第4章

Theplanwefinallyconcludeduponwas，togetalargecanoebelongingtoMr。Hamilton，andupontheSaturdaynightprevioustoEasterholidays，paddledirectlyuptheChesapeakeBay。Onourar-

rivalattheheadofthebay，adistanceofseventyoreightymilesfromwherewelived，itwasourpurposetoturnourcanoeadrift，andfollowtheguidanceofthenorthstartillwegotbeyondthelimitsofMaryland。Ourreasonfortakingthewaterroutewas，thatwewerelessliabletobesuspectedasrunaways;wehopedtoberegardedasfishermen;

whereas，ifweshouldtakethelandroute，weshouldbesubjectedtointerruptionsofalmosteverykind。

Anyonehavingawhiteface，andbeingsodisposed，couldstopus，andsubjectustoexamination。

Theweekbeforeourintendedstart，Iwrotesev-

eralprotections，oneforeachofus。AswellasI

canremember，theywereinthefollowingwords，towit：——

\"ThisistocertifythatI，theundersigned，havegiventhebearer，myservant，fulllibertytogotoBaltimore，andspendtheEasterholidays。Writtenwithmineownhand，&c。，1835。

\"WILLIAMHAMILTON，\"NearSt。Michael’s，inTalbotcounty，Maryland。\"

WewerenotgoingtoBaltimore;but，ingoingupthebay，wewenttowardBaltimore，andthesepro-

tectionswereonlyintendedtoprotectuswhileonthebay。

Asthetimedrewnearforourdeparture，ouranxietybecamemoreandmoreintense。Itwastrulyamatteroflifeanddeathwithus。Thestrengthofourdeterminationwasabouttobefullytested。Atthistime，Iwasveryactiveinexplainingeverydif-

ficulty，removingeverydoubt，dispellingeveryfear，andinspiringallwiththefirmnessindispensabletosuccessinourundertaking;assuringthemthathalfwasgainedtheinstantwemadethemove;wehadtalkedlongenough;wewerenowreadytomove;

ifnotnow，wenevershouldbe;andifwedidnotintendtomovenow，wehadaswellfoldourarms，sitdown，andacknowledgeourselvesfitonlytobeslaves。This，noneofuswerepreparedtoacknowl-

edge。Everymanstoodfirm;andatourlastmeeting，wepledgedourselvesafresh，inthemostsolemnmanner，that，atthetimeappointed，wewouldcer-

tainlystartinpursuitoffreedom。Thiswasinthemiddleoftheweek，attheendofwhichweweretobeoff。Wewent，asusual，toourseveralfieldsoflabor，butwithbosomshighlyagitatedwiththoughtsofourtrulyhazardousundertaking。Wetriedtoconcealourfeelingsasmuchaspossible;

andIthinkwesucceededverywell。

Afterapainfulwaiting，theSaturdaymorning，whosenightwastowitnessourdeparture，came。I

haileditwithjoy，bringwhatofsadnessitmight。

Fridaynightwasasleeplessoneforme。Iprobablyfeltmoreanxiousthantherest，becauseIwas，bycommonconsent，attheheadofthewholeaffair。

Theresponsibilityofsuccessorfailurelayheavilyuponme。Thegloryoftheone，andtheconfusionoftheother，werealikemine。ThefirsttwohoursofthatmorningweresuchasIneverexperiencedbefore，andhopenevertoagain。Earlyinthemorning，wewent，asusual，tothefield。Wewerespreadingmanure;andallatonce，whilethusen-

gaged，Iwasoverwhelmedwithanindescribablefeel-

ing，inthefulnessofwhichIturnedtoSandy，whowasnearby，andsaid，\"Wearebetrayed！\"\"Well，\"

saidhe，\"thatthoughthasthismomentstruckme。\"

Wesaidnomore。Iwasnevermorecertainofanything。

Thehornwasblownasusual，andwewentupfromthefieldtothehouseforbreakfast。Iwentfortheform，morethanforwantofanythingtoeatthatmorning。JustasIgottothehouse，inlookingoutatthelanegate，Isawfourwhitemen，withtwocoloredmen。Thewhitemenwereonhorseback，andthecoloredoneswerewalkingbehind，asiftied。

Iwatchedthemafewmomentstilltheygotuptoourlanegate。Heretheyhalted，andtiedthecoloredmentothegate-post。Iwasnotyetcertainastowhatthematterwas。Inafewmoments，inrodeMr。Hamilton，withaspeedbetokeninggreatexcite-

ment。Hecametothedoor，andinquiredifMasterWilliamwasin。Hewastoldhewasatthebarn。Mr。

Hamilton，withoutdismounting，rodeuptothebarnwithextraordinaryspeed。Inafewmoments，heandMr。Freelandreturnedtothehouse。Bythistime，thethreeconstablesrodeup，andingreathastedis-

mounted，tiedtheirhorses，andmetMasterWilliamandMr。Hamiltonreturningfromthebarn;andaftertalkingawhile，theyallwalkeduptothekitchendoor。TherewasnooneinthekitchenbutmyselfandJohn。HenryandSandywereupatthebarn。Mr。Freelandputhisheadinatthedoor，andcalledmebyname，saying，thereweresomegentle-

menatthedoorwhowishedtoseeme。Isteppedtothedoor，andinquiredwhattheywanted。Theyatonceseizedme，and，withoutgivingmeanysatis-

faction，tiedme——lashingmyhandscloselytogether。

Iinsisteduponknowingwhatthematterwas。Theyatlengthsaid，thattheyhadlearnedIhadbeenina\"scrape，\"andthatIwastobeexaminedbeforemymaster;andiftheirinformationprovedfalse，I

shouldnotbehurt。

Inafewmoments，theysucceededintyingJohn。

TheythenturnedtoHenry，whohadbythistimereturned，andcommandedhimtocrosshishands。

\"Iwon’t！\"saidHenry，inafirmtone，indicatinghisreadinesstomeettheconsequencesofhisrefusal。

\"Won’tyou？\"saidTomGraham，theconstable。\"No，Iwon’t！\"saidHenry，inastillstrongertone。Withthis，twooftheconstablespulledouttheirshiningpistols，andswore，bytheirCreator，thattheywouldmakehimcrosshishandsorkillhim。Eachcockedhispistol，and，withfingersonthetrigger，walkeduptoHenry，saying，atthesametime，ifhedidnotcrosshishands，theywouldblowhisdamnedheartout。\"Shootme，shootme！\"saidHenry;\"youcan’tkillmebutonce。Shoot，shoot，——andbedamned！~I

won’tbetied！~\"Thishesaidinatoneoflouddefi-

ance;andatthesametime，withamotionasquickaslightning，hewithonesinglestrokedashedthepistolsfromthehandofeachconstable。Ashedidthis，allhandsfelluponhim，and，afterbeatinghimsometime，theyfinallyoverpoweredhim，andgothimtied。

Duringthescuffle，Imanaged，Iknownothow，togetmypassout，and，withoutbeingdiscovered，putitintothefire。Wewereallnowtied;andjustasweweretoleaveforEastonjail，BetsyFreeland，motherofWilliamFreeland，cametothedoorwithherhandsfullofbiscuits，anddividedthembetweenHenryandJohn。Shethendeliveredherselfofaspeech，tothefollowingeffect：——addressingherselftome，shesaid，\"~Youdevil！Youyellowdevil！~itwasyouthatputitintotheheadsofHenryandJohntorunaway。Butforyou，youlong-leggedmulattodevil！HenrynorJohnwouldneverhavethoughtofsuchathing。\"Imadenoreply，andwasimme-

diatelyhurriedofftowardsSt。Michael’s。Justamo-

mentprevioustothescufflewithHenry，Mr。Hamil-

tonsuggestedtheproprietyofmakingasearchfortheprotectionswhichhehadunderstoodFrederickhadwrittenforhimselfandtherest。But，justatthemomenthewasaboutcarryinghisproposalintoeffect，hisaidwasneededinhelpingtotieHenry;

andtheexcitementattendingthescufflecausedthemeithertoforget，ortodeemitunsafe，underthecircumstances，tosearch。Sowewerenotyetconvictedoftheintentiontorunaway。

WhenwegotabouthalfwaytoSt。Michael’s，whiletheconstableshavingusinchargewerelook-

ingahead，Henryinquiredofmewhatheshoulddowithhispass。Itoldhimtoeatitwithhisbiscuit，andownnothing;andwepassedthewordaround，\"~Ownnothing;~\"and\"~Ownnothing！~\"saidweall。

