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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c9129d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69372 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69372) diff --git a/old/69372-0.txt b/old/69372-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0beba60..0000000 --- a/old/69372-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1573 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Narrative of Henry Watson, a fugitive -slave, by Henry Watson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Narrative of Henry Watson, a fugitive slave - -Author: Henry Watson - -Release Date: November 17, 2022 [eBook #69372] -[Most recently updated: November 19, 2022] - -Language: English - -Produced by: hekula03, Robert Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at - https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by the Library of Congress) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF HENRY WATSON, A -FUGITIVE SLAVE *** - - - - - - NARRATIVE - OF - HENRY WATSON, - A FUGITIVE SLAVE. - - WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. - - BOSTON: - PUBLISHED BY BELA MARSH, 25 CORNHILL. - 1848. - - - ABNER FORBES, - PRINTER, - 37 CORNHILL, BOSTON. - - - - - DEDICATION. - ~~~~~~~~ - - -MR. HENRY HOLT: - -DEAR SIR,— - -Will you allow me, from feelings of sincere gratitude, to dedicate to -you my little Narrative, which, had it not been for you, I never should -have been able to have published; and let me assure you that I shall -ever entertain the most devoted feelings of gratitude, for your kind -and humane interference in my behalf, when I was a helpless slave. - - I remain yours, most gratefully, - H. WATSON. - - - - - NARRATIVE OF HENRY WATSON. - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - - -I was born in Virginia, about thirteen miles from Fredericksburg, as -near as I can now recollect, in the year 1813. Mother was a slave, and -belonged to a man by the name of Bibb, whose Christian name I cannot -remember. My mother was called Letty. Slaves seldom have but one name; -and I never heard her called by any other. I was at that time called -Bill. I never had any brother or sister, that I know of. Like the -most of my brothers in bondage, I have no correct account of my age. -Slaves keep the birth of their children by the different seasons of -the year. Children often ask their parents their age. The answer is, -"this planting corn time, you are six, eight, or ten," just as it may -happen to be; but even this knowledge was I deprived of by my master, -who was one of those proud Virginians, whose principal business was -to raise slaves for the market; though I was permitted to remain with -my mother on his plantation until I was about eight years of age. My -mother was the cook at what slaves call the great house. I was allowed -to remain with her at the house. The last time I saw her, she placed -me on the bed, which was in a room adjoining the kitchen, and bid me -go to sleep, saying that she would be back again in a few moments. I -did so; and when I awoke in the morning I found myself in the great -house, wrapped up in a blanket, before the fire. I could not account -for this change that had been made with me through the night. I asked -for my mother, but no one spoke. I went out into the kitchen, where -she used to work. She was not there, and it was evident to me, that -she was gone; where, I knew not. I returned to the house, and implored -my mistress, with tears in my eyes, to tell me where my mother had -gone. She refused, though a mother herself, to give me any satisfaction -whatever. Every exertion was made on my part to find her, or hear -some tidings of her; but all my efforts were unsuccessful; and from -that day I have never seen or heard from her. This cruel separation -brought on a fit of sickness, from which they did not expect I would -recover. The old slave-woman who took care of me during my sickness, -by way of consolation, gave me as much information as she could about -my mother's being taken away. She told me that a slave-dealer drove to -the door in a buggy, and my mother was sent for to come into the house; -when, getting inside, she was knocked down, tied, and thrown into the -buggy, and carried away. As the old woman related these things to me, -I felt as if all hope was gone; that I was forsaken and alone in this -world. More forcibly did I then feel the galling chains of slavery, -the cruelty and barbarism arising from it, than I ever have since. I -resolved, however, to bear with all patiently, till I became large -enough to run away, and search for my mother. - -I had recovered from my sickness but a few months, when one day, -looking up the road, I saw a man riding towards the house; I ran with -the rest of the children to hide ourselves until the man had gone. When -I had remained concealed some time, I ventured out again, and found -Mr. Bibb, my master, looking for me, who ordered me into the house; -and when I got there, to my astonishment, I found the man whom we had -hid ourselves from, sitting in the room. After he had inspected me to -his satisfaction, I was ordered out of the room, and went to play, -and had forgotten the whole affair, when my master called me again, -and ordered me to hold the stranger's horse. I did so, and in a few -minutes he came forth and ordered me to mount behind him. This, with -his assistance, I did; but rode only a short distance, when I jumped -from the horse and ran for the house as fast as I could. He succeeded, -however, in overtaking me, and I was again put on the horse, this time -in front of him; and in this way was I carried to Fredericksburg. I -was then placed in the possession of Mr. Janer, better known as Parson -Janer; the man that had bought me being the son of Mr. Janer, who was -one of those jolly, good-natured clergymen, who, while he feasted his -numerous guests in the parlor, starved his slaves in the kitchen. After -remaining there awhile, it was determined to send me to Richmond. The -same man that brought me, came for me and ordered me to take a seat -on the stage-coach, and the next day I found myself in Richmond, and -stopped at the Eagle Hotel, kept by Mr. Holman, where I remained two or -three days, and then was carried to the auction room; entering which, I -found several slaves, seated around the room waiting for the hour of -sale. Some were in tears; others were apparently cheerful. This brought -to my mind my mother, and caused me to shed many tears; but they fell -unheeded. The auctioneer was busy examining the slaves before the sale -commenced. At last everything was ready, and the traffic in human flesh -began. I will attempt to give as accurate an account of the language -and ceremony of a slave auction as I possibly can. "Gentlemen, here -is a likely boy; how much? He is sold for no fault; the owner wants -money. His age is forty. Three hundred dollars is all that I am offered -for him. Please to examine him; he is warranted sound. Boy, pull off -your shirt—roll up your pants—for we want to see if you have been -whipped." If they discover any scars, they will not buy; saying that -the nigger is a bad one. The auctioneer seeing this, cries, "Three -hundred dollars, gentlemen, three hundred dollars. Shall I sell him for -three hundred dollars? I have just been informed by his master, that he -is an honest boy, and belongs to the same church that he does." This -turns the tide frequently, and the bids go up fast; and he is knocked -off for a good sum. After the men and women are sold, the children -are put on the stand. I was the first put up. On my appearance, -several voices cried, "How old is that little nigger?" On hearing -this expression, I again burst into tears, and wept so that I have no -distinct recollection of his answer. I was at length knocked down to -a man whose name was Denton, a slave trader, then purchasing slaves -for the Southern market. His first name I have forgotten. Each one of -the traders has private jails, which are for the purpose of keeping -slaves in; and they are generally kept by some confidential slave. -Denton had one of these jails, to which I was conducted by his trusty -slave; and on entering I found a great many slaves there, waiting to be -sent off as soon as their numbers increased. These jails are enclosed -by a wall about 16 feet high, and the yard-room is for the slaves to -exercise in; and consists of but one room, in which all sexes and ages -are huddled together in a mass. I stayed in this jail but two days, -when the number was completed, and we were called out to form a line. -Horses and wagons were in readiness to carry our provisions and tents, -so that we might camp out at night. Before we had proceeded far, Mr. -Denton gave orders for us to stop, for the purpose of handcuffing some -of the men, which, he said in a loud voice, "had the devil in them." -The men belonging to this drove were all married men, and all leaving -their wives and children behind; he, judging from their tears that -they were unwilling to go, had them made secure. We started again on -our journey, Mr. Denton taking the lead in his sulky; and the driver, -Mr. Thornton, brought up the rear. I will not weary my readers with -the particulars of our march to Tennessee, where we stopped several -days for the purpose of arranging our clothes. While stopping, the men -were hired out to pick cotton. While in Tennessee, we lost four of our -number, who died from exposure on the road. After the lapse of three -weeks, we started again on our journey, and in about four weeks arrived -in Natchez, Miss., and went to our pen, which Mr. Denton had previously -hired for us, and had our irons taken off and our clothes changed; -for Mr. Denton was expecting visitors to examine the flock, as he -would sometimes term us. There was a sign-board in front of the house, -which informed traders that he had on hand, blacksmiths, carpenters, -field-hands; also several sickly ones, whom he would sell very cheap. -In a short time purchasers became plenty, and our number diminished. I -was not sold for several weeks, though I wished to be the first, not -wishing to witness his cruelty to his slaves any longer; for if they -displeased him in the least, he would order them to be stripped, and -tied hand and foot together. He would then have his paddle brought, -which was a board about two feet in length and one inch in thickness, -having fourteen holes bored through it, about an inch in circumference. -This instrument of torture he would apply, until the slave was -exhausted, on parts which the purchaser would not be likely to examine. -This mode of punishment is considered one of the most cruel ever -invented, as the flesh protrudes through these holes at every blow, and -forms bunches and blisters the size of each hole, causing much lameness -and soreness to the person receiving them. This punishment is generally -inflicted in the morning, before visitors come to examine the slaves. - -[Illustration: _The Author upon the Auction Block._] - -[Illustration: _Whipping with the Paddle, as witnessed by the Author._] - -Just before the doors are opened, it is usual for the keeper to grease -the mouths of the slaves, so as to make it appear that they are well -and hearty, and have just done eating fat meat; though they seldom, if -ever, while in the custody of the keeper, taste a morsel of meat of any -kind. - -At length, a man made his appearance; the very man of all others -I had ever seen, from whom I should shrink, and be afraid. He was -dark-complexioned, had sharp, grey eyes, a peaked nose, and compressed -lips; indeed, he was a very bad-looking man. I never wish to look upon -his face again. His name was Alexander McNeill, a member of the firm -of McNeill, Fiske & Co. He said he wanted a boy to bring up to suit -himself. He took a great fancy to me, and after some discussion about -the price, agreed at last to give five hundred dollars for me. I quit -my old quarters, and went with my new master to his store. He told me -my duty for the future would be, to wait upon him,—"to jump when I was -spoken to, run when sent upon errands, and if I did not mind my P's and -Q's, I should be flogged like h—l." - -As I did not like my new master's appearance, I at once concluded to -please him in all things. But it was all in vain; for the first morning -I was severely flogged for not placing his clothes in the proper -position on the chair. The second morning I received another severe -flogging for not giving his boots as good a polish as he thought they -had been accustomed to. Thus he went on in cruelty, and met every new -effort of mine to please him with fresh blows from his cowhide, which -he kept hung up in his room for that purpose. In a few days he made -arrangements for a journey, on which I was to accompany him. The object -of his journey was made known to me by some of his servants; and, as -that journey turned out to be of great importance to me, I will give -it to the world, as I got it from my author. My master was a married -man. Although I had never seen my mistress, as she was living with -her mother, sixty miles from the city,—she having found out, while -living with her husband in the city, that he had made a wife of one of -his slaves, had left him, and had gone to her mother; and the object -of his journey was to induce her to come back and live with him. I -accompanied him on this journey; and, although he made every effort on -his part to induce her to return, she refused to do so. He returned -to Natchez, enraged at his ill success, and determined never to make -another attempt at reconciliation. He concluded to leave the city, and -he purchased a farm near Vicksburg, on the Mississippi River, upon -which he settled. My master always was a cruel man; but ever since -his unsuccessful effort at reconciliation with his wife, he became a -perfect tyrant, lashing his slaves without mercy. This shows one of the -many ways in which the licentious slaveholder inflicts pain on poor -slaves; robbing them, by force, of their virtue, then lacerating their -backs for having allowed themselves thus to be forced. He had not been -long on his farm before he took another of his slave-women to wife, by -whom he had two children. These children were not treated any better -than any other slave's; the mother being out in the field all the day, -and in his room at night. Upon this farm were one hundred field-hands, -and two house servants, the cook and myself. For the accommodation of -the field-hands there were twenty-seven cabins, one hospital, one jail, -one gin-house; at which house, as in the jail, there are two pair of -stocks, for the torture of slaves. As the stocks on farms are different -in their construction from those commonly used in cities, I will give -a description of them. They consisted of two rough logs, generally -about twelve feet in length, one of them laid upon the ground, with -notches cut in it to fit the neck and arms; the other log, which was -cut with corresponding notches, was placed upon the victim to keep him -in his position. They were fastened at one end by a massive hinge; -and when the sufferer was in them, the other end was secured by a -large padlock. There were other modes of punishing; but these were -used for extreme cases, such as running away, or stealing, &c. On the -occasions of whipping by the stocks, it was my duty to be present; -and at the end of each hundred, to apply salt to the bleeding back -of the sufferer till the blood was stanched, when the whipping was -renewed, until the delinquent had received four or five hundred lashes. -These cruelties were principally inflicted by the overseer, who was a -drunken, quarrelsome person, whom it was impossible to please; and when -he was in liquor he took very great delight in inflicting punishment on -the slaves. Beside the overseer there was a driver, one of the slaves, -named Harry. He had a wife and children, whom, in case of their being -slightly in fault, he would have to lash with an unflinching hand; -there being no sympathy allowed to be shown, between even man and wife. -I will relate a circumstance, which made a very great impression on -my mind at that time. There was a slave on the farm by the name of -Jo. The overseer had threatened to put him in the stocks, for some -trivial offence. Jo, dreading the severity of the punishment, ran away, -which fact was soon brought to my master's knowledge, who ordered -the overseer to shoot him the first time he saw him. The overseer, -being a blood-thirsty fiend, like my master, kept strict watch for -Jo; and the second night, he saw him but a short distance from his -cabin, where he was probably going for the purpose of seeing his -wife, and getting something to eat; but he never saw those eyes light -up with pleasure,—never heard the sweet music of their voices, or -felt their warm embrace,—for the incarnate fiend's aim was too sure; -he was stretched dead in an instant. Yes; this man was hurried into -the presence of his Maker, without the power of speaking one word of -prayer. On the master being informed that his brutal order had been -obeyed, he gave orders that his body should not be removed from the -spot where he fell, as he wished it to serve as an example to the rest -of us; and there it remained, the vultures rioting and feasting on the -remains of a man, whose only fault was a black skin. - -Never shall I forget the horrible sensation that passed through my -veins as I gazed upon the mutilated body of this poor man; but alas! I -could do nothing; I was myself a slave. My heart grew sad; I dropped a -tear to his memory and departed, cherishing a hope, that at no distant -day, I would be free. Although these facts were known to the neighbors, -yet no one asked even a question about it. He was a slave; no one cared -for him. I say no one—I am wrong; where was the slave's wife? where -were the slave's children?—had they no tears to shed? Ah! yes, many; -not tears from physical pain; but tears, scalding tears of pure grief. -The husband and father, shot like a dog before them; his bleeding form, -writhing in agony, and the sightless eyeballs glaring upon them; and -they dare not approach to straighten his stiffening limbs, or close his -sightless eyes. Ah! was there not grief? And even this would have been -denied them, had they shown it before this savage monster. - -I will not pain my readers with further details of my master's cruelty; -but will give them a few of the monster's laws. They were as follows: -In the morning, half an hour before daylight, the first horn was -blown, at which the slaves arose and prepared themselves for work. At -daylight another horn was blown, at which they all started in a run -for the field, with the driver after them, carrying their provisions -for the day in buckets. In a few moments the overseer would make his -appearance, and give his orders to the driver, who gave them to the -hands. They then went to work, and worked until such time as the -driver thought proper, when he would crack his whip two or three times, -and they would eat their breakfasts, which consisted of strong, rancid -pork, coarse corn bread, and water, which was brought to them by small -children, who were not able to handle the hoe. As soon as Harry, the -driver, has finished his breakfast, they finish likewise, and hang up -their buckets on the fence or trees, and to work they go, without one -moment's intermission until noon, when they take their dinner in the -same manner as their breakfast; which done, they go again to work, -continuing till dark. They then return to their cabins, and have a -half hour to prepare their food for the next day, when the horn is -again blown for bed. If any are found out of their cabins after this -time, they are put in jail and kept till morning, when they generally -receive twenty-five or thirty lashes for their misdemeanor. So it -continues through the week until Sunday, when the women take their -tubs and blankets and start for the brooks, where they dismantle and -robe themselves in their blanket, wash and dry their clothes, put them -on again, and are ready to be at the house at four o'clock to receive -their weekly allowance, which is weighed out to them by the overseer. -The men give their shirts to the women to wash, and take their baskets -or hoes and start for the field. They are generally paid for this extra -work; if they do not work, they are set down as lazy persons, and are -whipped because they will not work for themselves. Thus is the Sabbath -passed. That day of rest and prayer is as other days to the poor slave. -For six years whilst I was on this farm, there was never such a thing -as a slave going to meeting, or hearing the word of God in any form. - -Much has been said about the marriage rites of slaves; but there exists -no legal form,—every slaveholder having a form of his own. Permit me, -then, to give to my readers the manner in which my master performed the -ceremony. Whenever a vacancy occurred in any of the cabins of either -sex, of marriageable age, it was immediately filled up by my master -purchasing another slave, either man or woman, as the case might be, -and presenting them to the remaining inmates of the cabin, with the -following words: "Kitty, stand out in the floor; I have bought this -boy to-day for your husband, and I shall expect you to take good care -of him, by washing and mending his clothes. You know my orders to the -overseer; if either of you go to the field on Monday morning without -your clothes being washed, you are to be whipped. You will also take -care of his provisions, which will be weighed out with yours. Have it -cooked and ready in his bucket in time for him to go to the field every -morning. You understand what I have said to you;" which the slave must -answer with a low bow, and replying, "I do, sir." Then he will give -the man the following charge: "Tom, you will take care of this girl -for your wife, by bringing her wood, making her fire, bringing water. -Should your wife or self want anything, you can get it by working -on Sunday, for which I will allow you fifty cents a day, out of the -store." He would then ask them both if they understood his orders. They -would answer as before, by a low bow and courtesy, replying that they -did. He would then pronounce them man and wife, and say to them, "If -you fail to perform any of the duties I have mentioned, you will be -flogged severely." - -To give a sketch of all the cruelties that I witnessed on Mr. McNeill's -place, would occupy more space in this little book than I desire. I -will give a description of the manner in which the dead slaves are -disposed of. On the death of a slave, I was sent by my master to the -overseer, requesting him to send two boys to the house. On their -arrival, he would order them to the hospital, or sick-house, as it -is generally called, and they would take the body, fasten it in the -blanket on which he died, put it on the hand-barrow, and carry it to -its place of burial. This was generally done very hastily, on account -of the climate. Thus are they bundled into the earth, without minister -or coffin, or permitting the husband, or wife, or mother, to see the -last disposal of that which has been dear to them on earth. - -I was on this farm about six years, five of which I was employed as -house servant; and it is probable that I should have remained in the -house, had I not refused to give him some information respecting a -pig, which two of the men had stolen. This disobedience caused me much -suffering. In the first place, I was severely whipped with a cowskin, -the scars of which punishment I have to this day, and then I was sent -to the field to work,—the place I dreaded mostly. From morning till -night could the whip be heard, accompanied with the cries and groans of -the sufferers, whilst I was employed at the house. I was not under the -direction of the cruel overseer, and consequently escaped his cruelty. -A day seldom passed without witnessing several hundred lashes inflicted -upon the slaves; each individual having a stated number of pounds of -cotton to pick, the deficit of which was made up by as many lashes -being applied to the poor slave's back as he was so unlucky as to fall -short in the number of pounds of cotton which he was to have picked. - -As I had not been accustomed to field-work, I found it impossible to -keep up with the others. The overseer, seeing this, came up to me and -asked me if I knew where I was; I said, I did; he then replied, that -I had been at the house so long that I had got the devil in me; and -if I did not keep my row up with the rest, he would give me a hundred -lashes, and that d——d quick. To this I did not reply, but toiled on -to the best of my knowledge, hoping to escape punishment; but all in -vain; frequently was I whipped without any just cause. I do now think -that he made me his particular victim on account of my having been out -of his power so long a time. I am incapable of describing the great -difference between house and field labor. I have, since my settling -in the North, heard many persons, in speaking of slavery as they have -seen it in cities, towns, &c., where it exists in its mildest form, -apologizing for it, holding it forth to the world as a great benefit to -the black man. They say the slaves are nicely fed, clothed, and taken -care of in a very comfortable manner. But, step back in the interior -of slave States, on the plantations, where you see one hundred slaves -in charge of a drunken overseer, thinly clad, and scantily fed; driven -forth to labor from daylight till dark; where a slave for the most -trivial offence may be whipped to death, for in case of death arising -from whipping the overseer is indifferent,—he knows the master cannot -use the word of his slave against him,—he will not acknowledge it -himself. Thus there is nothing to restrain him from using the most -unnatural and inhuman cruelty to the poor slaves. - -Towards the end of the year that I was in the field, my suffering -increased to that degree that it caused me to lift my voice to Almighty -God, and pray fervently for a termination of my sufferings in death; -though, at that time, I was ignorant of the blessings of religion. I -have thought that the God of the oppressed heard my prayer and came to -my relief, by changing my situation, under the following circumstances. -About that time, his younger brother, William, visited the farm, with -his wife, and had been at the house some two or three weeks before -I saw him. A few days before he left I was sent for to come to the -house, by the servant whom my master had bought to take my place when -I was put in the field. On my approaching the house, I observed my -master, his brother, and wife, standing in the door looking at me. Mr. -William McNeill spoke to me, and told me that he had bought me. He -then ordered me into the kitchen to wash, and sent me out a pair of -pantaloons and a shirt, in which I appeared much better than in the -ragged covering which I had cast off. I was then sent to the house, -and there he made me acquainted with my duties as a body servant, -which, as they were similar to those of my former master, it would be -useless to describe. As I was delighted with this change, and there -was something so pleasing in the manner of my new master, so different -from that of my old one, I entered into my duties with pleasure. In a -few days I started with my master and mistress for Louisiana to visit -her father's plantation, who was a sugar planter, and a more cruel one -I do not think was to be found in that neighborhood. We remained a -few weeks there, when my master made arrangements to visit Kentucky, -leaving his wife behind. We went up the Mississippi as far as Memphis, -there leaving the boat and taking the stage for Nashville, Tennessee; -and from thence to Lexington, Kentucky. A few days after our arrival, -my master made me acquainted with the object of his visit, which was to -purchase slaves, intending to take them to Mississippi, where he was -going to farming; and he instructed me to tell all slaves who should -inquire of me if he was a good master, that he was, to which I readily -assented; and, as he did not wish to purchase any that were not willing -to go with him, he would frequently send them to me, and I gave them -satisfactory proofs of his kindness. He soon got a sufficient number, -and started for the Mississippi by land. They all started willingly on -their journey, and arrived at its end without any difficulty. This is -to be wondered at, as none of the gang were ironed or shackled in any -way. - -My master had purchased a farm about one hundred and eighty miles from -his brother's, my former master; at which we arrived, as I before -stated, without any difficulty. My master remained on the farm until -everything was put in order, when he gave the farm up to the overseer, -and started for his wife, whom he had not seen for six months. When -we arrived at her father's plantation, I was kindly received by my -mistress, and I had begun to hope that master and mistress were both -kind people. But I was soon disappointed; for my mistress had been -brought up in Louisiana, and had witnessed punishment all her life, -and had become hardened to it. On the other hand, my master had spent -a number of years in the State of York, completing his education, and -was unused to such cruelty as yet. As soon as everything was arranged -we started for home, which we reached without accident. My mistress -had two favorite slaves; an old nurse about sixty years of age, and a -maid-servant about fifteen. On our arrival, we were installed in our -new offices: the nurse was to cook; the girl was to attend to the light -duty of the house; I was to take care of the horse and carriage, chop -wood, and any out-door work about the yard. For the first month or two, -everything went on quite smoothly; but soon the cloud grew black, the -storm commenced. My mistress had suppressed the evil passions reigning -within her as long as she was able; but her temper soon burst forth in -all its fury. I had frequently spoken in terms of praise to the cook, -of my mistress; but she always replied, that I was not acquainted with -her yet. I soon perceived a change in the management of the household -affairs. Her first act was to procure a cowhide, which was kept near -for immediate use; and there was scarcely a day but some one of us -felt it administered by her own hand upon our backs. I have seen her -beat the old cook most shockingly; at one time she pushed her into -the fire, and burnt her head very badly. This was the kindness to the -person who had nursed her. Although I have seen her perpetrate some of -the most cruel acts that a human being could, yet I never saw her in a -passion when she was inflicting punishment. She seemed to take delight -in torturing,—in fact, she made it a pastime; she inspired every one -about her with terror. As for myself, I was perfectly terrified when -she approached. I never saw, and never expect to see another person -that I feared so much as I did that woman. She soon exerted her wicked -influence over her husband, who was turned into a mere automaton, -moving at her will; and he became through her a most cruel man, lashing -and goading the slaves as she bid him. For the first few months my -duties were as I have mentioned; but soon they were increased. I had, -for one thing more, to tend the dinner-table every day, and fan my -mistress during her stay at the table. I have designed the cut below to -represent this scene, more clearly than I am able in words. After the -dinner, my mistress retired to the back piazza, to which place I had to -accompany her, where there was a net hung for her amusement. She would -generally lie down in it for an hour or so, and I had there to resume -my fanning, as at dinner. When this was through, I had to bring the -carriage to the door for her to take an airing in. She would ride four -or five miles out and back before tea. I would then take care of my -horse and carriage, and my duties were generally over for the day. - -[Illustration: _The Author attending at the Dinner-Table._] - -Thus passed about a year of my time with Mr. William McNeill; when, -thinking that the service of a field-hand would be of more value to -him, he made up his mind to part with me. He had promised, when he -bought me, that he would never put me in the field to work. He asked -me, if I thought I could get a master? I told him, I thought I could. -He accordingly gave me a pass to go to Vicksburg, which is one hundred -miles from my master's farm. There I was well acquainted, and thought -I could get a master without any difficulty. I remained there two -or three days looking for a master, but was unsuccessful. It then -occurred to me that I would go to another town, about thirty miles -from Vicksburg, where a gentleman lived who had often spoken of me in -flattering terms. I accordingly started, and reached there in safety, -and called on the gentleman, and presented the letter which my master -had given me. After reading it and asking a few questions, he sent me -into the kitchen. He then went across the street to a house where there -was a drove of slaves for sale, and selected one and brought him over -to me, and asked me, if I thought he would do? I told him, I thought he -would. He placed him in charge of the stage-driver the next morning, -for Mr. McNeill's farm. Thus ended my services with one of the worst -masters on the Mississippi. - -I entered the duties of my new situation with pleasure; not that I saw -anything more pleasing in my new master than I did in Mr. McNeill, but -the thought of having left the farm, as I hoped, forever, was a source -of great consolation to me. I do not mention the name of this gentleman -or of any of my subsequent masters, as I do not wish to afford them -the means to trace me. I resolved, when I commenced my new services, -that I would do everything in my power to please my master, so that -he would have no occasion to sell me; and I soon ascertained to my -satisfaction that my efforts were not unsuccessful, for he entrusted -me with the keys of his house,—he not being a married man,—which is -the highest mark of confidence a slave enjoys. I had been with him -but a short time, when I learned that he was training us for a hotel, -which he intended opening in a neighboring city. This information -pleased me much; for I thought the larger the city I was in, the -smaller the chance would be of my getting on a farm. When the hotel was -ready, he started with his servants. We reached there in safety, and -went immediately to the hotel, where we each entered upon the duties -assigned us; mine was in the dining-room, as waiter, a situation not -very desirable on account of not being able to make as much money -from boarders as in other stations in the house. In this situation I -soon learned to gamble, in order to gain money from those who had the -chance of making more than I made. In this wicked business I was very -expert, and had constantly on hand a small stock of money. Slavery has -made labor dishonorable to the white man; and, as they must have means -of living, they generally resort to gambling for support, and as they -cannot always find their own color to rob, they fasten upon the poor, -degraded slave, who has received some little trifle for an extra piece -of labor, to gull from him that which he has paid so dearly for; and I -have spent many Sunday nights, after my work was done, gambling. But, -as about this time there arose a great excitement respecting gamblers, -and having seen, in the city of Vicksburg, five gamblers hung, it -rather tended to stop my nefarious business for awhile. The citizens, -being determined to put a final stop to the practice, searched among -the slaves to punish them for what they had learned from their white -brothers. They accordingly had about one hundred up for examination, -which was carried on very closely; and they came to the conclusion, -that a free colored man and myself were the principals. We were brought -before the court, which was held in the bar-room at the hotel where I -was employed. The court seemed to have some sympathy for the free man. -He was sentenced first to have his left ear cropped, to be tarred and -feathered and put in a boat full of holes, and set adrift down the -river. They appointed a committee to see it put into effect, and they -then proceeded to sentence me. There was some disagreement respecting -what my sentence should be. Some wanted me branded,—others hung; but -they at last agreed that I should have sixty lashes, to be received -at the public whipping-post, and my master to give bonds for me to -keep the peace. So great was the excitement, that for three weeks the -city was kept under martial law. After I had got over my flogging, I -resolved never to gamble again. - -Very shortly after this, a circumstance occurred at the coffee-house, -which I have seen noticed in print; but, as I was acquainted with -the parties, and as some of my readers may not have read it, I will -relate it. There was an old slave attached to the house, by the name -of Jim, who was summoned one day to a room where there was two young -slaveholders present. He had scarcely answered their call before he -dropped down, in a fit of apoplexy. "He is dead!" exclaimed one. -"He'll come to," replied the other. "Dead, for five hundred!" "Done!" -retorted the other. The noise of the fall and the confusion which -followed, brought up the owner, who called for a doctor. "No! no! we -must have no interference; there's a bet depending!" "But, Sir, I shall -lose a valuable servant." "Never mind; you can put him down in the -bill!" was their reply. The poor fellow, after suffering some length -of time, finally came to. I merely state this fact, as I could many -others, to show the passion for gaming the Southerners have, and the -brutish manner in which a slave is treated. - -Two years of my life passed away without any particular interruption, -when, one Sunday afternoon, I got into a dispute with another slave. -High words were followed by blows; when I got exasperated, having drank -freely of liquor, and stabbed him. I was immediately arrested and put -in jail and kept till morning, when I was examined in court. My master, -in the meantime, had engaged the services of a distinguished lawyer by -the name of S. S. Prentiss, who by his able arguments extricated me -from punishment by law; but recommended my master to flog me, which he -followed to the letter. The slave with whom I had the difficulty was -not injured so as to cause death, and eventually recovered. - -I had never been to a meeting of a religious nature since I had been -in the city; but, soon after the difficulty I have just mentioned, my -master changed the hour for dinner, which enabled us to go to church. -There was a Methodist meeting-house on the hill near the jail, to which -our master allowed us all to go every Sunday afternoon, as we could not -go in the forenoon, where we heard the word of the minister preached -to us, who was a white man; the law making it necessary that white -persons should be present at all assemblages of slaves or free negroes. -The object of the slaveholders in having their slaves go to church can -be clearly seen by the following sermon, which, or one very similar to -it, I recollect hearing while worshipping at this church, which has -been published and circulated quite extensively at the South:—"'All -things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even -so unto them:' That is, do by all mankind just as you would desire -they should do by you if you were in their place, and they in yours. -Now, to suit this rule to your particular circumstances: suppose you -were masters and mistresses, and had servants under you; would you -not desire that your servants should do their business faithfully and -honestly, as well when your back was turned as while you were looking -over them? Would you not expect that they should take notice of what -you said to them; that they should behave themselves with respect -towards you and yours; and be as careful of everything belonging to -you, as you would be yourself? You are servants; do, therefore, as you -would wish to be done by, and you will be both good servants to your -masters and to your God, who requires this of you, and will reward you -well for it, if you do it for the sake of conscience, in obedience to -his commands. Take care that you do not fret, or murmur, or grumble at -your condition, for this will not only make your life uneasy, but will -greatly offend Almighty God. Consider, that it is not yourselves; it -is not the people you belong to; it is not the men that have brought -you to it; but it is the will of God, who hath by his wise providence -made you servants, because, no doubt, he knew that condition would be -best for you in this world and help you the better towards heaven, if -you would but do your duty in it; so that any discontent at your not -being free, or rich, or great as some others, is quarrelling with your -Heavenly Master, and finding fault with God himself. There is only one -circumstance which may appear grievous; that I shall now take notice -of,—and that is, correction. Now, let us see what the Scriptures say -on this point. 