Richmond (VA) Dispatch, “Crime Among Fugitive Negroes,” November 18, 1859

CRIME AMONG FUGITIVE NEGROES-Canada, that portion cursed by the population of runaway negroes, is beginning to feel the legitimate effects of the servile fugitive emigration. Of 10 persons convicted at the Kent County assizes, recently held at Chatham, 7 were sentenced to the penitentiary for five years for an assault with intent to commit a rape; Henry Woodward, negro, was sentenced to the penitentiary for five years for manslaughter, and two of his sons, parties to the crime, were sentenced to jail for four months each; Wm. Chapman was sentenced to be hung on the 10th of December for rape. A sad commentary upon the efforts of the managers of the underground railroad.