Ourconfidenceineachotherwasunshaken。Wewereresolvedtosucceedorfailtogether，afterthecalamityhadbefallenusasmuchasbefore。Wewerenowpreparedforanything。Weweretobedraggedthatmorningfifteenmilesbehindhorses，andthentobeplacedintheEastonjail。WhenwereachedSt。Michael’s，weunderwentasortofexami-

nation。Wealldeniedthatweeverintendedtorunaway。Wedidthismoretobringouttheevidenceagainstus，thanfromanyhopeofgettingclearofbeingsold;for，asIhavesaid，wewerereadyforthat。Thefactwas，wecaredbutlittlewherewewent，sowewenttogether。Ourgreatestconcernwasaboutseparation。Wedreadedthatmorethananythingthissideofdeath。Wefoundtheevidenceagainstustobethetestimonyofoneperson;ourmasterwouldnottellwhoitwas;butwecametoaunanimousdecisionamongourselvesastowhotheirinformantwas。WeweresentofftothejailatEaston。Whenwegotthere，weweredelivereduptothesheriff，Mr。JosephGraham，andbyhimplacedinjail。Henry，John，andmyself，wereplacedinoneroomtogether——Charles，andHenryBailey，inanother。Theirobjectinseparatinguswastohinderconcert。

Wehadbeeninjailscarcelytwentyminutes，whenaswarmofslavetraders，andagentsforslavetraders，flockedintojailtolookatus，andtoas-

certainifwewereforsale。SuchasetofbeingsI

neversawbefore！Ifeltmyselfsurroundedbysomanyfiendsfromperdition。Abandofpiratesneverlookedmoreliketheirfather，thedevil。Theylaughedandgrinnedoverus，saying，\"Ah，myboys！

wehavegotyou，haven’twe？\"Andaftertauntingusinvariousways，theyonebyonewentintoanexaminationofus，withintenttoascertainourvalue。

Theywouldimpudentlyaskusifwewouldnotliketohavethemforourmasters。Wewouldmakethemnoanswer，andleavethemtofindoutasbesttheycould。Thentheywouldcurseandswearatus，tellingusthattheycouldtakethedeviloutofusinaverylittlewhile，ifwewereonlyintheirhands。

Whileinjail，wefoundourselvesinmuchmorecomfortablequartersthanweexpectedwhenwewentthere。Wedidnotgetmuchtoeat，northatwhichwasverygood;butwehadagoodcleanroom，fromthewindowsofwhichwecouldseewhatwasgo-

ingoninthestreet，whichwasverymuchbetterthanthoughwehadbeenplacedinoneofthedark，dampcells。Uponthewhole，wegotalongverywell，sofarasthejailanditskeeperwereconcerned。

Immediatelyaftertheholidayswereover，contrarytoallourexpectations，Mr。HamiltonandMr。Free-

landcameuptoEaston，andtookCharles，thetwoHenrys，andJohn，outofjail，andcarriedthemhome，leavingmealone。Iregardedthisseparationasafinalone。Itcausedmemorepainthananythingelseinthewholetransaction。Iwasreadyforanythingratherthanseparation。Isupposedthattheyhadconsultedtogether，andhaddecidedthat，asIwasthewholecauseoftheintentionoftheotherstorunaway，itwashardtomaketheinnocentsufferwiththeguilty;andthattheyhad，therefore，concludedtotaketheothershome，andsellme，asawarningtotheothersthatremained。ItisduetothenobleHenrytosay，heseemedalmostasreluctantatleavingtheprisonasatleavinghometocometotheprison。Butweknewweshould，inallprobability，beseparated，ifweweresold;andsincehewasintheirhands，heconcludedtogopeaceablyhome。

Iwasnowlefttomyfate。Iwasallalone，andwithinthewallsofastoneprison。Butafewdaysbefore，andIwasfullofhope。Iexpectedtohavebeensafeinalandoffreedom;butnowIwascov-

eredwithgloom，sunkdowntotheutmostdespair。

Ithoughtthepossibilityoffreedomwasgone。I

waskeptinthiswayaboutoneweek，attheendofwhich，CaptainAuld，mymaster，tomysurpriseandutterastonishment，cameup，andtookmeout，withtheintentionofsendingme，withagentlemanofhisacquaintance，intoAlabama。But，fromsomecauseorother，hedidnotsendmetoAlabama，butconcludedtosendmebacktoBaltimore，toliveagainwithhisbrotherHugh，andtolearnatrade。

Thus，afteranabsenceofthreeyearsandonemonth，IwasoncemorepermittedtoreturntomyoldhomeatBaltimore。Mymastersentmeaway，becausethereexistedagainstmeaverygreatpreju-

diceinthecommunity，andhefearedImightbekilled。

InafewweeksafterIwenttoBaltimore，MasterHughhiredmetoMr。WilliamGardner，anex-

tensiveship-builder，onFell’sPoint。Iwasputtheretolearnhowtocalk。It，however，provedaveryunfavorableplacefortheaccomplishmentofthisobject。Mr。Gardnerwasengagedthatspringinbuildingtwolargeman-of-warbrigs，professedlyfortheMexicangovernment。ThevesselsweretobelaunchedintheJulyofthatyear，andinfailurethereof，Mr。Gardnerwastoloseaconsiderablesum;

sothatwhenIentered，allwashurry。Therewasnotimetolearnanything。Everymanhadtodothatwhichheknewhowtodo。Inenteringtheship-

yard，myordersfromMr。Gardnerwere，todowhat-

everthecarpenterscommandedmetodo。Thiswasplacingmeatthebeckandcallofaboutseventy-fivemen。Iwastoregardalltheseasmasters。Theirwordwastobemylaw。Mysituationwasamosttryingone。AttimesIneededadozenpairofhands。

Iwascalledadozenwaysinthespaceofasingleminute。Threeorfourvoiceswouldstrikemyearatthesamemoment。Itwas——\"Fred。，comehelpmetocantthistimberhere。\"——\"Fred。，comecarrythistimberyonder。\"——\"Fred。，bringthatrollerhere。\"——

\"Fred。，gogetafreshcanofwater。\"——\"Fred。，comehelpsawofftheendofthistimber。\"——\"Fred。，goquick，andgetthecrowbar。\"——\"Fred。，holdontheendofthisfall。\"——\"Fred。，gototheblacksmith’sshop，andgetanewpunch。\"——\"Hurra，Fred。！runandbringmeacoldchisel。\"——\"Isay，Fred。，bearahand，andgetupafireasquickaslightningunderthatsteam-box。\"——\"Halloo，nigger！come，turnthisgrindstone。\"——\"Come，come！move，move！andBOWSE

thistimberforward。\"——\"Isay，darky，blastyoureyes，whydon’tyouheatupsomepitch？\"——\"Halloo！

halloo！halloo！\"（Threevoicesatthesametime。）

\"Comehere！——Gothere！——Holdonwhereyouare！

Damnyou，ifyoumove，I’llknockyourbrainsout！\"

Thiswasmyschoolforeightmonths;andImighthaveremainedtherelonger，butforamosthorridfightIhadwithfourofthewhiteapprentices，inwhichmylefteyewasnearlyknockedout，andI

washorriblymangledinotherrespects。Thefactsinthecasewerethese：UntilaverylittlewhileafterIwentthere，whiteandblackship-carpentersworkedsidebyside，andnooneseemedtoseeanyimproprietyinit。Allhandsseemedtobeverywellsatisfied。Manyoftheblackcarpenterswerefreemen。

Thingsseemedtobegoingonverywell。Allatonce，thewhitecarpentersknockedoff，andsaidtheywouldnotworkwithfreecoloredworkmen。Theirreasonforthis，asalleged，was，thatiffreecoloredcarpenterswereencouraged，theywouldsoontakethetradeintotheirownhands，andpoorwhitemenwouldbethrownoutofemployment。Theythereforefeltcalleduponatoncetoputastoptoit。And，takingadvantageofMr。Gardner’snecessities，theybrokeoff，swearingtheywouldworknolonger，unlesshewoulddischargehisblackcarpenters。Now，thoughthisdidnotextendtomeinform，itdidreachmeinfact。Myfellow-apprenticesverysoonbegantofeelitdegradingtothemtoworkwithme。Theybegantoputonairs，andtalkaboutthe\"niggers\"takingthecountry，sayingwealloughttobekilled;and，beingencouragedbythejourney-

men，theycommencedmakingmyconditionashardastheycould，byhectoringmearound，andsometimesstrikingme。I，ofcourse，keptthevowImadeafterthefightwithMr。Covey，andstruckbackagain，regardlessofconsequences;andwhileIkeptthemfromcombining，Isucceededverywell;

forIcouldwhipthewholeofthem，takingthemseparately。They，however，atlengthcombined，andcameuponme，armedwithsticks，stones，andheavyhandspikes。Onecameinfrontwithahalfbrick。

