diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/69372-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69372-0.txt | 1573 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 1573 deletions
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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - 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. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |