Capture of escaped slaves on the <em>Pearl</em> In 1848, 77 enslaved African Americans, including the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/283">Edmonson sisters</a>, attempted to escape their bondage in Washington, DC, by fleeing north to freedom via the ship the<em> Pearl</em>. Unfortunately, unfavorable winds slowed their escape, the ship was captured, and the escapees were brought back to Washington. This newspaper article<em> </em>details the attempted escape, capture, and a minor riot which broke out on the land that would become the National Mall as the<em> Pearl'</em>s passengers were transported to jail. <em>The Examiner</em> (Louisville, Kentucky). 4/29/1848 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1830-1859">1830-1859</a>