Slaves and Free Blacks, Western Maryland

The African Slave Trade.

An Incendiary Attempt.
On Saturday morning last, fire was placed on a rafter under the roof of Mr. ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG’S dwelling, situate a few doors from the Public Square of this town; but was discovered and extinguished before it had made much progress. Suspicion rested upon one of Mr. A’s. servants, a negro woman, and she was promptly arrested.

The Commissioners' Meeting.

A HUMBUG.

Population of Washington Co. in 1800.        
Being somewhat of an antiquarian, we occasionally find, in the pursuit of this natural bent of the mind, an item of information, among the musty records of the past, of sufficient interest to the present generation to warrant its reproduction. Accordingly, a few days ago, in perusing the faded and time-worn files of he “Washington Spy,” the first newspaper printed in Hagerstown, we discovered a Census of Washington County, taken in the year 1800, which is herewith subjoined;-
Free white Males under 10 years ~ 2975

LAW OF VIRGINIA!
AN act to amend the 4th Section of Chapter 105 of the Code so as to increase the rewards of Runaway Slaves. Passed March 17, 1856.

       Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That the fourth Section of Chapter one hundred and five of the Code of Virginia be and the same is hereby re-enacted, so as to read as follows:

Sheriff’s Sale.
By virtue of an Order of the Orphans’ Court for Washington County, to me directed, under the Act of Assembly, passed at December Session, 1839, Chapter 36, prohibiting Free Negroes from coming into this State; I hereby give notice, that on MONDAY, the 22nd day of June inst., in front of the Court-house in Hagerstown, I will expose to sale to the bidder for the lowest term of service, a certain Arnetta Graham, a Free Negro Woman, to pay the fine and costs imposed by virtue of said act.

June 17, 1857 B. A. GARLINGER, Sh’ff.

LIBERATED.

– Joseph Balance, Esq., who lately passed through this city on his way to HagersTown, Md, to prove the freedom of a colored man who had been kidnapped in this State, and taken and lodged in the prison of that place as a runaway, returned on Saturday last with the information, that after considerable difficulty, he succeeded in obtaining his discharge, and bringing him back to this State.
Lancaster Examiner

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Laboring Man Wanted.
The subscriber, having a good Tenant House on his Farm, will rent the same to a good laboring man, with a small family, to whom constant employment and liberal wages will be given. He must come well recommended. He also wishes to buy a Negro Man, in the prime of life, for a term of years, or for life. Any person having a good servant and wishing to part with the same, will find a purchaser at the market price, by applying to the undersigned.
Nov. 26, 1856 – tf. ANDREW BRUMBAUGH

For Hire.
A NEGRO BOY, 15 years of age. Enquire of OTHO WILLIAMS,
Near Williamsport, Md.
April 23, 1856