They could, however, prevail on no one to perform the marriage ceremony in the village, and finally concluded to go to a magistrate in the town of Brighton, four miles distant.

At this stage of the proceedings I was appealed to, to accompany them.

I took the matter into consideration and came to the conclusion that I could take no active part in the affair, nor bear any responsible station in the unpleasant occurrence.

Is it no sin in the sight of the Almighty, for Southern gentlemen( ?) to mix blood and amalgamate the races?
And if allowed to them, is it not equally justifiable when the commerce is prompted by affection rather than that of lust and force?
But I at length consented to accompany them, after learning that all the mischief was already done that could be feared, and that the gallant lover desired to marry the lady as the only atonement he could make for the loss of her reputation.
We arrived at the house of the magistrate about one o'clock at night, and all were soundly sleeping.

They were, however, aroused, and when our business was made known, an exciting scene followed.