The girl was uncommonly handsome, with straight hair and regular European features.  No one could have guessed from her countenance that any of her remote ancestors were Africans.

The claimant did not make his appearance at the alderman’s office.  A warrant was obtained charging him and the sailor with having resisted an officer in the discharge of his duty.  Isaac T. Hopper returned to the sloop with a constable and brought the two men before a magistrate to answer to this charge.  They did not attempt to deny the truth of it, but tried to excuse themselves on the plea that they resisted an attempt to take away their property.  Of course, this was of no avail, and they were obliged to enter into bonds for their appearance at court.  Being strangers in the city, it was difficult to obtain bail, and there seemed to be no alternative but a prison.  However, as there must unavoidably be considerable trouble and delay in procuring all the necessary evidence concerning the birth of the alleged slave, her friends agreed to dismiss them, if they would pay all expenses, give each of the officers five dollars, and manumit the girl.  Under existing circumstances, they were glad to avail themselves of the offer; and so the affair was settled.

ZEKE.

A man by the name of Daniel Godwin, in the lower part of Delaware, made a business of buying slaves running; taking the risk of losing the small sums paid for them under such circumstances.  In the year 1806, he purchased in this way a slave named Ezekiel, familiarly called Zeke.  He went to Philadelphia, and called on Isaac T. Hopper; thinking if he knew where the man was, he would be glad to have his freedom secured on moderate terms.  While they were talking together, a black man happened to walk in, and leaning on the counter looked up in Mr. Godwin’s face all the time he was telling the story of his bargain.  When he had done speaking, he said, “How do you do, Mr. Godwin?  Don’t you know me?”

The speculator answered that he did not.

“Then you don’t remember a man that lived with your neighbor, Mr.——?” continued he.

Mr. Godwin was at first puzzled to recollect whom he meant; but when he had specified the time, and various other particulars, he said he did remember such a person.

“Well,” answered the black man, “I am he; and I am Zeke’s brother.”

The speculator inquired whether he knew where he was.

He replied, “O yes, Mr. Godwin, I know where he is, well enough.  But I’m sorry you’ve bought Zeke.  You’ll never make anything out of him.  A bad speculation, Mr. Godwin.”

“Why, what’s the matter with Zeke?” asked the trader.

“O, these blacks come to Philadelphia and they get into bad company,” replied he.  “They are afraid to be seen in the day-time, and so they go prowling about in the night.  I’m very sorry you’ve bought Zeke.  He’ll never do you one cent’s worth of good.  A bad speculation, Mr. Godwin.”