Appendix

CHAP. 375.

Chapter 375.

[Passed May 14, 1840.]

[Passed May 14, 1840.]

The People of the State of New-York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

The people of the State of New-York, represented by the Senate and Assembly, enact the following:

§ 1. Whenever the Governor of this State shall receive information satisfactory to him that any free citizen or any inhabitant of this State has been kidnapped or transported away out of this State, into any other State or Territory of the United States, for the purpose of being there held in slavery; or that such free citizen or inhabitant is wrongfully seized, imprisoned or held in slavery in any of the States or Territories of the United States, on the allegation or pretence that such a person is a slave, or by color of any usage or rule of law prevailing in such State or Territory, is deemed or taken to be a slave, or not entitled of right to the personal liberty belonging to a citizen; it shall be the duty of the said Governor to take such measures as he shall deem necessary to procure such person to be restored to his liberty and returned to this State. The Governor is hereby authorized to appoint and employ such agent or agents as he shall deem necessary to effect the restoration and return of such person; and shall furnish the said agent with such credentials and instructions as will be likely to accomplish the object of his appointment. The Governor may determine the compensation to be allowed to such agent for his services besides his necessary expenses.

§ 1. The Governor of this State may receive information that satisfies him that a free citizen or inhabitant of this State has been kidnapped or taken out of the State. The person may have been taken to another State or Territory of the United States to be held there in slavery. Or the Governor may receive information that a free citizen or inhabitant is wrongfully seized, imprisoned, or held in slavery in any State or Territory of the United States. This may be based on a claim or pretense that the person is a slave. Or it may be based on a custom or rule of law in that State or Territory under which the person is treated as a slave or as having no right to the personal liberty belonging to a citizen. In any of these cases, the Governor must take whatever measures he considers necessary to restore the person’s liberty and return the person to this State. The Governor may appoint and employ any agents he considers necessary to secure the person’s freedom and return. He must give each agent credentials and instructions likely to help accomplish that purpose. The Governor may determine how much each agent will be paid for these services, in addition to necessary expenses.

§ 2. Such agent shall proceed to collect the proper proof to establish the right of such person to his freedom, and shall perform such journeys, take such measures, institute and procure to be prosecuted such legal proceedings, under the direction of the Governor, as shall be necessary to procure such person to be restored to his liberty and returned to this State.

§ 2. The agent shall collect the evidence needed to establish the person's right to freedom. Under the Governor's direction, the agent shall take any necessary journeys and other steps. The agent shall also initiate and arrange for any necessary legal proceedings. These actions shall be taken to secure the person's freedom and return to this State.

§ 3. The accounts for all services and expenses incurred in carrying this act into effect shall be audited by the Comptroller, and paid by the Treasurer on his warrant, out of any moneys in the treasury of this State not otherwise appropriated. The Treasurer may advance, on the warrant of the Comptroller, to such agent, such sum or sums as the Governor shall certify to be reasonable advances to enable him to accomplish the purposes of his appointment, for which advance such agent shall account, on the final audit of his warrant.

§ 3. The Comptroller shall audit all accounts for services and expenses incurred in carrying out this act. The Treasurer shall pay them on the Comptroller’s warrant, using state funds not otherwise set aside. On the Comptroller’s warrant, the Treasurer may advance money to the agent. The Governor must certify that the amounts are reasonable to help the agent accomplish the purposes of his appointment. The agent shall account for the advances when his warrant is audited for the final time.

§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.

§ 4. This law takes effect immediately.

MEMORIAL OF ANNE.

MEMORIAL OF ANNE.

To His Excellency, the Governor of the State of New-York:

To the Governor of New York:

The memorial of Anne Northup, of the village of Glens Falls, in the county of Warren, State aforesaid, respectfully sets forth—

The petition of Anne Northup, of the village of Glens Falls, Warren County, in the state named above, respectfully states:

That your memorialist, whose maiden name was Anne Hampton, was forty-four years old on the 14th day of March last, and was married to Solomon Northup, then of Fort Edward, in the county of Washington and State aforesaid, on the 25th day of December, A. D. 1828, by Timothy Eddy, then a Justice of the Peace. That the said Solomon, after such marriage, lived and kept house with your memorialist in said town until 1830, when he removed with his said family to the town of Kingsbury in said county, and remained there about three years, and then removed to Saratoga Springs in the State aforesaid, and continued to reside in said Saratoga Springs and the adjoining town until about the year 1841, as near as the time can be recollected, when the said Solomon started to go to the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia, since which time your memorialist has never seen her said husband.

