xt78cz322k7v https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt78cz322k7v/data/mets.xml Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884. 1863  books b92e18596b7601863 English James M. Symms & co.  : Savannah, Ga. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. African Americans --Biography. The black man: his antecedents, his genius and his achievements. text The black man: his antecedents, his genius and his achievements. 1863 2009 true xt78cz322k7v section xt78cz322k7v 
  
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY of KENTUCKY

  
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY of KENTUCKY

  
  
  
  
THE BLACK

MAN:

HIS

ANTECEDENTS, HIS

HIS GENIUS, A N D -

ACHIEVEMENTS.

WILLIAM

WELLS

BE OWN.

PUBLISHED F O E

JAMES

M. SIMMS

& CO.,

SAVANNAH,

G A.

1 85230

  
E ntered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by WILLIAM WELLS BROWN,

the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

**I BO.STj?S

* f BRFGTTPEt) A T T O E STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY.

  
TO

THE ADVOCATES AND FRIENDS
OF

NEGRO

FREEDOM

AND

EQUALITY,

WHEEEVEE

FOUND,

BY

THE

AUTHOK.

  
  
PREFACE.

T H E c alumniators and traducers of the Negro are to be found, mainly, among two classes. The first a nd m ost relentless are those who have d one t hem the greatest injury, by being instrumental i n their e nslavement and consequent degradation. They delight to descant upon-the " n a t u r a l i nferiority" of t he blacks, and claim that we were destined only for a s ervile condition, entitled neither to liberty nor the l egitimate p ursuit of happiness. t he race, and are m eet a nd refute The second first. class To to are those who are ignorant of the characteristics of the mere echoes o f the these misrepresentations, and

s upply a deficiency, long felt i n the community, of a _ w ork containing sketches of individuals who, by t lieir o wn genius, capacity, and intellectual development, h ave surmounted the many obstacles which slavery
1*

  
6 a n d p rejudice t hemselves to

PREFACE.

have t h r o w n i n t h e i r w a y , a n d r a i s e d positions of h o n o r a n d i n f l u e n c e , t h i s The characters are for represented in

v o l u m e was w r i t t e n . m ost of these

biographies

the first t i m e p u t

i n print.

T h e author's

long

sojourn i n E u r o p e , his

o p p o r t u n i t y of research a m i d the a r c h i v e s of E n g l a n d a n d P r a n c e , a n d his v i s i t to g i v e n h i m the advantage of the W e s t I n d i e s , have respecting

information

t he blacks seldom I f t his w o r k

acquired. a i d i n v i n d i c a t i n g the Negro's

shall

c haracter, a n d s how t hat he is e n d o w e d w i t h t hose intellectual and d ignify amiable qualities w h i c h m eet t he adorn most and san-

human nature, it w i l l

g u i n e h opes o f the w r i t e r .
CAMBRIDGEPORT, MASS., 1563.

  
CONTENTS.

Mem
MEMOIR OP T H E AUTHOR, . . . 11 81 T H E B L A C K M A N A N D HIS A N T E C E D E N T S ,

THE BLACK MAN, HIS GENIUS AND HIS ACHIEVEMENTS.
BENJAMIN BANNEKEB, NAT TUBNEB, MADISON WASHINGTON, HENRY BIBB, PLACIDO, J E R E M I A H B . SANDERSON, T oUSSAINT L ' O u V E B T U B E , C RISPUS A T T U C K S , DESSALINES, IRA ALDRIDOE, JOSEPH CINQUE, , . . . . . . ' ""   . . 51 59 75 86' 88 91 92 1 06 1 10     1 18 1 24 1 28 1 32 1 38 . . . . . . . . . 142 1 49

ALEXANDRE DUMAS, HENRI CHRISTOPHE, .

PUILLIS W H E A T L E T , . DENMARK VESEY, .

HENRY HIGHLAND

GARNETT,

CO

  
8

CONTENTS. PAQ3

JAMES M .

WHITFIELD,

.

.

   

   

   

   

152 153 1 60

ANDRE RIGAUD, FRANCES E L L E N WATKINS EX-PRESIDENT ROBERTS, ALEXANDER CRUMMELL, ALEXANDRE PETION, MARTIN R. . .    . . . . .     . . . .     .     .             .            . .         .     .        

163 165 169 .174 175 180 187

DELANY, M . D . , .

