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Petition Transcripts > Petition 11284402

Cumberland County, North Carolina,1844

To the Honourable the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina The memorial of Joshua Carmon of the Town of Fayetteville State of North Carolina Cumberland County respectfully Sheweth that he is the Owner of a Slave Known by the name of Able Payne aged about Fifty years together with his wife Patsey and Five children, which said Slaves he prays your Honourable Body to Emancipate and set free by an act of the General Assembly to be passed at your present Session the Said Slave Abel Payne together with his wife Patsey has by a long Course of Examplary fidelity and devotion to the interest of his Owner and a Succession of Faithful and meritorious services laid a Fair claim to the exercise of this act of Legislative Clemency on the Part of Your Honourable Body. Fayetteville 13th December 1844.

[signed] Jos. Carmon

Source: Records of the General Assembly, Sessions Records, Petition of Joshua Carmon to the North Carolina General Assembly, 13 December 1844, NCDAH. PAR #11284402.

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James Martin, Texas Collected by the Federal Writers Project, Works Progress Administration

Notes on interview- JAMES Martin, 31l Dawson St., San Antonio, Texas, is 90 years old. His parents were Preston and Lizzie Martin and he was born in Alexandria, Va. Uses little dialect.

1. "I was born in Virginia in 1847. My mother was a slave and my grand father was one of the early settlers in Virginia. He was born in Jamaica and his master took him to England. When the English came to Virginia, they brought us along as servants, but when they got here, everybody had slaves, so we was slaves, too. My mother was born in the West Indies.

2. "A man named Martin brought my grandfather here and we took his name. And when master was ready to die, he made a will and it said the youngest child in the slaves must be made free, so that was my father and he was made free when he was 18. That left me and my brothers and sisters all free, but all the rest of the family was slaves.

3. "My mother was born a slave near Alexandria. The marster's daughter, Miss Lisa, read to my mother, so she got some learning. When my mother's owner died he left her to Miss Lisa, and then my father met my mother and told her they should get married. My mother said to Miss Lisa: "I'd like fine to marry Preston Martin." Miss Lisa says, 'You can't do that, 'cause he's a free nigger and your children would be free. You gotta marry one of the slaves.' Then Miss Lisa lines up 10 or 15 of the slave men for my mother to pick from, but mother says she don' like any of 'em, she wants to marry Preston Martin. Miss Lisa argues but my mother is just stubborn, so Miss Lisa says 'I'll talk to the marster.' He says, 'I can't lose property like that, and if you can raise $1,200 you can buy yourse'f free.' So my mother and my father saves money and it takes a long time, but one day they goes to the marster and lays down the money, and they gits married. Marster don' like it, but he's promised and he can't back out.

4. "So me and my brothers and sisters is free. And we sees others sol' on the auction block. They're put in stalls like pens for cattle and there's a curtain, sometimes just a sheet in front of them, so the bidders can't see the stock too soon. The overseer's standin' just outside with a big black snake whip and a pepper box pistol in his hand. Then they pulls the curtain up and the bidders crowds 'round. The overseer tells the age of the slaves and what they can do. One bidder takes a pair of white gloves they have and rubs his fingers over a man's teeth, and he says, 'You say this buck's 20 years old, but there's cups worn to his teeth. He's 40 years if he's a day. So they knock that buck down for $1,000, 'cause they calls the men 'bucks' and the women 'wenches.' Then the overseer makes 'em walk across the platform, he makes em hop, he makes 'em trot, he makes em jump.

5. "When I'm old enough, I'm taught to be a saddler and when I'm 17 or 18 I enlist in the Confed'rate Army.

6. "Did they whip the slaves? Well, they jus' about half killed em. When it was too rough, they slipped into Canada.

7. "A marriage was a event. The bride and groom had to jump over a broom handle. The boss man had a white preacher, sometimes. and there was plenty good beef cornbread. But if the boss didn't care much, he jus' lined 'em up and said, 'Mandy, that's your husband and, Rufus, that's your wife.'

