AQUIA, STAFFORD county, November 8, 1775.
“RAN off last night from the subscriber, a negro man named CHARLES, who is a very shrewd, sensible fellow, and can both read and write; and as he always has waited upon me, he must be well known through most parts of Virginia and Maryland. He is very black, has a large nose, and is about 5 feet 8 or 10 inches high. He took a variety of clothes, which I cannot well particularize, stole several of my shirts, a pair of new saddle bags, and two mares, one a darkish, the other a light bay, with a blaze and white feet, and about 3 years old. From many circumstances, there is reason to believe he intends an attempt to get to lord Dunmore; and as I have reason to believe his design of going off was long premeditated, and that he has gone off with some accomplice, I am apprehensive he may prove daring and resolute, if endeavoured to be taken. His elopement was from no cause of complaint, or dread of a whipping (for he has always been remarkably indulged, indeed too much so) but from a determined resolution to get liberty, as he conceived, by flying to lord Dunmore. I will give FIVE POUNDS to any person who secures him, and the mares, so that I get them again.”
ROBERT BRENT.
N.B. Since writing the above advertisement, the mares have returned; and there is great probability, from many circumstances, to conclude that he was taken from Dumfries, in company with a white servant of Mr. Andrew Leitch’s, in an oyster boat belonging to one Kelly, near Smith’s Point, in Northumberland. I will give TEN POUNDS if he is taken, and allow a [illegible] any person who can convict Kelly of having carried him off.