My maiden name was Anne Hampton. I turned forty-four on March 14 of last year. I married Solomon Northup on December 25, 1828. At the time, he lived in Fort Edward, in Washington County, in the state named above. Timothy Eddy, then a Justice of the Peace, married us. After our marriage, Solomon and I lived together in Fort Edward until 1830. He then moved with our family to Kingsbury, in the same county. We stayed there for about three years, then moved to Saratoga Springs, in the state named above. We continued to live in Saratoga Springs and the adjoining town until about 1841, as nearly as I can remember. At that time, Solomon left for the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia. I have not seen my husband since.

And your memorialist further states, that in the year 1841 she received information by a letter directed to Henry B. Northup, Esq., of Sandy Hill, Washington county, New-York, and post-marked at New-Orleans, that said Solomon had been kidnapped in Washington, put on board of a vessel, and was then in such vessel in New-Orleans, but could not tell how he came in that situation, nor what his destination was.

The petitioner further states that in 1841, she received information from a letter postmarked New-Orleans. The letter was addressed to Henry B. Northup, Esq., of Sandy Hill, Washington county, New-York. It said that Solomon had been kidnapped in Washington and placed aboard a vessel. He was then aboard the vessel in New-Orleans. But he could not tell how he came to be there or where he was being taken.

That your memorialist ever since the last mentioned period has been wholly unable to obtain any information of where the said Solomon was, until the month of September last, when another letter was received from the said Solomon, post-marked at Marksville, in the parish of Avoyelles, in the State of Louisiana, stating that he was held there as a slave, which statement your memorialist believes to be true.

Since the last-mentioned time, I had been unable to learn anything about where Solomon was. Then, last September, I received another letter from him. It was postmarked in Marksville, in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. Solomon said he was being held there as a slave. I believe his statement to be true.

That the said Solomon is about forty-five years of age, and never resided out of the State of New-York, in which State he was born, until the time he went to Washington city, as before stated. That the said Solomon Northup is a free citizen of the State of New-York, and is now wrongfully held in slavery, in or near Marksville, in the parish of Avoyelles, in the State of Louisiana, one of the United States of America, on the allegation or pretence that the said Solomon is a slave.

Solomon is about forty-five years old. He was born in New York and never lived outside the state until he went to Washington city, as previously stated. Solomon Northup is a free citizen of New York. He is now wrongfully held in slavery in or near Marksville, in the parish of Avoyelles, Louisiana, one of the United States of America. He is held on the claim or pretense that he is a slave.

And your memorialist further states that Mintus Northup was the reputed father of said Solomon, and was a negro, and died at Fort Edward, on the 22d day of November, 1829; that the mother of said Solomon was a mulatto, or three quarters white, and died in the county of Oswego, New-York, some five or six years ago, as your memorialist was informed and believes, and never was a slave.

The petitioner further states that Mintus Northup was reputed to be Solomon’s father. Mintus was a negro and died at Fort Edward on November 22, 1829. Solomon’s mother was a mulatto, or three quarters white. The petitioner was informed and believes that she died in the county of Oswego, New-York, about five or six years ago. She was never a slave.

That your memorialist and her family are poor and wholly unable to pay or sustain any portion of the expenses of restoring the said Solomon to his freedom.

The petitioner and her family are poor and cannot afford to pay any part of the cost of restoring Solomon’s freedom.

Your excellency is entreated to employ such agent or agents as shall be deemed necessary to effect the restoration and return of said Solomon Northup, in pursuance of an act of the Legislature of the State of New-York, passed May 14th, 1840, entitled "An act more effectually to protect the free citizens of this State from being kidnappd or reduced to slavery." And your memorialist will ever pray.

