for a moment toward any but a despised race.  Pennsylvania being on the frontier of the slave states, runaways were often passing through; and the laws on that subject were little understood, and less attended to.  If a colored man was arrested as a fugitive slave, and discharged for want of proof, the magistrate received no fee; but if he was adjudged a slave, and surrendered to his claimant, the magistrate received from five to twenty dollars for his trouble; of course, there was a natural tendency to make the most of evidence in favor of slavery.

Under these circumstances, the Pennsylvania Abolition Society was frequently called upon to protect the rights of colored people.  Isaac T. Hopper became an active and leading member of this association.  He was likewise one of the overseers of a school for colored children, established by Anthony Benezet; and it was his constant practice, for several years, to teach two or three nights every week, in a school for colored adults, established by a society of young men.  In process of time, he became known to everybody in Philadelphia as the friend and legal adviser of colored people upon all emergencies.  The shrewdness, courage, and zeal, with which he fulfilled this mission will be seen in the course of the following narratives, which I have selected from a vast number of similar character, in which he was the principal agent.

CHARLES WEBSTER.

In 1797, a wealthy gentleman from Virginia went to spend the winter in Philadelphia, accompanied by his wife and daughter.  He had a slave named Charles Webster, whom he took with him as coachman and waiter.  When they had been in the city a few weeks, Charles called upon Isaac T. Hopper, and inquired whether he had become free in consequence of his master’s bringing him into Pennsylvania.  It was explained to him, that if he remained there six months, with his master’s knowledge and consent, he would then be a free man, according to the laws of Pennsylvania.  The slave was quite disheartened by this information; for he supposed his owner was well acquainted with the law, and would therefore be careful to take him home before that term expired.

“I am resolved never to return to Virginia,” said he.  “Where can I go to be safe?”

Friend Hopper told him his master might be ignorant of the law, or forgetful of it.  He advised him to remain with the family until he saw them making preparations to return.  If the prescribed six months expired meanwhile, he would be a free man.  If not, there would be time enough to consult what had better be done.  “It is desirable to obtain thy liberty in a legal way, if possible,” said he; “for otherwise thou wilt be constantly liable to be arrested, and may never again have such a good opportunity to escape from bondage.”

Charles hesitated, but finally concluded to accept this prudent advice.  The time seemed very long to the poor fellow; for he was in a continual panic lest his master should take him back to Virginia; but he did his appointed tasks faithfully, and none of the family suspected what was passing in his mind.