed together, and the whole group looked sad and dejected.  At each end of the car stood two ruffianly-looking personages, with large canes in their hands, and, if their countenances were an index of their hearts, they were the very impersonation of hardened villany itself.

“In the middle of the car stood the notorious slave-dealer of Baltimore, Slatter, who, I learn, is a member of the Methodist church, ’in good and regular standing.’  He had purchased the men and women around him, and was taking his departure for Georgia.  While observing this old, gray-headed villain,—­this dealer in the bodies and souls of men,—­the chaplain of the Senate entered the car,—­a Methodist brother,—­and took his brother Slatter by the hand, chatted with him for some time, and seemed to view the heart-rending scene before him with as little concern as we should look upon cattle.  I know not whether he came with a view to sanctify the act, and pronounce a parting blessing; but this I do know, that he justifies slavery, and denounces anti-slavery efforts as bitterly as do the most hardened slave-dealers.

“A Presbyterian minister, who owned one of the fugitives, was the first to strike a bargain with Slatter, and make merchandise of God’s image; and many of these poor victims, thus manacled and destined for the southern market, are regular members of the African Methodist church of this city.  I did not hear whether they were permitted to get letters of dismission from the church, and of ’recommendation to any church where God, in his providence, might cast their lot.’  Probably a certificate from Slatter to the effect that they are Christians will answer every purpose.  No doubt he will demand a good price for slaves of this character.  Perhaps brother Slicer furnished him with testimonials of their religious character, to help their sale in Georgia.