ROBERT SMALL,

FREDERICK DOUGLASS, CHARLES L . REASON, . . . . . . . . .

CHARLOTTE L . FORTEN, WILLIAM H . SIMPSON,

190 199

JEAN PIERRE BOYER, JAMES M ' C U N E SMITH, BISHOP PAYNE,

. M . D.,

.

.

.

.

.

.

202 205 .207

WILLIAM STILL, EDWIN M . BANNISTER, GRIMES, '

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

211 214 217 220

LEONARD A .

PRESIDENT G E F F B A B D , GEORGE B . YASHON, . . . . . . . " . . . . . . . . . . .

223 2 27 .230 235

ROBERT MORRIS,

WILLIAM J . WILSON, JOHN M E R C E R LANGSTON, WILLIAM C. N E L L , JOHN SELLA MARTIN, CHARLES L E N O X REMOND, GEORGE T . DOWNING, . . . . . . . .

.

238 241 246

. . .

2 50 2 53 259

ROBERT PURVIS,     JOSEPH JENKINS

  
C ONTENTS.

9
P AQl

JOHN S. -

ROCK, .

.

.

.

   

   

   

'

   

.

.

266 271 272 274 276 278 2 84 28G

WILLIAM DOUGLASS, ELYMAS PAYSON J . THEODORE JAMES W . A ROGEBS,

HOLLY,

C . PENNINGTON,

M A N - WITHOUT A N A M E ,

SAMUEL R. W A R D , S IR E D W A R D J O R D A N , * J O S E P H CARTES, JAMES LAWSON, CAPT. CALLIOUX CAPT. JOSEPH HOWARD . .    

    288 291 .297 3 08

  
  
MEMOIR OF T H E AUTHOR.

I T V A S b o r n at L e x i n g t o n , K e n t u c k y . M y father, as I w as informed, was a member of the W i c k l i f f e f a m i l y ; m y m other was of m i x e d b l o o d ; her father, i t was said, was t he D oted D a n i e l B o o n e , and her mother a negress. M y e arly l ife on the plantation was such as generally falls to t he lot of the y o u n g slave, t i l l I a r r i v e d at the age o f n ine y ears, w h e n m y position was changed. M y master's brother l ost his wife, she l e a v i n g an infant son a few months old, w h o m m y mistress t ook t o b r i n g up. W h e n this boy became O ld enough to need a playmate to w a t c h over h i m , m istress called the y o u n g slaves together, to select one for t he purpose. W e were a l l ordered to r u n , j u m p , wrestle, t u r n s omersets, w a l k on our hands, a n d go t h r o u g h the v arious gymnastic exercises that the imagination of our b rain c ould invent, or the strength a n d a c t i v i t y of our l imbs c ould endure. T h e selection was to be an important o ne, both to the mistress and the slave. W h o e v e r should g ain t he place was i n the future to b ecome a h ouse s e r v a n t ; t he ask-cake t h r o w n aside, that unmentionable garment t hat b uttons around the neck, w h i c h we a l l wore, a n d n othing e lse, was to give w a y to the whole suit of t o w l inen. E v e r y one of us j o i n e d heartily i n the contest, w hile o l d mistress sat on the piazza, w a t c h i n g our every m ovement     s ome f ifteen of us, each dressed i n his one g arment, sometimes standing on our heads w i t h f eet i n the a i r     s t i l l t he l a d y l o o k e d on. W i t h m e i t seemed a

  
12

M EMOIR O F T H E A U T H O R .

