NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE

OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS,
AN AMERICAN SLAVE

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF

BOSTON
PUBLISHED AT THE ANTI-SLAVERY OFFICE,
NO. 25 CORNHILL
1845

ENTERED, ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS,

IN THE YEAR 1845
BY FREDERICK DOUGLASS,
IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT
OF MASSACHUSETTS.

This edition copyright 2005 by the Antislavery Literature Project.

This edition is free for no-profit and educational use.
 2

Daguerrotype by J.W. Hurn.

The image is probably from immediately following the Civil War,
when Douglass was 47-49 years old.
 3

Electronic Resources

Texts Available Online

Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom. Part I. Life as a Slave. Part II. Life as a
Freeman. New York: Miller, Orton & Mulligan, 1855. Digitized by Documenting the
American South.

---, The Meaning of July Fourth to the Negro, (1852). Digitized by PBS.

----, An Appeal to Congress for Impartial Suffrage, (January 1867). Digitized by

the University of Oklahoma Law Center.

Historical Sites

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (Washington, DC)

Research

Frederick Douglass Papers Project (Indiana University-Perdue University)

The Frederick Douglass Papers (Library of Congress)

Other Resources

Wikipedia article on Frederick Douglass

Date: August 2005

 4

PREFACE
byWilliamLloydGarrison

InthemonthofAugust,1841,Iattendedanantislaveryconventionin
Nantucket,atwhichitwasmyhappinesstobecomeacquaintedwith
FREDERICKDOUGLASS,thewriterofthefollowingNarrative.Hewasa
strangertonearlyeverymemberofthatbody;but,havingrecentlymadehis
escapefromthesouthernprisonhouseofbondage,andfeelinghiscuriosity
excitedtoascertaintheprinciplesandmeasuresoftheabolitionists,ofwhomhe
hadheardasomewhatvaguedescriptionwhilehewasaslave,hewasinduced
togivehisattendance,ontheoccasionalludedto,thoughatthattimearesident
inNewBedford.
Fortunate,mostfortunateoccurrence!fortunateforthemillionsofhis
manacledbrethren,yetpantingfordeliverancefromtheirawfulthraldom!
fortunateforthecauseofnegroemancipation,andofuniversalliberty!
fortunateforthelandofhisbirth,whichhehasalreadydonesomuchtosave
andbless!fortunateforalargecircleoffriendsandacquaintances,whose
sympathyandaffectionhehasstronglysecuredbythemanysufferingshehas
endured,byhisvirtuoustraitsofcharacter,byhiseverabidingremembranceof
thosewhoareinbonds,asbeingboundwiththem!fortunateforthemultitudes,
invariouspartsofourrepublic,whosemindshehasenlightenedonthesubject
ofslavery,andwhohavebeenmeltedtotearsbyhispathos,orrousedto
virtuousindignationbyhisstirringeloquenceagainsttheenslaversofmen!
fortunateforhimself,asitatoncebroughthimintothefieldofpublicusefulness,
gavetheworldassuranceofaMAN,quickenedtheslumberingenergiesofhis
soul,andconsecratedhimtothegreatworkofbreakingtherodoftheoppressor,
andlettingtheoppressedgofree!
Ishallneverforgethisfirstspeechattheconventiontheextraordinary
emotionitexcitedinmyownmindthepowerfulimpressionitcreatedupona
crowdedauditory,completelytakenbysurprisetheapplausewhichfollowed
fromthebeginningtotheendofhisfelicitousremarks.IthinkIneverhated
slaverysointenselyasatthatmoment;certainly,myperceptionoftheenormous
outragewhichisinflictedbyit,onthegodlikenatureofitsvictims,wasrendered
farmoreclearthanever.Therestoodone,inphysicalproportionandstature
commandingandexactinintellectrichlyendowedinnaturaleloquencea
prodigyinsoulmanifestlycreatedbutalittlelowerthantheangelsyeta
slave,ay,afugitiveslave,tremblingforhissafety,hardlydaringtobelievethat
ontheAmericansoil,asinglewhitepersoncouldbefoundwhowouldbefriend
himatallhazards,fortheloveofGodandhumanity!Capableofhigh
attainmentsasanintellectualandmoralbeingneedingnothingbuta
comparativelysmallamountofcultivationtomakehimanornamenttosociety
andablessingtohisracebythelawoftheland,bythevoiceofthepeople,by
thetermsoftheslavecode,hewasonlyapieceofproperty,abeastofburden,a
chattelpersonal,nevertheless!
AbelovedfriendfromNewBedfordprevailedonMr.DOUGLASSto
addresstheconvention:Hecameforwardtotheplatformwithahesitancyand
 5

embarrassment,necessarilytheattendantsofasensitivemindinsuchanovel
position.Afterapologizingforhisignorance,andremindingtheaudiencethat
slaverywasapoorschoolforthehumanintellectandheart,heproceededto
narratesomeofthefactsinhisownhistoryasaslave,andinthecourseofhis
speechgaveutterancetomanynoblethoughtsandthrillingreflections.Assoon
ashehadtakenhisseat,filledwithhopeandadmiration,Irose,anddeclared
thatPATRICKHENRY,ofrevolutionaryfame,nevermadeaspeechmore
eloquentinthecauseofliberty,thantheonewehadjustlistenedtofromthelips
ofthathuntedfugitive.SoIbelievedatthattimesuchismybeliefnow.I
remindedtheaudienceoftheperilwhichsurroundedthisselfemancipated
youngmanattheNorth,eveninMassachusetts,onthesoilofthePilgrim
Fathers,amongthedescendantsofrevolutionarysires;andIappealedtothem,
whethertheywouldeverallowhimtobecarriedbackintoslavery,laworno
law,constitutionornoconstitution.Theresponsewasunanimousandin
thundertonesNO!Willyousuccorandprotecthimasabrothermana
residentoftheoldBayState?YES!shoutedthewholemass,withanenergyso
startling,thattheruthlesstyrantssouthofMasonandDixonslinemightalmost
haveheardthemightyburstoffeeling,andrecognizeditasthepledgeofan
invincibledetermination,onthepartofthosewhogaveit,nevertobetrayhim
thatwanders,buttohidetheoutcast,andfirmlytoabidetheconsequences.
Itwasatoncedeeplyimpresseduponmymind,that,ifMr.DOUGLASS
couldbepersuadedtoconsecratehistimeandtalentstothepromotionofthe
antislaveryenterprise,apowerfulimpetuswouldbegiventoit,andastunning
blowatthesametimeinflictedonnorthernprejudiceagainstacolored
complexion.Ithereforeendeavoredtoinstilhopeandcourageintohismind,in
orderthathemightdaretoengageinavocationsoanomalousandresponsible
forapersoninhissituation;andIwassecondedinthiseffortbywarmhearted
friends,especiallybythelateGeneralAgentoftheMassachusettsAntiSlavery
Society,Mr.JOHNA.COLLINS,whosejudgmentinthisinstanceentirely
coincidedwithmyown.Atfirst,hecouldgivenoencouragement;with
unfeigneddiffidence,heexpressedhisconvictionthathewasnotadequatetothe
performanceofsogreatatask;thepathmarkedoutwaswhollyanuntrodden
one;hewassincerelyapprehensivethatheshoulddomoreharmthangood.
Aftermuchdeliberation,however,heconsentedtomakeatrial;andeversince
thatperiod,hehasactedasalecturingagent,undertheauspiceseitherofthe
AmericanortheMassachusettsAntiSlaverySociety.Inlaborshehasbeenmost
abundant;andhissuccessincombatingprejudice,ingainingproselytes,in
agitatingthepublicmind,hasfarsurpassedthemostsanguineexpectationsthat
wereraisedatthecommencementofhisbrilliantcareer.Hehasbornehimself
withgentlenessandmeekness,yetwithtruemanlinessofcharacter.Asapublic
speaker,heexcelsinpathos,wit,comparison,imitation,strengthofreasoning,
andfluencyoflanguage.Thereisinhimthatunionofheadandheart,whichis
indispensabletoanenlightenmentoftheheadsandawinningoftheheartsof
others.Mayhisstrengthcontinuetobeequaltohisday!Mayhecontinueto
growingrace,andintheknowledgeofGod,thathemaybeincreasingly
serviceableinthecauseofbleedinghumanity,whetherathomeorabroad!
Itiscertainlyaveryremarkablefact,thatoneofthemostefficientadvocatesof
theslavepopulation,nowbeforethepublic,isafugitiveslave,inthepersonof
 6

FREDERICKDOUGLASS;andthatthefreecoloredpopulationoftheUnited
Statesareasablyrepresentedbyoneoftheirownnumber,inthepersonof
CHARLESLENOXREMOND,whoseeloquentappealshaveextortedthehighest
applauseofmultitudesonbothsidesoftheAtlantic.Letthecalumniatorsofthe
coloredracedespisethemselvesfortheirbasenessandilliberalityofspirit,and
henceforthceasetotalkofthenaturalinferiorityofthosewhorequirenothing
buttimeandopportunitytoattaintothehighestpointofhumanexcellence.
Itmay,perhaps,befairlyquestioned,whetheranyotherportionofthe
populationoftheearthcouldhaveenduredtheprivations,sufferingsand
horrorsofslavery,withouthavingbecomemoredegradedinthescaleof
humanitythantheslavesofAfricandescent.Nothinghasbeenleftundoneto
crippletheirintellects,darkentheirminds,debasetheirmoralnature,obliterate
alltracesoftheirrelationshiptomankind;andyethowwonderfullytheyhave
sustainedthemightyloadofamostfrightfulbondage,underwhichtheyhave
beengroaningforcenturies!Toillustratetheeffectofslaveryonthewhiteman,
toshowthathehasnopowersofendurance,insuchacondition,superiorto
thoseofhisblackbrother,DANIELOCONNELL,thedistinguishedadvocateof
universalemancipation,andthemightiestchampionofprostratebutnot
conqueredIreland,relatesthefollowinganecdoteinaspeechdeliveredbyhimin
theConciliationHall,Dublin,beforetheLoyalNationalRepealAssociation,
March31,1845.Nomatter,saidMr.OCONNELL,underwhatspeciousterm
itmaydisguiseitself,slaveryisstillhideous.Ithasanatural,aninevitable
tendencytobrutalizeeverynoblefacultyofman.AnAmericansailor,whowas
castawayontheshoreofAfrica,wherehewaskeptinslaveryforthreeyears,
was,attheexpirationofthatperiod,foundtobeimbrutedandstultifiedhehad
lostallreasoningpower;andhavingforgottenhisnativelanguage,couldonly
uttersomesavagegibberishbetweenArabicandEnglish,whichnobodycould
understand,andwhichevenhehimselffounddifficultyinpronouncing.So
muchforthehumanizinginfluenceofTHEDOMESTICINSTITUTION!
Admittingthistohavebeenanextraordinarycaseofmentaldeterioration,it
provesatleastthatthewhiteslavecansinkaslowinthescaleofhumanityasthe
blackone.
Mr.DOUGLASShasveryproperlychosentowritehisownNarrative,in
hisownstyle,andaccordingtothebestofhisability,ratherthantoemploysome
oneelse.Itis,therefore,entirelyhisownproduction;and,consideringhowlong
anddarkwasthecareerhehadtorunasaslave,howfewhavebeenhis
opportunitiestoimprovehismindsincehebrokehisironfetters,itis,inmy
judgment,highlycreditabletohisheadandheart.Hewhocanperuseitwithout
atearfuleye,aheavingbreast,anafflictedspirit,withoutbeingfilledwithan
unutterableabhorrenceofslaveryandallitsabettors,andanimatedwitha
determinationtoseektheimmediateoverthrowofthatexecrablesystem,
withouttremblingforthefateofthiscountryinthehandsofarighteousGod,
whoiseveronthesideoftheoppressed,andwhosearmisnotshortenedthatit
cannotsave,musthaveaflintyheart,andbequalifiedtoactthepartofa
traffickerinslavesandthesoulsofmen.Iamconfidentthatitisessentiallytrue
inallitsstatements;thatnothinghasbeensetdowninmalice,nothing
exaggerated,nothingdrawnfromtheimagination;thatitcomesshortofthe
reality,ratherthanoverstatesasinglefactinregardtoSLAVERYASITIS.The
 7

experienceofFREDERICKDOUGLASS,asaslave,wasnotapeculiarone;hislot
wasnotespeciallyahardone;hiscasemayberegardedasaveryfairspecimen
ofthetreatmentofslavesinMaryland,inwhichStateitisconcededthattheyare
betterfedandlesscruellytreatedthaninGeorgia,Alabama,orLouisiana.Many
havesufferedincomparablymore,whileveryfewontheplantationshave
sufferedless,thanhimself.Yethowdeplorablewashissituation!whatterrible
chastisementswereinflicteduponhisperson!whatstillmoreshockingoutrages
wereperpetrateduponhismind!withallhisnoblepowersandsublime
aspirations,howlikeabrutewashetreated,evenbythoseprofessingtohavethe
samemindinthemthatwasinChristJesus!towhatdreadfulliabilitieswashe
continuallysubjected!howdestituteoffriendlycounselandaid,eveninhis
greatestextremities!howheavywasthemidnightofwoewhichshroudedin
blacknessthelastrayofhope,andfilledthefuturewithterrorandgloom!what
longingsafterfreedomtookpossessionofhisbreast,andhowhismisery
augmented,inproportionashegrewreflectiveandintelligent,thus
demonstratingthatahappyslaveisanextinctman!howhethought,reasoned,
felt,underthelashofthedriver,withthechainsuponhislimbs!whatperilshe
encounteredinhisendeavorstoescapefromhishorribledoom!andhowsignal
havebeenhisdeliveranceandpreservationinthemidstofanationofpitiless
enemies!
ThisNarrativecontainsmanyaffectingincidents,manypassagesofgreat
eloquenceandpower;butIthinkthemostthrillingoneofthemallisthe
descriptionDOUGLASSgivesofhisfeelings,ashestoodsoliloquizingrespecting
hisfate,andthechancesofhisonedaybeingafreeman,onthebanksofthe
ChesapeakeBayviewingtherecedingvesselsastheyflewwiththeirwhite
wingsbeforethebreeze,andapostrophizingthemasanimatedbytheliving
spiritoffreedom.Whocanreadthatpassage,andbeinsensibletoitspathosand
sublimity?CompressedintoitisawholeAlexandrianlibraryofthought,feeling,
andsentimentallthatcan,allthatneedbeurged,intheformofexpostulation,
entreaty,rebuke,againstthatcrimeofcrimes,makingmanthepropertyofhis
fellowman!O,howaccursedisthatsystem,whichentombsthegodlikemindof
man,defacesthedivineimage,reducesthosewhobycreationwerecrowned
withgloryandhonortoalevelwithfourfootedbeasts,andexaltsthedealerin
humanfleshaboveallthatiscalledGod!Whyshoulditsexistencebeprolonged
onehour?Isitnotevil,onlyevil,andthatcontinually?Whatdoesitspresence
implybuttheabsenceofallfearofGod,allregardforman,onthepartofthe
peopleoftheUnitedStates?Heavenspeeditseternaloverthrow!
Soprofoundlyignorantofthenatureofslaveryaremanypersons,that
theyarestubbornlyincredulouswhenevertheyreadorlistentoanyrecitalofthe
crueltieswhicharedailyinflictedonitsvictims.Theydonotdenythattheslaves
areheldasproperty;butthatterriblefactseemstoconveytotheirmindsnoidea
ofinjustice,exposuretooutrage,orsavagebarbarity.Tellthemofcruel
scourgings,ofmutilationsandbrandings,ofscenesofpollutionandblood,ofthe
banishmentofalllightandknowledge,andtheyaffecttobegreatlyindignantat
suchenormousexaggerations,suchwholesalemisstatements,suchabominable
libelsonthecharacterofthesouthernplanters!Asifallthesedirefuloutrages
werenotthenaturalresultsofslavery!Asifitwerelesscrueltoreduceahuman
beingtotheconditionofathing,thantogivehimasevereflagellation,orto
 8

deprivehimofnecessaryfoodandclothing!Asifwhips,chains,thumbscrews,
paddles,bloodhounds,overseers,drivers,patrols,werenotallindispensableto
keeptheslavesdown,andtogiveprotectiontotheirruthlessoppressors!Asif,
whenthemarriageinstitutionisabolished,concubinage,adultery,andincest,
mustnotnecessarilyabound;whenalltherightsofhumanityareannihilated,
anybarrierremainstoprotectthevictimfromthefuryofthespoiler;when
absolutepowerisassumedoverlifeandliberty,itwillnotbewieldedwith
destructivesway!Skepticsofthischaracteraboundinsociety.Insomefew
instances,theirincredulityarisesfromawantofreflection;but,generally,it
indicatesahatredofthelight,adesiretoshieldslaveryfromtheassaultsofits
foes,acontemptofthecoloredrace,whetherbondorfree.Suchwilltryto
discredittheshockingtalesofslaveholdingcrueltywhicharerecordedinthis
truthfulNarrative;buttheywilllaborinvain.Mr.DOUGLASShasfrankly
disclosedtheplaceofhisbirth,thenamesofthosewhoclaimedownershipinhis
bodyandsoul,andthenamesalsoofthosewhocommittedthecrimeswhichhe
hasallegedagainstthem.Hisstatements,therefore,mayeasilybedisproved,if
theyareuntrue.
InthecourseofhisNarrative,herelatestwoinstancesofmurderous
cruelty,inoneofwhichaplanterdeliberatelyshotaslavebelongingtoa
neighboringplantation,whohadunintentionallygottenwithinhislordly
domaininquestoffish;andintheother,anoverseerblewoutthebrainsofa
slavewhohadfledtoastreamofwatertoescapeabloodyscourging.Mr.
DOUGLASSstatesthatinneitheroftheseinstanceswasanythingdonebyway
oflegalarrestorjudicialinvestigation.TheBaltimoreAmerican,ofMarch17,
1845,relatesasimilarcaseofatrocity,perpetratedwithsimilarimpunityas
follows:Shootingaslave.Welearn,upontheauthorityofaletterfrom
Charlescounty,Maryland,receivedbyagentlemanofthiscity,thatayoung
man,namedMatthews,anephewofGeneralMatthews,andwhosefather,itis
believed,holdsanofficeatWashington,killedoneoftheslavesuponhisfathers
farmbyshootinghim.TheletterstatesthatyoungMatthewshadbeenleftin
chargeofthefarm;thathegaveanordertotheservant,whichwasdisobeyed,
whenheproceededtothehouse,obtainedagun,and,returning,shotthe
servant.Heimmediately,thelettercontinues,fledtohisfathersresidence,where
hestillremainsunmolested.Letitneverbeforgotten,thatnoslaveholderor
overseercanbeconvictedofanyoutrageperpetratedonthepersonofaslave,
howeverdiabolicalitmaybe,onthetestimonyofcoloredwitnesses,whether
bondorfree.Bytheslavecode,theyareadjudgedtobeasincompetenttotestify
againstawhiteman,asthoughtheywereindeedapartofthebrutecreation.
Hence,thereisnolegalprotectioninfact,whatevertheremaybeinform,forthe
slavepopulation;andanyamountofcrueltymaybeinflictedonthemwith
impunity.Isitpossibleforthehumanmindtoconceiveofamorehorriblestate
ofsociety?
Theeffectofareligiousprofessionontheconductofsouthernmastersis
vividlydescribedinthefollowingNarrative,andshowntobeanythingbut
salutary.Inthenatureofthecase,itmustbeinthehighestdegreepernicious.
ThetestimonyofMr.DOUGLASS,onthispoint,issustainedbyacloudof
witnesses,whoseveracityisunimpeachable.Aslaveholdersprofessionof
 9

Christianityisapalpableimposture.Heisafelonofthehighestgrade.Heisa
manstealer.Itisofnoimportancewhatyouputintheotherscale.
Reader!areyouwiththemanstealersinsympathyandpurpose,oron
thesideoftheirdowntroddenvictims?Ifwiththeformer,thenareyouthefoe
ofGodandman.Ifwiththelatter,whatareyoupreparedtodoanddareintheir
behalf?Befaithful,bevigilant,beuntiringinyoureffortstobreakeveryyoke,
andlettheoppressedgofree.Comewhatmaycostwhatitmayinscribeonthe
bannerwhichyouunfurltothebreeze,asyourreligiousandpoliticalmotto
NOCOMPROMISEWITHSLAVERY!NOUNIONWITHSLAVEHOLDERS!

WM.LLOYDGARRISON
BOSTON,May1,1845

LETTER
FROMWENDELLPHILLIPS,ESQ.
BOSTON,APRIL22,1845.

MyDearFriend:
YouremembertheoldfableofTheManandtheLion,wherethelion
complainedthatheshouldnotbesomisrepresentedwhenthelionswrote
history.
Iamgladthetimehascomewhenthelionswritehistory.Wehave
beenleftlongenoughtogatherthecharacterofslaveryfromtheinvoluntary
evidenceofthemasters.Onemight,indeed,restsufficientlysatisfiedwithwhat,
itisevident,mustbe,ingeneral,theresultsofsucharelation,withoutseeking
farthertofindwhethertheyhavefollowedineveryinstance.Indeed,thosewho
stareatthehalfpeckofcornaweek,andlovetocountthelashesontheslaves
back,areseldomthestuffoutofwhichreformersandabolitionistsaretobe
made.Irememberthat,in1838,manywerewaitingfortheresultsoftheWest
Indiaexperiment,beforetheycouldcomeintoourranks.Thoseresultshave
comelongago;but,alas!fewofthatnumberhavecomewiththem,asconverts.
Amanmustbedisposedtojudgeofemancipationbyotherteststhanwhetherit
hasincreasedtheproduceofsugar,andtohateslaveryforotherreasonsthan
becauseitstarvesmenandwhipswomen,beforeheisreadytolaythefirst
stoneofhisantislaverylife.
Iwasgladtolearn,inyourstory,howearlythemostneglectedofGods
childrenwakentoasenseoftheirrights,andoftheinjusticedonethem.
Experienceisakeenteacher;andlongbeforeyouhadmasteredyourABC,or
knewwherethewhitesailsoftheChesapeakewerebound,youbegan,Isee,to
gaugethewretchednessoftheslave,notbyhishungerandwant,notbyhis
lashesandtoil,butbythecruelandblightingdeathwhichgathersoverhissoul.
Inconnectionwiththis,thereisonecircumstancewhichmakesyour
recollectionspeculiarlyvaluable,andrendersyourearlyinsightthemore
remarkable.Youcomefromthatpartofthecountrywherewearetoldslavery
appearswithitsfairestfeatures.Letushear,then,whatitisatitsbestestate
 10

gazeonitsbrightside,ifithasone;andthenimaginationmaytaskherpowersto
adddarklinestothepicture,asshetravelssouthwardtothat(forthecolored
man)ValleyoftheShadowofDeath,wheretheMississippisweepsalong.
Again,wehaveknownyoulong,andcanputthemostentireconfidenceinyour
truth,candor,andsincerity.Everyonewhohasheardyouspeakhasfelt,and,I
amconfident,everyonewhoreadsyourbookwillfeel,persuadedthatyougive
themafairspecimenofthewholetruth.Noonesidedportrait,nowholesale
complaints,butstrictjusticedone,wheneverindividualkindlinesshas
neutralized,foramoment,thedeadlysystemwithwhichitwasstrangelyallied.
Youhavebeenwithus,too,someyears,andcanfairlycomparethetwilightof
rights,whichyourraceenjoyattheNorth,withthatnoonofnightunderwhich
theylaborsouthofMasonandDixonsline.Telluswhether,afterall,thehalffree
coloredmanofMassachusettsisworseoffthanthepamperedslaveoftherice
swamps!
Inreadingyourlife,noonecansaythatwehaveunfairlypickedout
somerarespecimensofcruelty.Weknowthatthebitterdrops,whichevenyou
havedrainedfromthecup,arenoincidentalaggravations,noindividualills,but
suchasmustminglealwaysandnecessarilyinthelotofeveryslave.Theyarethe
essentialingredients,nottheoccasionalresults,ofthesystem.
Afterall,Ishallreadyourbookwithtremblingforyou.Someyearsago,when
youwerebeginningtotellmeyourrealnameandbirthplace,youmay
rememberIstoppedyou,andpreferredtoremainignorantofall.Withthe
exceptionofavaguedescription,soIcontinued,tilltheotherday,whenyou
readmeyourmemoirs.Ihardlyknew,atthetime,whethertothankyouornot
forthesightofthem,whenIreflectedthatitwasstilldangerous,in
Massachusetts,forhonestmentotelltheirnames!Theysaythefathers,in1776,
signedtheDeclarationofIndependencewiththehalterabouttheirnecks.You,
too,publishyourdeclarationoffreedomwithdangercompassingyouaround.In
allthebroadlandswhichtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesovershadows,
thereisnosinglespot,howevernarrowordesolate,whereafugitiveslavecan
planthimselfandsay,Iamsafe.ThewholearmoryofNorthernLawhasno
shieldforyou.Iamfreetosaythat,inyourplace,IshouldthrowtheMS.into
thefire.
You,perhaps,maytellyourstoryinsafety,endearedasyouaretoso
manywarmheartsbyraregifts,andastillrarerdevotionofthemtotheservice
ofothers.Butitwillbeowingonlytoyourlabors,andthefearlesseffortsofthose
who,tramplingthelawsandConstitutionofthecountryundertheirfeet,are
determinedthattheywillhidetheoutcast,andthattheirhearthsshallbe,spite
ofthelaw,anasylumfortheoppressed,if,sometimeorother,thehumblestmay
standinourstreets,andbearwitnessinsafetyagainstthecrueltiesofwhichhe
hasbeenthevictim.
Yetitissadtothink,thattheseverythrobbingheartswhichwelcome
yourstory,andformyourbestsafeguardintellingit,areallbeatingcontraryto
thestatuteinsuchcasemadeandprovided.Goon,mydearfriend,tillyou,
andthosewho,likeyou,havebeensaved,soasbyfire,fromthedark
prisonhouse,shallstereotypethesefree,illegalpulsesintostatutes;andNew
England,cuttingloosefromabloodstainedUnion,shallgloryinbeingthehouse
ofrefugefortheoppressed,tillwenolongermerelyhidetheoutcast,ormake
 11

ameritofstandingidlybywhileheishuntedinourmidst;but,consecrating
anewthesoilofthePilgrimsasanasylumfortheoppressed,proclaimour
WELCOMEtotheslavesoloudly,thatthetonesshallreacheveryhutinthe
Carolinas,andmakethebrokenheartedbondmanleapupatthethoughtofold
Massachusetts.
Godspeedtheday!
Tillthen,andever,
Yourstruly,
WENDELLPHILLIPS


