Her claimant soon discovered her place of abode, and in the summer of 1806 went in pursuit of her.  Being aware that his claim had no foundation in law, he did not attempt to establish it before any magistrate, but seized the girl and hurried her on board a sloop, that lay near Spruce-street wharf, unloading staves.  Fearing she would be wrested from him by the city authorities, he removed the vessel from the wharf and anchored near an island between Philadelphia and New-Jersey.  A boat was placed alongside the sloop, into which the cargo was unloaded and carried to the wharf they had left.

The mother went to Isaac T. Hopper in great distress, and informed him of the transaction.  He immediately made application to an alderman, who issued a process to have the girl brought before him.  Guided by two colored men, who had followed her when she was carried off, he immediately proceeded to the sloop, accompanied by an officer.  When the claimant saw them approaching, he went into the cabin for his gun, and threatened them with instant death if they came near his vessel.  Friend Hopper quietly told the men to go ahead and pay no attention to his threats.  When they moored their boat alongside of the one into which they were unloading staves, he became very vociferous, and pointing his gun at Friend Hopper’s breast, swore he should not enter the vessel.

He replied, “I have an officer with me, and I have authority from a magistrate to bring before him a girl now in thy vessel.  I think we are prepared to show that she is free.”

The man still kept his gun pointed, and told them to beware how they attempted to come on board.

“If thou shouldst injure any person, it would be impossible for thee to escape,” replied Friend Hopper; “for thou art a hundred and twenty miles from the Capes, with hundreds of people on the wharf to witness thy deed.”

While speaking thus, he advanced toward him until he came near enough to seize hold of the gun and turn it aside.  The man made a violent jerk to wrest the weapon from him, and still clinging fast hold of it he was pulled on board.  In the scuffle to regain possession of his gun, the man trod upon a roller on the deck, lost his balance, and fell sprawling on his back.  Friend Hopper seized that opportunity to throw the gun overboard.  Whereupon, a sailor near by seized an axe and came toward him in a great rage.  Even if the courageous Quaker had wished to escape, there was no chance to do so.  He advanced to meet the sailor, and looking him full in the face said, “Thou foolish fellow, dost thou think to frighten me with that axe, when thy companion could not do it with his gun?  Put the axe down.  Thou art resisting legal authority, and liable to suffer severely for thy conduct.”

In a short time they became more moderate, but denied that the girl was on board.  The vessel was nearly emptied of her cargo, and Friend Hopper peeping into the hold found her stowed away in a remote part of it.  He brought her on deck and took her with him into the boat, of which his companions, including the constable, had retained possession.