8. "After the war we were sent to Texas, the 9th U.S. Cavalry, under Capt. Francis F. Dodge. I was at Fort Sill, Fort Davis, Fort Stockton and Fort Clark. I was in two battles with Indians in the Guadalupe Mountains. I served under Col. Shafter in 1871 and I got my discharge under Gen. Merritt in 1872. Then I come to San Antonio

9. "I helped bring the first railroad here. The S.P. in them days only ran near Seguin and I was a spiker and worked the whole distance. Then I helped build the old railroad from Indianola to Cuero and then from Cuero to Corpus, and Schleister, I think, and Cunningham were the contractors. That was in 1873 and 1874.

10."I drove cattle for big outfits, and drove 2,000 or 3,000 head from South Texas sometimes clean up to Dakota. I drove for John Lytle, Brockhaus, Kieran and Bill Sutton. There wasn't no trails and no

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fences. The Indians would come ask for meat and we knew if we didn't give it 'em they'd stampede the cattle.

Manumission of a Slave by Deed (excerpt) December 11, 1793

. . . that according to an Act passed in May 1782 . . . I Laurence Stephens of Wythe County . . . being fully persuaded that freedom is the natural Right of all mankind that God of one Blood Created all nations Africa not Excepted I look upon it therefore My Duty to do unto all men as I would they should unto me and having under my Care Negroes whom I have hitherto held as Slaves Viz Swan born Anno Dom 1771; Tom born Anno Dom 1777; Lewis born Anno Dom 1790 Thereby Emancipate and set free all and every one of the above mentioned slaves . . . and having also now in my possession Tom and Lewis in their minority Both of whom I also Emancipate and set free yet believe it to be my Duty to act as Guardian over them till they arrive to the age of 21 years . . . and their posterity to enjoy that full freedom without interruption from me or any person.

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Constitution of Vermont - July 8, 1777

WHEREAS, all government ought to be instituted and supported, for the security and protection of the community, as such, and to enable the individuals who compose it, to enjoy their natural rights, and the other blessings which the Author of existence has bestowed upon man; and whenever those great ends of government are not obtained, the people have a right, by common consent, to change it, and take such measures as to them may appear necessary to promote their safety and happiness…

CHAPTER IA DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE STATE OF VERMONT

I. THAT all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and unalienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety. Therefore, no male person, born in this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law, to serve any person, as a servant, slave or apprentice, after he arrives to the age of twenty-one Years, nor female, in like manner, after she arrives to the age of eighteen years, unless they are bound by their own consent, after they arrive to such age, or bound by law, for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like.

II. That private property ought to be subservient to public uses, when necessity requires it; nevertheless, whenever any particular man's property is taken for the use of the public, the owner ought to receive an equivalent in money.

III. That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship ALMIGHTY GOD, according to the dictates of their own consciences and understanding, regulated by the word of GOD; and that no man ought, or of right can be compelled to attend any religious worship, or erect, or support any place of worship, or maintain any minister, contrary to the dictates of his conscience; nor can any man who professes the protestant religion, be justly deprived or abridged of any civil right, as a citizen, on account of his religious sentiment, or peculiar mode of religious worship, and that no authority can, or ought to be vested in, or assumed by, any power whatsoever, that shall, in any case, interfere with, or in any manner controul, the rights of conscience, in the free exercise of religious worship: nevertheless, every sect or denomination of people ought to observe the Sabbath, or the Lord's day, and keep up, and support, some sort of religious worship, which to them shall seem most agreeable to the revealed will of GOD.

