Seaman to Frederick Douglass, May 19, 1856

For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

A VOICE FROM A NEW ORLEANS PRISON.

PARISH PRISON, New Orleans,

May 19th, 1856.

MR. EDITOR:—I write to you a line for publication, that your colored readers and vessel-going friends may be apprised that a trap is set for them in this wicked place. If they fall into it, communication with their friends is next to impossible.

New Orleans is a place frequented by our sea-faring and river-going colored people.—These should know that false charges are made against them, and all means are resorted to, to imprison them. Free papers are of no use, unless framed in the State, and recorded in the city. Those arrested in the city, having free papers from any other State, must prove them genuine, which is the same as proving themselves free, and will cost them as much.

Sir, I am a sea-faring man, and by a municipal regulation have been imprisoned several times. I had to pay each time form $70, to $75, in order to be released. I saw in the Recorder's Office the coat of arms; under it was the figure of JUSTICE. What mockery! Justice in a Recorder's office, where freedom to breather as a man is not allowed, where a man must prove his freedom, every time a hungry policeman chooses to arrest him! There is a large number now in prison, who will be compelled to "prove their freedom;" but how many I know not, as we are kept six or sever in a cell. In our part, are David Givens, Shippensburg, Pa; James Hickman, Smyrna, Del.; John Reese, New York (removed;) Henry Brown, Cincinnati; Wm. Brown, Philadelphia, Pa.; and Josiah Morgan, Carlisle, Pa.

Persons often unsuspectingly leave their vessels, and are invariable imprisoned. Having no money and no friends near, their letters intercepted for reasons which may be conjectured, they are in a sad state, you many depend.—"State prison," "sold for jail fees," "sent up the coast," are words often whispered; but what becomes of those who are not able to prove their freedom, I know not. Their examinations, trials, &c., are all secret. No Reporters are allowed in the sanctuary of the Law-dealers of the city. One thing I know; in trying those cases, those who prove their freedom, and have no money to pay their jail fees, remain in jail, doing prison-work, at 25 cents per day. Then, after having thus paid their jail fees, they must stay until discharged by the Grand Jury. John Taylor, of Harrisburg, Pa., and James Webster, a resident of Pennsylvania, were here eleven months working, as prisoners, to pay their jail fees, although they had "proved their freedom."

Yours, truly, SEAMAN.