 12

CHAPTERI

IwasborninTuckahoe,nearHillsborough,andabouttwelvemilesfrom
Easton,inTalbotcounty,Maryland.Ihavenoaccurateknowledgeofmyage,
neverhavingseenanyauthenticrecordcontainingit.Byfarthelargerpartofthe
slavesknowaslittleoftheiragesashorsesknowoftheirs,anditisthewishof
mostmasterswithinmyknowledgetokeeptheirslavesthusignorant.Idonot
remembertohaveevermetaslavewhocouldtellofhisbirthday.Theyseldom
comenearertoitthanplantingtime,harvesttime,cherrytime,springtime,or
falltime.Awantofinformationconcerningmyownwasasourceof
unhappinesstomeevenduringchildhood.Thewhitechildrencouldtelltheir
ages.IcouldnottellwhyIoughttobedeprivedofthesameprivilege.Iwasnot
allowedtomakeanyinquiriesofmymasterconcerningit.Hedeemedallsuch
inquiriesonthepartofaslaveimproperandimpertinent,andevidenceofa
restlessspirit.ThenearestestimateIcangivemakesmenowbetweentwenty
sevenandtwentyeightyearsofage.Icometothis,fromhearingmymastersay,
sometimeduring1835,Iwasaboutseventeenyearsold.
MymotherwasnamedHarrietBailey.ShewasthedaughterofIsaacand
BetseyBailey,bothcolored,andquitedark.Mymotherwasofadarker
complexionthaneithermygrandmotherorgrandfather.
Myfatherwasawhiteman.HewasadmittedtobesuchbyallIever
heardspeakofmyparentage.Theopinionwasalsowhisperedthatmymaster
wasmyfather;butofthecorrectnessofthisopinion,Iknownothing;themeans
ofknowingwaswithheldfromme.MymotherandIwereseparatedwhenIwas
butaninfantbeforeIknewherasmymother.Itisacommoncustom,inthe
partofMarylandfromwhichIranaway,topartchildrenfromtheirmothersata
veryearlyage.Frequently,beforethechildhasreacheditstwelfthmonth,its
motheristakenfromit,andhiredoutonsomefarmaconsiderabledistanceoff,
andthechildisplacedunderthecareofanoldwoman,toooldforfieldlabor.
Forwhatthisseparationisdone,Idonotknow,unlessitbetohinderthe
developmentofthechildsaffectiontowarditsmother,andtobluntanddestroy
thenaturalaffectionofthemotherforthechild.Thisistheinevitableresult.
Ineversawmymother,toknowherassuch,morethanfourorfive
timesinmylife;andeachofthesetimeswasveryshortinduration,andatnight.
ShewashiredbyaMr.Stewart,wholivedabouttwelvemilesfrommyhome.
Shemadeherjourneystoseemeinthenight,travellingthewholedistanceon
foot,aftertheperformanceofherdayswork.Shewasafieldhand,anda
whippingisthepenaltyofnotbeinginthefieldatsunrise,unlessaslavehas
specialpermissionfromhisorhermastertothecontraryapermissionwhich
theyseldomget,andonethatgivestohimthatgivesittheproudnameofbeing
akindmaster.Idonotrecollectofeverseeingmymotherbythelightofday.She
waswithmeinthenight.Shewouldliedownwithme,andgetmetosleep,but
longbeforeIwakedshewasgone.Verylittlecommunicationevertookplace
betweenus.Deathsoonendedwhatlittlewecouldhavewhileshelived,and
withitherhardshipsandsuffering.ShediedwhenIwasaboutsevenyearsold,
ononeofmymastersfarms,nearLeesMill.Iwasnotallowedtobepresent
 13

duringherillness,atherdeath,orburial.ShewasgonelongbeforeIknewany
thingaboutit.Neverhavingenjoyed,toanyconsiderableextent,hersoothing
presence,hertenderandwatchfulcare,Ireceivedthetidingsofherdeathwith
muchthesameemotionsIshouldhaveprobablyfeltatthedeathofastranger.
Calledthussuddenlyaway,sheleftmewithouttheslightestintimationofwho
myfatherwas.Thewhisperthatmymasterwasmyfather,mayormaynotbe
true;and,trueorfalse,itisofbutlittleconsequencetomypurposewhilstthe
factremains,inallitsglaringodiousness,thatslaveholdershaveordained,and
bylawestablished,thatthechildrenofslavewomenshallinallcasesfollowthe
conditionoftheirmothers;andthisisdonetooobviouslytoadministertotheir
ownlusts,andmakeagratificationoftheirwickeddesiresprofitableaswellas
pleasurable;forbythiscunningarrangement,theslaveholder,incasesnotafew,
sustainstohisslavesthedoublerelationofmasterandfather.
Iknowofsuchcases;anditisworthyofremarkthatsuchslaves
invariablysuffergreaterhardships,andhavemoretocontendwith,thanothers.
Theyare,inthefirstplace,aconstantoffencetotheirmistress.Sheisever
disposedtofindfaultwiththem;theycanseldomdoanythingtopleaseher;she
isneverbetterpleasedthanwhensheseesthemunderthelash,especiallywhen
shesuspectsherhusbandofshowingtohismulattochildrenfavorswhichhe
withholdsfromhisblackslaves.Themasterisfrequentlycompelledtosellthis
classofhisslaves,outofdeferencetothefeelingsofhiswhitewife;and,cruelas
thedeedmaystrikeanyonetobe,foramantosellhisownchildrentohuman
fleshmongers,itisoftenthedictateofhumanityforhimtodoso;for,unlesshe
doesthis,hemustnotonlywhipthemhimself,butmuststandbyandseeone
whitesontieuphisbrother,ofbutfewshadesdarkercomplexionthanhimself,
andplythegorylashtohisnakedback;andifhelisponewordofdisapproval,it
issetdowntohisparentalpartiality,andonlymakesabadmatterworse,both
forhimselfandtheslavewhomhewouldprotectanddefend.
Everyyearbringswithitmultitudesofthisclassofslaves.Itwas
doubtlessinconsequenceofaknowledgeofthisfact,thatonegreatstatesmanof
thesouthpredictedthedownfallofslaverybytheinevitablelawsofpopulation.
Whetherthisprophecyiseverfulfilledornot,itisneverthelessplainthatavery
differentlookingclassofpeoplearespringingupatthesouth,andarenowheld
inslavery,fromthoseoriginallybroughttothiscountryfromAfrica;andiftheir
increasedonoothergood,itwilldoawaytheforceoftheargument,thatGod
cursedHam,andthereforeAmericanslaveryisright.Ifthelinealdescendantsof
Hamarealonetobescripturallyenslaved,itiscertainthatslaveryatthesouth
mustsoonbecomeunscriptural;forthousandsareusheredintotheworld,
annually,who,likemyself,owetheirexistencetowhitefathers,andthosefathers
mostfrequentlytheirownmasters.
Ihavehadtwomasters.MyfirstmastersnamewasAnthony.Idonot
rememberhisfirstname.HewasgenerallycalledCaptainAnthonyatitle
which,Ipresume,heacquiredbysailingacraftontheChesapeakeBay.Hewas
notconsideredarichslaveholder.Heownedtwoorthreefarms,andaboutthirty
slaves.Hisfarmsandslaveswereunderthecareofanoverseer.Theoverseers
namewasPlummer.Mr.Plummerwasamiserabledrunkard,aprofaneswearer,
andasavagemonster.Healwayswentarmedwithacowskinandaheavy
cudgel.Ihaveknownhimtocutandslashthewomensheadssohorribly,that
 14

evenmasterwouldbeenragedathiscruelty,andwouldthreatentowhiphimif
hedidnotmindhimself.Master,however,wasnotahumaneslaveholder.It
requiredextraordinarybarbarityonthepartofanoverseertoaffecthim.Hewas
acruelman,hardenedbyalonglifeofslaveholding.Hewouldattimesseemto
takegreatpleasureinwhippingaslave.Ihaveoftenbeenawakenedatthedawn
ofdaybythemostheartrendingshrieksofanownauntofmine,whomheused
totieuptoajoist,andwhipuponhernakedbacktillshewasliterallycovered
withblood.Nowords,notears,noprayers,fromhisgoryvictim,seemedto
movehisironheartfromitsbloodypurpose.Theloudershescreamed,the
harderhewhipped;andwherethebloodranfastest,therehewhippedlongest.
Hewouldwhiphertomakeherscream,andwhiphertomakeherhush;andnot
untilovercomebyfatigue,wouldheceasetoswingthebloodclottedcowskin.I
rememberthefirsttimeIeverwitnessedthishorribleexhibition.Iwasquitea
child,butIwellrememberit.InevershallforgetitwhilstIrememberanything.
Itwasthefirstofalongseriesofsuchoutrages,ofwhichIwasdoomedtobea
witnessandaparticipant.Itstruckmewithawfulforce.Itwasthebloodstained
gate,theentrancetothehellofslavery,throughwhichIwasabouttopass.Itwas
amostterriblespectacle.IwishIcouldcommittopaperthefeelingswithwhichI
beheldit.
ThisoccurrencetookplaceverysoonafterIwenttolivewithmyold
master,andunderthefollowingcircumstances.AuntHesterwentoutonenight,
whereorforwhatIdonotknow,andhappenedtobeabsentwhenmymaster
desiredherpresence.Hehadorderedhernottogooutevenings,andwarned
herthatshemustneverlethimcatchherincompanywithayoungman,who
waspayingattentiontoherbelongingtoColonelLloyd.Theyoungmansname
wasNedRoberts,generallycalledLloydsNed.Whymasterwassocarefulof
her,maybesafelylefttoconjecture.Shewasawomanofnobleform,andof
gracefulproportions,havingveryfewequals,andfewersuperiors,inpersonal
appearance,amongthecoloredorwhitewomenofourneighborhood.
AuntHesterhadnotonlydisobeyedhisordersingoingout,buthad
beenfoundincompanywithLloydsNed;whichcircumstance,Ifound,from
whathesaidwhilewhippingher,wasthechiefoffence.Hadhebeenamanof
puremoralshimself,hemighthavebeenthoughtinterestedinprotectingthe
innocenceofmyaunt;butthosewhoknewhimwillnotsuspecthimofanysuch
virtue.BeforehecommencedwhippingAuntHester,hetookherintothe
kitchen,andstrippedherfromnecktowaist,leavingherneck,shoulders,and
back,entirelynaked.Hethentoldhertocrossherhands,callingheratthesame
timeaddbh.Aftercrossingherhands,hetiedthemwithastrongrope,and
ledhertoastoolunderalargehookinthejoist,putinforthepurpose.Hemade
hergetuponthestool,andtiedherhandstothehook.Shenowstoodfairforhis
infernalpurpose.Herarmswerestretchedupattheirfulllength,sothatshe
stoodupontheendsofhertoes.Hethensaidtoher,Now,youddbh,Ill
learnyouhowtodisobeymyorders!andafterrollinguphissleeves,he
commencedtolayontheheavycowskin,andsoonthewarm,redblood(amid
heartrendingshrieksfromher,andhorridoathsfromhim)camedrippingtothe
floor.Iwassoterrifiedandhorrorstrickenatthesight,thatIhidmyselfina
closet,anddarednotventureouttilllongafterthebloodytransactionwasover.I
expecteditwouldbemyturnnext.Itwasallnewtome.Ihadneverseenany
 15

thinglikeitbefore.Ihadalwayslivedwithmygrandmotherontheoutskirtsof
theplantation,whereshewasputtoraisethechildrenoftheyoungerwomen.I
hadthereforebeen,untilnow,outofthewayofthebloodyscenesthatoften
occurredontheplantation.

CHAPTERII

Mymastersfamilyconsistedoftwosons,AndrewandRichard;one
daughter,Lucretia,andherhusband,CaptainThomasAuld.Theylivedinone
house,uponthehomeplantationofColonelEdwardLloyd.Mymasterwas
ColonelLloydsclerkandsuperintendent.Hewaswhatmightbecalledthe
overseeroftheoverseers.Ispenttwoyearsofchildhoodonthisplantationinmy
oldmastersfamily.ItwasherethatIwitnessedthebloodytransactionrecorded
inthefirstchapter;andasIreceivedmyfirstimpressionsofslaveryonthis
plantation,Iwillgivesomedescriptionofit,andofslaveryasitthereexisted.
TheplantationisabouttwelvemilesnorthofEaston,inTalbotcounty,andis
situatedontheborderofMilesRiver.Theprincipalproductsraiseduponitwere
tobacco,corn,andwheat.Thesewereraisedingreatabundance;sothat,withthe
productsofthisandtheotherfarmsbelongingtohim,hewasabletokeepin
almostconstantemploymentalargesloop,incarryingthemtomarketat
Baltimore.ThissloopwasnamedSallyLloyd,inhonorofoneofthecolonels
daughters.Mymasterssoninlaw,CaptainAuld,wasmasterofthevessel;she
wasotherwisemannedbythecolonelsownslaves.TheirnameswerePeter,
Isaac,Rich,andJake.Thesewereesteemedveryhighlybytheotherslaves,and
lookeduponastheprivilegedonesoftheplantation;foritwasnosmallaffair,in
theeyesoftheslaves,tobeallowedtoseeBaltimore.
ColonelLloydkeptfromthreetofourhundredslavesonhishome
plantation,andownedalargenumbermoreontheneighboringfarmsbelonging
tohim.ThenamesofthefarmsnearesttothehomeplantationwereWyeTown
andNewDesign.WyeTownwasundertheoverseershipofamannamed
NoahWillis.NewDesignwasundertheoverseershipofaMr.Townsend.The
overseersofthese,andalltherestofthefarms,numberingovertwenty,received
adviceanddirectionfromthemanagersofthehomeplantation.Thiswasthe
greatbusinessplace.Itwastheseatofgovernmentforthewholetwentyfarms.
Alldisputesamongtheoverseersweresettledhere.Ifaslavewasconvictedof
anyhighmisdemeanor,becameunmanageable,orevincedadeterminationto
runaway,hewasbroughtimmediatelyhere,severelywhipped,putonboardthe
sloop,carriedtoBaltimore,andsoldtoAustinWoolfolk,orsomeotherslave
trader,asawarningtotheslavesremaining.
Here,too,theslavesofalltheotherfarmsreceivedtheirmonthly
allowanceoffood,andtheiryearlyclothing.Themenandwomenslaves
received,astheirmonthlyallowanceoffood,eightpoundsofpork,orits
equivalentinfish,andonebushelofcornmeal.Theiryearlyclothingconsistedof
twocoarselinenshirts,onepairoflinentrousers,liketheshirts,onejacket,one
pairoftrousersforwinter,madeofcoarsenegrocloth,onepairofstockings,and
 16

onepairofshoes;thewholeofwhichcouldnothavecostmorethanseven
dollars.Theallowanceoftheslavechildrenwasgiventotheirmothers,ortheold
womenhavingthecareofthem.Thechildrenunabletoworkinthefieldhad
neithershoes,stockings,jackets,nortrousers,giventothem;theirclothing
consistedoftwocoarselinenshirtsperyear.Whenthesefailedthem,theywent
nakeduntilthenextallowanceday.Childrenfromseventotenyearsold,ofboth
sexes,almostnaked,mightbeseenatallseasonsoftheyear.
Therewerenobedsgiventheslaves,unlessonecoarseblanketbe
consideredsuch,andnonebutthemenandwomenhadthese.This,however,is
notconsideredaverygreatprivation.Theyfindlessdifficultyfromthewantof
beds,thanfromthewantoftimetosleep;forwhentheirdaysworkinthefield
isdone,themostofthemhavingtheirwashing,mending,andcookingtodo,and
havingfewornoneoftheordinaryfacilitiesfordoingeitherofthese,verymany
oftheirsleepinghoursareconsumedinpreparingforthefieldthecomingday;
andwhenthisisdone,oldandyoung,maleandfemale,marriedandsingle,
dropdownsidebyside,ononecommonbed,thecold,dampfloor,each
coveringhimselforherselfwiththeirmiserableblankets;andheretheysleeptill
theyaresummonedtothefieldbythedrivershorn.Atthesoundofthis,all
mustrise,andbeofftothefield.Theremustbenohalting;everyonemustbeat
hisorherpost;andwoebetidesthemwhohearnotthismorningsummonsto
thefield;foriftheyarenotawakenedbythesenseofhearing,theyarebythe
senseoffeeling:noagenorsexfindsanyfavor.Mr.Severe,theoverseer,usedto
standbythedoorofthequarter,armedwithalargehickorystickandheavy
cowskin,readytowhipanyonewhowassounfortunateasnottohear,or,from
anyothercause,waspreventedfrombeingreadytostartforthefieldatthe
soundofthehorn.
Mr.Severewasrightlynamed:hewasacruelman.Ihaveseenhimwhip
awoman,causingthebloodtorunhalfanhouratthetime;andthis,too,inthe
midstofhercryingchildren,pleadingfortheirmothersrelease.Heseemedto
takepleasureinmanifestinghisfiendishbarbarity.Addedtohiscruelty,hewas
aprofaneswearer.Itwasenoughtochillthebloodandstiffenthehairofan
ordinarymantohearhimtalk.Scarceasentenceescapedhimbutthatwas
commencedorconcludedbysomehorridoath.Thefieldwastheplacetowitness
hiscrueltyandprofanity.Hispresencemadeitboththefieldofbloodandof
blasphemy.Fromtherisingtillthegoingdownofthesun,hewascursing,
raving,cutting,andslashingamongtheslavesofthefield,inthemostfrightful
manner.Hiscareerwasshort.HediedverysoonafterIwenttoColonelLloyds;
andhediedashelived,uttering,withhisdyinggroans,bittercursesandhorrid
oaths.Hisdeathwasregardedbytheslavesastheresultofamerciful
providence.
Mr.SeveresplacewasfilledbyaMr.Hopkins.Hewasaverydifferent
man.Hewaslesscruel,lessprofane,andmadelessnoise,thanMr.Severe.His
coursewascharacterizedbynoextraordinarydemonstrationsofcruelty.He
whipped,butseemedtotakenopleasureinit.Hewascalledbytheslavesa
goodoverseer.
ThehomeplantationofColonelLloydworetheappearanceofacountry
village.Allthemechanicaloperationsforallthefarmswereperformedhere.The
shoemakingandmending,theblacksmithing,cartwrighting,coopering,
 17

weaving,andgraingrinding,wereallperformedbytheslavesonthehome
plantation.Thewholeplaceworeabusinesslikeaspectveryunlikethe
neighboringfarms.Thenumberofhouses,too,conspiredtogiveitadvantage
overtheneighboringfarms.ItwascalledbytheslavestheGreatHouseFarm.
Fewprivilegeswereesteemedhigher,bytheslavesoftheoutfarms,thanthatof
beingselectedtodoerrandsattheGreatHouseFarm.Itwasassociatedintheir
mindswithgreatness.Arepresentativecouldnotbeprouderofhiselectiontoa
seatintheAmericanCongress,thanaslaveononeoftheoutfarmswouldbeof
hiselectiontodoerrandsattheGreatHouseFarm.Theyregardeditasevidence
ofgreatconfidencereposedinthembytheiroverseers;anditwasonthis
account,aswellasaconstantdesiretobeoutofthefieldfromunderthedrivers
lash,thattheyesteemeditahighprivilege,oneworthcarefullivingfor.Hewas
calledthesmartestandmosttrustyfellow,whohadthishonorconferredupon
himthemostfrequently.Thecompetitorsforthisofficesoughtasdiligentlyto
pleasetheiroverseers,astheofficeseekersinthepoliticalpartiesseektoplease
anddeceivethepeople.ThesametraitsofcharactermightbeseeninColonel
Lloydsslaves,asareseenintheslavesofthepoliticalparties.
TheslavesselectedtogototheGreatHouseFarm,forthemonthly
allowanceforthemselvesandtheirfellowslaves,werepeculiarlyenthusiastic.
Whileontheirway,theywouldmakethedenseoldwoods,formilesaround,
reverberatewiththeirwildsongs,revealingatoncethehighestjoyandthe
deepestsadness.Theywouldcomposeandsingastheywentalong,consulting
neithertimenortune.Thethoughtthatcameup,cameoutifnotintheword,in
thesound;andasfrequentlyintheoneasintheother.Theywouldsometimes
singthemostpatheticsentimentinthemostrapturoustone,andthemost
rapturoussentimentinthemostpathetictone.Intoalloftheirsongstheywould
managetoweavesomethingoftheGreatHouseFarm.Especiallywouldtheydo
this,whenleavinghome.Theywouldthensingmostexultinglythefollowing
words:

IamgoingawaytotheGreatHouseFarm!
O,yea!O,yea!O!

Thistheywouldsing,asachorus,towordswhichtomanywouldseem
unmeaningjargon,butwhich,nevertheless,werefullofmeaningtothemselves.I
havesometimesthoughtthatthemerehearingofthosesongswoulddomoreto
impresssomemindswiththehorriblecharacterofslavery,thanthereadingof
wholevolumesofphilosophyonthesubjectcoulddo.
Ididnot,whenaslave,understandthedeepmeaningofthoserudeand
apparentlyincoherentsongs.Iwasmyselfwithinthecircle;sothatIneithersaw
norheardasthosewithoutmightseeandhear.Theytoldataleofwoewhich
wasthenaltogetherbeyondmyfeeblecomprehension;theyweretonesloud,
long,anddeep;theybreathedtheprayerandcomplaintofsoulsboilingover
withthebitterestanguish.Everytonewasatestimonyagainstslavery,anda
prayertoGodfordeliverancefromchains.Thehearingofthosewildnotes
alwaysdepressedmyspirit,andfilledmewithineffablesadness.Ihave
frequentlyfoundmyselfintearswhilehearingthem.Themererecurrenceto
thosesongs,evennow,afflictsme;andwhileIamwritingtheselines,an
 18

expressionoffeelinghasalreadyfounditswaydownmycheek.TothosesongsI
tracemyfirstglimmeringconceptionofthedehumanizingcharacterofslavery.I
cannevergetridofthatconception.Thosesongsstillfollowme,todeepenmy
hatredofslavery,andquickenmysympathiesformybrethreninbonds.Ifany
onewishestobeimpressedwiththesoulkillingeffectsofslavery,lethimgoto
ColonelLloydsplantation,and,onallowanceday,placehimselfinthedeep
pinewoods,andtherelethim,insilence,analyzethesoundsthatshallpass
throughthechambersofhissoul,andifheisnotthusimpressed,itwillonlybe
becausethereisnofleshinhisobdurateheart.
Ihaveoftenbeenutterlyastonished,sinceIcametothenorth,tofind
personswhocouldspeakofthesinging,amongslaves,asevidenceoftheir
contentmentandhappiness.Itisimpossibletoconceiveofagreatermistake.
Slavessingmostwhentheyaremostunhappy.Thesongsoftheslaverepresent
thesorrowsofhisheart;andheisrelievedbythem,onlyasanachingheartis
relievedbyitstears.Atleast,suchismyexperience.Ihaveoftensungtodrown
mysorrow,butseldomtoexpressmyhappiness.Cryingforjoy,andsingingfor
joy,werealikeuncommontomewhileinthejawsofslavery.Thesingingofa
mancastawayuponadesolateislandmightbeasappropriatelyconsideredas
evidenceofcontentmentandhappiness,asthesingingofaslave;thesongsofthe
oneandoftheotherarepromptedbythesameemotion.

CHAPTERIII

ColonelLloydkeptalargeandfinelycultivatedgarden,whichafforded
almostconstantemploymentforfourmen,besidesthechiefgardener,(Mr.
MDurmond.)Thisgardenwasprobablythegreatestattractionoftheplace.
Duringthesummermonths,peoplecamefromfarandnearfromBaltimore,
Easton,andAnnapolistoseeit.Itaboundedinfruitsofalmostevery
description,fromthehardyappleofthenorthtothedelicateorangeofthesouth.
Thisgardenwasnottheleastsourceoftroubleontheplantation.Itsexcellent
fruitwasquiteatemptationtothehungryswarmsofboys,aswellastheolder
slaves,belongingtothecolonel,fewofwhomhadthevirtueorthevicetoresist
it.Scarcelyadaypassed,duringthesummer,butthatsomeslavehadtotakethe
lashforstealingfruit.Thecolonelhadtoresorttoallkindsofstratagemstokeep
hisslavesoutofthegarden.Thelastandmostsuccessfulonewasthatoftarring
hisfenceallaround;afterwhich,ifaslavewascaughtwithanytaruponhis
person,itwasdeemedsufficientproofthathehadeitherbeenintothegarden,or
hadtriedtogetin.Ineithercase,hewasseverelywhippedbythechiefgardener.
Thisplanworkedwell;theslavesbecameasfearfuloftarasofthelash.They
seemedtorealizetheimpossibilityoftouchingTARwithoutbeingdefiled.
Thecolonelalsokeptasplendidridingequipage.Hisstableand
carriagehousepresentedtheappearanceofsomeofourlargecitylivery
establishments.Hishorseswereofthefinestformandnoblestblood.His
carriagehousecontainedthreesplendidcoaches,threeorfourgigs,besides
dearbornsandbarouchesofthemostfashionablestyle.
 19

ThisestablishmentwasunderthecareoftwoslavesoldBarneyand
youngBarneyfatherandson.Toattendtothisestablishmentwastheirsole
work.Butitwasbynomeansaneasyemployment;forinnothingwasColonel
Lloydmoreparticularthaninthemanagementofhishorses.Theslightest
inattentiontothesewasunpardonable,andwasvisiteduponthose,underwhose
caretheywereplaced,withtheseverestpunishment;noexcusecouldshield
them,ifthecolonelonlysuspectedanywantofattentiontohishorsesa
suppositionwhichhefrequentlyindulged,andonewhich,ofcourse,madethe
officeofoldandyoungBarneyaverytryingone.Theyneverknewwhenthey
weresafefrompunishment.Theywerefrequentlywhippedwhenleast
deserving,andescapedwhippingwhenmostdeservingit.Everything
dependeduponthelooksofthehorses,andthestateofColonelLloydsown
mindwhenhishorseswerebroughttohimforuse.Ifahorsedidnotmovefast
enough,orholdhisheadhighenough,itwasowingtosomefaultofhiskeepers.
Itwaspainfultostandnearthestabledoor,andhearthevariouscomplaints
againstthekeeperswhenahorsewastakenoutforuse.Thishorsehasnothad
properattention.Hehasnotbeensufficientlyrubbedandcurried,orhehasnot
beenproperlyfed;hisfoodwastoowetortoodry;hegotittoosoonortoolate;
hewastoohotortoocold;hehadtoomuchhay,andnotenoughofgrain;orhe
hadtoomuchgrain,andnotenoughofhay;insteadofoldBarneysattendingto
thehorse,hehadveryimproperlyleftittohisson.Toallthesecomplaints,no
matterhowunjust,theslavemustanswerneveraword.ColonelLloydcouldnot
brookanycontradictionfromaslave.Whenhespoke,aslavemuststand,listen,
andtremble;andsuchwasliterallythecase.IhaveseenColonelLloydmakeold
Barney,amanbetweenfiftyandsixtyyearsofage,uncoverhisbaldhead,kneel
downuponthecold,dampground,andreceiveuponhisnakedandtoilworn
shouldersmorethanthirtylashesatthetime.ColonelLloydhadthreesons
Edward,Murray,andDaniel,andthreesonsinlaw,Mr.Winder,Mr.
Nicholson,andMr.Lowndes.AlloftheselivedattheGreatHouseFarm,and
enjoyedtheluxuryofwhippingtheservantswhentheypleased,fromoldBarney
downtoWilliamWilkes,thecoachdriver.IhaveseenWindermakeoneofthe
houseservantsstandofffromhimasuitabledistancetobetouchedwiththeend
ofhiswhip,andateverystrokeraisegreatridgesuponhisback.
TodescribethewealthofColonelLloydwouldbealmostequalto
describingtherichesofJob.Hekeptfromtentofifteenhouseservants.Hewas
saidtoownathousandslaves,andIthinkthisestimatequitewithinthetruth.
ColonelLloydownedsomanythathedidnotknowthemwhenhesawthem;
nordidalltheslavesoftheoutfarmsknowhim.Itisreportedofhim,that,while
ridingalongtheroadoneday,hemetacoloredman,andaddressedhiminthe
usualmannerofspeakingtocoloredpeopleonthepublichighwaysofthesouth:
Well,boy,whomdoyoubelongto?ToColonelLloyd,repliedtheslave.
Well,doesthecoloneltreatyouwell?No,sir,wasthereadyreply.What,
doesheworkyoutoohard?Yes,sir.Well,donthegiveyouenoughtoeat?
Yes,sir,hegivesmeenough,suchasitis.
Thecolonel,afterascertainingwheretheslavebelonged,rodeon;the
manalsowentonabouthisbusiness,notdreamingthathehadbeenconversing
withhismaster.Hethought,said,andheardnothingmoreofthematter,until
twoorthreeweeksafterwards.Thepoormanwastheninformedbyhisoverseer
 20

that,forhavingfoundfaultwithhismaster,hewasnowtobesoldtoaGeorgia
trader.Hewasimmediatelychainedandhandcuffed;andthus,withouta
momentswarning,hewassnatchedaway,andforeversundered,fromhis
familyandfriends,byahandmoreunrelentingthandeath.Thisisthepenaltyof
tellingthetruth,oftellingthesimpletruth,inanswertoaseriesofplain
questions.
Itispartlyinconsequenceofsuchfacts,thatslaves,wheninquiredofas
totheirconditionandthecharacteroftheirmasters,almostuniversallysaythey
arecontented,andthattheirmastersarekind.Theslaveholdershavebeen
knowntosendinspiesamongtheirslaves,toascertaintheirviewsandfeelings
inregardtotheircondition.Thefrequencyofthishashadtheeffecttoestablish
amongtheslavesthemaxim,thatastilltonguemakesawisehead.They
suppressthetruthratherthantaketheconsequencesoftellingit,andinsodoing
provethemselvesapartofthehumanfamily.Iftheyhaveanythingtosayof
theirmasters,itisgenerallyintheirmastersfavor,especiallywhenspeakingto
anuntriedman.Ihavebeenfrequentlyasked,whenaslave,ifIhadakind
master,anddonotrememberevertohavegivenanegativeanswer;nordidI,in
pursuingthiscourse,considermyselfasutteringwhatwasabsolutelyfalse;forI
alwaysmeasuredthekindnessofmymasterbythestandardofkindnesssetup
amongslaveholdersaroundus.Moreover,slavesarelikeotherpeople,and
imbibeprejudicesquitecommontoothers.Theythinktheirownbetterthanthat
ofothers.Many,undertheinfluenceofthisprejudice,thinktheirownmasters
arebetterthanthemastersofotherslaves;andthis,too,insomecases,whenthe
veryreverseistrue.Indeed,itisnotuncommonforslaveseventofalloutand
quarrelamongthemselvesabouttherelativegoodnessoftheirmasters,each
contendingforthesuperiorgoodnessofhisownoverthatoftheothers.Atthe
verysametime,theymutuallyexecratetheirmasterswhenviewedseparately.It
wassoonourplantation.WhenColonelLloydsslavesmettheslavesofJacob
Jepson,theyseldompartedwithoutaquarrelabouttheirmasters;Colonel
Lloydsslavescontendingthathewastherichest,andMr.Jepsonsslavesthathe
wasthesmartest,andmostofaman.ColonelLloydsslaveswouldboasthis
abilitytobuyandsellJacobJepson.Mr.Jepsonsslaveswouldboasthisabilityto
whipColonelLloyd.Thesequarrelswouldalmostalwaysendinafightbetween
theparties,andthosethatwhippedweresupposedtohavegainedthepointat
issue.Theyseemedtothinkthatthegreatnessoftheirmasterswastransferable
tothemselves.Itwasconsideredasbeingbadenoughtobeaslave;buttobea
poormansslavewasdeemedadisgraceindeed!

