,, fe. " "' " . :'¦ Cb'77.75g —Mr X TWENTY-TWO YEARS A SLAYE, FORTY YEARS A FREEMAN; EMBRAOINCi A CORRESPONDENCE OF SEVERAL YEARS, WHILE PRESIDENT OF WILBERFORCE COLONY, LONDON, CANADA WEST, AUSTIN STEWARD. ROCHESTER, N. Y. PUBLISHED BT WILLIAM ALLIWG, EXCHANGE STBEET. 1857. Ektered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by WM. AILING, Iu the Clerk's Office, of the District Court of the TJ. S. for the Northern District of New York. A. Strong & Co., Printera. Coltin & Crowell, Storeotypers. FROM GOVERNOR CLARK. State or Ne-w York, Executive Department, Albany, May 10, 1856. Mb. A. Steward, Canandaigua, Dear Sir: — I notice a paragraph in the "Ontario Times" of this date, making the announcement that you are preparing "a sketch of events occurring under your own obser vation during an eventful Hfe," to be entitled, " Twenty Years a Slave, and Forty Years a Freeman;" and that you design soon to make an effort to obtain subscribers for the book. Being desirous of rendering you what encouragement I may in the work, you are permitted to place my name on your list of subscribers. Respectfully Yours, MYRON H. CLARK. XiOCUBSTEE, September, 1856. Mb, Wm. Alleng, Dear Sir: — The undersigned have heard with pleasure, that you are about issuing a. Book made up from inci dents in the life of Austin Steward. We haye been the early acquaintances and associates of Mr. Steward, while a business man in Rochester in an early day, and take pleasure in bearing: testimony to his high personal, moral and Christian character. In a world of vicissitude, Mr. Steward has received no ordinary share, and we hope, while his book may do the world good, it may prove a substantial benefit to him in his declining years. Ashley Sampsow, Thomas Kempshall, Frederick Starr, Chas. J. Hill, L. A. Wabd, . Edwin Sobaktom, Jacob Gould. RECOMMENDATORY. Rochester, July 1, 1856. A. Steward, Esq.* Dear Sir: — In reply to your letter upon the propriety of publishing your life, I answer, that there is not only no objection to it, but it will be timely, and is demanded by every con sideration of humanity and justice. Every tongue which speaks for Freedom, which has once been held by the awful gag of Slavery, is trumpet-tongued — and he who pleads against this monstrous oppres sion, if he can say, " here are the scars," can do much. It is a greatr pleasure to me to run back to my boyhood, and stop at that spot where I first met you. I recollect the story of your wrongs, and your joy in the supposition that all were now ended in your freedom; of your thirst for knowledge, as you gathered up from the rudimental books — not then very plenty — a few snatches of the elements of the language; of playing the school-master to you, in "setting copies" for your writing-book; of guiding your mind and pen! I remember your commencement in business, and the outrage and indignity offered you in Rochester, "by white competitors on no other ground than that of color.* I saw your bitter tears, and recol- * The indignity spoken of was this : Mr. Steward had established a grocery and provision store on Buffalo' Street, in a part of Abner Wakelee's building, opposite the Eagle Hotel. He put up his sign, a very plain and proper one, and at night, some competitors, whom he knew, as well as he could know anything which he could not prove, smeared his sign with black paint, utterly destroying it I But the misguided men who stooped to such .an act — the victims of sensuality and excess — have yevs ago ended their journey, and passed to the bar of a higher adjudi cation. Vi RECOMMENDATORY. leet assuring you— what afterwards proved true— that justice would overtake the offenders, and that you would live to see these enemies bite the dust! I remember your unsullied character, and your pros perity, and when your word or endorsement was equal to that of any other citizen. I remember toe, when yourself, and others of your kind, sunk all the -gatherings of years of toil, in an unsuccessful attempt to establish an asylum for your enslaved and oppressed brethren — and„not to enumerate, which I might do much farther, I remember when your "old master," finding you had been successful, while he himself had lost in the changes on fortune's wheel — came here and set up a claim to yourself and your property — a claim which might have held both, had not a higher power suddenly summoned him to a tribunal, where both master and slave shall one day answer each for himself I But to the book. Let its plain, unvarnished tale be sent out, and the story of Slavery aud its abominations, again be told by one who has felt in his own person its scorpion lash, and the weight of ita grind ing heel. I think it will do good service, and could not have been sent forth at a more auspicious period. The downfall of the hateful system of Slavery, is certain. Though long delayed, justice is sure to come at length; and he must be a slow thinker and a poor seer, who cannot discern in the elements already at work, the mighty forces which must eventually crush this oppression. _I know that you and I have Mt discouraged at the long delay, years ago, — when we might have kept up our hopes by the fact that every thing that is slow is sure. Your book may be humble and your descriptions tame, yet truth is always mighty; and you may furnish the sword for some modern Sampson, who shall shout over more slain than his ancient prototype. I close with the wish, that much success may attend your labors, in move ways than one, and that your last days may be your best — and am, Your old Friend, And obed't serv't, EDWIN SCRANTOM. CONTENTS. I. PAGE. Slave Life on the Plantation, - - 13 II. At the Great House, - - 20 III. H»RSE-RacING AND-ITS CONSEQUENCES, - 40 IV. JOXTRNKY TO OUR N»W HOME IN N>".W YoRK, - - 52 V. Incidents at Sodus, - - - - 56 VI. Removal from Sodus to Bath, - 60 VII. Dueling, -...-¦ - - 64 Viii CONTENTS. VIII. Horse-Raoing and General Traimng, .... 69 PAGK. IX. Death-Bed and Bridal Scenes, ... - 84 X. Iiired Out to a New Master, ----- 92 XI. Thoughts on Freedom ...... 106 XII. Captain Helm — Divorce— Kidnapping, .... 116 XIII. Locate in the Village of Roohbsteb, - 124 XIV. Incidbnts in RocHBSTiR and Vicinity, - 138 XV. Sad Reverses of Captain Hsslm, - - 145 XVI. British Emancipation of Slavery, - - - 149 XVII. Oration — Termination of Slavery in the British Possessions. 153 XVIII. Condition of Free Oolored People, .... ig^ CONTENTS. IX XIX. Persecution of the Colored Peoplr, PAGE. - 173 XX. Removal to Canada, 183 XXI. Roughing it in the Wilds of Canada, xxii. Narrow Escape of a Smuggler, XXIII. Narrative of Two Fugitives from Virginia, - XXIV. Pleasant Re-Union of Old and Tried Friends, XXV. Private Losses and Private Difficulties, XXVI. Incidents and Peculiarities of the Indians, xxvn. Our Difficulties with Israel Lewis, - 190 196 - 302 210 219 223 232 XXVLTI. Dusperation of a Fugitive Slave, XXIX. A Narrow Escape fbom my Enemies, A* 245 253 X CONTENTS. XXX. PAGE. Death of B. Paul and Return of his Brother, - 257 My Family Return to Roohesteb, XXXII. The Land Agent and the Squatter, ----- 274 xxxru. Character and Death of Israel Lewis, .... 282 XXXIV. My Return to Rochester, ... . 290 XXXV. Bishop Brown — Death of my Daughter, .... 299 XXXVI. Celebration of the First of August, .... 311 xxxvn. Conclusion, - -----... 316 Correspondence, ----.... 341 PREFACE. The author does not think that any apology is necesBary for this issue of his Life and History. He beheves that American Slavery is | now the great question before the American People: that it is not merely a political question, coming up' before the country as the grand element in the making of a President, and then to be laid aside for four years; but that its moral bearings are of such a nature that the Patriot, the Philanthropist, and all good men agree that it is an evil of so much magnitude, that longer to permit it, is to wink at sin, and to incur the righteous judgments of God. The late outrages and aggressions of the slave power to possess itself of new soil, and extend the influence of the hateful and God-provoking " Institution," is a practical commentary upon its benefits and the moral qualities of those who seek to sustain and extend it. The author is therefore the more willing — nay, anxious, to lay alongside of such arguments the history of his own life and experiences o« a slave, that those who read may know what are some of the characteristics of that highly favored intitution, which is sought to be preserved and perpetuated. " Facts are stubborn things," — and this is the reason why all systems, religious, moral, or social, which are founded in injustice, and sup ported by fraud and robbery, suffer so much by faithful exposition. ( The author has endeavored to present a true statement of the prac tical working* of the system of Slavery, as he has seen and felt it himself. He has intended " nothing to extenuate, uor aught set down xii PREFACE. in mahce;" indeed, so far from believing that he has misrepresented Slavery as an institution, he does not feel that he has the power to give anything like a true picture of it in all its deformity and wickedness; especially thai Slavery which is an institution among an enlightened and Christian people, Who profess to believe that all men are bom free and equal, and who have certain inalienable rights, among which are Ufe, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The author claims that he has endeavored since he had his freedom, as much as in him lay, to benefit his suffering fellows in bondage; and that he has spent most of his free life in efforts te elevate them in manners and morals, though against all the opposing forces of prejudice and pride, which of course, has made much of his labor vain. In his old age he sends out this history — presenting as it were his own body, with the marks and scars of the tender mercies of slave drivers upon it, and asking that these may plead iu the name of Justice, Humanity, and Mercy, that those who have the power, may have the magnanimity to strike off the chains from the enslaved, and bid him stand up, a Freeman and a Brother 1 CHAPTEE I. SLAVE LIFE ON THE PLANTATION. I "WAS born in Prince William County, Virginia. At seven years of age, I found myself a slave on the plantation of Capt. William Helm. Our family consisted of my father and mother — whose names to our dinner. On our plantation, it was the usual practice to have one of the old slaves set apart to do the cooking.. AU the field hands were required to give into the hands of the cook a certain portion of their weekly allow ance, either in dough or meal, which was prepared in the following manner. The cook made a hot fire and rolled up each person's portion in some cabbage leaves, when they could be obtained, and placed it in a hole in the ashes, carefully covered with the same, where it remained until done. Bread baked in this way is very sweet and good. But cabbage leaves could not always be obtained. When this was the case, the bread was little better than a mixture of dough and ashes, wliich was not very palatable. The time allowed for breakfast, was one hour. At the signal, all hands were obliged to resume their toil. The overseer was always on hand to attend to all delinquents, who, never failed to feel the blows of his heavy, whip. The. usual mode of punishing the poor slaves was, to make them take off their clothes to the bare back, and then tie their hands before them with a rope, pass the end of the rope over a beam, and draw them up till they stood on the tips of their toes. Sometimes they tied their legs together and placed a rail between. Thus prepared, the overseer proceeded to punish the SLAVE LIFE ON THE PLANTATION. 17 poor, helpless victim. Thirty-nine was the, number of lashes ordinarily inflicted fot the most -trifling offence. Who can imagine a position more painful? Oh, who, with feelings of common humanity, could look quietly on such torture? Who could remain un moved, to see a, fellow-creature thus tied, unable to move or to raise a hand in his own defence; scourged on his bare back, with a cowhide, until the blood flows in streams -from, bis quivering flesh ? And for what? Often for" the most trifling fault; and, as sometimes occurs^ because a mere whim or caprice of . his brutal overseer demands it. Pale with pas sion, his eyes flashing and his stalwart frame trembhng with rage, like some volcano, just ready to belch forth its fiery contents, and, in all its might and fury, spread death, and destruction all around, he' continues to wield the bloody lash on the broken flesh of the poor, pleading slave, until his arm grows weary, or he sinks down, utterly exhausted, on the very spot where already stand the pools of blood which his cruelty has drawn from the mangled body of his helpless victim, and within the hearingof those agonised groans and feeble cries of " Oh do, Massa! Oh do, Massa! Do, Lbrd, have mercy ! Oh, Lord, have mercy! " &c. Nor is this cruel punishment inflicted on the bare backs of the male portion of slaves only. Oh no! The slave husband must submit without a murmur, to 18 CKUELTT OF THE OVEESEEK. see the form of his cherished, but wretched wife, not only exposed to the rude gaze of a beastly tyrant, but he must unresistingly see the heavy cowhide descend upon her shrinking flesh, and her manacled limbs writhe in inexpressible torture, while her piteous cries for help ring through his ears unanswered. The wild throbbing of his heart must be suppressed, and his righteous indignation find no voice, in the presence of the human monster who holds dominion over him. After the infuriated and heartless overseer had sati ated his thirst for vengeance, on the disobedient, or delinquent slave, -he was untied, and left to crawl away as best he could; sometimes on his hands and knees, to his lonely and dilapidated cabin, where, stretched upon the cold earth, he lay weak and bleed ing and often faint from the loss of blood, without a friend who dare administer to his necessities, and groaning in the agony of his crushed spirit. In his cabin, which was not as good as many of our stables at the North, he might lie for weeks before recovering sufficient strength to resume the labor imposed upon himt and all this time without a bed or bed clothing, or any of the necessaries considered so essential to the sick. Perhaps some of his fellow-slaves might come and bathe his wounds in warm water, to prevent his clothing from tearing open his flesh anew, and thus make the second suffering well nigh equal to the first; SLAVE LIFE ON THE PLANTATION. 19 or they might from their scanty store bring him such food as they could spare, to keep him from suffering hunger, and offer their sympathy, and then drag their own weary- bodies to their place of rest,- after their daily task was finished. Oh, you who have hearts to feel; you who have kind friends around you, in sickness and in sorrow, think of the sufferings of the helpless, destitute, and down-trodden slave. Has sickness laid its withering hand upon you, or disappointment blasted your fairest earthly prospects, still, the outgushings of an affec tionate heart are not denied you, and you may look forward with hope to a bright future. Such a hope seldom animates the heart of the poor slave. He toils on, in his unrequited labor, looking only to the grave to find a quiet resting place, where he will be free from the oppressor. * CHAPTER II. w AT THE GREAT HOUSE. "HEN" eight years of age, I was taken to the f T T "great house," or the family mansion of my master, to serve as an errand boy, where I had to stand in the presence of my master's family all the day, and a part of the night, ready to do any thing which they "commanded me to perform. My master's family consisted of himself and wife, and seven children. His overseer, whose name was Barsly Taylor, had also a wife and five children. These constituted the white population on the plan tation. Capt. Helm was the owner of about one hundred slaves, which made the residents on the plan tation number about one hundred and sixteen per sons in all. One hundred and seven of them, were required to labor for the benefit of the remaining nine, who possessed that vast domain; and one hundred of the number doomed to unrequited toil, under the AT THE GEEAT HOUSE. 21 lash of a cruel task-master during life, with no hope of release this side of the grave, and as far as the cruel oppressor is concerned, shut out from hope beyond it. And here let me ask, why is this practice-of work ing slaves half clad, poorly fed, with nothing pr nearly so, to stimulate them to exertion, but fear of the lash? Do the best interests of our common country require it ? I think not. Did th-e true inter est of Capt. Helm demand it ? Whatever may have been his opinion, I cannot think it did. Can it be for the best interest or good of the enslaved ? Certainly not; for there is no real inducement for the slave holder to make beasts of burden of his fellow men, but that which was frankly acknowledged by Gibbs and other pirates: " we have the power," — the power to rob and murder on the high seas! — which they will undoubtedly continue to hold, until overtaken by justice; which will certainly come some time, just as sure as that a righteous God reigns over the earth or rules in heaven. Some have attempted to apologize for the enslaving of the Negro, by saying that they are inferior to the Anglo-saxon race in every respeGt. This charge I deny; it. is utterly false. Does not the Bible inform us that " God hath created of one blood all the nations of the earth ? " And certainly in stature and physical force the colored man is quite equal to his white 22 CAPT. HELM, A GEEAT GAMESTEE. brother, and in many instances his superior; but were it otherwise, I can not see why the more favored class should enslave the other. True, God has given to the African a darker complexion than to his white brother; still, each haye the same desires and aspirations. The food required for the sustenance of one is equally necessary for -th% other. Naturally or physically, they alike require to be warmed by the cheerful fire, when chilled by. our, northern winter's breatk; and alike they welcome the cool spring and the delightful shade of summer. Hence, I have come to the con clusion that God created all men free and equal, and placed them upon this earth to do good and benefit each other, and that war and slavery should be ban ished from the face °f the earth. .My dear reader will not understand me to say, that all nations are alike intelligent, enterprising and indus trious, for we all know that it is far otherwise ;. but to man, and not to our Creator, should the fault be charged. But, to resume our narrative-, Capt. Helm was not a very hard master; but gen- 1 erally. was kind and pleasant. Indulgent when in good humor, but like many of the southerners, terrible when in a passion. He was a great sportsman, and very fond of company. He geherallykept one or two race horses, and a pack of hounds for fox-hunting, which at that time, was a very common and fashion able diversion in that section of country. He was not AT THE GEEAT HOUSE. 23 only a sportsman, but a gamester, and was in the habit of playing cards, and sometimes betting very high and losing accordingly. I well remember an instance ofthe kind: it was when. he played cards with a Mr. W. Graham, who won from him in one sweep, two thousand and seven hundred dollars in all, in the form of a valuable horse, prized at sixteen hundred dollars, another saddle- horse of less value, one .slave, and his wife's gold watch. The company decided that all this was fairly won, but Capt. Helm demurred, and -refused to give up the property until an application was made to Gen. George Washington, "(the father of his country,") who decided that Capt. Helm had lost the game, and that Mr. Graham had fairly won the property, of which Mr. G, took immediate possession, and con veyed to his own plantation. Capt. Helm was not a good business man, unless we call, horse-racing, fox-hunting, and card-playing, business. His overseer was entrusted with every thing on the plantation, and allowed to manage- about :J as he- pleased, while- the Captain enjoyed himself in receiving calls from -his wealthy neighbors, and in drinking what he called "grog," which was no more nor. less than whisky, of which he was extremely fond, notwithstanding his cellar contained the chdRest wines and liquors. To show his partiality for his favorite beverage, I will relate an incident which 24 MRS. HELM USES THE COWHIDE. occurred between Capt. Helm -and Col. Charles Williamson. The Colonel, believing wine to be a healthier beverage _than whisky, accepted a bet made by Capt. Helm, of one thousand dollars, that he would live longer aud drink whisky, than the Colonel, who drank wine. Shortly after, Col. Williamson was called home by the British government, and while on his way to England, died, and his body, preserved in a cask of brandy, was taken home. The bet Capt. Helm made considerable effort to get, but. was unsuc cessful. ' Mrs.- Helm, was a very industrious woman, and generally busy in her household, affairs— sewing, knit ting, and looking after the servants; but she was a great scold, — continually finding fault with some of the servants, and frequently punishing the young slaves herself, by striking them over the head with a heavy iron key, until the blood ran; or else whipping them with a cowhide, which she always kept by her side when sitting in her room. The older servants -she would cause to be punished by having them severely whipped by a man, which she never failed to do for every trifling fault. I have felt the weight of some of her heaviest keys on my own head, and for the slightest offences. No slave could possibly escape bemg punished — I care not how attentive they might be, nor how industrious — punished they must be, and punished they certainly were. Mrs. Helm appeared AT THE GREAT HOUSE. 25 to be uneasy unless some of tbe servants were under the lash. She came into the kitchen one morning and my mother, who was cook, had just put on the dinner. Mr& Helm took out her white cambric hand kerchief, and rubbed it on the inside of the pot, and it crocked it ! That was enough to invoke the wrath - of my master, who. came forth immediately with his horse- whip, with which he whipped my poor mother most unmercifully — far more severely than I ever knew him to whip a horse. I once had the misfortune to break tbe lock of master's phot gun, and when it came to his know ledge, he came to me in a towering passion, and charged me with what he considered the crime of carelessness. I denied it, and told him I knew nothing about it; but I was sq terribly frightened that he saw I was guilty, and told me so, foam ing with rage; and then I confessed the truth. But oh, there was no escaping the lash. Its recollection is still bitter, and ever will be. I was com manded to take off my clothes, which I did, and then master put me on the back of another slave, my arms hanging down before him aiid my hands clasped in his, where he was obkged to hold me with a vise like grasp. Then master gave me the most severe flogging that I ever received, and I pray God that I may never again experience such torture. And yet Capt. Helm was not the worst of masters. B 26 HUMILITY OF SLAVES. These cruelties are daily occurrences, and so degrad ing is the whole practice of Slavery, that it not only crushes and brutalizes the wretched slave, but it hardens the heart, benumbs all the fine feelings of humanity, and deteriorates from the character of the slaveholders themselves, --—whether man or woman. Otherwise, how could a gentle, and in other respects, amiable woman, look on such scenes of cruelty, with out a shudder of utter abhorrence ? But slaveholding ladies, can not only look on quietly, but with appro bation; and what is worse, though very common, they can and do use the lash and cowhide themselves, on the backs of their slaves, and that too on those of their own sex I Far rather would I spend my life in a State's Prison, than be the slave of the best slave holder on the earth ! When I was not employed as an errand-boy, it was my duty to stand behind my master's chair, which was sometimes the whole day, never being allowed to sit in his presence. Indeed, no slave is ever allowed to sit down in the presence of their master or mistress. If a slave is addressed when sitting, he is required to spring to his feet, and instantly remove his hat, if lie has one, and answer in the most humble manner, or lay the foundation for a flogging, which will not bo long delayed. I slept in the same room with my master and mis tress. This room was elegantly furnished with damask. AT THE GREAT HOUSE. 27 curtains, mahogany bedstead of the most expensive kind, and every thing else about it was of the most costly kind And while Mr. and Mrs. Helm reposed on their bed of down, with a cloud of lace floating over them, like some Eastern Prince, with their slaves to fan them while they slept, and to tremble when they awoke, I always slept upon the floor, without a pillow or even a blanket, but, like a dog, lay down anywhere I could find a place. Slaves are never allowed to leave the plantation to which they belong, without a written pass. Should any one venture to disobey this law, he will most likely be caught by the patrol and given thirty -nine lashes. This patrol is always on duty every Sunday, going to each plantation under their supervision, entering every slave cabin, and examining closely the conduct of the slaves; and if they find one slave from another plantation without a pass, he is imme diately punished with a severe flogging. I recollect going one Sunday with my mother, to visit my grand-mother; and while there, two or three of the patrol came and looked into the cabin, and see ing my mother, demanded her pass. She told them that she had one, but had left it in another cabin, from whence she' soon brought it, which saved her a whip ping but we were terribly frightened. The reader will obtain a better knowledge of the character of a Virginia patrol, by the relation of an 28 A KIND MASTER. affair, which came off on the neighboring plantation of Col. Alexander, in- wbich some forty of Capt. Helm's slaves were engaged, and which proved rather destructive of human life in the end. But I must first say that it is not true, that slave owners are respected for kindness- to their slaves. The more tyrannical a master is, the more will he be favorably regarded by his neighboring planters; and from the day that he acquires the reputation of a kind and indulgent master, he is looked upon with sus picion, and sometimes hatred, and his slaves are watched more closely than before. Col. Alexander was a very wealthy planter and owned a great number of slaves, but he was very justly suspected of being a kind, humane, and indul gent master. His slaves were always better fed, better clad, and had greater privileges than any I knew in the Old Dominion ; and of course, the patrol had long had an eye on them, anxious to flog some of "those pampered niggers, who were spoiled by the indulgence of a weak, inefficient, but well-meaning owner." Col. A. gave his slaves the liberty to get up a grand dance. Invitations were sent and accepted,- to a large number of slaves on other plantations, and so, for miles around, all or many of the slaves were in. high anticipation of joining in the great dance, which was to come off on Easter night. In the mean time, the AT THE GREAT HOUSE. 29 patrol was closely watching their movements, and evinced rather a joyful expectancy of the many they should find there without a pass, and the flogging they would give them fo* that, if not guilty of any other offence, and perhaps they might catch some of the Colonel's slaves doing something for which they could be taught "to know their place," by the appli cation of the cowhide. The slaves on Col. A.'s plantation had to provide and prepare the supper for the expected vast "turn out," which was no light matter; and as slaves like on such occasions to pattern as much as possible after their master's family, the result was, to meet the emergency of the case, they took, without saying, " by your leave, Sir," some property belonging to their master, reasoning among themselves, as slaves often do, that it can not be stealing, because "it belongs to massa, and so do we, and we only use one part of his property to benefit another. Sure, 'tis all massa's." And if they do not get detected in this' removal of " massa's property" from one location to another, they think no more of it. Col. Alexander's slaves were hurrying on with their great preparations for the dance and feast; and as the time drew near, the old and knowing ones might be seen in groups, discussing the matter, with many a wink and nod; but it was in the valleys and by-places where the younger portion were to be found, rather 30 AT THE GREAT HOUSE. secretly preparing food for the great time coming: This consisted of hogs, sheep, calves; and as to master's poultry, that suffered daily." Sometimes it was missed, but the disappearance was always easily accounted for, by informing "massa" that a great num ber of hawks had been around of late; and their preparation went on, night after night, undetected They who repaired to a swamp or other by-place to cook by night, carefully destroyed everything likely to detect them, before they returned to their cabins in the mornmg. The night- for the dance came at last, and long before the time, the road leading to Col. Alexander's plantation presented a gay spectacle. The females were seen flocking to the place of resort, with heads adorned with gaudy bandanna turbans and new calico dresses, of the gayest colors, — their whole attire decked over with bits of gauze ribbon and other fantastic finery. The shades of night soon closed over the plantation, and then could be heard the rude music and loud laugh of the unpolished slave. - It was about ten o'clock when the aristocratic slaves began to assemble, dressed in the cast-off finery of their master and mistress, swelling out and putting on airs in imitation of those they were forced to obey from day to day. When they were all assembled, the dance com menced; the old fiddler struck up some favorite tune, SUFFERING AND TOIL FORGOTTEN. 31 and over the floor they went; the flying feet of the dancers were heard, pat, pat, over the apartment till the clock warned them it was twelve at midnight, or what some call "low twelve," to distinguish it from twelve o'clock at noon; then the violin, ceased its discordant sounds, and the merry dancers paused to take breath. Supper was then announced, and all began to pre pare for the sumptuous feast. It being the pride of slaves to imitate the manners of their master and mistress, especially in the ceremonies of the table, all was conducted with great propriety and good order. The food was well cooked, and in a very plentiful supply. They had also managed ill some way, to get a good quantity of excellent wine, which was sipped in the most approved and modern style. Every dusky face was lighted up, and every eye Sparkled with joy. However ill fed they might have been, here, for once, there was plenty. Suffer ing and toil was forgotten, and they all seemed with one accord to give themselves up to the intoxication of pleasurable amusement. House servants were of course, " the stars" of the party; all eyes were turned to them to see how they conducted, for they, among slaves, are what a military man would call "fugle-men." The field hands, and such of them as have generally been excluded from the dwelling of their owners, look to the house 82 AT THE GREAT HOUSE. servant as a pattern of politeness and gentility. And indeed, it is often the only method of obtaining any knowledge of the manners of what is called " genteel society ;" hence, they are ever regarded as a privileged class; and are sometimes greatly envied-, while others are bitterly hated. And too often justly, for many of them are the most despicable tale-bearers and mischief- makers, who will, for the sake of the favor of his master or mistress, frequently betray his fellow-slave, and by tattling, get him severely whipped; and for these acts of perfidy, and sometimes downright false hood, he is often rewarded by his master, who knows it is for his interest to keep such ones about hiffl; though he is sometimes obliged, in addition to a reward, to send him away, for fear of the vengeance of the betf ayed slaves. In the family of his master, the example of bribery and treachery is ever set before him, hence it is, that insurrections and stam pedes are so generally detected: Such slaves are always treated with more affability than others-, for the slaveholder is well aware that he stands over a vol cano, that may at any moment rock his foundation to the center, and with one mighty burst of its long suppressed fire, sweep him and his family to destruc tion. When he lies down at night, be knows not but that- ere another morning shall dawn, he may be left mangled and bleeding, and at the mercy of those maddened slaves whoni he has so long ruled with a rod of iron. THE PARTY SURPRISED BY THE PATROL. 33 But the supper, like other events, came to an end at last. The expensive table service, with other things, which had been secretly brought from the "great house," was hurriedly cleansed by the slaves, and care fully returned The floor was again cleared, the violin sounded, and soon they were performing another "break down," with all the wild abandon of the African character, — in the very midst of which, the music suddenly ceased, and the old musician assumed a listening attitude. Every foot was motionless ; every face terrified, and every ear listening for the cause of the alarm. Soon the slave who was kept on the " look-out," shouted to the listeners the single word "patrol I" and then the tumult that followed that announcement, is beyond the power of language to describe ! Many a poor slave who had stolen from his cabin, to join in the dance, now remembered that they had no pass! Many- screamed in affright, as if they already felt the lash and heard the crack of the overseer's whip; others clenched their hands, and assumed an attitude of bold defiance, while a savage frown con tracted the brow of all. Their unrestrained merri ment and delicious fare, seemed to arouse in them the natural feeUngs of self-defence and defiance of their oppressors. But what could be done? The patrol was nearing the building, when an athletic, powerful slave, who had been but a short time from his "father* B* 34 AT THE GREAT HOUSE. land," whose spirit the cowardly overseer had labored - in vain to quell, said in a calm, clear voice, that, we had better stand our ground, and advised the females to lose no time in useless wailing, but get their things and repair immediately to a cabin at a short distance, and there remain quiet, without a light, which they did with all possible haste. The men were terrified at this bold act of their leader; and many with dismay at the thought of resistance, began, to skulk, behind fences and old buildings, when he opened the door and requested every slave to leave who felt unwilling to fight. None were urged to remain, and those who stood by him did so voluntarily. Their number was now reduced to twenty-five men, but the leader, a gigantic African, with a massive, compact frame, and an arm of great strength, looked competent to put ten common men to flight. He clenched his powerful fist, and declared that he would resist unto death, before he would be arrested by those savage men, even if they promised not to flog him. They closed the door, and agreed not to open it; and then the leader cried, " Extinguish the hghts and let them come ! we will meet them hand to hand ! " Five of the number he stationed near the door, with orders to rush out, if the patrol entered, and seize their horses, cut the bridles, or otherwise unfit them for use. This would prevent them from giving an alarm and getting a reinforcement from surrounding planta- THE SLAVES PLAN RESISTANCE. 35 tions. In silence they awaited the approach of the enemy, and soon the tramping of horses' feet announc ed their approach, but when within a few yards of Ihe house they halted, and were overheard by one of the skulking slaves, maturing their plans and mode of attack. There was great hesitancy expressed by a part of the company to engage in the affair at all. " Coming events cast their shadow before." The majority, however, seemed to think it safe enough, and uttered expressions of triumph- that they had got the rascals at last. "Are you not afraid that they will resist?" said the weaker party. ¦' Eesist ? " was the astonished answer. " This old fellow, the Colonel, has pampered and indulged his slaves, it is true, and they have slipped through our fingers whenever we have attempted to chastise them; but they are not such fools as to dare resistance ! Those niggers know as well as we, that it is death, by the law of the State, for a slave to strike a white man." " Very true," said the other, "but it is dark and long past midnight, and beside they have been indulg ing their appetites, and we cannot tell what they may attempt to do." - "Pshaw!" he answered, contemptuously, "they are unarmed, and I should not fear in the least, to go in among them abne, armed only with my cowhide ! " 36 AT THE GREAT HOUSE. "As you please, then," he said, rather dubiously, "but look well to your weapons ; are they in order?" " In prime order, Sir." And putting spurs to thejr horses, were soon at .the house, where they dismount ed and requested one of the party to remain with the horses. " What," said he, " are you so chicken-hearted as to suppose those d— d cowardly niggers are going to get up an insurrection ?" " Oh no," he replied, carelessly, but would not con sent to have the horses left alone. "Besides," said he, " they may forget themselves at this late hour ; but if they do, a few lashes of the cowhide will quicken their memory, I reckon." The slaves were aware of their movements, and prepared to receive them. They stepped up to the door boldly, and demanded admittance, but all was silent ; they tried to open it, but it was fastened. Those inside, ranged on each side of the door, and stood perfectly still. The patrol finding the slaves not disposed to obey, burst off the shght fastening that secured the door, and the chief of the patrol bounded into their midst, follow ed by several of his companions, all in total darkness I Vain is the attempt to describe the tumultuous scene which followed. Hand to hand they fought and strug gled with each "other, amid the terrific explosion of fire arms, — oaths and curses, mingled with the prayers of THE FEARFUL FIGHT. 37 the wounded, and the groans of the dying ! Two of the patrol were killed on the spot, and lay drenched in the warm blood that so lately flowed through their veins. Another with his arm broken and otherwise wounded, lay groaning and helpless, beside the fallen slaves, who had sold their lives so dearly. Another of his fellows was. found at a short distance, mortally wounded and about tp bid adieu to life. In the yard lay the keeper of the horses, a stiffened corpse. Six of the slaves were killed and two wounded. It would be impossible to convey to the minds of northern people, the alarm and perfect consternation that the above circumstance occasioned in that commu nity. The knowledge of its occurrence was carried from one plantation to another, as on the wings of the wind; exaggerated accounts were given, and pro phecies of the probable result made, until the excite ment became truly fearful. Every cheek was blanch ed and every frame trembled when listening to the tale, that " insurrection among the slaves had commenc ed on the plantation of Col. Alexander ; that three or four of the patrol had been killed, &c." The day af ter, people flocked from every quarter, armed to the teeth, swearing vengeance on the defenceless slaves. - Nothing can teach plainer than this, the constant and tormenting fear in wliich the slaveholder lives, and yet he repents not of his deeds. The kind old Colonel was placed in the most dim- 33 AT THE GREAT HOUSE. cult and unenviable position. His warm heart was fill ed with sorrow for the loss of his slaves, but not alone, as is generally the case in such instances, because he had lost so much property. He truly regretted the death of his faithful servants, and boldly rebuked the occasion of their sudden decease. When beset and harrassed by his neighbors to give up his slaves to be tried for insurrection and murder, he boldly resisted, contending for the natural right of the slaves, to act in their own defence, and especially when on his own plantation and in their own quarters. They contend ed, however, that as his slaves had got up a dance, and had invited those of the adjoining plantations, the pa trol was only discharging their duty in looking after them ; but the gallant old Colonel defended his slaves, and told them plainly that he should continue to do so to the extent of his ability and means. The poor slaves were sad enough, on the morning after their merry meeting, and they might be seen standing in groups, conversing with a very different air from the one they had worn the day before. Their business was now to prepare the bodies- of their late associates for the grave. Eobert, the brave African, who had so boldly led them on the night be fore, and who had so judiciously provided for their es cape, was calmly sleeping in death's cold embrace. He left a wife and five 'slave children. Two of the other slaves left families, whose pitiful cries it was painful to hear. . FUNERAL OF THE MURDERED SLAVE. 39 The Colonel's family, deeply afflicted by what was ¦ passing around them, attended the funeral. One of the slaves, who sometimes officiated as a minister, read a portion of Scripture, and gave out two hymns ; — one of which commences with " Hark 1 from the tomb a doleful sound." Both were sung with great solemnity by the congre gation, and then the good old man offered a prayer; after which he addressed the slaves on the shortness of human life and the certainty of death, and more than once hinted at the hardness of their lot, assuring, how ever, his fellow-slaves, that if they were good and faithful, all would be right hereafter. His master, Col. Alexander, was deeply affected by this simple faith and sincere regard for the best interests of all, both master and slave. When the last look at their fellow-servants had been taken, the procession was formed in the following manner: First, the old slave minister, then the remains of the dead, followed by their weeping relatives ; then came the master and his family ; next the slaves belonging to the plantation ; and last, friends and strangers, black and white; all moved on solemnly to the final resting-place of those brave men, whose descendants may yet be heard from, in defence of right and freedom. CHAPTEE III. HORSE-RACING AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. CAPT. Helm had a race-course on his plantation, --• on which he trained young horses for the fall races. One very fine^horse he owned, called Marl Anthony, which he trained in the most careful manner for several months previous to the races. He would put him $al the course every morning, sometirffiS covering him with a blanket, and then put him to his utmost speed, ^?