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[Fortress Monroe, Va.]  May 9, 1863. Question   How many of the people called contrabands, have come under your observation? Answer   Some 10,000 have come under our control, to be fed in part, and clothed in part, but I cannot speak accurately in regard to the number.  This is the rendezvous.  They come here from all about, from Richmond and 200 miles off in North Carolina   There was one gang that started from Richmond 23 strong and only 3 got through. Q  In your opinion, is there any communication between the refugees and the black men still in slavery? A. Yes Sir, we have had men here who have gone back 200 miles. Q  In your opinion would a change in our policy which would cause them to be treated with fairness, their wages punctually paid and employment furnished them in the army, become known and would it have any effect upon others in slavery? A  Yes—Thousands upon Thousands.  I went to

Suffolk a short time ago to enquire into the state of things there—for I found I could not get any foot hold to make things work there, through the Commanding General, and I went to the Provost Marshall and all hands—and the colored people actually sent a deputation to me one morning before I was up to know if we put black men in irons and sent them off to Cuba to be sold or set them at work and put balls on their legs and whipped them, just as in slavery; because that was the story up there, and they were frightened and didn't know what to do.  When I got at the feelings of these people I found they were not afraid of the slaveholders.  They said there was nobody on the plantations but women and they were not afraid of them   One woman came through 200 miles in Men's clothes.  The most valuable information we recieved in regard to the Merrimack and the operations of the rebels came from the colored people and they got no credit for it.  I found hundreds who had left their wives and families behind…  As I was saying they do not feel afraid now.  The white people have nearly all gone, the blood hounds are not there now to hunt them and they are not afraid,  before they were afraid to stir… 

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Q  Do I understand you to say that a great many who have escaped have been sent back? A  Yes Sir,  The masters will come in to Suffolk in the day time and with the help of some of the 99th carry off their fugitives and by and by smuggle them across the lines and the soldier will get his $20. or $50.

. . . . Excerpts from testimony of Capt. C. B. Wilder before the American Freedmen's Inquiry Commission, 9 May 1863, filed with O-328 1863, Letters Received, ser. 12, Record Group 94, Adjutant General's Office, National Archives.

The Emancipation ProclamationJanuary 1, 1863 A Transcription

By the President of the United States of America: A Proclamation.

"That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.

"That the Executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof, respectively, shall then be in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day be, in good faith, represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State, and the people thereof, are not then in rebellion against the United States."

…And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons…

And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.

And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God.

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In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh.

By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

Petition Transcripts > Petition 11585306

Harrison County, Texas, 1853

To the Honorable the Senate & House of Representatives of the State of Texas The undersigned J F McDonald respectfully represents that he is the owner of a negro man known by the name of Henry Moore who is about forty years of age and of black complexion- that said Henry has faithfully and obediently served him and all others to whom he has belonged and who have had him under their charge and that his faithfulness industry integrity and general good deportment have enable him in addition to the service rendered his master to accumulate a sufficient sum of money to purchase his freedom and he now desires by paying me the said McDonald his master master his value in money to obtain his freedom and I the said McDonald upon these terms am willing and desirious to emancipate and set him free from servitude and grant him personal freedom and liberty so far as he in accordance with the law may be permitted to enjoy the same- And we the undersigned Citizens of Harrison County and State of Texas respectfully represent and say that we have long known the said negro man Henry, that he is a man of fixed honesty integrity industry and general good deportment and conduct and that he is respectful and humble in the presence of the white population regardless of their rank or condition in life and that he would remain and continue so to be if emancipated from servitude and permitted to remain in the state of Texas- and that we believe that if the said Henry were emancipated and permitted to remain within the limits of the state of Texas that his deportment and conduct would tend to the promotion of public order and decorum among all upon whom he might have or exert any influence- and that he would studiously avoid creating discontent and dissatisfaction among slaves with their condition and we believe that he would promptly discourage and discountenance the attempt in others so to do and that he would endeavor to suppress such a feeling if he found it existing- and we believe that as a negro he would be a friend of order and decorum and that his residen residence in the state after emancipation would not prejudice or have a tendency to prejudice the well being and interest of society or of individuals- and we believe that he would rely upon honest labor integrity and industry for a support and that by these means he would support and maintain himself and acquire enough in this way to sustain him in infirm old age so that he will not become or be a public charge and finally we are willing for him to be emancipated and remain in the state of Texas and reside among us if after emancipation he may desire so to do Wherefore we

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pray your Honorable body to pass an act authorizing the said McDonald to emancipate the said Henry in the state of Texas and authorizing the said Henry upon and after his emancipation to be and remain permanently in the state of Texas emancipated and set free from involuntary servitude

[signed] Joseph F. McDonald C- A- Frazer S R Peny E C Beuzley H Key T T Gregg Saml P Taylor Edward Clark T. A. Harris N W, Eames [12 additional signatures]

Source: Records of the Legislature, Petition of Joseph F. McDonald, et al., to the Texas Senate and House of Representatives, 8 December 1853, Memorials and Petitions, RG 100, Texas State Library-Archives Division, Austin Texas. No act was passed. PAR #11585306.

