beginning of the week. On Monday morning between eight and nine o'clock,
while I was making ready to leave the house for the first time after my
arrival, to go to the store of Mr. Smith, where I was to transact my
business with him, two constables, Messrs. Murray and Scott, entered,
accompanied by two other men, and summoned me to appear immediately before
the police. I accordingly accompanied them to the City Hall, but as it was
locked and the officers could not at once find the key, we were told that
the court would be held in Mr. Smith's store, a large and commodious room.
This was what is termed in common phrase in Raleigh a "call court." The
Mayor, Mr. Loring, presided, assisted by William Boylan and Jonathan
Busbye, Esqs. Justices of the Peace. There was a large number of people
together--more than could obtain admission to the room, and a large
company of mobocratic spirits crowded around the door. Mr. Loring read the
writ, setting forth that I had been guilty of _delivering abolition
lectures in the State of Massachusetts_. He asked me whether I was guilty
or not guilty. I told him I did not know whether I had given abolition
lectures or not, but if it pleased the court, I would relate the course I
had pursued during my absence from Raleigh. He then said that I was at
liberty to speak.

The circumstances under which I left Raleigh, said I, are perfectly
familiar to you. It is known that I had no disposition to remove from this
city, but resorted to every lawful means to remain. After I found that I
could not be permitted to stay, I went away leaving behind everything I
held dear with the exception of one child, whom I took with me, after
paying two hundred and fifty dollars for her. It is also known to you and
to many other persons here present, that I had engaged to purchase my wife
and children of her master, Mr. Smith, for the sum of twenty-five hundred
dollars, and that I had paid of this sum (including my house and lot)
eleven hundred and twenty dollars, leaving a balance to be made up of