Warrant of Arrest for Archy, an enslaved person
3/17/1858
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This March 17, 1858, warrant—from the only known Federal fugitive slave case tried in California—directed the arrest of an enslaved person named Archy.
His enslaver, Mississippian C. A. Stovall, claimed to be visiting California when Archy became a fugitive. Stovall demanded that Archie be returned to him. Archy was tried in California and Federal courts and eventually freed.
His enslaver, Mississippian C. A. Stovall, claimed to be visiting California when Archy became a fugitive. Stovall demanded that Archie be returned to him. Archy was tried in California and Federal courts and eventually freed.
Transcript
United States of AmericaDistricts of California
The President of the United States of America;
To,
The U.S. Marshal of the Northern District of California; Greeting:_
Application having been made to me, Acting U.S. Commissioner, appointed by the Circuit Court of the United States for the Districts of California, by Charles A Stovall of the State of Mississippi, for the apprehension of one Archy, an alleged fugitive Slave_and said application being supported by the affadavit of said C. A Stovall,_and it appearing to me, from such affadavit, that the said negro Archy is a slave, and held to service and labor in the State of Mississippi by said Stovall; and it further appearing, that said negro Archy fled from the State of Mississippi in the month of January A.D. 1857, and from the service to which he was there held;-- And it further appearing that said negro Archy escaped into, and is now in this State of California, and is now reclaimed and demanded as such fugitive slave, by said C.A. Stovall:-- Now therefore, you are Commanded to apprehend and arrest the said slave Archy, and bring him forthwith before me, at my
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Office in the City of San Francisco, then and there to do and receive what may be considered in the premises, just and proper._
Given under my hand, and the seal
of the U.S. Circuit Court aforesaid,
at my office in the City of San Francisco
this seventeenth day of March AD 1858.
Geo: Pen: Johnston
U.S. Commissioner For the Dists of Cala
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United States Marshals Office
Northern District of California
I do hereby certify that this Warrant was received on the 17th day of March 1858 and executed by arresting the within named Archy in the City of San Francisco whose body I now have in my possession
San Francisco Marcy 17th1858 J L Solomon
U S Marshal
[cover sheet]
U S Commissioners
Office
_________________
In the matter of
Charles A Stovall
vs.
“Archy” a Slave
_________________
Warrant of Arrest
_________________
Filed March 17th 1858.
Geo: Pen: Johnston
U.S. Commr
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 295966
Full Citation: Warrant of Arrest for Archy, an enslaved person; 3/17/1858; Stovall v. Archy, a Slave; Case Files of the U.S. Commissioner, ca. 1855–1912; Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21; National Archives at San Francisco, San Bruno, CA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/warrant-of-arrest-archy, March 24, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.