Petition Transcripts > Petition 11279202

Wilkinson County, Mississippi, ca. 1852

Unto the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina.

The Petition of Samuel Jasper, Executor of Caleb White deceased, Humbly Showeth That his Brother Caleb White by his last Will and Testament liberated his Negroe Slave Jack upon condition that the said Jack would pay the sum of £100 to his Executor. Sheweth that the services performed by the said Jack were such as did great honor to the name of humanity and highly merited much greater reward than that of Emancipation- A Service no less than that of taking prisoners the whole Crew of a British pri[v]ateer & releasing his Master and a number of others who were at that time captured by the said British Cruiser. Together with making the said British privateer a Capture to the United States- Showeth that the said Negroe Jack at Annapolis in the year of received the thanks of the Congress of the United States then sitting for the said service & a recommendation to his Master to liberate him therefore; Showeth that the said Jack hath paid the sum of £100 as directed by the Will of your Petitioner's Testator. And your Petitioner prays that the said Jack may be liberated by Law and your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray.

[signed] Samuel Jasper, Executor of Caleb White Indian Town, 17 Novr. 1792

Source: Records of the General Assembly, Sessions Records, Petition of Samuel Jasper, Executor of Caleb White, to the North Carolina General Assembly, 14 December 1792, North Carolina Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, North Carolina [hereafter NCDAH]. No act was passed. PAR #11279202.

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Confession of Solomon

Communications made to the subscribers by Solomon, the property of Thomas H. Prosser, of Henrico, now under sentence of death for plotting an insurrection.

My brother Gabriel was the person who influenced me to join him and others in order that (as he said) we might conquer the white people and possess ourselves of their property. I enquired how we were to effect it. He said by falling upon them (the whites) in the dead of night, at which time they would be unguarded and unsuspicious. I then enquired who was at the head of the plan. He said Jack, alias Jack Bowler. I asked him if Jack Bowler knew anything about carrying on war. He replied he did not. I then enquired who he was going to employ. He said a man from Caroline who was at the siege of Yorktown, and who was to meet him (Gabriel) at the Brook and to proceed on to Richmond, take, and then fortify it. This man from Caroline was to be commander and manager the first day, and then, after exercising the soldiers, the command was to be resigned to Gabriel- If Richmond was taken without the loss of many men they were to continue there some time, but if they sustained any considerable loss they were to bend their course for Hanover Town or York, they were not decided to which, and continue at that place as long as they found they were able to defend it, but in the event of a defeat or loss at those places they were to endeavor to form a junction with some negroes which, they had understood from Mr. Gregory's overseer, were in rebellion in some quarter of the country. This information which they had gotten from the overseer, made Gabriel anxious, upon which he applied to me to make scythe-swords, which I did to the number of twelve. Every Sunday he came to Richmond to provide ammunition and to . find where the military stores were deposited. Gabriel informed me, in case of success that they intended to subdue the whole of the country where slavery was permitted, but no further.

The first places Gabriel intended to attack in Richmond were, the Capitol, the Magazine, the Penitentiary, the Governor's house and his person. The inhabitants were

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to be massacred, save those who begged for quarter and agreed to serve as soldiers with them. The reason why the insurrection was to be made at this particular time was, the discharge of the number of soldiers, one or two months ago, which induced Gabriel to believe the plan would be more easily executed.

Given under our hands this '5th day of September, 1800.

GERVAS STORRS, JOSEPH SELDEN.