Therewasoneateachsideofme，andonebehindme。WhileIwasattendingtothoseinfront，andoneitherside，theonebehindranupwiththehand-

spike，andstruckmeaheavyblowuponthehead。

Itstunnedme。Ifell，andwiththistheyallranuponme，andfelltobeatingmewiththeirfists。I

letthemlayonforawhile，gatheringstrength。Inaninstant，Igaveasuddensurge，androsetomyhandsandknees。JustasIdidthat，oneoftheirnumbergaveme，withhisheavyboot，apowerfulkickinthelefteye。Myeyeballseemedtohaveburst。Whentheysawmyeyeclosed，andbadlyswollen，theyleftme。WiththisIseizedthehand-

spike，andforatimepursuedthem。Butherethecarpentersinterfered，andIthoughtImightaswellgiveitup。Itwasimpossibletostandmyhandagainstsomany。Allthistookplaceinsightofnotlessthanfiftywhiteship-carpenters，andnotoneinterposedafriendlyword;butsomecried，\"Killthedamnednigger！Killhim！killhim！Hestruckawhiteperson。\"Ifoundmyonlychanceforlifewasinflight。Isucceededingettingawaywithoutanadditionalblow，andbarelyso;fortostrikeawhitemanisdeathbyLynchlaw，——andthatwasthelawinMr。Gardner’sship-yard;noristheremuchofanyotheroutofMr。Gardner’sship-yard。

Iwentdirectlyhome，andtoldthestoryofmywrongstoMasterHugh;andIamhappytosayofhim，irreligiousashewas，hisconductwasheavenly，comparedwiththatofhisbrotherThomasundersimilarcircumstances。Helistenedattentivelytomynarrationofthecircumstancesleadingtothesavageoutrage，andgavemanyproofsofhisstrongindigna-

tionatit。Theheartofmyonceoverkindmistresswasagainmeltedintopity。Mypuffed-outeyeandblood-coveredfacemovedhertotears。Shetookachairbyme，washedthebloodfrommyface，and，withamother’stenderness，boundupmyhead，coveringthewoundedeyewithaleanpieceoffreshbeef。Itwasalmostcompensationformysufferingtowitness，oncemore，amanifestationofkindnessfromthis，myonceaffectionateoldmistress。MasterHughwasverymuchenraged。Hegaveexpressiontohisfeelingsbypouringoutcursesupontheheadsofthosewhodidthedeed。AssoonasIgotalittlethebetterofmybruises，hetookmewithhimtoEsquireWatson’s，onBondStreet，toseewhatcouldbedoneaboutthematter。Mr。Watsoninquiredwhosawtheassaultcommitted。MasterHughtoldhimitwasdoneinMr。Gardner’sship-yardatmidday，wheretherewerealargecompanyofmenatwork。

\"Astothat，\"hesaid，\"thedeedwasdone，andtherewasnoquestionastowhodidit。\"Hisanswerwas，hecoulddonothinginthecase，unlesssomewhitemanwouldcomeforwardandtestify。Hecouldissuenowarrantonmyword。IfIhadbeenkilledinthepresenceofathousandcoloredpeople，theirtestimonycombinedwouldhavebeeninsufficienttohavearrestedoneofthemurderers。MasterHugh，foronce，wascompelledtosaythisstateofthingswastoobad。Ofcourse，itwasimpossibletogetanywhitemantovolunteerhistestimonyinmybehalf，andagainstthewhiteyoungmen。Eventhosewhomayhavesympathizedwithmewerenotpreparedtodothis。Itrequiredadegreeofcourageunknowntothemtodoso;forjustatthattime，theslightestmanifestationofhumanitytowardacoloredpersonwasdenouncedasabolitionism，andthatnamesub-

jecteditsbearertofrightfulliabilities。Thewatch-

wordsofthebloody-mindedinthatregion，andinthosedays，were，\"Damntheabolitionists！\"and\"Damntheniggers！\"Therewasnothingdone，andprobablynothingwouldhavebeendoneifIhadbeenkilled。Suchwas，andsuchremains，thestateofthingsintheChristiancityofBaltimore。

MasterHugh，findinghecouldgetnoredress，re-

fusedtoletmegobackagaintoMr。Gardner。Hekeptmehimself，andhiswifedressedmywoundtillIwasagainrestoredtohealth。Hethentookmeintotheship-yardofwhichhewasforeman，intheemploymentofMr。WalterPrice。ThereIwasim-

mediatelysettocalking，andverysoonlearnedtheartofusingmymalletandirons。InthecourseofoneyearfromthetimeIleftMr。Gardner’s，Iwasabletocommandthehighestwagesgiventothemostexperiencedcalkers。Iwasnowofsomeimpor-

tancetomymaster。Iwasbringinghimfromsixtosevendollarsperweek。Isometimesbroughthimninedollarsperweek：mywageswereadollarandahalfaday。Afterlearninghowtocalk，Isoughtmyownemployment，mademyowncontracts，andcollectedthemoneywhichIearned。Mypathwaybecamemuchmoresmooththanbefore;mycondi-

tionwasnowmuchmorecomfortable。WhenIcouldgetnocalkingtodo，Ididnothing。Duringtheseleisuretimes，thoseoldnotionsaboutfreedomwouldstealovermeagain。WheninMr。Gardner’semploy-

ment，Iwaskeptinsuchaperpetualwhirlofex-

citement，Icouldthinkofnothing，scarcely，butmylife;andinthinkingofmylife，Ialmostforgotmyliberty。Ihaveobservedthisinmyexperienceofslavery，——thatwhenevermyconditionwasim-

proved，insteadofitsincreasingmycontentment，itonlyincreasedmydesiretobefree，andsetmetothinkingofplanstogainmyfreedom。Ihavefoundthat，tomakeacontentedslave，itisnecessarytomakeathoughtlessone。Itisnecessarytodarkenhismoralandmentalvision，and，asfaraspossible，toannihilatethepowerofreason。Hemustbeabletodetectnoinconsistenciesinslavery;hemustbemadetofeelthatslaveryisright;andhecanbebroughttothatonlywhenheceasestobeaman。

Iwasnowgetting，asIhavesaid，onedollarandfiftycentsperday。Icontractedforit;Iearnedit;

itwaspaidtome;itwasrightfullymyown;yet，uponeachreturningSaturdaynight，IwascompelledtodelivereverycentofthatmoneytoMasterHugh。

Andwhy？Notbecauseheearnedit，——notbecausehehadanyhandinearningit，——notbecauseIowedittohim，——norbecausehepossessedtheslightestshadowofarighttoit;butsolelybecausehehadthepowertocompelmetogiveitup。Therightofthegrim-visagedpirateuponthehighseasisexactlythesame。

CHAPTERXI

InowcometothatpartofmylifeduringwhichI

planned，andfinallysucceededinmaking，myescapefromslavery。Butbeforenarratinganyofthepe-

culiarcircumstances，Ideemitpropertomakeknownmyintentionnottostateallthefactscon-

nectedwiththetransaction。Myreasonsforpursuingthiscoursemaybeunderstoodfromthefollowing：

First，wereItogiveaminutestatementofallthefacts，itisnotonlypossible，butquiteprobable，thatotherswouldtherebybeinvolvedinthemostembar-

rassingdifficulties。Secondly，suchastatementwouldmostundoubtedlyinducegreatervigilanceonthepartofslaveholdersthanhasexistedheretoforeamongthem;whichwould，ofcourse，bethemeansofguardingadoorwherebysomedearbrotherbond-

manmightescapehisgallingchains。Ideeplyregretthenecessitythatimpelsmetosuppressanythingofimportanceconnectedwithmyexperienceinslavery。Itwouldaffordmegreatpleasureindeed，aswellasmateriallyaddtotheinterestofmynar-

rative，wereIatlibertytogratifyacuriosity，whichIknowexistsinthemindsofmany，byanaccuratestatementofallthefactspertainingtomymostfortunateescape。ButImustdeprivemyselfofthispleasure，andthecuriousofthegratificationwhichsuchastatementwouldafford。Iwouldallowmy-

selftosufferunderthegreatestimputationswhichevil-mindedmenmightsuggest，ratherthanexcul-

patemyself，andtherebyrunthehazardofclosingtheslightestavenuebywhichabrotherslavemightclearhimselfofthechainsandfettersofslavery。