m atter of life and d e a t h ; for, being blood k i n to master, I f elt that I h a d more at stake t h a n m y companions. At l ast t he c hoice w as made, and I was t o l d to step aside as t he " l u c k y boy;" w h i c h order I o beyed w i t h a n alacrity s eldom surpassed. T h a t night I was put to soak, after w h i c h I w as scraped, scrubbed, washed, and dried. T h e n ext day, the new suit c ame d o w n to the quarters; I s lipped i nto i t ; the y o u n g slaves gathered about me, and I w as the star of the plantation. M y mother, one of the b est Of m others, placed her hands on "my head, and, w i t h t ears i n h er e yes, s aid, " I k n o w e d y o u was born for g ood l uck, f or a fortune-teller t o l d me so when y o u was a baby l a y i n ' i n y our l ittle s ugar trough. G o up to de great house where y o u belong." W i t h t his blessing I b ade f arewell to the log h ut a nd the d irt floor, and started towards the " b i g h o u s e . " M istress r eceived me, and l aid d o w n the l a w w h i c h was to g overn m y future actions. " I give y o u r y o u n g master o ver to y o u , " said s h e ; " a n d i f you let h i m h u r t himself, I ' l l p u l l y our ears; i f y o u let h i m cry, I ' l l p u l l y our ears; i f h e wants any t h i n g , and y o u don't give i t to h i m , I ' l l p u l l y o u r ears; w h e n he g oes t o sleep, i f you let h i m wake b efore i t is time, I ' l l p u l l y o u r ears." A n d r i g h t w e l l d i d she keep her promise, for m y ears felt the impress of her t ender fingers and g o l d rings almost every day, and at t imes nearly every hour. Y e t I w o u l d not have y o u suppose, gentle reader, that m y o l d mistress was of l o w or common o r i g i n ; but on the c ontrary, she boasted that the b est b lood of the south c oursed through her blue veins. M y master, D r . J o h n Y o u n g , w as a m a n of considerable standing i n his section o f the state. A member of the church, his seat was not o ften empty d u r i n g religious service. H e was v e r y strict as to the observance of the Sabbath, held prayer n i g h t and m orning, a nd entertained more t r a v e l l i n g preachers t h a n a lmost any one i n his neighborhood. T h e doctor d i d not surpass his wife i n d evotedness t o

  
M EMOIR O P T H E A U T H O R .

13

r eligious o bservances. O f these t r a v e l l i n g m inisters, each b a d a favorite, w h o i n t u r n u sed to spend several days o n t he plantation, h u n t i n g , shooting, fishing, v i s i t i n g , a n d at t imes preaching. T h e R e v . M r . P i n c h e n w a s m y mistress's f avorite, a nd he was indeed an interesting character. S h o r t a nd s tout, somewhat i n c l i n e d to corpulency, deeply pockmarked, q uick i n his motions, a n d w i t h a s trong voice, he w as one of the funniest of men w h e n t e l l i n g h is l o n g stories a bout his religious and other experience i n the south. I h ad been i n the great house nearly three years, w h e n M r . P i n c h e n was expected to make his annual v isit. ' T h e s tir a bout the d w e l l i n g , the cleaning o f paint, the scalding o ut of the bedbugs, and the orders and counter-orders f rom M r s . Y o u n g , showed p l a i n l y t hat something u n c o m m o n was to take place. H i g h a nd angry words h a d passed b etween master and mistress, one m o r n i n g , w h e n the latter w eepingly and snufllingly exclaimed, " N e v e r m i n d ; y o u ' l l n ot have me here always to hector and to w o r r y : I ' l l die o ne of these days, and t h e n y o u ' l l b e g l a d o f i t . N e v e r m i n d ; k eep on, and y o u ' l l s end me to m y grave b efore t he t ime. N e v e r m i n d ; o ne of these days the L o r d w i l l m ake u p his jewels, call me home to glory, a nd I ' l l be out of y o u r w ay, and I ' l l be devilish g l a d of i t too." H e r weeping i n creased, and she continued, " N e v e r m i n d ; b rother P i n c h e n w i l l b e here soon, and then I ' l l have s omebody t o t a l k t o m e about r e l i g i o n . " A t this moment, H a n n a h , t he w a i t i n g m a i d , e ntered the room, and M r s . Y o u n g g ave o rders w i t h r egard t o M r . P i n c h e n ' s v isit. " G o , H a n n a h , " s aid she, " a n d g et the chamber ready for brother P i n c h e n : put on t he new l inen s heets, and see that they are d r y , and w e l l a i r e d ; i f they are not, I ' l l air you, m y lady." T h e a rrival o f the clergyman, the next day, was the signal for n e w and i nteresting s cenes. A f t e r the first m orning's breakfast w as over, family prayer finished, the B i b l e p ut away, the b r a n d y r eplaced i n the sideboard, and D r . Y o u n g g one t o h is office, M r . P i n c h e n commenced the d e l i v e r y of one of

  
14

M EMOIR O F T H E A U T H O R .