|!|$ti he called " sweating him." Mark Anthony was 'to be put pn the race-course in October following, as a competitor for the purse of ten thou- tl dollars, which was the amount to be lost or gaijii- on the first day of the fall races. Capt. H. had also another young horse, called Buffer, under a course, of training, wliich he designed to enter the lists for the second day. His course of training had been about the same as Mark Anthony's, but being a year, or two younger, it was thought' that he had not sufficient " bottom" to risk so much money on, as was at stake on the first day. ="R3E5KB»F^sa:^gtSS!^5|pi'7--- - "Away they go, sweeping round the course with lightning speed, while every spectator's eye is strained, and every countenance flushed with intense anxiety." page 41. THE FIRST HEAT. 41 When the time for the races to commence came, all was bustle and excitement in the house and on the plantation. It was a fine October mornmg, and the sun shed a mellow radiance on all around, when people began to throng the race-course. Some came with magnificent equipages, attended by their numerous train of black servants, dressed in livery, — some in less splendid array, — and others on foot, all hurrying on to the exciting scene. There the noblest blood of Old Virgmia, of wliich many are wont to boast, was fully represented, as was also the wealth and fashion of the country for many miles around. All were in high spirits, and none seemed to fear that they would be the losers in the amount of money about to change hands. And for what, pray, is all this grand outlay — this vast expenditure ? Merely the pleasure and gratification of witnessing the speed of a fine horse, and the vanity of prejudging concerning it. The arrangements were at length completed, — the horses regularly entered, Mark Anthony among the rest, — and then the word " go !" was given, when each horse sprang as if for his life, each striving to take the lead. Away they go, sweeping round the course with lightning speed, while every spectator's eye is strained, and every countenance flushed with intense anxiety. Some of the noble animals were distanced the first heat, and others were taken away by their owners. The judges allowed twenty minutes to prepare the 42 AT THE GREAT HOUSE. horses for the second trial of their speed — a trial which must enrich or empoverish many of the thousands present. Already there were sad countenances to he seen in the crowd. The horses were again in readiness, and the word given, — away they flew with the fleetness of the wind, to come in the second time. But who can describe the anxiety written on every face, as they prepared for the third and last trial? I cannot. Many had already lost all they had staked, and others who had bet high began to fear for the re sult. Soon, however, all was again prepared and those foaming steeds, after having exerted their animal power to the utmost, have accomphshed their task and come in for the last time. The purse was won, hd not hy Mark Anthony. Capt. Helm was more fortu nate the second day. Buffer won the smaller purse, but the Captain came from the races, a much poorer man than when they commenced These repeated failures and heavy losses had the effect to arouse him to a sense of his pecuniary position, and he soon after began to think and talk about going to some new country. He resolved at last to visit the far-off "Genesee Country," which he shortly after put in practice, and after an absence of about three weeks he returned in good health, and delighted with the country ; the more so, doubtless, because he said, " the more slaves a man CAPT. HELM SELLS OUT AT "AUCTION. 43 possessed in that country the more he would be re spected, and the higher would be his position in society." Capt. Helm finally concluded to sell his plantation and- stock, except the slaves, and remove to the Gene see Country, where he designed to locate his future residence. The plantation and stock (retaining the slaves) were advertised for sale, and on a certain day named-, all would be disposed of at a public sale, or to the high est bidder. When the day of sale arrived, there flocked- from all parts of the surrounding country the largest assem blage of people I ever saw in that place. A large number of wealthy and respectable planters' were present, whose gentlemanly behavior should have be^en an example to others. The majority of that vast crowd, however, were a rough, quarrelsome, fighting set, just such as might be expected from slave-holding districts. There were several regularly fought battles during the first day of the sale. One Thomas Ford, a large, muscular, ferocious-look ing fellow, a good specimen of a southern bully and woman- whipper, had been victorious through the day in numerous fights and brawls ; but he had to pay dear for it when night came. Some ,one or more of the vanquished party, took advantage of the dark 44 AT THE GREAT HOUSE. night to stab him in both sides'. The knife of the as sassin had been thrust into his thigh, tearing the flesh upward, leaving a frightful and dangerous wound; but what is most singular, both sides were wounded in nearly the same manner, and at the same time, for so quickly was the deed committed that the offenders made their escape, before an alarm could be raised for their detection ; nor have I ever heard of any one being arrested for the crime. Ford's groans and cries were painful to hear, but his brother acted like a madman; rushing hither and thither, with a heavy bludgeon in his hand, with which he indiscriminately beat the fences and what ever came in his way, crying " Oh my brother, my poor brother ! Who has murdered my poor brother?" .Physicians came to the aid of the wounded man who at first thought he might recover, but in a climate hke that of Virgmia it was impossible. His friends did all they could to save him, but the poor wretch lingered a few days and died Thus ended the hfe of a bad man and a hard master. And who will wonder, if his slaves rejoiced to hear of his death ? If they must be sold to pay his debts, they could not fall into the hands of a more heart less tyrant. Who then can blame those feeble women and helpless children, long held as chattels in his iron grasp, if they are grateful that the man-stesler is no more? DRUNKENNESS AND MURDER AT THE SALE. 45 This Ford was a fair specimen of that class, known in more modern parlance as a " Border Euffian." Such as are at this time endeavoring, by their swaggering and bullying, to cast on the fair fields of Kansas the deep curse of Slavery — a curse which, like the poison of the deadly Upas, blights all within its influence : the colored and the white man, the slave and the master. We were thankful, however, that no jnore lives were lost during the vendue, which was com menced with the stock ; this occupied two days. The reader will see that we had cause to be grateful, when he takes into consideration that drinking and fighting was the order of the day, and drunkenness and carousing the order of the night. Then too, the practice of dueling was carried on in all its hideous barbarity. If a gentleman thought him self insulted, he would immediately challenge the offender to mortal combat, and if he refused to do so, then the insulted gentleman felt bound by that bar barous code of honor, to take his hfe, whenever or wherever he might meet him, though it might be in a crowded assembly, where the lives of innocent persons were endangered. A case of this kind happened in Kentucky, where the belligerent parties met in a large concourse of people, the majority of them women and children; but the combat ensued, regardless, of consequences. One woman was shot through the face, but that 46 AT THE GREAT HOUSE. was not worthy of notice, for she was only a colored woman; and in that, as in other slave States, the laws give to the white population the liberty to trample under foot the claims of all such persons to justice. Justly indignant ladies present remonstrated, but all to no purpose. The Governor of the State was there and was in danger of being wounded by their flying bullets, and it is possible that if he had been in the place of the poor African, some action would have been taken, and laws made to protect the people against such inhuman practices. But I must return to Capt. Helm and the vendue. The sale continued for several days, during which there was no such thing as rest or sleep or one quiet moment on the premises. As was customary in that State, Capt. Helm provided the food and drink for all who came, and of course a great many came to' drink and revel and not to buy; and that class generally took the night time for their hideous outbreaks, when the more respectable class had retired to their beds or to their homes. And many foul deeds and cruel out rages were committed; nor could the perpetrators be detected or brought to justice. Nothing could be done but to submit quietly to their depredations. One peaceable old slave was killed by having his head split open with an ax. He was found in the morning lying in the yard, with the bloody instrument of death by his side. This oocaisoned some excite- THE SLAVES DREAD A REMOVAL. 47 ment among the slaves, but as the white people paid but little attention to it, it soon passed off, and the sor rowful slaves put the old man's remains in a rough box, and conveyed -them to their last resting-place. After the sale was over, the slaves were allowed a holiday, with permission to go and visit their friends and relatives previous to their departure for their new home in a strange land. The slaves generally on Capt. Helm's plantation looked upon this removal as the greatest hardship they had ever met; the severest trial they had ever en dured; and the separation from our old home and fel low-slaves, from our relatives and the old State of Vir ginia, was to us a contemplation of sorrowful interest. Those who remained, thought us the most unfortunate of human beings to be taken away off into the State of New York, and, as they beheved, beyond the bounds of civilization, where we should in all proba bility be destroyed by wild beasts, devoured by canni bals, or scalped by the Indians. We never expected to meet again in this life, hence our parting interviews were as solemn as though we were committing our friends to the grave. But He whose tender mercies are over all his creatures, knew best what was for our good. Little did Capt. Helm think when bringing his slaves to New York that in a few short years, they would be singing the song of deliverance from Slavery's thrall- iH HORSE-RACING AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. dom ; and as little thought he of the great and painful change, to be brought about in his own circumstances. Could any one have looked into futurity and traced the difficult path, my master was to tread,7 — -could any one have foreseen the end to which he must soon come, and related it to him in the days of his greatness and prosperity, he would, I am certain, have turned from such a narrator of misfortune in a greater rage than did Namaan when the man of God told him " to go and dip seven times in the Jordan." He could not have believed, nor could I, tbat in a few years the powerful, wealthy slaveholder, living in luxury and extravagance, would be so reduced that the necessaries of life even, were beyond his means, and that he must be supported by the town ! . But I anticipate. Let us return to the old planta tion which seems dearer than ever, now that we are about to leave it forever. We thought Capt. Helm's prospects pretty fair, and yet we shuddered when we realized our condition as slaves. This change in our circumstances was calcu lated to awaken all out fears that had been slumber ing, and bring all the perilous changes to which we might be subjected most "vividly to mind. We were about to leave the land of our birthj the home of our childhood, and we felt that untried scenes were before us. We were slaves, it is true, but we had heart-felt emotions to suppress, when we thought MELANCHOLY REFLECTIONS. 49 of leaving all that was so famflar to us, and chose rather to " bear the ills we had, than -to fly to those we knew not of." And oh, the terrible uncertainty of the future, that ever rests on the slav6, even the most favored, was now felt with a crushing weight. To-day, they are in the old familiar cabin surrounded by their family, relatives and friends; to-morrow, they may be scattered, parted forever. The master's circumstances, not their own, may have assigned one to the dreadful slave-pen, and another to the distant rice-swamp ; and it is this continual dread of some perilous future that holds in check every joyous emotion, every lofty aspi ration, of the most favored slave at the South. They- know that their owners indulge in high living, and they are well aware also that their continual indul gences engender disease, which make them very liable to sudden death ; or their master may be killed in a duel, or at a horse-race^ or in a drunken brawl ; then his creditors are active in looking after the estate ; and next, the blow of the auctioneer's hammer separates them perhaps for life. Now, after the lapse of so many years, when my thoughts wander back, as they often do, to my native State, I confess that painful recollections drive from my mind those joyful emotions that should ever arise in the heart of man, when contemplating the familiar scenes of his youth, and especially when recurring to the venerable shades and the sheltering roof under C 50 HORSE-RACING A'ND ITS CONSEQUENCES. which he was bom. True, around the well-remem bered spot where our childhood's years were spent, recollection still loves to linger; yet memory, ever ready with its garnered store, paints in glowing colors, Virginia's crouching slaves in the foreground Her loathsome slave-pens and slave markets — chains, whips and instruments of torture ; and back of all this is as trathfully recorded the certain doom, the re tributive justice, that will sooner or later overtake her; and with a despairing sigh I turn away from the im aginary view of my native State. What though she may have been justly styled, " The Mother of Presidents ?" What avails the honor of being the birthrplace of the brave and excellent Washington, while the prayers and groans of the down-trodden African daily ascend to heaven for re dress? What though her soil be fertile, yielding a yearly product of wealth to its possessors? And what matter is it, that their lordly mansions are em bowered in the shade of trees of a century's growth, if, through their lofty and tangled branches, we espy the rough cabin of the mangled .bondman, and know that the soil on which he labors has drunk his heart's blood? Ah ! to me, life's sweetest memories are all embit tered. Slavery had cast its dark and fearful shadow over my childhood, youth, and early manhood, and 1 went out from the land of my birth, a fettered slave. EXTRAVAGANCE OF CAPT. HELM. 51 A land which I can regard only as " the house of bondage and the grave of freedom." But God forgive me for having envied my master his fair ^prospects at this time. After the sale of the plantation, Capt. Helm was in possession of quite a large sum of money, and having never pa.d much attention to his pecuniary interests, he acted as if there could be no end of it. He realized about forty thousand dollars from the sale of his estate in Virginia, which would have been a pretty sum in the hands of a man who had been accustomed to look after his own interests ; but under the management of one who had all his life lived and prospered on the unrequited toil of slaves, it was of little account. He bought largely of every thing he thought necessary for himself or the comfort of his family, for which he always paid the most extravagant prices. The Captain was not as well qualified to take care of himself and family as some of his slaves were ; but he thought differently, and so the preparations for leaving the old plantation for a. home in the wilds of New York, went on under his direction, and at last we bade a final adieu to our friends and all we held dear in the State of Virginia. CHAPTEE IV JOURNEY TO OUR NEW HOME LN NEW YORK. ALL things having been prepared for our depart ure, our last " Good-bye" spoken, and our last look taken of the old plantation, we started, amid the sobs and prolonged cries of separating families, in company with our master, the overseer and another white man named Davis, who went with us to take back the five-horse " Pennsylvania team," which was provided for the conveyance of the food for the slaves, and what Httle baggage they might have, and also that of the overseer. Capt. Helm had determined to leave his family until he could get his slaves settled in their future quarters, and a home provided for himself, when they were expected to join him. We traveled northward, through Maryland, Penn sylvania, and a portion of New York, to Sodus Bay, where we halted for some time. We made about FAREWELL TO OLD VIRGINIA. 58 twenty miles per day, camping out every night, and reached that place after a march of twenty days. Every morning the overseer called the roll, when every slave must answer to his .or her name, felling to4 the ground with his cowhide, any delinquent who failed to speak out in quick time. After the roll had been called, and our scanty breakfast eaten, we marched on again, our company presenting the ap pearance of some numerous caravan crossing the desert of Sahara. When we pitched our tents for the night, the slaves must immediately set about cooking not their supper only, but their breakfast, so as to be ready to start early the next morning, when the tents were struck; and we proceeded on our journey in this way to the end. At Sodus Bay there was then one small tavern, kept by a man named Sill. The bay is ten miles in length and from a half "to two miles in breadth, and makes an excellent harbor. Ther surrounding country then was almost an unbroken wilderness. After Capt. Helm had rested a few days at-Sodus, he went six miles up the bay and purchased a large tract of land lying on both sides of that beautiful sheet of water, and put his slaves on to clear and cul tivate it. Then came the " tug of war." Neither the overseer nor the slaves had the least knowledge of j clearing land, and that was the first thing to be done. 54 JOURNEY TO OUR NEW HOME. If was useless to consult the Captain., for he knew stiU less about matters of that kind. To obviate this difficulty, our master bought Out a Mr. Cummings, who had some cleared land on the west side of the bay. On this he put the overseer and a part of the slaves, and then hired a Mr. Herrington to take charge of the remainder. Herrington and his gang of slaves was sent to the east side to chop down the heavy timber and clear the land for cultivation, all of which had first to be learned, for we knew nothing of felling trees, and the poor slaves had rather a hard time of it. Provisions were scarce and could not be procured for cash in that section. There was no corn to be had, and we had but little left. We had no neighbors to assist us in this trying time, and we came near starva tion. True, the wild, romantic region in which we were located abounded in game, — elk, deer, bear, panther, and wolves, roamed abroad through the dense forest, in great abundance, but the business of the slaves was not hunting or fishing, but clearing the land, preparatory to raising crops of grain the coming season. At last Capt. Helm chartered a boat, and manned it to go to the mouth of the Genesee Eiver to buy corn. They embarked under favorable auspices, but soon there came on such a tremendous storm, that the boat could no longer be managed, and the crew in despair threw themselves on the bottom of the boat to STARVATION THREATENED. 55 await their inevitable destruction, when one of their number; a colored man named Dunbar, sprang to the helm, and with great difficulty succeeded in running her safely into a Canadian port, where they were obliged to part with every thing in their possession to obtain the means to return to their families in Sodus, who had given them up as lost. But, to the great joy of all, they came back at last with their hves, but with nothing for the famishing slaves. Before another boat could be sent for our relief, we were reduced to the last extremity. We became so weak we could not work, and it was difficult to drag ourselves about, as we were now obliged to do, to gather up all the old bones we could find, break them up fine and then boil them; which made a sort of broth sufficient barely to sustain life. This we drank, and merely existed, until at last, the long looked for boat returned, loaded with por- vision, which saved us from starvation and gave us strength to pursue our labor. CHAPTEE V. INCIDENTS AT SODUS BAY. ABOUT this time two slaves who were laboring in the forest, instead of returning to then cabin aa was expected, got lost, and wandered eight days in the dense forest without provision, except what they could procure from roots and the bark, of trees. Great exertion was made to find them; guns were fired, horns blown; and shouts raised, but all to no purpose. Finally, we. gave them up, supposing they had starved to death or had been killed by wild beasts. One of them was an elderly man, named Benjamin Bristol, and the other, Edmund Watkins, a lad of about eighteen years of age. They wandered in an easterly direction, a distance of some sixty or seventy miles, through an unbroken wilderness, vainly trying to find their way home. On the eighth day, to their inexpressible joy, they came out on the shore of Lake Ontario, near Oswego ; but young Watkins was TWO MEN LOST — BEAR KILLED. 57 so completely exhausted that he declared himself incapable of further exertion, and begged to be left to his fate. Bristol, however, who chewed tobacco, which it was supposed kept him from sinking so low as his companion, took him on his back, and carried him home, which they reached in a famished state and reduced to skeletons. All were thankful for the pre servation of their lives, and, with the best we could do for them, they soon recruited and became strong as ever. One day, two others and myself thought we saw some animal swimming across the bay. We got a boat and went out to see what it was. After rowing for some time we came near enough to perceive it was a large bear. Those who watched us from the shore expected to see our boat upset, and all on board drowned, but it was not so to be; the bear was struck on the nose with a blow that killed him instantly, and he was hauled ashore in great triumph. While these things were transpiring on the east side of the bay, the overseer on the west side determined to punish one of the slaves who worked on the east side. The name of the slave was Williams ; a strong, athletic man, and generally a good workman, but he had 'unfortunately offended the overseer, for which nothing could appease his wrath but the privilege of flogging him. The slave, however, thought as he was no longer in Virginia, he would not submit to such C* 58 INCIDENTS AT SODUS. chastisement, and the overseer was obliged to content himself with threatening what he would do if he, caught bim on the west side of the bay. A short time after, the overseer called at the cabin, pf one of the slaves, and was not a little surprised to, find there the refractory slave, Williams, in company, with three other men. He immediately walked up to him and asked bim some question, to whick Williams made no reply. Attended, as he always was, by his. ferocious bull-dog, he flourished his cowhide in great wrath; and demanded an instant reply, but he, receiv ed none, whereupon he struck the slave a blow with tiie cowhide. Instantly Williams sprang and caught, bim by the throat and held him writhing in his vise- like grasp, until he succeeded in getting possession of the cowhide, with which he gave the overseer sucha flogging, as slaves seldom get. Williams was seized at once by the dogwho endeavored to defend, his; brutal master, but the other slaves came to the rescue, and threw the dog into a huge fire which was near by, from which, after a singeing, he ran off^ howling worse than his master when in lie hands of Williams. He, foamed and swore and still the blows, descended; then he commanded the slaves to assist him," but as none obeyed, he commenced begging in the most humble manner, and at last entreated them as " gentlemen" to spare him; but all to no purpose. When Williams thought he had thrashec! him sufficiently, he let, him. "Instantly Williams sprang and caught him bythe throat and held him writh ing in his vise-like grasp, until he sacceeded in getting possession of the cow-hide, with which be gave the overseer such a flogging as slaves seldom get.'* page 58. THE OVERSEER RETURNS TO VIRGINIA. 59 go and hurried to his boat and rowed down the bay, instead of crossing it. The overseer no sooner found himself at Hberty than he ran out, calling to a servant girl to bring his rifle, which was loaded The" rifle was brought, but before he could get to the bay, Williams had gone beyond his reach; but unfortu nately another boat was at this moment crossing the bay, which he, mad with rage, fired into. The men in the boat immediately cried out to him not to repeat the shot, but he was so angry that he swore he would shoot somebody, and sent another bullet after them. No one was hurt, however, but the brave overseer was vanquished. Crest-falleu and unrevenged, he shortly after called on Capt. Helm for a settlement, which was granted, and bidding a final adieu to the "Genesee Country," he departed for Virginia, where he could beat slaves without himself receiving a cow- hiding. No one regretted his absence, nor do I think any but the most heartless would cordially welcome his return to the land of Slavery. CHAPTEE VI. REMOVAL FROM SODUS TO BATH. CAPT. Helm went to Virgmia for his family, and returning with them, concluded to locate his future residence in the village of Bath, Steuben County. He purchased a large tract of land near the village, a large grist mill, and two saw mills; also, two farms; one called the "Maringo," east of the village; and the other, called "Epsam," north of it; and a fine house and lot in the village. He also kept a distillery, which in those days was well patronized, for nearly every body drank whisky; and with Capt. Helm it was a favorite beverage. The slaves were removed to Bath, where our master was well suited, and was everywhere noted for his hospitahty. He had a great deal of land to cultivate, and carried on a multiplicity of business. Soon after we were settled at Bath, Capt. Helm's eldest daughter, Jenny, was married to Mr. John WEDDING OF MISS JENNY HELM. 61 Fitzhugh, her cousin, who had come from Virginia to claim his bride. The wedding was a splendid affair. No pains were spared to make it more imposing than any thing that had ever happened in that country. Never before had the quiet village of Bath seen such splendor. All that wealth, power and ambition could do, was done to make the event one of great brilliancy. Europe contributed her full proportion; Turkey, the Indias, East and West, were heavily taxed to produce their finest fabrics to adorn the bride and bridal guests; and contribute delicacies to add elegance to the festal scene. Two days previous to the wedding, the invited guests began to arrive with their retinue of servants; and on the evening of the marriage the large mansion was thrown open, and there was the most magnificent assemblage I ever beheld. In the drawing-room, where the ceremony took place, every thing was surpassingly elegant. Costly chandeliers shed their light on the rich tapestry, and beautiful dresses glitter ing with diamonds, and the large mirrors everywhere reflecting the gay concourse. While the servants were preparing supper it was announced that the hour had arrived for the ceremony to commence. The bridal pair took their place in the center of the apart ment. Pearls, diamonds, and jewelry glittered on the bride with such luster, that it was almost painful to the eye to look upon her. 62 REMOVAL FROM SODUS TO BATH. The minister, after asking God to bless the assembled guests, and those he was about to unite in the holy ¦bonds of wedlock, proceeded in a very solemn and impressive manner with the marriage service. , The ceremony concluded, and good wishes having been. expressed over the sparkling wine, the man of God took his leave, two hundred dollars richer than when he came. The company were all very happy, or appeared so; mirth reigned supreme, and every countenance wore a smile. They were seated at tables loaded with luxuries of every description, and while partaking, a band of music enlivened the scene. All business was suspended fof several days, the wedding party making a tour of ten days to Niagara Falls. After a while, however, affairs assumed their usual aspect, and business took its regular routine. The grist mill belonging to the Captain was the only one for many miles around, and was a source of great profit to him; the saw mills also, were turning Out a large quantity of lumber, which was in good demand; and the distillery kept up a steaming busi ness. It yielded, howeverf a handsome income to Capt. Helm, who was now, for, the first time since I knew him, overseeing his affairs himself, dispensing altogether- with the service of a regularly installed overseer. The oldest son of our master had been absent from home for sometime, nor did he return to attend his FRANK HELM OBTAINS A COMMISSION. 63 sister's grand wedding. He had sought and obtained a commission in the United States service as a Lieu tenant. This had been his own choice; he had preferred the service and hardships of a soldier, to a plantation well stocked with slaves, and the quietude of domestic life. He had cheerfully given up his friends and prospects as a planter, and entered the service of his country. Frank Helm, the second son, soon followed the example of his .older brother, Lina. He obtamed a like commission, but he did not, like his brother get along quietly. His prospects as an officer were soon blighted, and all hope of being serviceable to his country vanished forever. CHAPTEE VII. DUELING. LINA Helm was an easy, good-natured, clever fel low ; but his brother Frank was his opposite in nearly every thing ; proud, fractious and unyielding. As might be expected, Frank, soon after entering the army, got into an " affair of honor," according to the duelist's code of laws. He was not, however, the principal in the difficulty. One of his friends and a brother officer, had a quarrel with a gentleman whom he challenged to mortal combat. Frank was the bearer of his friend's challenge, and on presenting it, the gentleman refused to accept it, saying that the challenger " was no gentleman." Then, according to the rules of dueling, no alternative was left for Frank, but to take-his brother officer's place, and fight. This he did and came from the bloody field disabled for life. In consequence of his lameness, he was under the ne cessity of resigning his commission in the army, which DUEL BETWEEN M'CARTER AND MASON. 65 he did, and came home a cripple, and nearly unfitted for any kind of business whatever While on the subject of dueling, permit me to record some of the incidents of another " affair of honor," which occurred in the District of Columbia, between Gen. Mason and Mr. M'Carter, two antago nistic politicians. M'Carter offered his vote to the inspectors, and Ma son challenged it. M'Carter offered to swear it in, when Mason said if he did so he would perjure him self. This blew what appeared to be but. a spark into an angry blaze, and a duel was momentarily expected; but their warlike propensities subsided into a news paper combat, which was kept up for several weeks, each party supposing they had the advantage of their adversary. In this stage of the quarrel, Gen. Jackson, with one of his aid-de-camps, Dr. Bruno, visited Wash ington. Dr. Bruno was a friend of Gen. Mason's, and to him the General submitted the correspondence, desiring his opinion relative to the advantage one had obtained over the other; Dr. Bruno decided against his friend, which probably exasperated him still more, and the General expressed his determination to fight his antagonist. Dr. Bruno wrote to M'Carter to come to Washington, and he came immediately, and was as readily waited upon by the Doctor, who inquired if he would receive a communication from his friend, Gen. Mason. M'Carter replied, that he " would receive no 66 DUELING. communication from Gen. Mason, except a challenge to fight." The challenge was therefore sent, and accepted, and the Doctor appointed to make the neces sary arrangements for the duel. He proposed the weapons to be pistols, and the distance, ten paces; to which M'Carter objected, because he said, "the Gene ral was a dead shot with the pistol, while he hardly knew how to use one." Then it was left to M'Carter to choose the mode of warfare. He proposed muskets and ten paces distance. This was agreed upon, and finally the morning arrived for the conflict, and people began to assemble in great numbers to witness this murderous scene. The belligerent parties unflinchingly took their place, each with his loaded musket at bis shoulder, and gazing in each other's face, with feelings of the most bitter hatred, while their eyes flashed vengeance,. Oh! what a state of mind was this in which to meet inevitable death? How could intelligent men, or gentlemen, if you please so to term them, look placidly on such a horrid scene ? Was there no heart of humanity to interfere and arrest the murderous designs of these madmen? Alas, no! The slave holder's "code of honor" must be acknowledged, though it outrage the laws of God and his country. Dr. Bruno asks, " Gentlemen, are you ready ?" and the duelists take their deadly aim at each other. The signal to fire is given, and both weapons are discharged, GENERAL MASON KILLED. 67 and when the smoke had cleared away, what a spec tacle was there presented to the duellist and spectator? Gen. Mason, a husband, a father, a statesman, and a kind friend, lies bleeding, and gasping for breath. He is no more! Who will bear to his loving and unsuspecting wife, the sad intelligence of her sudden bereavement ? Who will convey his lifeless body to his late residence, and throw grief and consternation into the bosom of his family, and drape in sadness his whole household ? And yet this painful task must be performed. The family of General Mason remained entirely ignorant of what was transpiring regarding the duel, until his mangled corps was brought into his dwelling, from which he had so recently gone forth in all the Vigor of life and manhood. And here let us drop the curtain, nor intrude on that scene of domestic affliction around the deserted hearth-stone of the bereaved family of General Mason. But where is Mr. McCarter, the more fortunate party in the duel ? Hurrying%way from the frightful scene, his hands dripping with the blood of his fellow-man, he skulks about, until an opportunity is given him to step on board a vessel bound to a foreign port ; he leaves home, friends and country, in the vain hope of finding peace of mind, and ridding himself of that guilt and censure which must attach itself to a crime so heinous as that of taking the life of another. I can but regard the inhuman practice of duehng as the legitimate fruit of Slavery. 68 DUELING. Men who have been raised in the Slave States, where, if the laws do not give them the power, they do not restrain them from cruelly punishing every offender with personal violence, even unto death, if their insulted dignity seems to demand it. It is, how ever, encouraging to know that for a few years past the practice of dueling has somewhat fallen into disre pute among the more humane and candid class of community. CHAPTEE VIII. HORSE-RACING AND GENERAL TRAINING. AFTEE the return of the wedding party, Mr. Fitz hugh purchased a tract of land near that of Capt. Helm, on wbich the newly-married couple com menced keeping house. They, however, became dissatisfied with their location, and soon after sold their possessions and returned to the South. Capt. Helm still continued to take the oversight of his slaves, and was out every day, superintending his business, just as his overseer used to do. About this time a man named Henry Tower came to Bath to hire "slave boys," as we were called. The Captain hired to bim Simon and myself, and a Mr. Baker also hired to him one slave named Vol. McKenzie. We three started for Dresden, Ontario County, where we arrived in due time. Mr. Tower had just bought a tract of land, three miles this side of the village of Lyons, on the Canan daigua outlet. Here Mr. Tower contemplated making 70 HORSE-RACING AND GENERAL TRAINING. great improvements, building mills, opening stores &c. This tract of land was comparatively wild, there being but a small frame house for a dwelling, one for a store, and another for a blacksmith shop. Mr. Tower had two brothers ; James, the eldest, who took charge of the store, and John, the younger, who took charge of the hands who worked on the farm ; Henry himself superintending the building of the mills. This firm had a great number of men in their employ that year. I was kept busy helping the women about -the cooking and house-work. And here, for the first time in my life, I had a comfortable bed to sleep on, and plenty of wholesome food to eat ; which was some thing both new. and strange to me. The Towers were thorough-going business-men; they built a large grist mill, with four run of stone, and also a distillery. In those days it was customary for nearly all classes to drink spirituous liquors ; hence, the distilleries were sources of great pecuniary interest to those who owned them. But having lived to see the dreadful evils which the drinking of alcoholic beverages have produced on community, I can hardly speak of distilleries in the favorable light in which they were then regarded. The Towers, with commendable enterprize, cleared a great number of acres of land during the first year I lived with them, besides doing a heavy business in the mill, store and distillery. ATTEND A HORSE-RACE. Il It was customary then for men to assemble at some public place for the purpose of drinking whisky and racing horses. One Saturday afternoon there was to be a race, and all was excitement. Being young, I wished to go with the rest. I hurried through my work as fast as possible, and then, with a trembling heart, set off in search of my master, fearing lest he would refuse me the simple request. But he happened to be in uncom mon good humor, and readily gave- his consent ; and away I went, " as happy as a lark." When I reached the race-ground, they were just preparing to run the horses. Seeing me, they knew me to be a poor friend less little slave boy, helpless and unprotected, and they could therefore do with me as they pleased, and have some fine sport at my expense. When I was asked to ride one of the fast horses, I felt proud of the honor conferred, and was assisted to mount, feelings highly elated with the lofty position I had gained. The word "go," was shouted, and the horse whirled ' off, and it seemed to me as if he flew with the speed of lightning. My hat fell off the first thing ; and there I was, clinging with might and main to. the neck of the fiery animal, my head bare, my feet bootless, and my old stripped shirt blown from my back, and streaming out behind, and fluttering like a banner in the breeze ; my ragged pants off at the kneesr and my 72 HORSE-RACING AND GENERAL TRAINING. long legs dangling down some length below ; and at the same time crying "Whoa! whoa 1"- as loud as I could. Nor was this all ; frightened as I was; nearly to death, I cast a despairing look behind me, and the loud, derisive laugh of the bystanders rung in my ears. Ludicrous as I must have appeared, this was too much, — I felt a giddiness coming over me, my brain reeled, my hold relaxed, and the next instant I had fallen to the ground, where all consciousness left me. When I came to my senses I was lying in bed, sur rounded by all the appurtenances of a dying person. The first thing I heard was Mr. Tower scolding the men who put me on the horse, and threatening them with a law-suit for presuming to do such a thing with out his permission. Mr. Tower considered himself holden to Capt. Helm for my safe return, and was therefore justly indignant at their placing my life in such peril. It was indeed a narrow escape, for the horse was running with all his speed when I fell. My bones were unbroken, however, and I suppose it must have been the tremendous jar I got when I fell that rendered me unconscious ; nor doL think it impossible that the fright may not have contributed somewhat to the catastrophe. It was while I was living with that gentleman that the greatest " general training" ever known in Western New York, came off at " Oak's Corners," in the town GO TO "GENERAL TRAINING." 