d counsel, nor had they sought in vain. In various places
he operated with success. In Richmond, however, it seemed
expedient to invent a new plan for certain emergencies, hence
the Box and Express plan was devised, at the instance of a few
heroic slaves, who had manifested their willingness to die in a
box, on the road to liberty, rather than continue longer under
the yoke. But these heroes fell into the power of their enemies.
Mr. Smith had not been long in the Penitentiary before he had
fully gained the esteem and confidence of the Superintendent and
other officers. Finding him to be humane and
generous-hearted--showing kindness toward all, especially in
buying bread, &c., for the starving prisoners, and by a timely
note of warning, which had saved the life of one of the keepers,
for whose destruction a bold plot had been arranged--the
officers felt disposed to show him such favors as the law would
allow. But their good intentions were soon frustrated. The
Inquisition (commonly called the Legislature), being in session
in Richmond, hearing that the Superintendent had been speaking
well of Smith, and circulating a petition for his pardon,
indignantly demanded to know if the rumor was well founded. Two
weeks were spent by the Inquisition, and many witnesses were
placed upon oath, to solemnly testify in the matter. One of the
keepers swore that his life had been saved by Smith. Col.
Morgan, the Superintendent, frequently testified in writing and
verbally to Smith's good deportment; acknowledging that he had
circulated petitions, &c.; and took the position, that he
sincerely believed, that it would be to the interest of the
institution to pardon him; calling the attention of the
Inquisition, at the same time, to the fact, that not
unfrequently pardons had been granted to criminals, under
sentence of death, for the most cold-blooded murder, to say
nothing of other gross crimes. The effort for pardon was soon
abandoned, for the following reason given by the Governor: "I
can't, and I won't pardon him!"

In view of the unparalleled injustice which Mr. S. had suffered,
as well as on account of the aid he had rendered to the slaves,
on his arrival in this city the colored citizens of Philadelphia
felt that he was entitled to sympathy and aid, and straightway
invited him to re