'The servant that knoweth his master's will and doeth -it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.' Now, does this not apply -directly to yourselves? Now, when correction is given to you, you -either deserve it, or you do not deserve it; but, whether you really -deserve it or not, it is your duty, and Almighty God requires, that you -bear it patiently. You may perhaps think that this is hard doctrine; -but if you consider right, you must needs think otherwise of it. -Suppose, then, that you deserve correction, you cannot but say that it -is right and just you should meet with it. Suppose you do not deserve -it, or at least do not deserve so much punishment for the fault you -have committed, you perhaps have escaped a great many more, and are -at last paid for all. Or, suppose you are quite innocent of what is -laid to your charge, and suffer wrongfully in that particular thing; -is it not possible you may have done some other bad thing, which was -never discovered, and that Almighty God, who saw you doing it, would -not let you escape without punishment some time or another? and ought -you not in such a case to give glory to him, and be thankful that he -would rather punish you in this world for your wickedness than destroy -your souls for it in the next? But, suppose that this even was not the -case,—a case hardly to be imagined; and that you have by no means, -known or unknown, deserved the correction you have received, there is -this great comfort in it, that if you bear it patiently and leave your -cause in the hands of God, he will reward you for it in heaven; and -this punishment you suffer unjustly here, shall turn to your exceeding -great glory hereafter." - -Such, my readers, is the doctrine which is preached to the poor slave; -and I could add many more specimens of it, if space would permit. -They are made to believe that God made them slaves, that they are -always to remain slaves, and bear with patience and humility the -unjust punishment they receive on earth, that it may be to their glory -hereafter. Is it not an unpardonable sin for man thus to defile the -holy sanctuary, and pollute the sacred word of God by using it for such -base purposes? But comment is unnecessary; the diabolical facts show -fairly enough of themselves, without my attempting to bring them out -any more. The cut represents a number of slaves listening to preaching -of this kind. - -[Illustration: _The Author in attendance on Public Worship._] - -I remained at this place about four years, when I was hired out to a -genteel sportsman, whom I was with for nine months, and in that time I -travelled a great deal with him, and witnessed much of the sufferings -of my brothers and sisters in bondage. But, from having seen so much, -my heart began to grow less feeling for the sufferings of others, and -even indifferent to my own punishment. My time having expired, I was -sent back to my master. In travelling with this man, whose name I will -not mention, I had cherished the idea of being my own master; but, -returning to the State of Mississippi, my hopes left me for awhile, -for it is almost a matter of impossibility for a slave to escape, on -account of its situation; and added to that, there are men who do -nothing else but hunt fugitive slaves with hounds that are so well -trained, that they do, as they advertise, take slaves without scarring -them enough to injure their value. I have said, my hope for freedom -had left me. I am wrong; it was suppressed only, and it grew stronger -from being suppressed, for I had determined to be free whenever an -opportunity should present itself. I had to be extremely careful in -my deportment, more attentive if possible to my duty, so that there -should be no suspicion that I had made up my mind to run away; for the -slaveholder watches every movement of the slave, and if he is downcast -or sad,—in fact, if they are in any mood but laughing and singing, -and manifesting symptoms of perfect content at heart,—they are said -to have the devil in them, which is the common term; and they are -often whipped or sold for their supposed wicked intentions. But as -for myself, the more I reflected upon my situation, the more cheerful -I appeared to be. About this time a change came over my master's -affairs, which caused me to be transferred into another's hands, which -change I afterwards found to be of great benefit to me. To my great -joy and satisfaction, I soon left this town; for I had made up my mind -that it was one of the most wicked places that I had ever been in. We -arrived at our place of destination without accident. I served this -man as body-servant for some time, when, being known as a good waiter, -I was hired out to the proprietor of a large hotel. In this situation -I was endeavoring to gain all the information I could respecting the -northern States, and the means of escape; but I could not obtain much -satisfaction on this point, as white persons visiting the hotels are -very careful what they say in the presence of the slaves. About six -months after I had been at the hotel, there came a gentleman from -the North, who seemed to manifest a great deal of sympathy for my -situation, and who afterwards proved to be my deliverer from bondage, -whose name I can give, if called for. He lives in the city of Boston. -Yes; through him I am enabled to sit this minute at my own table, and -also to worship God according to the dictates of my own conscience, -and pray fervently for the great day of universal emancipation; when -the husband may return to his wife; the child to the mother; when the -clanking of chains, the crack of the whip, the cries of the bleeding -bondmen, shall no more ascend to heaven. - -But I am wandering from the subject of my escape. One day, this -gentleman, my deliverer, who had become quite well acquainted with -me, overheard some remarks of mine, which caused him to ask me the -following questions: first, "Are you a slave?" to which I replied, I -was. He said, that he had all along thought me to be a free man. He -then asked, who my master was? I told him. "Why don't you run away?" -said he. I told him, with a laugh, I knew not where to go. At this -moment, the bell which called me to my duty, rang, and I had to leave -him; but with the determination to renew the conversation at the -earliest opportunity, for it was what I had been long looking for,—a -friend to consult with on the subject of freedom. The same night I -had another opportunity to converse with him; and, finding that I was -determined to escape, he informed me of the security the northern -states afforded for slaves, the feeling of the free people of color -living there, and of the great anti-slavery movement there, a subject -which I was entirely ignorant of before; and he then offered me the -means of escape. He told me that there was a ship lying at the wharf, -that would soon sail for the North, and that he was acquainted with -some persons on board, whom he could get to interfere in my behalf. I -had hoped that he would be able to make all arrangements without my -going on board, but I was disappointed; for he told me that at twelve -o'clock the same day, in case of not seeing him before that time, to -go on board, and inquire for the captain; on seeing him, to make my -bow to him, to look up unabashed, and ask him for a passage. He will -ask you, where your home is? You must tell him, in Boston; for I have -told you so much about it, that you can give him the information he -will ask for. I told him, I thought I could. Should he ask you where in -Boston you live, you may tell him at the North End. Should he ask you -what street in Boston you live, tell him, in Ann street. Should he ask -you, how Ann street runs, tell him, it runs parallel with Commercial -street; saying this, turn away with a laugh from the captain, telling -him he needs no information about the streets of Boston, as he knows -as well as you do of their situations. These questions he made me -answer to him many times; and fortunate for me that he did, for I -found them of great value to me. He then left me, charging me to go on -board precisely at twelve o'clock, if I did not see him before that -time. I spent all the rest of the morning in repeating my simple, but -important catechism,—quite as much so to me in my situation as ever -the famous Shorter Catechism, of Westminster Assembly notoriety, was to -a youngster just receiving his first theological lesson from the lips -of a Presbyterian parent, anxious to save the soul of his child; well -will it be for all who repeat that important religious catechism, if it -renders them as effectual service, in saving their souls, as mine did -in saving my body and soul from slavery's cursed hell,—and thinking -of the hour, waiting with impatience its approach, and yet dreading -its coming; for I had seen so many slaves brought back, and witnessed -the dreadful punishment they have received for attempting to get their -freedom, that I shuddered at the consequences of detection. The hour at -last arrived. My friend had not returned, and I started for the ship; -but, as I came in sight of it, my courage forsook me. I feared that I -should not be able to appear manly and fearless. Had I not been brought -under the lash of the white man? had not everything of a manly nature -been beaten out of me? had I not been taught that I was a slave,—that -I was ever to remain a slave? that it was the wish of Almighty God that -I should be content with my situation? But my readers will excuse me -for deviating from my narration to excuse the cowardly feelings which -then induced me to turn back. But as I did so, I paused for a moment; -and the thought of freedom—delicious freedom—came rushing over me, -and filled my soul with pleasure, and I determined to persevere. -Conning over my catechism again, I retraced my steps for the ship; and -as it again came to my view, I felt like a new man, and that I would -attempt it if it cost me my life. I went on board with a firm step, and -inquired for the captain. I was shown him, and about the same questions -were asked me that my kind friend had prepared me to answer. About -the close of our interview the idea came to me, that, should he ask -me for my free papers, what could I say,—what should I do? for I had -none; and these thoughts came very near making me forget how to answer -my last question, which was, the situation of Ann street. I however -answered as I had been instructed, and took a step or two forward. On -returning, I met the steward, who had just come out of the cabin, whom -I had never seen before; and to my surprise he came up and addressed -me in a manner that would indicate his having known me from boyhood, -and asked me when I had heard from, and when I was going, home? I told -him, that I had just applied to the captain for a passage. At this, he -turned to the captain, and told him that he should want some assistance -on the home passage; and, as I was an old acquaintance of his, he -would like to have me go with him. The captain, seeing the supposed -familiarity that was between us, replied that he would take me for half -price, which was fifteen dollars. This was another blow, which I did -not know how to avert; but the kind steward, seeing the dilemma that -I was in, kindly offered to become responsible for the money. Oh! how -joyful I then felt. I was lighter in body and mind, as if some crushing -weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I left the ship and ran home, -half crying and laughing, to think the day of my liberty was so near at -hand. I reached the hotel in a state of mind impossible to describe. I -however saw the necessity of suppressing my extraordinary joy, so that -it would not be observed and lead to questioning me. I accordingly went -to work concealing my thoughts, and looked eagerly for the day that -the ship was to sail; for the captain had informed me when he would be -ready to leave. - -The day at length arrived for the sailing of the ship; and one hour -before she sailed I went on board, with the clothes I was at work in, -not daring to take a thing with me, although I had plenty at the hotel, -for fear that it would excite suspicion. I stood upon the deck looking -at every person about me, thinking that the excuse I could give if -interrogated there would be more plausible than if I were in the cabin -or any other part of the ship. Finally, the steamboat which was to take -us down the river came up alongside and was made fast. As this was -going on I ventured to turn my head, and on the boat saw a man, whom -I thought I had seen at the hotel. The thought came to me, should he -see me, he might inform my master. I immediately feigned sickness, and -stooped down over the rail of the vessel and made a piteous moaning, -which attracted the attention of the captain, who ordered the steward -to come to my relief. He came and assisted me down between decks, -and laid me upon some old sails and ropes, telling me to remain there -until he called me. In a short time he came and brought a glass half -full of brandy, thick with cayenne pepper, for me to drink. I drank it, -and for some minutes it made me think that I was all on fire within. -This was to avoid suspicion. The steamer took us down the Mississippi, -passed the city of New Orleans, and left us at the outside the Balize, -at which time I had not appeared on deck, nor did I until the boat -had left the ship and she had set her sails for sea; then I left my -hiding-place, with my hands on my stomach. The captain then came up to -me, and looking me full in the face, asked me, if I had got well? I -told him, I was better. He said that I had better do some light work, -and it would probably wear off. I then busied myself about the ship, -endeavoring to make myself as useful as I could. We had a pleasant -passage of twenty-nine days, and arrived in Boston without anything -special happening. I have taken care to suppress the captain's name, -and the name of his ship, knowing that should it be known it would -cause him difficulty; and I never have given either since I have been a -free man. The money which the steward paid for my passage I was able to -refund to him in about a year afterwards. - -Thus twenty-six years, the prime of my life, had passed away in -slavery, I having witnessed it in all its forms; and I can with safety -say, that there is no good in it; and I can never hear any person -apologizing for it without pronouncing them to be meddling with that -they know nothing of. I remained concealed for three weeks in the house -of Mr. Wright, fearing to trust myself with any one, not knowing who -was my friend. But, finding myself destitute, I at length ventured -out, and my case became known among the people of color. I was directed -to that friend and champion of the slave, William L. Garrison, who -ever stands ready to assist and advise the panting fugitive. To him I -told my history; and, after giving me pecuniary assistance, he advised -me to leave the country and go to Canada, or England. As I considered -his advice wholesome, I determined to follow it; and left the office -in company with Mr. Nell, a gentleman of color, who had accompanied me -there, and who is since deceased. As I proceeded down street, we met a -gentleman whom Mr. Nell knew. This gentleman was inquiring for some one -to work for him on board a vessel. I was introduced to him and accepted -his proposals, and stayed with him a sufficient time to accumulate -enough to leave the land of Bibles and whips, where there is no place -for the fugitive to rest his weary feet. But, in justice to my late -employer, the Hon. Josiah Sturgis, who I found to be my best friend, I -would state, that he is a man possessed of a noble and generous heart; -and that he is ever ready to assist the destitute who apply to him. - -Once more I set sail for the land of freemen; and, when I touched the -soil of Britain, I felt that I was safe,—that I then was, in reality, -free. On my passage out, there was a gentleman by the name of Hodges -on board, who, having found that I was going to leave the ship, he -hired me to travel with him. I accordingly entered into his service, -and travelled over a large portion of England with him; and wherever -I went, I was treated like a man. They looked not at the color of my -skin, but judged me from my internal qualifications. - -But, as I have been more lengthy in this little Narrative than I -intended, I will bring it to a close; sincerely hoping that it will -interest my readers, and tend to ameliorate the condition of my three -millions of brothers and sisters in bondage, as well as throw some -light upon the condition of the slaves in Mississippi; the narratives -of other fugitives having for their scenes other States. After -remaining a few months in England, I judged it best for me to return to -America, which I accordingly did. - -This Narrative by no means covers the whole ground of my experience -under slavery's iron protection; for I could easily fill a much larger -space than this with accounts of what I have seen and felt of the -kindly influences of that patriarchal institution, standing as it does -(as McDuffie has well said) "at the corner stone of our republican -edifice." Perhaps, hereafter, I may furnish some more facts respecting -its heavenly character. - -Before closing this little Narrative, by the request of a number of -friends, I will state some facts in relation to the escape of my wife. - -She was a slave, in Maryland; was born about one hundred miles from -Baltimore. Her mother was liberated at the death of her master, and -left five children in slavery, including my wife. Her mother removed -to the North, where she had six other children. She is now dead, and -the family are scattered. My wife remained at her birth-place until she -was old enough to be hired out, then was taken to Baltimore and put to -work. There she remained until she made her escape. The circumstances -connected with her escape I will not repeat, lest I should block up the -way, or affect the business of the under-ground railroad. - -As she lived in a State where slavery subsisted in its mildest form, -her experience in it was far different from many. She knew nothing -comparatively of the grossest form of it; but notwithstanding this she -cordially detests slavery, and is an earnest anti-slavery worker. - -When toil-worn and care-worn, when well-nigh disheartened from all -this care and toil, I have invariably been sustained by the sympathy -and kind words of my wife. Truly, in the language of Scripture, she is -"an ever present help in time of need." When, saddened in spirit by -a reflection that my brethren are still groaning in bondage, I have -found—from her former situation as a slave, being equally a sufferer -with myself—she could enter into my feelings and cheer me with hopes -of the approaching time of their liberation. - -By the advice of my wife I destroyed the advertisement of my master, -thinking my safety was endangered by it. Had it been in my possession -now, I would have given the form without the name in connection with -it. - - - - - APPENDIX. - ~~~~~~~~ - - - EXTRACT FROM WELD'S AMERICAN SLAVERY AS IT IS. - -In the 'Charleston (South Carolina) Mercury' of October 12, 1838, we -find an advertisement of half a column, by a Dr. T. Stillman, setting -forth the merits of another 'Medical Infirmary,' under his own special -supervision, at No. 110 Church street, Charleston. The doctor, after -inveighing loudly against 'men totally ignorant of medical science,' -who flood the country with quack nostrums backed up by 'fabricated -proofs of miraculous cures,' proceeds to enumerate the diseases to -which his 'Infirmary' is open, and to which his practice will be -mainly confined. Appreciating the importance of 'interesting cases,' -as a stock in trade on which to commence his experiments, he copies -the example of the medical professors, and advertises for them. But, -either from a keener sense of justice, or more generosity, or greater -confidence in his skill, or for some other reason, he proposes to -_buy up_ an assortment of _damaged_ negroes, given over as incurable -by others, and to make such his 'interesting cases,' instead of -experimenting on those who are the 'property' of others. - -Dr. Stillman closes his advertisement with the following notice:— - - "TO PLANTERS AND OTHERS.—Wanted, _fifty negroes_. Any person - having sick negroes, considered incurable by their respective - physicians, and wishing to dispose of them, Dr. S. will pay cash - for negroes affected with scrofula or king's evil, confirmed - hypocondriasm, apoplexy, diseases of the liver, kidneys, spleen, - stomach and intestines, bladder and its appendages, diarrhœa, - dysentery, &c. The highest cash price will be paid on application - as above." - -The absolute barbarism of a 'public opinion' which not only tolerates, -but _produces_ such advertisements as this, was outdone by nothing -in the dark ages. If the reader has a heart of flesh, he can feel -it without help, and if he has not, comment will not create it. The -total indifference of slaveholders to such a cold-blooded proposition, -their utter unconsciousness of the paralysis of heart, and death of -sympathy, and every feeling of common humanity, for the slave, which it -reveals, is enough of itself to show that the tendency of the spirit -of slaveholding is, to kill in the soul whatever it touches. It has -no eyes to see, nor ears to hear, nor mind to understand, nor heart -to feel for its victims as _human beings_. To show that the above -indication of the savage state is not an index of individual feeling, -but of 'public opinion,' it is sufficient to say, that it appears to -be a standing advertisement in the Charleston Mercury, the leading -political paper of South Carolina, the organ of the Honorables John C. -Calhoun, Robert Barnwell Rhett, Hugh S. Legare, and others regarded -as the elite of her statesmen and literati. Besides, candidates -for popular favor, like the doctor who advertises for the fifty -'incurables,' take special care to conciliate, rather than outrage, -'public opinion.' Is the doctor so ignorant of 'public opinion' in his -own city, that he has unwittingly committed violence upon it in his -advertisement? We trow not. The same 'public opinion' which gave birth -to the advertisement of Dr. Stillman, and to those of the professors -in both medical institutions, founded the Charleston 'Work-House,'—a -soft name for a Moloch temple dedicated to torture, and reeking with -blood in the midst of the city; to which masters and mistresses send -their slaves of both sexes to be stripped, tied up, and cut with -the lash till the blood and mangled flesh flow to their feet, or to -be beaten and bruised with the terrible paddle, or forced to climb -the tread-mill till nature sinks, or to experience other nameless -torments.—_See Weld's American Slavery As it Is_, p. 171. - - - FUGITIVE'S TRIUMPH. - - Go, go, thou that enslav'st me, - Now, now thy power is o'er; - Long, long have I obeyed thee, - I'm not a slave any more; - No, no—oh, no! - I'm a _free man_ ever more! - - Thou, thou brought'st me ever, - Deep, deep sorrow and pain; - But I have left thee forever, - Nor will I serve thee again; - No, no—oh, no! - No, I'll not serve thee again. - - Tyrant! thou hast bereft me - Home, friends, pleasures so sweet; - Now, forever I've left thee, - Thou and I never shall meet; - No, no—oh, no! - Thou and I never shall meet. - - Joys, joys, bright as the morning, - Now, now, on me will pour, - Hope, hope, on me is dawning, - _I'm not a slave any more!_ - No, no—oh, no, - I'm a FREE MAN evermore! - - - THE BEREAVED SLAVE MOTHER. - - Oh! deep was the anguish of the Slave Mother's heart, - When call'd from her darling forever to part; - So grieved that lone Mother, that heart-broken Mother, - In sorrow and woe. - - The lash of the master her deep sorrows mock, - While the child of her bosom is sold on the block; - Yet loud shrieked that mother, poor heart-broken Mother, - In sorrow and woe. - - The babe in return, for its fond mother cries, - While the sound of their wailings together arise: - They shriek for each other, the child and the Mother, - In sorrow and woe. - - The harsh auctioneer, to sympathy cold, - Tears the babe from its Mother and sells it for Gold; - While the Infant and Mother, loud shriek for each other, - In sorrow and woe. - - At last came the parting of Mother and Child, - Her brain reel'd with madness, that mother was _wild_; - Then the _Lash_ could not smother, the shrieks of that Mother, - Of sorrow and woe. - - The child was borne off to a far distant clime, - While the Mother was left in anguish to pine; - But reason departed, and she sunk broken-hearted, - In sorrow and woe. - - That poor mourning Mother, of Reason bereft, - Soon ended her sorrows, and sunk cold in death; - Thus died that Slave Mother, poor heart-broken Mother, - In sorrow and woe. - - Oh! list ye kind Mothers to the cries of the Slave; - The Parents and Children implore you to save; - Go! rescue the Mothers, the Sisters and Brothers, - From sorrow and woe. - - - EXTRACTS FROM THE AMERICAN SLAVE CODE. - -The following are mostly abridged selections from the statutes of the -slave States and of the United States. They give but a faint view of -the cruel oppression to which the slaves are subject, but a strong -one enough, it is thought, to fill every honest heart with a deep -abhorrence of the atrocious system. Most of the important provisions -here cited, though placed under the name of only one State, prevail -in nearly all the States, with slight variations in language, and -some diversity in the penalties. The extracts have been made in part -from Stroud's Sketch of the Slave Laws, but chiefly from authorized -editions of the statute books referred to, found in the Philadelphia -Law Library. As the compiler has not had access to many of the later -enactments of the several States, nearly all he has cited are acts of -an earlier date than that of the present anti-slavery movement, so that -their severity cannot be ascribed to its influence. - -The cardinal principle of slavery, that the slave is not to be ranked -among _sentient beings_, but among things—is an article of property, a -chattel personal—obtains as undoubted law in all the slave States. - -The dominion of the master is as unlimited as is that which is -tolerated by the laws of any civilized country in relation to brute -animals—to _quadrupeds_; to use the words of the civil law. - -Slaves cannot even contract matrimony. - - * * * * * - -LOUISIANA.—A slave is one who is in the power of his master, to -whom he belongs. The master may sell him, dispose of his person, his -industry and his labor; he can do nothing, possess nothing, nor acquire -anything, but what must belong to his master. - -Slaves are incapable of inheriting or transmitting property. - -Slaves shall always be reputed and considered real estate; shall be as -such subject to be mortgaged, according to the rules prescribed by law, -and they shall be seized and sold as real estate. - -No owner of slaves shall hire his slaves to themselves, under a penalty -of twenty-five dollars for each offence. - -No slave can possess anything in his own right, or dispose of the -produce of his own industry, without the consent of his master. - -No slave can be party in a civil suit, or witness in a civil or -criminal matter, against any white person. - -A slave's subordination to his master is susceptible of no restriction -(except in what incites to crime), and he owes to him and all his -family, respect without bounds, and absolute obedience. - -Every slave found on horseback, without a written permission from his -master, shall receive twenty-five lashes. - -Any freeholder may seize and correct any slave found absent from his -usual place of work or residence, without some white person, and if -the slave resist or try to escape, he may use arms, and if the slave -_assault_ and strike him, he may kill the slave. - -It is lawful to fire upon runaway negroes who are armed, and upon those -who, when pursued, refuse to surrender. - -No slave may buy, sell, or exchange any kind of goods, or hold any -boat, or bring up for his own use, any horses or cattle, under a -penalty of forfeiting the whole. - -Slaves or free colored persons are punished with _death_ for wilfully -burning or destroying any stack of produce or any building. - -The punishment of a slave for striking a white person, shall be for -the first and second offences at the discretion of the court, but not -extending to life or limb, and for the third offence, _death_; but for -grievously wounding or mutilating a white person, _death_ for the first -offence; provided, if the blow or wound is given in defence of the -person or _property of his master_, or the person having charge of him, -he is entirely justified. - -A slave for wilfully striking his master or mistress, or the child of -either, or his white overseer, so as to cause a bruise or shedding of -blood, _shall be punished with death_. - -Any person cutting or breaking any iron chain or collar used to prevent -the escape of slaves, shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars, -nor more than one thousand dollars, and be imprisoned not more than two -years, nor less than six months. - -All slaves sentenced to death or perpetual imprisonment, in virtue of -existing laws, shall be paid for out of the public treasury, provided -the sum paid shall not exceed three hundred dollars for each slave. - -The State Treasurer shall pay the owners the value of all slaves whose -punishment has been commuted from that of death to that of imprisonment -for life. - -If any slave shall _happen_ to be slain for refusing to surrender him -or herself, contrary to law, or in unlawfully resisting any officer, -or _other person_, who shall apprehend, or endeavor to apprehend, such -slave or slaves, &c., such officer or _other person so killing such -slave as aforesaid_, making resistance, shall be, and he is by this -act, _indemnified_, from any prosecution for such killing aforesaid, &c. - -And by the negro act of 1740, of South Carolina, it is declared: - -If any slave who shall be out of the house or plantation where such -slave shall live, or shall be usually employed, or without some white -person in company with such slave, shall _refuse to submit_ to undergo -the examination of _any white_ person, it shall be lawful for such -white person to pursue, apprehend, and moderately correct such slave; -and if such slave shall assault and strike such white person, such -slave may be _lawfully killed_!! - - -Transcriber’s Notes: - - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - Blank pages have been removed. - - Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF HENRY WATSON, A -FUGITIVE SLAVE *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Narrative of Henry Watson, a fugitive slave</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Henry Watson</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: November 17, 2022 [eBook #69372]<br> -[Most recently updated: November 19, 2022]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: hekula03, Robert Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Library of Congress)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF HENRY WATSON, A FUGITIVE SLAVE ***</div> - <figure class="x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <img class="illowp75" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="" id="cover"> - </figure> - - <div class="titlepage"> - <h1><span class="xlarge gesperrt1">NARRATIVE</span><br> - <span class="small">OF</span><br> - <span class="gesperrt">HENRY WATSON,</span><br> - <span class="medium gesperrt1">A FUGITIVE SLAVE.</span></h1> - - <hr class="short mt10 mb1"> - <div>WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.</div> - <hr class="short mt1"> - - <div class="mt10"><span class="gesperrt1">BOSTON:</span><br> - <span class="small">PUBLISHED BY BELA MARSH, 25 CORNHILL.</span><br> - <span>1848.</span></div> - </div> - - <hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <div class="titlepage mt10 mb10 small"> - ABNER FORBES,<br> - PRINTER,<br> - 37 CORNHILL, BOSTON.</div> - - <hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <h2 class="gesperrt">DEDICATION.</h2> - <div class="center mt5 mb5">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div> - - <div><span class="smcap">Mr. Henry Holt</span>:<br> - <span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">Dear Sir,—</span></div> - - <p>Will you allow me, from feelings of sincere gratitude, to dedicate to - you my little Narrative, which, had it not been for you, I never should - have been able to have published; and let me assure you that I shall - ever entertain the most devoted feelings of gratitude, for your kind - and humane interference in my behalf, when I was a helpless slave.</p> - - <div><span style="margin-left: 6em;">I remain yours, most gratefully,</span><br> - <span style="margin-left: 17em;">H. WATSON.</span></div> - - <hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <div class="chapter"> - <span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">5</span> - <h2 class="nobreak" id="NARRATIVE_OF_HENRY_WATSON">NARRATIVE OF HENRY WATSON.</h2> - </div> - <div class="center mt5 mb5">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div> - - <p><span class="smcap">I was</span> born in Virginia, about thirteen miles from Fredericksburg, as - near as I can now recollect, in the year 1813. Mother was a slave, and - belonged to a man by the name of Bibb, whose Christian name I cannot - remember. My mother was called Letty. Slaves seldom have but one name; - and I never heard her called by any other. I was at that time called - Bill. I never had any brother or sister, that I know of. Like the - most of my brothers in bondage, I have no correct account of my age. - Slaves keep the birth of their children by the different seasons of - the year. Children often ask their parents their age. The answer is, - "this planting corn time, you are six, eight, or ten," just as it may - happen to be; but even this knowledge was I deprived of by my master, - who was one of those proud Virginians, whose principal business was - to raise slaves for the market; though I was permitted to remain with - my mother on his plantation until I was about eight years of age. My - mother was the cook at what slaves call the great house. I was allowed - to remain with her at the house. