g and
arrogant claimant, watching with an eagle eye, every step of the process
by which he hoped to gain his victim? Who has not been struck with his
expressive glances toward the judge, when a doubtful point arose in the
investigation of the case? Who has not caught the lively expression of
delight which beamed from his countenance, when a fact was disclosed
which had a favorable bearing on the liberty of the captive? Who has not
admired the sagacity with which his inquiries were dictated, and the
tact and acumen with which he managed every part of his cause? His
principle was unhesitatingly to submit to existing laws, however unjust
their decrees might be, but to scan well the bearing of the facts and
principles involved in each case, and to see that nothing was wanting in
the chain of evidence, or in the legal points in question, fully to
satisfy the requisitions of law. If a doubtful point arose, he was
unwearied in investigating it, and devoted hours, days, and even weeks,
in the collection of testimony which he thought would have a favorable
influence on the prisoner.

Through his untiring vigilance, many victims have escaped from the hand
of the oppressor, whose title to freedom, according to the laws of this
commonwealth, was undoubted, and many others, whose enslavement was at
least questionable.

The time and labor expended by Thomas Shipley in protecting the
interests of his colored clients, would be almost incredible to those
who were not aware of his extraordinary devotion to the cause. The only
notice which can be found among his papers, of the various slave cases
in which he was engaged, is contained in a memorandum book, which he
commenced in the summer of 1835. In this book he has noted, in the order
of their occurrence, such instances of difficulty or distress as
demanded his interference, almost without a comment. I find from this
book, that his advice and assistance were bestowed in twenty-five cases,
from Seventh mo. 16th, to Eighth mo. 24th, 1836, a period of little more
than a month. A number of these cases required the writing of letters to
distant places; in some it was necessary for him to visit the parties
interested; and others demanded his personal attendance at court. This
perhaps, may be considered as a fair average of the amount of labor
which he constantly expended in this department of his benevolent
efforts; and when we consider the time occupied in the necessary duties
of his ordina