Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Dixon),
Williamsburg, June 30, 1774.

AUGUSTA, June 18, 1774. RUN away the 16th Instant, from the Subscriber, a Negro Man named BACCHUS, about 30 Years of Age, five Feet six or seven Inches high, strong and well made; had on, and took with him, two white Russia Drill Coats, one turned up with blue, the other quite plain and new, with white figured Metal Buttons, blue Plush Breeches, a fine Cloth Pompadour Waistcoat, two or three thin or Summer Jackets, sundry Pairs of white Thread Stockings, five or six white Shirts, two of them pretty fine, neat Shoes, Silver Buckles, a fine Hat cut and cocked in the Macaroni Figure, a double-milled Drab Great Coat, and sundry other Wearing Apparel. He formerly belonged to Doctor George Pitt, of Williamsburg, and I imagine is gone there under Pretence of my sending him upon Business, as I have frequently heretofore done; he is a cunning, artful, sensible Fellow, and very capable of forging a Tale to impose on the Unwary, is well acquainted with the lower Parts of the Country, having constantly rode with me for some Years past, and has been used to waiting from his Infancy. He was seen a few Days before he went off with a Purse of Dollars, and had just before changed a five Pound Bill; most, or all of which, I suppose he must have robbed me off [sic], which he might easily have done, I having trusted him much after what I thought had proved his Fidelity. He will probably endeavour to pass for a Freeman by the Name of John Christian, and attempt to get on Board some Vessel bound for Great Britain, from the Knowledge he has of the late Determination of Somerset's Case. Whoever takes up the said Slave shall have 5 l. Reward, on his Delivery to GABRIEL JONES.

Notes

• Reprint: Windley, vol. 1, pp. 149-150.
  

• More Information: The Somerset Case, decided in 1770, ruled that slaves brought to Britain were freed as there was no Parliamentary statute establishing slavery in Britain. Gabriel Jones (1724-1805)the famous "Valley Lawyer," built the home, "Vaucluse," near Winchester in Frederick County [see Garland Quarles, Some Old Homes in Frederick County, Virginia (Winchester, 1971), pp. 176-83.