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">6</span> last time I saw her, she placed - me on the bed, which was in a room adjoining the kitchen, and bid me - go to sleep, saying that she would be back again in a few moments. I - did so; and when I awoke in the morning I found myself in the great - house, wrapped up in a blanket, before the fire. I could not account - for this change that had been made with me through the night. I asked - for my mother, but no one spoke. I went out into the kitchen, where - she used to work. She was not there, and it was evident to me, that - she was gone; where, I knew not. I returned to the house, and implored - my mistress, with tears in my eyes, to tell me where my mother had - gone. She refused, though a mother herself, to give me any satisfaction - whatever. Every exertion was made on my part to find her, or hear - some tidings of her; but all my efforts were unsuccessful; and from - that day I have never seen or heard from her. This cruel separation - brought on a fit of sickness, from which they did not expect I would - recover. The old slave-woman who took care of me during my sickness, - by way of consolation, gave me as much information as she could about - my mother's being taken away. She told me that a slave-dealer drove to - the door in a buggy, and my mother was sent for to come into the house; - when, getting inside, she was knocked down, tied, and thrown into the - buggy, and carried away. As the old woman related these things to me, - I felt as if all hope was gone; that I was forsaken and alone in this - world. More forcibly did I then feel the galling chains of slavery, - the cruelty and barbarism arising from it, than I ever have since. I - resolved, however, to bear with all patiently, till I became large - enough to run away, and search for my mother.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">7</span></p> - - <p>I had recovered from my sickness but a few months, when one day, - looking up the road, I saw a man riding towards the house; I ran with - the rest of the children to hide ourselves until the man had gone. When - I had remained concealed some time, I ventured out again, and found - Mr. Bibb, my master, looking for me, who ordered me into the house; - and when I got there, to my astonishment, I found the man whom we had - hid ourselves from, sitting in the room. After he had inspected me to - his satisfaction, I was ordered out of the room, and went to play, - and had forgotten the whole affair, when my master called me again, - and ordered me to hold the stranger's horse. I did so, and in a few - minutes he came forth and ordered me to mount behind him. This, with - his assistance, I did; but rode only a short distance, when I jumped - from the horse and ran for the house as fast as I could. He succeeded, - however, in overtaking me, and I was again put on the horse, this time - in front of him; and in this way was I carried to Fredericksburg. I - was then placed in the possession of Mr. Janer, better known as Parson - Janer; the man that had bought me being the son of Mr. Janer, who was - one of those jolly, good-natured clergymen, who, while he feasted his - numerous guests in the parlor, starved his slaves in the kitchen. After - remaining there awhile, it was determined to send me to Richmond. The - same man that brought me, came for me and ordered me to take a seat - on the stage-coach, and the next day I found myself in Richmond, and - stopped at the Eagle Hotel, kept by Mr. Holman, where I remained two or - three days, and then was carried to the auction room; entering which, I - found several slaves, seated around the room waiting for the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">8</span> hour of - sale. Some were in tears; others were apparently cheerful. This brought - to my mind my mother, and caused me to shed many tears; but they fell - unheeded. The auctioneer was busy examining the slaves before the sale - commenced. At last everything was ready, and the traffic in human flesh - began. I will attempt<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">9</span> to give as accurate an account of the language - and ceremony of a slave auction as I possibly can. "Gentlemen, here - is a likely boy; how much? He is sold for no fault; the owner wants - money. His age is forty. Three hundred dollars is all that I am offered - for him. Please to examine him; he is warranted sound. Boy, pull off - your shirt—roll up your pants—for we want to see if you have been - whipped." If they discover any scars, they will not buy; saying that - the nigger is a bad one. The auctioneer seeing this, cries, "Three - hundred dollars, gentlemen, three hundred dollars. Shall I sell him for - three hundred dollars? I have just been informed by his master, that he - is an honest boy, and belongs to the same church that he does." This - turns the tide frequently, and the bids go up fast; and he is knocked - off for a good sum. After the men and women are sold, the children - are put on the stand. I was the first put up. On my appearance, - several voices cried, "How old is that little nigger?" On hearing - this expression, I again burst into tears, and wept so that I have no - distinct recollection of his answer. I was at length knocked down to - a man whose name was Denton, a slave trader, then purchasing slaves - for the Southern market. His first name I have forgotten. Each one of - the traders has private jails, which are for the purpose of keeping - slaves in; and they are generally kept by some confidential slave. - Denton had one of these jails, to which I was conducted by his trusty - slave; and on entering I found a great many slaves there, waiting to be - sent off as soon as their numbers increased. These jails are enclosed - by a wall about 16 feet high, and the yard-room is for the slaves to - exercise in; and consists of but one room, in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">10</span> which all sexes and ages - are huddled together in a mass. I stayed in this jail but two days, - when the number was completed, and we were called out to form a line. - Horses and wagons were in readiness to carry our provisions and tents, - so that we might camp out at night. Before we had proceeded far, Mr. - Denton gave orders for us to stop, for the purpose of handcuffing some - of the men, which, he said in a loud voice, "had the devil in them." - The men belonging to this drove were all married men, and all leaving - their wives and children behind; he, judging from their tears that - they were unwilling to go, had them made secure. We started again on - our journey, Mr. Denton taking the lead in his sulky; and the driver, - Mr. Thornton, brought up the rear. I will not weary my readers with - the particulars of our march to Tennessee, where we stopped several - days for the purpose of arranging our clothes. While stopping, the men - were hired out to pick cotton. While in Tennessee, we lost four of our - number, who died from exposure on the road. After the lapse of three - weeks, we started again on our journey, and in about four weeks arrived - in Natchez, Miss., and went to our pen, which Mr. Denton had previously - hired for us, and had our irons taken off and our clothes changed; - for Mr. Denton was expecting visitors to examine the flock, as he - would sometimes term us. There was a sign-board in front of the house, - which informed traders that he had on hand, blacksmiths, carpenters, - field-hands; also several sickly ones, whom he would sell very cheap. - In a short time purchasers became plenty, and our number diminished. I - was not sold for several weeks, though I wished to be the first, not - wishing to witness his cruelty to his slaves any longer; for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">12</span> if they - displeased him in the least, he would order them to be stripped, and - tied hand and foot together. He would then have his paddle brought, - which was a board about two feet in length and one inch in thickness, - having fourteen holes bored through it, about an inch in circumference. - This instrument of torture he would apply, until the slave was - exhausted, on parts which the purchaser would not be likely to examine. - This mode of punishment is considered one of the most cruel ever - invented, as the flesh protrudes through these holes at every blow, and - forms bunches and blisters the size of each hole, causing much lameness - and soreness to the person receiving them. This punishment is generally - inflicted in the morning, before visitors come to examine the slaves.</p> - - <figure> - <img class="illowp70" src="images/i_008.jpg" alt=""> - <figcaption><i>The Author upon the Auction Block.</i></figcaption> - </figure> - - <figure class="mt2"> - <img class="illowp100" src="images/i_011.jpg" alt=""> - <figcaption><i>Whipping with the Paddle, as witnessed by the Author.</i></figcaption> - </figure> - - <p>Just before the doors are opened, it is usual for the keeper to grease - the mouths of the slaves, so as to make it appear that they are well - and hearty, and have just done eating fat meat; though they seldom, if - ever, while in the custody of the keeper, taste a morsel of meat of any - kind.</p> - - <p>At length, a man made his appearance; the very man of all others - I had ever seen, from whom I should shrink, and be afraid. He was - dark-complexioned, had sharp, grey eyes, a peaked nose, and compressed - lips; indeed, he was a very bad-looking man. I never wish to look upon - his face again. His name was Alexander McNeill, a member of the firm - of McNeill, Fiske & Co. He said he wanted a boy to bring up to suit - himself. He took a great fancy to me, and after some discussion about - the price, agreed at last to give five hundred dollars for me. I quit - my old quarters, and went with my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">13</span> new master to his store. He told me - my duty for the future would be, to wait upon him,—"to jump when I was - spoken to, run when sent upon errands, and if I did not mind my P's and - Q's, I should be flogged like h—l."</p> - - <p>As I did not like my new master's appearance, I at once concluded to - please him in all things. But it was all in vain; for the first morning - I was severely flogged for not placing his clothes in the proper - position on the chair. The second morning I received another severe - flogging for not giving his boots as good a polish as he thought they - had been accustomed to. Thus he went on in cruelty, and met every new - effort of mine to please him with fresh blows from his cowhide, which - he kept hung up in his room for that purpose. In a few days he made - arrangements for a journey, on which I was to accompany him. The object - of his journey was made known to me by some of his servants; and, as - that journey turned out to be of great importance to me, I will give - it to the world, as I got it from my author. My master was a married - man. Although I had never seen my mistress, as she was living with - her mother, sixty miles from the city,—she having found out, while - living with her husband in the city, that he had made a wife of one of - his slaves, had left him, and had gone to her mother; and the object - of his journey was to induce her to come back and live with him. I - accompanied him on this journey; and, although he made every effort on - his part to induce her to return, she refused to do so. He returned - to Natchez, enraged at his ill success, and determined never to make - another attempt at reconciliation. He concluded to leave the city, and - he purchased a farm near Vicksburg, on the Mississippi River,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">14</span> upon - which he settled. My master always was a cruel man; but ever since - his unsuccessful effort at reconciliation with his wife, he became a - perfect tyrant, lashing his slaves without mercy. This shows one of the - many ways in which the licentious slaveholder inflicts pain on poor - slaves; robbing them, by force, of their virtue, then lacerating their - backs for having allowed themselves thus to be forced. He had not been - long on his farm before he took another of his slave-women to wife, by - whom he had two children. These children were not treated any better - than any other slave's; the mother being out in the field all the day, - and in his room at night. Upon this farm were one hundred field-hands, - and two house servants, the cook and myself. For the accommodation of - the field-hands there were twenty-seven cabins, one hospital, one jail, - one gin-house; at which house, as in the jail, there are two pair of - stocks, for the torture of slaves. As the stocks on farms are different - in their construction from those commonly used in cities, I will give - a description of them. They consisted of two rough logs, generally - about twelve feet in length, one of them laid upon the ground, with - notches cut in it to fit the neck and arms; the other log, which was - cut with corresponding notches, was placed upon the victim to keep him - in his position. They were fastened at one end by a massive hinge; - and when the sufferer was in them, the other end was secured by a - large padlock. There were other modes of punishing; but these were - used for extreme cases, such as running away, or stealing, &c. On the - occasions of whipping by the stocks, it was my duty to be present; - and at the end of each hundred, to apply salt to the bleeding back - of the sufferer till the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">15</span> blood was stanched, when the whipping was - renewed, until the delinquent had received four or five hundred lashes. - These cruelties were principally inflicted by the overseer, who was a - drunken, quarrelsome person, whom it was impossible to please; and when - he was in liquor he took very great delight in inflicting punishment on - the slaves. Beside the overseer there was a driver, one of the slaves, - named Harry. He had a wife and children, whom, in case of their being - slightly in fault, he would have to lash with an unflinching hand; - there being no sympathy allowed to be shown, between even man and wife. - I will relate a circumstance, which made a very great impression on - my mind at that time. There was a slave on the farm by the name of - Jo. The overseer had threatened to put him in the stocks, for some - trivial offence. Jo, dreading the severity of the punishment, ran away, - which fact was soon brought to my master's knowledge, who ordered - the overseer to shoot him the first time he saw him. The overseer, - being a blood-thirsty fiend, like my master, kept strict watch for - Jo; and the second night, he saw him but a short distance from his - cabin, where he was probably going for the purpose of seeing his - wife, and getting something to eat; but he never saw those eyes light - up with pleasure,—never heard the sweet music of their voices, or - felt their warm embrace,—for the incarnate fiend's aim was too sure; - he was stretched dead in an instant. Yes; this man was hurried into - the presence of his Maker, without the power of speaking one word of - prayer. On the master being informed that his brutal order had been - obeyed, he gave orders that his body should not be removed from the - spot where he fell, as he wished it to serve as an example<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">16</span> to the rest - of us; and there it remained, the vultures rioting and feasting on the - remains of a man, whose only fault was a black skin.</p> - - <p>Never shall I forget the horrible sensation that passed through my - veins as I gazed upon the mutilated body of this poor man; but alas! I - could do nothing; I was myself a slave. My heart grew sad; I dropped a - tear to his memory and departed, cherishing a hope, that at no distant - day, I would be free. Although these facts were known to the neighbors, - yet no one asked even a question about it. He was a slave; no one cared - for him. I say no one—I am wrong; where was the slave's wife? where - were the slave's children?—had they no tears to shed? Ah! yes, many; - not tears from physical pain; but tears, scalding tears of pure grief. - The husband and father, shot like a dog before them; his bleeding form, - writhing in agony, and the sightless eyeballs glaring upon them; and - they dare not approach to straighten his stiffening limbs, or close his - sightless eyes. Ah! was there not grief? And even this would have been - denied them, had they shown it before this savage monster.</p> - - <p>I will not pain my readers with further details of my master's cruelty; - but will give them a few of the monster's laws. They were as follows: - In the morning, half an hour before daylight, the first horn was - blown, at which the slaves arose and prepared themselves for work. At - daylight another horn was blown, at which they all started in a run - for the field, with the driver after them, carrying their provisions - for the day in buckets. In a few moments the overseer would make his - appearance, and give his orders to the driver, who gave them to the - hands. They then went to work, and worked until<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">17</span> such time as the - driver thought proper, when he would crack his whip two or three times, - and they would eat their breakfasts, which consisted of strong, rancid - pork, coarse corn bread, and water, which was brought to them by small - children, who were not able to handle the hoe. As soon as Harry, the - driver, has finished his breakfast, they finish likewise, and hang up - their buckets on the fence or trees, and to work they go, without one - moment's intermission until noon, when they take their dinner in the - same manner as their breakfast; which done, they go again to work, - continuing till dark. They then return to their cabins, and have a - half hour to prepare their food for the next day, when the horn is - again blown for bed. If any are found out of their cabins after this - time, they are put in jail and kept till morning, when they generally - receive twenty-five or thirty lashes for their misdemeanor. So it - continues through the week until Sunday, when the women take their - tubs and blankets and start for the brooks, where they dismantle and - robe themselves in their blanket, wash and dry their clothes, put them - on again, and are ready to be at the house at four o'clock to receive - their weekly allowance, which is weighed out to them by the overseer. - The men give their shirts to the women to wash, and take their baskets - or hoes and start for the field. They are generally paid for this extra - work; if they do not work, they are set down as lazy persons, and are - whipped because they will not work for themselves. Thus is the Sabbath - passed. That day of rest and prayer is as other days to the poor slave. - For six years whilst I was on this farm, there was never such a thing - as a slave going to meeting, or hearing the word of God in any form.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">18</span></p> - - <p>Much has been said about the marriage rites of slaves; but there exists - no legal form,—every slaveholder having a form of his own. Permit me, - then, to give to my readers the manner in which my master performed the - ceremony. Whenever a vacancy occurred in any of the cabins of either - sex, of marriageable age, it was immediately filled up by my master - purchasing another slave, either man or woman, as the case might be, - and presenting them to the remaining inmates of the cabin, with the - following words: "Kitty, stand out in the floor; I have bought this - boy to-day for your husband, and I shall expect you to take good care - of him, by washing and mending his clothes. You know my orders to the - overseer; if either of you go to the field on Monday morning without - your clothes being washed, you are to be whipped. You will also take - care of his provisions, which will be weighed out with yours. Have it - cooked and ready in his bucket in time for him to go to the field every - morning. You understand what I have said to you;" which the slave must - answer with a low bow, and replying, "I do, sir." Then he will give - the man the following charge: "Tom, you will take care of this girl - for your wife, by bringing her wood, making her fire, bringing water. - Should your wife or self want anything, you can get it by working - on Sunday, for which I will allow you fifty cents a day, out of the - store." He would then ask them both if they understood his orders. They - would answer as before, by a low bow and courtesy, replying that they - did. He would then pronounce them man and wife, and say to them, "If - you fail to perform any of the duties I have mentioned, you will be - flogged severely."</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">19</span></p> - - <p>To give a sketch of all the cruelties that I witnessed on Mr. McNeill's - place, would occupy more space in this little book than I desire. I - will give a description of the manner in which the dead slaves are - disposed of. On the death of a slave, I was sent by my master to the - overseer, requesting him to send two boys to the house. On their - arrival, he would order them to the hospital, or sick-house, as it - is generally called, and they would take the body, fasten it in the - blanket on which he died, put it on the hand-barrow, and carry it to - its place of burial. This was generally done very hastily, on account - of the climate. Thus are they bundled into the earth, without minister - or coffin, or permitting the husband, or wife, or mother, to see the - last disposal of that which has been dear to them on earth.</p> - - <p>I was on this farm about six years, five of which I was employed as - house servant; and it is probable that I should have remained in the - house, had I not refused to give him some information respecting a - pig, which two of the men had stolen. This disobedience caused me much - suffering. In the first place, I was severely whipped with a cowskin, - the scars of which punishment I have to this day, and then I was sent - to the field to work,—the place I dreaded mostly. From morning till - night could the whip be heard, accompanied with the cries and groans of - the sufferers, whilst I was employed at the house. I was not under the - direction of the cruel overseer, and consequently escaped his cruelty. - A day seldom passed without witnessing several hundred lashes inflicted - upon the slaves; each individual having a stated number of pounds of - cotton to pick, the deficit of which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">20</span> was made up by as many lashes - being applied to the poor slave's back as he was so unlucky as to fall - short in the number of pounds of cotton which he was to have picked.</p> - - <p>As I had not been accustomed to field-work, I found it impossible to - keep up with the others. The overseer, seeing this, came up to me and - asked me if I knew where I was; I said, I did; he then replied, that - I had been at the house so long that I had got the devil in me; and - if I did not keep my row up with the rest, he would give me a hundred - lashes, and that d——d quick. To this I did not reply, but toiled on - to the best of my knowledge, hoping to escape punishment; but all in - vain; frequently was I whipped without any just cause. I do now think - that he made me his particular victim on account of my having been out - of his power so long a time. I am incapable of describing the great - difference between house and field labor. I have, since my settling - in the North, heard many persons, in speaking of slavery as they have - seen it in cities, towns, &c., where it exists in its mildest form, - apologizing for it, holding it forth to the world as a great benefit to - the black man. They say the slaves are nicely fed, clothed, and taken - care of in a very comfortable manner. But, step back in the interior - of slave States, on the plantations, where you see one hundred slaves - in charge of a drunken overseer, thinly clad, and scantily fed; driven - forth to labor from daylight till dark; where a slave for the most - trivial offence may be whipped to death, for in case of death arising - from whipping the overseer is indifferent,—he knows the master cannot - use the word of his slave against him,—he will not acknowledge it - himself. Thus there<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">21</span> is nothing to restrain him from using the most - unnatural and inhuman cruelty to the poor slaves.</p> - - <p>Towards the end of the year that I was in the field, my suffering - increased to that degree that it caused me to lift my voice to Almighty - God, and pray fervently for a termination of my sufferings in death; - though, at that time, I was ignorant of the blessings of religion. I - have thought that the God of the oppressed heard my prayer and came to - my relief, by changing my situation, under the following circumstances. - About that time, his younger brother, William, visited the farm, with - his wife, and had been at the house some two or three weeks before - I saw him. A few days before he left I was sent for to come to the - house, by the servant whom my master had bought to take my place when - I was put in the field. On my approaching the house, I observed my - master, his brother, and wife, standing in the door looking at me. Mr. - William McNeill spoke to me, and told me that he had bought me. He - then ordered me into the kitchen to wash, and sent me out a pair of - pantaloons and a shirt, in which I appeared much better than in the - ragged covering which I had cast off. I was then sent to the house, - and there he made me acquainted with my duties as a body servant, - which, as they were similar to those of my former master, it would be - useless to describe. As I was delighted with this change, and there - was something so pleasing in the manner of my new master, so different - from that of my old one, I entered into my duties with pleasure. In a - few days I started with my master and mistress for Louisiana to visit - her father's plantation, who was a sugar planter, and a more cruel one - I do not think was to be found in that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">22</span> neighborhood. We remained a - few weeks there, when my master made arrangements to visit Kentucky, - leaving his wife behind. We went up the Mississippi as far as Memphis, - there leaving the boat and taking the stage for Nashville, Tennessee; - and from thence to Lexington, Kentucky. A few days after our arrival, - my master made me acquainted with the object of his visit, which was to - purchase slaves, intending to take them to Mississippi, where he was - going to farming; and he instructed me to tell all slaves who should - inquire of me if he was a good master, that he was, to which I readily - assented; and, as he did not wish to purchase any that were not willing - to go with him, he would frequently send them to me, and I gave them - satisfactory proofs of his kindness. He soon got a sufficient number, - and started for the Mississippi by land. They all started willingly on - their journey, and arrived at its end without any difficulty. This is - to be wondered at, as none of the gang were ironed or shackled in any - way.</p> - - <p>My master had purchased a farm about one hundred and eighty miles from - his brother's, my former master; at which we arrived, as I before - stated, without any difficulty. My master remained on the farm until - everything was put in order, when he gave the farm up to the overseer, - and started for his wife, whom he had not seen for six months. When - we arrived at her father's plantation, I was kindly received by my - mistress, and I had begun to hope that master and mistress were both - kind people. But I was soon disappointed; for my mistress had been - brought up in Louisiana, and had witnessed punishment all her life, - and had become hardened to it. On the other hand, my master had spent - a number of years in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">23</span> the State of York, completing his education, and - was unused to such cruelty as yet. As soon as everything was arranged - we started for home, which we reached without accident. My mistress - had two favorite slaves; an old nurse about sixty years of age, and a - maid-servant about fifteen. On our arrival, we were installed in our - new offices: the nurse was to cook; the girl was to attend to the light - duty of the house; I was to take care of the horse and carriage, chop - wood, and any out-door work about the yard. For the first month or two, - everything went on quite smoothly; but soon the cloud grew black, the - storm commenced. My mistress had suppressed the evil passions reigning - within her as long as she was able; but her temper soon burst forth in - all its fury. I had frequently spoken in terms of praise to the cook, - of my mistress; but she always replied, that I was not acquainted with - her yet. I soon perceived a change in the management of the household - affairs. Her first act was to procure a cowhide, which was kept near - for immediate use; and there was scarcely a day but some one of us - felt it administered by her own hand upon our backs. I have seen her - beat the old cook most shockingly; at one time she pushed her into - the fire, and burnt her head very badly. This was the kindness to the - person who had nursed her. Although I have seen her perpetrate some of - the most cruel acts that a human being could, yet I never saw her in a - passion when she was inflicting punishment. She seemed to take delight - in torturing,—in fact, she made it a pastime; she inspired every one - about her with terror. As for myself, I was perfectly terrified when - she approached. I never saw, and never expect to see another person - that I feared so much as I did<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">24</span> that woman. She soon exerted her wicked - influence over her husband, who was turned into a mere automaton, - moving at her will; and he became through her a most cruel man, lashing - and goading the slaves as she bid him. For the first few months my - duties were as I have mentioned; but soon they were increased. I had, - for one thing more, to tend the dinner-table every day, and fan my - mistress during her stay at the table. I have designed the cut below to - represent this scene, more clearly than I am able in words. After the - dinner, my mistress retired to the back piazza, to which place I had to - accompany her, where there was a net hung for her amusement. She would - generally lie down in it for an hour or so, and I had there to resume - my fanning, as at dinner. When this was through, I had to bring the - carriage to the door for her to take an airing in. She would ride four - or five miles out and back before tea. I would then take care of my - horse and carriage, and my duties were generally over for the day.</p> - - <figure> - <img class="illowp100" src="images/i_024.jpg" alt=""> - <figcaption><i>The Author attending at the Dinner-Table.</i></figcaption> - </figure> - - <p>Thus passed about a year of my time with Mr. William<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">25</span> McNeill; when, - thinking that the service of a field-hand would be of more value to - him, he made up his mind to part with me. He had promised, when he - bought me, that he would never put me in the field to work. He asked - me, if I thought I could get a master? I told him, I thought I could. - He accordingly gave me a pass to go to Vicksburg, which is one hundred - miles from my master's farm. There I was well acquainted, and thought - I could get a master without any difficulty. I remained there two - or three days looking for a master, but was unsuccessful. It then - occurred to me that I would go to another town, about thirty miles - from Vicksburg, where a gentleman lived who had often spoken of me in - flattering terms. I accordingly started, and reached there in safety, - and called on the gentleman, and presented the letter which my master - had given me. After reading it and asking a few questions, he sent me - into the kitchen. He then went across the street to a house where there - was a drove of slaves for sale, and selected one and brought him over - to me, and asked me, if I thought he would do? I told him, I thought he - would. He placed him in charge of the stage-driver the next morning, - for Mr. McNeill's farm. Thus ended my services with one of the worst - masters on the Mississippi.</p> - - <p>I entered the duties of my new situation with pleasure; not that I saw - anything more pleasing in my new master than I did in Mr. McNeill, but - the thought of having left the farm, as I hoped, forever, was a source - of great consolation to me. I do not mention the name of this gentleman - or of any of my subsequent masters, as I do not wish to afford them - the means to trace me. I resolved, when I commenced my new services, - that I would do<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">26</span> everything in my power to please my master, so that - he would have no occasion to sell me; and I soon ascertained to my - satisfaction that my efforts were not unsuccessful, for he entrusted - me with the keys of his house,—he not being a married man,—which is - the highest mark of confidence a slave enjoys. I had been with him - but a short time, when I learned that he was training us for a hotel, - which he intended opening in a neighboring city. This information - pleased me much; for I thought the larger the city I was in, the - smaller the chance would be of my getting on a farm. When the hotel was - ready, he started with his servants. We reached there in safety, and - went immediately to the hotel, where we each entered upon the duties - assigned us; mine was in the dining-room, as waiter, a situation not - very desirable on account of not being able to make as much money - from boarders as in other stations in the house. In this situation I - soon learned to gamble, in order to gain money from those who had the - chance of making more than I made. In this wicked business I was very - expert, and had constantly on hand a small stock of money. Slavery has - made labor dishonorable to the white man; and, as they must have means - of living, they generally resort to gambling for support, and as they - cannot always find their own color to rob, they fasten upon the poor, - degraded slave, who has received some little trifle for an extra piece - of labor, to gull from him that which he has paid so dearly for; and I - have spent many Sunday nights, after my work was done, gambling. But, - as about this time there arose a great excitement respecting gamblers, - and having seen, in the city of Vicksburg, five gamblers hung, it - rather tended to stop my nefarious business for awhile.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">27</span> The citizens, - being determined to put a final stop to the practice, searched among - the slaves to punish them for what they had learned from their white - brothers. They accordingly had about one hundred up for examination, - which was carried on very closely; and they came to the conclusion, - that a free colored man and myself were the principals. We were brought - before the court, which was held in the bar-room at the hotel where I - was employed. The court seemed to have some sympathy for the free man. - He was sentenced first to have his left ear cropped, to be tarred and - feathered and put in a boat full of holes, and set adrift down the - river. They appointed a committee to see it put into effect, and they - then proceeded to sentence me. There was some disagreement respecting - what my sentence should be. Some wanted me branded,—others hung; but - they at last agreed that I should have sixty lashes, to be received - at the public whipping-post, and my master to give bonds for me to - keep the peace. So great was the excitement, that for three weeks the - city was kept under martial law. After I had got over my flogging, I - resolved never to gamble again.</p> - - <p>Very shortly after this, a circumstance occurred at the coffee-house, - which I have seen noticed in print; but, as I was acquainted with - the parties, and as some of my readers may not have read it, I will - relate it. There was an old slave attached to the house, by the name - of Jim, who was summoned one day to a room where there was two young - slaveholders present. He had scarcely answered their call before he - dropped down, in a fit of apoplexy. "He is dead!" exclaimed one. - "He'll come to," replied the other. "Dead, for five hundred!"<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">28</span> "Done!" - retorted the other. The noise of the fall and the confusion which - followed, brought up the owner, who called for a doctor. "No! no! we - must have no interference; there's a bet depending!" "But, Sir, I shall - lose a valuable servant." "Never mind; you can put him down in the - bill!" was their reply. The poor fellow, after suffering some length - of time, finally came to. I merely state this fact, as I could many - others, to show the passion for gaming the Southerners have, and the - brutish manner in which a slave is treated.</p> - - <p>Two years of my life passed away without any particular interruption, - when, one Sunday afternoon, I got into a dispute with another slave. - High words were followed by blows; when I got exasperated, having drank - freely of liquor, and stabbed him. I was immediately arrested and put - in jail and kept till morning, when I was examined in court. My master, - in the meantime, had engaged the services of a distinguished lawyer by - the name of S. S. Prentiss, who by his able arguments extricated me - from punishment by law; but recommended my master to flog me, which he - followed to the letter. The slave with whom I had the difficulty was - not injured so as to cause death, and eventually recovered.