H.W. Flournoy, ed.,Calender of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts from January 1, 1799, to December 31, 1807; preserved in the Capitol at Richmond, 11 volumes (Richmond, 1890)

Petition Transcripts > Petition 11680508

Mecklenburg County, Virginia, 1805

To the Honourable, the speaker of the House of Representatives the petition of Thomas Reekes Humbly Sheweth, Henry Ashton, a magistrate of this County, duly issued a warrant, for the purpose of apprehending Several Negroe slaves suspected and charged with plotting and Conspiring the Murder of some Certain Citizens of this County by mixing a Certain Mortal poison with their food, that the said warrant being executed by the officer aforesaid, the said slaves were apprehended, and duly examined by the Magistrate aforesaid upon the result of which, three were deemed Guilty and accordingly Committed to the Custody of the sheriff or jailer of this County for the purpose of being arraigned and tryed before a Court of Oyer and Terminer, which were legally summoned for their arraignment and tryal aforesaid, that one of the slaves so Committed was the property of your petitioner and named Frank. The day on which said Frank was to be tryed he was suddenly taken ill, and departed this life, and event which your petitioner firmly believes was produced by the Cruel rigour of his Confinement.

Your petitioner thinks it highly reasonable the Commonwealth should make him a Compensation for his slave, A valuable one to him indeed, being the only male one he possesed and his labour being absolutely nesasary for the support of your petitioners family. Your petitioner is entitled to be paid his Value by those for whose good he was taken from him, To wit the Community, from all which Circumstances & reasons Your petitioner prays that a law may be pass,d making him a Compensation for the slave aforesaid and your petitioner will ever pray [signed] Thos Reekes . . . Mecklenburg County 29th. Nov: 1805 In the month February 1802 (at which time I acted as Deputy Sheriff of Mecklenburg County) the[re] were several negroes in said County accused with ploting together, some to poison their Masters & some to do

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other unlawful acts which made it necessary to arrest fifteen or twenty for the purpose of investigating and examining into their Conduct It appeared that Dick the Property of John Gregory had made a plot with Frank the property of Thomas Reeks [sic], to poison the said Gregory, from the evidence the said Frank was the person whom Dick obtained his poison from, and was the instructor in the way of administration. Several negroes seem’d to have a Knowledge of the conspiracy, But Frank the property of Reeks was a very artful fellow, and appeared to have been the foundation of the evil designs of the rest, relative to the poisoning Dick the property of John Gregory Good was examined by the Court of Mecklenburg County & was condem[n]ed & executed, and Frank the property of Thomas Reeks on his way from the jailers died a very sudden death, That the cause of his death was attributed to be, either the confinement in a waggon or his taking poison before he started from the jailors which was about Seven miles from this Court house & he died the morning before his examination ?was to take place from the cause aforesaid as was supposed- The negroe was a well Healthy looking person & appea[re]d to be of a very vicious disposition proud & Malignant, with great impudence - I believe it was the General oppinion, That Frank the property of Thomas Reeks was the the instigator of the ploting, and deserved death by the law of the land,- and I think the oppinion was quite correct[signed] Richard Apperson

Source: Legislative Petitions, Petition of Thomas Reekes to the Speaker of the Virginia House of Representatives, 11 December 1805, Mecklenburg County, VSA; Affidavit, Richard Apperson, 29 November 1805, with ibid. Rejected. PAR #11680508.

"The Confessions of Nat Turner" I was thirty-one years of age the second of October last, and born the property of Benjamin Turner, of this county. In my childhood a circumstance occurred which made an indelible impression on my mind, and laid the groundwork of that enthusiasm which has terminated so fatally to many, both white and black, and for which I am about to atone at the gallows. It is here necessary to relate this circumstance...My mother and grandmother strengthened me, saying, in my presence, I was intended for some great purpose, which they had always thought from certain marks on my head and breast…

When I got large enough to go to work, while employed I was reflecting on many things that would present themselves to my imagination; and whenever an opportunity occurred of looking at a book, when the school-children were getting their lessons, I would find many things that the fertility of my own imagination had depicted to me before. All my time, not devoted to my master's service, was spent either in prayer, or in making experiments in casting different things in moulds made of earth, in attempting to make paper, gunpowder, and many other experiments, that, although I could not perfect, yet convinced me of its practicability if I had the means.