Your Excellency is asked to appoint whatever agents are necessary to secure Solomon Northup’s release and return. This request is made under an act of the New-York Legislature passed May 14th, 1840. The act is titled "An act to better protect the free citizens of this State from being kidnapped or reduced to slavery." And your petitioner will always pray.

(Signed,) ANNE NORTHUP.

(Signed) ANNE NORTHUP.

Dated November 19, 1852.

Dated November 19, 1852.

Anne Northup, of the village of Glens Falls, in the county of Warren, in said State, being duly sworn, doth depose and say that she signed the above memorial, and that the statements therein contained are true.

Anne Northup lives in the village of Glens Falls, in Warren County, in that State. Under oath, she states that she signed the memorial above and that its statements are true.

(Signed,) ANNE NORTHUP.

(Signed) ANNE NORTHUP.

We recommend that the Governor appoint Henry B. Northup, of the village of Sandy Hill, Washington county, New-York, as one of the agents to procure the restoration and return of Solomon Northup, named in the foregoing memorial of Anne Northup.

We recommend that the Governor appoint Henry B. Northup as one of the agents to secure Solomon Northup’s release and return. Henry B. Northup is from the village of Sandy Hill, Washington county, New-York. Solomon Northup is named in Anne Northup’s preceding petition.

Dated at Sandy Hill, Washington Co., N. Y.,

Dated at Sandy Hill, Washington County, New York,

November 20, 1852. (Signed.)

November 20, 1852. (Signed.)

Josiah Hand, of the village of Sandy Hill, in said county, being duly sworn, says, he is fifty-seven years old, and was born in said village, and has always resided there; that he has known Mintus Northup and his son Solomon, named in the annexed memorial of Anne Northup, since previous to the year 1816; that Mintus Northup then, and until the time of his death, cultivated a farm in the towns of Kingsbury and Fort Edward, from the time deponent first knew him until he died; that said Mintus and his wife, the mother of said Solomon Northup, were reported to be free citizens of New-York, and deponent believes they were so free; that said Solomon Northup was born in said county of Washington, as deponent believes, and was married Dec. 25th, 1828, in Fort Edward aforesaid, and his said wife and three children—two daughters and one son—are now living in Glens Falls, Warren county, New-York, and that the said Solomon Northup always resided in said county of Washington, and its immediate vicinity, until about 1841, since which time deponent has not seen him, but deponent has been credibly informed, and as he verily believes truly, the said Solomon is now wrongfully held as a slave in the State of Louisiana. And deponent further says that Anne Northup, named in the said memorial, is entitled to credit, and deponent believes the statements contained in her said memorial are true.

Josiah Hand, of the village of Sandy Hill in Washington County, makes the following statement under oath. He is fifty-seven years old. He was born in Sandy Hill and has always lived there. He has known Mintus Northup and his son Solomon since before 1816. Solomon is named in Anne Northup’s attached petition. From the time Hand first knew Mintus until his death, Mintus farmed in the towns of Kingsbury and Fort Edward. Mintus and his wife, Solomon Northup’s mother, were said to be free citizens of New York. Hand believes they were free. Hand believes Solomon Northup was born in Washington County. Solomon was married on December 25, 1828, in Fort Edward. His wife and three children, two daughters and one son, now live in Glens Falls, Warren County, New York. Solomon always lived in Washington County or its immediate vicinity until about 1841. Hand has not seen him since then. But Hand has been reliably informed that Solomon is now wrongfully held as a slave in Louisiana. Hand believes this to be true. Hand further says that Anne Northup, named in the petition, is trustworthy. He believes the statements in her petition are true.

(Signed,) JOSIAH HAND.

(Signed) JOSIAH HAND.

