Finally, they succeeded in dragging me from the fence and overpowered me by numbers and choked me almost to death.
These ruffians dragged me through the streets of Cincinnati, to what was called a justice office.

But it was more like an office of injustice.
When I entered the room I was introduced to three slaveholders, one of whom was a son of Wm.

Gatewood, who claimed me as his property.

They pretended to be very glad to see me.
They asked me if I did not want to see my wife and child; but I made no reply to any thing that was said until I was delivered up as a slave.

After they were asked a few questions by the court, the old pro-slavery squire very gravely pronounced me to be the property of Mr.Gatewood.
The office being crowded with spectators, many of whom were colored persons, Mr.G.was afraid to keep me in Cincinnati, two or three hours even, until a steamboat got ready to leave for the South.