Ihaveneverapprovedoftheverypublicmannerinwhichsomeofourwesternfriendshaveconductedwhattheycallthe~undergroundrailroad，~butwhichIthink，bytheiropendeclarations，hasbeenmademostemphaticallythe~uppergroundrailroad。~Ihonorthosegoodmenandwomenfortheirnobledaring，andapplaudthemforwillinglysubjectingthem-

selvestobloodypersecution，byopenlyavowingtheirparticipationintheescapeofslaves。I，however，canseeverylittlegoodresultingfromsuchacourse，eithertothemselvesortheslavesescaping;while，upontheotherhand，Iseeandfeelassuredthatthoseopendeclarationsareapositiveeviltotheslavesremaining，whoareseekingtoescape。Theydonothingtowardsenlighteningtheslave，whilsttheydomuchtowardsenlighteningthemaster。

Theystimulatehimtogreaterwatchfulness，andenhancehispowertocapturehisslave。Weowesomethingtotheslavesouthofthelineaswellastothosenorthofit;andinaidingthelatterontheirwaytofreedom，weshouldbecarefultodonothingwhichwouldbelikelytohindertheformerfromescapingfromslavery。Iwouldkeepthemercilessslaveholderprofoundlyignorantofthemeansofflightadoptedbytheslave。Iwouldleavehimtoimaginehimselfsurroundedbymyriadsofinvisibletormentors，everreadytosnatchfromhisinfernalgrasphistremblingprey。Lethimbelefttofeelhiswayinthedark;letdarknesscommensuratewithhiscrimehoveroverhim;andlethimfeelthatateverystephetakes，inpursuitoftheflyingbondman，heisrunningthefrightfulriskofhavinghishotbrainsdashedoutbyaninvisibleagency。Letusrenderthetyrantnoaid;letusnotholdthelightbywhichhecantracethefootprintsofourflyingbrother。Butenoughofthis。Iwillnowproceedtothestatementofthosefacts，connectedwithmyescape，forwhichIamaloneresponsible，andforwhichnoonecanbemadetosufferbutmyself。

Intheearlypartoftheyear1838，Ibecamequiterestless。IcouldseenoreasonwhyIshould，attheendofeachweek，pourtherewardofmytoilintothepurseofmymaster。WhenIcarriedtohimmyweeklywages，hewould，aftercountingthemoney，lookmeinthefacewitharobber-likefierceness，andask，\"Isthisall？\"Hewassatisfiedwithnothinglessthanthelastcent。Hewould，however，whenI

madehimsixdollars，sometimesgivemesixcents，toencourageme。Ithadtheoppositeeffect。Ire-

gardeditasasortofadmissionofmyrighttothewhole。Thefactthathegavemeanypartofmywageswasproof，tomymind，thathebelievedmeentitledtothewholeofthem。Ialwaysfeltworseforhavingreceivedanything;forIfearedthatthegivingmeafewcentswouldeasehisconscience，andmakehimfeelhimselftobeaprettyhonorablesortofrobber。Mydiscontentgrewuponme。Iwaseveronthelook-outformeansofescape;and，find-

ingnodirectmeans，Ideterminedtotrytohiremytime，withaviewofgettingmoneywithwhichtomakemyescape。Inthespringof1838，whenMasterThomascametoBaltimoretopurchasehisspringgoods，Igotanopportunity，andappliedtohimtoallowmetohiremytime。Heunhesitatinglyrefusedmyrequest，andtoldmethiswasanotherstratagembywhichtoescape。HetoldmeIcouldgonowherebutthathecouldgetme;andthat，intheeventofmyrunningaway，heshouldsparenopainsinhiseffortstocatchme。Heexhortedmetocontentmyself，andbeobedient。Hetoldme，ifIwouldbehappy，Imustlayoutnoplansforthefuture。

Hesaid，ifIbehavedmyselfproperly，hewouldtakecareofme。Indeed，headvisedmetocompletethoughtlessnessofthefuture，andtaughtmetode-

pendsolelyuponhimforhappiness。Heseemedtoseefullythepressingnecessityofsettingasidemyintellectualnature，inordertocontentmentinslavery。Butinspiteofhim，andeveninspiteofmyself，Icontinuedtothink，andtothinkabouttheinjusticeofmyenslavement，andthemeansofescape。

Abouttwomonthsafterthis，IappliedtoMasterHughfortheprivilegeofhiringmytime。HewasnotacquaintedwiththefactthatIhadappliedtoMasterThomas，andhadbeenrefused。Hetoo，atfirst，seemeddisposedtorefuse;but，aftersomere-

flection，hegrantedmetheprivilege，andproposedthefollowingterms：Iwastobeallowedallmytime，makeallcontractswiththoseforwhomI

worked，andfindmyownemployment;and，inre-

turnforthisliberty，Iwastopayhimthreedollarsattheendofeachweek;findmyselfincalkingtools，andinboardandclothing。Myboardwastwodol-

larsandahalfperweek。This，withthewearandtearofclothingandcalkingtools，mademyregularexpensesaboutsixdollarsperweek。ThisamountIwascompelledtomakeup，orrelinquishtheprivilegeofhiringmytime。Rainorshine，workornowork，attheendofeachweekthemoneymustbeforthcoming，orImustgiveupmyprivilege。Thisarrangement，itwillbeperceived，wasdecidedlyinmymaster’sfavor。Itrelievedhimofallneedoflookingafterme。Hismoneywassure。Hereceivedallthebenefitsofslaveholdingwithoutitsevils;

whileIenduredalltheevilsofaslave，andsufferedallthecareandanxietyofafreeman。Ifounditahardbargain。But，hardasitwas，Ithoughtitbetterthantheoldmodeofgettingalong。Itwasasteptowardsfreedomtobeallowedtobeartherespon-

sibilitiesofafreeman，andIwasdeterminedtoholdonuponit。Ibentmyselftotheworkofmakingmoney。Iwasreadytoworkatnightaswellasday，andbythemostuntiringperseveranceandindustry，Imadeenoughtomeetmyexpenses，andlayupalittlemoneyeveryweek。IwentonthusfromMaytillAugust。MasterHughthenrefusedtoallowmetohiremytimelonger。Thegroundforhisrefusalwasafailureonmypart，oneSaturdaynight，topayhimformyweek’stime。ThisfailurewasoccasionedbymyattendingacampmeetingabouttenmilesfromBaltimore。Duringtheweek，IhadenteredintoanengagementwithanumberofyoungfriendstostartfromBaltimoretothecampgroundearlySaturdayevening;andbeingdetainedbymyem-

ployer，IwasunabletogetdowntoMasterHugh’swithoutdisappointingthecompany。IknewthatMasterHughwasinnospecialneedofthemoneythatnight。Ithereforedecidedtogotocampmeet-

ing，anduponmyreturnpayhimthethreedollars。

IstaidatthecampmeetingonedaylongerthanI

intendedwhenIleft。ButassoonasIreturned，I

calleduponhimtopayhimwhatheconsideredhisdue。Ifoundhimveryangry;hecouldscarcerestrainhiswrath。Hesaidhehadagreatmindtogivemeaseverewhipping。HewishedtoknowhowIdaredgooutofthecitywithoutaskinghispermission。I

toldhimIhiredmytimeandwhileIpaidhimthepricewhichheaskedforit，IdidnotknowthatI

wasboundtoaskhimwhenandwhereIshouldgo。

Thisreplytroubledhim;and，afterreflectingafewmoments，heturnedtome，andsaidIshouldhiremytimenolonger;thatthenextthingheshouldknowof，Iwouldberunningaway。Uponthesameplea，hetoldmetobringmytoolsandclothinghomeforthwith。Ididso;butinsteadofseekingwork，asIhadbeenaccustomedtodopreviouslytohiringmytime，Ispentthewholeweekwithouttheperformanceofasinglestrokeofwork。Ididthisinretaliation。Saturdaynight，hecalleduponmeasusualformyweek’swages。ItoldhimIhadnowages;Ihaddonenoworkthatweek。Herewewereuponthepointofcomingtoblows。Heraved，andsworehisdeterminationtogetholdofme。Ididnotallowmyselfasingleword;butwasresolved，ifhelaidtheweightofhishanduponme，itshouldbeblowforblow。Hedidnotstrikeme，buttoldmethathewouldfindmeinconstantemploymentinfuture。Ithoughtthematteroverduringthenextday，Sunday，andfinallyresolveduponthethirddayofSeptember，asthedayuponwhichIwouldmakeasecondattempttosecuremyfreedom。Inowhadthreeweeksduringwhichtoprepareformyjourney。