t hose religious experiences for w h i c h he was so celebrated w herever he was k n o w n . M r s . Y o u n g and the minister w ere seated at the r o u n d table, I standing behind her o hair, a nd H a n n a h clearing off the breakfast table, w h e n t he servant of G o d began b y saying, " W e l l , s ister Y o u n g , I 've seen a heap since I was here last." " I a m so g l a d to hear i t , " responded she, " for I w a n t to h ear something g ood. N o w do give me y o u r experience, b rother P i n c h e n ; i t always draws me nearer and nearer to t he L o r d ' s side." " W e l l , s ister Y o u n g , I've h a d great opportunity i n m y t ime t o study the human heart. I've attended a great m a n y camp meetings, r e v i v a l meetings,, protracted meetings, a nd death-bed s cenes, a nd I am satisfied, sister Y o u n g , t hat t he heart of m a n is f ull o f sin a n d desperately w i c k e d . T h i s i s a w i c k e d w o r l d , sister, a w i c k e d w o r l d . " M r s . Y o u n g asked, " W e r e y o u ever i n A r k a n s a s , b rother P i n c h e n ? I've been t o l d that the p eople o ut there are v e r y ungodly." M r . P i n c h e n said, " O, yes, sister Y o u n g ; I o nce s pent a y ear at L i t t l e E o c k , and preached i n a l l the towns round a bout t h e r e ; and I found s ome h ard c ases o ut there, I can t e l l y o u . I was o nce s pending a week i n a district where t here were a great m a n y horse thieves, and one n i g h t s omebody s tole m y pony. W e l l , I k n o w e d i t was no use t o make a fuss; so I t o l d brother T a r b o x to say n o t h i n g a bout i t , and I ' d get m y horse b y preaching God's everlasting g o s p e l ; for t had f aith i n the t r u t h , a nd k n o w e d t hat m y Saviour w o u l d not let me l ose m y pony. So the n ext S u n d a y I preached on horse-stealing, and t o l d the b rethren t o c ome u p i n the evenin' w i t h t heir hearts filled w i t h t he grace of G o d . So that n i g h t the house was c rammed b r i m f ull w i t h a nxious souls, p a n t i n g for the b read of l ife. B r o t h e r B i n g h a m opened w i t h p rayer, a n d b rother T a r b o x followed, and I saw right off that we were g wine to have a blessed time. A f t e r 1 g ot 'em p r e t t y w e l l

  
M EMOIR O P T H E A U T H O R .

15

w armed u p, I j u m p e d on to one of the seats, stretched out m y hands, and s a i d : ' I k n o w w h o stole m y p o n y ; I've f ound o u t ; and y o u are here t r y i n ' t o make p eople b elieve t hat y ou've got r e l i g i o n ; but y o u ain't got i t . A n d i f y o u d on't take m y horse back to brother Tafbox's pasture this v e r y night, I ' l l t e l l y our name r i g h t out i n meetin' to-morr o w night. T a k e m y p o n y back, y o u v i l e a n d w r e t c h e d s inner, a nd c ome u p here and g i v e y o u r heart to G o d . ' S o the next m o r n i n ' , I w e n t out to brother Tarbox's pasture, a nd sure enough, there was m y bob-tail pony. Y e s , s ister, t here he was, safe and sound. H a , ha, h a ! " W i t h u plifted hands, o l d mistress exclaimed, " O, h o w i nteresting, a n d h o w fortunate for y o u to get y o u r p o n y ! A n d w h a t power there is i n the g o s p e l ! God's children a re v e r y l u c k y . O, i t is so s weet t o sit here a n d l isten t o s uch g ood n ews from God's p e o p l e ! " H a n n a h w as so entranced w i t h t he conversation that she h ad l eft her w o r k , and, w i t h e yes a nd m o u t h open, was l istening t o the preacher. T u r n i n g a side, and i n a l o w v oice, M r s . Y o u n g harshly s aid, " H a n n a h , w h a t are y o u s tanding t here l i s t e n i n g for, a n d neglecting y o u r w o r k ? N e v e r m i n d , m y lady, I ' l l w h i p y o u w e l l w h e n I am d one h ere. G o at y o u r w o r k this moment, y o u lazy hussy. N e v e r m i n d , I ' l l whij) y o u w e l l . " T h e n , t u r n i n g a gain to t he preacher, she s aid, " C ome, do go on, brother P i n c h e n , w i t h y our g o d l y conversation. I t is so sweet! I t draws m e nearer and nearer to the L o r d ' s side." " W e l l , s ister Y o u n g , " continued he, " I ' v e h a d s ome m i g h t y q ueer dreams i n m y time     that I have. Y o u see, o ne n i g h t I dreamed that I was dead and i n h e a v e n ; a n d s uch a p lace I never saw b efore. A s s oon as I entered the g ates of the celestial empire, I saw m a n y o l d and f amiliar f aces t hat I h a d seen b efore. T h e first p erson that I saw w as g ood o l d E l d e r P i k e , t he preacher that first c alled m y a ttention t o r e l i g i o n . T h e n e x t person I saw was D e a c o n B i l l i n g s , m y first w ife's f a t h e r ; and then I saw a host of