</p> - - <p>I had never been to a meeting of a religious nature since I had been - in the city; but, soon after the difficulty I have just mentioned, my - master changed the hour for dinner, which enabled us to go to church. - There was a Methodist meeting-house on the hill near the jail, to which - our master allowed us all to go every Sunday afternoon, as we could not - go in the forenoon, where we heard the word of the minister preached - to us,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">29</span> who was a white man; the law making it necessary that white - persons should be present at all assemblages of slaves or free negroes. - The object of the slaveholders in having their slaves go to church can - be clearly seen by the following sermon, which, or one very similar to - it, I recollect hearing while worshipping at this church, which has - been published and circulated quite extensively at the South:—"'All - things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even - so unto them:' That is, do by all mankind just as you would desire - they should do by you if you were in their place, and they in yours. - Now, to suit this rule to your particular circumstances: suppose you - were masters and mistresses, and had servants under you; would you - not desire that your servants should do their business faithfully and - honestly, as well when your back was turned as while you were looking - over them? Would you not expect that they should take notice of what - you said to them; that they should behave themselves with respect - towards you and yours; and be as careful of everything belonging to - you, as you would be yourself? You are servants; do, therefore, as you - would wish to be done by, and you will be both good servants to your - masters and to your God, who requires this of you, and will reward you - well for it, if you do it for the sake of conscience, in obedience to - his commands. Take care that you do not fret, or murmur, or grumble at - your condition, for this will not only make your life uneasy, but will - greatly offend Almighty God. Consider, that it is not yourselves; it - is not the people you belong to; it is not the men that have brought - you to it; but it is the will of God, who hath by his wise providence - made you servants, because,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">30</span> no doubt, he knew that condition would be - best for you in this world and help you the better towards heaven, if - you would but do your duty in it; so that any discontent at your not - being free, or rich, or great as some others, is quarrelling with your - Heavenly Master, and finding fault with God himself. There is only one - circumstance which may appear grievous; that I shall now take notice - of,—and that is, correction. Now, let us see what the Scriptures say - on this point. 'The servant that knoweth his master's will and doeth - it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.' Now, does this not apply - directly to yourselves? Now, when correction is given to you, you - either deserve it, or you do not deserve it; but, whether you really - deserve it or not, it is your duty, and Almighty God requires, that you - bear it patiently. You may perhaps think that this is hard doctrine; - but if you consider right, you must needs think otherwise of it. - Suppose, then, that you deserve correction, you cannot but say that it - is right and just you should meet with it. Suppose you do not deserve - it, or at least do not deserve so much punishment for the fault you - have committed, you perhaps have escaped a great many more, and are - at last paid for all. Or, suppose you are quite innocent of what is - laid to your charge, and suffer wrongfully in that particular thing; - is it not possible you may have done some other bad thing, which was - never discovered, and that Almighty God, who saw you doing it, would - not let you escape without punishment some time or another? and ought - you not in such a case to give glory to him, and be thankful that he - would rather punish you in this world for your wickedness than destroy - your souls for it in the next? But, suppose that this even was not the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">31</span> - case,—a case hardly to be imagined; and that you have by no means, - known or unknown, deserved the correction you have received, there is - this great comfort in it, that if you bear it patiently and leave your - cause in the hands of God, he will reward you for it in heaven; and - this punishment you suffer unjustly here, shall turn to your exceeding - great glory hereafter."</p> - - <p>Such, my readers, is the doctrine which is preached to the poor slave; - and I could add many more specimens of it, if space would permit. - They are made to believe that God made them slaves, that they are - always to remain slaves, and bear with patience and humility the - unjust punishment they receive on earth, that it may be to their glory - hereafter. Is it not an unpardonable sin for man thus to defile the - holy sanctuary, and pollute the sacred word of God by using it for such - base purposes? But comment is unnecessary; the diabolical facts show - fairly enough of themselves, without my attempting to bring them out - any more. The cut represents a number of slaves listening to preaching - of this kind.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">32</span></p> - - <figure> - <img class="illowp100" src="images/i_031.jpg" alt=""> - <figcaption><i>The Author in attendance on Public Worship.</i></figcaption> - </figure> - - <p>I remained at this place about four years, when I was hired out to a - genteel sportsman, whom I was with for nine months, and in that time I - travelled a great deal with him, and witnessed much of the sufferings - of my brothers and sisters in bondage. But, from having seen so much, - my heart began to grow less feeling for the sufferings of others, and - even indifferent to my own punishment. My time having expired, I was - sent back to my master. In travelling with this man, whose name I will - not mention, I had cherished the idea of being my own master; but, - returning to the State of Mississippi, my hopes left me for awhile, - for it is almost a matter of impossibility for a slave to escape, on - account of its situation; and added to that, there are men who do - nothing else but hunt fugitive slaves with hounds that are so well - trained, that they do, as they advertise, take slaves without scarring - them enough to injure their value. I have said, my hope for freedom - had left me. I am wrong; it was suppressed only, and it grew stronger - from being suppressed, for I had determined to be free whenever an - opportunity should present itself. I had to be extremely careful in - my deportment, more attentive if possible to my duty, so that there - should be no suspicion that I had made up my mind to run away; for the - slaveholder watches every movement of the slave, and if he is downcast - or sad,—in fact, if they are in any mood but laughing and singing, - and manifesting symptoms of perfect content at heart,—they are said - to have the devil in them, which is the common term; and they are - often whipped or sold for their supposed wicked intentions. But as - for myself, the more I reflected upon my situation, the more cheerful - I appeared to be. About this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">33</span> time a change came over my master's - affairs, which caused me to be transferred into another's hands, which - change I afterwards found to be of great benefit to me. To my great - joy and satisfaction, I soon left this town; for I had made up my mind - that it was one of the most wicked places that I had ever been in. We - arrived at our place of destination without accident. I served this - man as body-servant for some time, when, being known as a good waiter, - I was hired out to the proprietor of a large hotel. In this situation - I was endeavoring to gain all the information I could respecting the - northern States, and the means of escape; but I could not obtain much - satisfaction on this point, as white persons visiting the hotels are - very careful what they say in the presence of the slaves. About six - months after I had been at the hotel, there came a gentleman from - the North, who seemed to manifest a great deal of sympathy for my - situation, and who afterwards proved to be my deliverer from bondage, - whose name I can give, if called for. He lives in the city of Boston. - Yes; through him I am enabled to sit this minute at my own table, and - also to worship God according to the dictates of my own conscience, - and pray fervently for the great day of universal emancipation; when - the husband may return to his wife; the child to the mother; when the - clanking of chains, the crack of the whip, the cries of the bleeding - bondmen, shall no more ascend to heaven.</p> - - <p>But I am wandering from the subject of my escape. One day, this - gentleman, my deliverer, who had become quite well acquainted with - me, overheard some remarks of mine, which caused him to ask me the - following questions: first, "Are you a slave?" to which I replied,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">34</span> I - was. He said, that he had all along thought me to be a free man. He - then asked, who my master was? I told him. "Why don't you run away?" - said he. I told him, with a laugh, I knew not where to go. At this - moment, the bell which called me to my duty, rang, and I had to leave - him; but with the determination to renew the conversation at the - earliest opportunity, for it was what I had been long looking for,—a - friend to consult with on the subject of freedom. The same night I - had another opportunity to converse with him; and, finding that I was - determined to escape, he informed me of the security the northern - states afforded for slaves, the feeling of the free people of color - living there, and of the great anti-slavery movement there, a subject - which I was entirely ignorant of before; and he then offered me the - means of escape. He told me that there was a ship lying at the wharf, - that would soon sail for the North, and that he was acquainted with - some persons on board, whom he could get to interfere in my behalf. I - had hoped that he would be able to make all arrangements without my - going on board, but I was disappointed; for he told me that at twelve - o'clock the same day, in case of not seeing him before that time, to - go on board, and inquire for the captain; on seeing him, to make my - bow to him, to look up unabashed, and ask him for a passage. He will - ask you, where your home is? You must tell him, in Boston; for I have - told you so much about it, that you can give him the information he - will ask for. I told him, I thought I could. Should he ask you where in - Boston you live, you may tell him at the North End. Should he ask you - what street in Boston you live, tell him, in Ann street. Should he ask<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">35</span> - you, how Ann street runs, tell him, it runs parallel with Commercial - street; saying this, turn away with a laugh from the captain, telling - him he needs no information about the streets of Boston, as he knows - as well as you do of their situations. These questions he made me - answer to him many times; and fortunate for me that he did, for I - found them of great value to me. He then left me, charging me to go on - board precisely at twelve o'clock, if I did not see him before that - time. I spent all the rest of the morning in repeating my simple, but - important catechism,—quite as much so to me in my situation as ever - the famous Shorter Catechism, of Westminster Assembly notoriety, was to - a youngster just receiving his first theological lesson from the lips - of a Presbyterian parent, anxious to save the soul of his child; well - will it be for all who repeat that important religious catechism, if it - renders them as effectual service, in saving their souls, as mine did - in saving my body and soul from slavery's cursed hell,—and thinking - of the hour, waiting with impatience its approach, and yet dreading - its coming; for I had seen so many slaves brought back, and witnessed - the dreadful punishment they have received for attempting to get their - freedom, that I shuddered at the consequences of detection. The hour at - last arrived. My friend had not returned, and I started for the ship; - but, as I came in sight of it, my courage forsook me. I feared that I - should not be able to appear manly and fearless. Had I not been brought - under the lash of the white man? had not everything of a manly nature - been beaten out of me? had I not been taught that I was a slave,—that - I was ever to remain a slave? that it was the wish of Almighty God that - I should be content<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">36</span> with my situation? But my readers will excuse me - for deviating from my narration to excuse the cowardly feelings which - then induced me to turn back. But as I did so, I paused for a moment; - and the thought of freedom—delicious freedom—came rushing over me, - and filled my soul with pleasure, and I determined to persevere. - Conning over my catechism again, I retraced my steps for the ship; and - as it again came to my view, I felt like a new man, and that I would - attempt it if it cost me my life. I went on board with a firm step, and - inquired for the captain. I was shown him, and about the same questions - were asked me that my kind friend had prepared me to answer. About - the close of our interview the idea came to me, that, should he ask - me for my free papers, what could I say,—what should I do? for I had - none; and these thoughts came very near making me forget how to answer - my last question, which was, the situation of Ann street. I however - answered as I had been instructed, and took a step or two forward. On - returning, I met the steward, who had just come out of the cabin, whom - I had never seen before; and to my surprise he came up and addressed - me in a manner that would indicate his having known me from boyhood, - and asked me when I had heard from, and when I was going, home? I told - him, that I had just applied to the captain for a passage. At this, he - turned to the captain, and told him that he should want some assistance - on the home passage; and, as I was an old acquaintance of his, he - would like to have me go with him. The captain, seeing the supposed - familiarity that was between us, replied that he would take me for half - price, which was fifteen dollars. This was another blow, which I did - not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">37</span> know how to avert; but the kind steward, seeing the dilemma that - I was in, kindly offered to become responsible for the money. Oh! how - joyful I then felt. I was lighter in body and mind, as if some crushing - weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I left the ship and ran home, - half crying and laughing, to think the day of my liberty was so near at - hand. I reached the hotel in a state of mind impossible to describe. I - however saw the necessity of suppressing my extraordinary joy, so that - it would not be observed and lead to questioning me. I accordingly went - to work concealing my thoughts, and looked eagerly for the day that - the ship was to sail; for the captain had informed me when he would be - ready to leave.</p> - - <p>The day at length arrived for the sailing of the ship; and one hour - before she sailed I went on board, with the clothes I was at work in, - not daring to take a thing with me, although I had plenty at the hotel, - for fear that it would excite suspicion. I stood upon the deck looking - at every person about me, thinking that the excuse I could give if - interrogated there would be more plausible than if I were in the cabin - or any other part of the ship. Finally, the steamboat which was to take - us down the river came up alongside and was made fast. As this was - going on I ventured to turn my head, and on the boat saw a man, whom - I thought I had seen at the hotel. The thought came to me, should he - see me, he might inform my master. I immediately feigned sickness, and - stooped down over the rail of the vessel and made a piteous moaning, - which attracted the attention of the captain, who ordered the steward - to come to my relief. He came and assisted me down between decks,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">38</span> - and laid me upon some old sails and ropes, telling me to remain there - until he called me. In a short time he came and brought a glass half - full of brandy, thick with cayenne pepper, for me to drink. I drank it, - and for some minutes it made me think that I was all on fire within. - This was to avoid suspicion. The steamer took us down the Mississippi, - passed the city of New Orleans, and left us at the outside the Balize, - at which time I had not appeared on deck, nor did I until the boat - had left the ship and she had set her sails for sea; then I left my - hiding-place, with my hands on my stomach. The captain then came up to - me, and looking me full in the face, asked me, if I had got well? I - told him, I was better. He said that I had better do some light work, - and it would probably wear off. I then busied myself about the ship, - endeavoring to make myself as useful as I could. We had a pleasant - passage of twenty-nine days, and arrived in Boston without anything - special happening. I have taken care to suppress the captain's name, - and the name of his ship, knowing that should it be known it would - cause him difficulty; and I never have given either since I have been a - free man. The money which the steward paid for my passage I was able to - refund to him in about a year afterwards.</p> - - <p>Thus twenty-six years, the prime of my life, had passed away in - slavery, I having witnessed it in all its forms; and I can with safety - say, that there is no good in it; and I can never hear any person - apologizing for it without pronouncing them to be meddling with that - they know nothing of. I remained concealed for three weeks in the house - of Mr. Wright, fearing to trust myself with any one, not knowing who - was my friend. But, finding<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">39</span> myself destitute, I at length ventured - out, and my case became known among the people of color. I was directed - to that friend and champion of the slave, William L. Garrison, who - ever stands ready to assist and advise the panting fugitive. To him I - told my history; and, after giving me pecuniary assistance, he advised - me to leave the country and go to Canada, or England. As I considered - his advice wholesome, I determined to follow it; and left the office - in company with Mr. Nell, a gentleman of color, who had accompanied me - there, and who is since deceased. As I proceeded down street, we met a - gentleman whom Mr. Nell knew. This gentleman was inquiring for some one - to work for him on board a vessel. I was introduced to him and accepted - his proposals, and stayed with him a sufficient time to accumulate - enough to leave the land of Bibles and whips, where there is no place - for the fugitive to rest his weary feet. But, in justice to my late - employer, the Hon. Josiah Sturgis, who I found to be my best friend, I - would state, that he is a man possessed of a noble and generous heart; - and that he is ever ready to assist the destitute who apply to him.</p> - - <p>Once more I set sail for the land of freemen; and, when I touched the - soil of Britain, I felt that I was safe,—that I then was, in reality, - free. On my passage out, there was a gentleman by the name of Hodges - on board, who, having found that I was going to leave the ship, he - hired me to travel with him. I accordingly entered into his service, - and travelled over a large portion of England with him; and wherever - I went, I was treated like a man. They looked not at the color of my - skin, but judged me from my internal qualifications.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">40</span></p> - - <p>But, as I have been more lengthy in this little Narrative than I - intended, I will bring it to a close; sincerely hoping that it will - interest my readers, and tend to ameliorate the condition of my three - millions of brothers and sisters in bondage, as well as throw some - light upon the condition of the slaves in Mississippi; the narratives - of other fugitives having for their scenes other States. After - remaining a few months in England, I judged it best for me to return to - America, which I accordingly did.</p> - - <p>This Narrative by no means covers the whole ground of my experience - under slavery's iron protection; for I could easily fill a much larger - space than this with accounts of what I have seen and felt of the - kindly influences of that patriarchal institution, standing as it does - (as McDuffie has well said) "at the corner stone of our republican - edifice." Perhaps, hereafter, I may furnish some more facts respecting - its heavenly character.</p> - - <p>Before closing this little Narrative, by the request of a number of - friends, I will state some facts in relation to the escape of my wife.</p> - - <p>She was a slave, in Maryland; was born about one hundred miles from - Baltimore. Her mother was liberated at the death of her master, and - left five children in slavery, including my wife. Her mother removed - to the North, where she had six other children. She is now dead, and - the family are scattered. My wife remained at her birth-place until she - was old enough to be hired out, then was taken to Baltimore and put to - work. There she remained until she made her escape. The circumstances - connected with her escape I will not repeat, lest I should block up the - way, or affect the business of the under-ground railroad.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">41</span></p> - - <p>As she lived in a State where slavery subsisted in its mildest form, - her experience in it was far different from many. She knew nothing - comparatively of the grossest form of it; but notwithstanding this she - cordially detests slavery, and is an earnest anti-slavery worker.</p> - - <p>When toil-worn and care-worn, when well-nigh disheartened from all - this care and toil, I have invariably been sustained by the sympathy - and kind words of my wife. Truly, in the language of Scripture, she is - "an ever present help in time of need." When, saddened in spirit by - a reflection that my brethren are still groaning in bondage, I have - found—from her former situation as a slave, being equally a sufferer - with myself—she could enter into my feelings and cheer me with hopes - of the approaching time of their liberation.</p> - - <p>By the advice of my wife I destroyed the advertisement of my master, - thinking my safety was endangered by it. Had it been in my possession - now, I would have given the form without the name in connection with it.</p> - - <hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <div class="chapter"> - <span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">42</span> - <h2 class="gesperrt nobreak" id="APPENDIX">APPENDIX.</h2> - </div> - <div class="center mt5 mb5">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div> - - <div class="subheadc">EXTRACT FROM WELD'S AMERICAN SLAVERY AS IT IS.</div> - - <p>In the 'Charleston (South Carolina) Mercury' of October 12, 1838, we - find an advertisement of half a column, by a Dr. T. Stillman, setting - forth the merits of another 'Medical Infirmary,' under his own special - supervision, at No. 110 Church street, Charleston. The doctor, after - inveighing loudly against 'men totally ignorant of medical science,' - who flood the country with quack nostrums backed up by 'fabricated - proofs of miraculous cures,' proceeds to enumerate the diseases to - which his 'Infirmary' is open, and to which his practice will be - mainly confined. Appreciating the importance of 'interesting cases,' - as a stock in trade on which to commence his experiments, he copies - the example of the medical professors, and advertises for them. But, - either from a keener sense of justice, or more generosity, or greater - confidence in his skill, or for some other reason, he proposes to - <em>buy up</em> an assortment of <em>damaged</em> negroes, given over as - incurable by others, and to make such his 'interesting cases,' instead - of experimenting on those who are the 'property' of others.</p> - - <p>Dr. Stillman closes his advertisement with the following notice:—</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">43</span></p> - - <blockquote> - <p>"<span class="smcap">To Planters and others.</span>—Wanted, <em>fifty negroes</em>. - Any person having sick negroes, considered incurable by their - respective physicians, and wishing to dispose of them, Dr. S. - will pay cash for negroes affected with scrofula or king's evil, - confirmed hypocondriasm, apoplexy, diseases of the liver, kidneys, - spleen, stomach and intestines, bladder and its appendages, - diarrhœa, dysentery, &c. The highest cash price will be paid on - application as above."</p> - </blockquote> - - <p>The absolute barbarism of a 'public opinion' which not only tolerates, - but <em>produces</em> such advertisements as this, was outdone by nothing - in the dark ages. If the reader has a heart of flesh, he can feel - it without help, and if he has not, comment will not create it. The - total indifference of slaveholders to such a cold-blooded proposition, - their utter unconsciousness of the paralysis of heart, and death of - sympathy, and every feeling of common humanity, for the slave, which it - reveals, is enough of itself to show that the tendency of the spirit - of slaveholding is, to kill in the soul whatever it touches. It has no - eyes to see, nor ears to hear, nor mind to understand, nor heart to - feel for its victims as <em>human beings</em>. To show that the above - indication of the savage state is not an index of individual feeling, - but of 'public opinion,' it is sufficient to say, that it appears to - be a standing advertisement in the Charleston Mercury, the leading - political paper of South Carolina, the organ of the Honorables John C. - Calhoun, Robert Barnwell Rhett, Hugh S. Legare, and others regarded - as the elite of her statesmen and literati. Besides, candidates - for popular favor, like the doctor who advertises for the fifty - 'incurables,' take special care to conciliate, rather than outrage, - 'public opinion.' Is the doctor so ignorant of 'public opinion' in his - own city, that he has unwittingly committed violence upon it in his - advertisement? We trow not. The same 'public opinion' which gave birth - to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">44</span> the advertisement of Dr. Stillman, and to those of the professors - in both medical institutions, founded the Charleston 'Work-House,'—a - soft name for a Moloch temple dedicated to torture, and reeking with - blood in the midst of the city; to which masters and mistresses send - their slaves of both sexes to be stripped, tied up, and cut with - the lash till the blood and mangled flesh flow to their feet, or to - be beaten and bruised with the terrible paddle, or forced to climb - the tread-mill till nature sinks, or to experience other nameless - torments.—<cite>See Weld's American Slavery As it Is</cite>, p. 171.</p> - - <hr class="mt5"> - <h3>FUGITIVE'S TRIUMPH.</h3> - - <div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0"><span class="smcap">Go</span>, go, thou that enslav'st me,</div> - <div class="i2">Now, now thy power is o'er;</div> - <div class="i0">Long, long have I obeyed thee,</div> - <div class="i2">I'm not a slave any more;</div> - <div class="i6">No, no—oh, no!</div> - <div class="i2">I'm a <em>free man</em> ever more!</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">Thou, thou brought'st me ever,</div> - <div class="i2">Deep, deep sorrow and pain;</div> - <div class="i0">But I have left thee forever,</div> - <div class="i2">Nor will I serve thee again;</div> - <div class="i6">No, no—oh, no!</div> - <div class="i2">No, I'll not serve thee again.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">Tyrant! thou hast bereft me</div> - <div class="i2">Home, friends, pleasures so sweet;</div> - <div class="i0">Now, forever I've left thee,</div> - <div class="i2">Thou and I never shall meet;</div> - <div class="i6">No, no—oh, no!</div> - <div class="i2">Thou and I never shall meet.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">45</span>Joys, joys, bright as the morning,</div> - <div class="i2">Now, now, on me will pour,</div> - <div class="i0">Hope, hope, on me is dawning,</div> - <div class="i2"><em>I'm not a slave any more!</em></div> - <div class="i6">No, no—oh, no,</div> - <div class="i2">I'm a <span class="smcap">free man</span> evermore!</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> - - <hr class="mt5"> - <h3>THE BEREAVED SLAVE MOTHER.</h3> - - <div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0"><span class="smcap">Oh!</span> deep was the anguish of the Slave Mother's heart,</div> - <div class="i0">When call'd from her darling forever to part;</div> - <div class="i0">So grieved that lone Mother, that heart-broken Mother,</div> - <div class="i20">In sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">The lash of the master her deep sorrows mock,</div> - <div class="i0">While the child of her bosom is sold on the block;</div> - <div class="i0">Yet loud shrieked that mother, poor heart-broken Mother,</div> - <div class="i20">In sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">The babe in return, for its fond mother cries,</div> - <div class="i0">While the sound of their wailings together arise:</div> - <div class="i0">They shriek for each other, the child and the Mother,</div> - <div class="i20">In sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">The harsh auctioneer, to sympathy cold,</div> - <div class="i0">Tears the babe from its Mother and sells it for Gold;</div> - <div class="i0">While the Infant and Mother, loud shriek for each other,</div> - <div class="i20">In sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">At last came the parting of Mother and Child,</div> - <div class="i0">Her brain reel'd with madness, that mother was <em>wild</em>;</div> - <div class="i0">Then the <em>Lash</em> could not smother, the shrieks of that Mother,</div> - <div class="i20">Of sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">46</span>The child was borne off to a far distant clime,</div> - <div class="i0">While the Mother was left in anguish to pine;</div> - <div class="i0">But reason departed, and she sunk broken-hearted,</div> - <div class="i20">In sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">That poor mourning Mother, of Reason bereft,</div> - <div class="i0">Soon ended her sorrows, and sunk cold in death;</div> - <div class="i0">Thus died that Slave Mother, poor heart-broken Mother,</div> - <div class="i20">In sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">Oh! list ye kind Mothers to the cries of the Slave;</div> - <div class="i0">The Parents and Children implore you to save;</div> - <div class="i0">Go! rescue the Mothers, the Sisters and Brothers,</div> - <div class="i20">From sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> - - <hr class="mt5"> - <h2>EXTRACTS FROM THE AMERICAN SLAVE CODE.</h2> - - <p><span class="smcap">The</span> following are mostly abridged selections from the statutes of the - slave States and of the United States. They give but a faint view of - the cruel oppression to which the slaves are subject, but a strong - one enough, it is thought, to fill every honest heart with a deep - abhorrence of the atrocious system. Most of the important provisions - here cited, though placed under the name of only one State, prevail - in nearly all the States, with slight variations in language, and - some diversity in the penalties. The extracts have been made in part - from Stroud's Sketch of the Slave Laws, but chiefly from authorized - editions of the statute books referred to, found in the Philadelphia - Law Library. As the compiler has not had access to many of the later - enactments of the several States, nearly all he has cited are acts of - an earlier date than that of the present anti-slavery movement, so that - their severity cannot be ascribed to its influence.</p> - - <p>The cardinal principle of slavery, that the slave is not to be ranked - among <em>sentient beings</em>, but among things—is an article of - property, a chattel personal—obtains as undoubted law in all the slave - States.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">47</span></p> - - <p>The dominion of the master is as unlimited as is that which is - tolerated by the laws of any civilized country in relation to brute - animals—to <em>quadrupeds</em>; to use the words of the civil law.</p> - - <p>Slaves cannot even contract matrimony.</p> - - <hr> - - <p><span class="smcap">Louisiana.</span>—A slave is one who is in the power of his master, - to whom he belongs. The master may sell him, dispose of his person, his - industry and his labor; he can do nothing, possess nothing, nor acquire - anything, but what must belong to his master.</p> - - <p>Slaves are incapable of inheriting or transmitting property.</p> - - <p>Slaves shall always be reputed and considered real estate; shall be as - such subject to be mortgaged, according to the rules prescribed by law, - and they shall be seized and sold as real estate.</p> - - <p>No owner of slaves shall hire his slaves to themselves, under a penalty - of twenty-five dollars for each offence.</p> - - <p>No slave can possess anything in his own right, or dispose of the - produce of his own industry, without the consent of his master.</p> - - <p>No slave can be party in a civil suit, or witness in a civil or - criminal matter, against any white person.</p> - - <p>A slave's subordination to his master is susceptible of no restriction - (except in what incites to crime), and he owes to him and all his - family, respect without bounds, and absolute obedience.</p> - - <p>Every slave found on horseback, without a written permission from his - master, shall receive twenty-five lashes.</p> - - <p>Any freeholder may seize and correct any slave found absent from his - usual place of work or residence, without some white person, and if - the slave resist or try to escape, he may use arms, and if the slave - <em>assault</em> and strike him, he may kill the slave.</p> - - <p>It is lawful to fire upon runaway negroes who are armed, and upon those - who, when pursued, refuse to surrender.</p> - - <p>No slave may buy, sell, or exchange any kind of goods, or hold any - boat, or bring up for his own use, any horses or cattle, under a - penalty of forfeiting the whole.</p> - - <p>Slaves or free colored persons are punished with <em>death</em> for - wilfully burning or destroying any stack of produce or any building.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">48</span></p> - - <p>The punishment of a slave for striking a white person, shall be for - the first and second offences at the discretion of the court, but not - extending to life or limb, and for the third offence, <em>death</em>; but - for grievously wounding or mutilating a white person, <em>death</em> for - the first offence; provided, if the blow or wound is given in defence - of the person or <em>property of his master</em>, or the person having - charge of him, he is entirely justified.</p> - - <p>A slave for wilfully striking his master or mistress, or the child of - either, or his white overseer, so as to cause a bruise or shedding of - blood, <em>shall be punished with death</em>.</p> - - <p>Any person cutting or breaking any iron chain or collar used to prevent - the escape of slaves, shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars, - nor more than one thousand dollars, and be imprisoned not more than two - years, nor less than six months.</p> - - <p>All slaves sentenced to death or perpetual imprisonment, in virtue of - existing laws, shall be paid for out of the public treasury, provided - the sum paid shall not exceed three hundred dollars for each slave.</p> - - <p>The State Treasurer shall pay the owners the value of all slaves whose - punishment has been commuted from that of death to that of imprisonment - for life.</p> - - <p>If any slave shall <em>happen</em> to be slain for refusing to surrender - him or herself, contrary to law, or in unlawfully resisting any - officer, or <em>other person</em>, who shall apprehend, or endeavor to - apprehend, such slave or slaves, &c., such officer or <em>other person - so killing such slave as aforesaid</em>, making resistance, shall be, - and he is by this act, <em>indemnified</em>, from any prosecution for - such killing aforesaid, &c.</p> - - <p>And by the negro act of 1740, of South Carolina, it is declared:</p> - - <p>If any slave who shall be out of the house or plantation where such - slave shall live, or shall be usually employed, or without some white - person in company with such slave, shall <em>refuse to submit</em> to - undergo the examination of <em>any white</em> person, it shall be lawful - for such white person to pursue, apprehend, and moderately correct such - slave; and if such slave shall assault and strike such white person, - such slave may be <em>lawfully killed</em>!!</p> - - <div class="transnote mt5"> - <div class="large center"><b>Transcriber’s Notes:</b></div> - <ul class="spaced small"> - <li>Blank pages have been removed.