Franklin Repository

--From the Baltimore American, of the 8th inst., we are put in possession of the following facts, in which several of the citizens of this county are involved. The American says:

"A few days since a man named David Dysart, who is well know in the town of Waynesboro' Pa., went to the General Wayne Inn, corner of Baltimore and Pace streets, and asking for the proprietor, Mr. Henry Fairbanks, proposed to sell him a likely young colored man, stating at the same time that he had no further use for his services, or he would not wish to sell him. After several interviews, during which the colored man, whose name is James Henry Lockwood, presented himself and declared that he was a slave, and had been living with Dysart for more than six years. He also at the same time expressed a desire to live in Baltimore, and said he would try and prove useful about the establishment. A purchase was then made, and Mr. Fairbanks paid the sum demanded, $1,300. A day had scarcely elapsed ere Mr. Fairbanks received such information as assured him that he had been deceived, and that the man was not a slave.

He communicated with policeman Hardy of the western district, and it was not long before the parties learned that Dysart had been at the Golden Horse tavern, kept by Mr. McGee. Both the officer and Mr. F. met at that establishment, when Mr. McGee told them that Dysart had been at his establishment, but had started for the three Mile House on the Hookstown road, and thence the parties proceeded, but learned that he had not been there. They continued the pursuit, and had scarcely passed a hundred yards beyond the house before they came across the absconding party, He was walking along the road in company with two strangers to him. Dysart was taken in custody, and after undergoing a brief imprisonment at the western police station, promptly acknowledged his action, and after refunding Mr. Fairbank's $820 of the money which he had received, stated that he would send for a friend and get the balance.--He accordingly sent for a man named Joshua McCumsky, who soon raised the balance--$480. The money being paid, Dysart was about to leave, but he was quickly informed that he would not be permitted to do so, but must remain in durnace vile [?] until he was regularly tried by court. He plead hard to be discharged, but of course it was of no avail.--The key was turned upon him, and he was left to his reflections in a dark and lonely cell. In the meantime the negro, who is doubtless an accomplice, was also locked up. Justice Ensor appeared shortly afterwards and committed Dysart to jail in default of security to answer the charge of obtaining money under false pretenses, by selling a free negro, and the latter also committed to answer at court the charge of conspiring to defraud Mr. Fairbanks.

It is worthy of remark, that shortly before Dysart left the Golden Horse tavern he gave McCumsky an order upon Mr. Miller, of Miller's Hotel (where he had been stopping a few days,) for his horse and buggy wagon, telling McC. at the same time that he would meet him at such a place with the same. Dysart stated that he was of Winchester, Va., but it is well known that he is a resident of Waynesboro'. The negro stated that he was but 23 years of age, but it is evident that he is over 30.