on the Lord Mayor, and obtained from him an appointment to hear the case. At the time appointed Mr. Sharp attended, also a notary-public, and the captain of a ship which was to have conveyed him to Jamaica. These were on behalf of the purchaser. After a long discussion, in which the opinion of the lawyers above-mentioned was pleaded in favour of the detention of Strong, Mr. Sharp made some observations on the case, by which the lawyers present were staggered, but on the whole seemed rather disposed to retain the prisoner; but the Lord Mayor discharged him, on account of his having been taken up without a warrant. But no sooner was the poor African thus discharged, than the captain laid hold on him, and said aloud, Then I seize you as my slave." On this Mr. Sharp promptly laid his hand on the shoulder of the captain, and said to him, I charge you, in the name of the king, with an assault upon the person of Jonathan Strong, and all these are my witnesses." At this charge, made in presence of the Lord Mayor and others, the captain was greatly intimidated, and, fearing a prosecution, let go his prisoner, who departed under the protection of Mr. Sharp.
This interesting case awakened the inquiries of Mr. Sharp to ascertain the law of the land on the subject. He applied to many lawyers for their opinions, among others, to the celebrated Judge Blackstone, but could not obtain satisfaction. In fact, the opinion already alluded to (p. 207) had been made so extensively known, and so widely acted upon, and was considered of such high authority, that few persons dared think for themselves, so far as to question its correctness. Of