</li> - <li>Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.</li> - </ul> - </div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF HENRY WATSON, A FUGITIVE SLAVE ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Narrative of Henry Watson, a fugitive slave - -Author: Henry Watson - -Release Date: November 17, 2022 [eBook #69372] - -Language: English - -Produced by: hekula03 and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at - https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by the Library of Congress) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF HENRY WATSON, A -FUGITIVE SLAVE *** - - - - - - NARRATIVE - OF - HENRY WATSON, - A FUGITIVE SLAVE. - - WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. - - BOSTON: - PUBLISHED BY BELA MARSH, 25 CORNHILL. - 1848. - - - ABNER FORBES, - PRINTER, - 37 CORNHILL, BOSTON. - - - - - DEDICATION. - ~~~~~~~~ - - -MR. HENRY HOLT: - -DEAR SIR,— - -Will you allow me, from feelings of sincere gratitude, to dedicate to -you my little Narrative, which, had it not been for you, I never should -have been able to have published; and let me assure you that I shall -ever entertain the most devoted feelings of gratitude, for your kind -and humane interference in my behalf, when I was a helpless slave. - - I remain yours, most gratefully, - H. WATSON. - - - - - NARRATIVE OF HENRY WATSON. - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - - -I was born in Virginia, about thirteen miles from Fredericksburg, as -near as I can now recollect, in the year 1813. Mother was a slave, and -belonged to a man by the name of Bibb, whose Christian name I cannot -remember. My mother was called Letty. Slaves seldom have but one name; -and I never heard her called by any other. I was at that time called -Bill. I never had any brother or sister, that I know of. Like the -most of my brothers in bondage, I have no correct account of my age. -Slaves keep the birth of their children by the different seasons of -the year. Children often ask their parents their age. The answer is, -"this planting corn time, you are six, eight, or ten," just as it may -happen to be; but even this knowledge was I deprived of by my master, -who was one of those proud Virginians, whose principal business was -to raise slaves for the market; though I was permitted to remain with -my mother on his plantation until I was about eight years of age. My -mother was the cook at what slaves call the great house. I was allowed -to remain with her at the house. The last time I saw her, she placed -me on the bed, which was in a room adjoining the kitchen, and bid me -go to sleep, saying that she would be back again in a few moments. I -did so; and when I awoke in the morning I found myself in the great -house, wrapped up in a blanket, before the fire. I could not account -for this change that had been made with me through the night. I asked -for my mother, but no one spoke. I went out into the kitchen, where -she used to work. She was not there, and it was evident to me, that -she was gone; where, I knew not. I returned to the house, and implored -my mistress, with tears in my eyes, to tell me where my mother had -gone. She refused, though a mother herself, to give me any satisfaction -whatever. Every exertion was made on my part to find her, or hear -some tidings of her; but all my efforts were unsuccessful; and from -that day I have never seen or heard from her. This cruel separation -brought on a fit of sickness, from which they did not expect I would -recover. The old slave-woman who took care of me during my sickness, -by way of consolation, gave me as much information as she could about -my mother's being taken away. She told me that a slave-dealer drove to -the door in a buggy, and my mother was sent for to come into the house; -when, getting inside, she was knocked down, tied, and thrown into the -buggy, and carried away. As the old woman related these things to me, -I felt as if all hope was gone; that I was forsaken and alone in this -world. More forcibly did I then feel the galling chains of slavery, -the cruelty and barbarism arising from it, than I ever have since. I -resolved, however, to bear with all patiently, till I became large -enough to run away, and search for my mother. - -I had recovered from my sickness but a few months, when one day, -looking up the road, I saw a man riding towards the house; I ran with -the rest of the children to hide ourselves until the man had gone. When -I had remained concealed some time, I ventured out again, and found -Mr. Bibb, my master, looking for me, who ordered me into the house; -and when I got there, to my astonishment, I found the man whom we had -hid ourselves from, sitting in the room. After he had inspected me to -his satisfaction, I was ordered out of the room, and went to play, -and had forgotten the whole affair, when my master called me again, -and ordered me to hold the stranger's horse. I did so, and in a few -minutes he came forth and ordered me to mount behind him. This, with -his assistance, I did; but rode only a short distance, when I jumped -from the horse and ran for the house as fast as I could. He succeeded, -however, in overtaking me, and I was again put on the horse, this time -in front of him; and in this way was I carried to Fredericksburg. I -was then placed in the possession of Mr. Janer, better known as Parson -Janer; the man that had bought me being the son of Mr. Janer, who was -one of those jolly, good-natured clergymen, who, while he feasted his -numerous guests in the parlor, starved his slaves in the kitchen. After -remaining there awhile, it was determined to send me to Richmond. The -same man that brought me, came for me and ordered me to take a seat -on the stage-coach, and the next day I found myself in Richmond, and -stopped at the Eagle Hotel, kept by Mr. Holman, where I remained two or -three days, and then was carried to the auction room; entering which, I -found several slaves, seated around the room waiting for the hour of -sale. Some were in tears; others were apparently cheerful. This brought -to my mind my mother, and caused me to shed many tears; but they fell -unheeded. The auctioneer was busy examining the slaves before the sale -commenced. At last everything was ready, and the traffic in human flesh -began. I will attempt to give as accurate an account of the language -and ceremony of a slave auction as I possibly can. "Gentlemen, here -is a likely boy; how much? He is sold for no fault; the owner wants -money. His age is forty. Three hundred dollars is all that I am offered -for him. Please to examine him; he is warranted sound. Boy, pull off -your shirt—roll up your pants—for we want to see if you have been -whipped." If they discover any scars, they will not buy; saying that -the nigger is a bad one. The auctioneer seeing this, cries, "Three -hundred dollars, gentlemen, three hundred dollars. Shall I sell him for -three hundred dollars? I have just been informed by his master, that he -is an honest boy, and belongs to the same church that he does." This -turns the tide frequently, and the bids go up fast; and he is knocked -off for a good sum. After the men and women are sold, the children -are put on the stand. I was the first put up. On my appearance, -several voices cried, "How old is that little nigger?" On hearing -this expression, I again burst into tears, and wept so that I have no -distinct recollection of his answer. I was at length knocked down to -a man whose name was Denton, a slave trader, then purchasing slaves -for the Southern market. His first name I have forgotten. Each one of -the traders has private jails, which are for the purpose of keeping -slaves in; and they are generally kept by some confidential slave. -Denton had one of these jails, to which I was conducted by his trusty -slave; and on entering I found a great many slaves there, waiting to be -sent off as soon as their numbers increased. These jails are enclosed -by a wall about 16 feet high, and the yard-room is for the slaves to -exercise in; and consists of but one room, in which all sexes and ages -are huddled together in a mass. I stayed in this jail but two days, -when the number was completed, and we were called out to form a line. -Horses and wagons were in readiness to carry our provisions and tents, -so that we might camp out at night. Before we had proceeded far, Mr. -Denton gave orders for us to stop, for the purpose of handcuffing some -of the men, which, he said in a loud voice, "had the devil in them." -The men belonging to this drove were all married men, and all leaving -their wives and children behind; he, judging from their tears that -they were unwilling to go, had them made secure. We started again on -our journey, Mr. Denton taking the lead in his sulky; and the driver, -Mr. Thornton, brought up the rear. I will not weary my readers with -the particulars of our march to Tennessee, where we stopped several -days for the purpose of arranging our clothes. While stopping, the men -were hired out to pick cotton. While in Tennessee, we lost four of our -number, who died from exposure on the road. After the lapse of three -weeks, we started again on our journey, and in about four weeks arrived -in Natchez, Miss., and went to our pen, which Mr. Denton had previously -hired for us, and had our irons taken off and our clothes changed; -for Mr. Denton was expecting visitors to examine the flock, as he -would sometimes term us. There was a sign-board in front of the house, -which informed traders that he had on hand, blacksmiths, carpenters, -field-hands; also several sickly ones, whom he would sell very cheap. -In a short time purchasers became plenty, and our number diminished. I -was not sold for several weeks, though I wished to be the first, not -wishing to witness his cruelty to his slaves any longer; for if they -displeased him in the least, he would order them to be stripped, and -tied hand and foot together. He would then have his paddle brought, -which was a board about two feet in length and one inch in thickness, -having fourteen holes bored through it, about an inch in circumference. -This instrument of torture he would apply, until the slave was -exhausted, on parts which the purchaser would not be likely to examine. -This mode of punishment is considered one of the most cruel ever -invented, as the flesh protrudes through these holes at every blow, and -forms bunches and blisters the size of each hole, causing much lameness -and soreness to the person receiving them. This punishment is generally -inflicted in the morning, before visitors come to examine the slaves. - -[Illustration: _The Author upon the Auction Block._] - -[Illustration: _Whipping with the Paddle, as witnessed by the Author._] - -Just before the doors are opened, it is usual for the keeper to grease -the mouths of the slaves, so as to make it appear that they are well -and hearty, and have just done eating fat meat; though they seldom, if -ever, while in the custody of the keeper, taste a morsel of meat of any -kind. - -At length, a man made his appearance; the very man of all others -I had ever seen, from whom I should shrink, and be afraid. He was -dark-complexioned, had sharp, grey eyes, a peaked nose, and compressed -lips; indeed, he was a very bad-looking man. I never wish to look upon -his face again. His name was Alexander McNeill, a member of the firm -of McNeill, Fiske & Co. He said he wanted a boy to bring up to suit -himself. He took a great fancy to me, and after some discussion about -the price, agreed at last to give five hundred dollars for me. I quit -my old quarters, and went with my new master to his store. He told me -my duty for the future would be, to wait upon him,—"to jump when I was -spoken to, run when sent upon errands, and if I did not mind my P's and -Q's, I should be flogged like h—l." - -As I did not like my new master's appearance, I at once concluded to -please him in all things. But it was all in vain; for the first morning -I was severely flogged for not placing his clothes in the proper -position on the chair. The second morning I received another severe -flogging for not giving his boots as good a polish as he thought they -had been accustomed to. Thus he went on in cruelty, and met every new -effort of mine to please him with fresh blows from his cowhide, which -he kept hung up in his room for that purpose. In a few days he made -arrangements for a journey, on which I was to accompany him. The object -of his journey was made known to me by some of his servants; and, as -that journey turned out to be of great importance to me, I will give -it to the world, as I got it from my author. My master was a married -man. Although I had never seen my mistress, as she was living with -her mother, sixty miles from the city,—she having found out, while -living with her husband in the city, that he had made a wife of one of -his slaves, had left him, and had gone to her mother; and the object -of his journey was to induce her to come back and live with him. I -accompanied him on this journey; and, although he made every effort on -his part to induce her to return, she refused to do so. He returned -to Natchez, enraged at his ill success, and determined never to make -another attempt at reconciliation. He concluded to leave the city, and -he purchased a farm near Vicksburg, on the Mississippi River, upon -which he settled. My master always was a cruel man; but ever since -his unsuccessful effort at reconciliation with his wife, he became a -perfect tyrant, lashing his slaves without mercy. This shows one of the -many ways in which the licentious slaveholder inflicts pain on poor -slaves; robbing them, by force, of their virtue, then lacerating their -backs for having allowed themselves thus to be forced. He had not been -long on his farm before he took another of his slave-women to wife, by -whom he had two children. These children were not treated any better -than any other slave's; the mother being out in the field all the day, -and in his room at night. Upon this farm were one hundred field-hands, -and two house servants, the cook and myself. For the accommodation of -the field-hands there were twenty-seven cabins, one hospital, one jail, -one gin-house; at which house, as in the jail, there are two pair of -stocks, for the torture of slaves. As the stocks on farms are different -in their construction from those commonly used in cities, I will give -a description of them. They consisted of two rough logs, generally -about twelve feet in length, one of them laid upon the ground, with -notches cut in it to fit the neck and arms; the other log, which was -cut with corresponding notches, was placed upon the victim to keep him -in his position. They were fastened at one end by a massive hinge; -and when the sufferer was in them, the other end was secured by a -large padlock. There were other modes of punishing; but these were -used for extreme cases, such as running away, or stealing, &c. On the -occasions of whipping by the stocks, it was my duty to be present; -and at the end of each hundred, to apply salt to the bleeding back -of the sufferer till the blood was stanched, when the whipping was -renewed, until the delinquent had received four or five hundred lashes. -These cruelties were principally inflicted by the overseer, who was a -drunken, quarrelsome person, whom it was impossible to please; and when -he was in liquor he took very great delight in inflicting punishment on -the slaves. Beside the overseer there was a driver, one of the slaves, -named Harry. He had a wife and children, whom, in case of their being -slightly in fault, he would have to lash with an unflinching hand; -there being no sympathy allowed to be shown, between even man and wife. -I will relate a circumstance, which made a very great impression on -my mind at that time. There was a slave on the farm by the name of -Jo. The overseer had threatened to put him in the stocks, for some -trivial offence. Jo, dreading the severity of the punishment, ran away, -which fact was soon brought to my master's knowledge, who ordered -the overseer to shoot him the first time he saw him. The overseer, -being a blood-thirsty fiend, like my master, kept strict watch for -Jo; and the second night, he saw him but a short distance from his -cabin, where he was probably going for the purpose of seeing his -wife, and getting something to eat; but he never saw those eyes light -up with pleasure,—never heard the sweet music of their voices, or -felt their warm embrace,—for the incarnate fiend's aim was too sure; -he was stretched dead in an instant. Yes; this man was hurried into -the presence of his Maker, without the power of speaking one word of -prayer. On the master being informed that his brutal order had been -obeyed, he gave orders that his body should not be removed from the -spot where he fell, as he wished it to serve as an example to the rest -of us; and there it remained, the vultures rioting and feasting on the -remains of a man, whose only fault was a black skin. - -Never shall I forget the horrible sensation that passed through my -veins as I gazed upon the mutilated body of this poor man; but alas! I -could do nothing; I was myself a slave. My heart grew sad; I dropped a -tear to his memory and departed, cherishing a hope, that at no distant -day, I would be free. Although these facts were known to the neighbors, -yet no one asked even a question about it. He was a slave; no one cared -for him. I say no one—I am wrong; where was the slave's wife? where -were the slave's children?—had they no tears to shed? Ah! yes, many; -not tears from physical pain; but tears, scalding tears of pure grief. -The husband and father, shot like a dog before them; his bleeding form, -writhing in agony, and the sightless eyeballs glaring upon them; and -they dare not approach to straighten his stiffening limbs, or close his -sightless eyes. Ah! was there not grief? And even this would have been -denied them, had they shown it before this savage monster. - -I will not pain my readers with further details of my master's cruelty; -but will give them a few of the monster's laws. They were as follows: -In the morning, half an hour before daylight, the first horn was -blown, at which the slaves arose and prepared themselves for work. At -daylight another horn was blown, at which they all started in a run -for the field, with the driver after them, carrying their provisions -for the day in buckets. In a few moments the overseer would make his -appearance, and give his orders to the driver, who gave them to the -hands. They then went to work, and worked until such time as the -driver thought proper, when he would crack his whip two or three times, -and they would eat their breakfasts, which consisted of strong, rancid -pork, coarse corn bread, and water, which was brought to them by small -children, who were not able to handle the hoe. As soon as Harry, the -driver, has finished his breakfast, they finish likewise, and hang up -their buckets on the fence or trees, and to work they go, without one -moment's intermission until noon, when they take their dinner in the -same manner as their breakfast; which done, they go again to work, -continuing till dark. They then return to their cabins, and have a -half hour to prepare their food for the next day, when the horn is -again blown for bed. If any are found out of their cabins after this -time, they are put in jail and kept till morning, when they generally -receive twenty-five or thirty lashes for their misdemeanor. So it -continues through the week until Sunday, when the women take their -tubs and blankets and start for the brooks, where they dismantle and -robe themselves in their blanket, wash and dry their clothes, put them -on again, and are ready to be at the house at four o'clock to receive -their weekly allowance, which is weighed out to them by the overseer. -The men give their shirts to the women to wash, and take their baskets -or hoes and start for the field. They are generally paid for this extra -work; if they do not work, they are set down as lazy persons, and are -whipped because they will not work for themselves. Thus is the Sabbath -passed. That day of rest and prayer is as other days to the poor slave. -For six years whilst I was on this farm, there was never such a thing -as a slave going to meeting, or hearing the word of God in any form. - -Much has been said about the marriage rites of slaves; but there exists -no legal form,—every slaveholder having a form of his own. Permit me, -then, to give to my readers the manner in which my master performed the -ceremony. Whenever a vacancy occurred in any of the cabins of either -sex, of marriageable age, it was immediately filled up by my master -purchasing another slave, either man or woman, as the case might be, -and presenting them to the remaining inmates of the cabin, with the -following words: "Kitty, stand out in the floor; I have bought this -boy to-day for your husband, and I shall expect you to take good care -of him, by washing and mending his clothes. You know my orders to the -overseer; if either of you go to the field on Monday morning without -your clothes being washed, you are to be whipped. You will also take -care of his provisions, which will be weighed out with yours. Have it -cooked and ready in his bucket in time for him to go to the field every -morning. You understand what I have said to you;" which the slave must -answer with a low bow, and replying, "I do, sir." Then he will give -the man the following charge: "Tom, you will take care of this girl -for your wife, by bringing her wood, making her fire, bringing water. -Should your wife or self want anything, you can get it by working -on Sunday, for which I will allow you fifty cents a day, out of the -store." He would then ask them both if they understood his orders. They -would answer as before, by a low bow and courtesy, replying that they -did. He would then pronounce them man and wife, and say to them, "If -you fail to perform any of the duties I have mentioned, you will be -flogged severely." - -To give a sketch of all the cruelties that I witnessed on Mr. McNeill's -place, would occupy more space in this little book than I desire. I -will give a description of the manner in which the dead slaves are -disposed of. On the death of a slave, I was sent by my master to the -overseer, requesting him to send two boys to the house. On their -arrival, he would order them to the hospital, or sick-house, as it -is generally called, and they would take the body, fasten it in the -blanket on which he died, put it on the hand-barrow, and carry it to -its place of burial. This was generally done very hastily, on account -of the climate. Thus are they bundled into the earth, without minister -or coffin, or permitting the husband, or wife, or mother, to see the -last disposal of that which has been dear to them on earth. - -I was on this farm about six years, five of which I was employed as -house servant; and it is probable that I should have remained in the -house, had I not refused to give him some information respecting a -pig, which two of the men had stolen. This disobedience caused me much -suffering. In the first place, I was severely whipped with a cowskin, -the scars of which punishment I have to this day, and then I was sent -to the field to work,—the place I dreaded mostly. From morning till -night could the whip be heard, accompanied with the cries and groans of -the sufferers, whilst I was employed at the house. I was not under the -direction of the cruel overseer, and consequently escaped his cruelty. -A day seldom passed without witnessing several hundred lashes inflicted -upon the slaves; each individual having a stated number of pounds of -cotton to pick, the deficit of which was made up by as many lashes -being applied to the poor slave's back as he was so unlucky as to fall -short in the number of pounds of cotton which he was to have picked. - -As I had not been accustomed to field-work, I found it impossible to -keep up with the others. The overseer, seeing this, came up to me and -asked me if I knew where I was; I said, I did; he then replied, that -I had been at the house so long that I had got the devil in me; and -if I did not keep my row up with the rest, he would give me a hundred -lashes, and that d——d quick. To this I did not reply, but toiled on -to the best of my knowledge, hoping to escape punishment; but all in -vain; frequently was I whipped without any just cause. I do now think -that he made me his particular victim on account of my having been out -of his power so long a time. I am incapable of describing the great -difference between house and field labor. I have, since my settling -in the North, heard many persons, in speaking of slavery as they have -seen it in cities, towns, &c., where it exists in its mildest form, -apologizing for it, holding it forth to the world as a great benefit to -the black man. They say the slaves are nicely fed, clothed, and taken -care of in a very comfortable manner. But, step back in the interior -of slave States, on the plantations, where you see one hundred slaves -in charge of a drunken overseer, thinly clad, and scantily fed; driven -forth to labor from daylight till dark; where a slave for the most -trivial offence may be whipped to death, for in case of death arising -from whipping the overseer is indifferent,—he knows the master cannot -use the word of his slave against him,—he will not acknowledge it -himself. Thus there is nothing to restrain him from using the most -unnatural and inhuman cruelty to the poor slaves. - -Towards the end of the year that I was in the field, my suffering -increased to that degree that it caused me to lift my voice to Almighty -God, and pray fervently for a termination of my sufferings in death; -though, at that time, I was ignorant of the blessings of religion. I -have thought that the God of the oppressed heard my prayer and came to -my relief, by changing my situation, under the following circumstances. -About that time, his younger brother, William, visited the farm, with -his wife, and had been at the house some two or three weeks before -I saw him. A few days before he left I was sent for to come to the -house, by the servant whom my master had bought to take my place when -I was put in the field. On my approaching the house, I observed my -master, his brother, and wife, standing in the door looking at me. Mr. -William McNeill spoke to me, and told me that he had bought me. He -then ordered me into the kitchen to wash, and sent me out a pair of -pantaloons and a shirt, in which I appeared much better than in the -ragged covering which I had cast off. I was then sent to the house, -and there he made me acquainted with my duties as a body servant, -which, as they were similar to those of my former master, it would be -useless to describe. As I was delighted with this change, and there -was something so pleasing in the manner of my new master, so different -from that of my old one, I entered into my duties with pleasure. In a -few days I started with my master and mistress for Louisiana to visit -her father's plantation, who was a sugar planter, and a more cruel one -I do not think was to be found in that neighborhood. We remained a -few weeks there, when my master made arrangements to visit Kentucky, -leaving his wife behind. We went up the Mississippi as far as Memphis, -there leaving the boat and taking the stage for Nashville, Tennessee; -and from thence to Lexington, Kentucky. A few days after our arrival, -my master made me acquainted with the object of his visit, which was to -purchase slaves, intending to take them to Mississippi, where he was -going to farming; and he instructed me to tell all slaves who should -inquire of me if he was a good master, that he was, to which I readily -assented; and, as he did not wish to purchase any that were not willing -to go with him, he would frequently send them to me, and I gave them -satisfactory proofs of his kindness. He soon got a sufficient number, -and started for the Mississippi by land. They all started willingly on -their journey, and arrived at its end without any difficulty. This is -to be wondered at, as none of the gang were ironed or shackled in any -way. - -My master had purchased a farm about one hundred and eighty miles from -his brother's, my former master; at which we arrived, as I before -stated, without any difficulty. My master remained on the farm until -everything was put in order, when he gave the farm up to the overseer, -and started for his wife, whom he had not seen for six months. When -we arrived at her father's plantation, I was kindly received by my -mistress, and I had begun to hope that master and mistress were both -kind people. But I was soon disappointed; for my mistress had been -brought up in Louisiana, and had witnessed punishment all her life, -and had become hardened to it. On the other hand, my master had spent -a number of years in the State of York, completing his education, and -was unused to such cruelty as yet. As soon as everything was arranged -we started for home, which we reached without accident. My mistress -had two favorite slaves; an old nurse about sixty years of age, and a -maid-servant about fifteen. On our arrival, we were installed in our -new offices: the nurse was to cook; the girl was to attend to the light -duty of the house; I was to take care of the horse and carriage, chop -wood, and any out-door work about the yard. For the first month or two, -everything went on quite smoothly; but soon the cloud grew black, the -storm commenced. My mistress had suppressed the evil passions reigning -within her as long as she was able; but her temper soon burst forth in -all its fury. I had frequently spoken in terms of praise to the cook, -of my mistress; but she always replied, that I was not acquainted with -her yet. I soon perceived a change in the management of the household -affairs. Her first act was to procure a cowhide, which was kept near -for immediate use; and there was scarcely a day but some one of us -felt it administered by her own hand upon our backs. I have seen her -beat the old cook most shockingly; at one time she pushed her into -the fire, and burnt her head very badly. This was the kindness to the -person who had nursed her. Although I have seen her perpetrate some of -the most cruel acts that a human being could, yet I never saw her in a -passion when she was inflicting punishment. She seemed to take delight -in torturing,—in fact, she made it a pastime; she inspired every one -about her with terror. As for myself, I was perfectly terrified when -she approached. I never saw, and never expect to see another person -that I feared so much as I did that woman. She soon exerted her wicked -influence over her husband, who was turned into a mere automaton, -moving at her will; and he became through her a most cruel man, lashing -and goading the slaves as she bid him. For the first few months my -duties were as I have mentioned; but soon they were increased. I had, -for one thing more, to tend the dinner-table every day, and fan my -mistress during her stay at the table. I have designed the cut below to -represent this scene, more clearly than I am able in words. After the -dinner, my mistress retired to the back piazza, to which place I had to -accompany her, where there was a net hung for her amusement. She would -generally lie down in it for an hour or so, and I had there to resume -my fanning, as at dinner. When this was through, I had to bring the -carriage to the door for her to take an airing in. She would ride four -or five miles out and back before tea. I would then take care of my -horse and carriage, and my duties were generally over for the day. - -[Illustration: _The Author attending at the Dinner-Table._] - -Thus passed about a year of my time with Mr. William McNeill; when, -thinking that the service of a field-hand would be of more value to -him, he made up his mind to part with me. He had promised, when he -bought me, that he would never put me in the field to work. He asked -me, if I thought I could get a master? I told him, I thought I could. -He accordingly gave me a pass to go to Vicksburg, which is one hundred -miles from my master's farm. There I was well acquainted, and thought -I could get a master without any difficulty. I remained there two -or three days looking for a master, but was unsuccessful. It then -occurred to me that I would go to another town, about thirty miles -from Vicksburg, where a gentleman lived who had often spoken of me in -flattering terms. I accordingly started, and reached there in safety, -and called on the gentleman, and presented the letter which my master -had given me. After reading it and asking a few questions, he sent me -into the kitchen. He then went across the street to a house where there -was a drove of slaves for sale, and selected one and brought him over -to me, and asked me, if I thought he would do? I told him, I thought he -would. He placed him in charge of the stage-driver the next morning, -for Mr. McNeill's farm. Thus ended my services with one of the worst -masters on the Mississippi. - -I entered the duties of my new situation with pleasure; not that I saw -anything more pleasing in my new master than I did in Mr. McNeill, but -the thought of having left the farm, as I hoped, forever, was a source -of great consolation to me. I do not mention the name of this gentleman -or of any of my subsequent masters, as I do not wish to afford them -the means to trace me. I resolved, when I commenced my new services, -that I would do everything in my power to please my master, so that -he would have no occasion to sell me; and I soon ascertained to my -satisfaction that my efforts were not unsuccessful, for he entrusted -me with the keys of his house,—he not being a married man,—which is -the highest mark of confidence a slave enjoys. I had been with him -but a short time, when I learned that he was training us for a hotel, -which he intended opening in a neighboring city. This information -pleased me much; for I thought the larger the city I was in, the -smaller the chance would be of my getting on a farm. When the hotel was -ready, he started with his servants. We reached there in safety, and -went immediately to the hotel, where we each entered upon the duties -assigned us; mine was in the dining-room, as waiter, a situation not -very desirable on account of not being able to make as much money -from boarders as in other stations in the house. In this situation I -soon learned to gamble, in order to gain money from those who had the -chance of making more than I made. In this wicked business I was very -expert, and had constantly on hand a small stock of money. Slavery has -made labor dishonorable to the white man; and, as they must have means -of living, they generally resort to gambling for support, and as they -cannot always find their own color to rob, they fasten upon the poor, -degraded slave, who has received some little trifle for an extra piece -of labor, to gull from him that which he has paid so dearly for; and I -have spent many Sunday nights, after my work was done, gambling. But, -as about this time there arose a great excitement respecting gamblers, -and having seen, in the city of Vicksburg, five gamblers hung, it -rather tended to stop my nefarious business for awhile. The citizens, -being determined to put a final stop to the practice, searched among -the slaves to punish them for what they had learned from their white -brothers. They accordingly had about one hundred up for examination, -which was carried on very closely; and they came to the conclusion, -that a free colored man and myself were the principals. We were brought -before the court, which was held in the bar-room at the hotel where I -was employed. The court seemed to have some sympathy for the free man. -He was sentenced first to have his left ear cropped, to be tarred and -feathered and put in a boat full of holes, and set adrift down the -river. They appointed a committee to see it put into effect, and they -then proceeded to sentence me. There was some disagreement respecting -what my sentence should be. Some wanted me branded,—others hung; but -they at last agreed that I should have sixty lashes, to be received -at the public whipping-post, and my master to give bonds for me to -keep the peace. So great was the excitement, that for three weeks the -city was kept under martial law. After I had got over my flogging, I -resolved never to gamble again. - -Very shortly after this, a circumstance occurred at the coffee-house, -which I have seen noticed in print; but, as I was acquainted with -the parties, and as some of my readers may not have read it, I will -relate it. There was an old slave attached to the house, by the name -of Jim, who was summoned one day to a room where there was two young -slaveholders present. He had scarcely answered their call before he -dropped down, in a fit of apoplexy. "He is dead!" exclaimed one. -"He'll come to," replied the other. "Dead, for five hundred!" "Done!" -retorted the other. The noise of the fall and the confusion which -followed, brought up the owner, who called for a doctor. "No! no! we -must have no interference; there's a bet depending!" "But, Sir, I shall -lose a valuable servant." "Never mind; you can put him down in the -bill!" was their reply. The poor fellow, after suffering some length -of time, finally came to. I merely state this fact, as I could many -others, to show the passion for gaming the Southerners have, and the -brutish manner in which a slave is treated. - -Two years of my life passed away without any particular interruption, -when, one Sunday afternoon, I got into a dispute with another slave. -High words were followed by blows; when I got exasperated, having drank -freely of liquor, and stabbed him. I was immediately arrested and put -in jail and kept till morning, when I was examined in court. My master, -in the meantime, had engaged the services of a distinguished lawyer by -the name of S. S. Prentiss, who by his able arguments extricated me -from punishment by law; but recommended my master to flog me, which he -followed to the letter. The slave with whom I had the difficulty was -not injured so as to cause death, and eventually recovered. - -I had never been to a meeting of a religious nature since I had been -in the city; but, soon after the difficulty I have just mentioned, my -master changed the hour for dinner, which enabled us to go to church. -There was a Methodist meeting-house on the hill near the jail, to which -our master allowed us all to go every Sunday afternoon, as we could not -go in the forenoon, where we heard the word of the minister preached -to us, who was a white man; the law making it necessary that white -persons should be present at all assemblages of slaves or free negroes. -The object of the slaveholders in having their slaves go to church can -be clearly seen by the following sermon, which, or one very similar to -it, I recollect hearing while worshipping at this church, which has -been published and circulated quite extensively at the South:—"'All -things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even -so unto them:' That is, do by all mankind just as you would desire -they should do by you if you were in their place, and they in yours. -Now, to suit this rule to your particular circumstances: suppose you -were masters and mistresses, and had servants under you; would you -not desire that your servants should do their business faithfully and -honestly, as well when your back was turned as while you were looking -over them? Would you not expect that they should take notice of what -you said to them; that they should behave themselves with respect -towards you and yours; and be as careful of everything belonging to -you, as you would be yourself? You are servants; do, therefore, as you -would wish to be done by, and you will be both good servants to your -masters and to your God, who requires this of you, and will reward you -well for it, if you do it for the sake of conscience, in obedience to -his commands. Take care that you do not fret, or murmur, or grumble at -your condition, for this will not only make your life uneasy, but will -greatly offend Almighty God. Consider, that it is not yourselves; it -is not the people you belong to; it is not the men that have brought -you to it; but it is the will of God, who hath by his wise providence -made you servants, because, no doubt, he knew that condition would be -best for you in this world and help you the better towards heaven, if -you would but do your duty in it; so that any discontent at your not -being free, or rich, or great as some others, is quarrelling with your -Heavenly Master, and finding fault with God himself. There is only one -circumstance which may appear grievous; that I shall now take notice -of,—and that is, correction. Now, let us see what the Scriptures say -on this point. 