Timothy Eddy, of Fort Edward, in said county, being duly sworn, says he is now over—years old, and has been a resident of said town more than—years last past, and that he was well acquainted with Solomon Northup, named in the annexed memorial of Anne Northup, and with his father, Mintus Northup, who was a negro,—the wife of said Mintus was a mulatto woman; that said Mintus Northup and his said wife and family, two sons, Joseph and Solomon, resided in said town of Fort Edward for several years before the year 1828, and said Mintus died in said town A. D. 1829, as deponent believes. And deponent further says that he was a Justice of the Peace in said town in the year 1828, and as such Justice of the Peace, he, on the 25th day of Dec'r, 1828, joined the said Solomon Northup in marriage with Anne Hampton, who is the same person who has subscribed the annexed memorial. And deponent expressly says, that said Solomon was a free citizen of the State of New-York, and always lived in said State, until about the year A. D. 1840, since which time deponent has not seen him, but has recently been informed, and as deponent believes truly, that said Solomon Northup is wrongfully held in slavery in or near Marksville, in the parish of Avoyelles, in the State of Louisiana. And deponent further says, that said Mintus Northup was nearly sixty years old at the time of his death, and was, for more than thirty years next prior to his death, a free citizen of the State of New-York.

Timothy Eddy, of Fort Edward, in that county, is duly sworn and states the following. He is now over ___ years old and has lived in that town for more than ___ years. He knew Solomon Northup well, who is named in the attached memorial of Anne Northup. He also knew Solomon’s father, Mintus Northup, who was a negro. Mintus’s wife was a mulatto woman. Mintus, his wife, and their two sons, Joseph and Solomon, lived in Fort Edward for several years before 1828. Eddy believes Mintus died in that town in 1829. Eddy further states that he was a Justice of the Peace in that town in 1828. In that role, he married Solomon Northup and Anne Hampton on December 25, 1828. She is the same person who signed the attached memorial. Eddy expressly states that Solomon was a free citizen of the State of New-York. Solomon always lived in that State until about 1840, and Eddy has not seen him since. But Eddy has recently been told, and believes it is true, that Solomon Northup is wrongfully held in slavery. He is held in or near Marksville, in the parish of Avoyelles, in the State of Louisiana. Eddy further states that Mintus Northup was nearly sixty years old when he died. Mintus was a free citizen of the State of New-York for more than thirty years before his death.

And this deponent further says, that Anne Northup, the wife of said Solomon Northup, is of good character and reputation, and her statements, as contained in the memorial hereto annexed, are entitled to full credit.

The person making this statement also says that Anne Northup, Solomon Northup’s wife, has a good character and reputation. Her statements in the attached petition are fully credible.

(Signed,) TIMOTHY EDDY.

(Signed) TIMOTHY EDDY.

Henry B. Northup, of the village of Sandy Hill, in said county, being duly sworn, says, that he is forty-seven years old, and has always lived in said county; that he knew Mintus Northup, named in the annexed memorial, from deponent's earliest recollection until the time of his death, which occurred at Fort Edward, in said county, in 1829; that deponent knew the children of said Mintus, viz, Solomon and Joseph; that they were both born in the county of Washington aforesaid, as deponent believes; that deponent was well acquainted with said Solomon, who is the same person named in the annexed memorial of Anne Northup, from his childhood; and that said Solomon always resided in said county of Washington and the adjoining counties until about the year 1841; that said Solomon could read and write; that said Solomon and his mother and father were free citizens of the State of New-York; that sometime about the year 1841 this deponent received a letter from said Solomon, post-marked New-Orleans, stating that while on business at Washington city, he had been kidnapped, and his free papers taken from him, and he was then on board a vessel, in irons, and was claimed as a slave, and that he did not know his destination, which the deponent believes to be true, and he urged this deponent to assist in procuring his restoration to freedom; that deponent has lost or mislaid said letter, and cannot find it; that deponent has since endeavored to find where said Solomon was, but could get no farther trace of him until Sept. last, when this deponent ascertained by a letter purporting to have been written by the direction of said Solomon, that said Solomon was held and claimed as a slave in or near Marksville, in the parish of Avoyelles, Louisiana, and that this deponent verily believes that such information is true, and that said Solomon is now wrongfully held in slavery at Marksville aforesaid.