73 of Phelps. It really seemed to me that the whole World were going to the training, and I, of course, felt a great curiosity to go where "all creation" appeared to be going. Mr. Tower permitted me to go, and I started off in high spirits. When I arrived within two or three miles of the place the road was almost blocked up with people, and when I got to Oak's Corners the crowd beggared all description ; carriages of all sorts were there, containing eatables of all kinds, and tents of all dimensions were on the road-side, for the houses could not begin to accommodate the people. The entire brigade was to meet at that place, and Gov. Lewis was expected to review the different companies, and all were anxious to see the Governor, for, in those days, it was a rare thing to see so high a dignitary in Western New York ; the eastern portion of the State having had every thing of that kind their own way. Nor was the means and mode of traveling brought to such perfection as now. The roads were new and rough, and our best public conveyances only the slow lumbering stage-coach; yet, notwithstanding these inconveniences, there was an innumerable crowd gathered at that place. I spent the day in walking about the encampment, and seeing what was to be seen, for it was all new to me. Officers were riding over the ground, dressed in uniform, and mounted on their splendid steeds; 'their plumes waving over their cocked-hats in true military , D 74 HORSE-RACING AND GENERAL TRAINING. array. A band of music, as is usual, accompanied, the soldiers. There was also a "sham-fight," before the breaking up of the encampment, and it was really ter rifying to me, who had never seen a battle fought, to witness two columns of troops drawn up, and, at the roll of the drum, behold them engage in deadly con flict, to all appearance, and the smoke curling up in a blackened mass toward heaven ; and, above all, the neighing of horses, with the feigned groans ofthe wounded and dying. I inwardly prayed to God that those men might ever draw their weapons in a feigned encounter. The first night I spent at the encampment, was one long to be remembered ; it was like the confusion of Babel. Of all -the hideous noises I ever heard none could exceed those made there that night. They fired guns, quarreled, drank, and swore, till day light. There was such a crowd at the tavern that I did not suppose I could get a bed, so I threw myself down upon a door-step, and began to compose myself to sleep, when a man came and wakened me, mquiring at the same time whose boy I was. I replied that I lived with Mr. Tower. "Follow me," said he; I arose and followed him into the house, where he pro cured for me a bed, to be shared with another " boy," who had already occupied it. I had just began to dose, when the explosion of fire arms startled all in the house. The keeper of the NARROWLY ESCAPE BEING SHOT. »75 tavern ran up stairs in great alarm, and when an ex amination was made, we found that a drunken fellow had discharged his musket in the room below the one where we were sleeping, and that the ball had passed up through the second floor and completely through the bed on which I slept, to the, roof, where, having passed through that also, rolled from thence to the ground ! And yet, strange as it may appear, no one was injured, though the house was filled to overflow ing with guests, There were groups of disorderly and drunken men continually roaming over the camp -ground at night, who seemed' to have no other object than to annoy others, and torment any one they might find sleeping, by shaking them, or,- if soundly asleep, dragging them out of their beds by their feet. Among these thus annoyed by them was a physician from Canandaigua. Being a passionate man,, they seemed to think it fine sport to arouse him from sleep and hear him scold. The first time they dragged him from his tent he merely remonstrated in a very gentlemanly manner, and quietly crept back again. The rowdies were dis appointed; they had expected a " scene." As soon as he was asleep they attacked him again, dragging him out by the heels ; then he was angry, and told them if they repeated the offence it would be at the peril of their lives, and a third time retired to his tent ; but a third par^y soon came, and one, more bold than the 76 HORSE-RACING AND GENERAL TRAINING. rest, entered the tent and laid hold ofthe Doetor, He sprang to his feet and drew his sword, which he ran through the body of a man supposed to be that of his tormentor ; but oh ! what sorrow and consternation pos sessed him when he found he had taken the life of a quiet, unoffending person who happened to be standing by, attracted to the spot probably by the noise of the revelers. The unhappy Doctor was obliged to flee from his country for a time, but after a while the shadows which had so suddenly fallen on his fair prospects were cleared away, and he returned to his home and country. The second day of the encampment was one of sur passing beauty. The sun shone in all its softened radiance on that vast concourse of human beings. The field presented a spectacle which must have been imposing to those of more experienced vision than mine ; but to me, in my ignorant simplicity, it was superbly grand ; facinating beyond my power of resist ance, and made an impression on my mind never to. be effaced. The brigade was drawn up in a line, each colonel stationed just so many paces in front of the line,, and all the other officers, such as majors, quarter-masters, &c, were stationed at an equal distance in the rear. When all were paraded, the Governor of the State made his appearance, dressed in full uniform, his hat being one of the Bonaparte style, attended by his THE GRAND REVIEW. 77 aid-de-camp, who was dressed much in the same man ner as his Excellency Governor Lewis, who, after the salute, took his place at the head of the brigade, and the military exercises commenced. When the Gov ernor issued his orders, they were first given to his aid, who passed them to the officers, and they gave the word of command to the soldiers ; for instance if the Governor wished the brigade to " shoulder arms," — the order went to the officer who commanded the first regiment, and he repeated the order, and was obeyed ; then the same order passed to the next, and so on, until the whole brigade had complied with the order of his Excellency. But this, I believe, was the first and last time that the mUitary were ever called out on so large a scale, in the State of New York. It was supposed that the effect would be decidedly injurious to a community and the idea was abandoned. Young men were so liable to be fascinated by the magnificent spectacle, that not the rabble only were attracted by the " trappings of war," but they have a tendency to induce young, and old men even, of fair prospects, to neglect their agricul tural, interests for military pursuits, which, in, a new country, were certainly of paramount importance, if not the greater of the two. I know that it became very hard for me to content myself to labor as I had done, after witnessing - this grand display. I was completely intoxicated with a 7» HORSE-RACING AND GENERAL TRAINING. military spirit, and sighed for the liberty to go out " on the lines" and fight the British. The martial music, the waving plumes, and magni ficent uniform, had driven from my mind entirely the bloodshed and carnage of the battle field ; beside, I was sick and. tired of being- a slave, and felt ready to do almost any thing to get where I could act and feel like a free man. I became acquainted with a Mr. McClure, a mer chant in Bath, who, while on a journey to Philadel phia, to purchase goods, was taken suddenly ill and died ; when his brother, George McClure, came on to attend to his diseased brother's business. _ He was a fine, persevering kind of man, and very soon got to be General McClure, and commanded the brigade in Steuben County, and, as such, was liable to be called at any time when his services were required, to go to the frontier and guard our lines from the invasion of the English army. To him I applied for a situation as waiter, which he readily agreed to give me if I could get the consent of Captain Helm. I thought there would be no trouble about that; and oh! how I dreamed of and anticipated the happiness of being something beside a slave, for a Utile while ai hast. Almost every day I went to the store to talk to Gen. McClure of this greatest happiness imagmable, "going to the lines!" and was impatient for the chance to arrive that would send me there. DESIRE TO BECOME A SOLDIER FRUSTRATED. 79 At last Gen. McClure wrote to Gen. Armstrong, to say that he was ready to obey any order that he might send him, and march to " the lines," if his services were needed ; and, to my inexpressible joy, marching orders were returned. I nearly flew in search of Capt. Helm, never once suspecting that he would object; because I knew that he did not then require my services himself, and the pay would be quite as good as he had been receiving for my time ; besides I had so com pletely set my heart on going, that it was impossible for me to dream of a disappointment so bitter as that of being denied going "to the lines." Oh ! how then were my high hopes fallen, and how mucli more hateful appeared that slavery which had blighted all my military prospects ? Nor was Capt. Helm's heartless and mercenary reply to my humble pleading any antidote to my disappointed feelings and desire for freedom. He said, " you shall not go ; I will permit nothing of the kind, so let there be an end to it. The pay is all well enough, I know, but if you get killed your wages will stop ; , and then who, do you suppose, will indemnify me for the loss? Go about your business, and let me hear no more of such nonsense !" There was an emergency I had not provided for ; and, as I then believed, the master could make no demand on or for the slaves beyond the grave, I was silent ; but both master and myself were mistaken on 80 HORSE-RACING AND GENERAL TRAINING. that point ; for I have since learned numerous instances where slaves have fought and died in the service of their master's country, and the slave-owner received his wages up to the hour of his death, and then recovered of the United States the full value, of his person as property ! Gen. McClure left soon after for the frontier; my saddened heart followed him, and that was all; my body was in slavery still, and painful though it was, I must quietly submit. The General, however, reaped but few if any laurels in that campaign; he burned the small village of Newark, in Canada, for which he got very little . credit on either side of the lake ; so I comforted my self as well as I could with the reflection, that all who - "went to the wars" did not return covered with glory and laurels of victory. I continued to live with the Towers; and in the fall of that year, I had the misfortune to cut my foot badly. While chopping fire wood at the door, I acci dentally struck my ax against a post, wliich glanced the blow in such a manner that it came down with sufficient force to nearly sever my great toe from my left foot, gashing upward completely through the large joint, which made a terrible wound. Dr. Taylor was immediately called, and sewed the flesh together, taking two stitches on the upper, and one on the under, side ofthe foot, before it began to swell; WOUNDED FOOTA-RETURN TO BATH. 81 but when the swelling came on, the stitches on the upper side gave way, which occasioned the toe to fall over so much, that I haye been slightly lame from- that day to this. For several weeks I was unable to be moved, and was regularly attended by Dr. Taylor, but as soon as it could be done without danger, I was taken back to Capt. Helm's, where I found things in much the same condition as when I left them over a year before. On leaving the family of Mr. Tower, I endeavored to express to them as well in my power the gratitude I felt for their kindness, and the attention I had re ceived during my lameness. We returned to Bath in a sleigh, and arrived with out accident or any great suffering.- But the kind treatment I had always received from the Messrs. Tower and family, made it very hard for me to reconcile -myself to my former mode of living; especially now that I was lame and weak, from sick ness and long confinement; besides, it was cold weather. Oh ! how hard it did seem to me, after having a good bed and plenty of bed clothes every night for so long time, to now throw myself down, like a dog, on the " softest side" of a rough board, with out a pillow, and without a particle of bedding to cover me during the long cold nights of winter. To be reduced from a plentiful supply of good, whole some food, to the mere pittance which the Captain allowed his slaves, seemed to me beyond endurance. D* 82 HORSE-RACING AND GENERAL TRAINING. And yet I had always lived and fared thus, but. I never felt so bitterly these hardships and the cruelties of Slavery as I did at that time ; making a virtue of necessity, howeyer, I turned my thoughts in. another direction. I managed to purchase a spelling book, and set about teaching myself to read, as best I could. Every spare moment I could find was devoted to tlfat em ployment, and when about my work I could catch now and then a stolen glance at my book, just to refresh my memory with the simple lesson I was trying to leam. But. here Slavery showed its cloven foot in all its hideous deformity. It finally reached, the ears of my master that I was learning to read; and then, if he saw me with a book or a paper in my hand, oh, how he would swear at me, sending me off in a hurry, about some employment. Still I persevered, but was more careful about being seen making any attempt to learn to read. At last, however, I was discovered, and had to pay the penalty of my determination. I had been set to work in the sugar bush, and I took my spelling book with me. When a spare moment occurred I sat down to study, and so absorbed was I in the attempt to blunder through my lesson, that I did not hear the Captain's son-in-law coming until he was fairly upon me. He sprang forward, caught my poor old spelling book, and threw it into the fire, where it was burned to ashes; and then came FLOGGED JFOR LEARNING TO READ. 83 my turn. He gave me first a severe flogging, and then swore if he ever caught me with another book, he would "whip every inch of skin off my back," &c. This treatment, however, instead of giving me the \ least idea of giving it up, only made me look upon it as a more valuable attainment. Else, why should my oppressors feel so unwilling that their slaves should possess that which they thought so essential to themselves ? Even then, with my back bleeding and smarting from the punishment I had received, I determined to learn to read and write, at all hazards, if my hfe was only spared. About this time Capt. Helm began to sell off his slaves to different per sons, as he could find opportunity, and sometimes at a great sacrifice. It became apparent that the Captain, instead of prospering in business, was getting poorer every day. CHAPTEE IX. DEATH BED AND BRIDAL SCENES. ATEITHEE Capt. Helm nor his wife made any _L l religious pretensions. I hardly know whether or not they were avowed infidels; but they alike ridiculed all rehgious professions and possessed some very singular notions regarding hfe and death. I have often heard the Captain say, that no person need die unless they choose to do so ; and his wife was of the same belief. I have frequently heard her remark that if mankind would firmly resist death it would flee from them. An opportunity, however, was soon after given to test the truth of this strange -dogma. Mrs. Helm's health began to decline, but she would pay no atten tion to it, following her usual course and regular routine of household duties ; but all in vain ; she was taken down, alarmingly ill, and it became apparent to all, that tho "king of terrors" had chosen his victim. "If any ene had ever envied Mrs. Helm in her drawing-room, richly attirud and sparkling with jewels, or as she moved with the stately step of a queen among her trembling slaves, tbey should have beheld her on her death-bed I " page 85. DEATH OF MRS. HELM. 85 She tried with all her natural energy of character, to baffle his pursuit and escape his steady approach, but all to no purpose. " The valley and the shadow of death" were before her, and she had no assurance that the "rod and staff" of the Almighty would sustain and comfort her through the dark passage. She shrank with perfect horror from the untried scenes of the future. H any one had ever envied Mrs. Helm in her drawing-room, richly attired and sparkling with jewels, or as she moved with the stately step of a queen among her trembhng slaves, they should have beheld her on her death bed ! They should have hstened to her groans and cries for help, while one piercing shriek after another rang through the princely man sion of wliich she had been the absolute mistress ! Surrounded as she was with every elegance and luxury that wealth could procure, she lay shrieking out her prayers for a short respite, a short lengthening out of the life she had spent so unprofitably ; her eyes wandering restlessly about the apartment, and her hands continually clinching the air, as if to grasp something that would prevent her from sinking into the embrace of death ! There was not a slave present, who would have exchanged places with her. Not one of those over whom she had ruled so arbitrarily would have exchanged their rough, lowly cabin and quiet conscience, for all the wealth and power she had ever possessed. 86 DEATH BED AND BRIDAL SCENES. Nothing of all she had enjoyed: in life, nor all that she yet called her. own, could give her one hour of lifb or one peaceful moment in death ! Oh ! what a scene was that ! The wind blew, and great drops of rain fell on the casements. The room lighted only with a single taper; the wretched wife mingles her dying groans with the howling of the storm, until, as the clock struck the hour of midnight she fell back upon her pillow and expired, amid the tears and cries of her family and friends, who not only deplored the Joss of a wife and mother, but were grieved by the manner in which she died. The slaves were all deeply affected by the scene ; some doubtless truly lamented the death of their mistress; others rejoiced that she was no more, and all were more or less frightened. One of them I remem ber went to the pump and wet his face, so as to appear to weep with the rest. What a field was opened for reflection, by the agonizing death of Mrs. Helm ? Born and reared in affluence; well educated and highly accomplished, possessed of every means to become a useful woman and an ornament to her sex ; which she most likely would have been, had she been instructed in the Christian religion, and had Hved under a different influence. As infidehty ever deteriorates from the female character, so Slavery transforms more than one, otherwise excellent woman, into a feminine monster. DANGER OF THE SOCIAL GLASS. 87 Of Mrs. Helm, with her active intellect" and great force of character, it made a tyrannical demon. Her race, however, is ended ; her sun gone down in dark ness, and her soul we must leave in the keeping of a righteous God, to whom we must all give an account for the deeds done in the body. But in view of the transitory pleasures of this life; the unsatisfactory realization of wealth, and the certainty of death, we may well inquire, "What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul ? " Some little time after the scene just recorded, there came to Bath a young physician named Henry, who commenced practice under very flattering prospects. He was an accomplished young man, well educated and very skillful in his profession. He was affable and gay in his manners, and very fond of company. An intimate acquaintance was soon formed, with Capt. Helm and family, and he called almost daily to chat and drink wine with the Captain, — both being quite fond of a social glass. One night in the depth of winter, the Doctor was called to see a patient who hved six miles down the Conhocton river. Previous, however, to the call, he had accepted an invitation to attend a party at Capt. Helm's, and there he was found. They had music and dancing, while the wine passed around very freely. None seemed to join in the dance and other amuse ments of the evening with more enjoyment than did 88 DEATH BED AND BRIDAL SCENES. Dr. Henry; but after he was sent for, it being a most bitter cold night, he asked the Captain for a horse to ride to see his patient, to which he readily assented, and had his fine race-horse (for the Captain had not left off all his old habits), brought out from the stable, and the Doctor sprang lightly into the saddle. Unfortu nately his way led by the race-course, and when the trained animal came to it he started with such speed as to throw the Doctor to the ground, where he lay all that terrible cold night. In the morning, some person going after wood, came in sight of the Doctor as he was trying to creep away on his frozen hands and feet. He was put into the sleigh ahd taken to the village with all possible speed. All was done for him that could be, but his feet and legs were frozen solid. His uncle, fir. Henry, was brought as soon as possible, who decided that nothing could save his life but the amputation of both legs, just below the knee. This was done ; but what a change in the prospects of this promising young man! Instead of stepping hghtly about as he used to do, with a smiling countenance, he at last came forth after a tedious confinfement, a cripple for life,' hobbling about on his knees, sad and dejected. And what, think you, was the cause of this terrible calamity ? What prevented the Doctor from an exertion to save his life ? Wine, intoxicating wine, was undoubtedly the occasion of the heedless and reckless conduct of both himself and Capt. Helm. CAPT. HELM MARRIED AGAIN. 89 And should not this circumstance be a warning to parents and guardians, to young men and children, " to. look not upon the wine when it is red," and remember that at last " it will bite like a serpent and sting hke an adder? " Should it not also remind those who have guests to entertain, of the sinfulness of putting the cup to their neighbor's bps ? Certainly it should. But I must resume my story. About this time Major Thornton of Bath, died. He had long been an intimate friend and acquaintance of Capt. Helm, and as the reader is already informed of the death of Mrs. Helm, they will not be surprised to know that he began to look earnestly after the widow of his late friend. It become apparent that his solici tude for the loneliness of Madam Thornton" was not so much as a disconsolate widow, as that of ermking her the future Mrs. Helm ; nor was it less observable that the new-made widow accepted the Captain's atten tions with great favor, and more as a lover than a comforter. The result was, after the Major had been dead six weeks, Capt. Helm was married to his widow, and brought her and her servants in great triumph to his house, giving her the charge of it. His own servants were discharged, and hers took their places. All went on pleasantly for a while ; then the slaves began to grow sullen and discontented; and two of them ran away. Capt. Helm started a man named 90 DEATH BED AND BRIDAL SCENES. Morrison, a Scotchman, in pursuit, who hunted them ten days, and then returned without any tidings of the absconding slaves. They made, good their escape and were never heard from afterwards, by those whose interest suffered by the loss. I was one afternoon at a neighbor's house in the village, when I was suddenly taken so violently ill with pain in my head and side, that I had to be carried home. When we arrived there, I was allowed a pallet of straw to lie on, which was better than nothing. Day after day, my disease increased in violence, and my master employed a physician to attend me through my illness, which brought me very low indeed. I was constantly burning with fever, and so thirsty that I knew not what I would have given fo* a draught of cold water, which was denied me by the physician's direction. I daily grew weaker until I was reduced to helplessness, and was httle else than " skin and bones." I really thought my time had come to die ; and when I had strength to talk, I tried to arrange the few httle business affairs I had, and give my father direction concerning them. Ahd then I began to examine my own condition before God. and to determine how the case stood between Him and my poor soul. And "there was the rub." I had often excused myself, for frequent derelictions in duty, and often wild and passionate outbreaks, on account of the hardness of my lot, and the injustice with SICK-BED REFLECTIONS. 91 which I was treated, even in my best endeavors to do as well as I knew how. But now, with death staring me in the face, I could see that though I was a friend less "slave-boy,'' I had not always done as well as I knew how ; that I had not served God as I knew I ought, nor had I always set a good example before my fellow-slaves, nor warned them as well as I might, "to flee the wrath to come." Then I prayed my Heavenly Father . to spare me a httle longer, that I might serve Him better; and in His mercy and gracious goodness, He did so; though when the fever was turning they gave me up ; and I could hear them say, when they came to feel my pulse, "he is almost gone," "it will soon be over,' &c, and then inquire if I knew them. I did, but was too weak to sav so. I recollect with gratitude, the kindness of Mrs. H. A. Townsend, who sent me many delicacies and cooling drinks to soften the rigor of my disease ; and though I suppose she has long since "passed away" and gone to her reward, may the blessing of those who are ready to perish, rest upon the descendants of that excellent woman. ' Capt. Helm was driving on in his milling, distillery and farming business. He now began to see the necessity of treating his slaves better by far than he had ever done ,- before, and granted them greater privileges than he would have dared to do at the South. Many of the slaves he had sold, were getting their liberty and doing well. CHAPTEE X. HIRED OUT TO A NEW MASTER. WHILE I was staying with my master at Bath, hev having httle necessity for my services, hired me ^ out to a man by the name of Joseph Eobinson, for the ^purpose of learning me to drive a team. Eobinson lived about three miles from the village of Bath, on a small farm, and was not only a poor man but a very mean one. He was cross and heartless in his family, as well as tyrannical and cruel to those in his employ; and having hired me as a " slave boy," he appeared to feel at full hberty to wreak his brutal passion on me at any time, whether I deserved rebuke or not ; nor did his terrible outbreaks of anger vent them selves in oaths, curses and threatenings only, but he would frequently" draw from the cart-tongue a heavy iron pin, and beat me over the head with it, so unmer cifully that he frequently sent the blood flowing over my scanty apparel, and from that to the ground, before he could feel satisfied SURPRISED BT A RATTLE-SNAKE. 93 These kind of beatings were not only excessively painful, but they always reminded me of the "blows I had so often received from the key, in the hand of Mrs. Helm, when I was but a httle waiter lad ; and in truth I must say that the effect of these heavy blows on the head, have followed me thus far through life ; subjecting me to frequent and violent head-aches, from which I never expect to be entirely free. Even to this day I shudder at the thought, when I think how Eobinson used to fly at me, swearing, foaming, and seeming to think there was no weapon too large or too heavy to strike me with. He and I were at one time logging with a yoke of oxen, which it was my business to drive. At that time rattle-snakes were numerous, and a great terror to the inhabitants. To be bitten by one of these poisonous reptiles was certain and almost instant death ; hence, the greatest caution and constant vigi lance was necessary to avoid them while at work. I had been sent with the oxen to draw a log to the pile, and when I came up to it, I observed that it appeared to be hollow ; but stepping forward, with the chain in my hand, ready to attach it to the log, when, oh, hor ror! the warning rattle of a snake sounded like a death -knell in my ears, proceeding from the log I was "about to lay hold. of. I was so much frightened by the sound, that I dropped the chain as though it were red hot, left my team, and ran with all the speed in 94 HIRED OUT TO A NEW MASTER. my power, screaming " murder, murder !" as loud as I could. This proceeding, which was the fearful, impulse of the moment, offended Eobinson, and gave him another opportunity to beat me most cruelly. He was him self as much afraid of rattle-snakes as I; but he was the master and I the " slave boy," wbich made a vast difference. He caught hold of me, and, with horrid oaths, beat me with his fist again and again ; threatening me with awful punishment if I did not instantly return and bring the log to the desired spot. I never can forget the mortal agony I was in, while compelled by his kicks and blows to return and fasten the chain around the log containing the deadly ser pent. I, however, succeeded with trembhng hands, - and drove the oxen, but keeping myself at the far- therest possible distance from them and the log. When I finally arrived at the pile, Mr. Eobinson and some other men, cut a hole with an ax in the log, and killed the large, venomous rattle-snake that had occa sioned me so much alarm and such a cruel beating. Nor was the uncontrolable and brutal passion of Eo binson his only deficiency ; he was mean as he was brutal. He had, at one time, borrowed a wagon of a neigh bor hving two miles distant, through a dense forest. On the day of the total eclipse of the sun, it entered his head that it would be fine sport, . knowing MY NEW MASTER, A HEARTLESS MAN. i*5 my ignorance and superstition, to send me, just as the darkness was coming on, to return the borrowed wagon. I accordingly hitched the ox-team to it and started. As I proceeded through the wood, I saw, with astonishment and some alarm, that it was grow ing very dark, and thought it singular at that hour of the day. When I reached the place of my destination it was almost total darkness, and some persons, igno rant as myself, were running about, wringing their hands, and declaring that they beheved the Day of Judgment had come, and such like expressions. The effect of all this was, howeyer, very different from what my master had expected. - I thought, '< of course, if the judgment day had come, I should j be no longer a slave in the power of a heartless j tyrant. I recollect well of thinking, that if indeed all i things earthly were coming to an end, I should be free from Eobinson's brutal force, and as to meeting my Creator, I felt far less dread of that than of meet ing my cross, unmerciful master. I felt that, sinful as I had been, and unworthy as I was, I should be far better off than I then was ; driven to labor all day, without compensation ; . half starved -and poorly clad, and above all, subjected to the whims and caprices of any heartless tyrant to whom my master might give the power to rule over me. But I had not much time for reflection, I hurried home ; my mind filled with the calm anticipation that the end of all things was at 96 HIRED OUT TO A NEW MASTER. hand; which greatly disappointed my expectant mas ter, who was looking for me to return in a great fright, making some very-ludicrous demonstration of Tear and alarm. But after a few months more of hardship I was permitted to return to Capt. Helm's, where I was treated muck, better than at Eobinson's, and much better than the Captain used to treat his slaves. Capt. Helm, not having demand for slave labor as much as formerly, was in the practice of hiring out his slaves to different persons, both in and out of the village ; and among others, my only sister was hired out to a professed gentleman hving in Bath. She had become the mother of two or three children^ and was considered a good servant. One pleasant Sabbath morning, as I was passing the house where she lived, on my way to the Presbyterian church, where I was sent to ring the bell as usual, 1 heard the most piteous cries and earnest pleadings issuing from the dwelling.- To. my horror and the astonishment of those with me, my poor sister made her appearance,, weeping bitterly, and followed by her inhuman master, who was polluting the air of, that clear Sabbath morning, with the most horrid impreca tions ahd threatenings, and at the same time flourish ing a large raw-hide. Very soon his bottled wrath burst forth, and the blows, aimed with all his strength, descended upon the unprotected head, shoulders and back of the helpless woman, until she was literally cut MY SISTER INHUMANLY FLOGGED. 97 to pieces. She writhed in his powerful grasp, while shriek after shriek died away in heart-rending moan- ings ; and yet the inhuman demon continued to beat her, though her pleading cries had ceased, until obliged to desist from the exhaustion of his own strength. What a spectacle was that, for the sight of a bro ther ? The God of heaven only knows the conflict of feeling I then endured; He alone witnessed the tumult of my heart, at this outrage of manhood and kindred affection. God knows that- my will was good enough to have wrung his neck ; or to have drained from Iiis heartless system its last drop of blood ! And yet I was obliged to turn a deaf ear to her cries for assist ance, which to this day ring in my ears. Strong and athletic as I was, no hand of mine could be raised in her defence, but at the peril of both our lives ; — nor could her husband, had he been a witness of the scene, be allowed any thing more than unresisting submis sion to any cruelty, any indignity which the master saw fit to inflict on Mi wife, but the other's slave. Does any indignant reader feel that I was wanting in courage or brotherly affection, and say that he would have interfered, and, at all hazards, rescued his sister from the power of her master ; let him remem ber that he is a freeman; that he has not from his infancy been taught to cower beneath the white man's frown, and bow at his bidding, or suffer all the rigor E 98 HIRED OUT TO A NEW MASTER. of the slave laws. Had the gentlemanly woman- whipper been seen beating his horse, or his ox, in the manner he beat my poor sister, arid that too for no fault which the law could recognize as an offence, he would have been Complained of most likely ; but as it was, she was but a "slave girl," — with whom the slave law allowed her master to do what he pleased. Well, I finally passed on, with a clinched fist and contracted brow, to the church, and rung the bell, I think rather furiously, to notify the inhabitants of " Bath, that it was time to assemble for the worship of that God who has declared himself to be " no respec ter of persons." With my own heart beating wildly with indignation and sorrow, the kind reader may imagine my feelings when I saw the smooth-faced hypocrite, the inhuman slave- whipper, enter the church, pass quietly on to his accustomed seat, and then meekly bow his hypocritical face on the damask cushion, in the reverent acknowledgment of that reli gion which teaches its- adherents "to do unto others as they would be done by," just as if nothing unusual had happened on that Sabbath morning. Can any one wonder that I, and other slaves, often doubted the sincerity of every white man's religion ? Can it be a matter of astonishment, that slaves often feel that there is no just God for the poor African? Nay, verily ; and were it not for the comforting and sustaining influence that these poor, illiterate, and suf- CAPT. HELM SELLS AUNT BETSEY. 99 N fering creatures feel as coming from an unearthly source, they would in their ignorance all become infi dels. To me, . that beautiful Sabbath morning was clouded in midnight darkness, and I retired to ponder on what could be done. For some reason or other, Capt. Helm had supplied every lawyer in that section of country with slaves, either by purchase or hire ; so when I thought of seek ing legal redress for my poor, mangled sister, I saw a1 once it would be all in vain. The laws were in favor ofthe slave owner, and besides, every legal gentleman in the village had one or more of the Captain's slaves,! who were. treated with more or less rigor ; and of course they would do nothing toward censuring one of their own number, so nothing, could be done to give the slave even the few privileges which the laws of the State allowed them. The Captain sold my aunt Betsy Bristol to a distin guished lawyer in the village, retaining her husband, Aaron Bristol, in his own employ; and two of .her children he sold to another legal gentleman named Cruger, One- day Captain- Helm came out where the slaves were at work, and finding Aaron was not there, he fell into a great rage and swore terribly. He finally started off to a beach tree, from which- he cut a stout limb, and trimmed it so as to leave a knot on the but end of the stick, or bludgeon rather, which was about two and a half feet in length. With this 1U0 HIRED OUT TO A NEW MASTER. formidable weapon he started for Aaron's lonely cabin. When the solitary husband saw him coming he sus pected that he was angry,' and went forth to meet him in the street. They had no sooner met than my mas ter seized Aaron by the collar, and taking the limb he had prepared by the smaller end, commenced beating him with it, over the head and face; and struck him some thirty or more terrible blows in quick succession.; after which Aaron begged to know for what he was, so unmercifully flogged. "Because you deserve it," was the angry -reply. Aaron said that he had ever endeavored to discharge his duty, and had done so to the best of his ability; and that he thought it very hard to be treated in that manner for no offence at all. Capt. Helm was aston ished at his audacity; but the reader will perceive that the slaves were not blind to the political condition of the country, and were beginning to feel that they had some rights, and meant to claim them. Poor Aaron's face and head, however, was left in a pitiable condition after such a pummelling with a knotty stick. His face, covered with blood, was so swollen that he could hardly see for some time ; but what of that ? Did he not belong to Capt. Helm, soul and body; and if his brutal owner chose to destroy his own property, certainly had he not a right to do so," without let or hindrance? Of course; such is the power that Slavery gives one human being over another. SLAVES PROUD OF THEIR MASTERS WEALTH. 101 And yet it must be confessed that among "the poor, degraded and ignorant slaves there exists a foolish pride, which loves to boast of their master's wealth , and influence. A white person, too poor to own slaves, is as often looked upon with as much disdain by the miserable slave as by his wealthy owner. This disposition seems to be instilled into the mind of every slave at the South, and indeed, I have heard slaves object to being sent in very small companies to labor in the field, lest that some passer-by should think that they belonged to a poor man, who was unable to keep a large gang. Nor is this ridiculous sentiment maintained by the slaves only ; the rich planter feels such a contempt for all white persons without slaves, that he does not want them for his neighbors. I know of many instances where such persons have been under the necessity of buying or hiring slaves, just to preserve their reputation and keep up appearances ; and even' among a class of peo ple who profess to be opposed to Slavery, have I known instances of the same kind, and have heard them apologize for their conduct by saying that " when in Eome, we must do as the Eomans do."- Uncle Aaron Bristol was one of Capt. Helm's slaves who had a large amount of this miserable pride ; and for him to be associated with a white man in the same humble occupation, seemed to give him ideas of grlat superiority, and -full liberty to treat him with all the 102 HIRED OUT TO A NEW MASTER. scorn and sarcasm he was capable of, in which my uncle was by no means deficient. At this time the Captain owned a fine and valuable horse, by the name of Speculator. This horse, groomed by uncle Aaron, stood sometimes at Bath and sometimes at Geneva; and at the latter village another horse was kept, groomed by a white man. The white groom was uot very well pleased with Aaron's continual disparagement of the clumsy animal which my uncle called " a great, awkward plow- horse;" and then he would fling out some of his proud nonsense about "poor white people who were obliged to groom their own old dumpy horses," &c. Well, things went on in this unpleasant manner for Several weeks, when at last the white groom and Aaron met at Geneva, and the horse belonging to the former, designedly or accidentally, escaped from his keeper, and came with full speed, with his mouth' wide open, after Speculator. When the fiery fellow had overtaken uncle Aaron he attempted to grasp the wethers of Speculator with his teeth, instead of which he caught Aaron on the inside of his thigh, hear the groin, from whence he bit a large piece of flesh, laying the bone entirely bare ; at the same moment flinging Aaron to the ground, some rods off; and the next instant he kicked Speculator down a steep embank ment. Aaron was taken up for dead, and Dr. Henry sent for, who dressed his wounds ; and after several UNCLE AARON TAKES "FRENCH LEAVE.'' 