'The servant that knoweth his master's will and doeth -it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.' Now, does this not apply -directly to yourselves? Now, when correction is given to you, you -either deserve it, or you do not deserve it; but, whether you really -deserve it or not, it is your duty, and Almighty God requires, that you -bear it patiently. You may perhaps think that this is hard doctrine; -but if you consider right, you must needs think otherwise of it. -Suppose, then, that you deserve correction, you cannot but say that it -is right and just you should meet with it. Suppose you do not deserve -it, or at least do not deserve so much punishment for the fault you -have committed, you perhaps have escaped a great many more, and are -at last paid for all. Or, suppose you are quite innocent of what is -laid to your charge, and suffer wrongfully in that particular thing; -is it not possible you may have done some other bad thing, which was -never discovered, and that Almighty God, who saw you doing it, would -not let you escape without punishment some time or another? and ought -you not in such a case to give glory to him, and be thankful that he -would rather punish you in this world for your wickedness than destroy -your souls for it in the next? But, suppose that this even was not the -case,—a case hardly to be imagined; and that you have by no means, -known or unknown, deserved the correction you have received, there is -this great comfort in it, that if you bear it patiently and leave your -cause in the hands of God, he will reward you for it in heaven; and -this punishment you suffer unjustly here, shall turn to your exceeding -great glory hereafter." - -Such, my readers, is the doctrine which is preached to the poor slave; -and I could add many more specimens of it, if space would permit. -They are made to believe that God made them slaves, that they are -always to remain slaves, and bear with patience and humility the -unjust punishment they receive on earth, that it may be to their glory -hereafter. Is it not an unpardonable sin for man thus to defile the -holy sanctuary, and pollute the sacred word of God by using it for such -base purposes? But comment is unnecessary; the diabolical facts show -fairly enough of themselves, without my attempting to bring them out -any more. The cut represents a number of slaves listening to preaching -of this kind. - -[Illustration: _The Author in attendance on Public Worship._] - -I remained at this place about four years, when I was hired out to a -genteel sportsman, whom I was with for nine months, and in that time I -travelled a great deal with him, and witnessed much of the sufferings -of my brothers and sisters in bondage. But, from having seen so much, -my heart began to grow less feeling for the sufferings of others, and -even indifferent to my own punishment. My time having expired, I was -sent back to my master. In travelling with this man, whose name I will -not mention, I had cherished the idea of being my own master; but, -returning to the State of Mississippi, my hopes left me for awhile, -for it is almost a matter of impossibility for a slave to escape, on -account of its situation; and added to that, there are men who do -nothing else but hunt fugitive slaves with hounds that are so well -trained, that they do, as they advertise, take slaves without scarring -them enough to injure their value. I have said, my hope for freedom -had left me. I am wrong; it was suppressed only, and it grew stronger -from being suppressed, for I had determined to be free whenever an -opportunity should present itself. I had to be extremely careful in -my deportment, more attentive if possible to my duty, so that there -should be no suspicion that I had made up my mind to run away; for the -slaveholder watches every movement of the slave, and if he is downcast -or sad,—in fact, if they are in any mood but laughing and singing, -and manifesting symptoms of perfect content at heart,—they are said -to have the devil in them, which is the common term; and they are -often whipped or sold for their supposed wicked intentions. But as -for myself, the more I reflected upon my situation, the more cheerful -I appeared to be. About this time a change came over my master's -affairs, which caused me to be transferred into another's hands, which -change I afterwards found to be of great benefit to me. To my great -joy and satisfaction, I soon left this town; for I had made up my mind -that it was one of the most wicked places that I had ever been in. We -arrived at our place of destination without accident. I served this -man as body-servant for some time, when, being known as a good waiter, -I was hired out to the proprietor of a large hotel. In this situation -I was endeavoring to gain all the information I could respecting the -northern States, and the means of escape; but I could not obtain much -satisfaction on this point, as white persons visiting the hotels are -very careful what they say in the presence of the slaves. About six -months after I had been at the hotel, there came a gentleman from -the North, who seemed to manifest a great deal of sympathy for my -situation, and who afterwards proved to be my deliverer from bondage, -whose name I can give, if called for. He lives in the city of Boston. -Yes; through him I am enabled to sit this minute at my own table, and -also to worship God according to the dictates of my own conscience, -and pray fervently for the great day of universal emancipation; when -the husband may return to his wife; the child to the mother; when the -clanking of chains, the crack of the whip, the cries of the bleeding -bondmen, shall no more ascend to heaven. - -But I am wandering from the subject of my escape. One day, this -gentleman, my deliverer, who had become quite well acquainted with -me, overheard some remarks of mine, which caused him to ask me the -following questions: first, "Are you a slave?" to which I replied, I -was. He said, that he had all along thought me to be a free man. He -then asked, who my master was? I told him. "Why don't you run away?" -said he. I told him, with a laugh, I knew not where to go. At this -moment, the bell which called me to my duty, rang, and I had to leave -him; but with the determination to renew the conversation at the -earliest opportunity, for it was what I had been long looking for,—a -friend to consult with on the subject of freedom. The same night I -had another opportunity to converse with him; and, finding that I was -determined to escape, he informed me of the security the northern -states afforded for slaves, the feeling of the free people of color -living there, and of the great anti-slavery movement there, a subject -which I was entirely ignorant of before; and he then offered me the -means of escape. He told me that there was a ship lying at the wharf, -that would soon sail for the North, and that he was acquainted with -some persons on board, whom he could get to interfere in my behalf. I -had hoped that he would be able to make all arrangements without my -going on board, but I was disappointed; for he told me that at twelve -o'clock the same day, in case of not seeing him before that time, to -go on board, and inquire for the captain; on seeing him, to make my -bow to him, to look up unabashed, and ask him for a passage. He will -ask you, where your home is? You must tell him, in Boston; for I have -told you so much about it, that you can give him the information he -will ask for. I told him, I thought I could. Should he ask you where in -Boston you live, you may tell him at the North End. Should he ask you -what street in Boston you live, tell him, in Ann street. Should he ask -you, how Ann street runs, tell him, it runs parallel with Commercial -street; saying this, turn away with a laugh from the captain, telling -him he needs no information about the streets of Boston, as he knows -as well as you do of their situations. These questions he made me -answer to him many times; and fortunate for me that he did, for I -found them of great value to me. He then left me, charging me to go on -board precisely at twelve o'clock, if I did not see him before that -time. I spent all the rest of the morning in repeating my simple, but -important catechism,—quite as much so to me in my situation as ever -the famous Shorter Catechism, of Westminster Assembly notoriety, was to -a youngster just receiving his first theological lesson from the lips -of a Presbyterian parent, anxious to save the soul of his child; well -will it be for all who repeat that important religious catechism, if it -renders them as effectual service, in saving their souls, as mine did -in saving my body and soul from slavery's cursed hell,—and thinking -of the hour, waiting with impatience its approach, and yet dreading -its coming; for I had seen so many slaves brought back, and witnessed -the dreadful punishment they have received for attempting to get their -freedom, that I shuddered at the consequences of detection. The hour at -last arrived. My friend had not returned, and I started for the ship; -but, as I came in sight of it, my courage forsook me. I feared that I -should not be able to appear manly and fearless. Had I not been brought -under the lash of the white man? had not everything of a manly nature -been beaten out of me? had I not been taught that I was a slave,—that -I was ever to remain a slave? that it was the wish of Almighty God that -I should be content with my situation? But my readers will excuse me -for deviating from my narration to excuse the cowardly feelings which -then induced me to turn back. But as I did so, I paused for a moment; -and the thought of freedom—delicious freedom—came rushing over me, -and filled my soul with pleasure, and I determined to persevere. -Conning over my catechism again, I retraced my steps for the ship; and -as it again came to my view, I felt like a new man, and that I would -attempt it if it cost me my life. I went on board with a firm step, and -inquired for the captain. I was shown him, and about the same questions -were asked me that my kind friend had prepared me to answer. About -the close of our interview the idea came to me, that, should he ask -me for my free papers, what could I say,—what should I do? for I had -none; and these thoughts came very near making me forget how to answer -my last question, which was, the situation of Ann street. I however -answered as I had been instructed, and took a step or two forward. On -returning, I met the steward, who had just come out of the cabin, whom -I had never seen before; and to my surprise he came up and addressed -me in a manner that would indicate his having known me from boyhood, -and asked me when I had heard from, and when I was going, home? I told -him, that I had just applied to the captain for a passage. At this, he -turned to the captain, and told him that he should want some assistance -on the home passage; and, as I was an old acquaintance of his, he -would like to have me go with him. The captain, seeing the supposed -familiarity that was between us, replied that he would take me for half -price, which was fifteen dollars. This was another blow, which I did -not know how to avert; but the kind steward, seeing the dilemma that -I was in, kindly offered to become responsible for the money. Oh! how -joyful I then felt. I was lighter in body and mind, as if some crushing -weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I left the ship and ran home, -half crying and laughing, to think the day of my liberty was so near at -hand. I reached the hotel in a state of mind impossible to describe. I -however saw the necessity of suppressing my extraordinary joy, so that -it would not be observed and lead to questioning me. I accordingly went -to work concealing my thoughts, and looked eagerly for the day that -the ship was to sail; for the captain had informed me when he would be -ready to leave. - -The day at length arrived for the sailing of the ship; and one hour -before she sailed I went on board, with the clothes I was at work in, -not daring to take a thing with me, although I had plenty at the hotel, -for fear that it would excite suspicion. I stood upon the deck looking -at every person about me, thinking that the excuse I could give if -interrogated there would be more plausible than if I were in the cabin -or any other part of the ship. Finally, the steamboat which was to take -us down the river came up alongside and was made fast. As this was -going on I ventured to turn my head, and on the boat saw a man, whom -I thought I had seen at the hotel. The thought came to me, should he -see me, he might inform my master. I immediately feigned sickness, and -stooped down over the rail of the vessel and made a piteous moaning, -which attracted the attention of the captain, who ordered the steward -to come to my relief. He came and assisted me down between decks, -and laid me upon some old sails and ropes, telling me to remain there -until he called me. In a short time he came and brought a glass half -full of brandy, thick with cayenne pepper, for me to drink. I drank it, -and for some minutes it made me think that I was all on fire within. -This was to avoid suspicion. The steamer took us down the Mississippi, -passed the city of New Orleans, and left us at the outside the Balize, -at which time I had not appeared on deck, nor did I until the boat -had left the ship and she had set her sails for sea; then I left my -hiding-place, with my hands on my stomach. The captain then came up to -me, and looking me full in the face, asked me, if I had got well? I -told him, I was better. He said that I had better do some light work, -and it would probably wear off. I then busied myself about the ship, -endeavoring to make myself as useful as I could. We had a pleasant -passage of twenty-nine days, and arrived in Boston without anything -special happening. I have taken care to suppress the captain's name, -and the name of his ship, knowing that should it be known it would -cause him difficulty; and I never have given either since I have been a -free man. The money which the steward paid for my passage I was able to -refund to him in about a year afterwards. - -Thus twenty-six years, the prime of my life, had passed away in -slavery, I having witnessed it in all its forms; and I can with safety -say, that there is no good in it; and I can never hear any person -apologizing for it without pronouncing them to be meddling with that -they know nothing of. I remained concealed for three weeks in the house -of Mr. Wright, fearing to trust myself with any one, not knowing who -was my friend. But, finding myself destitute, I at length ventured -out, and my case became known among the people of color. I was directed -to that friend and champion of the slave, William L. Garrison, who -ever stands ready to assist and advise the panting fugitive. To him I -told my history; and, after giving me pecuniary assistance, he advised -me to leave the country and go to Canada, or England. As I considered -his advice wholesome, I determined to follow it; and left the office -in company with Mr. Nell, a gentleman of color, who had accompanied me -there, and who is since deceased. As I proceeded down street, we met a -gentleman whom Mr. Nell knew. This gentleman was inquiring for some one -to work for him on board a vessel. I was introduced to him and accepted -his proposals, and stayed with him a sufficient time to accumulate -enough to leave the land of Bibles and whips, where there is no place -for the fugitive to rest his weary feet. But, in justice to my late -employer, the Hon. Josiah Sturgis, who I found to be my best friend, I -would state, that he is a man possessed of a noble and generous heart; -and that he is ever ready to assist the destitute who apply to him. - -Once more I set sail for the land of freemen; and, when I touched the -soil of Britain, I felt that I was safe,—that I then was, in reality, -free. On my passage out, there was a gentleman by the name of Hodges -on board, who, having found that I was going to leave the ship, he -hired me to travel with him. I accordingly entered into his service, -and travelled over a large portion of England with him; and wherever -I went, I was treated like a man. They looked not at the color of my -skin, but judged me from my internal qualifications. - -But, as I have been more lengthy in this little Narrative than I -intended, I will bring it to a close; sincerely hoping that it will -interest my readers, and tend to ameliorate the condition of my three -millions of brothers and sisters in bondage, as well as throw some -light upon the condition of the slaves in Mississippi; the narratives -of other fugitives having for their scenes other States. After -remaining a few months in England, I judged it best for me to return to -America, which I accordingly did. - -This Narrative by no means covers the whole ground of my experience -under slavery's iron protection; for I could easily fill a much larger -space than this with accounts of what I have seen and felt of the -kindly influences of that patriarchal institution, standing as it does -(as McDuffie has well said) "at the corner stone of our republican -edifice." Perhaps, hereafter, I may furnish some more facts respecting -its heavenly character. - -Before closing this little Narrative, by the request of a number of -friends, I will state some facts in relation to the escape of my wife. - -She was a slave, in Maryland; was born about one hundred miles from -Baltimore. Her mother was liberated at the death of her master, and -left five children in slavery, including my wife. Her mother removed -to the North, where she had six other children. She is now dead, and -the family are scattered. My wife remained at her birth-place until she -was old enough to be hired out, then was taken to Baltimore and put to -work. There she remained until she made her escape. The circumstances -connected with her escape I will not repeat, lest I should block up the -way, or affect the business of the under-ground railroad. - -As she lived in a State where slavery subsisted in its mildest form, -her experience in it was far different from many. She knew nothing -comparatively of the grossest form of it; but notwithstanding this she -cordially detests slavery, and is an earnest anti-slavery worker. - -When toil-worn and care-worn, when well-nigh disheartened from all -this care and toil, I have invariably been sustained by the sympathy -and kind words of my wife. Truly, in the language of Scripture, she is -"an ever present help in time of need." When, saddened in spirit by -a reflection that my brethren are still groaning in bondage, I have -found—from her former situation as a slave, being equally a sufferer -with myself—she could enter into my feelings and cheer me with hopes -of the approaching time of their liberation. - -By the advice of my wife I destroyed the advertisement of my master, -thinking my safety was endangered by it. Had it been in my possession -now, I would have given the form without the name in connection with -it. - - - - - APPENDIX. - ~~~~~~~~ - - - EXTRACT FROM WELD'S AMERICAN SLAVERY AS IT IS. - -In the 'Charleston (South Carolina) Mercury' of October 12, 1838, we -find an advertisement of half a column, by a Dr. T. Stillman, setting -forth the merits of another 'Medical Infirmary,' under his own special -supervision, at No. 110 Church street, Charleston. The doctor, after -inveighing loudly against 'men totally ignorant of medical science,' -who flood the country with quack nostrums backed up by 'fabricated -proofs of miraculous cures,' proceeds to enumerate the diseases to -which his 'Infirmary' is open, and to which his practice will be -mainly confined. Appreciating the importance of 'interesting cases,' -as a stock in trade on which to commence his experiments, he copies -the example of the medical professors, and advertises for them. But, -either from a keener sense of justice, or more generosity, or greater -confidence in his skill, or for some other reason, he proposes to -_buy up_ an assortment of _damaged_ negroes, given over as incurable -by others, and to make such his 'interesting cases,' instead of -experimenting on those who are the 'property' of others. - -Dr. Stillman closes his advertisement with the following notice:— - - "TO PLANTERS AND OTHERS.—Wanted, _fifty negroes_. Any person - having sick negroes, considered incurable by their respective - physicians, and wishing to dispose of them, Dr. S. will pay cash - for negroes affected with scrofula or king's evil, confirmed - hypocondriasm, apoplexy, diseases of the liver, kidneys, spleen, - stomach and intestines, bladder and its appendages, diarrhœa, - dysentery, &c. The highest cash price will be paid on application - as above." - -The absolute barbarism of a 'public opinion' which not only tolerates, -but _produces_ such advertisements as this, was outdone by nothing -in the dark ages. If the reader has a heart of flesh, he can feel -it without help, and if he has not, comment will not create it. The -total indifference of slaveholders to such a cold-blooded proposition, -their utter unconsciousness of the paralysis of heart, and death of -sympathy, and every feeling of common humanity, for the slave, which it -reveals, is enough of itself to show that the tendency of the spirit -of slaveholding is, to kill in the soul whatever it touches. It has -no eyes to see, nor ears to hear, nor mind to understand, nor heart -to feel for its victims as _human beings_. To show that the above -indication of the savage state is not an index of individual feeling, -but of 'public opinion,' it is sufficient to say, that it appears to -be a standing advertisement in the Charleston Mercury, the leading -political paper of South Carolina, the organ of the Honorables John C. -Calhoun, Robert Barnwell Rhett, Hugh S. Legare, and others regarded -as the elite of her statesmen and literati. Besides, candidates -for popular favor, like the doctor who advertises for the fifty -'incurables,' take special care to conciliate, rather than outrage, -'public opinion.' Is the doctor so ignorant of 'public opinion' in his -own city, that he has unwittingly committed violence upon it in his -advertisement? We trow not. The same 'public opinion' which gave birth -to the advertisement of Dr. Stillman, and to those of the professors -in both medical institutions, founded the Charleston 'Work-House,'—a -soft name for a Moloch temple dedicated to torture, and reeking with -blood in the midst of the city; to which masters and mistresses send -their slaves of both sexes to be stripped, tied up, and cut with -the lash till the blood and mangled flesh flow to their feet, or to -be beaten and bruised with the terrible paddle, or forced to climb -the tread-mill till nature sinks, or to experience other nameless -torments.—_See Weld's American Slavery As it Is_, p. 171. - - - FUGITIVE'S TRIUMPH. - - Go, go, thou that enslav'st me, - Now, now thy power is o'er; - Long, long have I obeyed thee, - I'm not a slave any more; - No, no—oh, no! - I'm a _free man_ ever more! - - Thou, thou brought'st me ever, - Deep, deep sorrow and pain; - But I have left thee forever, - Nor will I serve thee again; - No, no—oh, no! - No, I'll not serve thee again. - - Tyrant! thou hast bereft me - Home, friends, pleasures so sweet; - Now, forever I've left thee, - Thou and I never shall meet; - No, no—oh, no! - Thou and I never shall meet. - - Joys, joys, bright as the morning, - Now, now, on me will pour, - Hope, hope, on me is dawning, - _I'm not a slave any more!_ - No, no—oh, no, - I'm a FREE MAN evermore! - - - THE BEREAVED SLAVE MOTHER. - - Oh! deep was the anguish of the Slave Mother's heart, - When call'd from her darling forever to part; - So grieved that lone Mother, that heart-broken Mother, - In sorrow and woe. - - The lash of the master her deep sorrows mock, - While the child of her bosom is sold on the block; - Yet loud shrieked that mother, poor heart-broken Mother, - In sorrow and woe. - - The babe in return, for its fond mother cries, - While the sound of their wailings together arise: - They shriek for each other, the child and the Mother, - In sorrow and woe. - - The harsh auctioneer, to sympathy cold, - Tears the babe from its Mother and sells it for Gold; - While the Infant and Mother, loud shriek for each other, - In sorrow and woe. - - At last came the parting of Mother and Child, - Her brain reel'd with madness, that mother was _wild_; - Then the _Lash_ could not smother, the shrieks of that Mother, - Of sorrow and woe. - - The child was borne off to a far distant clime, - While the Mother was left in anguish to pine; - But reason departed, and she sunk broken-hearted, - In sorrow and woe. - - That poor mourning Mother, of Reason bereft, - Soon ended her sorrows, and sunk cold in death; - Thus died that Slave Mother, poor heart-broken Mother, - In sorrow and woe. - - Oh! list ye kind Mothers to the cries of the Slave; - The Parents and Children implore you to save; - Go! rescue the Mothers, the Sisters and Brothers, - From sorrow and woe. - - - EXTRACTS FROM THE AMERICAN SLAVE CODE. - -The following are mostly abridged selections from the statutes of the -slave States and of the United States. They give but a faint view of -the cruel oppression to which the slaves are subject, but a strong -one enough, it is thought, to fill every honest heart with a deep -abhorrence of the atrocious system. Most of the important provisions -here cited, though placed under the name of only one State, prevail -in nearly all the States, with slight variations in language, and -some diversity in the penalties. The extracts have been made in part -from Stroud's Sketch of the Slave Laws, but chiefly from authorized -editions of the statute books referred to, found in the Philadelphia -Law Library. As the compiler has not had access to many of the later -enactments of the several States, nearly all he has cited are acts of -an earlier date than that of the present anti-slavery movement, so that -their severity cannot be ascribed to its influence. - -The cardinal principle of slavery, that the slave is not to be ranked -among _sentient beings_, but among things—is an article of property, a -chattel personal—obtains as undoubted law in all the slave States. - -The dominion of the master is as unlimited as is that which is -tolerated by the laws of any civilized country in relation to brute -animals—to _quadrupeds_; to use the words of the civil law. - -Slaves cannot even contract matrimony. - - * * * * * - -LOUISIANA.—A slave is one who is in the power of his master, to -whom he belongs. The master may sell him, dispose of his person, his -industry and his labor; he can do nothing, possess nothing, nor acquire -anything, but what must belong to his master. - -Slaves are incapable of inheriting or transmitting property. - -Slaves shall always be reputed and considered real estate; shall be as -such subject to be mortgaged, according to the rules prescribed by law, -and they shall be seized and sold as real estate. - -No owner of slaves shall hire his slaves to themselves, under a penalty -of twenty-five dollars for each offence. - -No slave can possess anything in his own right, or dispose of the -produce of his own industry, without the consent of his master. - -No slave can be party in a civil suit, or witness in a civil or -criminal matter, against any white person. - -A slave's subordination to his master is susceptible of no restriction -(except in what incites to crime), and he owes to him and all his -family, respect without bounds, and absolute obedience. - -Every slave found on horseback, without a written permission from his -master, shall receive twenty-five lashes. - -Any freeholder may seize and correct any slave found absent from his -usual place of work or residence, without some white person, and if -the slave resist or try to escape, he may use arms, and if the slave -_assault_ and strike him, he may kill the slave. - -It is lawful to fire upon runaway negroes who are armed, and upon those -who, when pursued, refuse to surrender. - -No slave may buy, sell, or exchange any kind of goods, or hold any -boat, or bring up for his own use, any horses or cattle, under a -penalty of forfeiting the whole. - -Slaves or free colored persons are punished with _death_ for wilfully -burning or destroying any stack of produce or any building. - -The punishment of a slave for striking a white person, shall be for -the first and second offences at the discretion of the court, but not -extending to life or limb, and for the third offence, _death_; but for -grievously wounding or mutilating a white person, _death_ for the first -offence; provided, if the blow or wound is given in defence of the -person or _property of his master_, or the person having charge of him, -he is entirely justified. - -A slave for wilfully striking his master or mistress, or the child of -either, or his white overseer, so as to cause a bruise or shedding of -blood, _shall be punished with death_. - -Any person cutting or breaking any iron chain or collar used to prevent -the escape of slaves, shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars, -nor more than one thousand dollars, and be imprisoned not more than two -years, nor less than six months. - -All slaves sentenced to death or perpetual imprisonment, in virtue of -existing laws, shall be paid for out of the public treasury, provided -the sum paid shall not exceed three hundred dollars for each slave. - -The State Treasurer shall pay the owners the value of all slaves whose -punishment has been commuted from that of death to that of imprisonment -for life. - -If any slave shall _happen_ to be slain for refusing to surrender him -or herself, contrary to law, or in unlawfully resisting any officer, -or _other person_, who shall apprehend, or endeavor to apprehend, such -slave or slaves, &c., such officer or _other person so killing such -slave as aforesaid_, making resistance, shall be, and he is by this -act, _indemnified_, from any prosecution for such killing aforesaid, &c. - -And by the negro act of 1740, of South Carolina, it is declared: - -If any slave who shall be out of the house or plantation where such -slave shall live, or shall be usually employed, or without some white -person in company with such slave, shall _refuse to submit_ to undergo -the examination of _any white_ person, it shall be lawful for such -white person to pursue, apprehend, and moderately correct such slave; -and if such slave shall assault and strike such white person, such -slave may be _lawfully killed_!! - - -Transcriber’s Notes: - - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - Blank pages have been removed. - - Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF HENRY WATSON, A -FUGITIVE SLAVE *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Narrative of Henry Watson, a fugitive slave</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Henry Watson</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: November 17, 2022 [eBook #69372]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: hekula03 and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Library of Congress)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF HENRY WATSON, A FUGITIVE SLAVE ***</div> - <figure class="x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <img class="illowp75" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="" id="cover"> - </figure> - - <div class="titlepage"> - <h1><span class="xlarge gesperrt1">NARRATIVE</span><br> - <span class="small">OF</span><br> - <span class="gesperrt">HENRY WATSON,</span><br> - <span class="medium gesperrt1">A FUGITIVE SLAVE.</span></h1> - - <hr class="short mt10 mb1"> - <div>WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.</div> - <hr class="short mt1"> - - <div class="mt10"><span class="gesperrt1">BOSTON:</span><br> - <span class="small">PUBLISHED BY BELA MARSH, 25 CORNHILL.</span><br> - <span>1848.</span></div> - </div> - - <hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <div class="titlepage mt10 mb10 small"> - ABNER FORBES,<br> - PRINTER,<br> - 37 CORNHILL, BOSTON.</div> - - <hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <h2 class="gesperrt">DEDICATION.</h2> - <div class="center mt5 mb5">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div> - - <div><span class="smcap">Mr. Henry Holt</span>:<br> - <span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">Dear Sir,—</span></div> - - <p>Will you allow me, from feelings of sincere gratitude, to dedicate to - you my little Narrative, which, had it not been for you, I never should - have been able to have published; and let me assure you that I shall - ever entertain the most devoted feelings of gratitude, for your kind - and humane interference in my behalf, when I was a helpless slave.</p> - - <div><span style="margin-left: 6em;">I remain yours, most gratefully,</span><br> - <span style="margin-left: 17em;">H. WATSON.</span></div> - - <hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <div class="chapter"> - <span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">5</span> - <h2 class="nobreak" id="NARRATIVE_OF_HENRY_WATSON">NARRATIVE OF HENRY WATSON.</h2> - </div> - <div class="center mt5 mb5">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div> - - <p><span class="smcap">I was</span> born in Virginia, about thirteen miles from Fredericksburg, as - near as I can now recollect, in the year 1813. Mother was a slave, and - belonged to a man by the name of Bibb, whose Christian name I cannot - remember. My mother was called Letty. Slaves seldom have but one name; - and I never heard her called by any other. I was at that time called - Bill. I never had any brother or sister, that I know of. Like the - most of my brothers in bondage, I have no correct account of my age. - Slaves keep the birth of their children by the different seasons of - the year. Children often ask their parents their age. The answer is, - "this planting corn time, you are six, eight, or ten," just as it may - happen to be; but even this knowledge was I deprived of by my master, - who was one of those proud Virginians, whose principal business was - to raise slaves for the market; though I was permitted to remain with - my mother on his plantation until I was about eight years of age. My - mother was the cook at what slaves call the great house. I was allowed - to remain with her at the house. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">6</span> last time I saw her, she placed - me on the bed, which was in a room adjoining the kitchen, and bid me - go to sleep, saying that she would be back again in a few moments. I - did so; and when I awoke in the morning I found myself in the great - house, wrapped up in a blanket, before the fire. I could not account - for this change that had been made with me through the night. I asked - for my mother, but no one spoke. I went out into the kitchen, where - she used to work. She was not there, and it was evident to me, that - she was gone; where, I knew not. I returned to the house, and implored - my mistress, with tears in my eyes, to tell me where my mother had - gone. She refused, though a mother herself, to give me any satisfaction - whatever. Every exertion was made on my part to find her, or hear - some tidings of her; but all my efforts were unsuccessful; and from - that day I have never seen or heard from her. This cruel separation - brought on a fit of sickness, from which they did not expect I would - recover. The old slave-woman who took care of me during my sickness, - by way of consolation, gave me as much information as she could about - my mother's being taken away. She told me that a slave-dealer drove to - the door in a buggy, and my mother was sent for to come into the house; - when, getting inside, she was knocked down, tied, and thrown into the - buggy, and carried away. As the old woman related these things to me, - I felt as if all hope was gone; that I was forsaken and alone in this - world. More forcibly did I then feel the galling chains of slavery, - the cruelty and barbarism arising from it, than I ever have since. I - resolved, however, to bear with all patiently, till I became large - enough to run away, and search for my mother.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">7</span></p> - - <p>I had recovered from my sickness but a few months, when one day, - looking up the road, I saw a man riding towards the house; I ran with - the rest of the children to hide ourselves until the man had gone. When - I had remained concealed some time, I ventured out again, and found - Mr. Bibb, my master, looking for me, who ordered me into the house; - and when I got there, to my astonishment, I found the man whom we had - hid ourselves from, sitting in the room. After he had inspected me to - his satisfaction, I was ordered out of the room, and went to play, - and had forgotten the whole affair, when my master called me again, - and ordered me to hold the stranger's horse. I did so, and in a few - minutes he came forth and ordered me to mount behind him. This, with - his assistance, I did; but rode only a short distance, when I jumped - from the horse and ran for the house as fast as I could. He succeeded, - however, in overtaking me, and I was again put on the horse, this time - in front of him; and in this way was I carried to Fredericksburg. I - was then placed in the possession of Mr. Janer, better known as Parson - Janer; the man that had bought me being the son of Mr. Janer, who was - one of those jolly, good-natured clergymen, who, while he feasted his - numerous guests in the parlor, starved his slaves in the kitchen. After - remaining there awhile, it was determined to send me to Richmond. The - same man that brought me, came for me and ordered me to take a seat - on the stage-coach, and the next day I found myself in Richmond, and - stopped at the Eagle Hotel, kept by Mr. Holman, where I remained two or - three days, and then was carried to the auction room; entering which, I - found several slaves, seated around the room waiting for the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">8</span> hour of - sale. Some were in tears; others were apparently cheerful. This brought - to my mind my mother, and caused me to shed many tears; but they fell - unheeded. The auctioneer was busy examining the slaves before the sale - commenced. At last everything was ready, and the traffic in human flesh - began. I will attempt<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">9</span> to give as accurate an account of the language - and ceremony of a slave auction as I possibly can. "Gentlemen, here - is a likely boy; how much? He is sold for no fault; the owner wants - money. His age is forty. Three hundred dollars is all that I am offered - for him. Please to examine him; he is warranted sound. Boy, pull off - your shirt—roll up your pants—for we want to see if you have been - whipped." If they discover any scars, they will not buy; saying that - the nigger is a bad one. The auctioneer seeing this, cries, "Three - hundred dollars, gentlemen, three hundred dollars. Shall I sell him for - three hundred dollars? I have just been informed by his master, that he - is an honest boy, and belongs to the same church that he does." This - turns the tide frequently, and the bids go up fast; and he is knocked - off for a good sum. After the men and women are sold, the children - are put on the stand. I was the first put up. On my appearance, - several voices cried, "How old is that little nigger?" On hearing - this expression, I again burst into tears, and wept so that I have no - distinct recollection of his answer. I was at length knocked down to - a man whose name was Denton, a slave trader, then purchasing slaves - for the Southern market. His first name I have forgotten. Each one of - the traders has private jails, which are for the purpose of keeping - slaves in; and they are generally kept by some confidential slave. - Denton had one of these jails, to which I was conducted by his trusty - slave; and on entering I found a great many slaves there, waiting to be - sent off as soon as their numbers increased. These jails are enclosed - by a wall about 16 feet high, and the yard-room is for the slaves to - exercise in; and consists of but one room, in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">10</span> which all sexes and ages - are huddled together in a mass. I stayed in this jail but two days, - when the number was completed, and we were called out to form a line. - Horses and wagons were in readiness to carry our provisions and tents, - so that we might camp out at night. Before we had proceeded far, Mr. - Denton gave orders for us to stop, for the purpose of handcuffing some - of the men, which, he said in a loud voice, "had the devil in them." - The men belonging to this drove were all married men, and all leaving - their wives and children behind; he, judging from their tears that - they were unwilling to go, had them made secure. We started again on - our journey, Mr. Denton taking the lead in his sulky; and the driver, - Mr. Thornton, brought up the rear. I will not weary my readers with - the particulars of our march to Tennessee, where we stopped several - days for the purpose of arranging our clothes. While stopping, the men - were hired out to pick cotton. While in Tennessee, we lost four of our - number, who died from exposure on the road. After the lapse of three - weeks, we started again on our journey, and in about four weeks arrived - in Natchez, Miss., and went to our pen, which Mr. Denton had previously - hired for us, and had our irons taken off and our clothes changed; - for Mr. Denton was expecting visitors to examine the flock, as he - would sometimes term us. There was a sign-board in front of the house, - which informed traders that he had on hand, blacksmiths, carpenters, - field-hands; also several sickly ones, whom he would sell very cheap. - In a short time purchasers became plenty, and our number diminished. I - was not sold for several weeks, though I wished to be the first, not - wishing to witness his cruelty to his slaves any longer; for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">12</span> if they - displeased him in the least, he would order them to be stripped, and - tied hand and foot together. He would then have his paddle brought, - which was a board about two feet in length and one inch in thickness, - having fourteen holes bored through it, about an inch in circumference. - This instrument of torture he would apply, until the slave was - exhausted, on parts which the purchaser would not be likely to examine. - This mode of punishment is considered one of the most cruel ever - invented, as the flesh protrudes through these holes at every blow, and - forms bunches and blisters the size of each hole, causing much lameness - and soreness to the person receiving them. This punishment is generally - inflicted in the morning, before visitors come to examine the slaves.</p> - - <figure> - <img class="illowp70" src="images/i_008.jpg" alt=""> - <figcaption><i>The Author upon the Auction Block.</i></figcaption> - </figure> - - <figure class="mt2"> - <img class="illowp100" src="images/i_011.jpg" alt=""> - <figcaption><i>Whipping with the Paddle, as witnessed by the Author.</i></figcaption> - </figure> - - <p>Just before the doors are opened, it is usual for the keeper to grease - the mouths of the slaves, so as to make it appear that they are well - and hearty, and have just done eating fat meat; though they seldom, if - ever, while in the custody of the keeper, taste a morsel of meat of any - kind.</p> - - <p>At length, a man made his appearance; the very man of all others - I had ever seen, from whom I should shrink, and be afraid. He was - dark-complexioned, had sharp, grey eyes, a peaked nose, and compressed - lips; indeed, he was a very bad-looking man. I never wish to look upon - his face again. His name was Alexander McNeill, a member of the firm - of McNeill, Fiske & Co. He said he wanted a boy to bring up to suit - himself. He took a great fancy to me, and after some discussion about - the price, agreed at last to give five hundred dollars for me. I quit - my old quarters, and went with my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">13</span> new master to his store. He told me - my duty for the future would be, to wait upon him,—"to jump when I was - spoken to, run when sent upon errands, and if I did not mind my P's and - Q's, I should be flogged like h—l."</p> - - <p>As I did not like my new master's appearance, I at once concluded to - please him in all things. But it was all in vain; for the first morning - I was severely flogged for not placing his clothes in the proper - position on the chair. The second morning I received another severe - flogging for not giving his boots as good a polish as he thought they - had been accustomed to. Thus he went on in cruelty, and met every new - effort of mine to please him with fresh blows from his cowhide, which - he kept hung up in his room for that purpose. In a few days he made - arrangements for a journey, on which I was to accompany him. The object - of his journey was made known to me by some of his servants; and, as - that journey turned out to be of great importance to me, I will give - it to the world, as I got it from my author. My master was a married - man. Although I had never seen my mistress, as she was living with - her mother, sixty miles from the city,—she having found out, while - living with her husband in the city, that he had made a wife of one of - his slaves, had left him, and had gone to her mother; and the object - of his journey was to induce her to come back and live with him. I - accompanied him on this journey; and, although he made every effort on - his part to induce her to return, she refused to do so. He returned - to Natchez, enraged at his ill success, and determined never to make - another attempt at reconciliation. He concluded to leave the city, and - he purchased a farm near Vicksburg, on the Mississippi River,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">14</span> upon - which he settled. My master always was a cruel man; but ever since - his unsuccessful effort at reconciliation with his wife, he became a - perfect tyrant, lashing his slaves without mercy. This shows one of the - many ways in which the licentious slaveholder inflicts pain on poor - slaves; robbing them, by force, of their virtue, then lacerating their - backs for having allowed themselves thus to be forced. He had not been - long on his farm before he took another of his slave-women to wife, by - whom he had two children. These children were not treated any better - than any other slave's; the mother being out in the field all the day, - and in his room at night. Upon this farm were one hundred field-hands, - and two house servants, the cook and myself. For the accommodation of - the field-hands there were twenty-seven cabins, one hospital, one jail, - one gin-house; at which house, as in the jail, there are two pair of - stocks, for the torture of slaves. As the stocks on farms are different - in their construction from those commonly used in cities, I will give - a description of them. They consisted of two rough logs, generally - about twelve feet in length, one of them laid upon the ground, with - notches cut in it to fit the neck and arms; the other log, which was - cut with corresponding notches, was placed upon the victim to keep him - in his position. They were fastened at one end by a massive hinge; - and when the sufferer was in them, the other end was secured by a - large padlock. There were other modes of punishing; but these were - used for extreme cases, such as running away, or stealing, &c. On the - occasions of whipping by the stocks, it was my duty to be present; - and at the end of each hundred, to apply salt to the bleeding back - of the sufferer till the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">15</span> blood was stanched, when the whipping was - renewed, until the delinquent had received four or five hundred lashes. - These cruelties were principally inflicted by the overseer, who was a - drunken, quarrelsome person, whom it was impossible to please; and when - he was in liquor he took very great delight in inflicting punishment on - the slaves. Beside the overseer there was a driver, one of the slaves, - named Harry. He had a wife and children, whom, in case of their being - slightly in fault, he would have to lash with an unflinching hand; - there being no sympathy allowed to be shown, between even man and wife. - I will relate a circumstance, which made a very great impression on - my mind at that time. There was a slave on the farm by the name of - Jo. The overseer had threatened to put him in the stocks, for some - trivial offence. Jo, dreading the severity of the punishment, ran away, - which fact was soon brought to my master's knowledge, who ordered - the overseer to shoot him the first time he saw him. The overseer, - being a blood-thirsty fiend, like my master, kept strict watch for - Jo; and the second night, he saw him but a short distance from his - cabin, where he was probably going for the purpose of seeing his - wife, and getting something to eat; but he never saw those eyes light - up with pleasure,—never heard the sweet music of their voices, or - felt their warm embrace,—for the incarnate fiend's aim was too sure; - he was stretched dead in an instant. Yes; this man was hurried into - the presence of his Maker, without the power of speaking one word of - prayer. On the master being informed that his brutal order had been - obeyed, he gave orders that his body should not be removed from the - spot where he fell, as he wished it to serve as an example<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">16</span> to the rest - of us; and there it remained, the vultures rioting and feasting on the - remains of a man, whose only fault was a black skin.</p> - - <p>Never shall I forget the horrible sensation that passed through my - veins as I gazed upon the mutilated body of this poor man; but alas! I - could do nothing; I was myself a slave. My heart grew sad; I dropped a - tear to his memory and departed, cherishing a hope, that at no distant - day, I would be free. Although these facts were known to the neighbors, - yet no one asked even a question about it. He was a slave; no one cared - for him. I say no one—I am wrong; where was the slave's wife? where - were the slave's children?—had they no tears to shed? Ah! yes, many; - not tears from physical pain; but tears, scalding tears of pure grief. - The husband and father, shot like a dog before them; his bleeding form, - writhing in agony, and the sightless eyeballs glaring upon them; and - they dare not approach to straighten his stiffening limbs, or close his - sightless eyes. Ah! was there not grief? And even this would have been - denied them, had they shown it before this savage monster.</p> - - <p>I will not pain my readers with further details of my master's cruelty; - but will give them a few of the monster's laws. They were as follows: - In the morning, half an hour before daylight, the first horn was - blown, at which the slaves arose and prepared themselves for work. At - daylight another horn was blown, at which they all started in a run - for the field, with the driver after them, carrying their provisions - for the day in buckets. In a few moments the overseer would make his - appearance, and give his orders to the driver, who gave them to the - hands. They then went to work, and worked until<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">17</span> such time as the - driver thought proper, when he would crack his whip two or three times, - and they would eat their breakfasts, which consisted of strong, rancid - pork, coarse corn bread, and water, which was brought to them by small - children, who were not able to handle the hoe. As soon as Harry, the - driver, has finished his breakfast, they finish likewise, and hang up - their buckets on the fence or trees, and to work they go, without one - moment's intermission until noon, when they take their dinner in the - same manner as their breakfast; which done, they go again to work, - continuing till dark. They then return to their cabins, and have a - half hour to prepare their food for the next day, when the horn is - again blown for bed. If any are found out of their cabins after this - time, they are put in jail and kept till morning, when they generally - receive twenty-five or thirty lashes for their misdemeanor. So it - continues through the week until Sunday, when the women take their - tubs and blankets and start for the brooks, where they dismantle and - robe themselves in their blanket, wash and dry their clothes, put them - on again, and are ready to be at the house at four o'clock to receive - their weekly allowance, which is weighed out to them by the overseer. - The men give their shirts to the women to wash, and take their baskets - or hoes and start for the field. They are generally paid for this extra - work; if they do not work, they are set down as lazy persons, and are - whipped because they will not work for themselves. Thus is the Sabbath - passed. That day of rest and prayer is as other days to the poor slave. - For six years whilst I was on this farm, there was never such a thing - as a slave going to meeting, or hearing the word of God in any form.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">18</span></p> - - <p>Much has been said about the marriage rites of slaves; but there exists - no legal form,—every slaveholder having a form of his own. Permit me, - then, to give to my readers the manner in which my master performed the - ceremony. Whenever a vacancy occurred in any of the cabins of either - sex, of marriageable age, it was immediately filled up by my master - purchasing another slave, either man or woman, as the case might be, - and presenting them to the remaining inmates of the cabin, with the - following words: "Kitty, stand out in the floor; I have bought this - boy to-day for your husband, and I shall expect you to take good care - of him, by washing and mending his clothes. You know my orders to the - overseer; if either of you go to the field on Monday morning without - your clothes being washed, you are to be whipped. You will also take - care of his provisions, which will be weighed out with yours. Have it - cooked and ready in his bucket in time for him to go to the field every - morning. You understand what I have said to you;" which the slave must - answer with a low bow, and replying, "I do, sir." Then he will give - the man the following charge: "Tom, you will take care of this girl - for your wife, by bringing her wood, making her fire, bringing water. - Should your wife or self want anything, you can get it by working - on Sunday, for which I will allow you fifty cents a day, out of the - store." He would then ask them both if they understood his orders. They - would answer as before, by a low bow and courtesy, replying that they - did. He would then pronounce them man and wife, and say to them, "If - you fail to perform any of the duties I have mentioned, you will be - flogged severely."</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">19</span></p> - - <p>To give a sketch of all the cruelties that I witnessed on Mr. McNeill's - place, would occupy more space in this little book than I desire. I - will give a description of the manner in which the dead slaves are - disposed of. On the death of a slave, I was sent by my master to the - overseer, requesting him to send two boys to the house. On their - arrival, he would order them to the hospital, or sick-house, as it - is generally called, and they would take the body, fasten it in the - blanket on which he died, put it on the hand-barrow, and carry it to - its place of burial. This was generally done very hastily, on account - of the climate. Thus are they bundled into the earth, without minister - or coffin, or permitting the husband, or wife, or mother, to see the - last disposal of that which has been dear to them on earth.</p> - - <p>I was on this farm about six years, five of which I was employed as - house servant; and it is probable that I should have remained in the - house, had I not refused to give him some information respecting a - pig, which two of the men had stolen. This disobedience caused me much - suffering. In the first place, I was severely whipped with a cowskin, - the scars of which punishment I have to this day, and then I was sent - to the field to work,—the place I dreaded mostly. From morning till - night could the whip be heard, accompanied with the cries and groans of - the sufferers, whilst I was employed at the house. I was not under the - direction of the cruel overseer, and consequently escaped his cruelty. - A day seldom passed without witnessing several hundred lashes inflicted - upon the slaves; each individual having a stated number of pounds of - cotton to pick, the deficit of which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">20</span> was made up by as many lashes - being applied to the poor slave's back as he was so unlucky as to fall - short in the number of pounds of cotton which he was to have picked.</p> - - <p>As I had not been accustomed to field-work, I found it impossible to - keep up with the others. The overseer, seeing this, came up to me and - asked me if I knew where I was; I said, I did; he then replied, that - I had been at the house so long that I had got the devil in me; and - if I did not keep my row up with the rest, he would give me a hundred - lashes, and that d——d quick. To this I did not reply, but toiled on - to the best of my knowledge, hoping to escape punishment; but all in - vain; frequently was I whipped without any just cause. I do now think - that he made me his particular victim on account of my having been out - of his power so long a time. I am incapable of describing the great - difference between house and field labor. I have, since my settling - in the North, heard many persons, in speaking of slavery as they have - seen it in cities, towns, &c., where it exists in its mildest form, - apologizing for it, holding it forth to the world as a great benefit to - the black man. They say the slaves are nicely fed, clothed, and taken - care of in a very comfortable manner. But, step back in the interior - of slave States, on the plantations, where you see one hundred slaves - in charge of a drunken overseer, thinly clad, and scantily fed; driven - forth to labor from daylight till dark; where a slave for the most - trivial offence may be whipped to death, for in case of death arising - from whipping the overseer is indifferent,—he knows the master cannot - use the word of his slave against him,—he will not acknowledge it - himself. Thus there<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">21</span> is nothing to restrain him from using the most - unnatural and inhuman cruelty to the poor slaves.</p> - - <p>Towards the end of the year that I was in the field, my suffering - increased to that degree that it caused me to lift my voice to Almighty - God, and pray fervently for a termination of my sufferings in death; - though, at that time, I was ignorant of the blessings of religion. I - have thought that the God of the oppressed heard my prayer and came to - my relief, by changing my situation, under the following circumstances. - About that time, his younger brother, William, visited the farm, with - his wife, and had been at the house some two or three weeks before - I saw him. A few days before he left I was sent for to come to the - house, by the servant whom my master had bought to take my place when - I was put in the field. On my approaching the house, I observed my - master, his brother, and wife, standing in the door looking at me. Mr. - William McNeill spoke to me, and told me that he had bought me. He - then ordered me into the kitchen to wash, and sent me out a pair of - pantaloons and a shirt, in which I appeared much better than in the - ragged covering which I had cast off. I was then sent to the house, - and there he made me acquainted with my duties as a body servant, - which, as they were similar to those of my former master, it would be - useless to describe. As I was delighted with this change, and there - was something so pleasing in the manner of my new master, so different - from that of my old one, I entered into my duties with pleasure. In a - few days I started with my master and mistress for Louisiana to visit - her father's plantation, who was a sugar planter, and a more cruel one - I do not think was to be found in that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">22</span> neighborhood. We remained a - few weeks there, when my master made arrangements to visit Kentucky, - leaving his wife behind. We went up the Mississippi as far as Memphis, - there leaving the boat and taking the stage for Nashville, Tennessee; - and from thence to Lexington, Kentucky. A few days after our arrival, - my master made me acquainted with the object of his visit, which was to - purchase slaves, intending to take them to Mississippi, where he was - going to farming; and he instructed me to tell all slaves who should - inquire of me if he was a good master, that he was, to which I readily - assented; and, as he did not wish to purchase any that were not willing - to go with him, he would frequently send them to me, and I gave them - satisfactory proofs of his kindness. He soon got a sufficient number, - and started for the Mississippi by land. They all started willingly on - their journey, and arrived at its end without any difficulty. This is - to be wondered at, as none of the gang were ironed or shackled in any - way.</p> - - <p>My master had purchased a farm about one hundred and eighty miles from - his brother's, my former master; at which we arrived, as I before - stated, without any difficulty. My master remained on the farm until - everything was put in order, when he gave the farm up to the overseer, - and started for his wife, whom he had not seen for six months. When - we arrived at her father's plantation, I was kindly received by my - mistress, and I had begun to hope that master and mistress were both - kind people. But I was soon disappointed; for my mistress had been - brought up in Louisiana, and had witnessed punishment all her life, - and had become hardened to it. On the other hand, my master had spent - a number of years in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">23</span> the State of York, completing his education, and - was unused to such cruelty as yet. As soon as everything was arranged - we started for home, which we reached without accident. My mistress - had two favorite slaves; an old nurse about sixty years of age, and a - maid-servant about fifteen. On our arrival, we were installed in our - new offices: the nurse was to cook; the girl was to attend to the light - duty of the house; I was to take care of the horse and carriage, chop - wood, and any out-door work about the yard. For the first month or two, - everything went on quite smoothly; but soon the cloud grew black, the - storm commenced. My mistress had suppressed the evil passions reigning - within her as long as she was able; but her temper soon burst forth in - all its fury. I had frequently spoken in terms of praise to the cook, - of my mistress; but she always replied, that I was not acquainted with - her yet. I soon perceived a change in the management of the household - affairs. Her first act was to procure a cowhide, which was kept near - for immediate use; and there was scarcely a day but some one of us - felt it administered by her own hand upon our backs. I have seen her - beat the old cook most shockingly; at one time she pushed her into - the fire, and burnt her head very badly. This was the kindness to the - person who had nursed her. Although I have seen her perpetrate some of - the most cruel acts that a human being could, yet I never saw her in a - passion when she was inflicting punishment. She seemed to take delight - in torturing,—in fact, she made it a pastime; she inspired every one - about her with terror. As for myself, I was perfectly terrified when - she approached. I never saw, and never expect to see another person - that I feared so much as I did<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">24</span> that woman. She soon exerted her wicked - influence over her husband, who was turned into a mere automaton, - moving at her will; and he became through her a most cruel man, lashing - and goading the slaves as she bid him. For the first few months my - duties were as I have mentioned; but soon they were increased. I had, - for one thing more, to tend the dinner-table every day, and fan my - mistress during her stay at the table. I have designed the cut below to - represent this scene, more clearly than I am able in words. After the - dinner, my mistress retired to the back piazza, to which place I had to - accompany her, where there was a net hung for her amusement. She would - generally lie down in it for an hour or so, and I had there to resume - my fanning, as at dinner. When this was through, I had to bring the - carriage to the door for her to take an airing in. She would ride four - or five miles out and back before tea. I would then take care of my - horse and carriage, and my duties were generally over for the day.</p> - - <figure> - <img class="illowp100" src="images/i_024.jpg" alt=""> - <figcaption><i>The Author attending at the Dinner-Table.</i></figcaption> - </figure> - - <p>Thus passed about a year of my time with Mr. William<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">25</span> McNeill; when, - thinking that the service of a field-hand would be of more value to - him, he made up his mind to part with me. He had promised, when he - bought me, that he would never put me in the field to work. He asked - me, if I thought I could get a master? I told him, I thought I could. - He accordingly gave me a pass to go to Vicksburg, which is one hundred - miles from my master's farm. There I was well acquainted, and thought - I could get a master without any difficulty. I remained there two - or three days looking for a master, but was unsuccessful. It then - occurred to me that I would go to another town, about thirty miles - from Vicksburg, where a gentleman lived who had often spoken of me in - flattering terms. I accordingly started, and reached there in safety, - and called on the gentleman, and presented the letter which my master - had given me. After reading it and asking a few questions, he sent me - into the kitchen. He then went across the street to a house where there - was a drove of slaves for sale, and selected one and brought him over - to me, and asked me, if I thought he would do? I told him, I thought he - would. He placed him in charge of the stage-driver the next morning, - for Mr. McNeill's farm. Thus ended my services with one of the worst - masters on the Mississippi.</p> - - <p>I entered the duties of my new situation with pleasure; not that I saw - anything more pleasing in my new master than I did in Mr. McNeill, but - the thought of having left the farm, as I hoped, forever, was a source - of great consolation to me. I do not mention the name of this gentleman - or of any of my subsequent masters, as I do not wish to afford them - the means to trace me. I resolved, when I commenced my new services, - that I would do<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">26</span> everything in my power to please my master, so that - he would have no occasion to sell me; and I soon ascertained to my - satisfaction that my efforts were not unsuccessful, for he entrusted - me with the keys of his house,—he not being a married man,—which is - the highest mark of confidence a slave enjoys. I had been with him - but a short time, when I learned that he was training us for a hotel, - which he intended opening in a neighboring city. This information - pleased me much; for I thought the larger the city I was in, the - smaller the chance would be of my getting on a farm. When the hotel was - ready, he started with his servants. We reached there in safety, and - went immediately to the hotel, where we each entered upon the duties - assigned us; mine was in the dining-room, as waiter, a situation not - very desirable on account of not being able to make as much money - from boarders as in other stations in the house. In this situation I - soon learned to gamble, in order to gain money from those who had the - chance of making more than I made. In this wicked business I was very - expert, and had constantly on hand a small stock of money. Slavery has - made labor dishonorable to the white man; and, as they must have means - of living, they generally resort to gambling for support, and as they - cannot always find their own color to rob, they fasten upon the poor, - degraded slave, who has received some little trifle for an extra piece - of labor, to gull from him that which he has paid so dearly for; and I - have spent many Sunday nights, after my work was done, gambling. But, - as about this time there arose a great excitement respecting gamblers, - and having seen, in the city of Vicksburg, five gamblers hung, it - rather tended to stop my nefarious business for awhile.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">27</span> The citizens, - being determined to put a final stop to the practice, searched among - the slaves to punish them for what they had learned from their white - brothers. They accordingly had about one hundred up for examination, - which was carried on very closely; and they came to the conclusion, - that a free colored man and myself were the principals. We were brought - before the court, which was held in the bar-room at the hotel where I - was employed. The court seemed to have some sympathy for the free man. - He was sentenced first to have his left ear cropped, to be tarred and - feathered and put in a boat full of holes, and set adrift down the - river. They appointed a committee to see it put into effect, and they - then proceeded to sentence me. There was some disagreement respecting - what my sentence should be. Some wanted me branded,—others hung; but - they at last agreed that I should have sixty lashes, to be received - at the public whipping-post, and my master to give bonds for me to - keep the peace. So great was the excitement, that for three weeks the - city was kept under martial law. After I had got over my flogging, I - resolved never to gamble again.</p> - - <p>Very shortly after this, a circumstance occurred at the coffee-house, - which I have seen noticed in print; but, as I was acquainted with - the parties, and as some of my readers may not have read it, I will - relate it. There was an old slave attached to the house, by the name - of Jim, who was summoned one day to a room where there was two young - slaveholders present. He had scarcely answered their call before he - dropped down, in a fit of apoplexy. "He is dead!" exclaimed one. - "He'll come to," replied the other. "Dead, for five hundred!"<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">28</span> "Done!" - retorted the other. The noise of the fall and the confusion which - followed, brought up the owner, who called for a doctor. "No! no! we - must have no interference; there's a bet depending!" "But, Sir, I shall - lose a valuable servant." "Never mind; you can put him down in the - bill!" was their reply. The poor fellow, after suffering some length - of time, finally came to. I merely state this fact, as I could many - others, to show the passion for gaming the Southerners have, and the - brutish manner in which a slave is treated.</p> - - <p>Two years of my life passed away without any particular interruption, - when, one Sunday afternoon, I got into a dispute with another slave. - High words were followed by blows; when I got exasperated, having drank - freely of liquor, and stabbed him. I was immediately arrested and put - in jail and kept till morning, when I was examined in court. My master, - in the meantime, had engaged the services of a distinguished lawyer by - the name of S. S. Prentiss, who by his able arguments extricated me - from punishment by law; but recommended my master to flog me, which he - followed to the letter. The slave with whom I had the difficulty was - not injured so as to cause death, and eventually recovered.