EarlyonMondaymorning，beforeMasterHughhadtimetomakeanyengagementforme，IwentoutandgotemploymentofMr。Butler，athisship-yardnearthedrawbridge，uponwhatiscalledtheCityBlock，thusmakingitunnecessaryforhimtoseekemploymentforme。Attheendoftheweek，I

broughthimbetweeneightandninedollars。Heseemedverywellpleased，andaskedwhyIdidnotdothesametheweekbefore。Helittleknewwhatmyplanswere。Myobjectinworkingsteadilywastoremoveanysuspicionhemightentertainofmyintenttorunaway;andinthisIsucceededadmi-

rably。IsupposehethoughtIwasneverbettersatisfiedwithmyconditionthanattheverytimeduringwhichIwasplanningmyescape。Thesecondweekpassed，andagainIcarriedhimmyfullwages;

andsowellpleasedwashe，thathegavemetwenty-

fivecents，（quitealargesumforaslaveholdertogiveaslave，）andbademetomakeagooduseofit。

ItoldhimIwould。

Thingswentonwithoutverysmoothlyindeed，butwithintherewastrouble。Itisimpossibleformetodescribemyfeelingsasthetimeofmycon-

templatedstartdrewnear。Ihadanumberofwarm-

heartedfriendsinBaltimore，——friendsthatIlovedalmostasIdidmylife，——andthethoughtofbeingseparatedfromthemforeverwaspainfulbeyondexpression。Itismyopinionthatthousandswouldescapefromslavery，whonowremain，butforthestrongcordsofaffectionthatbindthemtotheirfriends。Thethoughtofleavingmyfriendswasde-

cidedlythemostpainfulthoughtwithwhichIhadtocontend。Theloveofthemwasmytenderpoint，andshookmydecisionmorethanallthingselse。

Besidesthepainofseparation，thedreadandappre-

hensionofafailureexceededwhatIhadexperiencedatmyfirstattempt。TheappallingdefeatIthensustainedreturnedtotormentme。Ifeltassuredthat，ifIfailedinthisattempt，mycasewouldbeahopelessone——itwouldsealmyfateasaslavefor-

ever。Icouldnothopetogetoffwithanythinglessthantheseverestpunishment，andbeingplacedbeyondthemeansofescape。ItrequirednoveryvividimaginationtodepictthemostfrightfulscenesthroughwhichIshouldhavetopass，incaseIfailed。Thewretchednessofslavery，andtheblessednessoffreedom，wereperpetuallybeforeme。

Itwaslifeanddeathwithme。ButIremainedfirm，and，accordingtomyresolution，onthethirddayofSeptember，1838，Ileftmychains，andsuc-

ceededinreachingNewYorkwithouttheslightestinterruptionofanykind。HowIdidso，——whatmeansIadopted，——whatdirectionItravelled，andbywhatmodeofconveyance，——Imustleaveunexplained，forthereasonsbeforementioned。

IhavebeenfrequentlyaskedhowIfeltwhenI

foundmyselfinafreeState。Ihaveneverbeenabletoanswerthequestionwithanysatisfactiontomy-

self。ItwasamomentofthehighestexcitementI

everexperienced。IsupposeIfeltasonemayimaginetheunarmedmarinertofeelwhenheisrescuedbyafriendlyman-of-warfromthepursuitofapirate。

Inwritingtoadearfriend，immediatelyaftermyarrivalatNewYork，IsaidIfeltlikeonewhohadescapedadenofhungrylions。Thisstateofmind，however，verysoonsubsided;andIwasagainseizedwithafeelingofgreatinsecurityandloneliness。I

wasyetliabletobetakenback，andsubjectedtoallthetorturesofslavery。Thisinitselfwasenoughtodamptheardorofmyenthusiasm。Butthelone-

linessovercameme。ThereIwasinthemidstofthousands，andyetaperfectstranger;withouthomeandwithoutfriends，inthemidstofthousandsofmyownbrethren——childrenofacommonFather，andyetIdarednottounfoldtoanyoneofthemmysadcondition。Iwasafraidtospeaktoanyoneforfearofspeakingtothewrongone，andtherebyfall-

ingintothehandsofmoney-lovingkidnappers，whosebusinessitwastolieinwaitforthepantingfugitive，astheferociousbeastsoftheforestlieinwaitfortheirprey。ThemottowhichIadoptedwhenIstartedfromslaverywasthis——\"Trustnoman！\"Isawineverywhitemananenemy，andinalmosteverycoloredmancausefordistrust。Itwasamostpainfulsituation;and，tounderstandit，onemustneedsexperienceit，orimaginehimselfinsimilarcircumstances。Lethimbeafugitiveslaveinastrangeland——alandgivenuptobethehunting-

groundforslaveholders——whoseinhabitantsarelegal-

izedkidnappers——whereheiseverymomentsub-

jectedtotheterribleliabilityofbeingseizeduponbyhisfellowmen，asthehideouscrocodileseizesuponhisprey！——Isay，lethimplacehimselfinmysituation——withouthomeorfriends——withoutmoneyorcredit——wantingshelter，andnoonetogiveit——

wantingbread，andnomoneytobuyit，——andatthesametimelethimfeelthatheispursuedbymerci-

lessmen-hunters，andintotaldarknessastowhattodo，wheretogo，orwheretostay，——perfectlyhelp-

lessbothastothemeansofdefenceandmeansofescape，——inthemidstofplenty，yetsufferingtheter-

riblegnawingsofhunger，——inthemidstofhouses，yethavingnohome，——amongfellow-men，yetfeelingasifinthemidstofwildbeasts，whosegreedinesstoswallowupthetremblingandhalf-famishedfugi-

tiveisonlyequalledbythatwithwhichthemonstersofthedeepswallowupthehelplessfishuponwhichtheysubsist，——Isay，lethimbeplacedinthismosttryingsituation，——thesituationinwhichIwasplaced，——then，andnottillthen，willhefullyappreciatethehardshipsof，andknowhowtosympathizewith，thetoil-wornandwhip-scarredfugitiveslave。

ThankHeaven，Iremainedbutashorttimeinthisdistressedsituation。IwasrelievedfromitbythehumanehandofMr。DAVIDRUGGLES，whosevigi-

lance，kindness，andperseverance，Ishallneverfor-

get。Iamgladofanopportunitytoexpress，asfaraswordscan，theloveandgratitudeIbearhim。Mr。

Rugglesisnowafflictedwithblindness，andishim-

selfinneedofthesamekindofficeswhichhewasoncesoforwardintheperformanceoftowardothers。

IhadbeeninNewYorkbutafewdays，whenMr。

Rugglessoughtmeout，andverykindlytookmetohisboarding-houseatthecornerofChurchandLespenardStreets。Mr。Ruggleswasthenverydeeplyengagedinthememorable~Darg~case，aswellasat-

tendingtoanumberofotherfugitiveslaves，devis-

ingwaysandmeansfortheirsuccessfulescape;and，thoughwatchedandhemmedinonalmosteveryside，heseemedtobemorethanamatchforhisenemies。