103 months' confinement he finally recovered. It is pro bable that the biting and overthrow of Aaron saved his life, as he must have otherwise been killed in tho encounter of the two horses. A while after his recovery, uncle Aaron succeeded in procuring a team and some kind of vehicle, in which he put his wife and children, and between two days, took " French leave", of his master as well as of the lawyer to whom his wife belonged. The lawyer, however, was far from beirig pleased when he missed his property, and immediately set his wits to work to reclaim her. All was kept secret as possible, but it was whispered about that it was to be done by a State's warrant, for removing the clothing and furniture they had taken, and so, being thus arrested, " Madam Bristol" would be glad to return to her work in the lawyer's kitchen. But Aaron was a smart, shrewd man, and kept out of their reach, where he soon found friends and employment, and could go where he pleased, without having an infuriated master to beat and disfigure him with a knotted stick, until his clothes were bespattered with blood. They appre ciated their hberty, and hved and died in peace and freedom. Capt. Helm continued his old manner of treating slaves, dealing out their weekly allowance of corn or meal ; but hving as we now did, so much more inti mately with white inhabitants, our condition was mate- 10-1 HIRED OUT TO A NEW MASTER. rially improved. The slaves became more refined in manners and in possession of far greater opportunities to provide for themselves, than they had ever -before enjoyed, and yet it was Slavery. Any reverse in the fortunes of our master would be disadvantageous to us. Oh, how this fearful uncertainty weighed upon us as we saw that our master was not prospering and increasing in wealth ; but we had not the dismal fears of the loathsome slave-pen, rice swamps, and many other things we should have to fear in Virginia. We were still slaves, and yet we had so much greater chance to learn from the kind, intelligent people about us, so many things which we never knew before, that I think a slave-trader would have found it a difficult task to take any one of us to a Southern slave market, if our master had so ordered it. The village of Bath is rather an out-of-the-way place, hemmed in on all sides by mountains of consid erable height, leaving an opening on the north, through a pleasant valley, to the head of Crooked Lake. Produce of every kind, when once there, met a ready sale for the New York market. In the first settlement of the country this was the only outlet for the country produce, which was trans ported in rude boats or vessels called arks, built dur ing the winter season to await the spring freshet ; then they loaded them with wheat or other produce, and sent them to Baltimore or elsewhere. They used also AN ATTEMPT TO STAB ME. 105 to obtain great quantities of fine lumber, and- floated it through the same rivers every spring ; but it was attended with great loss of life and property. Bath assumed a warlike appearance during the last war with Great Britain.; the public square was dotted all over with officers, marquees, and soldiers' tents. Some of these soldiers were unprincipled and reckless men, who seemed to care very tittle what they did. One evening I was walking around the encampment in company with a Mr. James Morrison, a clerk in the land office, looking at the soldiers, until we came near a sentinel on duty. He kept his gun to his shoulder until we came near enough, and then he attempted to run me through with his bayonet, Young Morrison sprang forward, and seizing the mus ket, told me to run ; I did so, which probably saved my hfe. CHAPTEE XI. THOUGHTS ON FREEDOM. AFTEE living sometime in Bath, and having the privilege of more enlightened society, I began to think that it was possible for me to become a free man in some way besides going into the army or running away, as I had often thought of doing. I had listened to the conversation of others, and determined to ask legal counsel on the subject the first opportunity I could find. Very soon after, as I was drawing wood, I met on the river bridge, Mr. D. Cruger, the eminent lawyer before mentioned, and I asked him to tell me if I was not free, by the laws of New York. He started, and looked around him as if afraid to answer my question, but after a while told me I was not free. I passed on, but the answer to my question by no means satisfied me, especially when I remembered the hesitancy with which it was given. ; I sought another opportunity to speak with Mr. ADVISED BY THE MANUMISSION SOCIETY. 107 Crager, and at last found him in his office alone ; then he conversed freely on the subject of Slavery, telling me that Capt. Helm could not hold me a's a slave in that State, if I chose to leave him, and then directed me to D. Comstock and J. Moore; the first being at the head of a manumission- society, and the last named gentleman one of its directors. Our condition, as I have said before, was greatly improved ; and yet the more we knew of freedom the more we desired it, and the less willing were we to remain in bondage. The slaves that Capt. Helm had sold or hired out, were continually leaving him and the country, for a place 'of freedom ; and I determined to become my own possessor. There is no one, I care not how favorable his con dition, who desires to be a slave, to labor for nothing all his life for the benefit of others. I have often heard fugitive slaves say, that it was not so much the cruel beatings and floggings that they received which induced them to leave the South, as the idea of drag ging out a whole life of unrequited toil to enrich their masters. Everywhere that Slavery exists, it is nothing but slavery. I found it just as. hard to be beaten over the head with a piece of iron in New York as it was in Vir ginia. Whips and chains are everywhere necessary to degrade and brutalize the slave, in order to reduce him to that abject and humble state which Slavery 108 THOUGHTS ON FREEDOM. requires. Nor is the effect much less disastrous on the man who holds supreme control over the soul and body of his fellow beings. Such unlimited power, in almost every instance transforms the man into a tyrant ; the brother into a demon. When the first of our persecuted race were brought to this country it was to teach them to reverence the 'only true and .living God ; or such was the answer of Her Majesty Queen Ehzabeth of England, when her subjects desired the liberty to bring from their native land the poor, ignorant African. "Let them," said the Queen, "be brought away only by their own consent, otherwise the act will be detestable, and bring down the vengeance of heaven upon us." A very different position truly, from the one assumed at the present day by apologists for the traffic in human flesh. But, to return to myself. I had determined to make an effort to own myself, and as a prehminary step, I obtained permission of Capt. Helm to visit some friends hving in Canandaigua and Geneva. This was in the winter of 1814. I went first to Geneva ; from there to Canandaigua. Between the two- villages I met a company of United States' troops, returning from Buffalo, where they had been to repel an invasion of the British. The two villages above named, were small but very pretty, having been laid out with taste and great care. Some wealthy and enterprising gentlemen had come TOLD THE STORY OF MY WRONGS. 109 from the East into this great Western country, who were making every improvement in their power. The dense forest had long since fallen under the stroke of the woodman's ax, and in that section, flourishing villages were springing up as if by magic, where so lately roamed wild beasts and rude savages, both having fallen back before the march of civilization. I called on James Moore, as directed by Mr. Cruger, , and found he was one of the directors of the "Manu- | mission Society," as it was then called. This was an association of humane and intelligent gentlemen j whose object it was to aid any one who was illegally held in bondage. The funds of the society were ample ; and able counsel was employed to assist those who needed it. The late lamented John C. Spencer, one of the most eminent lawyers in Western New York, was then counsel for that society. I soon got an interview with Mr. Moore, to whom I related the history of my life, — the story of my -wrongs and hardships. I told him about my having been hired out by Capt. Helm, which he said was sufficient to insure rhy freedom! Oh! how my heart leaped at the .thought ! The tears started, my breast heaved with a mighty throb of gratitude, and I could hardly refrain from grasping his hand or falling down at his feet ; and perhaps should have made some ludicrous demonstration of my feelings, had not the kind gentleman continued his conversation in another direction. 110 THOUGHTS ON FREEDOM. He said that indispensable business called hinr to Albany, where he must go immediately, but assured me that he would return in March following ; then I must come to him and he would see that I had what justly belonged to me — my freedom from Slavery. He advised me to return to Bath and go on with my work as usual until March, but to say npthirig of my intentions and prospects. I returned according to his directions, with a heart so light, that I could not realize that my bonds were not yet broken, nor the yoke removed from off my neck. I was already free in spirit, and I silently exulted in the bright prospect of hberty. Could my master have felt what it was to be relieved of such a crushing weight, as the one which was but partially lifted from my mind, he would have been a happier man than he had been for a long time. I went cheerfully back to my labor, and worked with alacrity, impatient only for March to come; and as the time drew near I began to consider what kind of an excuse I could make to get away. I could think of none, but I determined to go without one, rather than to remain. Just before the time appointed for me to meet Mr. Moore, a slave girl named Milly, came secretly to Bath. She had been one of Capt. Helm's slaves, and he had a while before sold her to a man who lived some distance west of the village. Milly had now SLAVE GIRL MILLY RUNS AWAY. Ill taken the matter into her- own hands. She had left her master to take care of himself, and was in short, "running away," determined as myself, that she would be a slave no longer; resolved on death, or freedom from the power of the slaveholder. . The time I had set for my departure was so near at hand, that I concluded to accompany her in her flight. When the dark night came on, we started together, and traveled all night, and just as the day dawned we arrived at Manchester, where we stopped a short time with one Thomas Watkins. But I was not to be let go so easily. I had been missed at Capt. Helm's, and several men started in immediate pursuit. I was weary, and so intent on gettmg a httle rest that I did not see my pursuers until they had well nigh reached the house where I was ; but I did see them in time to spring from the house with the agility of a deer, and to run for the woods as for life. And indeed, I so considered it. I was unarmed to be sure, and not prepared to defend myself against two or three men, armed to the teeth ; but it would have gone hard with me before I surren dered myself to them, after having dreamed as I had, and anticipated the blessings of a free man. I escaped them, thank God, and reached the woods, where I Concealed myself for some time, and where I had ample opportunity to reflect on the injustice and cruelty of my oppressors, and to ask myself why it 112 THOUGHTS ON FREEDOM. was that I was obliged to fly from my home. Why was I there panting and weary, hungry and destitute — skulking in the woods hke a thief, and concealing myself like a murderer ? What had I done ? For what fault, or for what crime was I pursued by armed men, and hunted like a beast of prey ? God only knows how these inquiries harrowed up my very soul, and made me well nigh doubt the justice and mercy of the Almighty, until I remembered my narrow escape, when my doubts dissolved in grateful tears. But why, oh why, had I been forced to flee thus from my fellow men? I was guilty of no crime; I had committed no violence ; I had broken no law of the land ; I was not charged even with a fault, except of the hve of liberty and a desire to be free 1 I had claimed the right to possess my own person, and remove it from oppression. Oh my God, thought I, can the American People, who at this very hour are pouring out their blood in defence of their country's hberty; offering up as a sacrifice on the battle field their promising young men, to preserve their land and hearthstones from English oppression; can they, will they, continue to hunt the poor African slave from their soil because he desires that same liberty, so dear to the heart of every American citizen ? Will they not blot out from their fair escutcheon the foul stain which Slavery has cast upon it? Will they not remember the Southern bondman, in whom the love MADE MY ESCAPE, BUT WAS PURSUED. 113 of freedom is as inherent as in themselves; and will they not, when contending for equal rights, use their mighty forces "to break every yoke, and let the oppressed go free ? " God grant that it may be so ! As soon as I thought it prudent, I pursued my journey, and finally came out into the open country, uear the dwelling of Mr. Dennis Comstock, who, as I have said, was president of the Manumission Society. To him I freely described my situation, and found him a friend indeed. He expressed his readiness to% assist me, and wrote a line for me to take to his brother, Otis Comstock, who took me into his family at once. I hired to Mr. Comstock for the season, and from that time onward lived with him -nearly four ) years. When I arrived there I was about twenty -twojjears of age, and felt for the first time in my life, that I was my own master. I cannot describe to a free man, what ' a proud manly feeling came over me when I hired to Mr. C. and made my first ' bargain, nor when I assumed the dignity of collecting my own earnings. Notwithstanding I was very happy in my freedom from Slavery, and had a good home, where for the first time in my life I was allowed to sit at table with others, yet I found myself very deficient in almost every thing which I should have learned. when a boy. These and other recollections of the past often sad dened my spirit; but hope, — cheering and bright, was 114 THOUGHTS ON FREEDOM. now mine, and it lighted up the future- and gave me patience to persevere. In the autumn when the farm work was done, I called on Mr. Comstock for some money, and the first ) thing I did after receiving it I went to Canandaigua \ where I found a book-store kept by a man named J. D. Bemis, and of him I purchased some school books. No king on his throne could feel prouder or grander than I did that day. With my books, linde-r my arm, and money of my own earning in my pocket, I stepped loftily along toward Farmington, where I determined to attend the Academy. The thought, however, that though I was twenty-three years old, I had yet to learn what most boys of eight years knew, was rather a damper on my spirits. The school was conducted by Mr. J. Comstock, who was a pleasant young man and an excellent teacher. He showed me every kind ness and consideration my position and ignorance demanded; and I attended his school three winters, with pleasure and profit to myself at least When I had been with Mr. Comstock about a year, we received a visit from my old master, Capt Helm, who had spared no pains to find me, and when he learned where I was he came to claim me as "his boy," who, he said he " wanted and must have." Mr. Comstock told him I was not "his boy," and as such he would not give me up ; and further, that I was CAFT. H. SURRENDERS ALL CLAIM TO ME. 115 free by the laws of the State. He assured the Captain that his hiring me out in the first instance, to Mr. Tower, forfeited Iiis claim to me, and gave me a right to freedem, — but if he chose to join issue, they would have the case tried in the Supreme Court; but this proposition the Captain declined: he knew- well enough that it would result in my favor ; and after some flattery and coaxing, he left me with my friend, Mr. Comstock, in hberty and peace ! CHAPTEE XII CAPT. HELM — DIVORCE — KIDNAPPING. THE business affairs of Capt. Helm had for some time been far from prosperous ; and now he was quite poor. His slave property proved a bad invest ment, ahd Madam Thornton a far worse one. She had already applied for a divorce, and a good share of the estate as alimony ; both of which she succeeded in getting, the Captain allowing her to take pretty much her own course. These troubles, with costs of law suits, bad .management, &e, had now emptied the coffers of my old master almost to the last farthing ; and he began to cast about him for some way to replenish his purse, and retrieve his fallen fortunes. Had Capt. Helm been brought up to honorable industry, and accustomed to look after his own pecun^ iary interests, he doubtless would have sustained his position ; or if reverses were unadvoidable, he would have by persevering industry, regained what he had CAPT. HELM BECOMES A KIDNAPPER. 117 lost. But he had been raised in a slave State, and Southern principles were as deeply instilled into his mind, as Southern manners were impressed on his life and cqnduct. He had no partiality for labor of any kind ; horse- racing and card-playing were far more congenial to his tastes; redueed as he now was, he would deny himself no luxury that his means or credit would procure. His few remaining slaves were given into the hands of an idle, brutal overseer — while they, half fed, half clothed, grew more and more discontented, and ran away on every opportunity that offered. The Captain at las c hit upon a method of making money, which, if it -had been carried into operation on the high seas, would in all probability have been called by its right name, and incurred the penalty of the gallows — as piracy. Ought it then to be deemed less criminal because transpiring on the free soil of the American Eepublic ? I think not. Nor was it less censurable on account of its failure. The Captain's plan was to collect all the slaves he had once owned, many of whom had escaped to the surrounding villages, and when once in his grasp, to run them speedily into a slave State, and there sell them for the Southern market. To carry forward this hellish design, it was necessary to have recourse to stratagem. Some person must be found to lure the unsuspecting slaves into the net he was 118 ' CAPT. HELM — DIVORCE — KIDNAPPING. spreading for them. At last he found a scoundrel named Simon Watkins, who for the consideration of fifty dollars, was to collect as inany of the slaves as he could at one place ; and when he had done so, he was to receive the money, leaving Capt. Helm to do the rest. Simon set immediately about the business, which was first to go to Palmyra, and in great kindness and generosity, give a large party to the colored people, — desiring that all Capt. Helm's former slaves, in par ticular, should be present to -have a joyous re-union, and celebrate their freedom in having a fine time generally. Invitations were sent to all, and extensive prepar ation made for a large "social party," at Palmyra, at the house of- Mrs. Bristol. My parents were invited ; and Simon took the pains to come to Farmington to give me a .special invitation. When the time arrived for the party, I went to Palmyra with the intention of attending. I had not the least suspicion of any thing wrong ; yet, by some mysterious providence, or something for which I can not account, a presentiment took possession of my mind that all was not right. I knew not what I feared, and could in no way define my apprehensions; but I grew so uneasy, that I finally gave up the party and returned home, before the guests were assembled. Capt. Helm and his assistants came on to Palmyra FIGHT BETWEEN SLAVES AND KIDNAPPERS. 119 in disguise, before evening, and secreted themselves in one of the hotels to await the arrival of their victims. At the appointed hour the slaves began to assemble in large numbers and great glee, without the least suspicion of danger. They soon began their amuse ments, and in the midst of their mirth, Capt. Helm and party stealthily crept from their hiding place and surrounded the house; then bursting in suddenly upon the revelers, began to make arrests. Such a tumult, such an affray as ensued would be hard to describe. The slaves fought for their lives and their hberty, and the Captain's party for their property and power. Fists, clubs, chairs, and any thing they could get hold of, was freely used with a strength and will of men who had tasted the joys of freedom. Cries and curses were mingled, while blows fell like hail on both sides. Commands from our old master were met with shouts of bold defiance on the part of the negroes, until the miserable kidnappers were glad to desist, and were driven off — not stealthily as they came, but in quick time and in the best way they could, to escape the threatened vengeance of the slaves, who drove them like "feathers before the wind." But it was a terrible battle and many were severely wounded ; among them was my father. He was taken to his home, mangled and bleeding, and from the effects of that night's affray he never recovered. He hngered on in feeble health until death finally released him 120 ' CAPT. HELM--DIVORCE — KIDNAPPING^ from suffering, and placed him beyond the reach of kidnappers and tyrants. The -Captain and his party, enraged arid disap pointed in their plans at Palmyra, returned to Bath to see what could be done there toward success, in getting up a gang of slaves for the Southern market. When they came among the colored people of Bath, it was like a hawk alighting among a flock of chickens at noon-day. They scattered and ran in every direction, some to the woods, some hid themselves in cellars, and others in their terror plunged into the Conhocton Eiver. In this manner the majority of the negroes escaped, but not all ; and those were so unfortunate as to get caught were instantly thrown into a large covered "Pennsylvania wagon," and hurried off, closely guarded, to Olean Point. Among those taken were Harry Lucas, his wife, Lucinda, and seven children; Mrs. Jane Cooper and four children, with some others, were also taken. When Capt. Helm arrived at Olean Point with his stolen freight of human beings, he was unexpectedly detained until he could build a boat, — which, to his great dismay took him several days. The sorrow and fearful apprehension of those wretched recaptured slaves can not be described nor imagined by any one except those who have experi enced a hke affliction. They had basked for a short season in the sunshine of Hberty, and thought them- RECAPTURED SLAVES RESIST. 121 selves secure from the iron grasp of Slavery, and the heel of the oppressor, when in the height of their exultation, they had' been thrust down to the lowest depths pf misery and despair, with the oppressor's heel again upon their necks. To be snatched without a moment's warning from their homes and friends, — hurried and crowded into the close slave wagon, regardless of age or sex, like sheep for the slaughter, to be carried they knew not whither ; but, doubtless to the dismal rice swamp of the South, — was to them an agony too great for endurance. The adult portion of the miserable company determined at last to go no farther with their heartless master," but to resist unto death if need be, before they surrendered themselves to the galhng chains they had so recently broken, or writhed again under the torturing lash of the slave- driver. Harry Lucas and wife, and Jane Cooper, silently prepared themselves for the conflict, determined to sell their hves as dearly as possible. When they were nearly ready to start, Jane Cooper sent her oldest daughter and younger sister, (she who is now our worthy friend Mrs. P. of Bath), into the woods, and then when the men undertook to get Lucas and the two women on board the boat the struggle commenced. The women fought the Captain and his confederates like a lioness robbed of her whelps! They ran arid dodged about, making the woods ring with their F 122 CAPT. HELM — DIVORCE — KIDNAPPING. screams and shouts of "Murder! Murder! Help! Help ! Murder ! " until the Captain's party, seeing they could do nothing to. quell them, became so exceedingly alarmed lest they should be detected in their illegal proceedings, that , they ran off at full speed, as if they thought an officer at their heels. In their hurry ;and fright they caught two of Harry's children, and throwing them into the boat, pushed off as quick as possible, amid the redoubled cries of the agonized parents and sympathizing friends, all trying in every way possible, to recover from the merciless grasp of the man-stealer, the two frightened "arid screaming children. Guns were fired and horns sounded, but all to no purpose — they held tightly the innocent victims of their cupidity, and made good their escape. Mr. D. C , a gentleman of wealth and high standing in Steuben County, became responsible for the fifty dollars which Capt. Helm promised to pay Simon Watkins for his villany in betrayirig, Judas-like, those unsuspecting persons whom it should have been his pleasure to protect and defend against their com mon oppressor, — his own as well as theirs. In addition to this rascality, it can not appear very creditable to the citizens of Steuben County, that Capt. Helm and Thomas McBirney should both hold high and important offices at the time, and after they had been tried and convicted of the crime of CAPT. HELM CONVICTED OF KIDNAPPING. 123 kidnapping. Both of these gentlemen, guilty of a State's prison offence, were judges of the common pleas". T. McBirney was first judge in the county, and Capt. Helm was side judge; and notwithstanding their participation in, and conviction of, a flagrant outrage on the laws of God and man, they managed not only to escape the penalty, but to retain their offices- and- their respectable standing in community for years after. CHAPTEE XIII. LOCATE IN THE VILLAGE OF ROCHESTER. I CONTINUED to labor in the employ of Mr. 0. Comstock, whose son, Zeno, was married during the year 1816, and purchased a farm on the site ofthe present flourishing village of Lockport, to wliich he moved his family and effects; but from a mistaken suppositiomthat the Erie Canal, which was then under contemplation, would take a more southern route, he was induced to sell his farm in Hartland, which has proved a mine of wealth to the more fortunate pur chaser. In the winter of that year, I was sent by my em ployer to Hartland with a sleigh-load of produce, arid passed through the village of Eochester, which I had never before seen. It was a very small, forbidding looking place at first sight, with few inhabitants, and surrounded by "a dense forest. I recollect that while pursuing my journey, I over- DEATH OF FATHER IN PALMYRA. 125 took a white man driving a span of horses,, who con tended that I had not a right, to travel the public high way as other men did, but that it was my place to keep behind him and his team. Being in haste I endeavored to. pass him quietly, but he would not permit it and hindered me several hours, very much to my annoy ance and indignation. This was, however, but a slight incident indicating the bitter prejudice which every man seemed to feel against the negro. No matter how industrious he might be-, no matter how honorable in his dealings, or respectful in his manners, — he was a/ "nigger," and as such he must be treated, with a few honorable exceptions. This year also, my father died in the village of Pal: myra, where, as I have before mentioned, he received injuries from which he never entirely recovered. After about six months. severfe illness which he bore with commendable patience and resignation, his spirit returned to God who gave it; and his sorrowing friends and bereaved family followed his remains to their final abode, where we laid him down to rest from unrequited labor and dire oppression, until " all they who are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live forever," where the ." tears shall be wiped from off all faces" — and wherfe the righteous bondman shall no longer fear the 'driver's lash or master's frown, but freely join in the song of "Alleluia! The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth ! " 126 LOCATE IN THE VILLAGE OF ROCHESTER. My father had a good reputation for honesty and uprightness of character among his employers and acquaintances, and was a kind, affectionate husband and a fond, indulgent parent. His, I believe was the. life and death of a good man. "Peace be to his ashes." / The following season I commenced a hew business — /that of peddling in the village of Eochester such / articles as my employer, Mr. Comstock, desired to sell: the products of his farm, — wheat, corn, oats, butter, cheese, meat, and poultry-^all of which met a ready sale, generally for cash at liberal prices. That market was then but httle known to the generahty of farmers, and the enterprising gentlemen of that place, were desirous of encouraging commerce with the surround ing country, offered every encouragement in their power. Hence, we found it a profitable business, which I. continued in for several months. The present flourishing city of Eochester was then, as I have said, but a village in its infancy, situated near the upper falls of the Genesee Eiver, arid about seven miles from its mouth. Here, some time pre viously, three gentlemen from Maryland bought a large tract of land, and as no business man could fail to observe and appreciate its rare advantages they commenced laying out a village. Sirs Fitzhugh, Car roll, and Eochester, composed the company ; but the management of the business devolved almost wholly .PEDDLE PRODUCE IN ROCHESTER. 127 on Col. Eochester, whose wealth, enterprise, and intel ligence well qualified him for the undertaking ; and as it had been assigned him to cognominate the new village, I have heard it said that he jocularly gave his reason, .for selecting its present title,- as follows: "Should he call it Fitzhuyh or Carroll, the slighted gentleman would certainly feel offended with the other;, but if he called it by his own name, they would most likely loth be arigry with him; so it was best to serve them alike." There was then two grist mills, — one owned by Mr. Ely, and the other by Mr. Brown ; one small building for rehgious worship, occupied by the Presbyterians on Carroll street (now State street) ; and but two stone buildings within what now comprises that beautiful city. There were then no brick buildings at all, but business was good; merchants and mechanics from the East soon began to settle there and give it a thriv ing aspect. \ About this time another company was formed, whose moving spirit was Mr. E. Stone, a man of worth and talent; the object of which was to locate another village at the head of navigation and about half-way between the mouth' of the river and Eoches ter, which they called Carthage. The company commenced building and improving the place so rapidly, that many who came'to purchase residences and business stations were at a loss to decide 128 LOCATE IN THE VILLAGE OF ROCHESTER. which of the two places would finally become the center of business. It, however, was soon perceivable that the advantage of water privileges, stone, and access to both, was greatly in favor of Eochester.. At Carthage the Genesee is narrow and its banks steep and abrupt, rising in many places three hundred feet above the bed of the river, wliich of - course render the privileges and business on it far less easy of _ access for building purposes. I may have occasion to speak hereafter of the expensive and magnificent bridge at Carthage, which was the wonder arid admir ation of the times. The following year I concluded- to go into busmess for myself, and was as much at loss as others, whether to locate at Eochester or Carthage ; but i after considering the matter in all its bearings, and closely watching the progress of events, my choice preponderated in favor of Eochester, and to that place I went, designing to enter into business on my own account. It was indeed painful to my feelings to leave the home and family of Mr. Comstock, where I had experienced so much real comfort and happiness, where I had ever been treated with uniform kindness, where resided those kind friends to whom I felt under the greatest obligation for the freedom and quietude 1 then enjoyed, as well as for the httle knowledge of business and of the world that I then possessed. MYSTERIOUS DEATH. 129 Thinking, however, that I could better my condition, I subdued, as well as I could, my -rising emotions, and after sincerely thanking them for their goodness and favors — wishing them long life and prosperity, — I took my departure for the chosen place of my destination. Soon after I left Mr. Comstock's, that gentleman sent his hired man, named John Cline, to Eochester with a wagon load of produce to sell, as had been his custom for some time. In vain the family looked for his return at the usual hour in the evening, and began to wonder what had detained him; but what was their horror and surprise to find, when they arose the next morning, the horses standing at the door, and the poor unfortunate man lying in the wagon J dead! How long they had been there nobody knew ; no one had heard them come in; and how the man had been killed was a matter of mere conjecture. The coroner was sent for and an inquest held, and yet it was diffi cult to solve the whole mystery. The most probable explanation was, -that he was sitting in the back part of the wagon, and fell over on uis left side, strikirig his neck on the edge of the wagon box, breaking it instantly. The verdict of the jury was, in accordance with these facts, " accidental death," &c. When I left Mr. Comstock's I had acquired quite a\ knowledge of reading, writing, arithmetic, and had made a small beginning in English grammar. F* 130 LOCATE IN THE VILLAGE OF ROCHESTER. It had been for some time a question which I found hard to decide, whether or not I should pursue my studies as I had done. IT I went into busmess as I contemplated, I knew it would end my proficiency in the sciences; and yet I felt a desire to accumu late more of the wealth that perisheth.. Considermg too that I was advancing in age, and had no means of support but by my own labor, I finally concluded to do what I have from that time to this deep ly regretted, — give up the pursuit of an education, and turn my attention wholly to business. I do not regret having desired a competency, nor" for having labored to obtain it, but I do regret not having spared myself sufficient leisure to pursue some regular system of reading and study ; to have cultivated my mind and stored it with useful knowledge. Truly has it been said, -"knowledge is power." But it is not like the withering curse of a tyrant's power ; not like the degrading and brutalizing power of the slave-driver's lash, chains, and thumb-screws; not like the beastly, demonical power of rum, nor like the brazen, shameless power of lust ; but a power that elevates and refines the intellect; directs the affections; controls unholy passions; a power so God-like in its character, that it enables its possessor to feel for the oppressed of every chme, and prepares him to defend the weak and down-trodden. What but ignorance renders the poor slave so weak ESTABLISH A MEAT MARKET. 131 and inefficient in claiming his right to liberty, and the possession of his own being ! Nor will that God who is "no respecter of persons," hold him guiltless who assumes unhmited control over his fellow. The chain of Slavery which fetters every slave south of Mason and Dixon's Line, is as closely linked arounb the master as the slave. The time has passed by when African blood alone is enslaved. In Virginia as well as in some other slave States, there is as much European blood in the veins of the enslaved as there is African ; and the increase is constantly in favor of the white population. This fact alone speaks volumes, and should remind, the slave-breeding Southerner of that fearful retribution which must sooner or later over take him. In September, 1817, I commenced business in Eochester. Having rented a room of Mr. A- Wakely, I estabhshed a meat market, which' was supphed mostly, by my former employer, Mr. Comstock, and was liberally patronized by the citizens ; but there were butchers in the village who appeared to be unwilling that I should have any share in public patronage. Sometimes they tore down my sign, at others painted" it black, and so continued to annoy me until after I had one of their number arrested, which put a stop to their unmanly ¦proceedings. The village was now rapidly increasing, and yet the surrounding country was mostly a wilderness. Mr. 132 LOCATE IN THE VILLAGE OF ROCHESTER. E. Stone, who then owned the land on the east side of the river, thought his farm a very poor one; he, however, commenced clearing it in the midst of wild- beasts and rattlesnakes,. both of which were abundant, and in a few years was richly rewarded for his labor, in the sale of village lots, which commanded high prices. .In the summer of 1818, I commenced teaching a Sabbath School for the neglected children of our oppressed race. For a while it was well attended; and I hoped to be able to benefit in some measure the poor and despised colored children, but the parents inter ested themselves very httle in the undertaking, and it shortly Came to nought. So strong was the prejudice then existing against the colored people, that very few of the negroes seemed to have any courage or am bition to rise from the abject degradation in which the estimation of the white man had placed him. This year, also, I purchased a lot of land, eighteen by fifty feet, situated on Main street, for which I was to pay five hundred dollars. Having secured my land, I began making preparations for building, and soon had a good two story dwelling and store, into which I moved my effects, and commenced a more extensive business. Some disadvantage as well as sport was occasioned On business men, who residedon the confines of On tario and Genesee Counties. It was indeed laughable QUEER FREAKS OF POOR DEBTORS. 133 to witness the races and maneuvering of parties in those days when men were imprisoned for debt. If a ' man in Ontario County had a suspicion that an officer was on his track, he had only to step over the line into Genesee, to be beyond the power of an officer's precept. A great deal of trouble as well as unpleasant feeling was engendered by the exercise of that law, which allowed the creditor so great advantage over the debtor. This, together with the fact that very many of the citizens of Eochester were men of small, means, the more wealthy portion felt called upon to protect their interests, by forming themselves into what was called a " Shyloek Society," the object of which was to obtain a list of all the names of persons who had been, or were then, on "the limits" for debt. This hst of names was printed, and each member of the society furnished with a copy, which enabled him to decide whether or not to trust a man when he came to trade. The formation of this society gave- rise to another, whose members pledged themselves- to have no dealing with a member of the " Shyloek Society," and also to publish all defaulters in "high life," which served to check these oppressive measures and restore harmony. Among others who came to settle in the thriving village of Eochester, was a colored man named Daniel Furr, who came from the East He soon became 13.4 LOCATE IN THE VILLAGE OF ROCHESTER. acquainted with a very respectable young white lady, of good family, who after a short acquaintance appeared to be perfectly enamored of her dusky swain; and notwithstanding the existing prejudice, she did not scruple to avow her affeetiori for him, — a devotion which appeared to be as sincerely returned by the young " Othello." They resolved to marry ; but to this, serious objections arose, and all that the lady's family and friends could do to break off the match was done, but without effect. They could, however, prevail on no one to perform the marriage ceremony in the village, and finally concluded to go to a magistrate in the town of Brighton, four miles distant. At this stage of the proceedings I. was appealed to, to accompany them. I took the matter into consideration and came to the conclusion that I could take no active part in the affair, nor bear any responsible station in the unpleasant occurrence. Is it no sin in the sight of the Almighty, for Southern gentlemen (?) to mix blood and amalgamate the races? And if allowed to them, is it not equally justifiable when the commerce is prompted by affection rather than that of lust and force ? But I at length consented to accompany them, after learning that all the mischief was already done that could be feared, and that the gallant lover desired to marry the lady as the only atonement he could make for the loss of her repu tation. AN UNFORTUNATE MARRIAGE. 135 We arrived at the house of the magistrate about one o'clock at night, and all were soundly sleeping. They were, however, aroused, and when our business was made known, an exciting scene followed. The magis trate refused at first to marry them ; and the lady of the house took aside the intended bride, spending two hours in endeavoring to dissuade her from the contem plated union ; assuring her that her house should be freely opened ^ to her, that no attention should be spared during her expected confinement, &c; but all to no purpose. They returned to the parlor where the magistrate again tried his power of persuasion, but with as little success as his lady had met: and then he reluctantly married them. The newly-made husband paid a liberal fee, and we took our leave. I returned to my home to reflect on the scenes of the past night, and Mr. and Mrs. Furr to the house of a friend of the bride in Pen-field. The report soon reached the village that the mar riage had been consummated, which produced a great excitement. Threats of an alarming character were openly made against the "nigger" who had dared to marry a white woman, although at her own request And there was also a class of persons who associated together, professing great friendship for the persecuted husband, and often drew him into their eompany, pre tending to defend his cause while they were un doubtedly plotting his destruction. 136 LOCATE IN THE VILLAGE OF ROCHESTER. One day, after Furr had been drinking rather freely with his pretended friends, he was taken so violently ill, that a physician was immediately called. I was with him when the doctor arrived. He gazed upon the suffering man with an angry expression, and inquired in a tone of command, "Daniel, what have you been doing ? " In vain the poor creature begged for relief, the doctor merely repeating his question. After looking at him for some time, he finally admin istered a potion and hastily left the room, saying as he did so, " that Furr vAs as sure to die as though his head had been cut off." And so it proved, though not so speedily as the medical man had predicted; nor did he ever visit him again, notwithstanding he lingered for several days in the most intense agony. It was a strong man grappling with disease and death, and the strife was a fearful one. But death at last ended the scene, with none of all his professed friends, except his faithful but heart-broken wife, to administer to his necessities. No sound save that of the moaning widow broke the stillness of his death-chamber. A few friends collected, who prepared the emaciated r body for the grave; enclosing it in a rude board coffin it was conveyed to its last resting place, followed by three or four men, just as the shades of evening had fallen upon this sin-cursed world ; there in darkness and silence we lowered his remains, and left the gloomy spot to return to his disconsolate wife, who had been too ill to join the meager procession. HEARTLESS PERSECUTION. 137 It has ever been my conviction that Furr was poisoned, most likely by some of his false friends who must have mingled some deadly drug with his drinks or food ; nor do I believe that the medicine adminis tered by the physician was designed to save his life. But to Him who knoweth -all things, we leave the matter. His despised, forsaken, and bereaved wife soon fol lowed him to the grave, where she sleeps quietly with her innocent babe by her side ; and where probably this second Desdemonia finds the only refuge which would have been granted her" by a heartless and persecuting world. Oh, when will this nation "cease to do evil and learn to do well ? " When will they judge character in accordance with its moral excellence, instead of the complexion a man unavoidably bears to the world ? CHAPTEE XIV. INCIDENTS IN ROCHESTER AND VICINITY. AFTEE long petitioning, the inhabitants of that section succeeded in having the new county of Monroe set off from Geriesee and Ontario Counties, in 1821, which gave a new- impulse to the business interests of the already flourishing town, which had heretofore labored under some disadvantages in conse quence of having all pubhc business done at Canan daigua or Batavia. About this time, too, was the Carthage bridge built by a company of enterprising gentlemen of that village, which at that day was considered one of the wonders of the age ; but as its history is well known to all interested in the enterprises of those days, it is only necessary to say, that the magnificent structure, so grand in its appearance, such a pattern of mechan ical ingenuity, exhibiting in all its vast proportions, both strength and beauty, combined with utility and FALL OF CARTHAGE BRIDGE. 139 grandeur ; and erected at such an enormous expense of time, labor, and cash, was destined soon to fall. It had cost some ten thousand dollars; and had been warranted by the builders to stand one year. How great then must have been the loss and disap pointment when in a httle more than twenty-four hours after the time specified, the ruins of that beauti ful structure were found floating on the broad bosom of the Genesee ! And yet when we take into consider ation the vast amount of human life which hourly • passed over its solid surface, we can but wonder at the intervention of a kind Providence which prevented any loss of life at the time of its fall. A child had but just passed over it, when with one general crash it" sank to the waters below ; mocking in its rapid flight, the wisdom of the architect and foresight of frail humanity. The fall of Carthage bridge was indeed a calamity felt by the public generally, and sounded the death-knell of all future greatness to Carthage, or at least for some years to come. About this time the village was thrown into a state of excitement by the arrest of a colored woman named Ellen, who it was charged had escaped from -service due to a Mr. D., south of Mason and Dixon's Line. She had been arrested in accordance with a law passed by Congress in 1793, which forbids persons owing service in one State to flee to another ; and which also obliges those receiving such service, to render to the 140 INCIDENTS IN ROCHESTER AND VICINITY.. claimant any fugitive from labor due, &c. Poor Ellen ! She had many friends and able counsel, -but nothing short of an open violation of the law of the land, could- prevent her return to the house of bondage. She was tried and given up to him who claimed dominion over her. -Hopeless and heart-broken, she- was escorted from- the boasted land arid village of freedom, by a company of the "Light Horse," under the command of Capt. "Curtis. One poor, persecuted slave woman, upon whose heart had fallen. a shadow darker than death's ; driving every earthly hope of liberty from her wounded spirit7; helpless and forlorn ! She indeed must have required this military parade— - this show of power ! And that too, by men who throw up their caps with a shout for freedom and equal rights I Oh, " consistency, thou art a jewel !'" As I recollect but one other incident of the kind occurring in Eochester, I will now name it A colored man named Davis, generally known as "Doctor Davis," with a reputation unsullied for indus try, truth and sobriety, was arrested as a fugitive from slave labor in Kentucky. Two men came on from that State, acting in the double capacity of agents for the claimant and witnesses against the slave. They em ployed Mr. L. as counsel, and hastened on the trial of the afflicted African. When it became generally kncwn that Davis was arrested, and about to be tried, the excitement grew intense among all classes; but ARREST OF A ' FUGUTIVE SLAVE." 141 more particularly among the colored people. When the trial came on, the Court room was crowded to overflowing, -and every avenue leading to it densely thronged with deeply anxious persons, assembled to witness the result. It became evident, however," that the poor man must be given up to his grasping master, unless some means were devised to rescue him from the power of an unjust law. His friends were on the alert, and as the trial proceeded, the colored men found , an opportunity to get him into a corner of the crowded apartment ; where, while the officers stood at the door, they dressed him in disguise, and otherwise so com pletely changed his personal appearance, that he passed out of the Court room, undetected by the officers, and as all supposed was safely "pursuing his way to Canada. The hawk-eyed counsel for the Kentuckians, how ever, too soon observed exultation written on every dusky countenance, to keep quiet. Starting to his feet in great alarm, he cried out " Where is Davis ? " And oh, how that question startled every one present. Every eye gazed hither and thither, and every ear intently listened for the answer. After a moment of breathless _sileri*ce, the excited counsellor was assured -that the "bird had flown," which announcement was received with a rapturous shout- bf joy by the audi ence, greatly, however, to the discomfiture of the gentlemen iron! Kentucky, who had thought them- 142 INCIDENTS IN ROCHESTER AND VICINITY. selves so sure of their prize. Nor would they be thwarted now. It was not yet too late to overtake their victim, and slavery required at their hands a sacrifice which they were ready to make. Hand-bills were in immediate circulation, offering a reward of fifty dollars for the apprehension of the. flying fugitive. Fifty dollars, for the body and soul of a man to plunge into the degradation of Slavery ! Fifty dollars for the ruin of a, fellow being, for whom Christ gave his precious hfe!' Yes, fifty dollars are offered to any human blood-hound who will hunt and worry the poor slave, who must fly from this boasted land of liberty, to seek protection in the dominion of Eng land's Queen! Unfortunately for Davis, some of these hand-bills were thrown on board the very packet on which he had embarked for Buffalo ; nor was this all. The bills would have left him uninjured, but a scoundrel — an apology for a man — was there also, who, for the con sideration of fifty dollars was willing to compromise all- pretensions to manhood and humanity, and drag from the boat the panting slave, whom he cast beneath the heel of bis oppressor. When Davis was finally retaken, those Kentucky dealers in human chattels, held him with a grasp that banished all hope of escape by flight; and then in his sorrow and despair the wretched, hopeless man cried out *' Oh, my God, must I return to the hell of Slavery ? Save me, Oh, dear ESCAPE, RE-ARREST, AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. 148 Lord, save this, thy helpless, friendless servant, from a fate so dreadful! Oh, Christian friends and neigh bors, I appeal to you to rescue me from a life far more terrible than. death in. any form ! Oh, God, is there no protection for me in the laws of New York ? I claim it, by all that is sacred in her past history ! Give me hberty or death! or death!" he repeated, with a shudder ; then, casting one glance of hopeless agony on his persecutors, he secretly drew from his pocket a razor, and before he could be prevented he drew it across his throat, and fell gasping in the midst of his slave-hunting tormentors, while a collection of by standers cried " Shame ! shame ! on the institution of Slavery!" Poor Davis was not dead, but supposing he soon would be, these gentlemen were requested to give security, and indemnify the town for all expenses it might incur on Davis' account. But instead of giving their bond as requested, they took a sudden start for Kentucky, where it was very generally desired they might remain. With good treatment, Davis, after a long time, re covered sufficiently to be removed by his friends to a place of safety ; and when so far restored as to be able he returned to Eochester, where he received assistance which enabled him to reach Canada^ I have often heard from him. during his residence in that country, where no slaves exist and he has done well, having' 144- INCIDENTS IN ROCHESTER AND VICINITY. quite an extensive practice in medicine, and lives in the quiet enjoyment of that hberty which he struggled so hard to obtain and came so near losing ; yet, to this day he prefers death to Slavery. And who does not '{. None, who have breathed the air of freedom after an experience of unrequited toil to enrich a brutal and selfish master. Truly is it said, "a contented slave is a degraded being." CHAPTEE XV. SAD REVERSES OF CAPT. HELM. I MUST again introduce tp the kind reader my old master, Capt Helm, who we left residing in Bath, several years ago. And as I have before inti mated he had now become a very poor man ; indeed so reduced was he now that he Hved with one of his slave women, and was supported by pubHc charity ! Learning, too, that I had saved by my industry a few hundred dollars, it seemed very congenial with his avaricious habits to endeavor to- obtain what I pos sessed. In accordance with his plan he employed a lawyer named Lewland to come to my place of busi ness, wliich he did, and demanded of me to pay Capt. Helm two hundred dollars. He also left a notice, forbidding all persons to take or destroy any- property in my possession ; and then impudently inquired how I expected to gain my freedom ; if I thought of applying for a writ of habceus corpus; and many G 146 SAD REVERSES OF CAPT HELM. other questions; to which I replied that I should pay no money on the order of Capt Helm; apply for no writ; but should continue to maintain my personal rights and enjoy the freedom which was already mine, and wliich I designed to keep, assuring bim that the Captain had forfeited his claim, if he had any, to me or my services, when he hired me to Mr. Tower. He hung about me for a day or two, and then left me to pursue my business — I saw no more of him. Some time afterward Mr. H. E. Eochester informed me that he had a subpoena for me, which I found' was issued by the 'direction of Capt. Helm. By Mr. Eochester's counsel, I took it to Mr. A. Sampson, who assured me that my old master had commenced a suit against me in the Court of Equity, and the case would be tried before Wm. B. Eochester, Esq., who was one of the circuit judges. Capt. Helm claimed every particle of property I possessed ; a claim that occasioned rite great anxiety and some cost. Mr. Sampson encouraged me to hope, however, that the case would be dismissed as two other cases of that kind had been. I labored to the best of my ability to prepare myself for the trial, which was to decide whether I had a right to possess myself" and command my own services and earnings, or whether all belonged to Capt. Helm. As I looked forward with anxious" forebodings to the day appointed for the suit to commence, I was DEATH OF CAPT. HELM. 147 startled by the announcement pf my old master's death ! Yes, Capt. Helm was dead ; and with him died the law suit. He who had so wronged me; who had occasioned me so much suffering and sorrow had gone to his account. He who had once been thought to be one of the wealthiest as well as one of the greatest men in the .county, died a pauper — neglected and despised, and scarcely awarded a decent burial. Like his wife, who died such a horrid death, he had been reared in affluence and was an inheritor of vast possessions, but his home was iri a slave State ; he was raised on a plantation, arid nurtured in the atmosphere of Slavery. In his youth he had contracted the habit of drinking to excess, beside that of gambling, horse-racing and the like, which foHowed him through life. x Forgotten and scorned in his poverty by many who had partaken of his abundance, sipped his wine, and rode his fast horses. During the last war his princely mansion was ever open to the officers of the army, arid many a wounded soldier has been cheered and comforted by his hospi-' tality. But now he is regarded as no better' than his poorest slave, and Hes as lowly as thgy, in the narrow house appointed for all the living. My old master had two brothers: the oldest, Thomas Helm, was a Captain in the United States Army, and had been in many hard-fought battles. His younger 148 SAD REVERSES OF CAPT. HELM. brother, WilHam, Was a Captain also ; but Thomas was the man to awaken curiosity. I- have 'Hved with him, but never knew of his going unarmed for an hour, until he left Virginia and came to. Steuben County, where he died. Wheri at the South, I have seen strangers approach him, but they were invariably commanded to " stand" and to " approach him at their peril." He finally came to the State of New York, bringing with him his "woman" with whom he lived, and two children, with whom he settled on a piece of land given him by my old master, where the old soldier lived, died, and was buried on one of- his smaH " clearings" under an old apple tree. He owned a few slaves, but at his death his " woman" coUected every thing she could, and among the rest, two or three slave children, to whom she had no right or claim whatever, and made her way to Kentucky. - About a year ago I visited the spot . where the brave old defender of his country had been buried, but found very little to mark the Testing place of the brother of my old master. They had passed away. . Their wealth, power and bravery had come to nought; and no tribute was now paid to the memory of one of "Old Virginia's best families." The blood of which they were wont to boast, was now no more reVered than that which commingled with the African and circulated in the veins of his despised and. down trodden slaves. CHAPTEE XVI. BRITISH EMANCIPATION OF SLAVERY. AS time passed on I found myself progressing in a profitable business. I had paid for my house and' lot, and purchased another adjoining, on which I had- erected a valuable brick building. The Lord . prospered all my undertakings and I felt grateful for my goodv fortune. I kept- all kinds of groceries and grain, which met a ready sale; and now I -began to look about me for a partner in life, to share my joys and sorrows, and to assist me on through the tempestuous scenes of a life-long voyage. -Such a companion I found in the intelligent and amiable Miss B , to whom I was married on the eleventh of May, 1825. She was t*he youngest daughter of a particular friend, who had traveled extensively arid was noted for his honesty and intelligence. About this time, too, "Sam Patch" made his last and fatal leap from a scaffold twenty five feet above 150 BRITISH EMANCIAPATION OF SLAVERY. the falls of Genesee, wliich are ninety-six feet in height. From thence he plunged into the foaming river to rise no" more in life. The foUowing spring the body of the foolish man was found and buried, after having lain several months in the turbulent waters of the Genesee. This year was also rendered memorable by the efficient labors of Professor Finney, through whose faithful preaching of the gospel, many were, brought to a saving knowledge of the truth. The " Emancipation Act" had now been passed, and the happy time for it to take effect was drawing nigh. Slavery could no longer exist in the Empire State nor jreceive the protection of her laws. Would to God it had so continued to be what it professed — the refuge of the bondman and the home of the free. But alas ! Now the flying fugitive from Slavery finds no security within her borders-; he must flee onward, to the dominion of Queen Victoria, ere he rests, lest the exaction of the odious " Fugitive Slave Law" return him to the house of bondage. But the Emancipation BiU had been passed, and the colored people felt it to be a time fit for rejoicing. They met iri different places and determined to evince their gratitude by a gerieral celebration. In Eochester they convened in large numbers, and resolved to celebrate the glorious day of freedom at Johnson's Square, on the fifth day of July. This arrangement' GREAT CELEBRATION. 151 was made so as not to interfere with the white popula tion who were everywhere celebrating the day of their independence — " the Glorious Fourth," — for amid the general and joyous shout of liberty, prejudice had sneeringly raised the finger of scorn at the poor African, whose iron bands were loosed, not only from EngHsh oppression, but the more cruel and oppressive power of Slavery. They met according to previous appointment, Mr. A. H , having been chosen president, Mr. H. E , marshal, and Mr. H. D , reader of the "Act of Emancipation," and "The Declaration of Independence." A large audience of both white and colored people assembled, and the day which had been ushered in by the booming cannon, passed by in the joyous realization that we were indeed free men. To the music of the band the large procession marched from the square to the hotel, where ample provision was made for dinner, after listening to the foUowing oration, which,. I had been requested to deliver. I must not omit to mention that on the morning of that happy day, a committee of colored men waited upon the Hon. Matthew Brown, and in behalf of the citizens of Monroe County, presented their thanks for his noble exertions in the Legislature, in favor of the Act by which thousands were made free men. They were received by that worthy gentlemen 152 BRITISH EMANCIPATION OF SLAVERY. with grateful and pleasing assurances of his continued labor in behalf of freedom. Now I wUl lay before the reader my address to the audience on that eventful day. CHAPTEE XVII ORATION — TERMINATION OF SLAVERY. THE age in which we live is characterised in no ordinary degree, by a certain boldness and rapidity in the march of intellectual and political improvements. Inventions the most surprising; re volutions the most extraordinary, are springing forth, and passing in quick succession before us, — aU tending most clearly to the advancement of mankind towards that state of earthly perfection and happiness, from which they are yet so far distant, but of which their nature and that of the world they inhabit, are most certainly capable. It is at all times pleasing and in structive to look backward by the light of history, and forward by the Hght of analogical reasoning, to behold the gradual advancement of man from barbarism to civilization, from civiHzation toward the higher perfec tions of his nature ; and to hope — nay, confidently be lieve, that the time is not far distant wnen hberty and G* ' . 154 ORATION. equal rights being everywhere established^ morality and the religion of the gospel everywhere diffused, — man shall no longer Hft his hand for the oppression of his fellow marl; but all, mutuaUy assisting and as- sited, shaU move ottward throughout the journey of human life, like the peaceful caravan across the burn ing sands of Arabia. And never, on this glorious anniversary, so often and so deservedly celebrated by millions of free men, but wliich we are to-day for the first time called to celebrate — never before, has the eye been able to survey the past with so much satis- action, or the future with hopes and expectations so brilHant and so flattering; it is to us a day of two-fold joy. We are men, though the strong hand of preju dice and oppression is upon us; we can, and we will rejoice in the advancement of the rapidly increasing happiness of mankind, and especially of our own race. We can, and we will rejoice in the growing power and glory of the country we inhabit. Although Almighty God has not permitted us to remain in the land of our forefathers and our own, the glories of national independence, and the sweets of civfl and reli gious Hberty, to their full extent ; but the strong hand of the spofler has borne us into a strange land, yet has He of His great goodness given us to behold those best and noblest of his gifts to man, in their fairest and lovehest forms ; and not only have we beheld them, but we have already felt much of their benig- TERMINATION OF SLAVERY. 155 nailt influence. Most of us have hitherto enjoyed many, very many of the dearest rights of freemen. Our Hves and personal liberties have been held as sacred and inviolable ; the rights of property have been extended to us, in this land of freedom ; our industry has been, and still is, HberaUy rewarded; and so long as we Hve under a free and happy govern ment which denies us not the protection of its laws, why should we fret and vex ourselves because we have had no part in framing them, nor anything to do with their administration. When the fruits of the earth are fully afforded us, we do not wantonly refuse them, nor ungratefully repine because we have done nothing towards the cultivation of the tree which pro duces them. No, we accept them with Hvely gratitude; and their sweetness is not embittered by reflecting upon he manner in which they were obtained. It is the dictate of sound wisdom, then, to enjoy without repining, the freedom, privileges, and immunities which wise and equal laws have awarded us — nay, proudly to rejoice and glory in jtheir production, and stand ready at all times to defend them at the hazard of our lives, and of all that is most dear to us. But are we alone shut out and excluded from any share in the administration of government ? Are not the clergy, a class of men equally ineligible to office? A class of men almost idolized by their countrymen, ineligible to office ! And are we alone 156 ORATION. excluded from what the world chooses to denominate pohte society ? And are not a vast majority of the polar race excluded ? I know not why, but mankind ¦ of every age, nation, and complexion have had lower classes; and, as a distinction, they have chosen to arrange themselves in the grand spectacle of human life, hke seats in a theater— rank above rank, with intervals between them. But if any suppose that hap piness or contentment is confined to any single class, or. that the high or more splendid order possesses any substantial advantage in those respects over their iriore lowly brethren, they must be whoUy ignorant of all rational enjoyment. For what though the more humble orders cannot mingle with the higher on terms of equaHty. This, if rightly considered, is not a curse but a blessing. Look around you, my friends : what rational enjoyment is not within your reach? Your homes are in the noblest country in the world, and aU of that country which your real happiness requires, may at any time be yours. Your industry can purchase it; and its righteous laws wiH secure you in its possession. But, to what, my friends, do you owe /all these blessings ? Let not the truth be concealed. ( ( You owe them to that curse, that bitter scourge of 1 \ Africa, whose partial abolishment you are this day / convened to celebrate. Slavery has been your curse, but it shaU become your rejoicing. Like the people of God in Egypt, you have been afflicted; but Hke TERMINATION OF SLAVERY. 157 them too, you have been redeemed. You are hence forth free as the mountain winds. Why should we, on this day of congratulation and joy, turn our view upon the origin of African Slavery ? Why should we harrow up our minds by dwelling on the deceit, the forcible fraud and treachery that have been so long practised on your hospitable and unsuspecting countrymen? Why speak. of fathers torn from the bosom of their families, wives from the embraces of their husbands, children from the protection of their parents j in fine, of all the tender and endearing relations of life dissolved and trampled under foot, by the accursed traffic in human flesh ? Why should we remember, in joy and exultation, the thousands of-our countrymen who are to-day, in this land of gospel Hght, this boasted land of civil and religious liberty, writhing under the lash and groaning beneath the grinding weight of Slavery's chain ? I ask, Al mighty God, are they who do such things thy chosen and favorite people ? But, away with such thoughts as these; we will rejoice, though sobs interrupt tbe songs of our rejoicing, and tears mingle in the cup we pledge to Freedom ; our harps though they have long hung neglected upon the wdlows, shall this day be strung fuU high to the notes of gladness. On this day, in one member at least of this mighty EepubHc, the Slavery of our race has ceased forever ! No more shall the insolent voice of a master be the main-spring 158 ORATION of our actions, the sole guide of our conduct; no more shall thers hands labor in degrading and profitless servitude. Their toils wid henceforth be voluntary, and be crowned with the never failing reward of industry. Honors arid dignities may. perhaps never be ours ; but wealth, virtue, and happiness are all within the compass of our moderate exertions. And how shaU we employ a few moments better than in -reflect ing upon the means by which these are to be obtained. For what can be more proper and more profitable to one who has just gained ari invaluable treasure, than to consider how he may use it to the best possible advantage? And here I need not teU you that a strict observance to aU the precepts of the gospel ought to be your first and highest aim ', for small wiU be the value of all that the present world can bestow, if the interests of the world to come are neglected arid despised. None of you can be ignorant of what the gospel teaches. Bibles may easUy be obtained; "nor can there "be a greater disgrace, or a more shameful neglect of duty than" for a person of mature age, and much more, for any father of a fanrily to be without that most precious of aU books— the Bible. If, there fore, any of you are destitute of a Bible, hasten to procure one. WiU any of you say that it can be of no use to you, or that you cannot read it? Look then to that noblest of all remedies for this evd, the Sunday School — that most useful of all institutions. TERMINATION OF SLAVERY. 159 There you may leam without loss of time or money, that of which none should be ignorant — to read. Let me exhort you with earnestness to give your most sincere attention to this matter. It is of the utmost importance to every one of you. Let your next object be to obtain as soon as may be, a compe tency of the good things of this world; immense wealth is not necessary for- you, and would but diminish your real happmess. Abject poverty is and ought to be regarded as the greatest, most terrible of all possible evils. It should be shunned as a most deadly and damning sin. What then are the means by which so dreadful a calamity may be avoided? I wiH tell you, my friends, in these simple words — hear and ponder on them ; write them upon the tablets of your memory; they are worthy to be inscribed in letters of gold upon every door-post — "industry, pru dence, and economy." Oh ! they are words of power to guide you to respectabUity and happiness. Attend, then, to some of the laws which industry impose, whUe you have health and strength. Let not the rising sun behold you sleeping or indolently lying upon your beds. Eise ever with the morning light ; and, tUl sun-set, give not an hour to idleness. Say not human nature cannot endure it. It can — it almost requires it. Sober, dUi gent, and moderate labor does not diminish it, but on the contrary, greatly -adds to the health, vigor, and duration of the human frame. Thousands of the" 160 ORATION. human race have died prematurely of disease engen dered by indolence and inactivity. Few, very- few indeed, have suffered by the too lorig continuance of bodily exertion. As you give the day to labor, so devote the night to rest ; for who that has drunk and reveled aU night at a tippling shop, or wandered about in search of impious and stolen pleasures, has not by so doing not only committed a most heinous and damning sin in the sight of Heaven, but rendered himself whoUy unfit for the proper discharge of the duties of the coming day. Nor think that industry or true happi ness do not go hand in hand; and to bim who is engaged^in some useful avocation, time flies delight fully and rapidly away. He does not, like the idle and indolent man, number the slow hours with sighs — cursing both himself and them for the tardiness of their flight. Ah, my friends, it is utterly impossible for him who wastes time in idleness, ever to know anything of true happiness. Indolence, poverty, wretchedness, are inseparable companions, — fly them, shun idleness, as from eminent and inevitable destruc tion. Lu vain wiU you labor unless prudence and economy preside over and direct aU your exertions. Eemember at aU times that money even in your own hands, is power; with it you may direct as you wul the actions of your pale, proud brethren. Seek after and amass it then, by just and honorable means ; and once in your hand never part with it but for a fuU and TERMINATION OF SLAVERY. 161 fair equivalent ; nor let that equivalent be something which you do not want, and for which you cannot obtain more than it cost you. Be watchful and dih gent and let your mind be fruitful in devises for the honest advancement of your worldly interest. So shaU you continually rise in respectabUity, in rank and standing in this so late and so long the land of your captivity. Above all things refrain from the excessive use of ardent spirits. There is no evil whose progress is so imperceptible ; and at the same time so sure and deadly, as that of intemperance ; and by slow degrees it under mines health, wealth, and happiness, till all at length tumble into one dreadful mass of ruin. If God has given you children, he has in so doing imposed upon you a most fearful responsibUity; beheve me, friends, you wUl answer to God for every misfortune suffered, and every crime committed by them which right education and example could have taught them to avoid. Teach them reverence and obedience to tbe laws both of God and man. Teach them sobriety, temperance, justice, and truth. Let their ralnds be rightly instructed — imbued with kindness and brother ly love, charity, and benevolence. Let them possess at least so much learning as is to be acquired in the common schools of the country. In short, let their welfare be dearer to you than any earthly enjoyment; so shall they be the richest of earthly blessings. 162 ORATION. My countrymen, let us henceforth remember that we are men. Let us as one man, on this day resolve that henceforth, by continual endeavors to do good to all mankind, we wUl claim for ourselves the attention and respect which as men we should possess. So shaU every good that can be the portion of man, be ours — this life shaU be happy, and the life to come," glorious. The opinion of the pubhc regarding the celebration and performances of ' that day, together with the behavior of the colored people, will be seen bythe following short extract from the Eochester Daily Adver tiser] published soon after the occurrence of those events : "ABOLITION of slavery. " The extinction of that curse by the laws of our State, was marked with appropriate rejoicings on the part of the African race in this neighborhood. A procession of considerable length and respectable appearance, preceded by a band of music, moved from Brown's Island through the principal streets to the public square, yesterday forenoon, where a stage and seats were erected, for the speakers and audience. The throne of Grace was addressed. by the Eev. Mr. AUen, a -colored clergyman. The act declaring aU TERMINATION OF SLAVERY. 163 slaves free in this State, on the fourth day of July, 1827, was read, which was succeeded by the reading of the Declaration of Independence and delivery of an oration by Mr. Steward. We have heard but one opinion from several gentlemen who were present, and that was highly complimentary to the composition and delivery of the same. " The exercises were concluded by. a short discourse from the Eev. Mr. Allen, and the procession moved off to partake of an entertainment prepared for the occasion. The thing was got up in good order, and passed off, remarkably well. The conduct of the emancipated race was exemplary throughout, and if their future enjoyment of freedom be tinctured with the prudence that characterised their celebration of its attainment, the country wiU have no reason to mourn the philanthropy that set them free." Thus ended our first public celebration of our own and our country's freedom. AU conducted themselves with the strictest propriety and decorum, retiring to their homes soberly and in proper season. CHAPTEE XVIII. CONDITION OF FREE COLORED PEOPLE. PURSUANT to a caU given in the summer of 1830, by the colored residents of PhUadelphia, for a National Convention of their race, I started, in company with a friend to attend it; having previously engaged seats inside Mr. Coe's stage-coach as far as Utica, N. Y., to which place we had paid our fare the same as other passengers. We rode on to Auburn very pleasantly, but when at that place, we with others moved to resume our seats; we were met by a stern rebuke for presuming to seat ourselves on the inside, and were ordered to ride on the outside of the coach. In vain we expos tulated in vain we rerriinded the driver of the agreement, and of our having paid for an inside seat ; we were told to take the outside of the coach or remain behind. Desiring to attend the convention, we concluded to go ATTEND COLORED NATIONAL CONVENTION. 165 on, submitting to this rank- injustice and dishonesty, until our return, when we determined to sue the pro prietor of that line of stages. An opportunity was offered soon after, when I commenced a suit for damages against Mr. Sherwood, who was the great stage proprietor of those days. He, however, cleared himself by declaring that he was in no way responsible for the faUures of Mr. Coe, to whom I must look for remuneration. I never found it convenient to sue Mr. Coe, and so the matter ended. We passed through New York City to the place of our destination, where we found many of our brethren already assembled. PhUadelphia, which I now saw for the first time, I thought the most beautiful and regularly laid out city I ever beheld. Here had lived the peaceable, just, and merciful WilHam Penn ; and here many of his ad herents still reside. Here, too, was the place where the Et. Eev. Bishop Allen,, the first colored American bishop in the United States, had labored so success fully. When the Methodists sought to crush by cruel prejudice the poor African, he stepped boldly, forward in defence of their cause, which he sustained with a zeal and talent ever to be revered. Thousands were brought to a knowledge of the truth, and induced "to seek first the kingdom pf heaven and its- righteousness," through his instrumen tality. Through the benign influence of this good 166 CONDITION OF FREE COLORED PEOPLE. man, friends and means were- raised for his poor brethren, to build houses of worship, where -they would no more be dragged from their knees when in prayer, and told to seat themselves by the door. Oh, how much good can one good and faithful man do, when devoted' to the cause of humanity— foUowing in the footsteps of the blessed Christ; doing unto others as they "would be done by ; and remembering those in bonds as bound with them. What though his skin be black as ebony, if the heart of a brother beats in his bosom ? Oh, that man could: judge of character as does our Heavenly Father ; then would he judge righteous judgirient, and cease to look haughtily down upon his afflicted feUow, because "his skin is colored not Hke his own" We convened at the specified time, arid organized by appointing Eev. E. AUen, president, A. Steward, vice-president, and J. C. TMorreU, secretary. The convention which continued iri session three days, was largely attended by all classes of people, arid many interesting subjects were ably discussed; but the most prominent object was the elevation of our race. Eesolutions were passed calculated to encourage our brethren to take some action on the subjects of education and mechanism. Agricultural pursuits were also recommended ; — and here allow me to give: my opinion in favor of the latter, as a means of suste nance and real happiness. AGRICULTURE PREFERABLE TO SERFDOM. 167 I knew many colored farmers, all of whom are well respected in the neighborhood of their residence. I wish I could count them by hundreds ; but our people mostly flock to cities where they allow themselves to be made "hewers of wood and drawers of water;" barbers and waiters, — when, if they would but retire to the country and purchase a piece of land, cultivate and improve it, they would be far richer and happier than they can be in the crowded city. It is a mistaken idea that there is more prejudice against color in the country. True, it exists everywhere, but I regard it less potent in the country, where a farmer can Hve less dependant on his oppressors. The sun wiU shine, the rains deseend, and the earth bring forth her increase, just as readily for the colored agriculturist as for his pale face neighbor. Yes, and our common mother Earth wUl, when life is ended, as readily open her bosom to receive your remains in a last embrace, as that of the haughty scorner of our rights. In the city, however, there is no escape from the crushing weight of prejudice, to ramble over fields of your own cultivation ; to forget your sorrows in the refreshing air that waves the loaded branches of an orchard of your own planting ; nor to solace yourself with a gambol over the greeri meadow with your Httle ones. It is all toU, -tofl, with a burthened heart until shadows fall across the hearth -stone, and dismal fore bodings darken the fireside, from whence the weary 168 CONDITION OF FREE COLORED PEOPLE. wife retires to refresh herself in broken slumber for the renewed toU of another day. WUl not my friends think. of these and many other advantages in favor of a country Hfe, and practice accordingly ? After the close of the convention, I returned to my business in Eochester. UntU the discussion, which commenced about this time on the subject of temperance, I had been engaged, as most other grocers were at that time, in the sale of spirituous liquors somewhat extensively. My attention had never before been caUed especiaUy to the subject, though I had witnessed some of its direst evUs ; but now, when I saw the matter in its true hght, I resolved to give it up. I was doing weU and making hand some profits on the sale of alcoholic beverages. I had also experienced a good deal of trouble with it. My Hcense aUowed me to seU any quantity less than five gallons; but it was a fine of twenty-five dollars if drunk on the premises, — one half of the sum to go to the complainant. If a vicious man got out of funds it became both easy and common for him to give some person a sixpence, half of which was to be spent for whisky, which made him a witness for the other, who would make immediate complaint, and coUect his share of the fine. Nor could I prevent men who came with bottles, and purchased whisky, from drinking it where they pleased ; consequently I was often caUed to answer to such complaints. ABANDON THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC. 169 One morning a man entered my store and called for liquor, which the clerk gave him. After drinking it, he went directly to the office of A. House, Esq., and entered a complaint against the clerk who had served him ; then stepped out for consultation with his coun sel. At that moment I arrived at the office of the magistrate to whom I immediately made complaint against myself, relating to him also just how the event happened. In a few minutes the original com plainant returned, to whom 'Squire House explained that he should have arraigned the proprietor of the store, and not the clerk as he had done. Determined on making a speculation, however, he demanded a precept for myself. The 'Squire, laughing most heartily, informed him that he was too late, — that Mr. Steward had the start of him, having just entered a complaint against himself, by which he saves one half of the fine. The man walked out, looking rather " cheap," nor did he or others annoy me afterwards by making complaints of that kind. But now I saw, as never before, the sin of selling that which would make beasts of men, and only stopped to inquire what was duty in the matter. AU the arguments in favor of its sale were more forcible then than now. AU classes of persons used and drank the article ; and it required more moral courage, to relinquish the business than it does now. Neverthe less, it appeared plain to my mind, that duty to God H 170 CONDITION OF FREE COLORED PEOPLE. and my fellow-men required it, and I cheerfully gave it up forever. I could not conscientiously, nor do I see how any man can, continue to traffic in this most fruitful source of pauperism and crime. No benefit whatever arises from its use as a beverage or from its sale. It is a curse to the drinker, to the seUer, and to the com munity. Those who are Hcensed venders take from the government fifty dollars for every one put into the treasury. The money paid for Hcenses is a very meager compensation for the beggary, crime, and bloodshed which rum produces. All who have any knowledge of the statistics of the State, or of our prison and police records know, that intemperance has done more to fill the prisons, work-houses, alms-houses, and asylums of the State than aU other influences combined ; and yet men uphold the traffic. Their favors are for those who love its use and sale, and their anathemas for him who is striving to save a nation of drunkards from swift destruction ; yea, their own sires, sons, and brothers from the grave of the inebriate. When in Eochester a short time since, soliciting subscribers for this work, I stepped into a distillery and asked a man to subscribe for it. He hesitated in his decision until he took a tumbler and filling it with brandy, invited me to drink. I thanked him, saying I never drink brandy. " Never drink ! " he growled, REFLECTIONS ON INTEMPERANCE. 