  
16

M EMOIR O F T H E A U T H O R .

g odly faces. W h y , sister Y o u n g , y o u k n e w E l d e r G oosbee     d idn't y o u ? " " Y e s , " replied she ; " d i d y o i i see h i m there ? " " O , yes, sister Y o u n g , I saw the elder, and he looked f or a l l the w o r l d as i f he had j u s t c ome o ut of a r e v i v a l m eeting." " D i d y o u see m y first husband there, brother P i n c h e n ? " " N o , s ister Y o u n g , I d i d n ' t see brother P e p p e r , b u t I've n o doubt but that he was there." " W e l l , I d on't k n o w , " said s h e ; " I have m y doubts. H e w as not the happiest man i n the w o r l d . H e was always b o r r o w i n g trouble about something or another. S t i l l , I s aw s ome h appy moments w i t h M r . P e p p e r . I was happy w h e n I made his acquaintance, happy d u r i n g our courtship, h appy a w h i l e after our marriage, and happy w h e n he died." H e r e she put her handkerchief to her e yes, a nd wept b itterly f or a moment. A t this juncture H a n n a h asked, " D i d * , y o u see m y husband, B e n , up i n hebben, M a s s a Pinchen?" " N o , no, H a n n a h , I didn't go amongst the blacks," a n swered he. " O f course not," said mistress; " brother P i n c h e n didn't g o among the niggers." T u r n i n g aside to H a n n a h , and i n a w hisper, she exclaimed, " W h a t are y o u asking questions f or ? N e v e r m i n d , m y lady, I ' l l whip y o u w e l l w h e n I ' m d one h ere. I ' l l s kin y o u from head to f oot. D o go on w i t h y o u r heavenly conversation, brother P i n c h e n ; i t d oes m y v e r y soul g ood. T h i s is indeed a precious moment for me. I d o love to hear of C hrist a nd h i m crucified." A f t e r t he conversation h a d ceased, a n d the preacher g one o ut to c all o n M r s . D a n i e l s , M r s . Y o u n g said to the m aid, " N o w , H a n n a h , brother P i n c h e n is g o n e ; y o u get t he cowhide, and I ' l l w h i p y o u w e l l , f or aggravating me as y o u d i d to-day. I t s eems as i f I can never sit d o w n to t ake a l ittle c omfort w i t h t he L o r d , w i t h o u t the devil putt i n g i t into your head to cross me. I've no doubt, H a n -

  
M EMOIR O F T H E A U T H O R .

17

n ah, t hat I ' l l miss g o i n g t o h eaven o n y o u r account; b ut I ' l l w h i p y o u w e l l b efore I l eave this w o r l d     t hat I w i l l . " T h e servant received a flogging, M r s . Y o u n g felt easier, a nd I wqg i n the k i t c h e n amusing m y f ellow-slaves w i t h t e l l i n g o ver M r . P i n c h e n ' s last experience. H e r e l e t me s ay, that we regarded t he r eligious profession o f t he whites a round u s as a f arce, and our master and mistress, together w i t h t heir guest, as m ere hypocrites. D u r i n g t he e ntire v i s i l o f the p reacher, t he s ervants had a j o y f u l time o ver m y representations o f w hat w as g o i n g o n i n the g reat h ouse. T h e removal o f m y m aster's family and slaves t o the c entre o f the S tate o f M i s s o u r i about this time, caused s ome c hange i n our c ondition. M y y o u n g master, W i l l i a m , h ad n o w g r o w n t o be a s tout b o y o f five years o f a ge. N o r estraint t h r o w n around h i m b y t he d octor o r his wife, aunt D o l l y , h is nurse, n ot p e r m i t t e d t o c ontrol any o f h is a ctions, W i l l i a m h a d b ecome i mpudent, petulant, peevish, a nd c ruel. S i t t i n g a t the t ea table, h e w o u l d often desire t o make his entire meal o ut of the s weetmeats, the sugarb o w l , o r t he c a k e ; and w h e n mistress w o u l d n ot a l l o w h i m t o have them, h e, i n a fit o f a nger, w o u l d t h r o w any t h i n g w i t h i n h is r each a t m e ; s poons, k nives, forks, and dishes w o u l d b e h u r l e d a t m y h ead, accompanied w i t h language s uch as w o u l d astonish any o ne n ot w e l l versed i n t h e i n jurious effects o f s lavery upon t he rising g eneration. T homas Jefferson, i n 1788, i n a l etter t o M . W a r v i l l e , P aris, w r i t i n g upon slavery, alludes t o i t s i nfluence upon t he y o u n g as f o l l o w s :     " T h e parent storms, the c h i l d looks on, c atches t he l i n e a ments o f w r a t h , puts on the same airs i n the circle o f s maller
s laves, G I V E S L O O S E T O HIS W O R S T P A S S I O N S ; a n d , thus