CHAPTERIV

Mr.Hopkinsremainedbutashorttimeintheofficeofoverseer.Whyhis
careerwassoshort,Idonotknow,butsupposehelackedthenecessaryseverity
tosuitColonelLloyd.Mr.HopkinswassucceededbyMr.AustinGore,aman
possessing,inaneminentdegree,allthosetraitsofcharacterindispensableto
whatiscalledafirstrateoverseer.Mr.GorehadservedColonelLloyd,inthe
 21

capacityofoverseer,upononeoftheoutfarms,andhadshownhimselfworthy
ofthehighstationofoverseeruponthehomeorGreatHouseFarm.
Mr.Gorewasproud,ambitious,andpersevering.Hewasartful,cruel,and
obdurate.Hewasjustthemanforsuchaplace,anditwasjusttheplaceforsuch
aman.Itaffordedscopeforthefullexerciseofallhispowers,andheseemedto
beperfectlyathomeinit.Hewasoneofthosewhocouldtorturetheslightest
look,word,orgesture,onthepartoftheslave,intoimpudence,andwouldtreat
itaccordingly.Theremustbenoansweringbacktohim;noexplanationwas
allowedaslave,showinghimselftohavebeenwrongfullyaccused.Mr.Gore
actedfullyuptothemaximlaiddownbyslaveholders,Itisbetterthatadozen
slavesshouldsufferunderthelash,thanthattheoverseershouldbeconvicted,
inthepresenceoftheslaves,ofhavingbeenatfault.Nomatterhowinnocenta
slavemightbeitavailedhimnothing,whenaccusedbyMr.Goreofany
misdemeanor.Tobeaccusedwastobeconvicted,andtobeconvictedwastobe
punished;theonealwaysfollowingtheotherwithimmutablecertainty.To
escapepunishmentwastoescapeaccusation;andfewslaveshadthefortuneto
doeither,undertheoverseershipofMr.Gore.Hewasjustproudenoughto
demandthemostdebasinghomageoftheslave,andquiteservileenoughto
crouch,himself,atthefeetofthemaster.Hewasambitiousenoughtobe
contentedwithnothingshortofthehighestrankofoverseers,andpersevering
enoughtoreachtheheightofhisambition.Hewascruelenoughtoinflictthe
severestpunishment,artfulenoughtodescendtothelowesttrickery,and
obdurateenoughtobeinsensibletothevoiceofareprovingconscience.Hewas,
ofalltheoverseers,themostdreadedbytheslaves.Hispresencewaspainful;his
eyeflashedconfusion;andseldomwashissharp,shrillvoiceheard,without
producinghorrorandtremblingintheirranks.
Mr.Gorewasagraveman,and,thoughayoungman,heindulgedinno
jokes,saidnofunnywords,seldomsmiled.Hiswordswereinperfectkeeping
withhislooks,andhislookswereinperfectkeepingwithhiswords.Overseers
willsometimesindulgeinawittyword,evenwiththeslaves;notsowithMr.
Gore.Hespokebuttocommand,andcommandedbuttobeobeyed;hedealt
sparinglywithhiswords,andbountifullywithhiswhip,neverusingtheformer
wherethelatterwouldansweraswell.Whenhewhipped,heseemedtodoso
fromasenseofduty,andfearednoconsequences.Hedidnothingreluctantly,no
matterhowdisagreeable;alwaysathispost,neverinconsistent.Henever
promisedbuttofulfil.Hewas,inaword,amanofthemostinflexiblefirmness
andstonelikecoolness.
Hissavagebarbaritywasequalledonlybytheconsummatecoolness
withwhichhecommittedthegrossestandmostsavagedeedsupontheslaves
underhischarge.Mr.GoreonceundertooktowhiponeofColonelLloyds
slaves,bythenameofDemby.HehadgivenDembybutfewstripes,when,toget
ridofthescourging,heranandplungedhimselfintoacreek,andstoodthereat
thedepthofhisshoulders,refusingtocomeout.Mr.Goretoldhimthathe
wouldgivehimthreecalls,andthat,ifhedidnotcomeoutatthethirdcall,he
wouldshoothim.Thefirstcallwasgiven.Dembymadenoresponse,butstood
hisground.Thesecondandthirdcallsweregivenwiththesameresult.Mr.Gore
then,withoutconsultationordeliberationwithanyone,notevengivingDemby
anadditionalcall,raisedhismuskettohisface,takingdeadlyaimathisstanding
 22

victim,andinaninstantpoorDembywasnomore.Hismangledbodysankout
ofsight,andbloodandbrainsmarkedthewaterwherehehadstood.
Athrillofhorrorflashedthrougheverysoulupontheplantation,
exceptingMr.Gore.Healoneseemedcoolandcollected.Hewasaskedby
ColonelLloydandmyoldmaster,whyheresortedtothisextraordinary
expedient.Hisreplywas,(aswellasIcanremember,)thatDembyhadbecome
unmanageable.Hewassettingadangerousexampletotheotherslaves,one
which,ifsufferedtopasswithoutsomesuchdemonstrationonhispart,would
finallyleadtothetotalsubversionofallruleandorderupontheplantation.He
arguedthatifoneslaverefusedtobecorrected,andescapedwithhislife,the
otherslaveswouldsooncopytheexample;theresultofwhichwouldbe,the
freedomoftheslaves,andtheenslavementofthewhites.Mr.Goresdefencewas
satisfactory.Hewascontinuedinhisstationasoverseeruponthehome
plantation.Hisfameasanoverseerwentabroad.Hishorridcrimewasnoteven
submittedtojudicialinvestigation.Itwascommittedinthepresenceofslaves,
andtheyofcoursecouldneitherinstituteasuit,nortestifyagainsthim;andthus
theguiltyperpetratorofoneofthebloodiestandmostfoulmurdersgoes
unwhippedofjustice,anduncensuredbythecommunityinwhichhelives.Mr.
GorelivedinSt.Michaels,Talbotcounty,Maryland,whenIleftthere;andifhe
isstillalive,heveryprobablylivestherenow;andifso,heisnow,ashewas
then,ashighlyesteemedandasmuchrespectedasthoughhisguiltysoulhad
notbeenstainedwithhisbrothersblood.
IspeakadvisedlywhenIsaythis,thatkillingaslave,oranycolored
person,inTalbotcounty,Maryland,isnottreatedasacrime,eitherbythecourts
orthecommunity.Mr.ThomasLanman,ofSt.Michaels,killedtwoslaves,one
ofwhomhekilledwithahatchet,byknockinghisbrainsout.Heusedtoboastof
thecommissionoftheawfulandbloodydeed.Ihaveheardhimdoso
laughingly,saying,amongotherthings,thathewastheonlybenefactorofhis
countryinthecompany,andthatwhenotherswoulddoasmuchashehad
done,weshouldberelievedoftheddniggers.
ThewifeofMr.GilesHicks,livingbutashortdistancefromwhereI
usedtolive,murderedmywifescousin,ayounggirlbetweenfifteenandsixteen
yearsofage,manglingherpersoninthemosthorriblemanner,breakingher
noseandbreastbonewithastick,sothatthepoorgirlexpiredinafewhours
afterward.Shewasimmediatelyburied,buthadnotbeeninheruntimelygrave
butafewhoursbeforeshewastakenupandexaminedbythecoroner,who
decidedthatshehadcometoherdeathbyseverebeating.Theoffenceforwhich
thisgirlwasthusmurderedwasthis:ShehadbeensetthatnighttomindMrs.
Hickssbaby,andduringthenightshefellasleep,andthebabycried.She,
havinglostherrestforseveralnightsprevious,didnothearthecrying.They
werebothintheroomwithMrs.Hicks.Mrs.Hicks,findingthegirlslowto
move,jumpedfromherbed,seizedanoakstickofwoodbythefireplace,and
withitbrokethegirlsnoseandbreastbone,andthusendedherlife.Iwillnot
saythatthismosthorridmurderproducednosensationinthecommunity.Itdid
producesensation,butnotenoughtobringthemurderesstopunishment.There
wasawarrantissuedforherarrest,butitwasneverserved.Thussheescaped
notonlypunishment,buteventhepainofbeingarraignedbeforeacourtforher
horridcrime.
 23

WhilstIamdetailingbloodydeedswhichtookplaceduringmystayonColonel
Lloydsplantation,Iwillbrieflynarrateanother,whichoccurredaboutthesame
timeasthemurderofDembybyMr.Gore.
ColonelLloydsslaveswereinthehabitofspendingapartoftheirnights
andSundaysinfishingforoysters,andinthiswaymadeupthedeficiencyof
theirscantyallowance.AnoldmanbelongingtoColonelLloyd,whilethus
engaged,happenedtogetbeyondthelimitsofColonelLloyds,andonthe
premisesofMr.BealBondly.Atthistrespass,Mr.Bondlytookoffence,andwith
hismusketcamedowntotheshore,andblewitsdeadlycontentsintothepoor
oldman.
Mr.BondlycameovertoseeColonelLloydthenextday,whethertopay
himforhisproperty,ortojustifyhimselfinwhathehaddone,Iknownot.At
anyrate,thiswholefiendishtransactionwassoonhushedup.Therewasvery
littlesaidaboutitatall,andnothingdone.Itwasacommonsaying,evenamong
littlewhiteboys,thatitwasworthahalfcenttokillanigger,andahalfcentto
buryone.

CHAPTERV

AstomyowntreatmentwhileIlivedonColonelLloydsplantation,it
wasverysimilartothatoftheotherslavechildren.Iwasnotoldenoughtowork
inthefield,andtherebeinglittleelsethanfieldworktodo,Ihadagreatdealof
leisuretime.ThemostIhadtodowastodriveupthecowsatevening,keepthe
fowlsoutofthegarden,keepthefrontyardclean,andrunoferrandsformyold
mastersdaughter,Mrs.LucretiaAuld.ThemostofmyleisuretimeIspentin
helpingMasterDanielLloydinfindinghisbirds,afterhehadshotthem.My
connectionwithMasterDanielwasofsomeadvantagetome.Hebecamequite
attachedtome,andwasasortofprotectorofme.Hewouldnotallowtheolder
boystoimposeuponme,andwoulddividehiscakeswithme.
Iwasseldomwhippedbymyoldmaster,andsufferedlittlefromany
thingelsethanhungerandcold.Isufferedmuchfromhunger,butmuchmore
fromcold.Inhottestsummerandcoldestwinter,Iwaskeptalmostnakedno
shoes,nostockings,nojacket,notrousers,nothingonbutacoarsetowlinen
shirt,reachingonlytomyknees.Ihadnobed.Imusthaveperishedwithcold,
butthat,thecoldestnights,Iusedtostealabagwhichwasusedforcarrying
corntothemill.Iwouldcrawlintothisbag,andtheresleeponthecold,damp,
clayfloor,withmyheadinandfeetout.Myfeethavebeensocrackedwiththe
frost,thatthepenwithwhichIamwritingmightbelaidinthegashes.
Wewerenotregularlyallowanced.Ourfoodwascoarsecornmeal
boiled.ThiswascalledMUSH.Itwasputintoalargewoodentrayortrough,
andsetdownupontheground.Thechildrenwerethencalled,likesomanypigs,
andlikesomanypigstheywouldcomeanddevourthemush;somewith
oystershells,otherswithpiecesofshingle,somewithnakedhands,andnone
withspoons.Hethatatefastestgotmost;hethatwasstrongestsecuredthebest
place;andfewleftthetroughsatisfied.
 24

IwasprobablybetweensevenandeightyearsoldwhenIleftColonel
Lloydsplantation.Ileftitwithjoy.IshallneverforgettheecstasywithwhichI
receivedtheintelligencethatmyoldmaster(Anthony)haddeterminedtoletme
gotoBaltimore,tolivewithMr.HughAuld,brothertomyoldmasterssonin
law,CaptainThomasAuld.Ireceivedthisinformationaboutthreedaysbefore
mydeparture.TheywerethreeofthehappiestdaysIeverenjoyed.Ispentthe
mostpartofallthesethreedaysinthecreek,washingofftheplantationscurf,
andpreparingmyselfformydeparture.
Theprideofappearancewhichthiswouldindicatewasnotmyown.I
spentthetimeinwashing,notsomuchbecauseIwishedto,butbecauseMrs.
LucretiahadtoldmeImustgetallthedeadskinoffmyfeetandkneesbeforeI
couldgotoBaltimore;forthepeopleinBaltimorewereverycleanly,andwould
laughatmeifIlookeddirty.Besides,shewasgoingtogivemeapairoftrousers,
whichIshouldnotputonunlessIgotallthedirtoffme.Thethoughtofowning
apairoftrouserswasgreatindeed!Itwasalmostasufficientmotive,notonlyto
makemetakeoffwhatwouldbecalledbypigdroversthemange,buttheskin
itself.Iwentatitingoodearnest,workingforthefirsttimewiththehopeof
reward.
Thetiesthatordinarilybindchildrentotheirhomeswereallsuspended
inmycase.Ifoundnoseveretrialinmydeparture.Myhomewascharmless;it
wasnothometome;onpartingfromit,IcouldnotfeelthatIwasleavingany
thingwhichIcouldhaveenjoyedbystaying.Mymotherwasdead,my
grandmotherlivedfaroff,sothatIseldomsawher.Ihadtwosistersandone
brother,thatlivedinthesamehousewithme;buttheearlyseparationofusfrom
ourmotherhadwellnighblottedthefactofourrelationshipfromourmemories.
Ilookedforhomeelsewhere,andwasconfidentoffindingnonewhichIshould
relishlessthantheonewhichIwasleaving.If,however,Ifoundinmynew
homehardship,hunger,whipping,andnakedness,IhadtheconsolationthatI
shouldnothaveescapedanyoneofthembystaying.Havingalreadyhadmore
thanatasteoftheminthehouseofmyoldmaster,andhavingenduredthem
there,Iverynaturallyinferredmyabilitytoendurethemelsewhere,and
especiallyatBaltimore;forIhadsomethingofthefeelingaboutBaltimorethatis
expressedintheproverb,thatbeinghangedinEnglandispreferabletodyinga
naturaldeathinIreland.IhadthestrongestdesiretoseeBaltimore.Cousin
Tom,thoughnotfluentinspeech,hadinspiredmewiththatdesirebyhis
eloquentdescriptionoftheplace.IcouldneverpointoutanythingattheGreat
House,nomatterhowbeautifulorpowerful,butthathehadseensomethingat
Baltimorefarexceeding,bothinbeautyandstrength,theobjectwhichIpointed
outtohim.EventheGreatHouseitself,withallitspictures,wasfarinferiorto
manybuildingsinBaltimore.Sostrongwasmydesire,thatIthoughta
gratificationofitwouldfullycompensateforwhateverlossofcomfortsIshould
sustainbytheexchange.Ileftwithoutaregret,andwiththehighesthopesof
futurehappiness.
WesailedoutofMilesRiverforBaltimoreonaSaturdaymorning.I
rememberonlythedayoftheweek,foratthattimeIhadnoknowledgeofthe
daysofthemonth,northemonthsoftheyear.Onsettingsail,Iwalkedaft,and
gavetoColonelLloydsplantationwhatIhopedwouldbethelastlook.Ithen
placedmyselfinthebowsofthesloop,andtherespenttheremainderoftheday
 25

inlookingahead,interestingmyselfinwhatwasinthedistanceratherthanin
thingsnearbyorbehind.
Intheafternoonofthatday,wereachedAnnapolis,thecapitalofthe
State.Westoppedbutafewmoments,sothatIhadnotimetogoonshore.It
wasthefirstlargetownthatIhadeverseen,andthoughitwouldlooksmall
comparedwithsomeofourNewEnglandfactoryvillages,Ithoughtita
wonderfulplaceforitssizemoreimposingeventhantheGreatHouseFarm!
WearrivedatBaltimoreearlyonSundaymorning,landingatSmiths
Wharf,notfarfromBowleysWharf.Wehadonboardthesloopalargeflockof
sheep;andafteraidingindrivingthemtotheslaughterhouseofMr.Curtison
LoudenSlatersHill,IwasconductedbyRich,oneofthehandsbelongingon
boardofthesloop,tomynewhomeinAllicianaStreet,nearMr.Gardnersship
yard,onFellsPoint.
Mr.andMrs.Auldwerebothathome,andmetmeatthedoorwiththeir
littlesonThomas,totakecareofwhomIhadbeengiven.AndhereIsawwhatI
hadneverseenbefore;itwasawhitefacebeamingwiththemostkindly
emotions;itwasthefaceofmynewmistress,SophiaAuld.IwishIcould
describetherapturethatflashedthroughmysoulasIbeheldit.Itwasanewand
strangesighttome,brighteningupmypathwaywiththelightofhappiness.
LittleThomaswastold,therewashisFreddy,andIwastoldtotakecareoflittle
Thomas;andthusIentereduponthedutiesofmynewhomewiththemost
cheeringprospectahead.
IlookuponmydeparturefromColonelLloydsplantationasoneofthe
mostinterestingeventsofmylife.Itispossible,andevenquiteprobable,thatbut
forthemerecircumstanceofbeingremovedfromthatplantationtoBaltimore,I
shouldhavetoday,insteadofbeinghereseatedbymyowntable,inthe
enjoymentoffreedomandthehappinessofhome,writingthisNarrative,been
confinedinthegallingchainsofslavery.GoingtoliveatBaltimorelaidthe
foundation,andopenedthegateway,toallmysubsequentprosperity.Ihave
everregardeditasthefirstplainmanifestationofthatkindprovidencewhich
haseversinceattendedme,andmarkedmylifewithsomanyfavors.Iregarded
theselectionofmyselfasbeingsomewhatremarkable.Therewereanumberof
slavechildrenthatmighthavebeensentfromtheplantationtoBaltimore.There
werethoseyounger,thoseolder,andthoseofthesameage.Iwaschosenfrom
amongthemall,andwasthefirst,last,andonlychoice.
Imaybedeemedsuperstitious,andevenegotistical,inregardingthis
eventasaspecialinterpositionofdivineProvidenceinmyfavor.ButIshouldbe
falsetotheearliestsentimentsofmysoul,ifIsuppressedtheopinion.Ipreferto
betruetomyself,evenatthehazardofincurringtheridiculeofothers,rather
thantobefalse,andincurmyownabhorrence.Frommyearliestrecollection,I
datetheentertainmentofadeepconvictionthatslaverywouldnotalwaysbe
abletoholdmewithinitsfoulembrace;andinthedarkesthoursofmycareerin
slavery,thislivingwordoffaithandspiritofhopedepartednotfromme,but
remainedlikeministeringangelstocheermethroughthegloom.Thisgoodspirit
wasfromGod,andtohimIofferthanksgivingandpraise.

 26

CHAPTERVI

MynewmistressprovedtobeallsheappearedwhenIfirstmetherat
thedoor,awomanofthekindestheartandfinestfeelings.Shehadneverhada
slaveunderhercontrolpreviouslytomyself,andpriortohermarriageshehad
beendependentuponherownindustryforaliving.Shewasbytradeaweaver;
andbyconstantapplicationtoherbusiness,shehadbeeninagooddegree
preservedfromtheblightinganddehumanizingeffectsofslavery.Iwasutterly
astonishedathergoodness.Iscarcelyknewhowtobehavetowardsher.Shewas
entirelyunlikeanyotherwhitewomanIhadeverseen.Icouldnotapproachher
asIwasaccustomedtoapproachotherwhiteladies.Myearlyinstructionwasall
outofplace.Thecrouchingservility,usuallysoacceptableaqualityinaslave,
didnotanswerwhenmanifestedtowardher.Herfavorwasnotgainedbyit;she
seemedtobedisturbedbyit.Shedidnotdeemitimpudentorunmannerlyfora
slavetolookherintheface.Themeanestslavewasputfullyateaseinher
presence,andnoneleftwithoutfeelingbetterforhavingseenher.Herfacewas
madeofheavenlysmiles,andhervoiceoftranquilmusic.
But,alas!thiskindhearthadbutashorttimetoremainsuch.Thefatal
poisonofirresponsiblepowerwasalreadyinherhands,andsooncommenced
itsinfernalwork.Thatcheerfuleye,undertheinfluenceofslavery,soonbecame
redwithrage;thatvoice,madeallofsweetaccord,changedtooneofharshand
horriddiscord;andthatangelicfacegaveplacetothatofademon.
VerysoonafterIwenttolivewithMr.andMrs.Auld,sheverykindly
commencedtoteachmetheA,B,C.AfterIhadlearnedthis,sheassistedmein
learningtospellwordsofthreeorfourletters.Justatthispointofmyprogress,
Mr.Auldfoundoutwhatwasgoingon,andatonceforbadeMrs.Auldto
instructmefurther,tellingher,amongotherthings,thatitwasunlawful,aswell
asunsafe,toteachaslavetoread.Tousehisownwords,further,hesaid,Ifyou
giveaniggeraninch,hewilltakeanell.Aniggershouldknownothingbutto
obeyhismastertodoasheistoldtodo.Learningwouldspoilthebestniggerin
theworld.Now,saidhe,ifyouteachthatnigger(speakingofmyself)howto
read,therewouldbenokeepinghim.Itwouldforeverunfithimtobeaslave.He
wouldatoncebecomeunmanageable,andofnovaluetohismaster.Asto
himself,itcoulddohimnogood,butagreatdealofharm.Itwouldmakehim
discontentedandunhappy.Thesewordssankdeepintomyheart,stirredup
sentimentswithinthatlayslumbering,andcalledintoexistenceanentirelynew
trainofthought.Itwasanewandspecialrevelation,explainingdarkand
mysteriousthings,withwhichmyyouthfulunderstandinghadstruggled,but
struggledinvain.Inowunderstoodwhathadbeentomeamostperplexing
difficultytowit,thewhitemanspowertoenslavetheblackman.Itwasagrand
achievement,andIprizedithighly.Fromthatmoment,Iunderstoodthe
pathwayfromslaverytofreedom.ItwasjustwhatIwanted,andIgotitatatime
whenItheleastexpectedit.WhilstIwassaddenedbythethoughtoflosingthe
aidofmykindmistress,Iwasgladdenedbytheinvaluableinstructionwhich,by
themerestaccident,Ihadgainedfrommymaster.Thoughconsciousofthe
difficultyoflearningwithoutateacher,Isetoutwithhighhope,andafixed
purpose,atwhatevercostoftrouble,tolearnhowtoread.Theverydecided
 27

mannerwithwhichhespoke,andstrovetoimpresshiswifewiththeevil
consequencesofgivingmeinstruction,servedtoconvincemethathewasdeeply
sensibleofthetruthshewasuttering.ItgavemethebestassurancethatImight
relywiththeutmostconfidenceontheresultswhich,hesaid,wouldflowfrom
teachingmetoread.Whathemostdreaded,thatImostdesired.Whathemost
loved,thatImosthated.Thatwhichtohimwasagreatevil,tobecarefully
shunned,wastomeagreatgood,tobediligentlysought;andtheargument
whichhesowarmlyurged,againstmylearningtoread,onlyservedtoinspire
mewithadesireanddeterminationtolearn.Inlearningtoread,Iowealmostas
muchtothebitteroppositionofmymaster,astothekindlyaidofmymistress.I
acknowledgethebenefitofboth.
IhadresidedbutashorttimeinBaltimorebeforeIobservedamarked
difference,inthetreatmentofslaves,fromthatwhichIhadwitnessedinthe
country.Acityslaveisalmostafreeman,comparedwithaslaveonthe
plantation.Heismuchbetterfedandclothed,andenjoysprivilegesaltogether
unknowntotheslaveontheplantation.Thereisavestigeofdecency,asenseof
shame,thatdoesmuchtocurbandcheckthoseoutbreaksofatrociouscrueltyso
commonlyenactedupontheplantation.Heisadesperateslaveholder,whowill
shockthehumanityofhisnonslaveholdingneighborswiththecriesofhis
laceratedslave.Fewarewillingtoincurtheodiumattachingtothereputationof
beingacruelmaster;andaboveallthings,theywouldnotbeknownasnot
givingaslaveenoughtoeat.Everycityslaveholderisanxioustohaveitknown
ofhim,thathefeedshisslaveswell;anditisduetothemtosay,thatmostof
themdogivetheirslavesenoughtoeat.Thereare,however,somepainful
exceptionstothisrule.Directlyoppositetous,onPhilpotStreet,livedMr.
ThomasHamilton.Heownedtwoslaves.TheirnameswereHenriettaandMary.
Henriettawasabouttwentytwoyearsofage,Marywasaboutfourteen;andof
allthemangledandemaciatedcreaturesIeverlookedupon,thesetwowerethe
mostso.Hisheartmustbeharderthanstone,thatcouldlookuponthese
unmoved.Thehead,neck,andshouldersofMarywereliterallycuttopieces.I
havefrequentlyfeltherhead,andfounditnearlycoveredwithfesteringsores,
causedbythelashofhercruelmistress.Idonotknowthathermasterever
whippedher,butIhavebeenaneyewitnesstothecrueltyofMrs.Hamilton.I
usedtobeinMr.Hamiltonshousenearlyeveryday.Mrs.Hamiltonusedtosit
inalargechairinthemiddleoftheroom,withaheavycowskinalwaysbyher
side,andscarceanhourpassedduringthedaybutwasmarkedbythebloodof
oneoftheseslaves.Thegirlsseldompassedherwithouthersaying,Move
faster,youblackgip!atthesametimegivingthemablowwiththecowskinover
theheadorshoulders,oftendrawingtheblood.Shewouldthensay,Takethat,
youblackgip!continuing,Ifyoudontmovefaster,Illmoveyou!Addedto
thecruellashingstowhichtheseslavesweresubjected,theywerekeptnearly
halfstarved.Theyseldomknewwhatitwastoeatafullmeal.IhaveseenMary
contendingwiththepigsfortheoffalthrownintothestreet.SomuchwasMary
kickedandcuttopieces,thatshewasoftenercalledpeckedthanbyhername.