Henry B. Northup, of the village of Sandy Hill in that county, being duly sworn, says he is forty-seven years old and has always lived in the county. He knew Mintus Northup, named in the attached memorial, from his earliest memory until Mintus’s death. Mintus died in 1829 at Fort Edward, in that county. Henry knew Mintus’s children, Solomon and Joseph. He believes both were born in Washington County. Henry knew Solomon well from childhood. Solomon is the same person named in Anne Northup’s attached memorial. He always lived in Washington County or the adjoining counties until about 1841. Solomon could read and write. He and his mother and father were free citizens of the State of New-York. Around 1841, Henry received a letter from Solomon, postmarked New-Orleans. Solomon wrote that he had been kidnapped while on business in Washington city. His free papers had been taken from him. He was then aboard a vessel, in irons, and was claimed as a slave. He did not know where he was being taken. Henry believes Solomon’s account was true. Solomon urged Henry to help restore him to freedom. Henry has lost or misplaced the letter and cannot find it. Since then, Henry has tried to find Solomon but could get no further trace of him until last September. Then he learned from a letter, said to have been written at Solomon’s direction, that Solomon was held and claimed as a slave in or near Marksville, in the parish of Avoyelles, Louisiana. Henry firmly believes this information is true and that Solomon is now wrongfully held in slavery at Marksville.

(Signed,) HENRY B. NORTHUP.

(Signed) HENRY B. NORTHUP.

Nicholas C. Northup, of the village of Sandy Hill, in said county, being duly sworn, doth depose and say, that he is now fifty-eight years of age, and has known Solomon Northup, mentioned in the annexed memorial of Ann Northup, ever since he was born. And this deponent saith that said Solomon is now about forty-five years old, and was born in the county of Washington aforesaid, or in the county of Essex, in said State, and always resided in the State of New-York until about the year 1841, since which time deponent has not seen him or known where he was, until a few weeks since, deponent was informed, and believes truly, that said Solomon was held in slavery in the State of Louisiana. Deponent further says, that said Solomon was married in the town of Fort Edward, in said county, about twenty-four years ago, and that his wife and two daughters and one son now reside in the village of Glens Falls, county of Warren, in said State of New-York. And this deponent swears positively that said Solomon Northup is a citizen of said State of New-York, and was born free, and from his earliest infancy lived and resided in the counties of Washington, Essex, Warren and Saratoga, in the State of New-York, and that his said wife and children have never resided out of said counties since the time said Solomon was married; that deponent knew the father of said Solomon Northup; that said father was a negro, named Mintus Northup, and died in the town of Fort Edward, in the county of Washington, State of New-York, on the 22d day of November, A. D. 1829, and was buried in the grave-yard in Sandy Hill aforesaid; that for more than thirty years before his death he lived in the counties of Essex, Washington and Rensselaer and State of New-York, and left a wife and two sons, Joseph and the said Solomon, him surviving; that the mother of said Solomon was a mulatto woman, and is now dead, and died, as deponent believes, in Oswego county, New-York, within five or six years past. And this deponent further states, that the mother of the said Solomon Northup was not a slave at the time of the birth of said Solomon Northup, and has not been a slave at any time within the last fifty years.

Nicholas C. Northup, of the village of Sandy Hill in Washington County, has been duly sworn and states the following. He is now fifty-eight years old. He has known Solomon Northup, mentioned in Ann Northup’s attached memorial, ever since Solomon was born. Solomon is now about forty-five years old. He was born in Washington County or Essex County, in New York State. He always lived in New York State until about 1841. Since then, Nicholas has not seen him or known where he was. But a few weeks ago, Nicholas was informed that Solomon was held in slavery in Louisiana, and he believes this is true. Solomon was married about twenty-four years ago in the town of Fort Edward, in Washington County. His wife, two daughters, and son now live in the village of Glens Falls, Warren County, New York. Nicholas swears positively that Solomon Northup is a citizen of New York State and was born free. From his earliest infancy, Solomon lived in Washington, Essex, Warren, and Saratoga counties in New York State. Since Solomon married, his wife and children have never lived outside those counties. Nicholas knew Solomon Northup’s father, a negro named Mintus Northup. Mintus died in the town of Fort Edward, Washington County, New York, on November 22, 1829. He was buried in the graveyard in Sandy Hill. For more than thirty years before his death, he lived in Essex, Washington, and Rensselaer counties in New York State. He was survived by his wife and two sons, Joseph and Solomon. Solomon’s mother was a mulatto woman and is now dead. Nicholas believes she died in Oswego County, New York, within the past five or six years. She was not a slave when Solomon was born and has not been a slave at any time in the last fifty years.