nursed, educated, and daily exercised in tyranny, c annot b ut b e s tamped b y i t w i t h o dious p eculiarities." I n t h e V i r g i n i a l egislature, i n the y ear 1 832, H o n . L e w i s S ummers s a i d ,     2*

  
l is

M EMOIR OV T H E A U T H O R .

" A s lave population exercises the most pernicious influ* ence u pon the manners, habits, and character of those a mong w h o m i t exists. Lisping infancy l earns the vocabulary o f abusive epithets, and struts, the embryo tyrant o f i ts l ittle d omain. T h e consciousness of superior destiny t akes possession of his m i n d at its earliest d a w n i n g , and love of power and rule ' g rows w i t h h is g r o w t h and s trengthens w i t h h is strength.' U n l e s s enabled to rise a bove t he operation of those powerful causes, he enters the world with miserable notions of self-importance, and under the government of an unbridled temper" H a v i n g , b y speculation and mismanagement, lost the m ost of his property, D r . Y o u n g resumed the practice of m edicine in M i s s o u r i , a nd s oon o btained a lucrative r u n of c ustom. H e r e , as i n K e n t u c k y , the doctor t ook g reat i nterest i n matters of religion, and was considered one of t he p illars i n the church. B e i n g s ent one Sabbath m o r n i n g to carry the sacramental w ine to the church, about a m i l e distant, I c o u l d n ot withstand the temptation i t presented of tasting i t . H a v i n g h a d one swallow, I was tempted further on, t i l l t he b everage d isappeared out of the neck of the bottle, so that I f elt afraid that i f noticed b y master, I should be flogged. I t o ccurred to me that I m i g h t fill u p the bottle from one o f the sap tubs, as I passed through the sugar c a m p ; for i t w as the spring of the year, and we were m a k i n g maple s ugar. I t r i e d to pour the sap into the bottle, but i t flared o ver the top, l e a v i n g the wine s till s ome i nches d o w n the n eck. A f t e r ransacking m y inventive faculties, I fortunately h i t upon a p l a n and filled i t up. P l a c i n g the bottle o n the ground, and sucking m y m o u t h f u l l o f the juice, I     s tood directly over the bottle and let i t stream i n u n t i l i t w as f ull. P u t t i n g t he stopple i n , I started off" towards the c hurch, f eeling that I h a d got the advantage of master o nce m ore. M y f air c omplexion was a great obstacle to m y happi-

  
M EMOIR Of

T H E AUTHOR.