 28

CHAPTERVII

IlivedinMasterHughsfamilyaboutsevenyears.Duringthistime,I
succeededinlearningtoreadandwrite.Inaccomplishingthis,Iwascompelled
toresorttovariousstratagems.Ihadnoregularteacher.Mymistress,whohad
kindlycommencedtoinstructme,had,incompliancewiththeadviceand
directionofherhusband,notonlyceasedtoinstruct,buthadsetherfaceagainst
mybeinginstructedbyanyoneelse.Itisdue,however,tomymistresstosayof
her,thatshedidnotadoptthiscourseoftreatmentimmediately.Sheatfirst
lackedthedepravityindispensabletoshuttingmeupinmentaldarkness.Itwas
atleastnecessaryforhertohavesometrainingintheexerciseofirresponsible
power,tomakeherequaltothetaskoftreatingmeasthoughIwereabrute.
Mymistresswas,asIhavesaid,akindandtenderheartedwoman;and
inthesimplicityofhersoulshecommenced,whenIfirstwenttolivewithher,to
treatmeasshesupposedonehumanbeingoughttotreatanother.Inentering
uponthedutiesofaslaveholder,shedidnotseemtoperceivethatIsustainedto
hertherelationofamerechattel,andthatforhertotreatmeasahumanbeing
wasnotonlywrong,butdangerouslyso.Slaveryprovedasinjurioustoherasit
didtome.WhenIwentthere,shewasapious,warm,andtenderhearted
woman.Therewasnosorroworsufferingforwhichshehadnotatear.Shehad
breadforthehungry,clothesforthenaked,andcomfortforeverymournerthat
camewithinherreach.Slaverysoonproveditsabilitytodivestherofthese
heavenlyqualities.Underitsinfluence,thetenderheartbecamestone,andthe
lamblikedispositiongavewaytooneoftigerlikefierceness.Thefirststepinher
downwardcoursewasinherceasingtoinstructme.Shenowcommencedto
practiseherhusbandsprecepts.Shefinallybecameevenmoreviolentinher
oppositionthanherhusbandhimself.Shewasnotsatisfiedwithsimplydoingas
wellashehadcommanded;sheseemedanxioustodobetter.Nothingseemedto
makehermoreangrythantoseemewithanewspaper.Sheseemedtothinkthat
herelaythedanger.Ihavehadherrushatmewithafacemadeallupoffury,
andsnatchfrommeanewspaper,inamannerthatfullyrevealedher
apprehension.Shewasanaptwoman;andalittleexperiencesoondemonstrated,
tohersatisfaction,thateducationandslaverywereincompatiblewitheachother.
FromthistimeIwasmostnarrowlywatched.IfIwasinaseparateroom
anyconsiderablelengthoftime,Iwassuretobesuspectedofhavingabook,and
wasatoncecalledtogiveanaccountofmyself.Allthis,however,wastoolate.
Thefirststephadbeentaken.Mistress,inteachingmethealphabet,hadgiven
metheinch,andnoprecautioncouldpreventmefromtakingtheell.~
TheplanwhichIadopted,andtheonebywhichIwasmostsuccessful,
wasthatofmakingfriendsofallthelittlewhiteboyswhomImetinthestreet.
AsmanyoftheseasIcould,Iconvertedintoteachers.Withtheirkindlyaid,
obtainedatdifferenttimesandindifferentplaces,Ifinallysucceededinlearning
toread.WhenIwassentoferrands,Ialwaystookmybookwithme,andby
goingonepartofmyerrandquickly,Ifoundtimetogetalessonbeforemy
return.Iusedalsotocarrybreadwithme,enoughofwhichwasalwaysinthe
house,andtowhichIwasalwayswelcome;forIwasmuchbetteroffinthis
regardthanmanyofthepoorwhitechildreninourneighborhood.ThisbreadI
 29

usedtobestowuponthehungrylittleurchins,who,inreturn,wouldgiveme
thatmorevaluablebreadofknowledge.Iamstronglytemptedtogivethenames
oftwoorthreeofthoselittleboys,asatestimonialofthegratitudeandaffectionI
bearthem;butprudenceforbids;notthatitwouldinjureme,butitmight
embarrassthem;foritisalmostanunpardonableoffencetoteachslavestoread
inthisChristiancountry.Itisenoughtosayofthedearlittlefellows,thatthey
livedonPhilpotStreet,verynearDurginandBaileysshipyard.Iusedtotalk
thismatterofslaveryoverwiththem.Iwouldsometimessaytothem,IwishedI
couldbeasfreeastheywouldbewhentheygottobemen.Youwillbefreeas
soonasyouaretwentyone,butIamaslaveforlife!HavenotIasgoodarightto
befreeasyouhave?Thesewordsusedtotroublethem;theywouldexpressfor
metheliveliestsympathy,andconsolemewiththehopethatsomethingwould
occurbywhichImightbefree.
Iwasnowabouttwelveyearsold,andthethoughtofbeingaslavefor
lifebegantobearheavilyuponmyheart.Justaboutthistime,Igotholdofa
bookentitledTheColumbianOrator.EveryopportunityIgot,Iusedtoread
thisbook.Amongmuchofotherinterestingmatter,Ifoundinitadialogue
betweenamasterandhisslave.Theslavewasrepresentedashavingrunaway
fromhismasterthreetimes.Thedialoguerepresentedtheconversationwhich
tookplacebetweenthem,whentheslavewasretakenthethirdtime.Inthis
dialogue,thewholeargumentinbehalfofslaverywasbroughtforwardbythe
master,allofwhichwasdisposedofbytheslave.Theslavewasmadetosay
someverysmartaswellasimpressivethingsinreplytohismasterthingswhich
hadthedesiredthoughunexpectedeffect;fortheconversationresultedinthe
voluntaryemancipationoftheslaveonthepartofthemaster.
Inthesamebook,ImetwithoneofSheridansmightyspeechesonand
inbehalfofCatholicemancipation.Thesewerechoicedocumentstome.Iread
themoverandoveragainwithunabatedinterest.Theygavetongueto
interestingthoughtsofmyownsoul,whichhadfrequentlyflashedthroughmy
mind,anddiedawayforwantofutterance.ThemoralwhichIgainedfromthe
dialoguewasthepoweroftruthovertheconscienceofevenaslaveholder.What
IgotfromSheridanwasabolddenunciationofslavery,andapowerful
vindicationofhumanrights.Thereadingofthesedocumentsenabledmetoutter
mythoughts,andtomeettheargumentsbroughtforwardtosustainslavery;but
whiletheyrelievedmeofonedifficulty,theybroughtonanotherevenmore
painfulthantheoneofwhichIwasrelieved.ThemoreIread,themoreIwasled
toabhoranddetestmyenslavers.Icouldregardtheminnootherlightthana
bandofsuccessfulrobbers,whohadlefttheirhomes,andgonetoAfrica,and
stolenusfromourhomes,andinastrangelandreducedustoslavery.Iloathed
themasbeingthemeanestaswellasthemostwickedofmen.AsIreadand
contemplatedthesubject,behold!thatverydiscontentmentwhichMasterHugh
hadpredictedwouldfollowmylearningtoreadhadalreadycome,totorment
andstingmysoultounutterableanguish.AsIwrithedunderit,Iwouldattimes
feelthatlearningtoreadhadbeenacurseratherthanablessing.Ithadgivenme
aviewofmywretchedcondition,withouttheremedy.Itopenedmyeyestothe
horriblepit,buttonoladderuponwhichtogetout.Inmomentsofagony,I
enviedmyfellowslavesfortheirstupidity.Ihaveoftenwishedmyselfabeast.I
preferredtheconditionofthemeanestreptiletomyown.Anything,nomatter
 30

what,togetridofthinking!Itwasthiseverlastingthinkingofmyconditionthat
tormentedme.Therewasnogettingridofit.Itwaspresseduponmebyevery
objectwithinsightorhearing,animateorinanimate.Thesilvertrumpoffreedom
hadrousedmysoultoeternalwakefulness.Freedomnowappeared,to
disappearnomoreforever.Itwasheardineverysound,andseenineverything.
Itwaseverpresenttotormentmewithasenseofmywretchedcondition.Isaw
nothingwithoutseeingit,Iheardnothingwithouthearingit,andfeltnothing
withoutfeelingit.Itlookedfromeverystar,itsmiledineverycalm,breathedin
everywind,andmovedineverystorm.
Ioftenfoundmyselfregrettingmyownexistence,andwishingmyself
dead;andbutforthehopeofbeingfree,IhavenodoubtbutthatIshouldhave
killedmyself,ordonesomethingforwhichIshouldhavebeenkilled.Whilein
thisstateofmind,Iwaseagertohearanyonespeakofslavery.Iwasaready
listener.Everylittlewhile,Icouldhearsomethingabouttheabolitionists.Itwas
sometimebeforeIfoundwhatthewordmeant.Itwasalwaysusedinsuch
connectionsastomakeitaninterestingwordtome.Ifaslaveranawayand
succeededingettingclear,orifaslavekilledhismaster,setfiretoabarn,ordid
anythingverywronginthemindofaslaveholder,itwasspokenofasthefruit
ofabolition.Hearingthewordinthisconnectionveryoften,Isetabout
learningwhatitmeant.Thedictionaryaffordedmelittleornohelp.Ifoundit
wastheactofabolishing;butthenIdidnotknowwhatwastobeabolished.
HereIwasperplexed.Ididnotdaretoaskanyoneaboutitsmeaning,forIwas
satisfiedthatitwassomethingtheywantedmetoknowverylittleabout.Aftera
patientwaiting,Igotoneofourcitypapers,containinganaccountofthenumber
ofpetitionsfromthenorth,prayingfortheabolitionofslaveryintheDistrictof
Columbia,andoftheslavetradebetweentheStates.FromthistimeIunderstood
thewordsabolitionandabolitionist,andalwaysdrewnearwhenthatword
wasspoken,expectingtohearsomethingofimportancetomyselfandfellow
slaves.Thelightbrokeinuponmebydegrees.Iwentonedaydownonthe
wharfofMr.Waters;andseeingtwoIrishmenunloadingascowofstone,Iwent,
unasked,andhelpedthem.Whenwehadfinished,oneofthemcametomeand
askedmeifIwereaslave.ItoldhimIwas.Heasked,Areyeaslaveforlife?I
toldhimthatIwas.ThegoodIrishmanseemedtobedeeplyaffectedbythe
statement.Hesaidtotheotherthatitwasapitysofinealittlefellowasmyself
shouldbeaslaveforlife.Hesaiditwasashametoholdme.Theybothadvised
metorunawaytothenorth;thatIshouldfindfriendsthere,andthatIshouldbe
free.Ipretendednottobeinterestedinwhattheysaid,andtreatedthemasifI
didnotunderstandthem;forIfearedtheymightbetreacherous.Whitemen
havebeenknowntoencourageslavestoescape,andthen,togetthereward,
catchthemandreturnthemtotheirmasters.Iwasafraidthattheseseemingly
goodmenmightusemeso;butIneverthelessrememberedtheiradvice,and
fromthattimeIresolvedtorunaway.Ilookedforwardtoatimeatwhichit
wouldbesafeformetoescape.Iwastooyoungtothinkofdoingso
immediately;besides,Iwishedtolearnhowtowrite,asImighthaveoccasionto
writemyownpass.IconsoledmyselfwiththehopethatIshouldonedayfinda
goodchance.Meanwhile,Iwouldlearntowrite.
TheideaastohowImightlearntowritewassuggestedtomebybeing
inDurginandBaileysshipyard,andfrequentlyseeingtheshipcarpenters,after
 31

hewing,andgettingapieceoftimberreadyforuse,writeonthetimberthename
ofthatpartoftheshipforwhichitwasintended.Whenapieceoftimberwas
intendedforthelarboardside,itwouldbemarkedthusL.Whenapiecewas
forthestarboardside,itwouldbemarkedthusS.Apieceforthelarboardside
forward,wouldbemarkedthusL.F.Whenapiecewasforstarboardside
forward,itwouldbemarkedthusS.F.Forlarboardaft,itwouldbemarked
thusL.A.Forstarboardaft,itwouldbemarkedthusS.A.Isoonlearned
thenamesoftheseletters,andforwhattheywereintendedwhenplacedupona
pieceoftimberintheshipyard.Iimmediatelycommencedcopyingthem,andin
ashorttimewasabletomakethefourlettersnamed.Afterthat,whenImetwith
anyboywhoIknewcouldwrite,IwouldtellhimIcouldwriteaswellashe.The
nextwordwouldbe,Idontbelieveyou.Letmeseeyoutryit.Iwouldthen
maketheletterswhichIhadbeensofortunateastolearn,andaskhimtobeat
that.InthiswayIgotagoodmanylessonsinwriting,whichitisquitepossibleI
shouldneverhavegotteninanyotherway.Duringthistime,mycopybookwas
theboardfence,brickwall,andpavement;mypenandinkwasalumpofchalk.
Withthese,Ilearnedmainlyhowtowrite.Ithencommencedandcontinued
copyingtheItalicsinWebstersSpellingBook,untilIcouldmakethemall
withoutlookingonthebook.Bythistime,mylittleMasterThomashadgoneto
school,andlearnedhowtowrite,andhadwrittenoveranumberofcopybooks.
Thesehadbeenbroughthome,andshowntosomeofournearneighbors,and
thenlaidaside.MymistressusedtogotoclassmeetingattheWilkStreet
meetinghouseeveryMondayafternoon,andleavemetotakecareofthehouse.
Whenleftthus,IusedtospendthetimeinwritinginthespacesleftinMaster
Thomasscopybook,copyingwhathehadwritten.IcontinuedtodothisuntilI
couldwriteahandverysimilartothatofMasterThomas.Thus,afteralong,
tediouseffortforyears,Ifinallysucceededinlearninghowtowrite.

CHAPTERVIII

InaveryshorttimeafterIwenttoliveatBaltimore,myoldmasters
youngestsonRicharddied;andinaboutthreeyearsandsixmonthsafterhis
death,myoldmaster,CaptainAnthony,died,leavonlyhisson,Andrew,and
daughter,Lucretia,tosharehisestate.Hediedwhileonavisittoseehis
daughteratHillsborough.Cutoffthusunexpectedly,heleftnowillastothe
disposalofhisproperty.Itwasthereforenecessarytohaveavaluationofthe
property,thatitmightbeequallydividedbetweenMrs.LucretiaandMaster
Andrew.Iwasimmediatelysentfor,tobevaluedwiththeotherproperty.Here
againmyfeelingsroseupindetestationofslavery.Ihadnowanewconception
ofmydegradedcondition.Priortothis,Ihadbecome,ifnotinsensibletomylot,
atleastpartlyso.IleftBaltimorewithayoungheartoverbornewithsadness,and
asoulfullofapprehension.ItookpassagewithCaptainRowe,intheschooner
WildCat,and,afterasailofabouttwentyfourhours,Ifoundmyselfnearthe
placeofmybirth.Ihadnowbeenabsentfromitalmost,ifnotquite,fiveyears.I,
however,rememberedtheplaceverywell.IwasonlyaboutfiveyearsoldwhenI
 32

leftit,togoandlivewithmyoldmasteronColonelLloydsplantation;sothatI
wasnowbetweentenandelevenyearsold.
Wewereallrankedtogetheratthevaluation.Menandwomen,oldand
young,marriedandsingle,wererankedwithhorses,sheep,andswine.There
werehorsesandmen,cattleandwomen,pigsandchildren,allholdingthesame
rankinthescaleofbeing,andwereallsubjectedtothesamenarrow
examination.Silveryheadedageandsprightlyyouth,maidsandmatrons,hadto
undergothesameindelicateinspection.Atthismoment,Isawmoreclearlythan
everthebrutalizingeffectsofslaveryuponbothslaveandslaveholder.
Afterthevaluation,thencamethedivision.Ihavenolanguageto
expressthehighexcitementanddeepanxietywhichwerefeltamonguspoor
slavesduringthistime.Ourfateforlifewasnowtobedecided.wehadnomore
voiceinthatdecisionthanthebrutesamongwhomwewereranked.Asingle
wordfromthewhitemenwasenoughagainstallourwishes,prayers,and
entreatiestosunderforeverthedearestfriends,dearestkindred,andstrongest
tiesknowntohumanbeings.Inadditiontothepainofseparation,therewasthe
horriddreadoffallingintothehandsofMasterAndrew.Hewasknowntousall
asbeingamostcruelwretch,acommondrunkard,whohad,byhisreckless
mismanagementandprofligatedissipation,alreadywastedalargeportionofhis
fathersproperty.WeallfeltthatwemightaswellbesoldatoncetotheGeorgia
traders,astopassintohishands;forweknewthatthatwouldbeourinevitable
condition,aconditionheldbyusallintheutmosthorroranddread.
Isufferedmoreanxietythanmostofmyfellowslaves.Ihadknownwhat
itwastobekindlytreated;theyhadknownnothingofthekind.Theyhadseen
littleornothingoftheworld.Theywereinverydeedmenandwomenof
sorrow,andacquaintedwithgrief.Theirbackshadbeenmadefamiliarwiththe
bloodylash,sothattheyhadbecomecallous;minewasyettender;forwhileat
BaltimoreIgotfewwhippings,andfewslavescouldboastofakindermaster
andmistressthanmyself;andthethoughtofpassingoutoftheirhandsinto
thoseofMasterAndrewamanwho,butafewdaysbefore,togivemeasample
ofhisbloodydisposition,tookmylittlebrotherbythethroat,threwhimonthe
ground,andwiththeheelofhisbootstampeduponhisheadtilltheblood
gushedfromhisnoseandearswaswellcalculatedtomakemeanxiousastomy
fate.Afterhehadcommittedthissavageoutrageuponmybrother,heturnedto
me,andsaidthatwasthewayhemeanttoservemeoneofthesedays,meaning,
Isuppose,whenIcameintohispossession.
ThankstoakindProvidence,IfelltotheportionofMrs.Lucretia,and
wassentimmediatelybacktoBaltimore,toliveagaininthefamilyofMaster
Hugh.Theirjoyatmyreturnequalledtheirsorrowatmydeparture.Itwasa
gladdaytome.Ihadescapedaworsethanlionsjaws.Iwasabsentfrom
Baltimore,forthepurposeofvaluationanddivision,justaboutonemonth,andit
seemedtohavebeensix.
VerysoonaftermyreturntoBaltimore,mymistress,Lucretia,died,
leavingherhusbandandonechild,Amanda;andinaveryshorttimeafterher
death,MasterAndrewdied.Nowallthepropertyofmyoldmaster,slaves
included,wasinthehandsofstrangers,strangerswhohadhadnothingtodo
withaccumulatingit.Notaslavewasleftfree.Allremainedslaves,fromthe
youngesttotheoldest.Ifanyonethinginmyexperience,morethananother,
 33

servedtodeepenmyconvictionoftheinfernalcharacterofslavery,andtofillme
withunutterableloathingofslaveholders,itwastheirbaseingratitudetomy
pooroldgrandmother.Shehadservedmyoldmasterfaithfullyfromyouthto
oldage.Shehadbeenthesourceofallhiswealth;shehadpeopledhisplantation
withslaves;shehadbecomeagreatgrandmotherinhisservice.Shehadrocked
himininfancy,attendedhiminchildhood,servedhimthroughlife,andathis
deathwipedfromhisicybrowthecolddeathsweat,andclosedhiseyesforever.
Shewasneverthelessleftaslaveaslaveforlifeaslaveinthehandsof
strangers;andintheirhandsshesawherchildren,hergrandchildren,andher
greatgrandchildren,divided,likesomanysheep,withoutbeinggratifiedwith
thesmallprivilegeofasingleword,astotheirorherowndestiny.And,tocap
theclimaxoftheirbaseingratitudeandfiendishbarbarity,mygrandmother,
whowasnowveryold,havingoutlivedmyoldmasterandallhischildren,
havingseenthebeginningandendofallofthem,andherpresentowners
findingshewasofbutlittlevalue,herframealreadyrackedwiththepainsofold
age,andcompletehelplessnessfaststealingoverheronceactivelimbs,theytook
hertothewoods,builtheralittlehut,putupalittlemudchimney,andthen
madeherwelcometotheprivilegeofsupportingherselfthereinperfect
loneliness;thusvirtuallyturningherouttodie!Ifmypooroldgrandmothernow
lives,shelivestosufferinutterloneliness;shelivestorememberandmourn
overthelossofchildren,thelossofgrandchildren,andthelossof
greatgrandchildren.Theyare,inthelanguageoftheslavespoet,Whittier,

Gone,gone,soldandgone
Tothericeswampdankandlone,
Wheretheslavewhipceaselessswings,
Wherethenoisomeinsectstings,
Wherethefeverdemonstrews
Poisonwiththefallingdews,
Wherethesicklysunbeamsglare
Throughthehotandmistyair:
Gone,gone,soldandgone
Tothericeswampdankandlone,
FromVirginiahillsandwaters
Woeisme,mystolendaughters!

Thehearthisdesolate.Thechildren,theunconsciouschildren,whooncesang
anddancedinherpresence,aregone.Shegropesherway,inthedarknessofage,
foradrinkofwater.Insteadofthevoicesofherchildren,shehearsbydaythe
moansofthedove,andbynightthescreamsofthehideousowl.Allisgloom.
Thegraveisatthedoor.Andnow,whenweigheddownbythepainsandaches
ofoldage,whentheheadinclinestothefeet,whenthebeginningandendingof
humanexistencemeet,andhelplessinfancyandpainfuloldagecombine
togetheratthistime,thismostneedfultime,thetimefortheexerciseofthat
tendernessandaffectionwhichchildrenonlycanexercisetowardsadeclining
parentmypooroldgrandmother,thedevotedmotheroftwelvechildren,isleft
allalone,inyonderlittlehut,beforeafewdimembers.Shestandsshesitsshe
staggersshefallsshegroansshediesandtherearenoneofherchildrenor
 34

grandchildrenpresent,towipefromherwrinkledbrowthecoldsweatofdeath,
ortoplacebeneaththesodherfallenremains.WillnotarighteousGodvisitfor
thesethings?
InabouttwoyearsafterthedeathofMrs.Lucretia,MasterThomas
marriedhissecondwife.HernamewasRowenaHamilton.Shewastheeldest
daughterofMr.WilliamHamilton.MasternowlivedinSt.Michaels.Notlong
afterhismarriage,amisunderstandingtookplacebetweenhimselfandMaster
Hugh;andasameansofpunishinghisbrother,hetookmefromhimtolivewith
himselfatSt.Michaels.HereIunderwentanothermostpainfulseparation.It,
however,wasnotsosevereastheoneIdreadedatthedivisionofproperty;for,
duringthisinterval,agreatchangehadtakenplaceinMasterHughandhisonce
kindandaffectionatewife.Theinfluenceofbrandyuponhim,andofslavery
uponher,hadeffectedadisastrouschangeinthecharactersofboth;sothat,as
farastheywereconcerned,IthoughtIhadlittletolosebythechange.Butitwas
nottothemthatIwasattached.ItwastothoselittleBaltimoreboysthatIfeltthe
strongestattachment.Ihadreceivedmanygoodlessonsfromthem,andwasstill
receivingthem,andthethoughtofleavingthemwaspainfulindeed.Iwas
leaving,too,withoutthehopeofeverbeingallowedtoreturn.MasterThomas
hadsaidhewouldneverletmereturnagain.Thebarrierbetwixthimselfand
brotherheconsideredimpassable.
IthenhadtoregretthatIdidnotatleastmaketheattempttocarryout
myresolutiontorunaway;forthechancesofsuccessaretenfoldgreaterfromthe
citythanfromthecountry.
IsailedfromBaltimoreforSt.MichaelsinthesloopAmanda,Captain
EdwardDodson.Onmypassage,Ipaidparticularattentiontothedirection
whichthesteamboatstooktogotoPhiladelphia.Ifound,insteadofgoingdown,
onreachingNorthPointtheywentupthebay,inanortheasterlydirection.I
deemedthisknowledgeoftheutmostimportance.Mydeterminationtorun
awaywasagainrevived.Iresolvedtowaitonlysolongastheofferingofa
favorableopportunity.Whenthatcame,Iwasdeterminedtobeoff.

CHAPTERIX

IhavenowreachedaperiodofmylifewhenIcangivedates.Ileft
Baltimore,andwenttolivewithMasterThomasAuld,atSt.Michaels,inMarch,
1832.ItwasnowmorethansevenyearssinceIlivedwithhiminthefamilyof
myoldmaster,onColonelLloydsplantation.Weofcoursewerenowalmost
entirestrangerstoeachother.Hewastomeanewmaster,andItohimanew
slave.Iwasignorantofhistemperanddisposition;hewasequallysoofmine.A
veryshorttime,however,broughtusintofullacquaintancewitheachother.I
wasmadeacquaintedwithhiswifenotlessthanwithhimself.Theywerewell
matched,beingequallymeanandcruel.Iwasnow,forthefirsttimeduringa
spaceofmorethansevenyears,madetofeelthepainfulgnawingsofhungera
somethingwhichIhadnotexperiencedbeforesinceIleftColonelLloyds
plantation.Itwenthardenoughwithmethen,whenIcouldlookbacktono
 35

periodatwhichIhadenjoyedasufficiency.Itwastenfoldharderafterlivingin
MasterHughsfamily,whereIhadalwayshadenoughtoeat,andofthatwhich
wasgood.IhavesaidMasterThomaswasameanman.Hewasso.Nottogivea
slaveenoughtoeat,isregardedasthemostaggravateddevelopmentof
meannessevenamongslaveholders.Theruleis,nomatterhowcoarsethefood,
onlylettherebeenoughofit.Thisisthetheory;andinthepartofMaryland
fromwhichIcame,itisthegeneralpractice,thoughtherearemanyexceptions.
MasterThomasgaveusenoughofneithercoarsenorfinefood.Therewerefour
slavesofusinthekitchenmysisterEliza,myauntPriscilla,Henny,andmyself;
andwewereallowedlessthanahalfofabushelofcornmealperweek,andvery
littleelse,eitherintheshapeofmeatorvegetables.Itwasnotenoughforusto
subsistupon.Wewerethereforereducedtothewretchednecessityoflivingat
theexpenseofourneighbors.Thiswedidbybeggingandstealing,whichever
camehandyinthetimeofneed,theonebeingconsideredaslegitimateasthe
other.Agreatmanytimeshavewepoorcreaturesbeennearlyperishingwith
hunger,whenfoodinabundancelaymoulderinginthesafeandsmokehouse,
andourpiousmistresswasawareofthefact;andyetthatmistressandher
husbandwouldkneeleverymorning,andpraythatGodwouldblessthemin
basketandstore!
Badasallslaveholdersare,weseldommeetonedestituteofevery
elementofcharactercommandingrespect.Mymasterwasoneofthisraresort.I
donotknowofonesinglenobleacteverperformedbyhim.Theleadingtraitin
hischaracterwasmeanness;andiftherewereanyotherelementinhisnature,it
wasmadesubjecttothis.Hewasmean;and,likemostothermeanmen,he
lackedtheabilitytoconcealhismeanness.CaptainAuldwasnotborna
slaveholder.Hehadbeenapoorman,masteronlyofaBaycraft.Hecameinto
possessionofallhisslavesbymarriage;andofallmen,adoptedslaveholdersare
theworst.Hewascruel,butcowardly.Hecommandedwithoutfirmness.Inthe
enforcementofhisrules,hewasattimesrigid,andattimeslax.Attimes,he
spoketohisslaveswiththefirmnessofNapoleonandthefuryofademon;at
othertimes,hemightwellbemistakenforaninquirerwhohadlosthisway.He
didnothingofhimself.Hemighthavepassedforalion,butforhisears.Inall
thingsnoblewhichheattempted,hisownmeannessshonemostconspicuous.
Hisairs,words,andactions,weretheairs,words,andactionsofborn
slaveholders,and,beingassumed,wereawkwardenough.Hewasnotevena
goodimitator.Hepossessedallthedispositiontodeceive,butwantedthepower.
Havingnoresourceswithinhimself,hewascompelledtobethecopyistofmany,
andbeingsuch,hewasforeverthevictimofinconsistency;andofconsequence
hewasanobjectofcontempt,andwasheldassuchevenbyhisslaves.The
luxuryofhavingslavesofhisowntowaituponhimwassomethingnewand
unpreparedfor.Hewasaslaveholderwithouttheabilitytoholdslaves.He
foundhimselfincapableofmanaginghisslaveseitherbyforce,fear,orfraud.We
seldomcalledhimmaster;wegenerallycalledhimCaptainAuld,andwere
hardlydisposedtotitlehimatall.Idoubtnotthatourconducthadmuchtodo
withmakinghimappearawkward,andofconsequencefretful.Ourwantof
reverenceforhimmusthaveperplexedhimgreatly.Hewishedtohaveuscall
himmaster,butlackedthefirmnessnecessarytocommandustodoso.Hiswife
usedtoinsistuponourcallinghimso,buttonopurpose.InAugust,1832,my
 36

masterattendedaMethodistcampmeetingheldintheBayside,Talbotcounty,
andthereexperiencedreligion.Iindulgedafainthopethathisconversionwould
leadhimtoemancipatehisslaves,andthat,ifhedidnotdothis,itwould,atany
rate,makehimmorekindandhumane.Iwasdisappointedinboththese
respects.Itneithermadehimtobehumanetohisslaves,nortoemancipatethem.
Ifithadanyeffectonhischaracter,itmadehimmorecruelandhatefulinallhis
ways;forIbelievehimtohavebeenamuchworsemanafterhisconversionthan
before.Priortohisconversion,herelieduponhisowndepravitytoshieldand
sustainhiminhissavagebarbarity;butafterhisconversion,hefoundreligious
sanctionandsupportforhisslaveholdingcruelty.Hemadethegreatest
pretensionstopiety.Hishousewasthehouseofprayer.Heprayedmorning,
noon,andnight.Heverysoondistinguishedhimselfamonghisbrethren,and
wassoonmadeaclassleaderandexhorter.Hisactivityinrevivalswasgreat,
andheprovedhimselfaninstrumentinthehandsofthechurchinconverting
manysouls.Hishousewasthepreachershome.Theyusedtotakegreatpleasure
incomingtheretoputup;forwhilehestarvedus,hestuffedthem.Wehavehad
threeorfourpreachersthereatatime.Thenamesofthosewhousedtocome
mostfrequentlywhileIlivedthere,wereMr.Storks,Mr.Ewery,Mr.Humphry,
andMr.Hickey.IhavealsoseenMr.GeorgeCookmanatourhouse.Weslaves
lovedMr.Cookman.Webelievedhimtobeagoodman.Wethoughthim
instrumentalingettingMr.SamuelHarrison,averyrichslaveholder,to
emancipatehisslaves;andbysomemeansgottheimpressionthathewas
laboringtoeffecttheemancipationofalltheslaves.Whenhewasatourhouse,
weweresuretobecalledintoprayers.Whentheotherswerethere,wewere
sometimescalledinandsometimesnot.Mr.Cookmantookmorenoticeofus
thaneitheroftheotherministers.Hecouldnotcomeamonguswithout
betrayinghissympathyforus,and,stupidaswewere,wehadthesagacitytosee
it.
WhileIlivedwithmymasterinSt.Michaels,therewasawhiteyoung
man,aMr.Wilson,whoproposedtokeepaSabbathschoolfortheinstructionof
suchslavesasmightbedisposedtolearntoreadtheNewTestament.Wemet
butthreetimes,whenMr.WestandMr.Fairbanks,bothclassleaders,withmany
others,cameuponuswithsticksandothermissiles,droveusoff,andforbadeus
tomeetagain.ThusendedourlittleSabbathschoolinthepioustownofSt.
Michaels.
Ihavesaidmymasterfoundreligioussanctionforhiscruelty.Asan
example,Iwillstateoneofmanyfactsgoingtoprovethecharge.Ihaveseenhim
tieupalameyoungwoman,andwhipherwithaheavycowskinuponher
nakedshoulders,causingthewarmredbloodtodrip;and,injustificationofthe
bloodydeed,hewouldquotethispassageofScriptureHethatknowethhis
masterswill,anddoethitnot,shallbebeatenwithmanystripes.
Masterwouldkeepthislaceratedyoungwomantiedupinthishorridsituation
fourorfivehoursatatime.Ihaveknownhimtotieherupearlyinthemorning,
andwhipherbeforebreakfast;leaveher,gotohisstore,returnatdinner,and
whipheragain,cuttingherintheplacesalreadymaderawwithhiscruellash.
ThesecretofmasterscrueltytowardHennyisfoundinthefactofherbeing
almosthelpless.Whenquiteachild,shefellintothefire,andburnedherself
horribly.Herhandsweresoburntthatshenevergottheuseofthem.Shecould
 37

doverylittlebutbearheavyburdens.Shewastomasterabillofexpense;andas
hewasameanman,shewasaconstantoffencetohim.Heseemeddesirousof
gettingthepoorgirloutofexistence.Hegaveherawayoncetohissister;but,
beingapoorgift,shewasnotdisposedtokeepher.Finally,mybenevolent
master,tousehisownwords,setheradrifttotakecareofherself.Herewasa
recentlyconvertedman,holdingonuponthemother,andatthesametime
turningoutherhelplesschild,tostarveanddie!MasterThomaswasoneofthe
manypiousslaveholderswhoholdslavesfortheverycharitablepurposeof
takingcareofthem.
Mymasterandmyselfhadquiteanumberofdifferences.Hefoundme
unsuitabletohispurpose.Mycitylife,hesaid,hadhadaveryperniciouseffect
uponme.Ithadalmostruinedmeforeverygoodpurpose,andfittedmefor
everythingwhichwasbad.Oneofmygreatestfaultswasthatoflettinghis
horserunaway,andgodowntohisfatherinlawsfarm,whichwasaboutfive
milesfromSt.Michaels.Iwouldthenhavetogoafterit.Myreasonforthiskind
ofcarelessness,orcarefulness,was,thatIcouldalwaysgetsomethingtoeat
whenIwentthere.MasterWilliamHamilton,mymastersfatherinlaw,always
gavehisslavesenoughtoeat.Ineverlefttherehungry,nomatterhowgreatthe
needofmyspeedyreturn.MasterThomasatlengthsaidhewouldstanditno
longer.Ihadlivedwithhimninemonths,duringwhichtimehehadgivenmea
numberofseverewhippings,alltonogoodpurpose.Heresolvedtoputmeout,
ashesaid,tobebroken;and,forthispurpose,heletmeforoneyeartoaman
namedEdwardCovey.Mr.Coveywasapoorman,afarmrenter.Herentedthe
placeuponwhichhelived,asalsothehandswithwhichhetilledit.Mr.Covey
hadacquiredaveryhighreputationforbreakingyoungslaves,andthis
reputationwasofimmensevaluetohim.Itenabledhimtogethisfarmtilled
withmuchlessexpensetohimselfthanhecouldhavehaditdonewithoutsucha
reputation.SomeslaveholdersthoughtitnotmuchlosstoallowMr.Coveyto
havetheirslavesoneyear,forthesakeofthetrainingtowhichtheywere
subjected,withoutanyothercompensation.Hecouldhireyounghelpwithgreat
ease,inconsequenceofthisreputation.Addedtothenaturalgoodqualitiesof
Mr.Covey,hewasaprofessorofreligionapioussoulamemberandaclass
leaderintheMethodistchurch.Allofthisaddedweighttohisreputationasa
niggerbreaker.Iwasawareofallthefacts,havingbeenmadeacquaintedwith
thembyayoungmanwhohadlivedthere.Ineverthelessmadethechange
gladly;forIwassureofgettingenoughtoeat,whichisnotthesmallest
considerationtoahungryman.