171 "then I tell you, sir, that you stand a much better chance of bemg struck by Hghtning than of getting a subscriber here." Oh, very well; most likely had he agreed to take a copy, he would have been sorely displeased with my views of the liquor traffic, and perhaps with the compliment I have here paid him. But in the foregoing remarks I have said but a tithe of what my heart feels, when I think of the sufferings occasioned by drunkenness. Even the cup of the burthened slave, writhing in his chains and toiling under, the lash, is not full of bitterness until the demon rum throws in its dregs and fills it to overflowing. How often does it occur that a passionate master, heated with wine, — mad with himself and all about him, pours out his vengeful ire on the head and back of some helpless slave, and leaves him weltering in his blood ! How often may be heard the agonized wail of the slave mother, deploring the departure of some innocent child that has been lost in gambHng, while the master was intoxicated ! How often do the shrieks of the poor but virtuous slave girl, ring through the midnight air, as she, plead ing for death rather than life, rushes screaming away from a brutal master, infuriated and drunk ! If it is a fact, and certainly it is, that the master is thus affected by his costly wine ; what, think you, wiH be the temper and condition of the coarse and heartless 172 CONDITION OF FREE COLORED PEOPLE. overseer who drinks his miserable whisky or bad brandy? It is horrible, beyond description. I have often myself seen a drunken overseer, after pouring down dram after dram, mount his horse and ride furiously among the slaves, beating, bruising, mangling with his heavy cowhide every one he chanced to meet, until the. ground presented the appearance of a battle field. CHAPTEE XIX. PERSECUTION OF THE COLORED PEOPLE. WHILE the colored population of New York were rejoicing in the measure of freedom allowed them by the more wholesome laws of that State, our brethren in Ohio were being oppressed and maltreated by the unjust and odious " black laws" of that professedly free State, enacted with special refer ence to the disposition of the colored race. In Cincinnati, 0., within sight of the slave land of Kentucky, a terrible persecution had commenced, and an effort was made to drive aU colored persons from the place. Our people had settled there in large numbers, but now a mob had assembled in that city with the deter mination to drive them, not only from their homes and city, but from the State. A bloody conflict ensued, in which the white and black man's blood mingled freely. So great had been the loss of property ; and 174 PERSECUTION OF THE COLORED PEOPLE. so horrid and fearful had been the scene, that our people chose to leave, rather than remain under such untoward circumstances. They hved in constant fear of the mob which had so abused and terrified them. FamUies seated at the fireside started at every breath of wind, and trembled at the sound of every approach ing footstep. The father left his family in fear, lest on his return from his daUy labor, he should find his wife and chUdren butchered, and his house left desolate. Meetings were held to devise plans and means for leaving the place where they had been so cruelly treated. But where should they go? And why should they be compelled to leave the State of Ohio ? The fact is, that the African race there, as in all parts of this nominally free Eepublic, was looked down upon by the white population as being Httle above the brute creation ; or, as belonging to some separate class of degraded 'beings, too deficient in inteUect to provide for their own wants, and must therefore depend ou the superior abUity of their oppressors, to take care of them. Indeed, both the time and talents of eminent men have been wasted in unsuccessful research for the line of demarkation, between the African and the highest order of animals, — such for instance as the monkey or the ourang-outang. Some even, have ad vanced the absurd idea, that wicked Cain transmitted to them the " mark" which the Almighty set upon him for the murder of his brother; and that he, (who THE COLORED RACE NOT INFERIOR. 175 then must have survived the deluge), is the progenitor of that despised and inferior race — the negro slave of the United States of America ! If if be true, that the natural inferiority of the black man, connects him so closely with the animal creation, it looks passing strange to me that he should be made responsible for the violation of laws which he has been declared too imbecUe to aid in framing or of comprehending. Nor is it less strange to see him enslaved and compelled by his labor to maintain both his master and himself, after having declared him incapable of doing either. Why not let him go then ? Why hold with an unyielding grasp, so miserable and useless a piece of property ? Is it benevolence that binds him with his master's chain? Judge ye. Stranger stiU is the fact of attaching such vast influ ence to his presence and so much concern regarding his movements, when in a state of freedom, if indeed, he is of so Httle worth and consequence, and so nearly related to the brutes that perish. Surely, the Legislature of Ohio, or of any other State, would never feel caUed upon to sit in grave counsel, for the purpose of framing laws which would, impose fine and imprisonment on a monkey, should one chance to locate within its jurisdiction; nor would they think it advisable for the court to assemble, or a jury to be empanneled, to drive from their midst an ourang-outang. And yet this and more must be done to get rid of the hated negro, who has been born in 176 PERSECUTION OF THE COLORED PEOPLE. that State, or has fled to it for protection from the manstealer. When strangers pass hastily through this country, and after a careless glance at the colored population, report them to be "an indolent, improvident, and vicious class of persons," they should consider some of the many obstacles thrown in the way of the most favored of that race. Knowing as they do, the rigor of the law, and feeling as they do, the oppressive power of prejudice, it becomes almost impossible for them to rise to that station they were designed to fill, and for which their natural abUities as certainly qualify them" as though they had never been robbed of their God-given rights. But let us return to our tried friends in Cincinnati. They finally resolved to coUect what they cpuld of their possessions and establish a colony in Canada. In accordance with this resolution, they agreed to first send an agent to obtain hberty to settle there, and if successful to select and purchase a large tract of land, making such arrangements as he thought best for their speedy removal to their new home. Israel Lewis was their appointed agent, who departed immediately for Upper Canada to perform his mission; and there for the present we will leave him and return to Eochester Our more favored brethren in New York felt a deep sympathy for their outraged countrymen in Cincin nati ; a sympathy equaled only by their indignation at the cause of such demand. CANADA SELECTED AS AN ASYLUM. 177 -A meeting expressive of their views and feelings on that subject, was convened in the city of Eochester, during which, the foUowing preamble and resolutions were read and unanimously adopted : Whereas, The city of Cincinnati has again become the scene of another dreadful mob and bloodshed, where nothing but terror and confusion reigned for a number of hours together. And Whereas, Our brethren and fellow citizens were left exposed to the fury of an ungovernable mob, made up of the base, the igno rant, and vile, the very dregs of society; and probably led on by slaveholders, who of all men are the most execrable ; while boasting of liberty, he tramples on the dearest rights of men and is the greatest robber of it on earth. Resolved, That we deprecate an appeal to arms by any class of our \ fellow citizens, except in extreme coses, and we think that such a case has been presented in the late outrage at Cincinnati. Resolved, That when a class of men so far forget the duty they owe to God, their fellow men, and their country, as to trample under their feet the very laws they have made, and are in duty bound to obey and execute, we believe it to be the duty of our brethren and fellow citizens, to protect their lives against such lawless mobs ; and if in the conflict, any of the motocrats perish, every good citizen should say Amen. Resolved, That we do truly sympathize with the friends of God's poor ; the friends of the oppressed, throughout this boasted land of liberty, ia tne losses they have sustained in consequence of the mob. Resolved, That we believe the. time is not far distant, when the Queen City of the West, shall-be redeemed from the hateful influence of the slaveholder ; redeemed from that cruel prejudice of caste which hangs like a mill-stone around the neck of our people ; redeemed from all those unequal laws, which have a tendency to make the H* 178 PERSECUTION OF THE COLORED PEOPLE. strong stronger and the weak weaker ; redeemed from their false hearted friends, whose sarcastic smile is more to be feared than the frowns of an open enemy. Resolved, That the untiring exertions of our friends, and the inde- •atigable industry of our brethren, are sure guarantees that the State of Ohio will not long be what she now is, — a hissing and by-woi-d on account of her iniquitous laws ; but that she will rise above every narrow minded prejudice, and raise up hei sable sons and daughters and place them on an equality with the rest of her citizens. Resolved, That we deeply deplore the loss our friends have sus tained in the destruction of their printing press in Cinciof ati / Resolved, That we as an oppressed people, feel i i- ,j a.ity to give ' our undivided support to the press and the laborers-in our cause. Mr. Israel Lewis, made his way to Canada, and having obtained permission to establish a colony, he bargained with the Canada Company for one township of land, for which he agreed to pay the money demanded, in a few days, and then returned to Cincin nati, by way of Eochester.. Thf poor, persecuted colored people, had in the mean ti.^e made ready for their flight from their homes, their native land, and from this boasted free Eepublic, to seek a residence in the cold and dreary wilds of Canada ; to claim that protection from the English government which had been denied them in the land of their birth ; and like the overtasked Israelites, "they went out with their wives and their little ones," but with smaller possessions. During the stay of Mr. Lewis in Eochester, he LEAVE ROCHESTER FOR CANADA. 179 reported there and elsewhere, that eleven hundred persons were then in the dense woods of Canada in a state of actual starvation, and called upon the humane everywhere, to assist them in such extreme suffering. To me he also told the story of their destitution, which affected me deeply. I had at that time just made a public profession of my faith in the christian religion and my determination to be governed by its holy preeepts. I felt for the distressed and suffering everywhere ; but particularly for those who had fled, poor and destitute, from cruel task-masters, choosing rather the sufferings of cold and hunger, with Hberty, than the meager .necessities of life and Slavery.- I concluded to go to Canada and try to do some good ; to be of some Httle service in the great cause of humanity. As soon as practicable therefore, I left Eochester for Toronto, the capital of Upper Canada, which I found quite a thriving town, and containing some fine brick buUdings, and some I saw were built of mud, dried in the sun, wearing rather a poor than pretty appearance. At Toronto we hired a team to take us on to Ancaster, fifty mUes distant We traveled now through a new country; the roads were very bad, and the inhabitants few. We, however, reached Ancaster, a small viUage, where we remained one night and next morning pursu ed our journey to the settlement of the poor fugitives from Cincinnati. After some hard travehng, we 180 PERSECUTION OF THE COLORED PEOPLE. finally arrived at the place where we found our brethren, it is true, , but in quite destitute circum stances. Our fare was poor indeed, but as good as they could get The township was one unbroken wUderness when purchased for. the colony, and of course their lands must be cleared of the heavy timber before crops could be got in, hence, there was a great deal of destitution and suffering before their harvest 1 could ripen after the land was prepared for the seed The day after I arrived at the settlement, which consisted of a few, rude log cabins, a meeting was called to give the township a name. Several were suggested, but I at length motioned to name it in honor of the great phUanthropist, WUberforce. This was carried, and the township from that time has been known by that name. It is situated on what is known as the Huron Tract, Kent County, London District, and is the next north of the township of London. Our neighbors on the south, were a com pany of Irish people, who owned the township, and on the west side were a township of Welshmen, a hardy, industrious and enterprising people. In WUberforce there were no white inhabitant's j the land appeared level and handsome, with but one stream of any magnitude running through it; this was the Oxsable, which was dry during a part of the year. All was one vast forest of heavy timber, that would compare, well with that of Western New York. . PRODUCE OF THE SETTLEMENT. 181 Beech, maple, ash, elm, oak, whitewood, bass, balm of .gilead, &c. The soU was good for corn, wheat, rye, oats, and most kinds of the grain and vege tables raised in New York, and was a superior grazing country, about fifteen mUes from London. This was a viUage containing perhaps thirty dwellings, and two hundred inhabitants ; a court-house and jaU all under one roof, built of stone and plastered ; small doors and windows in the style of some of the old English castles. London was built in the forks, or between the east and west branches of the river Thames; hence, you would' hear people speak of "going to the forks," instead ofthe vUlage; it is about two hundred miles from Buffalo, and the nearest port between the two is Port Stanley, thirty mUes from London. I returned from Canada, where I had seen an oppressed" people struggling with, the hardships and privations of a new settlement ; I had seen wretched ness in some places, but by no means sufficient to justify the report made by Mr. Lewis, and I deter mined I would remove there with my family, and dofc sll in- my power to assist the colored people in Canada. I had witnessed a disposition on the part of some to prevent our brethren from settling in Wilberforce, while the colonizationists made a grand argument of it in faVor of their wicked policy. All must see that tt became a necessity with those who fled to Canada 182 PERSECUTION OF THE COLORED PEOPLE, to save themselves- from constant abuse or from Slavery, and in some instances their lives; and not because they admitted the justice of one portion of American citizens driving another from their native land ; nor their right to colonize them anywhere on the habitable globe. All these things taken into consideration, deter mined me to join them in the enterprize of buUding up an asylum for the oppressed, where our colored friends could obtain a home, and where, by their industry they could obtain a competency for them selves, besides providing a safe retreat for the weary fugitive from Slavery ; guiding by its beacon light of liberty, the destitute and oppressed everywhere, to home and plenty. I felt willing to make any sacrifice in my power to serve my Lord, by administering to the necessities of my down-trodden countrymen. How far my desire has been accomplished God only knows, but I do know that the purest motives influenced me, and an honest purpose directed my steps in removing to WUberforce. Not so with all, however. Some there were, Judas-like, who "cared not for the poor; but because he was a thief and had the bag, and bare what was put therein," made great exertions for a time in favor of the settlement. It too soon became apparent that to make -money was the prominent object with by far too great a number of the colonists;, hence, our future difficulties. CHAPTEE XX, REMOVAL TO CANADA. IN (1830./ I closed my business in Eochester, pre paratory to leaving for Canada, Some of my friends thought I had better remain in the States and direct emigrants to Wilberforce; while others were certain I could benefit them more by going myself at once, — the latter I had determined to do ; but as the time drew near for me to start, an unaccountable gloominess and forebodings of evil took possession of my mind. Doubts of the practicability of the under taking began to arise, though nothing unfavorable had occurred. To the throne of grace, I often bore the subject and besought my Heavenly Father to enlighten my mind, and direct my steps in duty's path regarding it ; but to confess the truth, I never received any great encouragement from that source, though it occupied my mind constantly. During the hours of slumber I was continually being startled by frightful dreams, — ¦ 184 REMOVAL TO CANADA. sometimes I thought I saw a monstrous serpent as large as a log stretched across the road between Eochester and the Genesee Eiver; at another I thought myself in the air so high that I could have a full view of the shores of Lake Ontario, and they were alive with snakes ; and then I saw a large bird Hke an eagle, rise up out of the water and fly toward the south. Notwithstanding these omens, I turned my steps toward Wilberforce. In May, 1831, we bid adieu to our friends in Eochester, and taking passage to Buffalo on a canal boat, we arrived in due time, and from whence we saUed for Port Stanley, or as it is sometimes called, Kettle Creek. It took a week to make this trip, which, with favorable wind might have been made in two days. The mouth of the creek makes a safe harbor at that place, where there is also a dock, one ware-house and several farm houses. The place was then very wUd and picturesque in its appear ance ; we did not stop long, however, to admire its beauty, but engaged a farmer to take us on to London. Ten. mfles on our way, and we came to a newly laid out viUage, caUed St. Thomas, from whence we pur sued our journey through, a new country to London, where we arrived tired and hungry, and put up for the night with a Mr. Faden. There I purchased a span of horses for one hundred and fifty doUars, and putting them before a new lumber wagon brought oa ARRIVAL WITH FAMILY AT WILBERFORCE, 185 from Eochester, we started for our wild and new home in good spirits, at which we arrived in good time. The colony was^ comprised of some fourteen or/ fifteen families, and numbered some over fifty persons in aU. The first business done after my arrival, was- to appoint a board of managers, to take the general oversight of all the public business of the colony. The board consisted of seven men, chosen by the settlers, and^as~lrwas-RQW one of them, they gave ma. the^jacA-^MPre^idgnt It was also resolved by the* board, to send out two agents for the purpose of soli- ¦ citing aid for the erection- of houses for worship, andj for the maintenance of schools in the colony. The Eev. N. Paul was chosen one of their agents,! and he received from me a power of attorney, authorising hirn to collect funds for the above purposes in England, Ireland, and Scotland ; the other, I. Lewis was empowered to solicit and coUect funds for the! same objects in the United States. Preparations were immediately made to fit Mr. Paul out for his mission to England, from whence he was to remit any funds- he might receive to Arthur Tappan, of New York City; first to pay for his outfit, and afterwards to the treasurer of the board of managers, for the support of schools in Wilberforce. Mr. Paul, however, still lacked money to proceed to England^ and therefore went to Eochester, *where he found my old and tried friend Everard Peck ; who was ever 186 REMOVAL TO CANADA. known as the poor man's friend, and the support of the weak everywhere. To this good man, whose memory is stUl dear to thousands, Mr. Paul showed his power of attorney, at the same time informing him of the condition and wants of the colony ; and as was ever his wont, when help was needed, his purse, (though not one of the heaviest), was at his service. Through the kind influence of Mr. Peck, and some of the colored friends in that city, a note for seven hundred dollars was drawn up, signed by Mr. P. and cashed at the Bank, which enabled the agent to make the voyage without further delay. He reached England, and collected quite large sums of money, but entirely failed in the remittance of any sums, either to Mr. Tappan or myself. When the note of seven hundred doUars became due, Mr. Peck was obliged to pay, and lose it. It was out of my power, nor had any of the friends the means to do any thing towards paying it, inasmuch as they had assisted Paul all they could and got nothing in return. There was one tiring, however, that the reverend gentleman did do, — ¦ he wrote me from time to time, to keep me advised of the success of his mission, and once informed me that he had then twelve hundred doUars on hand ; but not a farthing could we get. We wrote him again and again, reminding him of the bank debt, and the uneasiness of his friends on accoimt of it, but aU to no purpose, — the Atlantic was between us, and he was DISHONEST AGENTS. 187 making money too easUy, to Hke to be interrupted. He never paid one doUar. Let us now look after the other agent, who had likewise been fitted out, to prosecute his mission in the States. That he collected money professedly for the assistance of the colony, is too well known to require proof, but how much, we could not determine; we had reason to beHeve, however, that he retained quite a large sum. He would neither pay it over to the board, nor give any account of his proceedings. Very Httle did he ever pay over to the aid of the colony as designed. He was frequently written to, and every means iri our power used, to induce him to give some account of his mission, but in vain; he would do nothing of the kind. Things went on in this way for two years, when it became evident that) he had no intention of satisfying the minds of the ' settlers ; and farther, that he meant to coUect what he / could, and use it as he pleased. We learned too, that J when abroad, he lived extravagantly, —putting up at the. most expensive hotels, giving parties, and doing many things, not only beyond his means, but that brought dishonor on the cause and colony. When he returned to the settlement, he would, if he had funds, make presents to his particular friends instead of paying it to the treasurer, as he was pledged to do, until the majority of the colony became thoroughly disgusted with his heartlessness and dishonesty. It 1B8 REMOVAL TO CANADA. was also perceivable that Lewis and Paul both, were getting weary of the solicitations of the board and complaints of the settlers, and were anxious to be rid of them, and enjoy their ill gotten gains in their own way. It was never intended by the managers, to send out agents to beg money to be divided among the colo nists; but to support schools, &c. Most of the settlers were able to work and did so ; and were now getting along quite pleasantly. Finally, after we had tried every means in vain, to get a settlement with Lewis, and to obtain his papers, there was nothing more we could do, but to warn the public against him, by publishing the facts in the case; this we did in various newspapers of Canada and in the States. An article inserted in the "Eoches ter Observer," to that effect, was like throwing a lighted match into a keg of powder. The excitement was intense on the part of Lewis and his friends, who were joined by the friends of N. Paul, to destroy, if they could, the board of managers. I, however, being the only member of that devoted board, who happened to be extensively known in the States, their anathemas were all poured out on me, and all their energies brought forward to insure my destruction. They were few in number, it is true, but they had money, and I had little to spend in litigation ; besides, Lewis was in debt, and his creditors did not Hke to see his MALIGNITY OF AGENTS. 189 means of paying them swept away. The Canadians seemed to think there was no harm done if Lewis did get money out of the "Yankees," as long as it came into their hands at last, and so, on the whole, they raised a . tremendous storm, designed, however, to sweep nobody away but myself; and I have con tinued to this day, notwithstanding all their artful malignity. Nothing, I am persuaded, could have saved me from imprisonment at that time, had I not possessed a high reputation for truth and honesty during my previous sojourn in the colony. Lewis had dealt somewhat extensively with Mr. Jones, who was the principal agent for the Canada Company ; but failing to fulfil his agreement, regard ing the payment for a large tract of land, it so exasperated Mr. Jones, that he declared he would have nothing to. do with any of the colored people; and so when I wanted to buy a lot of land, he would not sell it to xne because he so despised Lewis. How much harm can one wicked man do! and yet it cannot be right to judge the character of a whole class or community by that of one person. CHAPTEE XXI, ROUGHING IT IN THE WILDS OF CANADA THE "Canada Company," of which I have so frequently spoken, was an association of wealthy gentlemen, residing in England; something like the East India Company, especially regarding the title of lands. They had sent on their agent and purchased a large tract of land known as the "Huron Tract," extending from London to Lake Huron, where they laid out a vUlage, named Goderich, sixty miles distant from Wilberforce. With this company, Mr. Lewis \ had contracted for a township of land, as agent for the i Cincinnati refugees ; but failing to meet the demand, 1 the company kindly extended the time of payment ; '¦ but when that time also passed without receiving any I thing from Lewis, the general agent, Mr. Jones . became so indignant, that he utterly refused to sell a foot of land to any colored person whatever. This LIBERALITY OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 191 proved to be one of the greatest detriments to the prosperity of the colony it ever met. The Society of Friends at this time, however, with commendable sympathy for the oppressed and abused colored residents of Cincinnati, and with their prover bial liberality, raised a sum of money sufficient to purchase eight hundred acres of land of the Canada Company for the benefit of the colony. The funds were placed in the hands of one of their number, Frederick Stover, who went to Canada as their agent, purchased the land, and settled colored people upon itr which comprised nearly all of the WUberforce settle ment. This occurred before I settled in Canada, and the consequence was, when I desired to purchase land, none could be obtained. At the time, however, of which I am speaking, the Canada Company were constructing a road through their possessions, some seventy mUes in length, and the principal contractor, Mr. Ingersoll, had agreed to take land in part pay ment for his services on the road In accordance with this agreement, he accepted one lot of land situated within the WUberforce settlement, which he agreed to sell to Mr. Lewis for twenty-five dollars. Mr. Lewis, knowing that I was anxious to purchase, accepted the offer, and then came and showed the contract, offering it to me on condition that I paid him the twenty-five dollars which he had just paid Mr. Ingersoll. This I was glad to do ; I paid the demand ; took an assign- 192 ROUGHING IT IN THE WILDS OF CANADA. ment on the back of the receipt, and passed into immediate possession of the land. He at the same time requested me to take up a note of twenty-five dollars for him; which I did, on his promising to refund the money in a short time. I commenced laboring on the wild land I had pur chased; cleared some ten acres, which in consequence of its being so heavUy timbered, cost mc at least twenty-five doUars per acre; buUt a house and barn — supposing myself its legal possessor, — until I chanced to meet Mr. IngersoU, who informed me that Mr. Jones had refused to seU him the land to be disposed of to a colored person; that he had duly informed Lewis of the fact, and had returned to "him the twenty- five dollars received. Not a word of this, had Lewis communicated to me, though he knew I was making expensive improvements, in the faith that I was its only owner. Instead of atoning for the wrong already done me, he made it the basis of a deeper injury. After one year's residence in Wilberforce, I found it necessary to return to Eochester to settle some unfinished business; and when on my way thither I stopped at London, where. I found Lewis, who had not only preceded me but had taken out a capias, for forty pounds currency. I was therefore obliged to get bail for my appearance at court, after which I pursued my journey. RETURN TO ROCHESTER ON BUSINESS. 193 On my arrival in Eochester^ I found business at a stand ; and the community in a state of .excitement and alarm, on account of that fell destroyer, the cholera. This was its first visit to the United States, and the fearful havoc it was making, spread terror and consternation throughout the land. I returned to Canada; but found on my arrival at London, that "the pestUence that walketh at noon-day," had pre ceded me, and taken from that village my friend, Mr. Ingersoll, with several others. So great had been the alarrn, that instead of my appearing at court as I expected- to do, I found it adjourned, and the judge returned to his home. -I hastened on to WUberforce, which had fortunately escaped the fearful scourge, with terrible apprehen sions. Having a Httle spare time, I went out with my rifle, in search-of deer; but soon came upon a large wolf, which I wounded with the first shot; he, however, sprang aside and was gone. On looking about for him I espied another 1 — reloading my rifle, I fired, and he fell dead at my feet, whUe my dog at the same time I heard barking furiously. Having dispatched this second intruder, I saw that my dog had the first one, entangled in the branches of a fallen tree. I searched for my balls, and was vexed to find that I had left them at home. In this predicament I cut with my knife, a-knot from a beech limb;, put it in my I 194 ROUGHING IT IN THE WILDS OF CANADA. rifle, and took deadly aim at the enraged wolf. The wooden baU struck him between the eyes and killed him on the spot. The two dead animals, with their skins, I sold for nine dollars arid a half,^— making pretty good wages for a few hours labor. Hunting was very generaUy pursued by the settlers, with great earnestness and considerable skUl. The forest abounded with deer, wolves, bears, and other wUd animals. Bears were plenty, and very trouble some because so dangerously tame. One day, our chUdren had bruit for themselves a play-house, a few rods from the door, and were enjoying their play when they were called in to dinner. A moment after, I -observed one of the settlers gazing intently at the play-house; I caUed to know what so attracted his attention, and he informed me that an old bear, with three cubs, had just then taken possession of the play house. And sure enough there they were ! knocking about among the dishes, and munching the crumbs of bread which the children had left. The man was sup plied with- a loaded rifle and urged to shoot them, but he begged to be excused from a pitched battle with so many; and the bears leisurely took their departure for the woods without molestation. The play-house, however, was soon deserted by the chUdren after these unbidden guests had made so free with it ; and we were ourselves somewhat alarmed for the safety VISITED BY BEARS AT WILBERFORCE. 195 of our chUdren, who were accustomed to roam in the edge of the forest, and make, swings of the luxuriant grape vines. But such incidents are common in a new country, surrounded as we were by a dense wUderness. CHAPTEE XXII, NARROW ESCAPE OF A SMUGGLER. FEOM the time I first settled in WUberforce, my house had ever been open to travelers and strangers; but a conversation I happened to overhear, led me to take a course different from what I had at first intended. I was at a public house about twenty miles from home, when I heard the landlord advising his guest to eat heartily, for, said he, " you wUl find nothing more worthy of your attention, until you reach WUberforce. When you arrive at that settle ment, inquire for A. Steward, from, the States, and he will give you a meal fit for a prince." I began to reflect on the subject and concluded, inasmuch as people would send company to me, it would be better to make some preparation for entertaining them. I had plenty of furniture, and all I needed was a larger supply of food, to commence keeping a tavern. This A STRANGE VISITOR. 197 was easily obtained, and I opened a pubhc house which was well patronized. One day whUe I was absent from home, a man drove to the door the finest span of horses, I think I ever saw,- — black as jet, with proudly arched necks, and glossy tails that nearly swept the ground. The gentleman sprang from his carriage, bounded through the open door, and in -the -most excited manner, began to inquire "who owns this establishment? When wUl he return ? Can I be accommodated ? Can I see your, barn ? " &c. The stable boy took him to the barn, from whence he soon returned ; his face flushed, and breathing so heavUy as to be heard all through the apartment; trembling so violently that he could scarcely speak at all, — but made out to inquire, "if there was not some place besides the barn where he sould put his horses ? " He was told that there was a small shelter built for cows, in bad weather, and the next moment he was examining it. In a very short time he had his horses and carriage stowed away in the cow-shed. He acted like a crazy man ; but when he had secured his horses, he re-entered the house and frankly apologized for his conduct. "I may as well tell you the truth," said he; "I am suspected of smuggling goods ; a reward is offered for my arrest, and the constables are on my track, in pursuit of me. My name is Cannouse, and I am from M ;, in Ontario County." 198 NARROW ESCAPE OF A SMUGGLER. But perhaps they can not prove you guUty of smuggling, said I, in an after conversation. "Ah," said he,, "there is for me no such hbpe or probabUity; I have been engaged for the last few months in the sale of dress-goods and broad-cloths, and my exposure and flight is the consequence of my own folly. While in the vUlage of St. Catharines, I took a young girl out to ride, after she had engaged to Accompany another young fellow, which of course offended him; and he being too well posted up on my affairs, went directly to the custom house offieer arid informed against me. I was sitting in the parlor; perfectly at ease, when a young man, a relative of the young lady in question, burst into the room, shouting, ' Fly ! fly I fpr your life I The officers are upon you ! ' And I did fly ; with barely time to reach the woods, for as I sprang through the back door, the officers entered through the front door. My horses were my first consideration ; they had been, raised by my father, and should I lose them, I should never dare to meet him again. In my hasty flight, I engaged the young man to conceal them tUl night and then to drive them to a certain plaee where I would meet him. This he did, and I kept on my flight until I came to the house of a friend, where I halted to make inquiries. The gentleman had just come front London, and had seen handbUls at every conspicuous place, describing me and my horses. I asked him what I should do? THE SMUGGLER PURSUED. 199 He said, 'you are not safe a moment; there is no hope but in flight ; avoid the main road, and get to the colony if you can; if you succeed, go to A. Steward ; he is an upright man and wUl never betray you for money.' And here I am : if I am arrestee^ six months imprisonment, three hundred doUars fine, and the forfeiture of my father's valuable and favorite horses, wUl be my portion. I have had no regular meal for the last three days, and my head aches violently." We gave him some refreshinent, and conducted him to a room, assuring him that he should have it to himself. All remained quiet until midnight, when a man knocked cautiously at our door. I opened it myself, and a gentleman, looking carefully about the place, inquired, "Are you full?" "No," said I. " Have you any travelers here to night ? " " Yes." " How many ? " "Two." " Where are they ? " " In this room ; walk in, sir." He took -the light from my hand, and stepping lightly up to a bed, where two travelers were quietly sleeping, he closely examined their faces. He soon returned the Hght> and without further inquiry retired 200 NARROW ESCAPE OF A SMUGGLER. from the house. When his companions came up, I distinctly heard him tell tbem that the smuggler was not there. "You may be mistaken," said the other, "and we must search the barn for his horses." This they did thoroughly, after procuring a lantern ; but without finding any thing to reward their dUigent search ; and they finally drove off. When they had gone, Cannouse groaned most bitterly, and trembled from head to foot at tbe thought of his narrow escape. The next day an officer rode up to where the chUdren were playing, with a handbill which he read, and inquired if they had seen a person, bearing that description, pass that day? They answered negatively, and he rode on. The poor frightened Cannouse stayed with us a week; and nearly every day during the time, the house and barn were searched for him. The chUdren kept watch, and when they saw any- one coming they would let him know, in time to take himself and horses into a thicket near by. When he thought pursuit was over, he started to leave ; but when, in a half hour after, a posse of men drove up to my door, flourishing their handbills, I thought it- all over with Cannouse. I told them that he was not there; but they chose to have another search, and when they^ found nothing, the officer sprang into his carriage, exclairning, . " come on, boys; we'll soon have him THE SMUGGLER MAKES GOOD HIS ESCAPE. 201 now ; we have tracked him here, and he can't be far off." Cannouse had left us, feeling quite secure ; but he had traveled but a short distance, when he observed a horse shoe loose, and to gef it fastened he drove down to a blacksmith's shop, which happened to stand at the foot of a hill ; and between it and the highway there had been left standing a clump of trees which nearly hid it from view. WhUe there, getting his horse shod, the officers passed him unobserved, and he finaUy escaped. Some time after, a gentleman caUed on- us who had seen Cannouse in Michigan, where he was doing weU. He had succeeded in reaching Detroit, from whence he passed safely to his home ; but probably learned a lesson not to be forgotten. He was a talented young man — one who would have felt deeply the disgrace of imprisonment, — and it was indeed a pleasure to me to do what I could, to effect his release from an unenviable position.- I would never have betrayed him; but happUy I was not asked directly for him, until he was gone from my house and protection. CHAPTEE XXIII. NARRATIVE OF TWO FUGITIVES FROM VIRGINIA. THE settlers in WUberforee-, were in general, in dustrious and thrifty farmers : they cleared their land, sowed grain, planted orchards, raised cattle, and in short, showed to the world that they were in no way inferior to the white population, when given an equal chance with them. In proof of this let me say, that it was uriiforrrily the practice of persons traveling from London to Goderich, to remain in our settlement over night, in preference to going on to find entertain ment among their own class of people. And We beheve that the whites are bound to admit, tbat the experiment of the WUberforce colony proves that the bolored man can not only take care of himself, but is fcapable of improvement; as industrious and intelH- gent as themselves, when the yoke is taken from off their necks, and a chance given them to exercise their abUities. True, many of them had just escaped from APPEARANCE OF A SLAVE DEALER. • 203 cruei task-masters ; ignorant of almost every thing but the lash, — but the air of freedom so invigorated and put new Hfe into their weary bodies, that they soon became intelligent and thrifty. Among the settlers might be gathered many a thrilling narrative, of suffering and hair-breadth escapes froin the slave-land, — one of which I wUl tell as 'twas told to me. In a smaU rude cabin, belonging to one of the large plantations in Virginia, sat at a late hour of the night, an afflicted slave-man and his devoted wife, sad and weeping. At length the husband repeated what he before had been saying : " I tell you, wife, we must flee from this place, with out delay. Oh, I cannot endure the idea of seeing you sold for the Southern market, to say nothing of myself; and we shall most Hkely be separated, which I can't bear I Oh, Eosa, the thought distracts me, — I can't bear it ! " " Are you sure," said Eosa, "that master thinks of such a frightful doom for us ? " " Oh yes, I know it; I heard master to-day making a bargain with the slave dealer that has been hanging about here so long; and when it was finished, I heard him reading over the list, and our names, wife, are the first on it." "Oh, dear!" sobbed the wife; "we shall certainly 204 NARRATIVE OF TWO FUGITIVES. be retaken and whipped to death; or else we shall starve in the wilderness! Oh, it is very hard to be compeUed to leave all our friends and the old planta tion where we were born ! " " Yes; it is both hard and unjust," said Joe, and an indignant frown contracted his brow, — "here is our birth-place, and here, for forty years have I toiled early and late to enrich my master ; and you, my poor wife, a few years less; and now we are to be sold, separated, and all without a choice of our own. We must go, Eosa. If we die, let us die together! " "It shaU be as you say, Joe," she repHed, "but it frightens me to think of the hardships of the way,^ and the danger of being recaptured." "Courage, wife: no fate can be worse than the one designed for us ; and we have no time to lose To morrow. night, then, we must make the first effort to gain our Hberty, and leave aU that is dear to us except each other ! " And they retired to rest, but not to sleep. The foUowing night was very dark ; and as soon as all was quiet on the plantation, they stole out of their cabin and stealthUy crept over the ground until they reached the highway ; and then, guided only by the north star, they made their way to the nearest woods. So fearful had they been of being suspected, that they took no provision of any kind with them. All night TRIALS AND HUNGER IN THE WILDERNESS. 