t Newark, and again Thomas
Shipley was ready to enter with alacrity into the service. He saw the
importance of the measure, and that it would require prompt action,
inasmuch as the decision of the judge would probably be pronounced on
the following day. It fortunately happened that a friend was just about
leaving for Newark, in his own conveyance, and feeling an interest in
the case, he kindly invited friend Shipley to accompany him. They left
in the afternoon, traveled all night, and arrived at Newark by daylight
the following morning. The weary traveler was unwilling, however, to
retire to bed, although the night was exceedingly cold and tempestuous,
but he proceeded at once to the house of the chief justice. He called
the worthy judge from his bed, offering the importance of his business,
and the necessity of speedy action, as an apology for so unseasonable a
visit. Chief Justice Hornblower, on being informed of the circumstances
of the case, expressed his pleasure at having it in his power to accede
to his wishes and treated him with a respect and kindness which the
disinterested benevolence of his mission was calculated to inspire.

Having obtained the necessary papers, he left at once for Mount Holly,
where he arrived on the following day, in time to place the writs in the
hands of the sheriff, just before the decision of Judge H. was
pronounced. Had he consulted his ease or convenience, and deferred his
visit to Newark a few hours, or had he, as most men, under similar
circumstances would have done, reposed his weary limbs, after a cold and
dreary ride of eighty miles, in order to enable him to return with
renewed strength, he would have arrived too late to render this
meritorious effort effectual. As it was, he was there in time. The
judge, according to the expectation of the friends of the colored man,
gave his decision in favor of the slave-holders, and ordered poor
Alexander to be given up to the tender mercies of the exasperated
claimant. The decision sent a thrill of indignation through the anxious
and excited multitude, which perhaps, was never equalled amongst the
inhabitants of that quiet town. The friends of humanity had assembled
from all parts of the country to witness the proceedings in the case.
Many of them were personally acquainted with the prisoner; they knew him
to be a man of intelligence and integrity; he was an industrious and
orderly citizen, and was universally respected in the neighborhood