VerysoonafterIwenttoMr。Ruggles，hewishedtoknowofmewhereIwantedtogo;ashedeemeditunsafeformetoremaininNewYork。ItoldhimIwasacalker，andshouldliketogowhereIcouldgetwork。IthoughtofgoingtoCanada;buthede-

cidedagainstit，andinfavorofmygoingtoNewBedford，thinkingIshouldbeabletogetworkthereatmytrade。Atthistime，Anna，*myintendedwife，cameon;forIwrotetoherimmediatelyaftermyarrivalatNewYork，（notwithstandingmyhomeless，houseless，andhelplesscondition，）informingherofmysuccessfulflight，andwishinghertocomeonforthwith。Inafewdaysafterherarrival，Mr。Rug-

glescalledintheRev。J。W。C。Pennington，who，inthepresenceofMr。Ruggles，Mrs。Michaels，andtwoorthreeothers，performedthemarriagecere-

mony，andgaveusacertificate，ofwhichthefol-

lowingisanexactcopy：——

\"Thismaycertify，thatIjoinedtogetherinholymatrimonyFrederickJohnson+andAnnaMurray，asmanandwife，inthepresenceofMr。DavidRugglesandMrs。Michaels。

\"JAMESW。C。PENNINGTON

\"NEWYORK，SEPT。15，1838\"

Uponreceivingthiscertificate，andafive-dollarbillfromMr。Ruggles，Ishoulderedonepartofourbaggage，andAnnatookuptheother，andwesetoutforthwithtotakepassageonboardofthesteam-

boatJohnW。RichmondforNewport，onourwaytoNewBedford。Mr。RugglesgavemealettertoaMr。ShawinNewport，andtoldme，incasemymoneydidnotservemetoNewBedford，tostopinNewportandobtainfurtherassistance;butuponour*Shewasfree。

+IhadchangedmynamefromFrederickBAILEY

tothatofJOHNSON。

arrivalatNewport，weweresoanxioustogettoaplaceofsafety，that，notwithstandingwelackedthenecessarymoneytopayourfare，wedecidedtotakeseatsinthestage，andpromisetopaywhenwegottoNewBedford。Wewereencouragedtodothisbytwoexcellentgentlemen，residentsofNewBedford，whosenamesIafterwardascertainedtobeJosephRicketsonandWilliamC。Taber。Theyseemedatoncetounderstandourcircumstances，andgaveussuchassuranceoftheirfriendlinessasputusfullyateaseintheirpresence。Itwasgoodindeedtomeetwithsuchfriends，atsuchatime。UponreachingNewBedford，weweredirectedtothehouseofMr。

NathanJohnson，bywhomwewerekindlyreceived，andhospitablyprovidedfor。BothMr。andMrs。

Johnsontookadeepandlivelyinterestinourwel-

fare。Theyprovedthemselvesquiteworthyofthenameofabolitionists。Whenthestage-driverfoundusunabletopayourfare，heheldonuponourbag-

gageassecurityforthedebt。IhadbuttomentionthefacttoMr。Johnson，andheforthwithadvancedthemoney。

Wenowbegantofeeladegreeofsafety，andtoprepareourselvesforthedutiesandresponsibilitiesofalifeoffreedom。Onthemorningafterourar-

rivalatNewBedford，whileatthebreakfast-table，thequestionaroseastowhatnameIshouldbecalledby。Thenamegivenmebymymotherwas，\"FrederickAugustusWashingtonBailey。\"I，how-

ever，haddispensedwiththetwomiddlenameslongbeforeIleftMarylandsothatIwasgenerallyknownbythenameof\"FrederickBailey。\"IstartedfromBaltimorebearingthenameof\"Stanley。\"WhenI

gottoNewYork，Iagainchangedmynameto\"Fred-

erickJohnson，\"andthoughtthatwouldbethelastchange。ButwhenIgottoNewBedford，Ifounditnecessaryagaintochangemyname。Thereasonofthisnecessitywas，thatthereweresomanyJohnsonsinNewBedford，itwasalreadyquitedifficulttodistinguishbetweenthem。IgaveMr。Johnsontheprivilegeofchoosingmeaname，buttoldhimhemustnottakefrommethenameof\"Frederick。\"

Imustholdontothat，topreserveasenseofmyidentity。Mr。Johnsonhadjustbeenreadingthe\"LadyoftheLake，\"andatoncesuggestedthatmynamebe\"Douglass。\"FromthattimeuntilnowI

havebeencalled\"FrederickDouglass;\"andasIammorewidelyknownbythatnamethanbyeitheroftheothers，Ishallcontinuetouseitasmyown。

Iwasquitedisappointedatthegeneralappear-

anceofthingsinNewBedford。TheimpressionwhichIhadreceivedrespectingthecharacterandconditionofthepeopleofthenorth，Ifoundtobesingularlyerroneous。Ihadverystrangelysupposed，whileinslavery，thatfewofthecomforts，andscarcelyanyoftheluxuries，oflifewereenjoyedatthenorth，comparedwithwhatwereenjoyedbytheslaveholdersofthesouth。Iprobablycametothisconclusionfromthefactthatnorthernpeopleownednoslaves。Isupposedthattheywereaboutuponalevelwiththenon-slaveholdingpopulationofthesouth。Iknew~they~wereexceedinglypoor，andIhadbeenaccustomedtoregardtheirpovertyasthenec-

essaryconsequenceoftheirbeingnon-slaveholders。

Ihadsomehowimbibedtheopinionthat，intheabsenceofslaves，therecouldbenowealth，andverylittlerefinement。Anduponcomingtothenorth，I

expectedtomeetwitharough，hard-handed，anduncultivatedpopulation，livinginthemostSpartan-

likesimplicity，knowingnothingoftheease，luxury，pomp，andgrandeurofsouthernslaveholders。Suchbeingmyconjectures，anyoneacquaintedwiththeappearanceofNewBedfordmayveryreadilyinferhowpalpablyImusthaveseenmymistake。

IntheafternoonofthedaywhenIreachedNewBedford，Ivisitedthewharves，totakeaviewoftheshipping。HereIfoundmyselfsurroundedwiththestrongestproofsofwealth。Lyingatthewharves，andridinginthestream，Isawmanyshipsofthefinestmodel，inthebestorder，andofthelargestsize。

Upontherightandleft，Iwaswalledinbygranitewarehousesofthewidestdimensions，stowedtotheirutmostcapacitywiththenecessariesandcomfortsoflife。Addedtothis，almosteverybodyseemedtobeatwork，butnoiselesslyso，comparedwithwhatIhadbeenaccustomedtoinBaltimore。Therewerenoloudsongsheardfromthoseengagedinloadingandunloadingships。Iheardnodeepoathsorhorridcursesonthelaborer。Isawnowhippingofmen;

butallseemedtogosmoothlyon。Everymanap-

pearedtounderstandhiswork，andwentatitwithasober，yetcheerfulearnestness，whichbetokenedthedeepinterestwhichhefeltinwhathewasdoing，aswellasasenseofhisowndignityasaman。Tomethislookedexceedinglystrange。FromthewharvesI

strolledaroundandoverthetown，gazingwithwon-

derandadmirationatthesplendidchurches，beauti-

fuldwellings，andfinely-cultivatedgardens;evincinganamountofwealth，comfort，taste，andrefinement，suchasIhadneverseeninanypartofslaveholdingMaryland。

Everythinglookedclean，new，andbeautiful。I

sawfewornodilapidatedhouses，withpoverty-

strickeninmates;nohalf-nakedchildrenandbare-

footedwomen，suchasIhadbeenaccustomedtoseeinHillsborough，Easton，St。Michael’s，andBalti-

more。Thepeoplelookedmoreable，stronger，health-

ier，andhappier，thanthoseofMaryland。Iwasforoncemadegladbyaviewofextremewealth，withoutbeingsaddenedbyseeingextremepoverty。Butthemostastonishingaswellasthemostinterestingthingtomewastheconditionofthecoloredpeople，agreatmanyofwhom，likemyself，hadescapedthitherasarefugefromthehuntersofmen。Ifoundmany，whohadnotbeensevenyearsoutoftheirchains，livinginfinerhouses，andevidentlyenjoyingmoreofthecomfortsoflife，thantheaverageofslaveholdersinMaryland。Iwillventuretoassert，thatmyfriendMr。NathanJohnson（ofwhomI

cansaywithagratefulheart，\"Iwashungry，andhegavememeat;Iwasthirsty，andhegavemedrink;