CHAPTERX

IhadleftMasterThomasshouse,andwenttolivewithMr.Covey,on
the1stofJanuary,1833.Iwasnow,forthefirsttimeinmylife,afieldhand.In
mynewemployment,Ifoundmyselfevenmoreawkwardthanacountryboy
appearedtobeinalargecity.Ihadbeenatmynewhomebutoneweekbefore
Mr.Coveygavemeaveryseverewhipping,cuttingmyback,causingtheblood
 38

torun,andraisingridgesonmyfleshaslargeasmylittlefinger.Thedetailsof
thisaffairareasfollows:Mr.Coveysentme,veryearlyinthemorningofoneof
ourcoldestdaysinthemonthofJanuary,tothewoods,togetaloadofwood.He
gavemeateamofunbrokenoxen.Hetoldmewhichwastheinhandox,and
whichtheoffhandone.Hethentiedtheendofalargeropearoundthehornsof
theinhandox,andgavemetheotherendofit,andtoldme,iftheoxenstarted
torun,thatImustholdonupontherope.Ihadneverdrivenoxenbefore,andof
courseIwasveryawkward.I,however,succeededingettingtotheedgeofthe
woodswithlittledifficulty;butIhadgotaveryfewrodsintothewoods,when
theoxentookfright,andstartedfulltilt,carryingthecartagainsttrees,andover
stumps,inthemostfrightfulmanner.Iexpectedeverymomentthatmybrains
wouldbedashedoutagainstthetrees.Afterrunningthusforaconsiderable
distance,theyfinallyupsetthecart,dashingitwithgreatforceagainstatree,and
threwthemselvesintoadensethicket.HowIescapeddeath,Idonotknow.
ThereIwas,entirelyalone,inathickwood,inaplacenewtome.My
cartwasupsetandshattered,myoxenwereentangledamongtheyoungtrees,
andtherewasnonetohelpme.Afteralongspellofeffort,Isucceededingetting
mycartrighted,myoxendisentangled,andagainyokedtothecart.Inow
proceededwithmyteamtotheplacewhereIhad,thedaybefore,beenchopping
wood,andloadedmycartprettyheavily,thinkinginthiswaytotamemyoxen.I
thenproceededonmywayhome.Ihadnowconsumedonehalfoftheday.Igot
outofthewoodssafely,andnowfeltoutofdanger.Istoppedmyoxentoopen
thewoodsgate;andjustasIdidso,beforeIcouldgetholdofmyoxrope,the
oxenagainstarted,rushedthroughthegate,catchingitbetweenthewheeland
thebodyofthecart,tearingittopieces,andcomingwithinafewinchesof
crushingmeagainstthegatepost.Thustwice,inoneshortday,Iescapeddeath
bythemerestchance.Onmyreturn,ItoldMr.Coveywhathadhappened,and
howithappened.Heorderedmetoreturntothewoodsagainimmediately.Idid
so,andhefollowedonafterme.JustasIgotintothewoods,hecameupandtold
metostopmycart,andthathewouldteachmehowtotrifleawaymytime,and
breakgates.Hethenwenttoalargegumtree,andwithhisaxecutthreelarge
switches,and,aftertrimmingthemupneatlywithhispocketknife,heordered
metotakeoffmyclothes.Imadehimnoanswer,butstoodwithmyclotheson.
Herepeatedhisorder.Istillmadehimnoanswer,nordidImovetostripmyself.
Uponthisherushedatmewiththefiercenessofatiger,toreoffmyclothes,and
lashedmetillhehadwornouthisswitches,cuttingmesosavagelyastoleave
themarksvisibleforalongtimeafter.Thiswhippingwasthefirstofanumber
justlikeit,andforsimilaroffences.
IlivedwithMr.Coveyoneyear.Duringthefirstsixmonths,ofthatyear,
scarceaweekpassedwithouthiswhippingme.Iwasseldomfreefromasore
back.Myawkwardnesswasalmostalwayshisexcuseforwhippingme.Wewere
workedfullyuptothepointofendurance.Longbeforedaywewereup,our
horsesfed,andbythefirstapproachofdaywewereofftothefieldwithour
hoesandploughingteams.Mr.Coveygaveusenoughtoeat,butscarcetimeto
eatit.Wewereoftenlessthanfiveminutestakingourmeals.Wewereoftenin
thefieldfromthefirstapproachofdaytillitslastlingeringrayhadleftus;andat
savingfoddertime,midnightoftencaughtusinthefieldbindingblades.
 39

Coveywouldbeoutwithus.Thewayheusedtostandit,wasthis.Hewould
spendthemostofhisafternoonsinbed.Hewouldthencomeoutfreshinthe
evening,readytourgeusonwithhiswords,example,andfrequentlywiththe
whip.Mr.Coveywasoneofthefewslaveholderswhocouldanddidworkwith
hishands.Hewasahardworkingman.Heknewbyhimselfjustwhatamanor
aboycoulddo.Therewasnodeceivinghim.Hisworkwentoninhisabsence
almostaswellasinhispresence;andhehadthefacultyofmakingusfeelthathe
waseverpresentwithus.Thishedidbysurprisingus.Heseldomapproached
thespotwherewewereatworkopenly,ifhecoulddoitsecretly.Healways
aimedattakingusbysurprise.Suchwashiscunning,thatweusedtocallhim,
amongourselves,thesnake.Whenwewereatworkinthecornfield,hewould
sometimescrawlonhishandsandkneestoavoiddetection,andallatoncehe
wouldrisenearlyinourmidst,andscreamout,Ha,ha!Come,come!Dashon,
dashon!Thisbeinghismodeofattack,itwasneversafetostopasingleminute.
Hiscomingswerelikeathiefinthenight.Heappearedtousasbeingeverat
hand.Hewasundereverytree,behindeverystump,ineverybush,andatevery
window,ontheplantation.Hewouldsometimesmounthishorse,asifboundto
St.Michaels,adistanceofsevenmiles,andinhalfanhourafterwardsyou
wouldseehimcoiledupinthecornerofthewoodfence,watchingeverymotion
oftheslaves.Hewould,forthispurpose,leavehishorsetiedupinthewoods.
Again,hewouldsometimeswalkuptous,andgiveusordersasthoughhewas
uponthepointofstartingonalongjourney,turnhisbackuponus,andmakeas
thoughhewasgoingtothehousetogetready;and,beforehewouldgethalf
waythither,hewouldturnshortandcrawlintoafencecorner,orbehindsome
tree,andtherewatchustillthegoingdownofthesun.
Mr.CoveysFORTEconsistedinhispowertodeceive.Hislifewas
devotedtoplanningandperpetratingthegrossestdeceptions.Everythinghe
possessedintheshapeoflearningorreligion,hemadeconformtohis
dispositiontodeceive.Heseemedtothinkhimselfequaltodeceivingthe
Almighty.Hewouldmakeashortprayerinthemorning,andalongprayerat
night;and,strangeasitmayseem,fewmenwouldattimesappearmore
devotionalthanhe.Theexercisesofhisfamilydevotionswerealways
commencedwithsinging;and,ashewasaverypoorsingerhimself,thedutyof
raisingthehymngenerallycameuponme.Hewouldreadhishymn,andnodat
metocommence.Iwouldattimesdoso;atothers,Iwouldnot.Mynon
compliancewouldalmostalwaysproducemuchconfusion.Toshowhimself
independentofme,hewouldstartandstaggerthroughwithhishymninthe
mostdiscordantmanner.Inthisstateofmind,heprayedwithmorethan
ordinaryspirit.Poorman!suchwashisdisposition,andsuccessatdeceiving,I
doverilybelievethathesometimesdeceivedhimselfintothesolemnbelief,that
hewasasincereworshipperofthemosthighGod;andthis,too,atatimewhen
hemaybesaidtohavebeenguiltyofcompellinghiswomanslavetocommitthe
sinofadultery.Thefactsinthecasearethese:Mr.Coveywasapoorman;hewas
justcommencinginlife;hewasonlyabletobuyoneslave;and,shockingasis
thefact,heboughther,ashesaid,forABREEDER.Thiswomanwasnamed
Caroline.Mr.CoveyboughtherfromMr.ThomasLowe,aboutsixmilesfromSt.
Michaels.Shewasalarge,ablebodiedwoman,abouttwentyyearsold.Shehad
alreadygivenbirthtoonechild,whichprovedhertobejustwhathewanted.
 40

Afterbuyingher,hehiredamarriedmanofMr.SamuelHarrison,tolivewith
himoneyear;andhimheusedtofastenupwithhereverynight!Theresultwas,
that,attheendoftheyear,themiserablewomangavebirthtotwins.Atthis
resultMr.Coveyseemedtobehighlypleased,bothwiththemanandthe
wretchedwoman.Suchwashisjoy,andthatofhiswife,thatnothingtheycould
doforCarolineduringherconfinementwastoogood,ortoohard,tobedone.
Thechildrenwereregardedasbeingquiteanadditiontohiswealth.
Ifatanyonetimeofmylifemorethananother,Iwasmadetodrinkthe
bitterestdregsofslavery,thattimewasduringthefirstsixmonthsofmystay
withMr.Covey.Wewereworkedinallweathers.Itwasnevertoohotortoo
cold;itcouldneverrain,blow,hail,orsnow,toohardforustoworkinthefield.
Work,work,work,wasscarcelymoretheorderofthedaythanofthenight.The
longestdaysweretooshortforhim,andtheshortestnightstoolongforhim.I
wassomewhatunmanageablewhenIfirstwentthere,butafewmonthsofthis
disciplinetamedme.Mr.Coveysucceededinbreakingme.Iwasbrokeninbody,
soul,andspirit.Mynaturalelasticitywascrushed,myintellectlanguished,the
dispositiontoreaddeparted,thecheerfulsparkthatlingeredaboutmyeyedied;
thedarknightofslaveryclosedinuponme;andbeholdamantransformedinto
abrute!
Sundaywasmyonlyleisuretime.Ispentthisinasortofbeastlike
stupor,betweensleepandwake,undersomelargetree.AttimesIwouldriseup,
aflashofenergeticfreedomwoulddartthroughmysoul,accompaniedwitha
faintbeamofhope,thatflickeredforamoment,andthenvanished.Isankdown
again,mourningovermywretchedcondition.Iwassometimespromptedtotake
mylife,andthatofCovey,butwaspreventedbyacombinationofhopeandfear.
Mysufferingsonthisplantationseemnowlikeadreamratherthanastern
reality.
OurhousestoodwithinafewrodsoftheChesapeakeBay,whosebroad
bosomwaseverwhitewithsailsfromeveryquarterofthehabitableglobe.Those
beautifulvessels,robedinpurestwhite,sodelightfultotheeyeoffreemen,were
tomesomanyshroudedghosts,toterrifyandtormentmewiththoughtsofmy
wretchedcondition.Ihaveoften,inthedeepstillnessofasummersSabbath,
stoodallaloneupontheloftybanksofthatnoblebay,andtraced,withsaddened
heartandtearfuleye,thecountlessnumberofsailsmovingofftothemighty
ocean.Thesightofthesealwaysaffectedmepowerfully.Mythoughtswould
compelutterance;andthere,withnoaudiencebuttheAlmighty,Iwouldpour
outmysoulscomplaint,inmyrudeway,withanapostrophetothemoving
multitudeofships:
Youareloosedfromyourmoorings,andarefree;Iamfastinmychains,
andamaslave!Youmovemerrilybeforethegentlegale,andIsadlybeforethe
bloodywhip!Youarefreedomsswiftwingedangels,thatflyroundtheworld;I
amconfinedinbandsofiron!OthatIwerefree!O,thatIwereononeofyour
gallantdecks,andunderyourprotectingwing!Alas!betwixtmeandyou,the
turbidwatersroll.Goon,goon.OthatIcouldalsogo!CouldIbutswim!IfI
couldfly!O,whywasIbornaman,ofwhomtomakeabrute!Thegladshipis
gone;shehidesinthedimdistance.Iamleftinthehottesthellofunending
slavery.OGod,saveme!God,deliverme!Letmebefree!IsthereanyGod?Why
amIaslave?Iwillrunaway.Iwillnotstandit.Getcaught,orgetclear,Illtryit.
 41

Ihadaswelldiewithagueasthefever.Ihaveonlyonelifetolose.Ihadaswell
bekilledrunningasdiestanding.Onlythinkofit;onehundredmilesstraight
north,andIamfree!Tryit?Yes!Godhelpingme,Iwill.ItcannotbethatIshall
liveanddieaslave.Iwilltaketothewater.Thisverybayshallyetbearmeinto
freedom.ThesteamboatssteeredinanortheastcoursefromNorthPoint.Iwill
dothesame;andwhenIgettotheheadofthebay,Iwillturnmycanoeadrift,
andwalkstraightthroughDelawareintoPennsylvania.WhenIgetthere,Ishall
notberequiredtohaveapass;Icantravelwithoutbeingdisturbed.Letbutthe
firstopportunityoffer,and,comewhatwill,Iamoff.Meanwhile,Iwilltryto
bearupundertheyoke.Iamnottheonlyslaveintheworld.WhyshouldIfret?I
canbearasmuchasanyofthem.Besides,Iambutaboy,andallboysarebound
tosomeone.Itmaybethatmymiseryinslaverywillonlyincreasemyhappiness
whenIgetfree.Thereisabetterdaycoming.
ThusIusedtothink,andthusIusedtospeaktomyself;goadedalmost
tomadnessatonemoment,andatthenextreconcilingmyselftomywretched
lot.
Ihavealreadyintimatedthatmyconditionwasmuchworse,duringthe
firstsixmonthsofmystayatMr.Coveys,thaninthelastsix.Thecircumstances
leadingtothechangeinMr.Coveyscoursetowardmeformanepochinmy
humblehistory.Youhaveseenhowamanwasmadeaslave;youshallseehowa
slavewasmadeaman.OnoneofthehottestdaysofthemonthofAugust,1833,
BillSmith,WilliamHughes,aslavenamedEli,andmyself,wereengagedin
fanningwheat.Hugheswasclearingthefannedwheatfrombeforethefan.Eli
wasturning,Smithwasfeeding,andIwascarryingwheattothefan.Thework
wassimple,requiringstrengthratherthanintellect;yet,tooneentirelyunusedto
suchwork,itcameveryhard.Aboutthreeoclockofthatday,Ibrokedown;my
strengthfailedme;Iwasseizedwithaviolentachingofthehead,attendedwith
extremedizziness;Itrembledineverylimb.Findingwhatwascoming,Inerved
myselfup,feelingitwouldneverdotostopwork.IstoodaslongasIcould
staggertothehopperwithgrain.WhenIcouldstandnolonger,Ifell,andfeltas
ifhelddownbyanimmenseweight.Thefanofcoursestopped;everyonehad
hisownworktodo;andnoonecoulddotheworkoftheother,andhavehis
owngoonatthesametime.
Mr.Coveywasatthehouse,aboutonehundredyardsfromthe
treadingyardwherewewerefanning.Onhearingthefanstop,heleft
immediately,andcametothespotwherewewere.Hehastilyinquiredwhatthe
matterwas.BillansweredthatIwassick,andtherewasnoonetobringwheatto
thefan.Ihadbythistimecrawledawayunderthesideofthepostandrailfence
bywhichtheyardwasenclosed,hopingtofindreliefbygettingoutofthesun.
HethenaskedwhereIwas.Hewastoldbyoneofthehands.Hecametothe
spot,and,afterlookingatmeawhile,askedmewhatwasthematter.Itoldhim
aswellasIcould,forIscarcehadstrengthtospeak.Hethengavemeasavage
kickintheside,andtoldmetogetup.Itriedtodoso,butfellbackinthe
attempt.Hegavemeanotherkick,andagaintoldmetorise.Iagaintried,and
succeededingainingmyfeet;but,stoopingtogetthetubwithwhichIwas
feedingthefan,Iagainstaggeredandfell.Whiledowninthissituation,Mr.
CoveytookupthehickoryslatwithwhichHugheshadbeenstrikingoffthehalf
bushelmeasure,andwithitgavemeaheavyblowuponthehead,makinga
 42

largewound,andthebloodranfreely;andwiththisagaintoldmetogetup.I
madenoefforttocomply,havingnowmadeupmymindtolethimdohisworst.
Inashorttimeafterreceivingthisblow,myheadgrewbetter.Mr.Coveyhad
nowleftmetomyfate.AtthismomentIresolved,forthefirsttime,togotomy
master,enteracomplaint,andaskhisprotection.Inordertodothis,Imustthat
afternoonwalksevenmiles;andthis,underthecircumstances,wastrulyasevere
undertaking.Iwasexceedinglyfeeble;madesoasmuchbythekicksandblows
whichIreceived,asbytheseverefitofsicknesstowhichIhadbeensubjected.I,
however,watchedmychance,whileCoveywaslookinginanoppositedirection,
andstartedforSt.Michaels.Isucceededingettingaconsiderabledistanceon
mywaytothewoods,whenCoveydiscoveredme,andcalledaftermetocome
back,threateningwhathewoulddoifIdidnotcome.Idisregardedbothhiscalls
andhisthreats,andmademywaytothewoodsasfastasmyfeeblestatewould
allow;andthinkingImightbeoverhauledbyhimifIkepttheroad,Iwalked
throughthewoods,keepingfarenoughfromtheroadtoavoiddetection,and
nearenoughtopreventlosingmyway.Ihadnotgonefarbeforemylittle
strengthagainfailedme.Icouldgonofarther.Ifelldown,andlayfora
considerabletime.Thebloodwasyetoozingfromthewoundonmyhead.Fora
timeIthoughtIshouldbleedtodeath;andthinknowthatIshouldhavedoneso,
butthatthebloodsomattedmyhairastostopthewound.Afterlyingthere
aboutthreequartersofanhour,Inervedmyselfupagain,andstartedonmy
way,throughbogsandbriers,barefootedandbareheaded,tearingmyfeet
sometimesatnearlyeverystep;andafterajourneyofaboutsevenmiles,
occupyingsomefivehourstoperformit,Iarrivedatmastersstore.Ithen
presentedanappearanceenoughtoaffectanybutaheartofiron.Fromthe
crownofmyheadtomyfeet,Iwascoveredwithblood.Myhairwasallclotted
withdustandblood;myshirtwasstiffwithblood.IsupposeIlookedlikeaman
whohadescapedadenofwildbeasts,andbarelyescapedthem.InthisstateI
appearedbeforemymaster,humblyentreatinghimtointerposehisauthorityfor
myprotection.ItoldhimallthecircumstancesaswellasIcould,anditseemed,
asIspoke,attimestoaffecthim.Hewouldthenwalkthefloor,andseekto
justifyCoveybysayingheexpectedIdeservedit.HeaskedmewhatIwanted.I
toldhim,toletmegetanewhome;thatassureasIlivedwithMr.Coveyagain,I
shouldlivewithbuttodiewithhim;thatCoveywouldsurelykillme;hewasin
afairwayforit.MasterThomasridiculedtheideathattherewasanydangerof
Mr.Coveyskillingme,andsaidthatheknewMr.Covey;thathewasagood
man,andthathecouldnotthinkoftakingmefromhim;that,shouldhedoso,he
wouldlosethewholeyearswages;thatIbelongedtoMr.Coveyforoneyear,
andthatImustgobacktohim,comewhatmight;andthatImustnottrouble
himwithanymorestories,orthathewouldhimselfGETHOLDOFME.After
threateningmethus,hegavemeaverylargedoseofsalts,tellingmethatImight
remaininSt.Michaelsthatnight,(itbeingquitelate,)butthatImustbeoffback
toMr.Coveysearlyinthemorning;andthatifIdidnot,hewouldgetholdof
me,whichmeantthathewouldwhipme.Iremainedallnight,and,accordingto
hisorders,IstartedofftoCoveysinthemorning,(Saturdaymorning,)wearied
inbodyandbrokeninspirit.Igotnosupperthatnight,orbreakfastthat
morning.IreachedCoveysaboutnineoclock;andjustasIwasgettingoverthe
fencethatdividedMrs.Kempsfieldsfromours,outranCoveywithhiscowskin,
 43

togivemeanotherwhipping.Beforehecouldreachme,Isucceededingettingto
thecornfield;andasthecornwasveryhigh,itaffordedmethemeansofhiding.
Heseemedveryangry,andsearchedformealongtime.Mybehaviorwas
altogetherunaccountable.Hefinallygaveupthechase,thinking,Isuppose,that
Imustcomehomeforsomethingtoeat;hewouldgivehimselfnofurthertrouble
inlookingforme.Ispentthatdaymostlyinthewoods,havingthealternative
beforeme,togohomeandbewhippedtodeath,orstayinthewoodsandbe
starvedtodeath.Thatnight,IfellinwithSandyJenkins,aslavewithwhomI
wassomewhatacquainted.Sandyhadafreewifewholivedaboutfourmiles
fromMr.Coveys;anditbeingSaturday,hewasonhiswaytoseeher.Itoldhim
mycircumstances,andheverykindlyinvitedmetogohomewithhim.Iwent
homewithhim,andtalkedthiswholematterover,andgothisadviceastowhat
courseitwasbestformetopursue.IfoundSandyanoldadviser.Hetoldme,
withgreatsolemnity,ImustgobacktoCovey;butthatbeforeIwent,Imustgo
withhimintoanotherpartofthewoods,wheretherewasacertainroot,which,if
Iwouldtakesomeofitwithme,carryingitalwaysonmyrightside,would
renderitimpossibleforMr.Covey,oranyotherwhiteman,towhipme.Hesaid
hehadcarrieditforyears;andsincehehaddoneso,hehadneverreceiveda
blow,andneverexpectedtowhilehecarriedit.Iatfirstrejectedtheidea,that
thesimplecarryingofarootinmypocketwouldhaveanysucheffectashehad
said,andwasnotdisposedtotakeit;butSandyimpressedthenecessitywith
muchearnestness,tellingmeitcoulddonoharm,ifitdidnogood.Toplease
him,Iatlengthtooktheroot,and,accordingtohisdirection,carriedituponmy
rightside.ThiswasSundaymorning.Iimmediatelystartedforhome;andupon
enteringtheyardgate,outcameMr.Coveyonhiswaytomeeting.Hespoketo
meverykindly,bademedrivethepigsfromalotnearby,andpassedon
towardsthechurch.Now,thissingularconductofMr.Coveyreallymademe
begintothinkthattherewassomethingintheROOTwhichSandyhadgivenme;
andhaditbeenonanyotherdaythanSunday,Icouldhaveattributedthe
conducttonoothercausethantheinfluenceofthatroot;andasitwas,Iwashalf
inclinedtothinktheroottobesomethingmorethanIatfirsthadtakenittobe.
AllwentwelltillMondaymorning.Onthismorning,thevirtueoftheROOT
wasfullytested.Longbeforedaylight,Iwascalledtogoandrub,curry,and
feed,thehorses.Iobeyed,andwasgladtoobey.Butwhilstthusengaged,whilst
intheactofthrowingdownsomebladesfromtheloft,Mr.Coveyenteredthe
stablewithalongrope;andjustasIwashalfoutoftheloft,hecaughtholdof
mylegs,andwasabouttyingme.AssoonasIfoundwhathewasupto,Igavea
suddenspring,andasIdidso,heholdingtomylegs,Iwasbroughtsprawling
onthestablefloor.Mr.Coveyseemednowtothinkhehadme,andcoulddo
whathepleased;butatthismomentfromwhencecamethespiritIdontknowI
resolvedtofight;and,suitingmyactiontotheresolution,IseizedCoveyhardby
thethroat;andasIdidso,Irose.Heheldontome,andItohim.Myresistance
wassoentirelyunexpectedthatCoveyseemedtakenallaback.Hetrembledlike
aleaf.Thisgavemeassurance,andIheldhimuneasy,causingthebloodtorun
whereItouchedhimwiththeendsofmyfingers.Mr.Coveysooncalledoutto
Hughesforhelp.Hughescame,and,whileCoveyheldme,attemptedtotiemy
righthand.Whilehewasintheactofdoingso,Iwatchedmychance,andgave
himaheavykickcloseundertheribs.ThiskickfairlysickenedHughes,sothat
 44

heleftmeinthehandsofMr.Covey.Thiskickhadtheeffectofnotonly
weakeningHughes,butCoveyalso.WhenhesawHughesbendingoverwith
pain,hiscouragequailed.HeaskedmeifImeanttopersistinmyresistance.I
toldhimIdid,comewhatmight;thathehadusedmelikeabruteforsixmonths,
andthatIwasdeterminedtobeusedsonolonger.Withthat,hestrovetodrag
metoastickthatwaslyingjustoutofthestabledoor.Hemeanttoknockme
down.Butjustashewasleaningovertogetthestick,Iseizedhimwithboth
handsbyhiscollar,andbroughthimbyasuddensnatchtotheground.Bythis
time,Billcame.Coveycalleduponhimforassistance.Billwantedtoknowwhat
hecoulddo.Coveysaid,Takeholdofhim,takeholdofhim!Billsaidhis
masterhiredhimouttowork,andnottohelptowhipme;soheleftCoveyand
myselftofightourownbattleout.Wewereatitfornearlytwohours.Coveyat
lengthletmego,puffingandblowingatagreatrate,sayingthatifIhadnot
resisted,hewouldnothavewhippedmehalfsomuch.Thetruthwas,thathe
hadnotwhippedmeatall.Iconsideredhimasgettingentirelytheworstendof
thebargain;forhehaddrawnnobloodfromme,butIhadfromhim.Thewhole
sixmonthsafterwards,thatIspentwithMr.Covey,heneverlaidtheweightof
hisfingeruponmeinanger.Hewouldoccasionallysay,hedidntwanttoget
holdofmeagain.No,thoughtI,youneednot;foryouwillcomeoffworse
thanyoudidbefore.
ThisbattlewithMr.Coveywastheturningpointinmycareerasaslave.
Itrekindledthefewexpiringembersoffreedom,andrevivedwithinmeasense
ofmyownmanhood.Itrecalledthedepartedselfconfidence,andinspiredme
againwithadeterminationtobefree.Thegratificationaffordedbythetriumph
wasafullcompensationforwhateverelsemightfollow,evendeathitself.He
onlycanunderstandthedeepsatisfactionwhichIexperienced,whohashimself
repelledbyforcethebloodyarmofslavery.IfeltasIneverfeltbefore.Itwasa
gloriousresurrection,fromthetombofslavery,totheheavenoffreedom.My
longcrushedspiritrose,cowardicedeparted,bolddefiancetookitsplace;andI
nowresolvedthat,howeverlongImightremainaslaveinform,thedayhad
passedforeverwhenIcouldbeaslaveinfact.Ididnothesitatetoletitbeknown
ofme,thatthewhitemanwhoexpectedtosucceedinwhipping,mustalso
succeedinkillingme.
FromthistimeIwasneveragainwhatmightbecalledfairlywhipped,
thoughIremainedaslavefouryearsafterwards.Ihadseveralfights,butwas
neverwhipped.
ItwasforalongtimeamatterofsurprisetomewhyMr.Coveydidnot
immediatelyhavemetakenbytheconstabletothewhippingpost,andthere
regularlywhippedforthecrimeofraisingmyhandagainstawhitemanin
defenceofmyself.AndtheonlyexplanationIcannowthinkofdoesnotentirely
satisfyme;butsuchasitis,Iwillgiveit.Mr.Coveyenjoyedthemostunbounded
reputationforbeingafirstrateoverseerandnegrobreaker.Itwasof
considerableimportancetohim.Thatreputationwasatstake;andhadhesent
meaboyaboutsixteenyearsoldtothepublicwhippingpost,hisreputation
wouldhavebeenlost;so,tosavehisreputation,hesufferedmetogo
unpunished.
MytermofactualservicetoMr.EdwardCoveyendedonChristmas
day,1833.ThedaysbetweenChristmasandNewYearsdayareallowedas
 45

