Here the group made some errors that would haunt them. The first was their answers to a simple question: Who were they and what were seven black men doing with one white man?
Walker answered that he was merely transporting the slaves from one slaveholder to another. This was plausible as slaves were often sold among owners. But the seven slaves gave a different answer. They claimed Walker as their master. Right off suspicion is aroused and Walker knew the gig was up.
The following error would mark Walker for life. In his deliberate calculations, he knew the laws of fugitive slaves and how they were usually more harshly applied to blacks than to whites. If the slaves were seen as runaways, they would have no rights and would receive harsh sentences, including maiming or death. If Walker claimed to have taken the slaves, he would be found guilty of slave stealing. At most, given legal precedent at the time, he would receive jail time and most likely pay remuneration to the slaves' owners. Walker thus declares he has taken the slaves. And in the resulting trial and punishment will receive a sentence unique in American history.
Next month: The Trial and Punishment of Captain Jonathan Walker
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