Iwasastranger，andhetookmein\"）livedinaneaterhouse;dinedatabettertable;took，paidfor，andread，morenewspapers;betterunderstoodthemoral，religious，andpoliticalcharacterofthenation，——thanninetenthsoftheslaveholdersinTal-

botcountyMaryland。YetMr。Johnsonwasawork-

ingman。Hishandswerehardenedbytoil，andnothisalone，butthosealsoofMrs。Johnson。IfoundthecoloredpeoplemuchmorespiritedthanIhadsup-

posedtheywouldbe。Ifoundamongthemadeter-

minationtoprotecteachotherfromtheblood-thirstykidnapper，atallhazards。Soonaftermyarrival，I

wastoldofacircumstancewhichillustratedtheirspirit。Acoloredmanandafugitiveslavewereonunfriendlyterms。Theformerwasheardtothreatenthelatterwithinforminghismasterofhiswhere-

abouts。Straightwayameetingwascalledamongthecoloredpeople，underthestereotypednotice，\"Busi-

nessofimportance！\"Thebetrayerwasinvitedtoat-

tend。Thepeoplecameattheappointedhour，andorganizedthemeetingbyappointingaveryreligiousoldgentlemanaspresident，who，Ibelieve，madeaprayer，afterwhichheaddressedthemeetingasfol-

lows：\"~Friends，wehavegothimhere，andIwouldrecommendthatyouyoungmenjusttakehimout-

sidethedoor，andkillhim！~\"Withthis，anumberofthemboltedathim;buttheywereinterceptedbysomemoretimidthanthemselves，andthebe-

trayerescapedtheirvengeance，andhasnotbeenseeninNewBedfordsince。Ibelievetherehavebeennomoresuchthreats，andshouldtherebehere-

after，Idoubtnotthatdeathwouldbetheconse-

quence。

Ifoundemployment，thethirddayaftermyar-

rival，instowingasloopwithaloadofoil。Itwasnew，dirty，andhardworkforme;butIwentatitwithagladheartandawillinghand。Iwasnowmyownmaster。Itwasahappymoment，theraptureofwhichcanbeunderstoodonlybythosewhohavebeenslaves。Itwasthefirstwork，therewardofwhichwastobeentirelymyown。TherewasnoMas-

terHughstandingready，themomentIearnedthemoney，torobmeofit。IworkedthatdaywithapleasureIhadneverbeforeexperienced。Iwasatworkformyselfandnewly-marriedwife。Itwastomethestarting-pointofanewexistence。WhenIgotthroughwiththatjob，Iwentinpursuitofajobofcalking;butsuchwasthestrengthofprejudiceagainstcolor，amongthewhitecalkers，thattheyre-

fusedtoworkwithme，andofcourseIcouldgetnoemployment。*Findingmytradeofnoimmediatebenefit，Ithrewoffmycalkinghabiliments，andpre-

paredmyselftodoanykindofworkIcouldgettodo。Mr。Johnsonkindlyletmehavehiswood-horseandsaw，andIverysoonfoundmyselfaplentyofwork。Therewasnoworktoohard——nonetoodirty。

Iwasreadytosawwood，shovelcoal，carrywood，sweepthechimney，orrolloilcasks，——allofwhichI

*IamtoldthatcoloredpersonscannowgetemploymentatcalkinginNewBedford——aresultofanti-slaveryeffort。

didfornearlythreeyearsinNewBedford，beforeI

becameknowntotheanti-slaveryworld。

InaboutfourmonthsafterIwenttoNewBed-

ford，therecameayoungmantome，andinquiredifIdidnotwishtotakethe\"Liberator。\"ItoldhimIdid;but，justhavingmademyescapefromslavery，IremarkedthatIwasunabletopayforitthen。I，however，finallybecameasubscribertoit。Thepapercame，andIreaditfromweektoweekwithsuchfeelingsasitwouldbequiteidleformetoattempttodescribe。Thepaperbecamemymeatandmydrink。Mysoulwassetallonfire。Itssympathyformybrethreninbonds——itsscathingdenunciationsofslaveholders——itsfaithfulexposuresofslavery——anditspowerfulattacksupontheupholdersoftheinstitu-

tion——sentathrillofjoythroughmysoul，suchasIhadneverfeltbefore！

Ihadnotlongbeenareaderofthe\"Liberator，\"

beforeIgotaprettycorrectideaoftheprinciples，measuresandspiritoftheanti-slaveryreform。Itookrightholdofthecause。Icoulddobutlittle;butwhatIcould，Ididwithajoyfulheart，andneverfelthappierthanwheninananti-slaverymeeting。Isel-

domhadmuchtosayatthemeetings，becausewhatIwantedtosaywassaidsomuchbetterbyothers。

But，whileattendingananti-slaveryconventionatNantucket，onthe11thofAugust，1841，Ifeltstronglymovedtospeak，andwasatthesametimemuchurgedtodosobyMr。WilliamC。Coffin，agentlemanwhohadheardmespeakinthecoloredpeople’smeetingatNewBedford。Itwasaseverecross，andItookitupreluctantly。Thetruthwas，Ifeltmyselfaslave，andtheideaofspeakingtowhitepeopleweighedmedown。Ispokebutafewmoments，whenIfeltadegreeoffreedom，andsaidwhatIdesiredwithconsiderableease。Fromthattimeuntilnow，Ihavebeenengagedinpleadingthecauseofmybrethren——withwhatsuccess，andwithwhatdevotion，Ileavethoseacquaintedwithmyla-

borstodecide。

APPENDIX

Ifind，sincereadingovertheforegoingNarrative，thatIhave，inseveralinstances，spokeninsuchatoneandmanner，respectingreligion，asmaypossi-

blyleadthoseunacquaintedwithmyreligiousviewstosupposemeanopponentofallreligion。Tore-

movetheliabilityofsuchmisapprehension，Ideemitpropertoappendthefollowingbriefexplanation。

WhatIhavesaidrespectingandagainstreligion，I

meanstrictlytoapplytothe~slaveholdingreligion~ofthisland，andwithnopossiblereferencetoChristi-

anityproper;for，betweentheChristianityofthisland，andtheChristianityofChrist，Irecognizethewidestpossibledifference——sowide，thattoreceivetheoneasgood，pure，andholy，isofnecessitytore-

jecttheotherasbad，corrupt，andwicked。Tobethefriendoftheone，isofnecessitytobetheenemyoftheother。Ilovethepure，peaceable，andimpar-

tialChristianityofChrist：Ithereforehatethecor-

rupt，slaveholding，women-whipping，cradle-plunder-

ing，partialandhypocriticalChristianityofthisland。

Indeed，Icanseenoreason，butthemostdeceitfulone，forcallingthereligionofthislandChristianity。

Ilookuponitastheclimaxofallmisnomers，theboldestofallfrauds，andthegrossestofalllibels。

Neverwasthereaclearercaseof\"stealingtheliveryofthecourtofheaventoservethedevilin。\"IamfilledwithunutterableloathingwhenIcontem-

platethereligiouspompandshow，togetherwiththehorribleinconsistencies，whicheverywheresurroundme。Wehavemen-stealersforministers，women-

whippersformissionaries，andcradle-plunderersforchurchmembers。Themanwhowieldstheblood-

clottedcowskinduringtheweekfillsthepulpitonSunday，andclaimstobeaministerofthemeekandlowlyJesus。Themanwhorobsmeofmyearningsattheendofeachweekmeetsmeasaclass-leaderonSundaymorning，toshowmethewayoflife，andthepathofsalvation。Hewhosellsmysister，forpurposesofprostitution，standsforthasthepi-

ousadvocateofpurity。Hewhoproclaimsitare-

ligiousdutytoreadtheBibledeniesmetherightoflearningtoreadthenameoftheGodwhomademe。Hewhoisthereligiousadvocateofmarriagerobswholemillionsofitssacredinfluence，andleavesthemtotheravagesofwholesalepollution。Thewarmdefenderofthesacrednessofthefamilyre-

lationisthesamethatscatterswholefamilies，——sun-

deringhusbandsandwives，parentsandchildren，sistersandbrothers，——leavingthehutvacant，andthehearthdesolate。Weseethethiefpreachingagainsttheft，andtheadultereragainstadultery。Wehavemensoldtobuildchurches，womensoldtosupportthegospel，andbabessoldtopurchaseBiblesforthePOORHEATHEN！ALLFORTHEGLORYOFGODANDTHE

GOODOFSOULS！Theslaveauctioneer’sbellandthechurch-goingbellchimeinwitheachother，andthebittercriesoftheheart-brokenslavearedrownedinthereligiousshoutsofhispiousmaster。Revivalsofreligionandrevivalsintheslave-tradegohandinhandtogether。Theslaveprisonandthechurchstandneareachother。Theclankingoffettersandtherattlingofchainsintheprison，andthepiouspsalmandsolemnprayerinthechurch，maybeheardatthesametime。Thedealersinthebodiesandsoulsofmenerecttheirstandinthepresenceofthepulpit，andtheymutuallyhelpeachother。