holidays;and,accordingly,wewerenotrequiredtoperformanylabor,more
thantofeedandtakecareofthestock.Thistimeweregardedasourown,bythe
graceofourmasters;andwethereforeusedorabuseditnearlyaswepleased.
Thoseofuswhohadfamiliesatadistance,weregenerallyallowedtospendthe
wholesixdaysintheirsociety.Thistime,however,wasspentinvariousways.
Thestaid,sober,thinkingandindustriousonesofournumberwouldemploy
themselvesinmakingcornbrooms,mats,horsecollars,andbaskets;andanother
classofuswouldspendthetimeinhuntingopossums,hares,andcoons.Butby
farthelargerpartengagedinsuchsportsandmerrimentsasplayingball,
wrestling,runningfootraces,fiddling,dancing,anddrinkingwhisky;andthis
lattermodeofspendingthetimewasbyfarthemostagreeabletothefeelingsof
ourmasters.Aslavewhowouldworkduringtheholidayswasconsideredby
ourmastersasscarcelydeservingthem.Hewasregardedasonewhorejected
thefavorofhismaster.ItwasdeemedadisgracenottogetdrunkatChristmas;
andhewasregardedaslazyindeed,whohadnotprovidedhimselfwiththe
necessarymeans,duringtheyear,togetwhiskyenoughtolasthimthrough
Christmas.
FromwhatIknowoftheeffectoftheseholidaysupontheslave,Ibelieve
themtobeamongthemosteffectivemeansinthehandsoftheslaveholderin
keepingdownthespiritofinsurrection.Weretheslaveholdersatonceto
abandonthispractice,Ihavenottheslightestdoubtitwouldleadtoan
immediateinsurrectionamongtheslaves.Theseholidaysserveasconductors,or
safetyvalves,tocarryofftherebelliousspiritofenslavedhumanity.Butfor
these,theslavewouldbeforceduptothewildestdesperation;andwoebetide
theslaveholder,thedayheventurestoremoveorhindertheoperationofthose
conductors!Iwarnhimthat,insuchanevent,aspiritwillgoforthintheirmidst,
moretobedreadedthanthemostappallingearthquake.
Theholidaysarepartandparcelofthegrossfraud,wrong,and
inhumanityofslavery.Theyareprofessedlyacustomestablishedbythe
benevolenceoftheslaveholders;butIundertaketosay,itistheresultof
selfishness,andoneofthegrossestfraudscommitteduponthedowntrodden
slave.Theydonotgivetheslavesthistimebecausetheywouldnotliketohave
theirworkduringitscontinuance,butbecausetheyknowitwouldbeunsafeto
deprivethemofit.Thiswillbeseenbythefact,thattheslaveholdersliketohave
theirslavesspendthosedaysjustinsuchamannerastomakethemasgladof
theirendingasoftheirbeginning.Theirobjectseemstobe,todisgusttheirslaves
withfreedom,byplungingthemintothelowestdepthsofdissipation.For
instance,theslaveholdersnotonlyliketoseetheslavedrinkofhisownaccord,
butwilladoptvariousplanstomakehimdrunk.Oneplanis,tomakebetson
theirslaves,astowhocandrinkthemostwhiskywithoutgettingdrunk;andin
thiswaytheysucceedingettingwholemultitudestodrinktoexcess.Thus,when
theslaveasksforvirtuousfreedom,thecunningslaveholder,knowinghis
ignorance,cheatshimwithadoseofviciousdissipation,artfullylabelledwith
thenameofliberty.Themostofususedtodrinkitdown,andtheresultwasjust
whatmightbesupposed;manyofuswereledtothinkthattherewaslittleto
choosebetweenlibertyandslavery.Wefelt,andveryproperlytoo,thatwehad
almostaswellbeslavestomanastorum.So,whentheholidaysended,we
staggeredupfromthefilthofourwallowing,tookalongbreath,andmarchedto
 46

thefield,feeling,uponthewhole,rathergladtogo,fromwhatourmasterhad
deceivedusintoabeliefwasfreedom,backtothearmsofslavery.
Ihavesaidthatthismodeoftreatmentisapartofthewholesystemof
fraudandinhumanityofslavery.Itisso.Themodehereadoptedtodisgustthe
slavewithfreedom,byallowinghimtoseeonlytheabuseofit,iscarriedoutin
otherthings.Forinstance,aslavelovesmolasses;hestealssome.Hismaster,in
manycases,goesofftotown,andbuysalargequantity;hereturns,takeshis
whip,andcommandstheslavetoeatthemolasses,untilthepoorfellowismade
sickattheverymentionofit.Thesamemodeissometimesadoptedtomakethe
slavesrefrainfromaskingformorefoodthantheirregularallowance.Aslave
runsthroughhisallowance,andappliesformore.Hismasterisenragedathim;
but,notwillingtosendhimoffwithoutfood,giveshimmorethanisnecessary,
andcompelshimtoeatitwithinagiventime.Then,ifhecomplainsthathe
cannoteatit,heissaidtobesatisfiedneitherfullnorfasting,andiswhippedfor
beinghardtoplease!Ihaveanabundanceofsuchillustrationsofthesame
principle,drawnfrommyownobservation,butthinkthecasesIhavecited
sufficient.Thepracticeisaverycommonone.
OnthefirstofJanuary,1834,IleftMr.Covey,andwenttolivewithMr.
WilliamFreeland,wholivedaboutthreemilesfromSt.Michaels.Isoonfound
Mr.FreelandaverydifferentmanfromMr.Covey.Thoughnotrich,hewas
whatwouldbecalledaneducatedsoutherngentleman.Mr.Covey,asIhave
shown,wasawelltrainednegrobreakerandslavedriver.Theformer
(slaveholderthoughhewas)seemedtopossesssomeregardforhonor,some
reverenceforjustice,andsomerespectforhumanity.Thelatterseemedtotally
insensibletoallsuchsentiments.Mr.Freelandhadmanyofthefaultspeculiarto
slaveholders,suchasbeingverypassionateandfretful;butImustdohimthe
justicetosay,thathewasexceedinglyfreefromthosedegradingvicestowhich
Mr.Coveywasconstantlyaddicted.Theonewasopenandfrank,andwealways
knewwheretofindhim.Theotherwasamostartfuldeceiver,andcouldbe
understoodonlybysuchaswereskilfulenoughtodetecthiscunninglydevised
frauds.AnotheradvantageIgainedinmynewmasterwas,hemadeno
pretensionsto,orprofessionof,religion;andthis,inmyopinion,wastrulya
greatadvantage.Iassertmostunhesitatingly,thatthereligionofthesouthisa
merecoveringforthemosthorridcrimes,ajustifierofthemostappalling
barbarity,asanctifierofthemosthatefulfrauds,andadarkshelterunder,
whichthedarkest,foulest,grossest,andmostinfernaldeedsofslaveholdersfind
thestrongestprotection.WereItobeagainreducedtothechainsofslavery,next
tothatenslavement,Ishouldregardbeingtheslaveofareligiousmasterthe
greatestcalamitythatcouldbefallme.ForofallslaveholderswithwhomIhave
evermet,religiousslaveholdersaretheworst.Ihaveeverfoundthemthe
meanestandbasest,themostcruelandcowardly,ofallothers.Itwasmy
unhappylotnotonlytobelongtoareligiousslaveholder,buttoliveina
communityofsuchreligionists.VerynearMr.FreelandlivedtheRev.Daniel
Weeden,andinthesameneighborhoodlivedtheRev.RigbyHopkins.These
weremembersandministersintheReformedMethodistChurch.Mr.Weeden
owned,amongothers,awomanslave,whosenameIhaveforgotten.This
womansback,forweeks,waskeptliterallyraw,madesobythelashofthis
merciless,religiouswretch.Heusedtohirehands.Hismaximwas,Behave
 47

wellorbehaveill,itisthedutyofamasteroccasionallytowhipaslave,to
remindhimofhismastersauthority.Suchwashistheory,andsuchhispractice.
Mr.HopkinswasevenworsethanMr.Weeden.Hischiefboastwashis
abilitytomanageslaves.Thepeculiarfeatureofhisgovernmentwasthatof
whippingslavesinadvanceofdeservingit.Healwaysmanagedtohaveoneor
moreofhisslavestowhipeveryMondaymorning.Hedidthistoalarmtheir
fears,andstriketerrorintothosewhoescaped.Hisplanwastowhipforthe
smallestoffences,topreventthecommissionoflargeones.Mr.Hopkinscould
alwaysfindsomeexcuseforwhippingaslave.Itwouldastonishone,
unaccustomedtoaslaveholdinglife,toseewithwhatwonderfuleasea
slaveholdercanfindthings,ofwhichtomakeoccasiontowhipaslave.Amere
look,word,ormotion,amistake,accident,orwantofpower,areallmattersfor
whichaslavemaybewhippedatanytime.Doesaslavelookdissatisfied?Itis
said,hehasthedevilinhim,anditmustbewhippedout.Doeshespeakloudly
whenspokentobyhismaster?Thenheisgettinghighminded,andshouldbe
takendownabuttonholelower.Doesheforgettopulloffhishatatthe
approachofawhiteperson?Thenheiswantinginreverence,andshouldbe
whippedforit.Doesheeverventuretovindicatehisconduct,whencensuredfor
it?Thenheisguiltyofimpudence,oneofthegreatestcrimesofwhichaslave
canbeguilty.Doesheeverventuretosuggestadifferentmodeofdoingthings
fromthatpointedoutbyhismaster?Heisindeedpresumptuous,andgetting
abovehimself;andnothinglessthanafloggingwilldoforhim.Doeshe,while
ploughing,breakaplough,or,whilehoeing,breakahoe?Itisowingtohis
carelessness,andforitaslavemustalwaysbewhipped.Mr.Hopkinscould
alwaysfindsomethingofthissorttojustifytheuseofthelash,andheseldom
failedtoembracesuchopportunities.Therewasnotamaninthewholecounty,
withwhomtheslaveswhohadthegettingtheirownhome,wouldnotpreferto
live,ratherthanwiththisRev.Mr.Hopkins.Andyettherewasnotamanany
whereround,whomadehigherprofessionsofreligion,orwasmoreactivein
revivals,moreattentivetotheclass,lovefeast,prayerandpreachingmeetings,
ormoredevotionalinhisfamily,thatprayedearlier,later,louder,andlonger,
thanthissamereverendslavedriver,RigbyHopkins.
ButtoreturntoMr.Freeland,andtomyexperiencewhileinhis
employment.He,likeMr.Covey,gaveusenoughtoeat;but,unlikeMr.Covey,
healsogaveussufficienttimetotakeourmeals.Heworkedushard,butalways
betweensunriseandsunset.Herequiredagooddealofworktobedone,but
gaveusgoodtoolswithwhichtowork.Hisfarmwaslarge,butheemployed
handsenoughtoworkit,andwithease,comparedwithmanyofhisneighbors.
Mytreatment,whileinhisemployment,washeavenly,comparedwithwhatI
experiencedatthehandsofMr.EdwardCovey.
Mr.Freelandwashimselftheownerofbuttwoslaves.Theirnameswere
HenryHarrisandJohnHarris.Therestofhishandshehired.Theseconsistedof
myself,SandyJenkins,*andHandyCaldwell.HenryandJohnwerequite

*ThisisthesamemanwhogavemetherootstopreventmybeingwhippedbyMr.Covey.Hewasa
cleversoul.WeusedfrequentlytotalkaboutthefightwithCovey,andasoftenaswedidso,he
wouldclaimmysuccessastheresultoftherootswhichhegaveme.Thissuperstitionisvery
commonamongthemoreignorantslaves.Aslaveseldomdiesbutthathisdeathisattributedto
trickery.
 48

intelligent,andinaverylittlewhileafterIwentthere,Isucceededincreatingin
themastrongdesiretolearnhowtoread.Thisdesiresoonsprangupinthe
othersalso.Theyverysoonmusteredupsomeoldspellingbooks,andnothing
woulddobutthatImustkeepaSabbathschool.Iagreedtodoso,and
accordinglydevotedmySundaystoteachingthesemylovedfellowslaveshow
toread.NeitherofthemknewhisletterswhenIwentthere.Someoftheslavesof
theneighboringfarmsfoundwhatwasgoingon,andalsoavailedthemselvesof
thislittleopportunitytolearntoread.Itwasunderstood,amongallwhocame,
thattheremustbeaslittledisplayaboutitaspossible.Itwasnecessarytokeep
ourreligiousmastersatSt.Michaelsunacquaintedwiththefact,that,insteadof
spendingtheSabbathinwrestling,boxing,anddrinkingwhisky,weweretrying
tolearnhowtoreadthewillofGod;fortheyhadmuchratherseeusengagedin
thosedegradingsports,thantoseeusbehavinglikeintellectual,moral,and
accountablebeings.MybloodboilsasIthinkofthebloodymannerinwhich
Messrs.WrightFairbanksandGarrisonWest,bothclassleaders,inconnection
withmanyothers,rushedinuponuswithsticksandstones,andbrokeupour
virtuouslittleSabbathschool,atSt.MichaelsallcallingthemselvesChristians!
humblefollowersoftheLordJesusChrist!ButIamagaindigressing.
IheldmySabbathschoolatthehouseofafreecoloredman,whosename
Ideemitimprudenttomention;forshoulditbeknown,itmightembarrasshim
greatly,thoughthecrimeofholdingtheschoolwascommittedtenyearsago.I
hadatonetimeoverfortyscholars,andthoseoftherightsort,ardentlydesiring
tolearn.Theywereofallages,thoughmostlymenandwomen.Ilookbackto
thoseSundayswithanamountofpleasurenottobeexpressed.Theyweregreat
daystomysoul.Theworkofinstructingmydearfellowslaveswasthesweetest
engagementwithwhichIwaseverblessed.Welovedeachother,andtoleave
thematthecloseoftheSabbathwasaseverecrossindeed.WhenIthinkthat
theseprecioussoulsaretodayshutupintheprisonhouseofslavery,my
feelingsovercomeme,andIamalmostreadytoask,DoesarighteousGod
governtheuniverse?andforwhatdoesheholdthethundersinhisrighthand,if
nottosmitetheoppressor,anddeliverthespoiledoutofthehandofthe
spoiler?ThesedearsoulscamenottoSabbathschoolbecauseitwaspopularto
doso,nordidIteachthembecauseitwasreputabletobethusengaged.Every
momenttheyspentinthatschool,theywereliabletobetakenup,andgiven
thirtyninelashes.Theycamebecausetheywishedtolearn.Theirmindshadbeen
starvedbytheircruelmasters.Theyhadbeenshutupinmentaldarkness.I
taughtthem,becauseitwasthedelightofmysoultobedoingsomethingthat
lookedlikebetteringtheconditionofmyrace.Ikeptupmyschoolnearlythe
wholeyearIlivedwithMr.Freeland;and,besidemySabbathschool,Idevoted
threeeveningsintheweek,duringthewinter,toteachingtheslavesathome.
AndIhavethehappinesstoknow,thatseveralofthosewhocametoSabbath
schoollearnedhowtoread;andthatone,atleast,isnowfreethroughmy
agency.
Theyearpassedoffsmoothly.Itseemedonlyabouthalfaslongasthe
yearwhichprecededit.Iwentthroughitwithoutreceivingasingleblow.Iwill
giveMr.FreelandthecreditofbeingthebestmasterIeverhad,tillIbecamemy
ownmaster.FortheeasewithwhichIpassedtheyear,Iwas,however,
somewhatindebtedtothesocietyofmyfellowslaves.Theywerenoblesouls;
 49

theynotonlypossessedlovinghearts,butbraveones.Wewerelinkedand
interlinkedwitheachother.IlovedthemwithalovestrongerthananythingI
haveexperiencedsince.Itissometimessaidthatweslavesdonotloveand
confideineachother.Inanswertothisassertion,Icansay,Ineverlovedanyor
confidedinanypeoplemorethanmyfellowslaves,andespeciallythosewith
whomIlivedatMr.Freelands.Ibelievewewouldhavediedforeachother.We
neverundertooktodoanything,ofanyimportance,withoutamutual
consultation.Wenevermovedseparately.Wewereone;andasmuchsobyour
tempersanddispositions,asbythemutualhardshipstowhichwewere
necessarilysubjectedbyourconditionasslaves.
Atthecloseoftheyear1834,Mr.Freelandagainhiredmeofmymaster,
fortheyear1835.But,bythistime,Ibegantowanttoliveuponfreelandaswell
aswithfreeland;andIwasnolongercontent,therefore,tolivewithhimorany
otherslaveholder.Ibegan,withthecommencementoftheyear,toprepare
myselfforafinalstruggle,whichshoulddecidemyfateonewayortheother.
Mytendencywasupward.Iwasfastapproachingmanhood,andyearafteryear
hadpassed,andIwasstillaslave.ThesethoughtsrousedmeImustdo
something.Ithereforeresolvedthat1835shouldnotpasswithoutwitnessingan
attempt,onmypart,tosecuremyliberty.ButIwasnotwillingtocherishthis
determinationalone.Myfellowslavesweredeartome.Iwasanxioustohave
themparticipatewithmeinthis,mylifegivingdetermination.Itherefore,
thoughwithgreatprudence,commencedearlytoascertaintheirviewsand
feelingsinregardtotheircondition,andtoimbuetheirmindswiththoughtsof
freedom.Ibentmyselftodevisingwaysandmeansforourescape,and
meanwhilestrove,onallfittingoccasions,toimpressthemwiththegrossfraud
andinhumanityofslavery.IwentfirsttoHenry,nexttoJohn,thentotheothers.
Ifound,inthemall,warmheartsandnoblespirits.Theywerereadytohear,and
readytoactwhenafeasibleplanshouldbeproposed.ThiswaswhatIwanted.I
talkedtothemofourwantofmanhood,ifwesubmittedtoourenslavement
withoutatleastonenobleefforttobefree.Wemetoften,andconsulted
frequently,andtoldourhopesandfears,recountedthedifficulties,realand
imagined,whichweshouldbecalledontomeet.Attimeswewerealmost
disposedtogiveup,andtrytocontentourselveswithourwretchedlot;at
others,wewerefirmandunbendinginourdeterminationtogo.Wheneverwe
suggestedanyplan,therewasshrinkingtheoddswerefearful.Ourpathwas
besetwiththegreatestobstacles;andifwesucceededingainingtheendofit,our
righttobefreewasyetquestionablewewereyetliabletobereturnedto
bondage.Wecouldseenospot,thissideoftheocean,wherewecouldbefree.
WeknewnothingaboutCanada.Ourknowledgeofthenorthdidnotextend
fartherthanNewYork;andtogothere,andbeforeverharassedwiththe
frightfulliabilityofbeingreturnedtoslaverywiththecertaintyofbeingtreated
tenfoldworsethanbeforethethoughtwastrulyahorribleone,andonewhichit
wasnoteasytoovercome.Thecasesometimesstoodthus:Ateverygatethrough
whichweweretopass,wesawawatchmanateveryferryaguardonevery
bridgeasentinelandineverywoodapatrol.Wewerehemmedinuponevery
side.Herewerethedifficulties,realorimaginedthegoodtobesought,andthe
eviltobeshunned.Ontheonehand,therestoodslavery,asternreality,glaring
frightfullyuponus,itsrobesalreadycrimsonedwiththebloodofmillions,and
 50

evennowfeastingitselfgreedilyuponourownflesh.Ontheotherhand,away
backinthedimdistance,undertheflickeringlightofthenorthstar,behindsome
craggyhillorsnowcoveredmountain,stoodadoubtfulfreedomhalffrozen
beckoningustocomeandshareitshospitality.Thisinitselfwassometimes
enoughtostaggerus;butwhenwepermittedourselvestosurveytheroad,we
werefrequentlyappalled.Uponeithersidewesawgrimdeath,assumingthe
mosthorridshapes.Nowitwasstarvation,causingustoeatourownflesh;now
wewerecontendingwiththewaves,andweredrowned;nowwewere
overtaken,andtorntopiecesbythefangsoftheterriblebloodhound.Wewere
stungbyscorpions,chasedbywildbeasts,bittenbysnakes,andfinally,after
havingnearlyreachedthedesiredspot,afterswimmingrivers,encountering
wildbeasts,sleepinginthewoods,sufferinghungerandnakedness,wewere
overtakenbyourpursuers,and,inourresistance,wewereshotdeaduponthe
spot!Isay,thispicturesometimesappalledus,andmadeus

ratherbearthoseillswehad,
Thanflytoothers,thatweknewnotof.

Incomingtoafixeddeterminationtorunaway,wedidmorethanPatrick
Henry,whenheresolveduponlibertyordeath.Withusitwasadoubtfulliberty
atmost,andalmostcertaindeathifwefailed.Formypart,Ishouldpreferdeath
tohopelessbondage.
Sandy,oneofournumber,gaveupthenotion,butstillencouragedus.
OurcompanythenconsistedofHenryHarris,JohnHarris,HenryBailey,Charles
Roberts,andmyself.HenryBaileywasmyuncle,andbelongedtomymaster.
Charlesmarriedmyaunt:hebelongedtomymastersfatherinlaw,Mr.William
Hamilton.
Theplanwefinallyconcludeduponwas,togetalargecanoebelonging
toMr.Hamilton,andupontheSaturdaynightprevioustoEasterholidays,
paddledirectlyuptheChesapeakeBay.Onourarrivalattheheadofthebay,a
distanceofseventyoreightymilesfromwherewelived,itwasourpurposeto
turnourcanoeadrift,andfollowtheguidanceofthenorthstartillwegot
beyondthelimitsofMaryland.Ourreasonfortakingthewaterroutewas,that
wewerelessliabletobesuspectedasrunaways;wehopedtoberegardedas
fishermen;whereas,ifweshouldtakethelandroute,weshouldbesubjectedto
interruptionsofalmosteverykind.Anyonehavingawhiteface,andbeingso
disposed,couldstopus,andsubjectustoexamination.
Theweekbeforeourintendedstart,Iwroteseveralprotections,onefor
eachofus.AswellasIcanremember,theywereinthefollowingwords,towit:

ThisistocertifythatI,theundersigned,havegiventhebearer,my
servant,fulllibertytogotoBaltimore,andspendtheEasterholidays.
Writtenwithmineownhand,&c.,1835.
WILLIAMHAMILTON,
NearSt.Michaels,inTalbotcounty,Maryland.

 51

WewerenotgoingtoBaltimore;but,ingoingupthebay,wewenttoward
Baltimore,andtheseprotectionswereonlyintendedtoprotectuswhileonthe
bay.
Asthetimedrewnearforourdeparture,ouranxietybecamemoreand
moreintense.Itwastrulyamatteroflifeanddeathwithus.Thestrengthofour
determinationwasabouttobefullytested.Atthistime,Iwasveryactivein
explainingeverydifficulty,removingeverydoubt,dispellingeveryfear,and
inspiringallwiththefirmnessindispensabletosuccessinourundertaking;
assuringthemthathalfwasgainedtheinstantwemadethemove;wehadtalked
longenough;wewerenowreadytomove;ifnotnow,wenevershouldbe;andif
wedidnotintendtomovenow,wehadaswellfoldourarms,sitdown,and
acknowledgeourselvesfitonlytobeslaves.This,noneofuswerepreparedto
acknowledge.Everymanstoodfirm;andatourlastmeeting,wepledged
ourselvesafresh,inthemostsolemnmanner,that,atthetimeappointed,we
wouldcertainlystartinpursuitoffreedom.Thiswasinthemiddleoftheweek,
attheendofwhichweweretobeoff.Wewent,asusual,toourseveralfieldsof
labor,butwithbosomshighlyagitatedwiththoughtsofourtrulyhazardous
undertaking.Wetriedtoconcealourfeelingsasmuchaspossible;andIthinkwe
succeededverywell.
Afterapainfulwaiting,theSaturdaymorning,whosenightwasto
witnessourdeparture,came.Ihaileditwithjoy,bringwhatofsadnessitmight.
Fridaynightwasasleeplessoneforme.Iprobablyfeltmoreanxiousthanthe
rest,becauseIwas,bycommonconsent,attheheadofthewholeaffair.The
responsibilityofsuccessorfailurelayheavilyuponme.Thegloryoftheone,and
theconfusionoftheother,werealikemine.Thefirsttwohoursofthatmorning
weresuchasIneverexperiencedbefore,andhopenevertoagain.Earlyinthe
morning,wewent,asusual,tothefield.Wewerespreadingmanure;andallat
once,whilethusengaged,Iwasoverwhelmedwithanindescribablefeeling,in
thefulnessofwhichIturnedtoSandy,whowasnearby,andsaid,Weare
betrayed!Well,saidhe,thatthoughthasthismomentstruckme.Wesaidno
more.Iwasnevermorecertainofanything.
Thehornwasblownasusual,andwewentupfromthefieldtothe
houseforbreakfast.Iwentfortheform,morethanforwantofanythingtoeat
thatmorning.JustasIgottothehouse,inlookingoutatthelanegate,Isawfour
whitemen,withtwocoloredmen.Thewhitemenwereonhorseback,andthe
coloredoneswerewalkingbehind,asiftied.Iwatchedthemafewmomentstill
theygotuptoourlanegate.Heretheyhalted,andtiedthecoloredmentothe
gatepost.Iwasnotyetcertainastowhatthematterwas.Inafewmoments,in
rodeMr.Hamilton,withaspeedbetokeninggreatexcitement.Hecametothe
door,andinquiredifMasterWilliamwasin.Hewastoldhewasatthebarn.Mr.
Hamilton,withoutdismounting,rodeuptothebarnwithextraordinaryspeed.
Inafewmoments,heandMr.Freelandreturnedtothehouse.Bythistime,the
threeconstablesrodeup,andingreathastedismounted,tiedtheirhorses,and
metMasterWilliamandMr.Hamiltonreturningfromthebarn;andaftertalking
awhile,theyallwalkeduptothekitchendoor.Therewasnooneinthekitchen
butmyselfandJohn.HenryandSandywereupatthebarn.Mr.Freelandputhis
headinatthedoor,andcalledmebyname,saying,thereweresomegentlemen
atthedoorwhowishedtoseeme.Isteppedtothedoor,andinquiredwhatthey
 52