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ness, both w i t h w hites a ryl b lacks, i n and about the great h ouse. Often mistaken b y strangers for a white boy, i t a nnoyed m y mistress v e r y m u c h . O n one occasion, a v isitor c ame t o the place i n the a bsence o f the doctor. W h i l e M r s . Y o u n g was entertaining the major (for he was a m i l i t a r y m an), I passed t h r o u g h the room, and goingnear the stranger, he put out his hand and said to'me, " H o w do y o u do, b u b ? " and t u r n i n g to the lady, he exclaimed, " M a d a m , I w o u l d have k n o w n that he was the d octor's son, i f I had met h i m i n C alifornia, f or he is so m u c h l i k e h is papa." Mistress ordered me out of the r oom, and remarked that I was one of the servants, w h e n t he major b egged p ardon for the mistake. A f t e r the s tranger was g one, I w as flogged for his blunder. D r . Y o u n g sold his large farm, w h i c h was situated i n t he central part of the state, .and removed to S t . L o u i s , w here a number of the servants were let out. I was put t o w o r k t e n d i n g upon the hands i n the office o f the " S t . L o u i s T i m e s , " a newspaper owned and published b y L o v e j o y & M i l l e r , a nd edited b y E l i j a h P . L o v e j o y . H e r e m y y oung heart began to feel more longings for liberty. T h e l ove of freedom is a sentiment n atural t o the human heart, a nd t he want of i t is felt b y h i m who d oes n ot p ossess i t . H e f eels i t a reproach ; and w i t h t his sting, this wounded p ride, h a t i n g degradation, and l o o k i n g forward to' the c ravings of the heart, the enslaved is always on the alert f or an opportunity to e scape f rom his oppressors and to a venge h is wrongs.. W h a t greater i n j u r y and i n d i g n i t y c an be offered to man, t h a n to make h i m the bond-slave of h is f ellow-man ? M y s ojourn i n the p r i n t i n g office w as of short duration, a nd I w as afterwards let out to a slave-trader named W a l k e r . T h i s heartless, cruel, ungodly man, who neither l oved his M a k e r nor feared Satan, was a f air r epresentative o f thousands of d emons i n h u m a n form that are engaged i n b u y i n g and selling God's children.

  
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M EMOIR O P T H E A U T H O R .

O ne year w i t h " Walker, b e h o l d i n g s cenes o f p r u e l t y that c an b e better i m a g i n e d than described, I was o nce m ore t aken h ome, and soon after h i r e d out as an under steward o n the steamer P a t r i o t , r u n n i n g to N e w Orleans. T h i s o pened to me a new l ife, a nd gave me an opportunity to see diiferent phases of slave l ife, a nd to learn s o m e t h i n g . m ore of the w o r l d . L i f e o n the M ississippi R i v e r is an e x c i t i n g o ne. I had not been on the boat but a few weeks w h e n one of those races for w h i c h the southern steamers a re so famous took place. A t e ight o 'clock o n the evening of the t h i r d d ay of the p assage, the lights o f another steamer were seen i n the d istance, and apparently c o m i n g u p v e r y fast. T h i s was t he signal for a general commotion on board the P a t r i o t , a nd e very t h i n g i ndicated that a steamboat race was at h and. N o t h i n g can exceed the excitement attendant upon t he r a c i n g of steamers on the M ississippi. B y t he time the boats h a d reached M e m p h i s they were s ide b y side, and each exerting itself to get i n advance o f t he other. T h e n i g h t was clear, the m o o n s h i n i n g b r i g h t l y , a nd t he boats so near to each other that the passengers w ere w i t h i n s peaking distance. O n board the P a t r i o t the firemen were using o i l , l a r d , b utter, and even bacon, w i t h w ood, for the purpose of r aising t he steam to its highest p itch. T h e blaze m i n g l e d w i t h t he black smoke that issued f rom the pipes of the other boat, w h i c h showed that she a lso was b u r n i n g something more combustible than w o o d . T h e firemen of both boats, w h o were slaves, were s i n g i n g s ongs s uch as can only be heard o n board a southern s teamer. T h e boats n o w came abreast o f each other, and n earer and nearer, u n t i l t hey were l o c k e d so t h a t m e n c ould pass from one to the other. T h e wildest excitement p revailed a mong the m e n employed on the steamers, i n w h i c h t he passengers freely participated. A t t his moment the engineer of the P a t r i o t was seen t o f asten d o w n the safety-valve, so that no steam should

  
M EMOIR O F T H E A U T H O R .

