Should he be a slave ….

by Lisa Y. Henderson

TAKEN UP, AND committed to the Jail of this county on the 3d of August last, a Negro man who calls himself PETER GREEN, says he is free, and that he belongs to Providence, Rhode Island. He professes to have followed the sea, and exhibits an American Protection, which, however, does not correspond with his height. He appears to be about 33 or 35 years of age, very black, well made, about 5 feet high, very artful, and had on when taken, the clothing of a seaman.

Should he be a slave, the owner is notified to come forward, comply with the requisitions of the law and take him away; otherwise he will, after a reasonable time, be sold for his jail fees, and discharged form custody.   W.C. TAYLOR, Jailor.   October 11th, 1823.

New Bern Sentinel, 24 October 1823.