wanted.Theyatonceseizedme,and,withoutgivingmeanysatisfaction,tied
melashingmyhandscloselytogether.Iinsisteduponknowingwhatthematter
was.Theyatlengthsaid,thattheyhadlearnedIhadbeeninascrape,andthat
Iwastobeexaminedbeforemymaster;andiftheirinformationprovedfalse,I
shouldnotbehurt.
Inafewmoments,theysucceededintyingJohn.Theythenturnedto
Henry,whohadbythistimereturned,andcommandedhimtocrosshishands.
Iwont!saidHenry,inafirmtone,indicatinghisreadinesstomeetthe
consequencesofhisrefusal.Wontyou?saidTomGraham,theconstable.No,I
wont!saidHenry,inastillstrongertone.Withthis,twooftheconstablespulled
outtheirshiningpistols,andswore,bytheirCreator,thattheywouldmakehim
crosshishandsorkillhim.Eachcockedhispistol,and,withfingersonthe
trigger,walkeduptoHenry,saying,atthesametime,ifhedidnotcrosshis
hands,theywouldblowhisdamnedheartout.Shootme,shootme!said
Henry;youcantkillmebutonce.Shoot,shoot,andbedamned!Iwontbe
tied!Thishesaidinatoneoflouddefiance;andatthesametime,withamotion
asquickaslightning,hewithonesinglestrokedashedthepistolsfromthehand
ofeachconstable.Ashedidthis,allhandsfelluponhim,and,afterbeatinghim
sometime,theyfinallyoverpoweredhim,andgothimtied.
Duringthescuffle,Imanaged,Iknownothow,togetmypassout,and,
withoutbeingdiscovered,putitintothefire.Wewereallnowtied;andjustas
weweretoleaveforEastonjail,BetsyFreeland,motherofWilliamFreeland,
cametothedoorwithherhandsfullofbiscuits,anddividedthembetween
HenryandJohn.Shethendeliveredherselfofaspeech,tothefollowingeffect:
addressingherselftome,shesaid,Youdevil!Youyellowdevil!itwasyouthat
putitintotheheadsofHenryandJohntorunaway.Butforyou,youlong
leggedmulattodevil!HenrynorJohnwouldneverhavethoughtofsucha
thing.Imadenoreply,andwasimmediatelyhurriedofftowardsSt.Michaels.
JustamomentprevioustothescufflewithHenry,Mr.Hamiltonsuggestedthe
proprietyofmakingasearchfortheprotectionswhichhehadunderstood
Frederickhadwrittenforhimselfandtherest.But,justatthemomenthewas
aboutcarryinghisproposalintoeffect,hisaidwasneededinhelpingtotie
Henry;andtheexcitementattendingthescufflecausedthemeithertoforget,or
todeemitunsafe,underthecircumstances,tosearch.Sowewerenotyet
convictedoftheintentiontorunaway.
WhenwegotabouthalfwaytoSt.Michaels,whiletheconstables
havingusinchargewerelookingahead,Henryinquiredofmewhatheshould
dowithhispass.Itoldhimtoeatitwithhisbiscuit,andownnothing;andwe
passedthewordaround,Ownnothing;andOwnnothing!saidweall.Our
confidenceineachotherwasunshaken.Wewereresolvedtosucceedorfail
together,afterthecalamityhadbefallenusasmuchasbefore.Wewerenow
preparedforanything.Weweretobedraggedthatmorningfifteenmilesbehind
horses,andthentobeplacedintheEastonjail.WhenwereachedSt.Michaels,
weunderwentasortofexamination.Wealldeniedthatweeverintendedtorun
away.Wedidthismoretobringouttheevidenceagainstus,thanfromanyhope
ofgettingclearofbeingsold;for,asIhavesaid,wewerereadyforthat.Thefact
was,wecaredbutlittlewherewewent,sowewenttogether.Ourgreatest
concernwasaboutseparation.Wedreadedthatmorethananythingthissideof
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death.Wefoundtheevidenceagainstustobethetestimonyofoneperson;our
masterwouldnottellwhoitwas;butwecametoaunanimousdecisionamong
ourselvesastowhotheirinformantwas.WeweresentofftothejailatEaston.
Whenwegotthere,weweredelivereduptothesheriff,Mr.JosephGraham,and
byhimplacedinjail.Henry,John,andmyself,wereplacedinoneroom
togetherCharles,andHenryBailey,inanother.Theirobjectinseparatingus
wastohinderconcert.
Wehadbeeninjailscarcelytwentyminutes,whenaswarmofslave
traders,andagentsforslavetraders,flockedintojailtolookatus,andto
ascertainifwewereforsale.SuchasetofbeingsIneversawbefore!Ifeltmyself
surroundedbysomanyfiendsfromperdition.Abandofpiratesneverlooked
moreliketheirfather,thedevil.Theylaughedandgrinnedoverus,saying,Ah,
myboys!wehavegotyou,haventwe?Andaftertauntingusinvariousways,
theyonebyonewentintoanexaminationofus,withintenttoascertainour
value.Theywouldimpudentlyaskusifwewouldnotliketohavethemforour
masters.Wewouldmakethemnoanswer,andleavethemtofindoutasbest
theycould.Thentheywouldcurseandswearatus,tellingusthattheycould
takethedeviloutofusinaverylittlewhile,ifwewereonlyintheirhands.
Whileinjail,wefoundourselvesinmuchmorecomfortablequarters
thanweexpectedwhenwewentthere.Wedidnotgetmuchtoeat,northat
whichwasverygood;butwehadagoodcleanroom,fromthewindowsof
whichwecouldseewhatwasgoingoninthestreet,whichwasverymuchbetter
thanthoughwehadbeenplacedinoneofthedark,dampcells.Uponthewhole,
wegotalongverywell,sofarasthejailanditskeeperwereconcerned.
Immediatelyaftertheholidayswereover,contrarytoallourexpectations,Mr.
HamiltonandMr.FreelandcameuptoEaston,andtookCharles,thetwo
Henrys,andJohn,outofjail,andcarriedthemhome,leavingmealone.I
regardedthisseparationasafinalone.Itcausedmemorepainthananything
elseinthewholetransaction.Iwasreadyforanythingratherthanseparation.I
supposedthattheyhadconsultedtogether,andhaddecidedthat,asIwasthe
wholecauseoftheintentionoftheotherstorunaway,itwashardtomakethe
innocentsufferwiththeguilty;andthattheyhad,therefore,concludedtotake
theothershome,andsellme,asawarningtotheothersthatremained.Itisdue
tothenobleHenrytosay,heseemedalmostasreluctantatleavingtheprisonas
atleavinghometocometotheprison.Butweknewweshould,inallprobability,
beseparated,ifweweresold;andsincehewasintheirhands,heconcludedto
gopeaceablyhome.
Iwasnowlefttomyfate.Iwasallalone,andwithinthewallsofastone
prison.Butafewdaysbefore,andIwasfullofhope.Iexpectedtohavebeensafe
inalandoffreedom;butnowIwascoveredwithgloom,sunkdowntothe
utmostdespair.Ithoughtthepossibilityoffreedomwasgone.Iwaskeptinthis
wayaboutoneweek,attheendofwhich,CaptainAuld,mymaster,tomy
surpriseandutterastonishment,cameup,andtookmeout,withtheintentionof
sendingme,withagentlemanofhisacquaintance,intoAlabama.But,fromsome
causeorother,hedidnotsendmetoAlabama,butconcludedtosendmebackto
Baltimore,toliveagainwithhisbrotherHugh,andtolearnatrade.
Thus,afteranabsenceofthreeyearsandonemonth,Iwasoncemore
permittedtoreturntomyoldhomeatBaltimore.Mymastersentmeaway,
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becausethereexistedagainstmeaverygreatprejudiceinthecommunity,andhe
fearedImightbekilled.
InafewweeksafterIwenttoBaltimore,MasterHughhiredmetoMr.
WilliamGardner,anextensiveshipbuilder,onFellsPoint.Iwasputthereto
learnhowtocalk.It,however,provedaveryunfavorableplaceforthe
accomplishmentofthisobject.Mr.Gardnerwasengagedthatspringinbuilding
twolargemanofwarbrigs,professedlyfortheMexicangovernment.The
vesselsweretobelaunchedintheJulyofthatyear,andinfailurethereof,Mr.
Gardnerwastoloseaconsiderablesum;sothatwhenIentered,allwashurry.
Therewasnotimetolearnanything.Everymanhadtodothatwhichheknew
howtodo.Inenteringtheshipyard,myordersfromMr.Gardnerwere,todo
whateverthecarpenterscommandedmetodo.Thiswasplacingmeatthebeck
andcallofaboutseventyfivemen.Iwastoregardalltheseasmasters.Their
wordwastobemylaw.Mysituationwasamosttryingone.AttimesIneededa
dozenpairofhands.Iwascalledadozenwaysinthespaceofasingleminute.
Threeorfourvoiceswouldstrikemyearatthesamemoment.ItwasFred.,
comehelpmetocantthistimberhere.Fred.,comecarrythistimberyonder.
Fred.,bringthatrollerhere.Fred.,gogetafreshcanofwater.Fred.,come
helpsawofftheendofthistimber.Fred.,goquick,andgetthecrowbar.
Fred.,holdontheendofthisfall.Fred.,gototheblacksmithsshop,andgeta
newpunch.Hurra,Fred.!runandbringmeacoldchisel.Isay,Fred.,beara
hand,andgetupafireasquickaslightningunderthatsteambox.Halloo,
nigger!come,turnthisgrindstone.Come,come!move,move!andBOWSE
thistimberforward.Isay,darky,blastyoureyes,whydontyouheatupsome
pitch?Halloo!halloo!halloo!(Threevoicesatthesametime.)Comehere!
Gothere!Holdonwhereyouare!Damnyou,ifyoumove,Illknockyourbrains
out!
Thiswasmyschoolforeightmonths;andImighthaveremainedthere
longer,butforamosthorridfightIhadwithfourofthewhiteapprentices,in
whichmylefteyewasnearlyknockedout,andIwashorriblymangledinother
respects.Thefactsinthecasewerethese:UntilaverylittlewhileafterIwent
there,whiteandblackshipcarpentersworkedsidebyside,andnooneseemed
toseeanyimproprietyinit.Allhandsseemedtobeverywellsatisfied.Manyof
theblackcarpenterswerefreemen.Thingsseemedtobegoingonverywell.All
atonce,thewhitecarpentersknockedoff,andsaidtheywouldnotworkwith
freecoloredworkmen.Theirreasonforthis,asalleged,was,thatiffreecolored
carpenterswereencouraged,theywouldsoontakethetradeintotheirown
hands,andpoorwhitemenwouldbethrownoutofemployment.Theytherefore
feltcalleduponatoncetoputastoptoit.And,takingadvantageofMr.
Gardnersnecessities,theybrokeoff,swearingtheywouldworknolonger,
unlesshewoulddischargehisblackcarpenters.Now,thoughthisdidnotextend
tomeinform,itdidreachmeinfact.Myfellowapprenticesverysoonbeganto
feelitdegradingtothemtoworkwithme.Theybegantoputonairs,andtalk
abouttheniggerstakingthecountry,sayingwealloughttobekilled;and,
beingencouragedbythejourneymen,theycommencedmakingmyconditionas
hardastheycould,byhectoringmearound,andsometimesstrikingme.I,of
course,keptthevowImadeafterthefightwithMr.Covey,andstruckback
again,regardlessofconsequences;andwhileIkeptthemfromcombining,I
 55

succeededverywell;forIcouldwhipthewholeofthem,takingthemseparately.
They,however,atlengthcombined,andcameuponme,armedwithsticks,
stones,andheavyhandspikes.Onecameinfrontwithahalfbrick.Therewas
oneateachsideofme,andonebehindme.WhileIwasattendingtothosein
front,andoneitherside,theonebehindranupwiththehandspike,andstruck
meaheavyblowuponthehead.Itstunnedme.Ifell,andwiththistheyallran
uponme,andfelltobeatingmewiththeirfists.Iletthemlayonforawhile,
gatheringstrength.Inaninstant,Igaveasuddensurge,androsetomyhands
andknees.JustasIdidthat,oneoftheirnumbergaveme,withhisheavyboot,a
powerfulkickinthelefteye.Myeyeballseemedtohaveburst.Whentheysaw
myeyeclosed,andbadlyswollen,theyleftme.WiththisIseizedthehandspike,
andforatimepursuedthem.Butherethecarpentersinterfered,andIthoughtI
mightaswellgiveitup.Itwasimpossibletostandmyhandagainstsomany.All
thistookplaceinsightofnotlessthanfiftywhiteshipcarpenters,andnotone
interposedafriendlyword;butsomecried,Killthedamnednigger!Killhim!
killhim!Hestruckawhiteperson.Ifoundmyonlychanceforlifewasinflight.
Isucceededingettingawaywithoutanadditionalblow,andbarelyso;forto
strikeawhitemanisdeathbyLynchlaw,andthatwasthelawinMr.Gardners
shipyard;noristheremuchofanyotheroutofMr.Gardnersshipyard.
Iwentdirectlyhome,andtoldthestoryofmywrongstoMasterHugh;
andIamhappytosayofhim,irreligiousashewas,hisconductwasheavenly,
comparedwiththatofhisbrotherThomasundersimilarcircumstances.He
listenedattentivelytomynarrationofthecircumstancesleadingtothesavage
outrage,andgavemanyproofsofhisstrongindignationatit.Theheartofmy
onceoverkindmistresswasagainmeltedintopity.Mypuffedouteyeand
bloodcoveredfacemovedhertotears.Shetookachairbyme,washedtheblood
frommyface,and,withamotherstenderness,boundupmyhead,coveringthe
woundedeyewithaleanpieceoffreshbeef.Itwasalmostcompensationformy
sufferingtowitness,oncemore,amanifestationofkindnessfromthis,myonce
affectionateoldmistress.MasterHughwasverymuchenraged.Hegave
expressiontohisfeelingsbypouringoutcursesupontheheadsofthosewhodid
thedeed.AssoonasIgotalittlethebetterofmybruises,hetookmewithhimto
EsquireWatsons,onBondStreet,toseewhatcouldbedoneaboutthematter.
Mr.Watsoninquiredwhosawtheassaultcommitted.MasterHughtoldhimit
wasdoneinMr.Gardnersshipyardatmidday,wheretherewerealarge
companyofmenatwork.Astothat,hesaid,thedeedwasdone,andthere
wasnoquestionastowhodidit.Hisanswerwas,hecoulddonothinginthe
case,unlesssomewhitemanwouldcomeforwardandtestify.Hecouldissueno
warrantonmyword.IfIhadbeenkilledinthepresenceofathousandcolored
people,theirtestimonycombinedwouldhavebeeninsufficienttohavearrested
oneofthemurderers.MasterHugh,foronce,wascompelledtosaythisstateof
thingswastoobad.Ofcourse,itwasimpossibletogetanywhitemanto
volunteerhistestimonyinmybehalf,andagainstthewhiteyoungmen.Even
thosewhomayhavesympathizedwithmewerenotpreparedtodothis.It
requiredadegreeofcourageunknowntothemtodoso;forjustatthattime,the
slightestmanifestationofhumanitytowardacoloredpersonwasdenouncedas
abolitionism,andthatnamesubjecteditsbearertofrightfulliabilities.The
watchwordsofthebloodymindedinthatregion,andinthosedays,were,
 56

Damntheabolitionists!andDamntheniggers!Therewasnothingdone,and
probablynothingwouldhavebeendoneifIhadbeenkilled.Suchwas,andsuch
remains,thestateofthingsintheChristiancityofBaltimore.
MasterHugh,findinghecouldgetnoredress,refusedtoletmegoback
againtoMr.Gardner.Hekeptmehimself,andhiswifedressedmywoundtillI
wasagainrestoredtohealth.Hethentookmeintotheshipyardofwhichhewas
foreman,intheemploymentofMr.WalterPrice.ThereIwasimmediatelysetto
calking,andverysoonlearnedtheartofusingmymalletandirons.Inthecourse
ofoneyearfromthetimeIleftMr.Gardners,Iwasabletocommandthehighest
wagesgiventothemostexperiencedcalkers.Iwasnowofsomeimportanceto
mymaster.Iwasbringinghimfromsixtosevendollarsperweek.Isometimes
broughthimninedollarsperweek:mywageswereadollarandahalfaday.
Afterlearninghowtocalk,Isoughtmyownemployment,mademyown
contracts,andcollectedthemoneywhichIearned.Mypathwaybecamemuch
moresmooththanbefore;myconditionwasnowmuchmorecomfortable.When
Icouldgetnocalkingtodo,Ididnothing.Duringtheseleisuretimes,thoseold
notionsaboutfreedomwouldstealovermeagain.WheninMr.Gardners
employment,Iwaskeptinsuchaperpetualwhirlofexcitement,Icouldthinkof
nothing,scarcely,butmylife;andinthinkingofmylife,Ialmostforgotmy
liberty.Ihaveobservedthisinmyexperienceofslavery,thatwhenevermy
conditionwasimproved,insteadofitsincreasingmycontentment,itonly
increasedmydesiretobefree,andsetmetothinkingofplanstogainmy
freedom.Ihavefoundthat,tomakeacontentedslave,itisnecessarytomakea
thoughtlessone.Itisnecessarytodarkenhismoralandmentalvision,and,asfar
aspossible,toannihilatethepowerofreason.Hemustbeabletodetectno
inconsistenciesinslavery;hemustbemadetofeelthatslaveryisright;andhe
canbebroughttothatonlywhenheceasestobeaman.
Iwasnowgetting,asIhavesaid,onedollarandfiftycentsperday.I
contractedforit;Iearnedit;itwaspaidtome;itwasrightfullymyown;yet,
uponeachreturningSaturdaynight,Iwascompelledtodelivereverycentof
thatmoneytoMasterHugh.Andwhy?Notbecauseheearnedit,notbecause
hehadanyhandinearningit,notbecauseIowedittohim,norbecausehe
possessedtheslightestshadowofarighttoit;butsolelybecausehehadthe
powertocompelmetogiveitup.Therightofthegrimvisagedpirateuponthe
highseasisexactlythesame.

CHAPTERXI

InowcometothatpartofmylifeduringwhichIplanned,andfinally
succeededinmaking,myescapefromslavery.Butbeforenarratinganyofthe
peculiarcircumstances,Ideemitpropertomakeknownmyintentionnottostate
allthefactsconnectedwiththetransaction.Myreasonsforpursuingthiscourse
maybeunderstoodfromthefollowing:First,wereItogiveaminutestatement
ofallthefacts,itisnotonlypossible,butquiteprobable,thatotherswould
therebybeinvolvedinthemostembarrassingdifficulties.Secondly,sucha
 57

statementwouldmostundoubtedlyinducegreatervigilanceonthepartof
slaveholdersthanhasexistedheretoforeamongthem;whichwould,ofcourse,
bethemeansofguardingadoorwherebysomedearbrotherbondmanmight
escapehisgallingchains.Ideeplyregretthenecessitythatimpelsmetosuppress
anythingofimportanceconnectedwithmyexperienceinslavery.Itwould
affordmegreatpleasureindeed,aswellasmateriallyaddtotheinterestofmy
narrative,wereIatlibertytogratifyacuriosity,whichIknowexistsintheminds
ofmany,byanaccuratestatementofallthefactspertainingtomymostfortunate
escape.ButImustdeprivemyselfofthispleasure,andthecuriousofthe
gratificationwhichsuchastatementwouldafford.Iwouldallowmyselftosuffer
underthegreatestimputationswhichevilmindedmenmightsuggest,rather
thanexculpatemyself,andtherebyrunthehazardofclosingtheslightestavenue
bywhichabrotherslavemightclearhimselfofthechainsandfettersofslavery.
Ihaveneverapprovedoftheverypublicmannerinwhichsomeofour
westernfriendshaveconductedwhattheycalltheundergroundrailroad,but
whichIthink,bytheiropendeclarations,hasbeenmademostemphaticallythe
uppergroundrailroad.Ihonorthosegoodmenandwomenfortheirnoble
daring,andapplaudthemforwillinglysubjectingthemselvestobloody
persecution,byopenlyavowingtheirparticipationintheescapeofslaves.I,
however,canseeverylittlegoodresultingfromsuchacourse,eitherto
themselvesortheslavesescaping;while,upontheotherhand,Iseeandfeel
assuredthatthoseopendeclarationsareapositiveeviltotheslavesremaining,
whoareseekingtoescape.Theydonothingtowardsenlighteningtheslave,
whilsttheydomuchtowardsenlighteningthemaster.Theystimulatehimto
greaterwatchfulness,andenhancehispowertocapturehisslave.Weowe
somethingtotheslavesouthofthelineaswellastothosenorthofit;andin
aidingthelatterontheirwaytofreedom,weshouldbecarefultodonothing
whichwouldbelikelytohindertheformerfromescapingfromslavery.Iwould
keepthemercilessslaveholderprofoundlyignorantofthemeansofflight
adoptedbytheslave.Iwouldleavehimtoimaginehimselfsurroundedby
myriadsofinvisibletormentors,everreadytosnatchfromhisinfernalgrasphis
tremblingprey.Lethimbelefttofeelhiswayinthedark;letdarkness
commensuratewithhiscrimehoveroverhim;andlethimfeelthatateverystep
hetakes,inpursuitoftheflyingbondman,heisrunningthefrightfulriskof
havinghishotbrainsdashedoutbyaninvisibleagency.Letusrenderthetyrant
noaid;letusnotholdthelightbywhichhecantracethefootprintsofourflying
brother.Butenoughofthis.Iwillnowproceedtothestatementofthosefacts,
connectedwithmyescape,forwhichIamaloneresponsible,andforwhichno
onecanbemadetosufferbutmyself.
Intheearlypartoftheyear1838,Ibecamequiterestless.Icouldseeno
reasonwhyIshould,attheendofeachweek,pourtherewardofmytoilintothe
purseofmymaster.WhenIcarriedtohimmyweeklywages,hewould,after
countingthemoney,lookmeinthefacewitharobberlikefierceness,andask,Is
thisall?Hewassatisfiedwithnothinglessthanthelastcent.Hewould,
however,whenImadehimsixdollars,sometimesgivemesixcents,to
encourageme.Ithadtheoppositeeffect.Iregardeditasasortofadmissionof
myrighttothewhole.Thefactthathegavemeanypartofmywageswasproof,
tomymind,thathebelievedmeentitledtothewholeofthem.Ialwaysfelt
 58

worseforhavingreceivedanything;forIfearedthatthegivingmeafewcents
wouldeasehisconscience,andmakehimfeelhimselftobeaprettyhonorable
sortofrobber.Mydiscontentgrewuponme.Iwaseveronthelookoutfor
meansofescape;and,findingnodirectmeans,Ideterminedtotrytohiremy
time,withaviewofgettingmoneywithwhichtomakemyescape.Inthespring
of1838,whenMasterThomascametoBaltimoretopurchasehisspringgoods,I
gotanopportunity,andappliedtohimtoallowmetohiremytime.He
unhesitatinglyrefusedmyrequest,andtoldmethiswasanotherstratagemby
whichtoescape.HetoldmeIcouldgonowherebutthathecouldgetme;and
that,intheeventofmyrunningaway,heshouldsparenopainsinhiseffortsto
catchme.Heexhortedmetocontentmyself,andbeobedient.Hetoldme,ifI
wouldbehappy,Imustlayoutnoplansforthefuture.Hesaid,ifIbehaved
myselfproperly,hewouldtakecareofme.Indeed,headvisedmetocomplete
thoughtlessnessofthefuture,andtaughtmetodependsolelyuponhimfor
happiness.Heseemedtoseefullythepressingnecessityofsettingasidemy
intellectualnature,inordertocontentmentinslavery.Butinspiteofhim,and
eveninspiteofmyself,Icontinuedtothink,andtothinkabouttheinjusticeof
myenslavement,andthemeansofescape.
Abouttwomonthsafterthis,IappliedtoMasterHughfortheprivilege
ofhiringmytime.HewasnotacquaintedwiththefactthatIhadappliedto
MasterThomas,andhadbeenrefused.Hetoo,atfirst,seemeddisposedto
refuse;but,aftersomereflection,hegrantedmetheprivilege,andproposedthe
followingterms:Iwastobeallowedallmytime,makeallcontractswiththose
forwhomIworked,andfindmyownemployment;and,inreturnforthis
liberty,Iwastopayhimthreedollarsattheendofeachweek;findmyselfin
calkingtools,andinboardandclothing.Myboardwastwodollarsandahalf
perweek.This,withthewearandtearofclothingandcalkingtools,mademy
regularexpensesaboutsixdollarsperweek.ThisamountIwascompelledto
makeup,orrelinquishtheprivilegeofhiringmytime.Rainorshine,workorno
work,attheendofeachweekthemoneymustbeforthcoming,orImustgiveup
myprivilege.Thisarrangement,itwillbeperceived,wasdecidedlyinmy
mastersfavor.Itrelievedhimofallneedoflookingafterme.Hismoneywas
sure.Hereceivedallthebenefitsofslaveholdingwithoutitsevils;whileI
enduredalltheevilsofaslave,andsufferedallthecareandanxietyofa
freeman.Ifounditahardbargain.But,hardasitwas,Ithoughtitbetterthanthe
oldmodeofgettingalong.Itwasasteptowardsfreedomtobeallowedtobear
theresponsibilitiesofafreeman,andIwasdeterminedtoholdonuponit.Ibent
myselftotheworkofmakingmoney.Iwasreadytoworkatnightaswellas
day,andbythemostuntiringperseveranceandindustry,Imadeenoughtomeet
myexpenses,andlayupalittlemoneyeveryweek.IwentonthusfromMaytill
August.MasterHughthenrefusedtoallowmetohiremytimelonger.The
groundforhisrefusalwasafailureonmypart,oneSaturdaynight,topayhim
formyweekstime.Thisfailurewasoccasionedbymyattendingacampmeeting
abouttenmilesfromBaltimore.Duringtheweek,Ihadenteredintoan
engagementwithanumberofyoungfriendstostartfromBaltimoretothecamp
groundearlySaturdayevening;andbeingdetainedbymyemployer,Iwas
unabletogetdowntoMasterHughswithoutdisappointingthecompany.I
knewthatMasterHughwasinnospecialneedofthemoneythatnight.I
 59

thereforedecidedtogotocampmeeting,anduponmyreturnpayhimthethree
dollars.IstaidatthecampmeetingonedaylongerthanIintendedwhenIleft.
ButassoonasIreturned,Icalleduponhimtopayhimwhatheconsideredhis
due.Ifoundhimveryangry;hecouldscarcerestrainhiswrath.Hesaidhehada
greatmindtogivemeaseverewhipping.HewishedtoknowhowIdaredgo
outofthecitywithoutaskinghispermission.ItoldhimIhiredmytimeand
whileIpaidhimthepricewhichheaskedforit,IdidnotknowthatIwasbound
toaskhimwhenandwhereIshouldgo.Thisreplytroubledhim;and,after
reflectingafewmoments,heturnedtome,andsaidIshouldhiremytimeno
longer;thatthenextthingheshouldknowof,Iwouldberunningaway.Upon
thesameplea,hetoldmetobringmytoolsandclothinghomeforthwith.Idid
so;butinsteadofseekingwork,asIhadbeenaccustomedtodopreviouslyto
hiringmytime,Ispentthewholeweekwithouttheperformanceofasingle
strokeofwork.Ididthisinretaliation.Saturdaynight,hecalleduponmeas
usualformyweekswages.ItoldhimIhadnowages;Ihaddonenoworkthat
week.Herewewereuponthepointofcomingtoblows.Heraved,andsworehis
determinationtogetholdofme.Ididnotallowmyselfasingleword;butwas
resolved,ifhelaidtheweightofhishanduponme,itshouldbeblowforblow.
Hedidnotstrikeme,buttoldmethathewouldfindmeinconstantemployment
infuture.Ithoughtthematteroverduringthenextday,Sunday,andfinally
resolveduponthethirddayofSeptember,asthedayuponwhichIwouldmake
asecondattempttosecuremyfreedom.Inowhadthreeweeksduringwhichto
prepareformyjourney.EarlyonMondaymorning,beforeMasterHughhad
timetomakeanyengagementforme,IwentoutandgotemploymentofMr.
Butler,athisshipyardnearthedrawbridge,uponwhatiscalledtheCityBlock,
thusmakingitunnecessaryforhimtoseekemploymentforme.Attheendofthe
week,Ibroughthimbetweeneightandninedollars.Heseemedverywell
pleased,andaskedwhyIdidnotdothesametheweekbefore.Helittleknew
whatmyplanswere.Myobjectinworkingsteadilywastoremoveanysuspicion
hemightentertainofmyintenttorunaway;andinthisIsucceededadmirably.I
supposehethoughtIwasneverbettersatisfiedwithmyconditionthanatthe
verytimeduringwhichIwasplanningmyescape.Thesecondweekpassed,and
againIcarriedhimmyfullwages;andsowellpleasedwashe,thathegaveme
twentyfivecents,(quitealargesumforaslaveholdertogiveaslave,)andbade
metomakeagooduseofit.ItoldhimIwould.
Thingswentonwithoutverysmoothlyindeed,butwithintherewas
trouble.Itisimpossibleformetodescribemyfeelingsasthetimeofmy
contemplatedstartdrewnear.Ihadanumberofwarmheartedfriendsin
Baltimore,friendsthatIlovedalmostasIdidmylife,andthethoughtofbeing
separatedfromthemforeverwaspainfulbeyondexpression.Itismyopinion
thatthousandswouldescapefromslavery,whonowremain,butforthestrong
cordsofaffectionthatbindthemtotheirfriends.Thethoughtofleavingmy
friendswasdecidedlythemostpainfulthoughtwithwhichIhadtocontend.The
loveofthemwasmytenderpoint,andshookmydecisionmorethanallthings
else.Besidesthepainofseparation,thedreadandapprehensionofafailure
exceededwhatIhadexperiencedatmyfirstattempt.TheappallingdefeatIthen
sustainedreturnedtotormentme.Ifeltassuredthat,ifIfailedinthisattempt,
mycasewouldbeahopelessoneitwouldsealmyfateasaslaveforever.I
 60

couldnothopetogetoffwithanythinglessthantheseverestpunishment,and
beingplacedbeyondthemeansofescape.Itrequirednoveryvividimagination
todepictthemostfrightfulscenesthroughwhichIshouldhavetopass,incaseI
failed.Thewretchednessofslavery,andtheblessednessoffreedom,were
perpetuallybeforeme.Itwaslifeanddeathwithme.ButIremainedfirm,and,
accordingtomyresolution,onthethirddayofSeptember,1838,Ileftmychains,
andsucceededinreachingNewYorkwithouttheslightestinterruptionofany
kind.HowIdidso,whatmeansIadopted,whatdirectionItravelled,andby
whatmodeofconveyance,Imustleaveunexplained,forthereasonsbefore
mentioned.
IhavebeenfrequentlyaskedhowIfeltwhenIfoundmyselfinafree
State.Ihaveneverbeenabletoanswerthequestionwithanysatisfactionto
myself.ItwasamomentofthehighestexcitementIeverexperienced.IsupposeI
feltasonemayimaginetheunarmedmarinertofeelwhenheisrescuedbya
friendlymanofwarfromthepursuitofapirate.Inwritingtoadearfriend,
immediatelyaftermyarrivalatNewYork,IsaidIfeltlikeonewhohadescaped
adenofhungrylions.Thisstateofmind,however,verysoonsubsided;andI
wasagainseizedwithafeelingofgreatinsecurityandloneliness.Iwasyetliable
tobetakenback,andsubjectedtoallthetorturesofslavery.Thisinitselfwas
enoughtodamptheardorofmyenthusiasm.Butthelonelinessovercameme.
ThereIwasinthemidstofthousands,andyetaperfectstranger;withouthome
andwithoutfriends,inthemidstofthousandsofmyownbrethrenchildrenofa
commonFather,andyetIdarednottounfoldtoanyoneofthemmysad
condition.Iwasafraidtospeaktoanyoneforfearofspeakingtothewrongone,
andtherebyfallingintothehandsofmoneylovingkidnappers,whosebusiness
itwastolieinwaitforthepantingfugitive,astheferociousbeastsoftheforest
lieinwaitfortheirprey.ThemottowhichIadoptedwhenIstartedfromslavery
wasthisTrustnoman!Isawineverywhitemananenemy,andinalmost
everycoloredmancausefordistrust.Itwasamostpainfulsituation;and,to
understandit,onemustneedsexperienceit,orimaginehimselfinsimilar
circumstances.Lethimbeafugitiveslaveinastrangelandalandgivenuptobe
thehuntinggroundforslaveholderswhoseinhabitantsarelegalized
kidnapperswhereheiseverymomentsubjectedtotheterribleliabilityofbeing
seizeduponbyhisfellowmen,asthehideouscrocodileseizesuponhisprey!I
say,lethimplacehimselfinmysituationwithouthomeorfriendswithout
moneyorcreditwantingshelter,andnoonetogiveitwantingbread,andno
moneytobuyit,andatthesametimelethimfeelthatheispursuedby
mercilessmenhunters,andintotaldarknessastowhattodo,wheretogo,or
wheretostay,perfectlyhelplessbothastothemeansofdefenceandmeansof
escape,inthemidstofplenty,yetsufferingtheterriblegnawingsofhunger,in
themidstofhouses,yethavingnohome,amongfellowmen,yetfeelingasifin
themidstofwildbeasts,whosegreedinesstoswallowupthetremblingandhalf
famishedfugitiveisonlyequalledbythatwithwhichthemonstersofthedeep
swallowupthehelplessfishuponwhichtheysubsist,Isay,lethimbeplacedin
thismosttryingsituation,thesituationinwhichIwasplaced,then,andnottill
then,willhefullyappreciatethehardshipsof,andknowhowtosympathize
with,thetoilwornandwhipscarredfugitiveslave.
 61