(Signed,) N. C. NORTHUP.

(Signed) N. C. NORTHUP.

Orville Clark, of the village of Sandy Hill, in the county of Washington, State of New-York, being duly sworn, doth depose and say—that he, this deponent, is over fifty years of age; that in the years 1810 and 1811, or most of the time of those years, this deponent resided at Sandy Hill, aforesaid, and at Glens Falls; that this deponent then knew Mintus Northup, a black or colored man; he was then a free man, as this deponent believes and always understood; that the wife of said Mintus Northup, and mother of Solomon, was a free woman; that from the year 1818 until the time of the death of said Mintus Northup, about the year 1829, this deponent was very well acquainted with the said Mintus Northup; that he was a respectable man in the community in which he resided, and was a free man, so taken and esteemed by all his acquaintances; that this deponent has also been and was acquainted with his son Solomon Northup, from the said year 1818 until he left this part of the country, about the year 1840 or 1841; that he married Anne Hampton, daughter of William Hampton, a near neighbor of this deponent; that the said Anne, wife of said Solomon, is now living and resides in this vicinity; that the said Mintus Northup and William Hampton were both reputed and esteemed in this community as respectable men. And this deponent saith that the said Mintus Northup and his family, and the said William Hampton and his family, from the earliest recollection and acquaintance of this deponent with him (as far back as 1810,) were always reputed, esteemed, and taken to be, and this deponent believes, truly so, free citizens of the State of New-York. This deponent knows the said William Hampton, under the laws of this State, was entitled to vote at our elections, and he believes the said Mintus Northup also was entitled as a free citizen with the property qualification. And this deponent further saith, that the said Solomon Northup, son of said Mintus, and husband of said Anne Hampton, when he left this State, was at the time thereof a free citizen of the State of New-York. And this deponent further saith, that said Anne Hampton, wife of Solomon Northup, is a respectable woman, of good character, and I would believe her statements, and do believe the facts set forth in her memorial to his excellency, the Governor, in relation to her said husband, are true.

Orville Clark, of the village of Sandy Hill, in Washington County, New-York, was duly sworn and stated the following: I am over fifty years old. During most of 1810 and 1811, I lived in Sandy Hill and Glens Falls. At that time, I knew Mintus Northup, a black or colored man. I believe he was then a free man, and I always understood that he was. His wife, Solomon's mother, was a free woman. From 1818 until Mintus Northup's death, about 1829, I knew him very well. He was a respectable man in his community. All his acquaintances regarded him as a free man. I also knew his son Solomon Northup from 1818 until he left this part of the country, about 1840 or 1841. Solomon married Anne Hampton, daughter of William Hampton, who was a close neighbor of mine. Anne, Solomon's wife, is still living in this vicinity. Both Mintus Northup and William Hampton were regarded as respectable men in this community. From the time I first knew Mintus Northup, as far back as 1810, he and his family and William Hampton and his family were always regarded as free citizens of the State of New-York. I believe they truly were free citizens. I know that William Hampton was entitled to vote in our elections under the laws of this State. I believe Mintus Northup was also entitled to vote as a free citizen who met the property requirement. When Solomon Northup, son of Mintus and husband of Anne Hampton, left this State, he was a free citizen of the State of New-York. Anne Hampton, Solomon Northup's wife, is a respectable woman of good character. I would believe her statements. I believe the facts stated in her petition to his excellency, the Governor, concerning her husband are true.

(Signed,) ORVILLE CLARK.

(Signed) ORVILLE CLARK.