205 they plunged forward through the tangled thicket and under-brush, sorrounded by thick darkness, glancing now and then upward to their only light, "Star of' the North I though night winds" drift the fleecy drapery of the sky, Between thy lamp and thee, I lift, yea, lift with hope my sleepless eye." When day dawned they threw their weary bodies on the ground, famished and thirsty, and waited for the darkness to again conceal them whUe they pursued their journey. The second day of their flight, the pain of hunger became almost beyond endurance. They found a few roots which relieved them a little ; but frequently they lost their way, and becoming be wildered, knew not which way to go ; they pushed on, however, determined to keep as far from their pursuers as possible. Their shoes were soon worn out; but bare-footed, bare-headed, arid famishing with hunger, they pressed forward, untU the fourth day," when they found themselves too weak to proceed further. Hope, the anchor of the soul, had faUed them! They were starving in a dense forest! No track or path could they find, and even had they seen a human being, they would have been more terrified than at the sight of a wild beast ! Poor Eosa, could go no farther — her strength was all gone — arid as her emaciated husband laid her on 206 NARRATIVE OF TWO FUGITIVES. the cold earth, he . exclaimed, "Oh, dear God I must we, after aU our efforts, starve in this dark wilder ness ! Beside his fainting wife, he finally stretched himself, sheltered only by a few bushes, and tried to compose himself to die! but resting a few moments revived him, and he aroused himself, to make one more effort for life ! " Stay you here, wife, and I will try. once more to find the highway ; it cannot be far from here ; and if I am taken, I wUl submit to my fate without a struggle ; we can but die." So saying, he left her, and began to reconnoitre the country around them. Much sooner than he expected he emerged from the wood, and not far distant he saw a house in the direction from whence he came ; being, however, as most of the slaves are, superstitious- he thought it would be a bad omen to turn backward, and so continued to look about him. It seemed, he said, that some unseen power held him, for though starving as he was, he could not take a^ step in that direction ; and at last as he turned around, to his great joy, he saw another dweUing a little way off, and toward that he hastened his, now Hghtened footsteps* With a palpi tating heart, he approached the door and knocked cautiously. The man of the house opened it, and as soon as he saw him, he said, "You are a fugitive slave, but be not alarmed, come in ; no harm shall befaU you here ; I shall not inquire from whence you came; it is enough for me to know that you are a human being THE GOOD SAMARITAN. 207 in distress ; consider me your friend, and let me know your wants." "Bread! Oh, for a morsal of bread I" said the famished creature, whUe his hitherto wUd and sunken eyes, began to distil grateful tears. The "good Samaritan" stepped to another apartment aud brought him a piece of bread, which he expected to see him devour at once, but instead, he looked at it wistfully, literally devouring it with his eyes ; turned it over and over, and at last stammered out, " my good master, without a piece of bread for my poor starving wife, I can never swallow this, tempting as it is." "Poor man," said his benefactor, "can it be that you have a wife with you, wretched as yourself? " He brought out a loaf of bread, some cheese and meat-, and whUe the fugitive was preparing to return, the kind gentleman said, "I am glad you came to me; had you called at the house you first saw, you would have been betrayed, and immediately arrested. You must remember," he continued, "that you are young and valuable slaves-, and that your master will make every effort in his power to find you, especially since he has made a, sale of you. To-day and to-night, remain ia the woods, and the next morning you may come to me, if. aU is quiet; should I see danger approaching you, I wUl warn you of it by the crack my rifle. Go now, to your poor wife, and listen for the signal of danger ; if you hear none, come to me at 208 NARRATIVE OF TWO FUGITIVES. the appointed time." He returned, and after feeding his helpless Eosa, she revived, and soon felt quite comfortable and grateful. When the morning came for them to leave their retreat, they listened intently, but hearing nothing, Joe started for the residence of his friend. He had been gone but a short time, when his wife, who lay in the bushes, thought she heard the tramp of horses, — she crept nearer the highway, and peeping through the bush — Oh, horror ! what was her consternation and sickening fear, to find herself gazing upon the well-known features of her old master, and two of his neighbors, aU armed to the teeth! Her heart seemed to stand stiU, and the blood to chill in her veins. Had she been discovered she would have been an easy prey, for she declared that she could not move a step. In the meantime her husband had got about half way to the residence of his preserver, when his quick ear detected the sound made by the feet of horses, and as he stopped to listen more intently, the sharp crack of a rifle sent him bounding back to his concealment in the forest. The party of horsemen rode on to the dwelling of the kind hearted gentleman, and inquired whether he had seen any fugitive slaves pass that way. "I saw," said he, "a man and woman passing rapidly along the road, but do not know whether they were fugitives, as I did not see their faces." The ARRIVAL AND SETTLEMENT LN CINCINNATI. 209 human blood-hound, thanked the gentleman for the information, and immediately set out in pursuit; but, just as the informant had intended, in a direction opposite to that the slaves had taken. That night, Joe and Eosa visited the house of their benefactor, where they were supplied with clothing and as much food as they could carry; and next day they went on their way rejoicing. They settled in Cincinnati, where they Hved happUy, untU the mob drove them with others, to the Wilberforce settlement, where they are in no danger of the auction block, or of a Southern market; and are as much devoted to each other as ever. CHAPTEE XXIV. PLEASANT RE-UNION OF OLD AND TRIED FRIENDS. ris well kiiowri to those who have assisted in clearing land in a new country, that bears, who are not Jews, are very troublesome, and levy a heavy tax on the settlers, to supply themselves with pork — their favorite food. One old bear in particular, had for a long time annoyed the colonists, by robbing their hog-stys almost every night We faded in all our plans to destroy his life, until a woman saw him one day, walking at ease through the settlement. A half dozen Of us gave chase immediately, and came up with bim after traveling two mUes, So anxious was I to kUl him, that I fired at first sight and missed him, which gave us another two mUes chase. When, how ever, we eame up, he was seated on a branch of a tree, leisurely surveying us and the dogs, with great com placency. The contents of my rifle brought him to the ground, and stirred his blood for battle. One blow VISITED BY WHITE MEN IN DISGUISE. 211 fromiiis powerful paw, sent my fine greyhound some yards distant, sprawHng upon the ground, and when he renewed the attack, Bruin met him with extended jaws, taking and munehing his head in his mouth. My rifle was now reloaded, and the second shot kUled him on the spot. We tied his legs together, and lifting him on a pole, marched in triumph into the settle ment; where guns were discharged and cheers given, in approbation of our success. One winter's evening we had drawn closely around the blazing fire, for the air was piercing cold without; and the snow four feet deep on a level. Now and then, a traveler might be seen on snow-shoes; but though our cabin was situated on the king's highway, we seldom saw eompany on such a night as this. WhUe the wind whistled, arid the snow drifted about our dwelling, we pUed the wood higher in our ample fire-place, and seated ourselves again, to resume the conversation, when. I was startled by a loud and furious knocking at the door. I opened it to what I supposed to be three Indians; Their costume was that of the red man ; but tlie voice of him who addressed me was riot that of an Indian. " Can you keep three poor devUs here to night?" said he, and when I made further inquiry, he repeated the same question; "we can sleep," he continued, "on the soft side of a board ; orily give us poor devils a shelter." I told him we Were not accustomed to turn away 212 RE-UNION OF OLD AND TRIED FRIENDS. any one on such a night ; that they were welcome to come in ; and they were soon seated around our large and cheerful fire. They had laid aside their snow-shoes and knap sacks, and the heat of the fire soon made their blankets uncomfortable ; but as one of them made a move to throw it off, another was heard fo whisper, " wait a httle ; we are among strangers, you know; so do not make a display of yourself." The fellow drew his blanket about him; but we had heard and seen enough' to awaken curiosity, if not suspicion. In passing out of the room soon after^ I heard one of these pretended Indians say to bis companion, "I know these folks are from the States, for I smeU coffee." When they finally sat down to table, and saw sUver upon it, they cast surprised and knowing glances at each other, all of wliich we closely observ ed, and were convinced, that they were not red men of the forest, but belonged to that race who had so long looked haughtily down upon the colored people ; that the least exhibition of comfort, or show of refine ment astonished them beyond measure. In the meantime, my wife had whispered to me that she was sure that the principal speaker was no other than the aristocratic Mr. G — ¦ , of Canan daigua. I could not beHeve it ; I could not recognize in that savage costume, one who had been bred in affluence, and "the star" of genteel society. But my THE NEW VISITORS RECOGNIZED. 213 wife soon developed the affair to our mutual satisfac tion : G ¦, on taking from her a cup of coffee, remarked, " this looks good ; and I have had no good coffee since I left my mother's house." "Does your mother still reside in C ?" asked Mrs. Steward. "My mother ! my mother ! what do you know of my mother!" said he, looking sharply at her; but observing that they were recognized, they began to laugh, and we had a hearty congratulation aU round ; while G , starting up from table, exclaimed, "Come, boys, off with -this disguise; we are among friends now." Our Indian guests, now appeared in costume more like "Broadway dandies," than savages. Dressed- in the finest cloth, with gold chains and repeaters ; and all that constituted the toilet of a' gentleman. After tea they requested to dry some costly furs, which they took from their knapsacks and hung around the fire. The following day they took their leave, with many apologies and explanations, regarding their appearance and conduct They were in the wUderness} they said, trading for very valuable, furs; they had "money, jewelry and rich goods,, which they had taken that method to conceal. During all this time, there had beenianother visitor in the' house, who was sitting in a corner, absorbed in writing. Our mock Indians had noticed him, and not j}14 RE-UNION OF OLD AND TRIED FRIENDS knowing who he was, expressed a determination " to quiz that deaf old devU," after supper. We all seated ourselves around the fire, and our Canandaigua friends, though no longer savages, had not forgotten the silent man in the. corner; they began to question him, and he aroused himself for conversation ; nor was it long before they forgot their design to quiz him, and found themselves charmed listeners to the brUHant conversation, of that workkrenowned' cham pion of humanity, Benjamin Lundy, for. he it was. On this particular evening, he gave us a sketch of his journey to Hayti ; to accompany there and settle some emancipated slaves; which I thought very inter esting, and as I have never seen it in print I wUl heTe relate it, as near as I can, in his own words: In the State of Maryland, there lived a slaveholder, the proprietor of some sixty slaves, and being some what advanced in years, he determined to free them, hi accordance with the laws of that State, which required that they be sent out of it. He had thought the matter over, but being unde cided where to send them, he sent for Mr. Lundy to assist him in his proposed plan ; who was only too glad to comply with a request calculated to carry out his own plans of philanthropy and equal rights. When he had listened to the suggestions and ex pressed desires ofthe planter, he offered his arguments in favor of the West India Islands; and it was NARRATIVE OF BENJAMIN LUNDY. 215 decided to send them to Hayti, as their future place of residence. Six weeks were allowed for preparations ; then Mr. Lundy was to return and take charge of them on the voyage, and see them settled in their new homes. When the appointed time arrived, Mr. Lundy was there to accompany them on board a vessel bound for Hayti i on which was furnished as comfortable quar ters, as the kindness of their conscientious master and his own benevolent heart could suggest. When aU was ready, the Christian master came on board, to take leave of those faithful servants,- — many of whom had served him from their chUdhood, and aH of wham he had bound to his heart by kindness and Christian benevolence. It was a sad parting; not because the slaves did not love liberty, but because they appreci ated their master's kind forbearance, and sohcitude for their future welfare. He had ever been a humane and indulgent master ; one who lightened the burthen of the poor slave, all in his power. A moment's reflection wiU show, that it is invariably this conscientious kind of slaveholders, who are induced to emancipate their slaves ; and not the avaricious, cruel tyrant, who neither fears God nor regards his feUow man. The master of the slaves had kindly informed them of iis intentions, — of the probable length of the voyage, and the unavoidable sickness they would experience, &c. r but now, they were gazing up into 216 RE-UNION OF OLD AND TRIED FRIENDS. his kind face for the last time, as he knelt in prayer, commending that numerous flock — raised on his own plantation — to the care and protection of Almighty God, beseeching Him to protect them in the storm and dangers of the ocean; to guide them through this life, and save them in the world to come ; until the sobs and cries of the poor slaves drowned Ids utter ance. He at length took his final leave of them, and of Mr. Lundy; and the ship saUed immediately. They, however, met storms and adverse winds, which detained them; and. then the poor, ignorant slaves began to beHeve what they had before suspected: that this was only some wicked plan of Mr. Lundy's, laid to entice them away from a kind master, and to plunge them into some dreadful degradation and suffering. " Master" had not told them of the adverse winds, and they were certain that some mischief was intended ; they grew sullen and disobedient; and notwithstanding the kindness of Mr. Lundy, they murmured and com plained, until his kind heart sank within him; stiU he pursued the even tenor of his way, trusting in . God for dehverance. He watched over them in sickness, and administered to aU their wants^ but bis tender sohcitude for their health and comfort, only excited suspicion, and increased their ungrateful Ul iumor. One pleasant evening, Mr. Lundy paced the deck in deep thought. He was sad, and well nigh hopeless. He had seen enough in the fierce look andsuUen Narrative continued. 217 scowl ; and had heard enough- of the bitterness, and threatening anger of the negroes, to know that a storm was gathering, which must soon burst in all its wUd fury over his devoted head. He was a small, feeble man, compared with those who watched his every movement, and gnashed their teeth upon him so fiercely. None but the Almighty could save him now; and to Him who "rides upon the wings of the wind, and maketh the clouds His chariot," he drew near in fervent prayer ; after which he retired in -peace and confidence to his berth. During the night, a fine breeze sprang up; and when he went on deck the next morning, they were in sight of the luxuriant shore of Hayti! The officers of the island boarded the ship ; but their language was unintelligible to the negroes, who still looked daggers at every one who spoke. They landed ; but the fearful, and ungrateful slaves continued sullen and forbidding. Mr. Lundy left them, however, and went -into the country, where he selected their future residence; and made every preparation for their comfort and convenience in his power; saw them conveyed to their neat, pleasant homes, and aU happily settled. This work was accom plished; and he merely called to bid adieu to his ungrateful charge, when he found that one of the slaves had been appointed to speak to him, in behalf of the whole number, and confess how deeply they had wronged him.' WhUe they were conversing, the K 218 RE-UNION OF OLD AND TRIED FRIENDS. others gathered around, with tears arid. prayers for forgiveness; and finaUy fell at his feet, imploring pardon for themselves, and blessings on the kind, patient and humane Benjamin Lundy. He hurried from the affecting scene, and soon after returned to America. Thus that cold evening passed more pleasantly away in our rude cabin; and our Canandaigua gentlemen, after an agreeable acquaintance, and plea sant chat with Mr. Lundy, retired for the night— not hke savages, but Hke gentlemen as they were ; and I doubt not, with a more exalted opinion of " the deaf old devU in the corner " CHAPTEE XXV. PRIVATE LOSSES AND PRIVATE DIFFICULTIES, SOON after settling in WUberforce, I found that the rumor I had heard in the States, concerning the refusal to sell land to colored persons, was literally correct, and my farm being too small to yield a sup port for my famUy, and knowing it would be useless to apply for more land, I engaged to carry packages / for different merchants in the adjoining villages, as well as to and from the settlement. Possessing a pair of exceUent horses and a good wagon, I found it a profitable business, and the only one I could well do, to eke out the proceeds of my farm, and meet my expenses. One day as I was returning from the village, one of my horses was taken suddenly ill. I took bim to" a tavern near by, and as I could discover no cause for his illness, I concluded to leave him a few days, sup 220 PRIVATE LOSSES AND DIFFICULTIES. posing rest would soon restore him. I accordingly hired another horse, and returned to the colony. In a day or two after, I coUected my packages as usual, and started on my route, designing to leave the hired horse and take my own ; but when I arrived at the tavern, I found some Indians engaged in taking off the hide and shoes of my poor, dead horse. This was indeed, a great loss to me ; but I consoled myself with the thought that I had one good horse left, yet he would hardly be sufficient to accomplish alone, the labor I had engaged to perform ; nor had I the means to spare, to purchase another. I therefore hired one, and commenced busmess again, with the determination to make up my loss by renewed dUigence and perse verance, I started in good spirits ; but had proceeded but a few mUes, when my remaining horse, which I had supposed perfectly sound, reeled and fell in the harness ! And before I could relieve him of it, my noble animal and faithful servant, had breathed his last ! Without a struggle or a movement he lay life less on the cold earth. I was sad. I deplored the loss of my good, and valuable team ; but more the mystery and suspicion that hung over the event. I returned home and sat down to devise some plan of procedure. What could I do ? HaU7 the means of our support had been suddenly and mysteriously snatched from us. What could I do next? WhUe thus ruminating, I arose to answer a summons at the TEMPTATION RESISTED. 221 door, and who should enter but Mr. B. Paul, a brother to our foreign agent, who had so long absented himself from our house, that I was indeed surprised to see him at this time. He, however, seated himself, with great apparent concern for my recent loss, which he soon made the subject of conversation and the object of his visit "There has been," said he, "a great deal of un pleasant feeling, and injudicious speaking on both sides, for wbich I am heartily sorry. The colony is too weak to sustain a division of feelings ; and now, that your recent losses have left you in a far less favorable- condition to sustain yourself and famUy, I have caUed to make a settlement of our former diffi culties, and to offer you two hundred and fifty doUars out of the collections for the colony." I saw through the plan at once, and considered it only a bribe, to prevent my exposing the iniquity of others. Should I consent to take a part of the Ul- gotten spoils, with what confidence could I attempt to stay the hand of the spoUer. I wanted money very much, it is true; but after a moment's reflection, not enough to sanction the manner in which it had been obtained ; and though I confess, the offer presented to me a strong temptation, I am thankful that I was enabled to resist it. I refused to accept the money; and after sending away the tempter and his offered 222 PRIVATE LOSSES AND DIFFICULTIES. gain, I felt my heart Hghter, and my conscience more peaceful than is often the lot of sinful, erring man in this world of trial and conflict; and yet I could but feel that the mystery in which the death of my horses was involved, was partiaUy at least, explained. CHAPTEE XXVI. INCIDENTS AND PECULIARITIES OF THE INDIANS. DURING our residence in Canada, we were often visited by the Indians, which gave us an oppor tunity to learn their character, habits and disposition ; and some incidents Ulustrative of the pecuharities of that abused people, I wiH here mention. I recoUect one bitter cold night, about eleven o'clock, I happened to awake, and looking out toward the fire, I was surprised to see standing there, erect and quiet, a tall, brawny Indian, wrapped in his blanket ; his long hunting knife and tomahawk dang ling from his belt ; and his rifle in his hand. Had he been in his own wigwam, he could not have looked about him with more satisfaction and independence. I instantly sprang to my feet, and demanded his errand. "Me lost in the woods, and me come to stay all night" was his grave reply. " Then," said I, " give me your weapons, and I will 224 INDIAN INCIDENTS AND PECULIARITIES. make no objection." He disarmed himself, and gave his weapons to me, with an air of haughty disdain for my fears. I put. them in a place of safety and then Drepared his bed, which was nothing more than the Jioor, where they choose to sleep, with their head to the fire. My offer of anything different from this he proudly resented as an insult to his powers of endur ance, and would say, "beds for pale faces and women; hard board for Indians." He threw himself down, drew his blanket about him, and was soon sleeping soundly. As soon as the day began to daWn, he was up, called for his arms, and after thanking me in the brief Indian style of politeness, departed for the forest. He had found our doors all fastened, save a low back door, through which he entered, passing through a back room so fuU of misceUaneous articles, that it wasdifficult to go through it in the day time without upsetting something; but the Indian understood aU this, he made no noise, nor would he have spoken at aU, had I not awakened; and yet, he would have scorned to injure any one beneath the roof that gave him shelter, unless he had been intoxicated. One sabbath afternoon, one of my chUdren was sitting in the door, when a tall, emaciated Indian came up and said, " WUl my Httle lady please to give me a drink of water?" WhUe she went for it, I invited him to a seat within. There was something dignified and commanding in his appearance, and something in VISIT FROM ONE OF TECUMSEH'S BRAVES. 225 his voice and countenance, that won my confiderice and respect at once. He remained in the place some time, and I learned his history. In his* younger days he had been a great warrior ; and even now, when recounting, as he often did, the scenes of the battle field, his eye would burn with savage fire, hghtihg up his whole countenance with the fiercest kind of bravery, and often with a hideous yell that would startle our very souls, he would burst from the room and bound over the fields and forest, with the fleetness of a deer — making the woods ring with his frightful war-cry, until the blood seemed ready to curdle in our veins. He had also been one of the famous Tecumseh's braves ; and had stood by him when he fell on the fifth of October, 1813. This old brave, whenever he called the name of Tecuinseh, bowed his head reverently; and would often try to teU us how very deeply they mourned when it could no longer be doubted that the brave heart of Tecumseh, brother of the celebrated Wabash prophet, had ceased to beat. " Had an arrow pierced the sun and brought it to my feet," said the old warrior, " I could not have been more astounded than at the fall of Tecumseh. Then he told us that once, after a great and victorious battle, Tecumseh, in his war paint and feathers, stood in the midst of his braves, when a Httle pale faced girl made her way weeping to him and said, "My mother is K* 226 INDIAN INCIDENTS AND PECULIARITIES. very ill, and your men are abusing her, and refuse to go away." "Never," said the Indian, "did I see a frown so terrible on the face of Tecumseh, as at that moment; when he with one hand clutched his toma hawk, and with the other led the Httle girl to the scene of riot He approached the unruly savages with uphfted tomahawk, its edge glittering Hke silver, and with one shout of 'begone!' they scattered as though a thunderbolt had fallen in their midst." But the old warrior at WUberforce fought no more battles, except in imagination those of the past. J After peace was declared he bought a valuable piece of land, with the intention of spending the remainder of his Hfe more quietly ; but unfortunately there lived not far from him a man who had once been the possessor of that farm, and had lost it in some way, and was now in reduced circumstances. He was both envious and vicious; and because he could not himself buy the land, he was determined that the old Indian should not have it. After having tried many ways to get it from him, he finally com plained of him, for fighting for the British and against the country where he now resided. This was success ful; he was arrested and thrown into prison, and without a trial, removed from one prison to another, untU he, with several others, was sent South to be tried as traitors. WhUe on the way, the keeper of this Indian wished to call on his mother, who hved in a WRONGS OF THE RED MAN. 227 Httle cottage by the roadside, to~bid her farewell. She was an aged woman, and when her son left her to join his companions, she followed him to the door weeping, wringing her hands in great distress, and imploring the widow's God to protect her only son. She had had four; aU of whom went forth, with an American mother's blessing, to fight in defence of their country; and this one alone, returned alive from the field of battle. Now as he took his final departure for the South, she clasped her hands, raised her tearful eyes to heaven, and whUe large drops rolled over her wrinkled cheeks, she cried, " Oh, God, protect my only one, and return him to me in safety, ere I die." This scene, the imprisoned, and as some supposed, heartless Indian, watched with interest ; no part of it escaped his atten tion ; but they passed on, and "safely reached Detroit. The prisoners were conducted to a hotel and secured for the night;, our Indian hero being consigned to an attic, which they supposed a safe place for him. There happened to be on that night, a company of showmen stopping at that hotel, and exhibiting wax- work; among the rest, was a figure of General Brock, who feU at. Queenston Heights, and a costly cloak of fur, worn by the General previous to his death. Nothing of this escaped the eagle-eye and quick ear of the Indian. When aU was quiet in the hotel, he com menced operations, for he had made up his mind to leave, which with the red man is paramount to an 228 INDIAN INCIDENTS AND PECULIARITIES. accomplishment of his design. He found no great difficulty in removing the window of his lofty apart ment, out of which he clambered, and with the agihty of a squirrel and the caution of a cat, he sprang for the conductor and on it he slid to the ground. He was now free to go where he pleased ; but he had heard something about the cloak of Gen. Brock ; he knew too, that the friends of the General had offered fifty guineas for it, and now he would just convey it to them. With the sagacity of his race, he surveyed the hotel, and determined the exact location of the show-room. StealthUy and noiselessly, he entered it; found the cloak — took it and departed, chuckling at his good fortune. As he was creeping out of the apartment with his booty, a thought struck him, which not only arrested his footsteps, but nearly paralized his whole being. Would not his keeper be made to answer, and perhaps to suffer for his escape and theft? Of course he would. " Then in the darkness I saw again," said the old brave, "that old pale-faced mother, weeping for the loss of her only son,'' when he immediately returned the cloak to its place, and with far more difficulty than in his descent, he succeeded in reaching his attic prison, where he laid himself down, muttering to himself, "not yet, — poor old pale-face got but one." They took him to Virginia, where, instead of a trial, INDIAN STRATAGEM. 229 they gave him about the same liberty they do their slaves. He staid one winter; but when the spring opened, the fire of the red man took possession of him, and when sent to the forest to chop wood, he took a bee-Hne for his former residence. But what was he to do for food ? With a rifle, he could live happily in the woods, but he had none ; so after considering the matter, he said to himself, " Me must get a rifle," and instantly started for the highway. The first cabin he saw, he entered in great apparent excitement, and told the woman of the house, that he had seen a "big deer in the woods, and wanted a rifle to shoot it. When you hear my gun," he said, " then you come and get big deer." She gave him her husband's exceUent rifle and a few bullets; he looked at them, and said he must have more, for "it was a big deer;" so she gave him the bullet-mtiuld and a piece of lead, with which he departed, after repeating his former injunction, to come when she heard the rifle ; but, said he, " she no hear it yet." He at length arrived at his own farm, from which he had been so crueHy driven, and concealed himself behind a log in sight of his own house, to watch the inmates. He soon learned that it was occupied by the man who had persecuted him in order to obtain it, his wife and one chUd. All day untU midnight, he watched them from his hiding place, then assuming all the savage ferocity of his nature, and giving him- 230 INDIAN INCIDENTS AND PECULIARITIES. self the most frightful appearance possible, he entered the house, and noiselessly passed to their sleeping room, where he placed himself before them with a long knife in his hand. Having assumed this frightful attitude, he commanded them in a voice of thunder, to get up and give him some supper. They were awake now. Oh, horror ! what a sight for a guUty man, and a timid woman ! " Me come to kUl you ! " said the Indian, as he watched their blanched cheeks and quivering Hps. They tottered about on their trembling limbs to get everything he asked for, im ploring him for God's sake to take aU, but spare their Hves. "Me wUl have scalps," he answered fiercely; but when he had eaten all he desired, he adjusted his blanket, and putting on a savage look, he remarked as if to himself, " Me go now get my men and kill him, kill he wife, and kUl he baby ! " and left the house for his post of observation. The frightened inmates lost- no time, but hastily collecting some provisions, fled to the frontier, and were never heard of afterwards. The Indian immediately took possession of his own and quite an addition left by the former tenants. WhUe the kind-hearted old Indian repeated to me the story of his wrongs, it reminded me of the injustice practised on myself, and the colored race generally. Does a colored man by hard labor and patient in dustry, acquire a good locatiori, a fine farm, and DESTINY OF THE COLORED MAN. 231 comfortable dweUing, he is almost sure to be looked upon, by the white man, as an usurper of his rights and territory ; a robber of what He himself should possess, and too often does wrong the colored man out of, — yet, I am happy to acknowledge many hon orable exceptions. I have often wondered, when looking .at the rem nant of that once powerful race,, whether the black man would become extinct and his race die out, as have the red men of the forest ; whether they would wither in the presence of the enterprising Anglo-Saxon as have the natives of this country. But now I have no such wondering inquiries to make; being persuaded that the colored man has yet a prominent part to act in this highly-favored EepubHc, — of what description the future must determine. CHAPTEE XXVII. OUR DIFFICULTIES WITH ISRAEL LEWIS. BEING under the necessity of referring again to the difficulties existing in the WUberforce colony, I shall here introduce a circular, pubHshed in New York city, which wiU give the reader an understand ing of the real cause of our embarrassments, and the character of our agent, Israel Lewis. CIRCULAR New Tork, May 9th, 1836. The committee of colored citizens of the city of Now York, as servants of the public, sincerely regret the necessity of bringing the within subject before the public. Their duty to God, to society, and to themselves, only actuates them in this matter. The fact that many individuals in different sections of the country, have long suspected the integrity of Israel Lewis, but possessing no authentic documentary evidence, they have been prevented from ISRAEL LEWIS DISHONESTY DENOUNCED. 233 making an effort, to counteract his too successful attempts and those of his agents, in the collection of funds from the public, has induceo us to transmit this circular. Theodore S. Weight, David Ruggles, Petee Ogden, John Staks, Thomas Downing, William P. Johnson, Geoege Potts, William Hamilton, Chaeles B. Rat, Samuel E. Cornish. ISRAEL LEWIS. Wilberforce, U. C, March 28*A, 1836. The board of managers of the Wilberforce settlement, met and passed unanimously the following resolutions — Present, Austin Stew ard, Philip Harris, Peter Butler, William Bell, John Whitehead, Samuel Peters. Resolved, 1st That we deeply regret the manner in which our friends in the States have been imposed upon by Israel Lewis ; and that we hereby inform them, as a board of managers or otherwise, that we have received less than one hundred dollars of all the money borrowed and collected in the States. Resolved, 2d. That although we have not received one hundred dollars from said Lewis, yet, when we shall have received the funds collected by our agent, the Rev. Nathan Paul, in England, we will refund as far as our abilities will allow and our friends may require, the money contributed for our supposed benefit, by them in the States. Resolved, 3d. That we tender our sincere thanks to our beloved friends, Arthur Tappan and others, who have taken such deep inter est in the welfare of oui little colony. Resolved, 4th. . That the foregoing resolutions bo signed by the 234 OUR DIFFICULTIES WITH ISRAEL LEWIS. whole board, and se. t to the States to be published in the New York Observer and other papers. AUSTIN STEWARD, President, PETER BUTLER, Treasurer, JOHN HALMES, Secretary. Philip Haeeis, William Bell, John Whitehead, Samuel Peters, New Tork, AprU 25 also, died about .this time, leaving him. with eight children, which determined him to leave the FRAUDULENT LAND AGENTS. 275 colony, and after providing homes for his chUdren, to return to his former occupation on the high seas ; but he also determined not to leave without receiving the pay which the agents had agreed to give for his im provements. " Oh yes," said they, in answer to his repeated soli citations, " you shall be paid, certainly, certainly; you shall be paid every farthing." But when the appointed day came for the pompous land agents to ride through the settlement, you might see Smith station himself at first one arid then another conspicuous place on the road, hoping they would have the magnanimity to. stop and pay him, especiaUy, as he bad informed them of his destitute and almost desperate condition, with eight young chUdren to maintain, and no means to do so, after giving up to them the farm. Before them as usual rode their body servant, of whom Smith would inquire at what hour the agents might be expected. And most blandly would he be informed of some particular hour, when perhaps, within the next ten minutes, 'the lordly agent would fly past him, on their foaming steeds, with the speed of a "lightning train." This course they repeated again and again. One day, when all of the land agents rode through the settle ment in this manner, Smith followed them on foot over fifty miles. He at last intercepted them, and they promised with the coolest indifference, that on a cer tain day, not far distant,, they would certainly pay him 276 THE LAND AGENT AND THE SQUATTER. aU he claimed,, if he would meet them at a certain hotel in London. To this he agreed; and the poor feUow returned to the colony almost exhausted. His funds, were nearly aU spent, and he wished to take His chUdren to New York; yet his only hope was in the integrity and honor of the land agents^ On the day appointed, he was at London long before the hour to meet, had arrived. He entered the viUage with a determined air, and saw the agents just riding up to a hotel, — but not the one they had told, him to call at. He, however, waited for no invitation, but entered the hotel and inquired of the servant for his4 master. He said his master was not there ! "I know he is, said Smith, " and I want, to see him." The servant withdrew, but soon returned to say that his master was engaged and could not see him that day. Smith foUowed tite servant into the hall, calling out to him in the most boisterous manner, demanding to be told the reason why he could not see his master. The noise which Smith purposely made, soon brought into the hall one of the agents, a Mr. Longworth, a short, fat man, — weighing in the neigh borhood of three hundred pounds! When he saw Smith, he strutted about, assuring- him that this dis graceful uproar was quite uncaUed for, and finally putting on a severe look, told him that he could not have anything for his improvements ; of course not, — NOVEL WAY OF ENFORCING PAYMENT. 277* he really could not expect; certainly not, &c. Smith plainly assured the agent that his "blarney" would avaU bim nothing; he had come by their own appointment to get his pay, and that he ceartainly should have — if not in the way they themselves agreed upon, he would choose his own method of getting it I Thus saying, he stepped back, threw down his wooUy head, and goat fashion, let drive into the fat Englishman's " bread basket!" He sprawled about and soon recovered his standing,- but continued to scream and halloo with rage and mortification, more than with pain, until he had brought to the spot landlord, boarders, and ser vants, to witness the affray; but Smith, nothing daunt ed, administered two or three more effectual butts with his hard head infcT the lordly agent, when the sub dued and now sUent English gentleman, drew from his pocket book, and carefuUy counted out, every doHar Smith had at first demanded. Smith accepted it pleasantly, thanked him and_ withdrew, amid the shouts and jeers of the spectators, which the agent was more willing to avoid than he. That was the way the land agent paid the squatter. It seemed, however, a Httle too bad, to make a fine English gentleman, feel as "flat" as Longworth ap peared to feel; yet it was undoubtedly the only method by which Smith could recover a farthing. The agents, it was supposed, did not design to pay for any im provements ; indeed, some very hard and unjust 278 THE LAND AGENT AND THE SQUATTER. incidents occurred in connection with that matter, arid probably Smith was about the only one, who ever received the full value ef his claim. There was committed about this time, a most shock ing murder, in the London district A farmer who had a respectable famUy, consisting of a wife and several children, became so addicted to the use of spirituous Hquors, that he neglected both his family and farm so much, that his friends felt caUed upon to request the distiUer, who was his near neighbor, to furnish him with no more intoxicating drink. This, so exasperated the poor, ruined and- besotted wretch, that he raved like a madman— such as he undoubtedly was — crazed and infuriated, by the contents of. the poisoned cup of liquid damnation, held to his lips by a neighboring distiller; a fellow-being, who for the consideration of a few shillings, could "see his neighbor made a brute and his family left iri destitution and sorrow. " Perhaps, however, he did hot anticipate a termination so fearful; yet that is but a. poor excuse for one who lives by the sale of rum. When a" rum- seller gives that to a man, which he knows wiH "steal away his brains," and make him a maniac; how can be anticipate his future conduct? And who is respon sible ? Ah, who ? When Severin found he could get no more intox icating beverage, he in his demoniacal rage, conceived the idea of despatehing his whole famUy, and set FIENDISH MURDERS, 279 about his purpose by first snatching the young babe and casting it into the fire ! When the poor wife and mother came shrieking to the rescue of her darling -infant, he with one furious blow, laid her a" bleeding corpse . at his feet ! Two other young chUdren he next murdered, and left them mingling their blood with that of their mother's, while he ran furiously after the two older ones, who were endeavoring to escape to a neighbor's for assistance ; and overtaking, kUled them both ! When the miserable wretch had completed his hellish design, he started for his nearest neighbor, named Smith, and told him that there was a black and a white man at his house, murdering his famUy, requesting him to go to their assistance. Mrs. Smith, believing that Severin designed to murder her husband, insisted on his calling his young men fo assist him, which he did; and on arriving at the scene of slaughter, a most horrid spectacle was before them : five dead bodies weltering in blood, aside from that of the innocent babe, whose little form lay roasted and charred, on the fatal and bloody hearthstone of the drunkard! Victims all, of an intoxicated husband and father ! When the guilty man saw the mangled remains of his household, he only increased his de pravity by trying to make others responsible for the wicked deed, — exclaiming in feigned anguish, "my dear wife ! my poor children ! I was afraid they would murder you ! Oh, my lost famUy ! " &c. 28U THE LAND AGENT AND THE SQUATTER. Community was soon alarmed; Severin, arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to suffer. the extreme penalty of the law. It is sufficient for us to say, that the evidence was clear and conclusive, that he was the only murderer of his famUy; nor was it doubted that Mrs. Smith's suspicion was correct; yet, with aU the array of posi tive testimony brought against him, he denied the commission of the crime to the last- moment of his life ! When brought out for execution,. he was placed under the gaUows, and the rope with its fatal noose adjusted around his neck,, when one of the attorneys arose, and with great solemnity, addressed him, in the most impressive manner : "We have done," said he, "aU in our power to save your Hfe; but you are justly condemned; and in a few minutes more, wUl enter the presence of the AU-seeing eye of Jehovah ; now let me beseech you, in the name of , God, to teU the truth, before you die." Severin declared himself innocent of the crime", for which he was about to suffer; but was consoled, he said, with the beHef that he should, in a few short moments, meet in blissful re-union his dear, murdered wife and chUdren in heaven, to part no more ! Prayers were read; and during the reading of the Lord's prayer, at the words " Thy wUl be done," the hardened wretch waa launchedinto eternity. No room was left to doubt the fact, that Severin with hia own hand destroyed the life of hia unhappy EXECUTION OF THE MURDERER. 