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e scape. T h i s was indeed a dangerous resort, and a few w h o saw w h a t h a d taken place, fearing that an explosion w o u l d b e the consequence, left that part of the boat for m ore secure quarters. T h e P a t r i o t n o w stopped to take i n passengers; but s till n o steam was p e r m i t t e d to escape. O n the starting of the b oat again, c o l d water was forced i n t o the boilers b y the f eed-pumps, and, as m i g h t have been expected, one of the b oilers exploded w i t h t errific force, c a r r y i n g away the b oiler d eck and tearing to pieces m u c h o f the machinery. O ne dense fog o f steam filled e very part o f the vessel, w h i l e s hrieks, groans, a n d cries were heard on every side. M e n w ere r u n n i n g h i t h e r and t h i t h e r l o o k i n g for their w ives, a nd w o m e n were flying a bout, i n the wildest confusion, s eeking for t h e i r husbands. D i s m a y appeared on e very countenance. T h e saloons and cabins soon l o o k e d more l i k e h ospitals t han a ny t h i n g e lse; b u t b y this time the P a t r i o t h a d d rifted t o the shore, and the other steamer h a d c ome a longside to render assistance to the disabled boat. T h e k i l l e d a n d w o u n d e d (nineteen i n number) were put on shore, and t he P a t r i o t , t a k e n i n t o w b y the "Washington, was o nce m ore on her j o u r n e y . I t w as h a l f past twelve, and the passengers, instead o f r e t i r i n g t o their berths, o nce m ore assembled at the g a m i n g t ables. T h e practice of g a m b l i n g on the western waters h as l o n g been a source of annoyance to the more m o r a l p ersons w h o t ravel o n our great rivers. Thousands of d o l lars o ften change owners d u r i n g a passage from S t . L o u i s o r L o u i s v i l l e t o N e w Orleans on a M ississippi s teamer. M a n y m en are completely r u i n e d on such occasions, a^nd d uels are often the consequence. " G o c all m y boy, steward," said M r . Jones, as he took h is c ards one b y one from the table. I n a f ew minutes a fine-looking, bright-eyed mulatto b oy, apparently about sixteen years o f age, was s t a n d i n g b y his master's side at the table.

  
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M EMOIR O P T H E A U T H O R .

" I a m broke, a l l but m y boy," said J o nes, as he ran his fingers t hrough h is cards; " b u t he is w o r t h a thousand d ollars, a nd I w i l l b et the half of h i m . " " I w i l l c all y o u , " said T h o m p s o n , as he l a i d five h u n d r e d d ollars a t t h e f eet o f the boy, w h o was s t a n d i n g on the t able, a nd at the same time t h r o w i n g d o w n his cards b efore h is a dversary. " Y o u have beaten me," said J o n e s ; and a roar o f l a u g h ter f ollowed from the other gentleman as p oor J o e stepped d o w n from the table. " W e l l , I s uppose I owe y o u h a l f the nigger," said T h o m p s o n , as he took h o l d of J o e and began e x a m i n i n g h is l imbs. " Y e s , " replied Jones, " he is h a l f yours. L e t me have five h undred d ollars, and I w i l l g ive y o u a b i l l o f sale o f t he boy." " G o back to y o u r bed," said T h o m p s o n to his chattel, *' and remember that y o u n o w belong to me." T h e p oor s lave w i p e d the tears from his eyes, as, i n o bedience, he t u r n e d to leave the table. " M y f ather gave me that boy," said Jones, as he took t he money, " a n d I hope, M r . T h o m p s o n , that y o n w i l l a llow m e to redeem h i m . " " M o s t c ertainly, s i r , " r e p l i e d . T h o m p s o n ; " w h e n e v e r y ou hand over the cool thousand the negro is yours." N e x t m o r n i n g , as the passengers were assembling i n the c abin a nd on deck, and w h i l e the slaves were r u n n i n g a bout w a i t i n g on or l o o k i n g for t h e i r masters, p oor J o e ' w as seen entering his n e w master's state-room, b oots i n hand.    Such i s the uncertainty o f a slave's l ife. H e g oes t o bed a t n ight the pampered servant of his y o u n g master, w i t h w h o m he has played i n childhood, and w h o w o u l d not see h is s lave abused under any consideration, ancl g ets u p i n t he m o r n i n g the property of a m a n w h o m he has never ' b efore s een. T o behold five or six tables i n the saloon of . a s teamer,

  
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w i t h h a l f a dozen men p l a y i n g cards at each, w i t h m oney, pistols, a n d bowie-knives spread i n splendid confusion b efore t h e m , is an ordinary t h i n g o n . the M ississippi River. C o n t i n u e d i ntercourse w i t h e ducated persons, and meeti n g o n the steamer so m a n y travellers from the free states, c aused me to feel more k e e n l y m y degraded and u n n a t u r a l s ituation. I g ained m u c h information respecting the n o r t h a nd C a n a d a that was valuable to me, a n d I resolved to e scape w i t h m y mother, who h a d been sold to a