</p> - - <p>I had never been to a meeting of a religious nature since I had been - in the city; but, soon after the difficulty I have just mentioned, my - master changed the hour for dinner, which enabled us to go to church. - There was a Methodist meeting-house on the hill near the jail, to which - our master allowed us all to go every Sunday afternoon, as we could not - go in the forenoon, where we heard the word of the minister preached - to us,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">29</span> who was a white man; the law making it necessary that white - persons should be present at all assemblages of slaves or free negroes. - The object of the slaveholders in having their slaves go to church can - be clearly seen by the following sermon, which, or one very similar to - it, I recollect hearing while worshipping at this church, which has - been published and circulated quite extensively at the South:—"'All - things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even - so unto them:' That is, do by all mankind just as you would desire - they should do by you if you were in their place, and they in yours. - Now, to suit this rule to your particular circumstances: suppose you - were masters and mistresses, and had servants under you; would you - not desire that your servants should do their business faithfully and - honestly, as well when your back was turned as while you were looking - over them? Would you not expect that they should take notice of what - you said to them; that they should behave themselves with respect - towards you and yours; and be as careful of everything belonging to - you, as you would be yourself? You are servants; do, therefore, as you - would wish to be done by, and you will be both good servants to your - masters and to your God, who requires this of you, and will reward you - well for it, if you do it for the sake of conscience, in obedience to - his commands. Take care that you do not fret, or murmur, or grumble at - your condition, for this will not only make your life uneasy, but will - greatly offend Almighty God. Consider, that it is not yourselves; it - is not the people you belong to; it is not the men that have brought - you to it; but it is the will of God, who hath by his wise providence - made you servants, because,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">30</span> no doubt, he knew that condition would be - best for you in this world and help you the better towards heaven, if - you would but do your duty in it; so that any discontent at your not - being free, or rich, or great as some others, is quarrelling with your - Heavenly Master, and finding fault with God himself. There is only one - circumstance which may appear grievous; that I shall now take notice - of,—and that is, correction. Now, let us see what the Scriptures say - on this point. 'The servant that knoweth his master's will and doeth - it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.' Now, does this not apply - directly to yourselves? Now, when correction is given to you, you - either deserve it, or you do not deserve it; but, whether you really - deserve it or not, it is your duty, and Almighty God requires, that you - bear it patiently. You may perhaps think that this is hard doctrine; - but if you consider right, you must needs think otherwise of it. - Suppose, then, that you deserve correction, you cannot but say that it - is right and just you should meet with it. Suppose you do not deserve - it, or at least do not deserve so much punishment for the fault you - have committed, you perhaps have escaped a great many more, and are - at last paid for all. Or, suppose you are quite innocent of what is - laid to your charge, and suffer wrongfully in that particular thing; - is it not possible you may have done some other bad thing, which was - never discovered, and that Almighty God, who saw you doing it, would - not let you escape without punishment some time or another? and ought - you not in such a case to give glory to him, and be thankful that he - would rather punish you in this world for your wickedness than destroy - your souls for it in the next? But, suppose that this even was not the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">31</span> - case,—a case hardly to be imagined; and that you have by no means, - known or unknown, deserved the correction you have received, there is - this great comfort in it, that if you bear it patiently and leave your - cause in the hands of God, he will reward you for it in heaven; and - this punishment you suffer unjustly here, shall turn to your exceeding - great glory hereafter."</p> - - <p>Such, my readers, is the doctrine which is preached to the poor slave; - and I could add many more specimens of it, if space would permit. - They are made to believe that God made them slaves, that they are - always to remain slaves, and bear with patience and humility the - unjust punishment they receive on earth, that it may be to their glory - hereafter. Is it not an unpardonable sin for man thus to defile the - holy sanctuary, and pollute the sacred word of God by using it for such - base purposes? But comment is unnecessary; the diabolical facts show - fairly enough of themselves, without my attempting to bring them out - any more. The cut represents a number of slaves listening to preaching - of this kind.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">32</span></p> - - <figure> - <img class="illowp100" src="images/i_031.jpg" alt=""> - <figcaption><i>The Author in attendance on Public Worship.</i></figcaption> - </figure> - - <p>I remained at this place about four years, when I was hired out to a - genteel sportsman, whom I was with for nine months, and in that time I - travelled a great deal with him, and witnessed much of the sufferings - of my brothers and sisters in bondage. But, from having seen so much, - my heart began to grow less feeling for the sufferings of others, and - even indifferent to my own punishment. My time having expired, I was - sent back to my master. In travelling with this man, whose name I will - not mention, I had cherished the idea of being my own master; but, - returning to the State of Mississippi, my hopes left me for awhile, - for it is almost a matter of impossibility for a slave to escape, on - account of its situation; and added to that, there are men who do - nothing else but hunt fugitive slaves with hounds that are so well - trained, that they do, as they advertise, take slaves without scarring - them enough to injure their value. I have said, my hope for freedom - had left me. I am wrong; it was suppressed only, and it grew stronger - from being suppressed, for I had determined to be free whenever an - opportunity should present itself. I had to be extremely careful in - my deportment, more attentive if possible to my duty, so that there - should be no suspicion that I had made up my mind to run away; for the - slaveholder watches every movement of the slave, and if he is downcast - or sad,—in fact, if they are in any mood but laughing and singing, - and manifesting symptoms of perfect content at heart,—they are said - to have the devil in them, which is the common term; and they are - often whipped or sold for their supposed wicked intentions. But as - for myself, the more I reflected upon my situation, the more cheerful - I appeared to be. About this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">33</span> time a change came over my master's - affairs, which caused me to be transferred into another's hands, which - change I afterwards found to be of great benefit to me. To my great - joy and satisfaction, I soon left this town; for I had made up my mind - that it was one of the most wicked places that I had ever been in. We - arrived at our place of destination without accident. I served this - man as body-servant for some time, when, being known as a good waiter, - I was hired out to the proprietor of a large hotel. In this situation - I was endeavoring to gain all the information I could respecting the - northern States, and the means of escape; but I could not obtain much - satisfaction on this point, as white persons visiting the hotels are - very careful what they say in the presence of the slaves. About six - months after I had been at the hotel, there came a gentleman from - the North, who seemed to manifest a great deal of sympathy for my - situation, and who afterwards proved to be my deliverer from bondage, - whose name I can give, if called for. He lives in the city of Boston. - Yes; through him I am enabled to sit this minute at my own table, and - also to worship God according to the dictates of my own conscience, - and pray fervently for the great day of universal emancipation; when - the husband may return to his wife; the child to the mother; when the - clanking of chains, the crack of the whip, the cries of the bleeding - bondmen, shall no more ascend to heaven.</p> - - <p>But I am wandering from the subject of my escape. One day, this - gentleman, my deliverer, who had become quite well acquainted with - me, overheard some remarks of mine, which caused him to ask me the - following questions: first, "Are you a slave?" to which I replied,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">34</span> I - was. He said, that he had all along thought me to be a free man. He - then asked, who my master was? I told him. "Why don't you run away?" - said he. I told him, with a laugh, I knew not where to go. At this - moment, the bell which called me to my duty, rang, and I had to leave - him; but with the determination to renew the conversation at the - earliest opportunity, for it was what I had been long looking for,—a - friend to consult with on the subject of freedom. The same night I - had another opportunity to converse with him; and, finding that I was - determined to escape, he informed me of the security the northern - states afforded for slaves, the feeling of the free people of color - living there, and of the great anti-slavery movement there, a subject - which I was entirely ignorant of before; and he then offered me the - means of escape. He told me that there was a ship lying at the wharf, - that would soon sail for the North, and that he was acquainted with - some persons on board, whom he could get to interfere in my behalf. I - had hoped that he would be able to make all arrangements without my - going on board, but I was disappointed; for he told me that at twelve - o'clock the same day, in case of not seeing him before that time, to - go on board, and inquire for the captain; on seeing him, to make my - bow to him, to look up unabashed, and ask him for a passage. He will - ask you, where your home is? You must tell him, in Boston; for I have - told you so much about it, that you can give him the information he - will ask for. I told him, I thought I could. Should he ask you where in - Boston you live, you may tell him at the North End. Should he ask you - what street in Boston you live, tell him, in Ann street. Should he ask<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">35</span> - you, how Ann street runs, tell him, it runs parallel with Commercial - street; saying this, turn away with a laugh from the captain, telling - him he needs no information about the streets of Boston, as he knows - as well as you do of their situations. These questions he made me - answer to him many times; and fortunate for me that he did, for I - found them of great value to me. He then left me, charging me to go on - board precisely at twelve o'clock, if I did not see him before that - time. I spent all the rest of the morning in repeating my simple, but - important catechism,—quite as much so to me in my situation as ever - the famous Shorter Catechism, of Westminster Assembly notoriety, was to - a youngster just receiving his first theological lesson from the lips - of a Presbyterian parent, anxious to save the soul of his child; well - will it be for all who repeat that important religious catechism, if it - renders them as effectual service, in saving their souls, as mine did - in saving my body and soul from slavery's cursed hell,—and thinking - of the hour, waiting with impatience its approach, and yet dreading - its coming; for I had seen so many slaves brought back, and witnessed - the dreadful punishment they have received for attempting to get their - freedom, that I shuddered at the consequences of detection. The hour at - last arrived. My friend had not returned, and I started for the ship; - but, as I came in sight of it, my courage forsook me. I feared that I - should not be able to appear manly and fearless. Had I not been brought - under the lash of the white man? had not everything of a manly nature - been beaten out of me? had I not been taught that I was a slave,—that - I was ever to remain a slave? that it was the wish of Almighty God that - I should be content<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">36</span> with my situation? But my readers will excuse me - for deviating from my narration to excuse the cowardly feelings which - then induced me to turn back. But as I did so, I paused for a moment; - and the thought of freedom—delicious freedom—came rushing over me, - and filled my soul with pleasure, and I determined to persevere. - Conning over my catechism again, I retraced my steps for the ship; and - as it again came to my view, I felt like a new man, and that I would - attempt it if it cost me my life. I went on board with a firm step, and - inquired for the captain. I was shown him, and about the same questions - were asked me that my kind friend had prepared me to answer. About - the close of our interview the idea came to me, that, should he ask - me for my free papers, what could I say,—what should I do? for I had - none; and these thoughts came very near making me forget how to answer - my last question, which was, the situation of Ann street. I however - answered as I had been instructed, and took a step or two forward. On - returning, I met the steward, who had just come out of the cabin, whom - I had never seen before; and to my surprise he came up and addressed - me in a manner that would indicate his having known me from boyhood, - and asked me when I had heard from, and when I was going, home? I told - him, that I had just applied to the captain for a passage. At this, he - turned to the captain, and told him that he should want some assistance - on the home passage; and, as I was an old acquaintance of his, he - would like to have me go with him. The captain, seeing the supposed - familiarity that was between us, replied that he would take me for half - price, which was fifteen dollars. This was another blow, which I did - not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">37</span> know how to avert; but the kind steward, seeing the dilemma that - I was in, kindly offered to become responsible for the money. Oh! how - joyful I then felt. I was lighter in body and mind, as if some crushing - weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I left the ship and ran home, - half crying and laughing, to think the day of my liberty was so near at - hand. I reached the hotel in a state of mind impossible to describe. I - however saw the necessity of suppressing my extraordinary joy, so that - it would not be observed and lead to questioning me. I accordingly went - to work concealing my thoughts, and looked eagerly for the day that - the ship was to sail; for the captain had informed me when he would be - ready to leave.</p> - - <p>The day at length arrived for the sailing of the ship; and one hour - before she sailed I went on board, with the clothes I was at work in, - not daring to take a thing with me, although I had plenty at the hotel, - for fear that it would excite suspicion. I stood upon the deck looking - at every person about me, thinking that the excuse I could give if - interrogated there would be more plausible than if I were in the cabin - or any other part of the ship. Finally, the steamboat which was to take - us down the river came up alongside and was made fast. As this was - going on I ventured to turn my head, and on the boat saw a man, whom - I thought I had seen at the hotel. The thought came to me, should he - see me, he might inform my master. I immediately feigned sickness, and - stooped down over the rail of the vessel and made a piteous moaning, - which attracted the attention of the captain, who ordered the steward - to come to my relief. He came and assisted me down between decks,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">38</span> - and laid me upon some old sails and ropes, telling me to remain there - until he called me. In a short time he came and brought a glass half - full of brandy, thick with cayenne pepper, for me to drink. I drank it, - and for some minutes it made me think that I was all on fire within. - This was to avoid suspicion. The steamer took us down the Mississippi, - passed the city of New Orleans, and left us at the outside the Balize, - at which time I had not appeared on deck, nor did I until the boat - had left the ship and she had set her sails for sea; then I left my - hiding-place, with my hands on my stomach. The captain then came up to - me, and looking me full in the face, asked me, if I had got well? I - told him, I was better. He said that I had better do some light work, - and it would probably wear off. I then busied myself about the ship, - endeavoring to make myself as useful as I could. We had a pleasant - passage of twenty-nine days, and arrived in Boston without anything - special happening. I have taken care to suppress the captain's name, - and the name of his ship, knowing that should it be known it would - cause him difficulty; and I never have given either since I have been a - free man. The money which the steward paid for my passage I was able to - refund to him in about a year afterwards.</p> - - <p>Thus twenty-six years, the prime of my life, had passed away in - slavery, I having witnessed it in all its forms; and I can with safety - say, that there is no good in it; and I can never hear any person - apologizing for it without pronouncing them to be meddling with that - they know nothing of. I remained concealed for three weeks in the house - of Mr. Wright, fearing to trust myself with any one, not knowing who - was my friend. But, finding<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">39</span> myself destitute, I at length ventured - out, and my case became known among the people of color. I was directed - to that friend and champion of the slave, William L. Garrison, who - ever stands ready to assist and advise the panting fugitive. To him I - told my history; and, after giving me pecuniary assistance, he advised - me to leave the country and go to Canada, or England. As I considered - his advice wholesome, I determined to follow it; and left the office - in company with Mr. Nell, a gentleman of color, who had accompanied me - there, and who is since deceased. As I proceeded down street, we met a - gentleman whom Mr. Nell knew. This gentleman was inquiring for some one - to work for him on board a vessel. I was introduced to him and accepted - his proposals, and stayed with him a sufficient time to accumulate - enough to leave the land of Bibles and whips, where there is no place - for the fugitive to rest his weary feet. But, in justice to my late - employer, the Hon. Josiah Sturgis, who I found to be my best friend, I - would state, that he is a man possessed of a noble and generous heart; - and that he is ever ready to assist the destitute who apply to him.</p> - - <p>Once more I set sail for the land of freemen; and, when I touched the - soil of Britain, I felt that I was safe,—that I then was, in reality, - free. On my passage out, there was a gentleman by the name of Hodges - on board, who, having found that I was going to leave the ship, he - hired me to travel with him. I accordingly entered into his service, - and travelled over a large portion of England with him; and wherever - I went, I was treated like a man. They looked not at the color of my - skin, but judged me from my internal qualifications.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">40</span></p> - - <p>But, as I have been more lengthy in this little Narrative than I - intended, I will bring it to a close; sincerely hoping that it will - interest my readers, and tend to ameliorate the condition of my three - millions of brothers and sisters in bondage, as well as throw some - light upon the condition of the slaves in Mississippi; the narratives - of other fugitives having for their scenes other States. After - remaining a few months in England, I judged it best for me to return to - America, which I accordingly did.</p> - - <p>This Narrative by no means covers the whole ground of my experience - under slavery's iron protection; for I could easily fill a much larger - space than this with accounts of what I have seen and felt of the - kindly influences of that patriarchal institution, standing as it does - (as McDuffie has well said) "at the corner stone of our republican - edifice." Perhaps, hereafter, I may furnish some more facts respecting - its heavenly character.</p> - - <p>Before closing this little Narrative, by the request of a number of - friends, I will state some facts in relation to the escape of my wife.</p> - - <p>She was a slave, in Maryland; was born about one hundred miles from - Baltimore. Her mother was liberated at the death of her master, and - left five children in slavery, including my wife. Her mother removed - to the North, where she had six other children. She is now dead, and - the family are scattered. My wife remained at her birth-place until she - was old enough to be hired out, then was taken to Baltimore and put to - work. There she remained until she made her escape. The circumstances - connected with her escape I will not repeat, lest I should block up the - way, or affect the business of the under-ground railroad.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">41</span></p> - - <p>As she lived in a State where slavery subsisted in its mildest form, - her experience in it was far different from many. She knew nothing - comparatively of the grossest form of it; but notwithstanding this she - cordially detests slavery, and is an earnest anti-slavery worker.</p> - - <p>When toil-worn and care-worn, when well-nigh disheartened from all - this care and toil, I have invariably been sustained by the sympathy - and kind words of my wife. Truly, in the language of Scripture, she is - "an ever present help in time of need." When, saddened in spirit by - a reflection that my brethren are still groaning in bondage, I have - found—from her former situation as a slave, being equally a sufferer - with myself—she could enter into my feelings and cheer me with hopes - of the approaching time of their liberation.</p> - - <p>By the advice of my wife I destroyed the advertisement of my master, - thinking my safety was endangered by it. Had it been in my possession - now, I would have given the form without the name in connection with it.</p> - - <hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <div class="chapter"> - <span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">42</span> - <h2 class="gesperrt nobreak" id="APPENDIX">APPENDIX.</h2> - </div> - <div class="center mt5 mb5">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div> - - <div class="subheadc">EXTRACT FROM WELD'S AMERICAN SLAVERY AS IT IS.</div> - - <p>In the 'Charleston (South Carolina) Mercury' of October 12, 1838, we - find an advertisement of half a column, by a Dr. T. Stillman, setting - forth the merits of another 'Medical Infirmary,' under his own special - supervision, at No. 110 Church street, Charleston. The doctor, after - inveighing loudly against 'men totally ignorant of medical science,' - who flood the country with quack nostrums backed up by 'fabricated - proofs of miraculous cures,' proceeds to enumerate the diseases to - which his 'Infirmary' is open, and to which his practice will be - mainly confined. Appreciating the importance of 'interesting cases,' - as a stock in trade on which to commence his experiments, he copies - the example of the medical professors, and advertises for them. But, - either from a keener sense of justice, or more generosity, or greater - confidence in his skill, or for some other reason, he proposes to - <em>buy up</em> an assortment of <em>damaged</em> negroes, given over as - incurable by others, and to make such his 'interesting cases,' instead - of experimenting on those who are the 'property' of others.</p> - - <p>Dr. Stillman closes his advertisement with the following notice:—</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">43</span></p> - - <blockquote> - <p>"<span class="smcap">To Planters and others.</span>—Wanted, <em>fifty negroes</em>. - Any person having sick negroes, considered incurable by their - respective physicians, and wishing to dispose of them, Dr. S. - will pay cash for negroes affected with scrofula or king's evil, - confirmed hypocondriasm, apoplexy, diseases of the liver, kidneys, - spleen, stomach and intestines, bladder and its appendages, - diarrhœa, dysentery, &c. The highest cash price will be paid on - application as above."</p> - </blockquote> - - <p>The absolute barbarism of a 'public opinion' which not only tolerates, - but <em>produces</em> such advertisements as this, was outdone by nothing - in the dark ages. If the reader has a heart of flesh, he can feel - it without help, and if he has not, comment will not create it. The - total indifference of slaveholders to such a cold-blooded proposition, - their utter unconsciousness of the paralysis of heart, and death of - sympathy, and every feeling of common humanity, for the slave, which it - reveals, is enough of itself to show that the tendency of the spirit - of slaveholding is, to kill in the soul whatever it touches. It has no - eyes to see, nor ears to hear, nor mind to understand, nor heart to - feel for its victims as <em>human beings</em>. To show that the above - indication of the savage state is not an index of individual feeling, - but of 'public opinion,' it is sufficient to say, that it appears to - be a standing advertisement in the Charleston Mercury, the leading - political paper of South Carolina, the organ of the Honorables John C. - Calhoun, Robert Barnwell Rhett, Hugh S. Legare, and others regarded - as the elite of her statesmen and literati. Besides, candidates - for popular favor, like the doctor who advertises for the fifty - 'incurables,' take special care to conciliate, rather than outrage, - 'public opinion.' Is the doctor so ignorant of 'public opinion' in his - own city, that he has unwittingly committed violence upon it in his - advertisement? We trow not. The same 'public opinion' which gave birth - to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">44</span> the advertisement of Dr. Stillman, and to those of the professors - in both medical institutions, founded the Charleston 'Work-House,'—a - soft name for a Moloch temple dedicated to torture, and reeking with - blood in the midst of the city; to which masters and mistresses send - their slaves of both sexes to be stripped, tied up, and cut with - the lash till the blood and mangled flesh flow to their feet, or to - be beaten and bruised with the terrible paddle, or forced to climb - the tread-mill till nature sinks, or to experience other nameless - torments.—<cite>See Weld's American Slavery As it Is</cite>, p. 171.</p> - - <hr class="mt5"> - <h3>FUGITIVE'S TRIUMPH.</h3> - - <div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0"><span class="smcap">Go</span>, go, thou that enslav'st me,</div> - <div class="i2">Now, now thy power is o'er;</div> - <div class="i0">Long, long have I obeyed thee,</div> - <div class="i2">I'm not a slave any more;</div> - <div class="i6">No, no—oh, no!</div> - <div class="i2">I'm a <em>free man</em> ever more!</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">Thou, thou brought'st me ever,</div> - <div class="i2">Deep, deep sorrow and pain;</div> - <div class="i0">But I have left thee forever,</div> - <div class="i2">Nor will I serve thee again;</div> - <div class="i6">No, no—oh, no!</div> - <div class="i2">No, I'll not serve thee again.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">Tyrant! thou hast bereft me</div> - <div class="i2">Home, friends, pleasures so sweet;</div> - <div class="i0">Now, forever I've left thee,</div> - <div class="i2">Thou and I never shall meet;</div> - <div class="i6">No, no—oh, no!</div> - <div class="i2">Thou and I never shall meet.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">45</span>Joys, joys, bright as the morning,</div> - <div class="i2">Now, now, on me will pour,</div> - <div class="i0">Hope, hope, on me is dawning,</div> - <div class="i2"><em>I'm not a slave any more!</em></div> - <div class="i6">No, no—oh, no,</div> - <div class="i2">I'm a <span class="smcap">free man</span> evermore!</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> - - <hr class="mt5"> - <h3>THE BEREAVED SLAVE MOTHER.</h3> - - <div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0"><span class="smcap">Oh!</span> deep was the anguish of the Slave Mother's heart,</div> - <div class="i0">When call'd from her darling forever to part;</div> - <div class="i0">So grieved that lone Mother, that heart-broken Mother,</div> - <div class="i20">In sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">The lash of the master her deep sorrows mock,</div> - <div class="i0">While the child of her bosom is sold on the block;</div> - <div class="i0">Yet loud shrieked that mother, poor heart-broken Mother,</div> - <div class="i20">In sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">The babe in return, for its fond mother cries,</div> - <div class="i0">While the sound of their wailings together arise:</div> - <div class="i0">They shriek for each other, the child and the Mother,</div> - <div class="i20">In sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">The harsh auctioneer, to sympathy cold,</div> - <div class="i0">Tears the babe from its Mother and sells it for Gold;</div> - <div class="i0">While the Infant and Mother, loud shriek for each other,</div> - <div class="i20">In sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">At last came the parting of Mother and Child,</div> - <div class="i0">Her brain reel'd with madness, that mother was <em>wild</em>;</div> - <div class="i0">Then the <em>Lash</em> could not smother, the shrieks of that Mother,</div> - <div class="i20">Of sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">46</span>The child was borne off to a far distant clime,</div> - <div class="i0">While the Mother was left in anguish to pine;</div> - <div class="i0">But reason departed, and she sunk broken-hearted,</div> - <div class="i20">In sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">That poor mourning Mother, of Reason bereft,</div> - <div class="i0">Soon ended her sorrows, and sunk cold in death;</div> - <div class="i0">Thus died that Slave Mother, poor heart-broken Mother,</div> - <div class="i20">In sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="i0">Oh! list ye kind Mothers to the cries of the Slave;</div> - <div class="i0">The Parents and Children implore you to save;</div> - <div class="i0">Go! rescue the Mothers, the Sisters and Brothers,</div> - <div class="i20">From sorrow and woe.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> - - <hr class="mt5"> - <h2>EXTRACTS FROM THE AMERICAN SLAVE CODE.</h2> - - <p><span class="smcap">The</span> following are mostly abridged selections from the statutes of the - slave States and of the United States. They give but a faint view of - the cruel oppression to which the slaves are subject, but a strong - one enough, it is thought, to fill every honest heart with a deep - abhorrence of the atrocious system. Most of the important provisions - here cited, though placed under the name of only one State, prevail - in nearly all the States, with slight variations in language, and - some diversity in the penalties. The extracts have been made in part - from Stroud's Sketch of the Slave Laws, but chiefly from authorized - editions of the statute books referred to, found in the Philadelphia - Law Library. As the compiler has not had access to many of the later - enactments of the several States, nearly all he has cited are acts of - an earlier date than that of the present anti-slavery movement, so that - their severity cannot be ascribed to its influence.</p> - - <p>The cardinal principle of slavery, that the slave is not to be ranked - among <em>sentient beings</em>, but among things—is an article of - property, a chattel personal—obtains as undoubted law in all the slave - States.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">47</span></p> - - <p>The dominion of the master is as unlimited as is that which is - tolerated by the laws of any civilized country in relation to brute - animals—to <em>quadrupeds</em>; to use the words of the civil law.</p> - - <p>Slaves cannot even contract matrimony.</p> - - <hr> - - <p><span class="smcap">Louisiana.</span>—A slave is one who is in the power of his master, - to whom he belongs. The master may sell him, dispose of his person, his - industry and his labor; he can do nothing, possess nothing, nor acquire - anything, but what must belong to his master.</p> - - <p>Slaves are incapable of inheriting or transmitting property.</p> - - <p>Slaves shall always be reputed and considered real estate; shall be as - such subject to be mortgaged, according to the rules prescribed by law, - and they shall be seized and sold as real estate.</p> - - <p>No owner of slaves shall hire his slaves to themselves, under a penalty - of twenty-five dollars for each offence.</p> - - <p>No slave can possess anything in his own right, or dispose of the - produce of his own industry, without the consent of his master.</p> - - <p>No slave can be party in a civil suit, or witness in a civil or - criminal matter, against any white person.</p> - - <p>A slave's subordination to his master is susceptible of no restriction - (except in what incites to crime), and he owes to him and all his - family, respect without bounds, and absolute obedience.</p> - - <p>Every slave found on horseback, without a written permission from his - master, shall receive twenty-five lashes.</p> - - <p>Any freeholder may seize and correct any slave found absent from his - usual place of work or residence, without some white person, and if - the slave resist or try to escape, he may use arms, and if the slave - <em>assault</em> and strike him, he may kill the slave.</p> - - <p>It is lawful to fire upon runaway negroes who are armed, and upon those - who, when pursued, refuse to surrender.</p> - - <p>No slave may buy, sell, or exchange any kind of goods, or hold any - boat, or bring up for his own use, any horses or cattle, under a - penalty of forfeiting the whole.</p> - - <p>Slaves or free colored persons are punished with <em>death</em> for - wilfully burning or destroying any stack of produce or any building.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">48</span></p> - - <p>The punishment of a slave for striking a white person, shall be for - the first and second offences at the discretion of the court, but not - extending to life or limb, and for the third offence, <em>death</em>; but - for grievously wounding or mutilating a white person, <em>death</em> for - the first offence; provided, if the blow or wound is given in defence - of the person or <em>property of his master</em>, or the person having - charge of him, he is entirely justified.</p> - - <p>A slave for wilfully striking his master or mistress, or the child of - either, or his white overseer, so as to cause a bruise or shedding of - blood, <em>shall be punished with death</em>.</p> - - <p>Any person cutting or breaking any iron chain or collar used to prevent - the escape of slaves, shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars, - nor more than one thousand dollars, and be imprisoned not more than two - years, nor less than six months.</p> - - <p>All slaves sentenced to death or perpetual imprisonment, in virtue of - existing laws, shall be paid for out of the public treasury, provided - the sum paid shall not exceed three hundred dollars for each slave.</p> - - <p>The State Treasurer shall pay the owners the value of all slaves whose - punishment has been commuted from that of death to that of imprisonment - for life.</p> - - <p>If any slave shall <em>happen</em> to be slain for refusing to surrender - him or herself, contrary to law, or in unlawfully resisting any - officer, or <em>other person</em>, who shall apprehend, or endeavor to - apprehend, such slave or slaves, &c., such officer or <em>other person - so killing such slave as aforesaid</em>, making resistance, shall be, - and he is by this act, <em>indemnified</em>, from any prosecution for - such killing aforesaid, &c.</p> - - <p>And by the negro act of 1740, of South Carolina, it is declared:</p> - - <p>If any slave who shall be out of the house or plantation where such - slave shall live, or shall be usually employed, or without some white - person in company with such slave, shall <em>refuse to submit</em> to - undergo the examination of <em>any white</em> person, it shall be lawful - for such white person to pursue, apprehend, and moderately correct such - slave; and if such slave shall assault and strike such white person, - such slave may be <em>lawfully killed</em>!!</p> - - <div class="transnote mt5"> - <div class="large center"><b>Transcriber’s Notes:</b></div> - <ul class="spaced small"> - <li>Blank pages have been removed.</li> - <li>Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.</li> - </ul> - </div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF HENRY WATSON, A FUGITIVE SLAVE ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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