Thedealergiveshisblood-stainedgoldtosupportthepulpit，andthepulpit，inreturn，covershisin-

fernalbusinesswiththegarbofChristianity。Herewehavereligionandrobberythealliesofeachother——devilsdressedinangels’robes，andhellpresentingthesemblanceofparadise。

\"JustGod！andthesearethey，Whoministeratthinealtar，Godofright！

Menwhotheirhands，withprayerandblessing，layOnIsrael’sarkoflight。

\"What！preach，andkidnapmen？

Givethanks，androbthyownafflictedpoor？

Talkofthygloriousliberty，andthenBolthardthecaptive’sdoor？

\"What！servantsofthyownMercifulSon，whocametoseekandsaveThehomelessandtheoutcast，fetteringdownThetaskedandplunderedslave！

\"PilateandHerodfriends！

Chiefpriestsandrulers，asofold，combine！

JustGodandholy！isthatchurchwhichlendsStrengthtothespoilerthine？\"

TheChristianityofAmericaisaChristianity，ofwhosevotariesitmaybeastrulysaid，asitwasoftheancientscribesandPharisees，\"Theybindheavyburdens，andgrievoustobeborne，andlaythemonmen’sshoulders，buttheythemselveswillnotmovethemwithoneoftheirfingers。Alltheirworkstheydofortobeseenofmen。——Theylovetheupper-

mostroomsatfeasts，andthechiefseatsinthesyna-

gogues，……andtobecalledofmen，Rabbi，Rabbi。——Butwoeuntoyou，scribesandPharisees，hypocrites！foryeshutupthekingdomofheavenagainstmen;foryeneithergoinyourselves，neithersufferyethemthatareenteringtogoin。Yedevourwidows’houses，andforapretencemakelongprayers;thereforeyeshallreceivethegreaterdam-

nation。Yecompassseaandlandtomakeoneprose-

lyte，andwhenheismade，yemakehimtwofoldmorethechildofhellthanyourselves。——Woeuntoyou，scribesandPharisees，hypocrites！foryepaytitheofmint，andanise，andcumin，andhaveomit-

tedtheweightiermattersofthelaw，judgment，mercy，andfaith;theseoughtyetohavedone，andnottoleavetheotherundone。Yeblindguides！

whichstrainatagnat，andswallowacamel。Woeuntoyou，scribesandPharisees，hypocrites！foryemakecleantheoutsideofthecupandoftheplatter;

butwithin，theyarefullofextortionandexcess。——

Woeuntoyou，scribesandPharisees，hypocrites！foryearelikeuntowhitedsepulchres，whichindeedap-

pearbeautifuloutward，butarewithinfullofdeadmen’sbones，andofalluncleanness。Evensoyealsooutwardlyappearrighteousuntomen，butwithinyearefullofhypocrisyandiniquity。\"

Darkandterribleasisthispicture，IholdittobestrictlytrueoftheoverwhelmingmassofprofessedChristiansinAmerica。Theystrainatagnat，andswallowacamel。Couldanythingbemoretrueofourchurches？Theywouldbeshockedatthepropo-

sitionoffellowshippingaSHEEP-stealer;andatthesametimetheyhugtotheircommunionaMAN-

stealer，andbrandmewithbeinganinfidel，ifI

findfaultwiththemforit。TheyattendwithPhari-

saicalstrictnesstotheoutwardformsofreligion，andatthesametimeneglecttheweightiermattersofthelaw，judgment，mercy，andfaith。Theyareal-

waysreadytosacrifice，butseldomtoshowmercy。

TheyaretheywhoarerepresentedasprofessingtoloveGodwhomtheyhavenotseen，whilsttheyhatetheirbrotherwhomtheyhaveseen。Theylovetheheathenontheothersideoftheglobe。Theycanprayforhim，paymoneytohavetheBibleputintohishand，andmissionariestoinstructhim;whiletheydespiseandtotallyneglecttheheathenattheirowndoors。

Suchis，verybriefly，myviewofthereligionofthisland;andtoavoidanymisunderstanding，grow-

ingoutoftheuseofgeneralterms，Imeanbythereligionofthisland，thatwhichisrevealedinthewords，deeds，andactions，ofthosebodies，northandsouth，callingthemselvesChristianchurches，andyetinunionwithslaveholders。Itisagainstreligion，aspresentedbythesebodies，thatIhavefeltitmydutytotestify。

Iconcludetheseremarksbycopyingthefollowingportraitofthereligionofthesouth，（whichis，bycommunionandfellowship，thereligionofthenorth，）whichIsoberlyaffirmis\"truetothelife，\"

andwithoutcaricatureortheslightestexaggeration。

Itissaidtohavebeendrawn，severalyearsbeforethepresentanti-slaveryagitationbegan，byanorth-

ernMethodistpreacher，who，whileresidingatthesouth，hadanopportunitytoseeslaveholdingmor-

als，manners，andpiety，withhisowneyes。\"ShallInotvisitforthesethings？saiththeLord。Shallnotmysoulbeavengedonsuchanationasthis？\"

APARODY

\"Come，saintsandsinners，hearmetellHowpiouspriestswhipJackandNell，Andwomenbuyandchildrensell，Andpreachallsinnersdowntohell，Andsingofheavenlyunion。

\"They’llbleatandbaa，donalikegoats，Gorgedownblacksheep，andstrainatmotes，Arraytheirbacksinfineblackcoats，Thenseizetheirnegroesbytheirthroats，Andchoke，forheavenlyunion。

\"They’llchurchyouifyousipadram，Anddamnyouifyoustealalamb;

YetroboldTony，Doll，andSam，Ofhumanrights，andbreadandham;

Kidnapper’sheavenlyunion。

\"They’llloudlytalkofChrist’sreward，Andbindhisimagewithacord，Andscold，andswingthelashabhorred，AndselltheirbrotherintheLordTohandcuffedheavenlyunion。

\"They’llreadandsingasacredsong，Andmakeaprayerbothloudandlong，Andteachtherightanddothewrong，Hailingthebrother，sisterthrong，Withwordsofheavenlyunion。

\"Wewonderhowsuchsaintscansing，OrpraisetheLorduponthewing，Whoroar，andscold，andwhip，andsting，Andtotheirslavesandmammoncling，Inguiltyconscienceunion。

\"They’llraisetobacco，corn，andrye，Anddrive，andthieve，andcheat，andlie，Andlayuptreasuresinthesky，Bymakingswitchandcowskinfly，Inhopeofheavenlyunion。

\"They’llcrackoldTonyontheskull，AndpreachandroarlikeBashanbull，Orbrayingass，ofmischieffull，ThenseizeoldJacobbythewool，Andpullforheavenlyunion。

\"Aroaring，ranting，sleekman-thief，Wholivedonmutton，veal，andbeef，YetneverwouldaffordreliefToneedy，sablesonsofgrief，Wasbigwithheavenlyunion。

\"’Lovenottheworld，’thepreachersaid，Andwinkedhiseye，andshookhishead;

HeseizedonTom，andDick，andNed，Cutshorttheirmeat，andclothes，andbread，Yetstilllovedheavenlyunion。

\"AnotherpreacherwhiningspokeOfOnewhoseheartforsinnersbroke：

HetiedoldNannytoanoak，Anddrewthebloodateverystroke，Andprayedforheavenlyunion。

\"Twoothersopedtheirironjaws，Andwavedtheirchildren-stealingpaws;

Theresattheirchildreningewgaws;

Bystintingnegroes’backsandmaws，Theykeptupheavenlyunion。

\"AllgoodfromJackanothertakes，Andentertainstheirflirtsandrakes，Whodressassleekasglossysnakes，Andcramtheirmouthswithsweetenedcakes;

Andthisgoesdownforunion。\"

SincerelyandearnestlyhopingthatthislittlebookmaydosomethingtowardthrowinglightontheAmericanslavesystem，andhasteningthegladdayofdeliverancetothemillionsofmybrethreninbonds——faithfullyrelyinguponthepoweroftruth，love，andjustice，forsuccessinmyhumbleefforts——andsolemnlypledgingmyselfanewtothesacredcause，——Isubscribemyself，FREDERICKDOUGLASS

LYNN，Mass。，April28，1845。