ThankHeaven,Iremainedbutashorttimeinthisdistressedsituation.I
wasrelievedfromitbythehumanehandofMr.DAVIDRUGGLES,whose
vigilance,kindness,andperseverance,Ishallneverforget.Iamgladofan
opportunitytoexpress,asfaraswordscan,theloveandgratitudeIbearhim.
Mr.Rugglesisnowafflictedwithblindness,andishimselfinneedofthesame
kindofficeswhichhewasoncesoforwardintheperformanceoftowardothers.I
hadbeeninNewYorkbutafewdays,whenMr.Rugglessoughtmeout,and
verykindlytookmetohisboardinghouseatthecornerofChurchand
LespenardStreets.Mr.Ruggleswasthenverydeeplyengagedinthememorable
Dargcase,aswellasattendingtoanumberofotherfugitiveslaves,devising
waysandmeansfortheirsuccessfulescape;and,thoughwatchedandhemmed
inonalmosteveryside,heseemedtobemorethanamatchforhisenemies.
VerysoonafterIwenttoMr.Ruggles,hewishedtoknowofmewhereIwanted
togo;ashedeemeditunsafeformetoremaininNewYork.ItoldhimIwasa
calker,andshouldliketogowhereIcouldgetwork.Ithoughtofgoingto
Canada;buthedecidedagainstit,andinfavorofmygoingtoNewBedford,
thinkingIshouldbeabletogetworkthereatmytrade.Atthistime,Anna,*my
intendedwife,cameon;forIwrotetoherimmediatelyaftermyarrivalatNew
York,(notwithstandingmyhomeless,houseless,andhelplesscondition,)
informingherofmysuccessfulflight,andwishinghertocomeonforthwith.Ina
fewdaysafterherarrival,Mr.RugglescalledintheRev.J.W.C.Pennington,
who,inthepresenceofMr.Ruggles,Mrs.Michaels,andtwoorthreeothers,
performedthemarriageceremony,andgaveusacertificate,ofwhichthe
followingisanexactcopy:

Thismaycertify,thatIjoinedtogetherinholymatrimonyFrederick
Johnson+andAnnaMurray,asmanandwife,inthepresenceofMr.
DavidRugglesandMrs.Michaels.
JAMESW.C.PENNINGTON
NEWYORK,SEPT.15,1838

Uponreceivingthiscertificate,andafivedollarbillfromMr.Ruggles,I
shoulderedonepartofourbaggage,andAnnatookuptheother,andwesetout
forthwithtotakepassageonboardofthesteamboatJohnW.Richmondfor
Newport,onourwaytoNewBedford.Mr.RugglesgavemealettertoaMr.
ShawinNewport,andtoldme,incasemymoneydidnotservemetoNew
Bedford,tostopinNewportandobtainfurtherassistance;butuponourarrival
atNewport,weweresoanxioustogettoaplaceofsafety,that,notwithstanding

*Shewasfree.
+IhadchangedmynamefromFrederickBAILEYtothatofJOHNSON.
 62

welackedthenecessarymoneytopayourfare,wedecidedtotakeseatsinthe
stage,andpromisetopaywhenwegottoNewBedford.Wewereencouragedto
dothisbytwoexcellentgentlemen,residentsofNewBedford,whosenamesI
afterwardascertainedtobeJosephRicketsonandWilliamC.Taber.Theyseemed
atoncetounderstandourcircumstances,andgaveussuchassuranceoftheir
friendlinessasputusfullyateaseintheirpresence.Itwasgoodindeedtomeet
withsuchfriends,atsuchatime.UponreachingNewBedford,weweredirected
tothehouseofMr.NathanJohnson,bywhomwewerekindlyreceived,and
hospitablyprovidedfor.BothMr.andMrs.Johnsontookadeepandlively
interestinourwelfare.Theyprovedthemselvesquiteworthyofthenameof
abolitionists.Whenthestagedriverfoundusunabletopayourfare,heheldon
uponourbaggageassecurityforthedebt.IhadbuttomentionthefacttoMr.
Johnson,andheforthwithadvancedthemoney.
Wenowbegantofeeladegreeofsafety,andtoprepareourselvesforthe
dutiesandresponsibilitiesofalifeoffreedom.Onthemorningafterourarrival
atNewBedford,whileatthebreakfasttable,thequestionaroseastowhatname
Ishouldbecalledby.Thenamegivenmebymymotherwas,Frederick
AugustusWashingtonBailey.I,however,haddispensedwiththetwomiddle
nameslongbeforeIleftMarylandsothatIwasgenerallyknownbythenameof
FrederickBailey.IstartedfromBaltimorebearingthenameofStanley.When
IgottoNewYork,IagainchangedmynametoFrederickJohnson,andthought
thatwouldbethelastchange.ButwhenIgottoNewBedford,Ifoundit
necessaryagaintochangemyname.Thereasonofthisnecessitywas,thatthere
weresomanyJohnsonsinNewBedford,itwasalreadyquitedifficultto
distinguishbetweenthem.IgaveMr.Johnsontheprivilegeofchoosingmea
name,buttoldhimhemustnottakefrommethenameofFrederick.Imust
holdontothat,topreserveasenseofmyidentity.Mr.Johnsonhadjustbeen
readingtheLadyoftheLake,andatoncesuggestedthatmynamebe
Douglass.FromthattimeuntilnowIhavebeencalledFrederickDouglass;
andasIammorewidelyknownbythatnamethanbyeitheroftheothers,Ishall
continuetouseitasmyown.
IwasquitedisappointedatthegeneralappearanceofthingsinNew
Bedford.TheimpressionwhichIhadreceivedrespectingthecharacterand
conditionofthepeopleofthenorth,Ifoundtobesingularlyerroneous.Ihad
verystrangelysupposed,whileinslavery,thatfewofthecomforts,andscarcely
anyoftheluxuries,oflifewereenjoyedatthenorth,comparedwithwhatwere
enjoyedbytheslaveholdersofthesouth.Iprobablycametothisconclusionfrom
thefactthatnorthernpeopleownednoslaves.Isupposedthattheywereabout
uponalevelwiththenonslaveholdingpopulationofthesouth.Iknewthey
wereexceedinglypoor,andIhadbeenaccustomedtoregardtheirpovertyasthe
necessaryconsequenceoftheirbeingnonslaveholders.Ihadsomehowimbibed
theopinionthat,intheabsenceofslaves,therecouldbenowealth,andverylittle
refinement.Anduponcomingtothenorth,Iexpectedtomeetwitharough,
hardhanded,anduncultivatedpopulation,livinginthemostSpartanlike
simplicity,knowingnothingoftheease,luxury,pomp,andgrandeurofsouthern
slaveholders.Suchbeingmyconjectures,anyoneacquaintedwiththe
appearanceofNewBedfordmayveryreadilyinferhowpalpablyImusthave
seenmymistake.
 63

IntheafternoonofthedaywhenIreachedNewBedford,Ivisitedthe
wharves,totakeaviewoftheshipping.HereIfoundmyselfsurroundedwith
thestrongestproofsofwealth.Lyingatthewharves,andridinginthestream,I
sawmanyshipsofthefinestmodel,inthebestorder,andofthelargestsize.
Upontherightandleft,Iwaswalledinbygranitewarehousesofthewidest
dimensions,stowedtotheirutmostcapacitywiththenecessariesandcomfortsof
life.Addedtothis,almosteverybodyseemedtobeatwork,butnoiselesslyso,
comparedwithwhatIhadbeenaccustomedtoinBaltimore.Therewerenoloud
songsheardfromthoseengagedinloadingandunloadingships.Iheardnodeep
oathsorhorridcursesonthelaborer.Isawnowhippingofmen;butallseemed
togosmoothlyon.Everymanappearedtounderstandhiswork,andwentatit
withasober,yetcheerfulearnestness,whichbetokenedthedeepinterestwhich
hefeltinwhathewasdoing,aswellasasenseofhisowndignityasaman.To
methislookedexceedinglystrange.FromthewharvesIstrolledaroundandover
thetown,gazingwithwonderandadmirationatthesplendidchurches,
beautifuldwellings,andfinelycultivatedgardens;evincinganamountof
wealth,comfort,taste,andrefinement,suchasIhadneverseeninanypartof
slaveholdingMaryland.
Everythinglookedclean,new,andbeautiful.Isawfeworno
dilapidatedhouses,withpovertystrickeninmates;nohalfnakedchildrenand
barefootedwomen,suchasIhadbeenaccustomedtoseeinHillsborough,
Easton,St.Michaels,andBaltimore.Thepeoplelookedmoreable,stronger,
healthier,andhappier,thanthoseofMaryland.Iwasforoncemadegladbya
viewofextremewealth,withoutbeingsaddenedbyseeingextremepoverty.But
themostastonishingaswellasthemostinterestingthingtomewasthe
conditionofthecoloredpeople,agreatmanyofwhom,likemyself,hadescaped
thitherasarefugefromthehuntersofmen.Ifoundmany,whohadnotbeen
sevenyearsoutoftheirchains,livinginfinerhouses,andevidentlyenjoying
moreofthecomfortsoflife,thantheaverageofslaveholdersinMaryland.Iwill
venturetoassert,thatmyfriendMr.NathanJohnson(ofwhomIcansaywitha
gratefulheart,Iwashungry,andhegavememeat;Iwasthirsty,andhegave
medrink;Iwasastranger,andhetookmein)livedinaneaterhouse;dinedata
bettertable;took,paidfor,andread,morenewspapers;betterunderstoodthe
moral,religious,andpoliticalcharacterofthenation,thanninetenthsofthe
slaveholdersinTalbotcountyMaryland.YetMr.Johnsonwasaworkingman.
Hishandswerehardenedbytoil,andnothisalone,butthosealsoofMrs.
Johnson.IfoundthecoloredpeoplemuchmorespiritedthanIhadsupposed
theywouldbe.Ifoundamongthemadeterminationtoprotecteachotherfrom
thebloodthirstykidnapper,atallhazards.Soonaftermyarrival,Iwastoldofa
circumstancewhichillustratedtheirspirit.Acoloredmanandafugitiveslave
wereonunfriendlyterms.Theformerwasheardtothreatenthelatterwith
informinghismasterofhiswhereabouts.Straightwayameetingwascalled
amongthecoloredpeople,underthestereotypednotice,Businessof
importance!Thebetrayerwasinvitedtoattend.Thepeoplecameatthe
appointedhour,andorganizedthemeetingbyappointingaveryreligiousold
gentlemanaspresident,who,Ibelieve,madeaprayer,afterwhichheaddressed
themeetingasfollows:Friends,wehavegothimhere,andIwouldrecommend
thatyouyoungmenjusttakehimoutsidethedoor,andkillhim!Withthis,a
 64

numberofthemboltedathim;buttheywereinterceptedbysomemoretimid
thanthemselves,andthebetrayerescapedtheirvengeance,andhasnotbeen
seeninNewBedfordsince.Ibelievetherehavebeennomoresuchthreats,and
shouldtherebehereafter,Idoubtnotthatdeathwouldbetheconsequence.
Ifoundemployment,thethirddayaftermyarrival,instowingasloopwitha
loadofoil.Itwasnew,dirty,andhardworkforme;butIwentatitwithaglad
heartandawillinghand.Iwasnowmyownmaster.Itwasahappymoment,the
raptureofwhichcanbeunderstoodonlybythosewhohavebeenslaves.Itwas
thefirstwork,therewardofwhichwastobeentirelymyown.Therewasno
MasterHughstandingready,themomentIearnedthemoney,torobmeofit.I
workedthatdaywithapleasureIhadneverbeforeexperienced.Iwasatwork
formyselfandnewlymarriedwife.Itwastomethestartingpointofanew
existence.WhenIgotthroughwiththatjob,Iwentinpursuitofajobofcalking;
butsuchwasthestrengthofprejudiceagainstcolor,amongthewhitecalkers,
thattheyrefusedtoworkwithme,andofcourseIcouldgetnoemployment.*
Findingmytradeofnoimmediatebenefit,Ithrewoffmycalkinghabiliments,
andpreparedmyselftodoanykindofworkIcouldgettodo.Mr.Johnson
kindlyletmehavehiswoodhorseandsaw,andIverysoonfoundmyselfa
plentyofwork.Therewasnoworktoohardnonetoodirty.Iwasreadytosaw
wood,shovelcoal,carrywood,sweepthechimney,orrolloilcasks,allofwhich
Idid.
InaboutfourmonthsafterIwenttoNewBedford,therecameayoung
mantome,andinquiredifIdidnotwishtotaketheLiberator.ItoldhimIdid;
but,justhavingmademyescapefromslavery,IremarkedthatIwasunableto
payforitthen.I,however,finallybecameasubscribertoit.Thepapercame,and
Ireaditfromweektoweekwithsuchfeelingsasitwouldbequiteidleformeto
attempttodescribe.Thepaperbecamemymeatandmydrink.Mysoulwasset
allonfire.Itssympathyformybrethreninbondsitsscathingdenunciationsof
slaveholdersitsfaithfulexposuresofslaveryanditspowerfulattacksuponthe
upholdersoftheinstitutionsentathrillofjoythroughmysoul,suchasIhad
neverfeltbefore!
IhadnotlongbeenareaderoftheLiberator,beforeIgotapretty
correctideaoftheprinciples,measuresandspiritoftheantislaveryreform.I
tookrightholdofthecause.Icoulddobutlittle;butwhatIcould,Ididwitha
joyfulheart,andneverfelthappierthanwheninanantislaverymeeting.I
seldomhadmuchtosayatthemeetings,becausewhatIwantedtosaywassaid
somuchbetterbyothers.But,whileattendinganantislaveryconventionat
Nantucket,onthe11thofAugust,1841,Ifeltstronglymovedtospeak,andwas
atthesametimemuchurgedtodosobyMr.WilliamC.Coffin,agentleman
whohadheardmespeakinthecoloredpeoplesmeetingatNewBedford.Itwas

*IamtoldthatcoloredpersonscannowgetemploymentatcalkinginNewBedfordaresultofanti
slaveryeffort.ThisworkIdidfornearlythreeyearsinNewBedford,beforeIbecameknowntothe
antislaveryworld.
 65

aseverecross,andItookitupreluctantly.Thetruthwas,Ifeltmyselfaslave,
andtheideaofspeakingtowhitepeopleweighedmedown.Ispokebutafew
moments,whenIfeltadegreeoffreedom,andsaidwhatIdesiredwith
considerableease.Fromthattimeuntilnow,Ihavebeenengagedinpleadingthe
causeofmybrethrenwithwhatsuccess,andwithwhatdevotion,Ileavethose
acquaintedwithmylaborstodecide.


APPENDIX

Ifind,sincereadingovertheforegoingNarrative,thatIhave,inseveral
instances,spokeninsuchatoneandmanner,respectingreligion,asmay
possiblyleadthoseunacquaintedwithmyreligiousviewstosupposemean
opponentofallreligion.Toremovetheliabilityofsuchmisapprehension,Ideem
itpropertoappendthefollowingbriefexplanation.WhatIhavesaidrespecting
andagainstreligion,Imeanstrictlytoapplytotheslaveholdingreligionofthis
land,andwithnopossiblereferencetoChristianityproper;for,betweenthe
Christianityofthisland,andtheChristianityofChrist,Irecognizethewidest
possibledifferencesowide,thattoreceivetheoneasgood,pure,andholy,isof
necessitytorejecttheotherasbad,corrupt,andwicked.Tobethefriendofthe
one,isofnecessitytobetheenemyoftheother.Ilovethepure,peaceable,and
impartialChristianityofChrist:Ithereforehatethecorrupt,slaveholding,
womenwhipping,cradleplundering,partialandhypocriticalChristianityofthis
land.Indeed,Icanseenoreason,butthemostdeceitfulone,forcallingthe
religionofthislandChristianity.Ilookuponitastheclimaxofallmisnomers,
theboldestofallfrauds,andthegrossestofalllibels.Neverwasthereaclearer
caseofstealingtheliveryofthecourtofheaventoservethedevilin.Iamfilled
withunutterableloathingwhenIcontemplatethereligiouspompandshow,
togetherwiththehorribleinconsistencies,whicheverywheresurroundme.We
havemenstealersforministers,womenwhippersformissionaries,andcradle
plunderersforchurchmembers.Themanwhowieldsthebloodclottedcowskin
duringtheweekfillsthepulpitonSunday,andclaimstobeaministerofthe
meekandlowlyJesus.Themanwhorobsmeofmyearningsattheendofeach
weekmeetsmeasaclassleaderonSundaymorning,toshowmethewayoflife,
andthepathofsalvation.Hewhosellsmysister,forpurposesofprostitution,
standsforthasthepiousadvocateofpurity.Hewhoproclaimsitareligiousduty
toreadtheBibledeniesmetherightoflearningtoreadthenameoftheGodwho
mademe.Hewhoisthereligiousadvocateofmarriagerobswholemillionsofits
sacredinfluence,andleavesthemtotheravagesofwholesalepollution.The
warmdefenderofthesacrednessofthefamilyrelationisthesamethatscatters
wholefamilies,sunderinghusbandsandwives,parentsandchildren,sisters
andbrothers,leavingthehutvacant,andthehearthdesolate.Weseethethief
preachingagainsttheft,andtheadultereragainstadultery.Wehavemensoldto
buildchurches,womensoldtosupportthegospel,andbabessoldtopurchase
BiblesforthePOORHEATHEN!ALLFORTHEGLORYOFGODANDTHE
GOODOFSOULS!Theslaveauctioneersbellandthechurchgoingbellchimein
witheachother,andthebittercriesoftheheartbrokenslavearedrownedinthe
 66

religiousshoutsofhispiousmaster.Revivalsofreligionandrevivalsinthe
slavetradegohandinhandtogether.Theslaveprisonandthechurchstandnear
eachother.Theclankingoffettersandtherattlingofchainsintheprison,andthe
piouspsalmandsolemnprayerinthechurch,maybeheardatthesametime.
Thedealersinthebodiesandsoulsofmenerecttheirstandinthepresenceofthe
pulpit,andtheymutuallyhelpeachother.Thedealergiveshisbloodstained
goldtosupportthepulpit,andthepulpit,inreturn,covershisinfernalbusiness
withthegarbofChristianity.Herewehavereligionandrobberythealliesof
eachotherdevilsdressedinangelsrobes,andhellpresentingthesemblanceof
paradise.
JustGod!andthesearethey,Whoministeratthinealtar,Godofright!
Menwhotheirhands,withprayerandblessing,layOnIsraelsarkoflight.
What!preach,andkidnapmen?Givethanks,androbthyownafflicted
poor?Talkofthygloriousliberty,andthenBolthardthecaptivesdoor?
What!servantsofthyownMercifulSon,whocametoseekandsave
Thehomelessandtheoutcast,fetteringdownThetaskedandplunderedslave!
PilateandHerodfriends!Chiefpriestsandrulers,asofold,combine!
JustGodandholy!isthatchurchwhichlendsStrengthtothespoilerthine?
TheChristianityofAmericaisaChristianity,ofwhosevotariesitmaybe
astrulysaid,asitwasoftheancientscribesandPharisees,Theybindheavy
burdens,andgrievoustobeborne,andlaythemonmensshoulders,butthey
themselveswillnotmovethemwithoneoftheirfingers.Alltheirworkstheydo
fortobeseenofmen.Theylovetheuppermostroomsatfeasts,andthechief
seatsinthesynagogues,......andtobecalledofmen,Rabbi,Rabbi.Butwoe
untoyou,scribesandPharisees,hypocrites!foryeshutupthekingdomof
heavenagainstmen;foryeneithergoinyourselves,neithersufferyethemthat
areenteringtogoin.Yedevourwidowshouses,andforapretencemakelong
prayers;thereforeyeshallreceivethegreaterdamnation.Yecompassseaand
landtomakeoneproselyte,andwhenheismade,yemakehimtwofoldmore
thechildofhellthanyourselves.Woeuntoyou,scribesandPharisees,
hypocrites!foryepaytitheofmint,andanise,andcumin,andhaveomittedthe
weightiermattersofthelaw,judgment,mercy,andfaith;theseoughtyetohave
done,andnottoleavetheotherundone.Yeblindguides!whichstrainatagnat,
andswallowacamel.Woeuntoyou,scribesandPharisees,hypocrites!forye
makecleantheoutsideofthecupandoftheplatter;butwithin,theyarefullof
extortionandexcess.Woeuntoyou,scribesandPharisees,hypocrites!foryeare
likeuntowhitedsepulchres,whichindeedappearbeautifuloutward,butare
withinfullofdeadmensbones,andofalluncleanness.Evensoyealso
outwardlyappearrighteousuntomen,butwithinyearefullofhypocrisyand
iniquity.
Darkandterribleasisthispicture,Iholdittobestrictlytrueofthe
overwhelmingmassofprofessedChristiansinAmerica.Theystrainatagnat,
andswallowacamel.Couldanythingbemoretrueofourchurches?They
wouldbeshockedatthepropositionoffellowshippingaSHEEPstealer;andat
thesametimetheyhugtotheircommunionaMANstealer,andbrandmewith
beinganinfidel,ifIfindfaultwiththemforit.TheyattendwithPharisaical
strictnesstotheoutwardformsofreligion,andatthesametimeneglectthe
weightiermattersofthelaw,judgment,mercy,andfaith.Theyarealwaysready
 67

tosacrifice,butseldomtoshowmercy.Theyaretheywhoarerepresentedas
professingtoloveGodwhomtheyhavenotseen,whilsttheyhatetheirbrother
whomtheyhaveseen.Theylovetheheathenontheothersideoftheglobe.They
canprayforhim,paymoneytohavetheBibleputintohishand,and
missionariestoinstructhim;whiletheydespiseandtotallyneglecttheheathenat
theirowndoors.
Suchis,verybriefly,myviewofthereligionofthisland;andtoavoid
anymisunderstanding,growingoutoftheuseofgeneralterms,Imeanbythe
religionofthisland,thatwhichisrevealedinthewords,deeds,andactions,of
thosebodies,northandsouth,callingthemselvesChristianchurches,andyetin
unionwithslaveholders.Itisagainstreligion,aspresentedbythesebodies,thatI
havefeltitmydutytotestify.
Iconcludetheseremarksbycopyingthefollowingportraitofthe
religionofthesouth,(whichis,bycommunionandfellowship,thereligionofthe
north,)whichIsoberlyaffirmistruetothelife,andwithoutcaricatureorthe
slightestexaggeration.Itissaidtohavebeendrawn,severalyearsbeforethe
presentantislaveryagitationbegan,byanorthernMethodistpreacher,who,
whileresidingatthesouth,hadanopportunitytoseeslaveholdingmorals,
manners,andpiety,withhisowneyes.ShallInotvisitforthesethings?saith
theLord.Shallnotmysoulbeavengedonsuchanationasthis?

APARODY

Come,saintsandsinners,hearmetellHowpiouspriestswhipJackand
Nell,Andwomenbuyandchildrensell,Andpreachallsinnersdowntohell,
Andsingofheavenlyunion.Theyllbleatandbaa,donalikegoats,Gorgedown
blacksheep,andstrainatmotes,Arraytheirbacksinfineblackcoats,Thenseize
theirnegroesbytheirthroats,Andchoke,forheavenlyunion.
Theyllchurchyouifyousipadram,Anddamnyouifyoustealalamb;
YetroboldTony,Doll,andSam,Ofhumanrights,andbreadandham;
Kidnappersheavenlyunion.
TheyllloudlytalkofChristsreward,Andbindhisimagewithacord,
Andscold,andswingthelashabhorred,AndselltheirbrotherintheLordTo
handcuffedheavenlyunion.
Theyllreadandsingasacredsong,Andmakeaprayerbothloudand
long,Andteachtherightanddothewrong,Hailingthebrother,sisterthrong,
Withwordsofheavenlyunion.
Wewonderhowsuchsaintscansing,OrpraisetheLorduponthewing,
Whoroar,andscold,andwhip,andsting,Andtotheirslavesandmammon
cling,Inguiltyconscienceunion.
Theyllraisetobacco,corn,andrye,Anddrive,andthieve,andcheat,
andlie,Andlayuptreasuresinthesky,Bymakingswitchandcowskinfly,In
hopeofheavenlyunion.
TheyllcrackoldTonyontheskull,AndpreachandroarlikeBashan
bull,Orbrayingass,ofmischieffull,ThenseizeoldJacobbythewool,Andpull
forheavenlyunion.
 68

Aroaring,ranting,sleekmanthief,Wholivedonmutton,veal,and
beef,YetneverwouldaffordreliefToneedy,sablesonsofgrief,Wasbigwith
heavenlyunion.
Lovenottheworld,thepreachersaid,Andwinkedhiseye,andshook
hishead;HeseizedonTom,andDick,andNed,Cutshorttheirmeat,and
clothes,andbread,Yetstilllovedheavenlyunion.
AnotherpreacherwhiningspokeOfOnewhoseheartforsinnersbroke:
HetiedoldNannytoanoak,Anddrewthebloodateverystroke,Andprayed
forheavenlyunion.
Twoothersopedtheirironjaws,Andwavedtheirchildrenstealing
paws;Theresattheirchildreningewgaws;Bystintingnegroesbacksandmaws,
Theykeptupheavenlyunion.
AllgoodfromJackanothertakes,Andentertainstheirflirtsandrakes,
Whodressassleekasglossysnakes,Andcramtheirmouthswithsweetened
cakes;Andthisgoesdownforunion.
Sincerelyandearnestlyhopingthatthislittlebookmaydosomething
towardthrowinglightontheAmericanslavesystem,andhasteningthegladday
ofdeliverancetothemillionsofmybrethreninbondsfaithfullyrelyingupon
thepoweroftruth,love,andjustice,forsuccessinmyhumbleeffortsand
solemnlypledgingmyselfanewtothesacredcause,Isubscribemyself,

FREDERICKDOUGLASS
LYNN,Mass.,
April28,1845.
THEEND