Benjamin Ferris, of the village of Sandy Hill, in said county, being duly sworn, doth depose and say—that he is now fifty-seven years old, and has resided in said village forty-five years; that he was well acquainted with Mintus Northup, named in the annexed memorial of Anne Northup, from the year 1816 to the time of his death, which occurred at Fort Edward, in the fall of 1829; that he knew the children of the said Mintus, namely, Joseph Northup and Solomon Northup, and that the said Solomon is the same person named in said memorial; that said Mintus resided in the said county of Washington to the time of his death, and was, during all that time, a free citizen of the said State of New-York, as deponent verily believes; that said memorialist, Anne Northup, is a woman of good character, and the statement contained in her memorial is entitled to credit.

Benjamin Ferris, of the village of Sandy Hill in the said county, being duly sworn, states that he is now fifty-seven years old and has lived in the village for forty-five years. He was well acquainted with Mintus Northup, named in the attached statement by Anne Northup, from 1816 until Mintus's death at Fort Edward in the fall of 1829. He knew Mintus's children, Joseph Northup and Solomon Northup. Solomon is the same person named in Anne Northup's statement. Mintus lived in Washington County until his death. Ferris firmly believes that Mintus was a free citizen of the State of New-York throughout that time. Anne Northup is a woman of good character, and the statement she submitted is worthy of belief.

(Signed) BENJAMIN FERRIS.

(Signed) BENJAMIN FERRIS.

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a correct copy of certain proofs filed in the Executive Department, upon which I have appointed Henry B. Northup an Agent of this State, to take proper proceedings in behalf of Solomon Northup, there in mentioned.

I certify that the above is an accurate copy of certain evidence filed with the Executive Department. Based on this evidence, I have appointed Henry B. Northup as an agent of this state. He will take appropriate action on behalf of Solomon Northup, who is mentioned in the evidence.

(Signed,) WASHINGTON HUNT.

(Signed) WASHINGTON HUNT.

Whereas, I have received information on oath, which is satisfactary to me, that Solomon Northup, who is a free citizen of this State, is wrongfully held in slavery, in the State of Louisiana:

I have received sworn information that satisfies me that Solomon Northup, a free citizen of this State, is wrongfully held in slavery in Louisiana:

And whereas, it is made my duty, by the laws of this State, to take such measures as I shall deem necessary to procure any citizen so wrongfully held in slavery, to be restored to his liberty and returned to this State:

And the laws of this State make it my duty to take whatever measures I deem necessary. These measures are to restore the freedom of any citizen wrongfully held in slavery and return that citizen to this State:

Be it known, that in pursuance of chapter 375 of the laws of this State, passed in 1840, I have constituted, appointed and employed Henry B. Northup, Esquire, of the county of Washington, in this State, an Agent, with full power to effect the restoration of said Solomon Northup, and the said Agent is hereby authorized and empowered to institute such proper and legal proceedings, to procure such evidence, retain such counsel, and finally to take such measures as will be most likely to accomplish the object of his said appointment.

Under chapter 375 of this State's laws, passed in 1840, I have appointed and employed Henry B. Northup, Esquire, of Washington County in this State, as an agent. He has full authority to secure Solomon Northup's restoration. He is authorized to bring proper legal proceedings, obtain evidence, and retain counsel. He may take whatever measures are most likely to achieve the purpose of his appointment.

He is also instructed to proceed to the State of Louisiana with all convenient dispatch, to execute the agency hereby created.

He is also instructed to travel to Louisiana as soon as convenient to carry out the duties assigned here.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the privy seal of the State, at Albany, this 23d day of November, in the year of our Lord 1852.

As proof, I have signed my name and affixed the State’s privy seal in Albany on November 23, 1852.

(Signed,) WASHINGTON HUNT.

(Signed) WASHINGTON HUNT.

James F. Ruggles, Private Secretary.

James F. Ruggles, Private Secretary.