…I took my station in the rear, and, as it was my object to carry terror and devastation wherever we went, I placed fifteen or twenty of the best armed and most to be relied on in front, who generally approached the houses as fast as their horses could run. This was for two purposes-to prevent their escape, and strike terror to the inhabitants; on this account I never got to the houses, after leaving Mrs. Whitehead's, until the murders were committed, except in one case. I sometimes got in sight in time to see the work of death completed; viewed the mangled bodies as they lay, in silent satisfaction, and immediately started in quest of other victims. Having murdered Mrs. Waller and ten children, we started for Mr. Wm. Williams, --

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having killed him and two little boys that were there; while engaged in this, Mrs. Williams fled and got some distance from the house, but she was pursued, overtaken, and compelled to get up behind one of the company, who brought her back, and, after showing her the mangled body of her lifeless husband, she was told to get down and lay by his side, where she was shot dead.

The white men pursued and fired on us several times. Hark had his horse shot under him, and I caught another for him as it was running by me; five or six of my men were wounded, but none left on the field. Finding myself defeated here, I instantly determined to go through a private way, and cross the Nottoway River at the Cypress Bridge, three miles below Jerusalem, and attack that place in the rear, as I expected they would look for me on the other road, and I had a great desire to get there to procure arms and ammunition... On this, I gave up all hope for the present; and on Thursday night, after having supplied myself with provisions from Mr. Travis, I scratched a hole under a pile of fence-rails in a field, where I concealed myself for six weeks, never leaving my hiding-place but for a few minutes in the dead of the night to get water, which was very near. Thinking by this time I could venture out, I began to go about in the night, and eavesdrop the houses in the neighborhood - pursuing this course for about a fortnight, and gathering little or no intelligence, afraid of speaking to any human being, and returning every morning to my cave before the dawn of day. I know not how long I might have led this life, if accident had not betrayed me. A dog in the neighborhood passing by my hiding-place one night while I was out, was attracted by some meat I had in my cave, and crawled in and stole it, and was coming out just as I returned. A few nights after, two Negroes having started to go hunting with the same dog, and passed that way, the dog came again to the place, and having just gone out to walk about, discovered me and barked; on which, thinking myself discovered, I spoke to them to beg concealment. On making myself known, they fled from me. Knowing then they would betray me, I immediately left my hiding-place, and was pursued almost incessantly, until I was taken, a fortnight afterwards, by Mr. Benjamin Phipps, in a little hole I bad dug out with my sword, for the purpose of concealment, under the top of a fallen tree.

The Confessions of Nat Turner, the leader of the late insurrection, in Southhampton (county), by Thomas R. Gray, VA...Baltimore, 1831

From- The Liberator, 12 January 1849.

PINEVILLE, (Pa.) Jan. 4, 1849.

DEAR FRIEND GARRISON:

One of the most interesting cases of the escape of fugitives from American slavery that have ever come before the American people, has just occurred, under the following circumstances:—William and Ellen Crapt [sic], man and wife, lived with different masters in the State of Georgia. Ellen is so near white, that she can pass without suspicion for a white woman. Her husband is much darker. He is a mechanic, and by working nights and Sundays, he laid up money enough to bring himself and his wife out of slavery. Their plan was without precedent; and though novel, was the means of getting them their freedom. Ellen dressed in man's clothing, and passed as the master, while her husband passed as the servant. In this way they travelled from Georgia to Philadelphia. They are now out of the reach of the blood-hounds of the South. On their journey, they put up at the best hotels where they stopped. Neither of them can read or write. And Ellen, knowing that she would be called upon to write her name at the hotels, &c., tied her right hand up as though it was lame, which proved of some service to her, as she was called upon several times at hotels to 'register' her name. In Charleston, S. C., they put up at the hotel which Gov. M'Duffie and John C. Calhoun generally make their home, yet these distinguished advocates of the 'peculiar institution' say that the slaves cannot take care of themselves. They arrived in Philadelphia, in four days from the time they started. Their history, especially that of their escape, is replete with interest. They will be at the meeting of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, in Boston, in the latter part of this month, where I know the history of their escape will be listened to with great

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interest. They are very intelligent. They are young, Ellen 22, and Wm. 24 years of age. Ellen is truly a heroine.

Yours, truly,

WM. W. BROWN.

P.S. They are now hid away within 25 miles of Philadelphia, where they will remain until the 6th when they will leave me for New England. Will you please say in the Liberator that I will lecture, in connexion with them, as follows:—

At Norwich, Ct., Thursday evening, Jan. 18.

Staunton Spectator June 1860 Newspaper Transcriptions

The Spectator, June 26, 1860, p. 1 , c. 4

Singular Affair.

Some six years ago, a man came to this place, or rather its vicinity, calling himself Heriff, and has since then worked for numerous gentlemen in the county, as a day laborer. Although of rather dark complexion, no one ever supposed him to be akin to the descendents of Ham. After living here sometime, he won the affections of a pretty white girl whom he married. Things went on 's quite prosperously for some time, two children gladening the happy father's heart, when, alas! his felicitous existance was unexpectedly terminated. A negro man, in town, seems to have conceived the idea that all was not right with Heriff, and that he bore the indications of being more closely connected with the sons of Afric's burning sands, than is countenanced on Southern soil, and communicated this idea to a gentleman, who upon seeing him, immediately recognized him as the same individual once belonging to a gentleman at or near the Hot Springs in Bath county, and from whom he had run off. The gentleman was

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informed of the fact, and on the 2nd inst. he arrived here, in company with someone who could substantiate his claims. He met Heriff in one of our stores, and informed him that he had come for him and claimed him as his servant. He seemed rather indignant, upon receiving this unpleasant piece of information, but after a few words, he acknowledged his true character, and accompanied his master home.

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Harriet Jacobs

Christmas Festivities

On this occasion, I was warned to keep extremely quiet, because two guests had been invited. One was the town constable, and the other was a free colored man, who tried to pass himself off for white, and who was always ready to do any mean work for the sake of currying favor with white people. My grandmother had a motive for inviting them. She managed to take them all over the house. All the rooms on the lower floor were thrown open for them to pass in and out; and after dinner, they were invited up stairs to look at a fine mocking bird my uncle had just brought home. There, too, the rooms were all thrown open that they might look in. When I heard them talking on the piazza, my heart almost stood still. I knew this colored man had spent many nights hunting for me. Every body knew he had the blood of a slave father in his veins; but for the sake of passing himself off for white, he was ready to kiss the slaveholders' feet. How I despised him! As for the constable, he wore no false colors. The duties of his office were despicable, but he was superior to his companion, inasmuch as he did not pretend to be what he was not. Any white man, who could raise money enough to

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buy a slave, would have considered himself degraded by being a constable; but the office enabled its possessor to exercise authority. If he found any slave out after nine o'clock, he could whip him as much as he liked; and that was a privilege to be coveted. When the guests were ready to depart, my grandmother gave each of them some of her nice pudding, as a present for their wives. Through my peep-hole I saw them go out of the gate, and I was glad when it closed after them. So passed the first Christmas in my den.

Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Dixon),Williamsburg, April 14, 1774.

