Kent County officials arrest army recruiting officers for enlisting enslaved men against the wishes of their enslavers
John Frazier (pro mar) to H.W. Hoffman reporting that judges in Kent have ordered the arrest of several citizens, including the Deputy Pro. Mars. for alleged interference with the enlistment of Black soldiers. Frazier states that “This is done to effect the election and secure, if possible, the election of the Copper Head Ticket. Frazier thinks that the judges should be arrested and held until after the election. According to Frazier, the judges are “trying to make the impression that the enlistment of slaves was against the law and without authority thereby securing for the Maffit ticket the votes of all who have lost Negroes...If the arrest are made we can carry the county for the ’Straight-on-Ticket.'" Included with this letter are four Transcripts of Record involving those citizens arrested. The defendents were accused of enticing slaves away from their lawful owners.