281 and abused wife, and also that of his helpless famUy. Yet in one" sense, may we say with the murderer, it was not he who committed the awful and inhuman deed, but boldly and truthfully charge it to man's bitterest foe — Rum ! What but the maddening effects of spirituous Hquors, could so .demoralize, so demonize a man, as to convert the once loving husband and proud father, into a reckless fiend, a heartless savage ? Oh, Rum ! earth contains not another so fell a foe ! Should any who may read these humble pages, find an effectual warning in the unhappy end of Severin, one which shaU induce them to pause in their course, or at once and forever abandon' the use of alcoholic drinks, I shall gratefully feel that I have not written this incident in vain. Before I left Wilberforce, the Rev. S. E. Cornish, made a visit, and preached the Word of Life to the colony^ greatly to the satisfaction and comfort of the settlers. After distributing liberally of his abundance, to his poor brethren, he departed for the States, attended -by the prayers and blessings of the WUber force colonists. CHAPTER XXXIII. CHARACTER AND DEATH OF I. LEWIS. I HAVE spoken in the preceding chapter, of a visit from the Rev. S. E. Cornish, to the colony. He had previously written me, concerning the^object of bis proposed visit, which was to obtain the deposi tions of the board of managers, relative to aUthe money received through their agents for the colony. He was sent to Canada then, and once afterwards, for and at the expense of A. Tappan, on -business pertain ing to the law-suit instituted by L Lewis against that gentleman, for defamation of character. The depo sitions taken in the colony, with the expense of twice sending an agent to Canada, must have made a round sum for that kind gentleman to pay, merely for telling a truth already knowri ! Mr. Cornish had also been informed of my intention to leave the colony, and that my famUy were already gone. He, knowing something concerning the state of DEATH OF ISRAEL LEWIS. 288 things, urged me to remain at least, until his arrival, as wUl be seen by a reference to his letter in the appendix. As I look back on those scenes of labor and trial, I find cause for deep humUiation and gratitude to God, for His goodness and gracious " protection, over my fraU hfe, through unseen dangers of various kinds, and for his continued favors and unmerited blessings. Many of my fellow men bave faUen in death's cold embrace since that time, while my health and Hfe has been mercifully preserved. Three of the leading characters of the WUberforce colony are now dead. Rev. Benjamin Paul, lies in the silent grave-yard in Wilberforce, C. W. Hia brother, Rev. Nathaniel Paul, also sleeps the dreamless sleep of death, and his dust rests in the beautiful cemetry in Albany, "N:- Y. Israel Lewis has also finished his earthly career after robbing the poor of their just dues, and per secuting those who endeavored to1 defend them; after living in extravagance — "faring sumptuously every day," — he becaine reduced in circumstances ; despised arid dishonored, his proud spirit was at last broken. His health gave way; when at length, unattended and alone, he found his way to a hospital in Montreal, where he soon after died, leaving not enough of all his gains to afford him a decent burial ! Oh, what a reward "for all his labor under the 284 CHARACTER AND DEATH OF I. LEWIS. sun ! " His fame, his wealth, and Ms law-suits, all have perished with his memory. Poor man ! Israel Lewis was born a slave, raised on a Southern plantation, and subjected to aU the cruelties and depri vations of a bondman. His natural abUities were above mediocrity, but" having never had the advant ages bf an education, or the privileges of a society calculated to cultivate and refine his natural 'aspiring inteUect, and to direct his indomitable wUl in the acquirement of the more imperishable graces of the human heart, he had coine to manhood with a deter mined, selfish 'disposition, to accomplish whatever gratified his vanity or administered to the wants of his animal nature. And may we not, with propriety here inquire, whether our common Father, who has declared him self to be "no respecter of persons," has endowed' men with enlarged capacities for the attainment of that knowledge and wisdom, so requisite to the eleva tion of character, — for the express purpose of seeing them made beasts of burden, and their superior facul ties prostituted by the sensuality imposed by Slavery, and to be sold as chattels, with impunity ? I teU you, nay. The day when Almighty God wUl avenge the work of his own hands, hasteth greatly ! Were it not so, we might rejoice in the ignorance of the poor slaves, and pray that none of them may ever be endowed with a superior intellect to that of the brutes HIS NATURAL SHREWDNESS. 285 they are made to resemble. Then would the proud spirit no longer chafe, and manhood writhe in the unbroken chain; but, Hke the ox to the yoke or the horse to the harness, they might submit, without a conscious violation of their dearest and God given rights. But we were speaking of Israel Lewis. A~ natural energy and strength of character, he had inherited ; a malicious, selfish, and consequently a de ceptive disposition, "his life as a slave had undoubtedly bestowed upon- him. Intellect must have scope, and when nothing is ieft within its grasp but vice, .can we wonder that tbe slave possessing the" most talent, should generally prove the greatest, villain. Uneducated as was Lewis, his quick perception, his ungbverned passions, and his native independence,' not only made Mm a dangerous slave, but an unfaithful and overbearing companion. He, however, took a wife — a slave like himself, — whose devotedness and good sense, cannot be made manifest, more than in her willingness to leave aU that was dear- to her on earth, and flee frorii their birth-place, she knew riot whither ; but confiding in the professed love and pro tection of her husband, she cheerfully followed him to the dense forest, in search of that freedom, denied them " in their native country, — submitting herself gladly to all the hardships and fearful anxieties of a fugitive slave. What to her were horsemen, armed with dirk and rifle ! What though the trained and 286 CHARACTER AND DEATH OF I. LEWIS. inhuman blood-hound bayed upon their track ! Was not he who had sworn a life-long aUegiance to her by her side ! Should he be kUled or retaken, what could she desire, but to be his compamon still ! Slavery even, bitter as was the cup, might contain for her one sweet drop, whUe connubial love Hghted up their rude cabin, and sweetened their daUy toil ; but the. ad ditional anticipation of liberty, to their domestic happiness — oh blessed hope ! How it quickened their weary footsteps, and, with fixed eyes upon the star of the North, they pressed forward through every diffi culty, until they finaUy reached Cincinnati, 0. There they lived quietly, arid with others, suffered the terrors of the mob, where also he was chosen agent, to seek a more safe and quiet home for his afflicted and outcast countrymen. The office was accepted, and Lewis became the founder of the WUberforce colony. The personal appearance of Israel Lewis was pre possessing; his manner and address easy and com manding. To those unacquainted with his private Hfe, Ms ungoverned passions, and his unprincipled, revengeful disposition, he could appear the gentleman, the phUantMopist, and the Christian. His education was Hmited ; yet he had managed to gather a sufficient knowledge of the sciences to enable him to read and write, together with quite a fund of general information; and then his shrewdness and taot ADDRESSES THE SENATE AT ALBANY. 287 accomphshed aU the rest. To strangers he could appear a ripe scholar, if left unquestioned. He was a good speaker, and once spake with eloquence and marked effect before the Legislature, assembled in the Senate Chamber, at Albany, N. Y. Had the chUdhood of Mr. Lewis been passed under more favorable auspices ; had Ms inteUectual faculties been so cultivated as to predominate over Ms animal propensities, and Ms towering aspirations directed toward the accomplishment of acts, lofty in their benevolence, noble in their sacrifice, Mgh in their honorable purpose, and great in their purity; I can but beHeve that his powerful intellect would have acMeved the fame of a Lundy, or would have be queathed to his brethren a memory Hke that of a Clarkson. Instead, we have found him devoting his energies to the gratification of his avarice, pride, and ambition— characteristics directly opposed" to the de portment of the humble Christian, and such as our Heavenly Father has never promised to prosper. How truly has "the wise man" said, "He that is greedy of gain troubieth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shaU live." How strikingly has this passage been verified in the course of Lewis ! For a few paltry sums of gain, could he consent, not alone to rob the poor, for whom it was kindly given as unto the Lord, but to turn scornfully away from that poor, Uliterate, and humble slave wife, whom he had, in 288 CHARACTER AND DEATH OF I. LEWIS. their mutual adversity, vowed to cherish in prosperity as well as in aU other circumstances through Hfe. That wife, who had borne with him the sorrows of Slavery — the humble choice of a bondman! She, who fled' with him, anticipating additional happiness in a life of freedom ! Poor woman ! Disappointment is of an earthly growth, yet God is merciful ; notwith standing we have the same authority as above, for sayirig that " Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord : though hand join in hand, he shaU not be unpunished." In the hands of a righteous Judge we leave him, who, for the wealth that perisheth, — who, for worldly honor and selfish gratification, could barter his honesty and integrity, as " Esau, who sold his birth-right for a mess of pottage." To me the lesson is an impressive one, and I am thinking it would be weU for us all to examine the ¦foundation on which we stand. If based upon the sohd and broad. foundation of Christianity, doing to others in all tMngs as we would they should do to us, sacrificing on all occasions our own ease, and worldly honor, for the benefit of our fellow-men, and the good of our country, then indeed, we need fear no evU ; if the winds of adversity howl about our dwelling, we shall find it wUl stand, being founded on a rock. But if we build upon "the sands" of fame or self- aggrandizement, and, like the towering oak. Hft our CHRISTIANITY THE SUREST FOUNDATION. 289 dsignificant heads in proud defiance of the coming torm, we may expect that our' superstruction wiU all ! " And great wUl be the fall of it ! " N CHAPTER XXXIV MY RETURN ^O ROCHESTER. HAVING closed my business in WUberforce, I prepared to leave on the expiration of my term of office as township clerk, which was now near at hand. Notwithstanding, I ever felt a sensation of reHef and pleasure, when I thought of returning to my old home and friends in the States, yet as often as I look abroad over the settlement and remember all my glowing hopes,— all my delightful anticipations of a prosperous future for those poor, struggling colonists; when I recollected with what zeal and honest purpose, with what sincerity and sacrifice I had prosecuted my labor among them, — a dark shadow of disappointment would flit across my mind, however welcome it might be. That I had firm and tried friends in the colony, I had never the least reason to doubt, not to suppose their number less after a five years residence with them; but our expectations had not been reahzed. RETURN TO ROCHESTER PENNILESS. 291 Our hope of settHng a township, to be represented in Parliament by one of our own people,. was now for ever blasted. I remembered too, that many of the colonists had been unjustly incited against my course ; but in the retrospect my heart did not condemn me. Errors many, no doubt I had committed ; but I was grateful, when reviewing the whole ground, for a conscience void of offence toward God and man ; and I finaUy took my leave of all, craving the choicest blessings of Heaven to rest upon that infant colony and its interests. On the nineteenth day of January, 1837, I left Wilberforce, passing through Brantford, HamUton, Queeriston, Lewiston, and from thence to Rochester. During my journey, I could not avoid feeling sad and despondent, as my mind incessantly returned to the review of my mission, upon which I could look with no other decision than that of an entire faUure. I had spent my time, wasted my substance for nought, and was now returning" to my dependant family, — that, with myself, had been stripped of nearly every means of- comfort and support. What would my Rochester friends think of my conduct? Notwithstanding all my despondency and evil foreboding at that time, I am now weU satisfied that my labor was not all in vain, but that some good did result from it. As I drew near the city, a gloom Hke tMck dark- I 292 MY RETURN TO ROCHESTER. ness overshadowed me : I thought of the unfavorable transactions which had occurred between the directors of the colony and my friends in Rochester, and feU to wondering how they would receive me. On the twenty-third of January, 1837, I finaUy re entered the city pennUess; but as I soon found, not so friendless as my fears would have it. Among, the first to welcome me back to my old home, was that friend of "blessed memory," Everard Peck, who had been apprised of some of the losses I had met and the trials I had passed through. This gentleman was also one of the first to propose to be one of five riien, who should loan me one hundred doUars each, for five years. TMough the disinterested. loudness of this worthy gentleman, I was in a few days after my arrival, weU established in a store of provisions and groceries. The five kind gentlemen, to whom I was so deeply indebted for the loan, were: Everard Peek, George A. Avery, Samuel D. Porter, Levi W. Sibley, and Griffith, Brother & Co. This noble act of generosity and kindness, .on the part of my friends, to furnish me with the means to commence business, especially when their prospect was anything but flattering, regarding my ever being able to refund their WeU-timed and gracious liberality, — affected me more deeply than aU the censure and persecution I had elsewhere received. Their frown and displeasure, I was better prepared to meet than KINDLY ASSISTED BY OLD FRIENDS. 293 this considerate act of Christian sympathy, which I am not ashamed to say melted me to tears, and I resolved to show my appreciation of their -kindness by an industry and diligence in business hitherto unsur passed. E. BardweU, then a merchant on Exchange Street, next laid me under a lasting obligation by offering to sell me goods on credit; others proffered assistance by promising, their continual patronage, which was to me the same as -cash, — and soon the store I had opened on Main Street, was doing an extensive busi ness. My profits were smaU to be sure, and I had a heavy rent to pay for my store and dwelHrig, yet I was maMng a comfortable living for my family, and laying by something to reimburse the kind frierids who had helped me in the time of need, when I found that the health of my famSy required more of my time and assistance than ever before. My oldest daughter, who, I have before, mentioned, having taken a violent cold on Lake Erie, was now confined to her bed. AU that could be done to save the life of a darhng chUd — our first born — -was dorie; and if we sometimes went beyond our means, it was a satisfac tion to us to see her enjoy some of the comforts of life of wMch my mission to Canada had deprived her. One physician after another was employed to stay the approach of the destroyer: some said they could cure her, if paid in advance; to all of wMch I cheerfully 294 MY RETURN TO ROCHESTER. acceded, but only to see our beloved sink lower, and patiently pine away. No one but a parent who has watched the rapid decline of a darling chUd, and marked with a bursting heart the approaching footsteps of the spoUer, can imagine how powerless we felt at that time. The wealth of the Indias, had we possessed it, would Eave been freely given, although it would have been un availing, to sMeld that loved and gentle form from pain, and we were obHged to look hopelessly on, whUe our little patient, suffering daughter sank lower and lower every day. In vain were our parental arms outstretched for her protection ; from death we could not save her. She had long since ceased to glide about the house, and soothe with her sUvery tones aU 'the chUdish fears of the Httle ones. Helpless she now lay, burmng with fever, and wasting from our sight, "till soft as the dew on the twihght descending," the cold damps of death gathered on her youthful brow. One pleasant morning after passing a restless night, I observed her to gaze earnestly upward, and a moment after I called her name but received no answer. " Her languishing head was at rest ; Its thinkings and achings were o'er ; Her quiet, immoveable breast, Was heaved by affliction no more." On the fifteenth day of AprU, 1837, she sweetly fell PROSPERITY IN BUSINESS. 295 asleep, aged eleven years. Sorrowfully we foUowed her remains to Mount Hope, where we laid her down to rest untU the resurrection morning. Death had now made its first inroad in our famUy circle, and since then we have laid two other loved ones by. her side. We sorrowed, butnot without hope. My business continued to prosper, and I concluded to buy a small variety store, containing some three or four hundred doUars worth of goods on the corner of Main and North Streets, formerly owned by Mr. Snow, but, having two stores on my hands, I did not iriake much by the trade. The'first summer after I returned- to Rochester, the friends of temperance made a fine celebration, and gave me the privilege of providing the dinner. I considered it not only a privilege, but an honor, and felt very gratefulto the committee who conferred the favor upon me. Thevcelebration came off on the Fourth of July, and was indeed, .a splendid affair. The multitude were addressed on the public square, by some of the best speakers in the country. I laid in a large quantity of provisions of every available kind, buUt a bower, hired waiters, and prepared seats for five hundred to dine; but when the oration was over, and the multi tude came to the table, I found that as many more seats were wanted. We, however, accommodated as many as we could, at one dollar, each, and all passed off well, to the great satisfaction of all concerned. 296 MY RETURN TO ROCHESTER. When all was over, and the friends learned that I had on hand a large amount of cooked provision, they continued their kindness by purchasing it, thus pre venting any loss on my part. My store on the corner of Main and North Streets, was at the head of the market, and I was enabled to supply both of my stores with country produce on the best possible, terms. I kept two clerks at" each store, and aU seemed prosperous for a time, when from some cause, which I could never "understand, my business began to faU. My famUy had ever hved ^prudently, and I knew that was not the cause. I thought to better my circumstances by taking a store in the Rochester House, but that proved to be a bad stand for my business, and after one year, I removed to Buffalo Street, opposite the Court House. I ought to say, that as soon as I found that my income was getting less than my expenses, I went to the gentle men who had loaned me the five hundred doUars, and showed them the true state of my affairs, and they kindly agreed to take fifty per cent, wMch I paid them. After locating on Buffalo Street, I took in a partner, named John Lee, a young man, active and industrious, who paid into the firm tMee hundred doUars, with which we bought goods. With what I had on hand, this raised the joint stock to about a thousand dollars, which we were making frequent additions, and on MY- GOODS DESTROYED BY FIRE. 297 which we had an insurance of six hundred dollars. Our business was now more prosperous than at any previous time, and we began to look up with hope and confidence in our final success. One mght I returned to my home as usual, leaving Lee in the store. About twelve o'clock, Mr. Morris awoke me with a few loud raps, and the announcement that my store was on fire and a part of my goods in the street! I hastened to the place, where I found, as he had said, what was ^aved from the fire pUed up in the street and, the fire extinguished. The buUding was greatly damaged and the goods they rescued were nearly ruined. Now we were tMown out of busi ness, and the firm was dissolved. With the assistance of W. S. Bishop, a lawyer, we made out the amount of damage, which was readily paid by the agent for the insurance company. When the Fourth of July came round again, the temperance men resolved on having another demon stration, and as before, I was requested to supply the dinner, which I did, after the same manner as the year previous. Having been tMown out of business by the fire, I began to examine my pecuniary matters, and found that I was some tMee or four hundred doUars in debt, wMch I had no means of paying. True, I had met with a great misfortune, but I felt that to be an honest man I must meet aU obligations, whether legally N* 298 MY RETURN TO ROCHESTER. bound to do so or not; yet it was beyond my power at that time, and I finaUy concluded to leave the city, and try to better my condition by some other busmess, or at least to clear myself from debt. CHAPTER XXXV. BISHOP BROWN — DEATH OF MY DAUGHTER. I REMOVED with my famUy to the vUlage of , Canandaigua, where I commenced teaching a school for. colored chUdren, assisted by my daughter, i Tbe school was sustained partly by the Hberality of the citizens of the vUlage, and partly by donations from abroad. It was continued two years, and the cMldren made .rapid progress whUe they were under our tuition. Soon after I left Rochester, I visited New York city, ' and whUe there, I joined "The African Methodist Epis copal Conference." Bishop Brown, of PhUadelphia,/ presided over the deUberations of that body, and appeared to be a man of deep piety, as well as apt in business, and was a native bf one of the CaroHnas. I found a pleasing acquaintance also, with Bishop Walters of Baltimore, Md. He was smaU in stature ; but a powerful speaker, and discharged every. duty 300 BISHOP BROWN. with "an eye single to the glory of God."- He has now gone to give an account of his stewardship, and I pray that "his mantle may fall" upon one as capable of leading our people as he. The conference consisted of some sixty or seventy ministers of the gospel, with these two Bishops- at their head., The conference continued its session ten days. When it was closed, Bishop. Brown, with several others, started on a visit to the West. They called at Rochester, and then passed over to Canada, where a conference was to be holden. We arrived, after a pleasant journey, at HamUton, where the English government have a regiment of black soldiers stationed. It was common, in passing through the streets of HamUton, to meet every few rods, a colored man in uniform, with a sword at his side, marching about in aU the military pomp allowed only to wMte men in this free repvb]k. AU being in readiness, Bishop Brown opened the conference under the authority of Her Brittanic Majesty, with great solemnity, which seeiried to be felt by the whole assembly. This meeting appeared to me far more interesting than the one we had attended in New York city. The colored people were much more numerous in HamUton, and in far better circumstances than in New York. It is a hard case to be poor in any large city, but to be both poor and black, as was the condition of the majority of our friends in New York, was indeed a terrible calamity CONFERENCE OPENED IN HAMILTON, C. W. 301 Every class, no matter how worthless they might be, would be aUowed to rent a house in preference to a colored man. The consequence was, our people were crowded back into the most unhealthy alleys, in old dilapidated tenements unfit for human beings to dweU in, and such as could not be disposed of to any other class of people. I, am happy to say, however, that a favorable change has taken place in New York, since the time of which I am speaking. Capitalists have noted the good reputation of the colored people as tenants,. and have of late erected good dwellings for their, accommodation. In HamUton there was none of that wretchedness and squalid poverty, nor any of that drunken rowdyism so common in Eastern cities, perceivable among the colored people.' Our conference was largely attended by all classes, both -black and white, — many of the latter invited the Bishop with, his associates to their dwellings to dine, indeed we seldom took a meal at our lodgings; so con stantly were we sohcited by friends to accompany them home. . We also found many fugitive slaves in that city, many of whom were intelligent mechanics. Some of them took us about the place, showing us the different buildings they were engaged in erecting; quite a number were employed in building a church which appeared to be done in a workman-like manner. In the meantime our meeting was progressing in a 302 BISHOP BROWN. very interesting manner, and when tne closmg services wefe commenced, the house was filled to, overflowing; still many could not be aecommodated. .The preach ing was solemn and impressive,, and it reaUy seemed to me that the glory of God. fiUed the house in which we worsMpped; saints rejoiced and shouted "glory to God, in theMghest," whUe sinners trembled and cried out, "what must we do to be saved from the wrath to come." There were several hopeful conversions during the session of conference ; and- after its close we spent one day in making social calls, and. viewing the city and its surroundings. Burlington Bay makes an exceUent harbor forsMp- .ping, whUe Burlington Heights loom up on the north in all their wUd and terrific grandeur. Near the bay resides Mr. McNab, so notorious in the history of the Canadian revolution. We went in a large company to look at his beautiful grounds and residence, over wMch we were pohtely conducted by bis amiable lady. It was indeed a lordly mansion, with its sur roundings laid out in the English style of princely magnificence. On our return to the city at evemng, we were invited to attend a grand soiree, got up in honor of the Bishop's first visit to that place. Several families of colored people combined to provide the splendid entertainment, whUe one lady presided at the board. She was very beautiful and very dark; but a complete ATTEND A GRAND SOIREE. 303 model of grace and elegance, conversing with perfect ease and intelligence with all, both black and wMte ministers, who surrounded the festive board, as well as our Irish friends, not a few of whom were present. One honest son of the JEmerald Isle entered, and not understanding the matter, inquired of Ms brother "Pat," in_ rather a loud whisper, "What's all them nagurs setting to that table for ? " He, however, soon satisfied himself, and all passed off quietly and in excellent order. At a late hour the company, after a benediction, withdrew and dispersed. We left HamUton the following morning, feehng grateful and pleased with our meeting and visit It was a beautiful morning; the lake, was still,. no sound was heard but the rushing waves, as our boat moved on through its placid waters, toward our destination, then called Fort George, now Niagara, where we took stage for the Falls. At that place of resort, we stopped to view the stupendous work of Almighty God, and listen to the ceaseless thundering of the cataract. How tame ap pear the works of art, and how insigmficant the bearing of proud, puny man, compared with the awful grandeur of that natural curiosity-; Yet there, the rich from all parts of the world, do congregate ! There you wiU find the idle, swaggering, slaveholder, blustering about in lordly style; boasting of his wealth ; betting and gambHng ; ready to fight, if his 804 BISHOP BROWN. slightest wish is not granted, -and lavishing his cash on aU who have the least claim upon Mm. Ah, well ean he afford to be liberal, — weU can he afford to spend thousands yearly at our Northern watering places; he has plenty of human chattels at homej toiling year after year for his benefit. The Httle hoe- cake he gives them, takes but a miU of the wealth with which they fill his purse; and should his extravagance Hghten it somewhat, he has only to order his brutal overseer to sell— soul and body-^ some poor creature ; perchance a husband, or a wife, - or a child, and forward to him the proceeds of the sale. WhUe the wretched slave marches South with a gang, under the lash, he lavishes his funds in extravagant living, — funds gathered from the tears and blood of a helpless human being. Have. you, dear reader, ever watched the slaveholder at such places as I have, ghding through the shady groves, or riding, in his splendid carriage, dressed in the richest attire, and with no wish ungratified that gold can purchase; and have you ever been guUty of envying him, or of wisMng yourself in Ms condition? If so, tMnk of the curse which rests on Mm who grinds the face of the poor. TMnk of his doom in the day of final retribution, when he shaU receive at the bar of a righteous Judge, " according to the, deeds done in the body, " and not according to his wealth and jaower. Think you, that the prayers, cries, and JEWISH "CITY OF REFUGE." 305 pleadings of the down-trodden slave that for years have been ascending to the tMone of a just God, wUl never be avenged? Yea, verily, the day of reckon ing hastens on apace, and though, "He bear long with them; He wUl surely avenge them of their ad versaries; and that speedUy ! " As we pursued our journey to Buffalo, we passed Grand Island, from whence Mordecai Emanuel Noah, some years ago issued a proclafnation, calling on the Jews to come and buUd on that island the " City of Refuge," but which I believe was not responded to, as I saw it remained in its native wildness. He had also a irionument erected there at the time, which might be seen from the highway and canal, consisting of a white marble slab, six feet in height, with a suit able inscription upon it, to direct the poor Jew to the City of Refuge. It was quite conspicuous, but not so magnificent as Gen: Brock's at Queenston Heights. Arrived at Buffalo, we held several meetings wMch were very interesting. The colored people were then numerous in that city, and owned one of the largest churches in Western New York. We found a large and prosperous society under the superintendence of Elder Weir, who was a good and talented man, setting a godly example for Ms flock to imitate. At Buffalo I parted with my pleasant and instructive traveling companion, Bishop Brown, never to meet agam on the 306 DEATH OF MY DAUGHTER. shores of time. Soon after that pleasant journey he died," and passed from Ms labor to reward. Buffalo was theri, as now a great' place for business. Vessels from all parts of the country crowded the docks, and I then thought that it must in time become one of the largest cities in the Union. After a plea sant visit with our people there, I returned to my home in Canandaigua, where I now began to feel quite settled. I had been requested to act as agent fof the 'Anti- Slavery Standard," with which I complied, arid leaving my daughter to teach tite school, I spent the most of my time in traveling, through the country to advance the interests of that paper. When I returned from Buffalo, she was complain ing of poor, health, nor was it long before" we saw that she was rapidly declining. This beloved daughter, I had spared no pains nor money to educate and qualify for teaching. I had encountered all the trials and difficulties that every colored man meets, -in his exertions to educate his family. I had .experienced enough to make me fear that I should not always be able to get my chUdren into good schools, and therefore determined at what ever' cost, to educate this child thoroughly, that she might be able, not only to provide for her own wants, but to teach her younger brothers and sisters, should they be deprived of the advantages of a good school. HEART-RENDING BEREAVEMENT. 307 Well had she rewarded my labor ; well had she realized all my fondest hopes and expectations, — but _ alas ! "for human foresight and worldly wisdom ! The accomplishments and qualifications of a teacher were attained; and proudly we looked for the achieve ment of our long-contemplated design. How hard to believe that the fell destroyer was upon her track ! Her education had qualified her for -teaching the sciences; but-riow I saw, that her faith in theTeligi'on of the blessed Christ, was assisting hef to teach her. own" heart a lesson of patience, and quiet submission to the wUl of Him who holds the issues of life, — and Oh, how difficult for- us to learn the solomn lesson, that her wasting formT her gradual sinking away, was hourly setting before us. Slowly her strength failed-;', she, however, saw our sorrowful anxiety, and would try to relieve it with a cheerful appearance. One day perhaps she would be able to walk about, which would revive our wavering hope; the next she was prostrate and suffering;' then hope died and we, were sad! All the spring time she languished; the sunira'er came, the roses bloomed, and the grain began to ripen, but she was wasting away. The orchard yielded .its goldpn harvest; the birds sang merrily on the trees, but a dark shadow had fallen on our hearthstone, and a gloom, like the pall of death, rested on- our household. Her place at table was already vacant; no longer she called the little 808 DEATH OF MY DAUGHTER. ones about her to hear them repeat their tasks,-^-all of wMch admonished us, that soon the bed where we could now see her, would be vacated.; and we should no longer witness her patient smUe, and know that she was stUl with us. The pastor of the Baptist church often called to pray with, and for, the quiet sufferer, which she appreciated very Mgbly, for she was a CMistian in every sense of the word. On the thirtieth day of August, at about eleven o'clock, A. M., without a struggle or a groan, her vSpirit returned to God who gave it. "Sweetly as babes, sleep," she sank into the embrace of death. Happily, triumphantly, had she seen the grim mes senger approach ; but she knew whom she had be lieved, and that He was able to keep that wMch she had committed to Him, unto the resurrection of the just. She had previously made a confession of "her faith in Christ, and had been buried with Him in baptism. A few days after her demise, a long, sad train wound its way to the vUlage church yard, where we de posited the remains of our beloved, — Patience Jane Steward, in the eighteenth yeaf of her age; and then returned to our desolate house, to realize that she had left a world of pain and sorrow, where the fairest rose conceals a thorn, the sweetest cup a bitter drop, for a home where the flowers would never fade, and where pain, sorrow and death wUl never come. We all felt THE PEACEFUL DEATH-BED CONTRASTED. 309 the solemn and impressive warning, "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh." As Often as I recaUed her triumphant, peaceful death, her firm reliance on God, and sweet submission to His wUl, I could not forbear contrasting her de parture with that of Mrs. Helm, whose death I have elsewhere described; and could fervently pray, that I might live the life of the righteous, that my last end might be like hers. " Behold the Western evening light, It melts in deep'ning gloom ; So calmly Christians sink away. Descending to the tomb. The winds breathe low, the withering leaf Scarce whispers from the tree, — So gently flows the parting breath, When good folks cease to be. How beautiful on all the hills, The crimson light is shed ; 'Tis like the peace the Christian gives, To mourners round his bed. How mildly on the wandering cloud, The sunset beam is cast, — 'Tis like the.mem'ry left behind, When loved ones breathe their last. 310 DEATH OF MY DAUGHTER. And now above the dews' of night. The yellow star appears ; So faith springs in the breast of those, Whose eyes are bathed in tears. But soon the morning's happier lighf, Its glory, shall restore ; And eyelids that are sealed in death, Shall wake to close no more." CHAPTER XXXVI CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST OF AUGUST. THE anti-slavery friends m Canandaigua, had re solved to celebrate the anniversary of the West India emancipation, in smtable manner in that. vUlage, for wMch funds had been unsparingly, collected, to defray the expenses of the coming demonstration. The first of August, 1847, fell on Sunday, and our people concluded to devote that day to religious meet ings, and the second to their proposed celebration. Frederick Douglass and Mrr Van Loon, from Pough keepsie, addressed the people on the Sabbath; and also, on the same evening, a large concourse at the Court House. The day foUowing, there were" nbt less than ten thousand people assembled- ori the beautiful ¦grounds, belonging to the vUlage Academy — attentive listeners all to the eloquent speeches deHvered, and interested spectators of the imposing exercises. 812 CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST OF AUGUST. When the vast multitude had convened, the exer cises were commenced by the Rev. S. R. Ward, who addressed the tMone of grace, after wMch, Mr. Fred erick Douglass deHvered an oration, in a style of eloquence wMch only Mr. Douglass himself can equal, foUowed by a song from the Geneva choir, and music by Barring's band. Rev. H H. Garnet, editor of "The National Watchman," next spake, and with marked effeet, foUowed by Messrs. Ward and Doug lass; after wMch, the assemblage formed a procession, and marching to the Canandaigua Hotel, partook of a sumptuous dinner, provided by the proprietor of that house. At six P. M., they again assembled on the square, and were most eloquently addressed by both Ward and Garnet; at the close, they repaired to the ladies' fair, where they found everything in a con dition wMch spake weU for the enterprise and indus try of our colored sisters. Their articles for sale, were of a choice and considerate selection, and such as sold rapidly and at fair prices. When aU was pleasantly over, the ladies contributed twenty doUars toward paying the speakers present. A most beautiful ode was composed by a warm and generous friend of the cause, wMch was sung in the grove, in a spirit which produced a thrilling interest Gladly would I give the reader the whole composi tion, but its length makes, it objectionable for this MESSRS. DOUGLASS, WARD AND GARNET. 313 place, but should they happen to hear a soul-stirring and subhme ode, commencing with, , " Hail ! to this day returning ; Let all to Heaven aspire," and will do all in my power to promote your welfare, but it is very material not to prejudice the public against you. Before I move in the matter, I wish to know the real state of the matter between- Lewis and "the Colony. As soon as I can know that he has defrauded you and deceived the public, I will not hesitate to give my views on the subject, and put forth any efforts in my power for your^dvancement. There should no sectarian or party feeling be allowed to creep into your institution. I thank you for naming me as a receiver for your Colony, and shiu-ld anything come to me, I shall hand it over to James S. Sey- raour, Esq., Cashier of the Bank of Auburn, who "should have been named instead of me. I hope you will put his name in my place, or at any rate, name him with me, for he has been from the first, much interested in your behalf. If you will allow me, I will briefly say, that my opinion is, your best way to i-elieve your immediate wants, would be to issue a brief circular, stating the failure of your crops, your newness of settle ment, &c,