NEABSCO FURNACE, April 1, 1774. RUN away from the Neabsco Furnace, on the 16th of last Month, a light coloured Mulatto Man named BILLY or WILL, the Property of the Honourable John Tayloe, Esquire. When I tell the Publick that he is the same Boy, who, for many Years, used to wait on me in my Travels through this and the neighbouring Province, and, by his Pertness, or rather Impudence, was well known to almost all my Acquaintances, there is the less Occasion for a particular Description of him. However, as he is now grown to the size of a Man, and has not attended me for some Time past, I think it not amiss to say that he is a very likely young Fellow, about twenty Years old, five Feet nine Inches high, stout and strong made, has a remarkable Swing in his Walk, but is much more so by a surprising Knack he has of gaining the good Graces of almost every Body who will listen to his bewitching and deceitful Tongue which seldom if ever speaks the Truth; has a small Scar on the right Side of his Forehead, and the little Finger of his right Hand is quite straight by a Hurt he got when a Child. He had on

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when he went away a blue Fearnought and an under Jacket of green Baize, Cotton Breeches, Osnabrug Shirt, a mixed blue Pair of Stockings, a Pair of Country made Shoes, and yellow Buckles. From his Ingenuity, he is capable of doing almost any sort of Business, and for some Years past has been chiefly employed as a Founder, a Stone Mason, and a Miller, as Occasion required; one of which Trades, I imagine, he will, in the Character of a Freeman, profess. I have some Reason to suspect his travelling towards James River, under the Pretence of being sent by me on Business. Whoever apprehends the said Mulatto Slave, and brings him to me, or to his Master, the Honourable John Tayloe of Mount Airy, or secures him so as to be had again, shall have double what the Law allows, and all reasonable Charges paid by THOMAS LAWSON.

Virginia Gazette (Purdie),Williamsburg, December 12, 1777.

WILLIAMSBURG, Dec. 10, 1777. I WILL give a reward of five dollars, besides what the law allows, to any person who will apprehend Johnny, otherwise called John Harris, a mulatto man slave who formerly waited upon my uncle, the late Peyton Randolph, Esq; and secure him, so that I may get him again. He took with him, when he went away, a green broadcloth coat, and a new crimson waistcoat and breeches, a light coloured bath coating great coat, a London brown Bath coating close bodied coat, a pair of old crimson cloth breeches, and some changes of clothes. He is about five feet seven or eight inches high, wears straight hair, cut in his neck, is much addicted to drinking, has gray eyes, can read and write tolerably well, and may probably endeavour to pass for a freeman. The above reward of five dollars will be given if he is taken in Virginia, but five pounds, besides what the law allows, will be paid to any

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person, besides what the law allows, will be paid to any person who apprehends him out of Virginia and conveys him to me. EDMUND RANDOLPH.

The Fugitive Slave Act 1850

Section 3

And be it further enacted, That the Circuit Courts of the United States shall from time to time enlarge the number of the commissioners, with a view to afford reasonable facilities to reclaim fugitives from labor, and to the prompt discharge of the duties imposed by this act.

Section 4

And be it further enacted, That the commissioners above named shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the judges of the Circuit and District Courts of the United States, in

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their respective circuits and districts within the several States, and the judges of the Superior Courts of the Territories, severally and collectively, in term-time and vacation; shall grant certificates to such claimants, upon satisfactory proof being made, with authority to take and remove such fugitives from service or labor, under the restrictions herein contained, to the State or Territory from which such persons may have escaped or fled.

Section 5

And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of all marshals and deputy marshals to obey and execute all warrants and precepts issued under the provisions of this act, when to them directed; and should any marshal or deputy marshal refuse to receive such warrant, or other process, when tendered, or to use all proper means diligently to execute the same, he shall, on conviction thereof, be fined in the sum of one thousand dollars…

Section 6

And be it further enacted, That when a person held to service or labor in any State or Territory of the United States, has heretofore or shall hereafter escape into another State or Territory of the United States, the person or persons to whom such service or labor may be due, or his, her, or their agent or attorney, duly authorized, by power of attorney, in writing, , may pursue and reclaim such fugitive person,

Section 7

And be it further enacted, That any person who shall knowingly and willingly obstruct, hinder, or prevent such claimant, his agent or attorney, or any person or persons lawfully assisting him, her, or them, from arresting such a fugitive from service or labor, …after notice or knowledge of the fact that such person was a fugitive from service or labor as aforesaid, shall, for either of said offences, be subject to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, and imprisonment not exceeding six months, by indictment and conviction before the District Court of the United States for the district in which such offence may have been committed.