Before me, Aristide Barbin, Recorder of the parish of Avoyelles, personally came and appeared Henry B. Northup, of the county of Washington, State of New-York, who hath declared that by virtue of a commission to him as agent of the State of New-York, given and granted by his excellency, Washington Hunt, Governor of the said State of New-York, bearing date the 23d day of November, 1852, authorizing and empowering him, the said Northup, to pursue and recover from slavery a free man of color, called Solomon Northup, who is a free citizen of the State of New-York, and who was kidnapped and sold into slavery, in the State of Louisiana, and now in the possession of Edwin Epps, of the State of Louisiana, of the Parish of Avoyelles; he, the said agent, hereto signing, acknowledges that the said Edwin has this day given and surrendered to him as such agent, the said Solomon Northup, free man of color, as aforesaid, in order that he be restored to his freedom, and carried back to the said State of New-York, pursuant to said commission, the said Edwin Epps being satisfied from the proofs produced by said agent, that the said Solomon Northup is entitled to his freedom. The parties consenting that a certified copy of said power of attorney be annexed to this act.

Before me, Aristide Barbin, Recorder of the parish of Avoyelles, personally appeared Henry B. Northup. He is from Washington County, State of New-York. He declared that he had received a commission as an agent of the State of New-York. Washington Hunt, Governor of New-York, granted the commission on November 23, 1852. It authorized Northup to pursue and recover from slavery a free man of color named Solomon Northup. Solomon Northup is a free citizen of New-York who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Louisiana. He is now in the possession of Edwin Epps, of the Parish of Avoyelles, State of Louisiana. Henry B. Northup, the agent signing this document, acknowledges that Edwin Epps has today surrendered Solomon Northup to him as agent. Epps surrendered Solomon so that he might be restored to freedom and returned to New-York, as the commission directs. Epps was satisfied by the evidence the agent presented that Solomon Northup is entitled to his freedom. The parties agree that a certified copy of the power of attorney be attached to this document.

Done and signed at Marksville, parish of Avoyelles, this fourth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the presence of the undersigned, legal and competent witnesses, who have also hereto signed.

Done and signed in Marksville, Avoyelles Parish, on January 4, 1853. The undersigned witnesses were present and were legally qualified to serve as witnesses. They also signed this document.

I do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true and correct copy of the original on file and of record in my office.

I certify that the preceding text is a true and correct copy of the original on record in my office.

(Signed,) ADE. BARBIN, Recorder.

(Signed) ADE. BARBIN, Recorder.

THE END

THE END

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes

The transcriber made these changes to the text:

The transcriber made these changes to the text:

1. xi., Chalenged --> Challenged 2. xiii., Coversation --> Conversation 3. xvi, expresssion --> expression 4. 53, hight --> height 5. 58, susually --> usually 6. 86, She's not for sale. --> She's not for sale." 7. 97, looded --> looked 8. p, 103, capenter --> carpenter 9. 106, aligators --> alligators 10. 112, Chenyville --> Cheneyville 11. 135, gripe --> grip 12. 138, loose --> lose 13. 149, listing --> listening 14. 156, an one --> a one 15. 224, maintin --> maintain 16. 244, LEW CHEENEY --> LEW CHENEY 17. 274, priviliges --> privileges 18. 296, 'bringing down his hand emphatically on the table,' --> bringing down his hand emphatically on the table, 19. 314, reppresented --> represented 20. 316, offer- --> offered

1. xi., Chalenged --> Challenged 2. xiii., Coversation --> Conversation 3. xvi, expresssion --> expression 4. 53, hight --> height 5. 58, susually --> usually 6. 86, She's not for sale. --> She's not for sale." 7. 97, looded --> looked 8. p, 103, capenter --> carpenter 9. 106, aligators --> alligators 10. 112, Chenyville --> Cheneyville 11. 135, gripe --> grip 12. 138, loose --> lose 13. 149, listing --> listening 14. 156, an one --> a one 15. 224, maintin --> maintain 16. 244, LEW CHEENEY --> LEW CHENEY 17. 274, priviliges --> privileges 18. 296, 'bringing down his hand emphatically on the table,' --> bringing down his hand emphatically on the table, 19. 314, reppresented --> represented 20. 316, offer- --> offered