AND HIS COMPLETE HISTORY
TO THE
PRESENT TIME
INCLUDING HIS CONNECTION WITH THE ANTI-SLAVERY MOVEMENT; HIS LABORS IN GREAT
BRITAIN AS WELL AS IN HIS OWN COUNTRY; HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE CONDUCT OF
AN INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPER; HIS CONNECTION WITH THE UNDERGROUND
RAILROAD; HIS RELATIONS WITH JOHN BROWN AND THE HARPER’S
FERRY RAID; HIS RECRUITING THE 54th AND 55th MASS.
COLORED REGIMENTS; HIS INTERVIEWS WITH
PRESIDENTS LINCOLN AND JOHNSON;
HIS APPOINTMENT BY GEN. GRANT TO ACCOMPANY THE SANTO DOMINGO COMMISSION; ALSO
TO A SEAT IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; HIS APPOINTMENT AS
UNITED STATES MARSHAL BY PRESIDENT R. B. HAYES; ALSO HIS APPOINTMENT
BY PRESIDENT J. A. GARFIELD TO BE RECORDER OF DEEDS IN
WASHINGTON; WITH MANY OTHER INTERESTING AND
IMPORTANT EVENTS OF HIS MOST
EVENTFUL LIFE;
WITH AN INTRODUCTION,
By Mr. GEORGE L. RUFFIN,
OF BOSTON.
HARTFORD, CONN.:
PARK PUBLISHING CO.
GEO. M. REWELL & CO., Cleveland, Ohio; J. S. GOODMAN & CO., Chicago, Ill.;
SUN PUBLISHING CO., St. Louis, Mo.; PHILLIPS & HUNT,
San Francisco, Cal.
1882
COPYRIGHTED BY
Park Publishing Co.,
1881.
CONTENTS.
| CHAPTER I. | |
| AUTHOR’S BIRTH. | |
| Author’s place of birth—Description of country—Its inhabitants—Genealogical trees—Method of counting time in slave districts—Date of author’s birth—Names of grandparents—Their cabin—Home with them—Slave practice of separating mothers from their children—Author’s recollections of his mother—Who was his father? | [25] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| REMOVAL FROM GRANDMOTHER’S. | |
| Author’s early home—Its charms—Author’s ignorance of “old master”—His gradual perception of the truth concerning him—His relations to Col. Edward Lloyd—Author’s removal to “old master’s” home—His journey thence—His separation from his grandmother—His grief | [28] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| TROUBLES OF CHILDHOOD. | |
| Col. Lloyd’s plantation—Aunt Katy—Her cruelty and ill-nature—Capt. Anthony’s partiality to Aunt Katy—Allowance of food—Author’s hunger—Unexpected rescue by his mother—The reproof of Aunt Katy—Sleep—A slave-mother’s love—Author’s inheritance—His mother’s acquirements—Her death | [33] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| A GENERAL SURVEY OF THE SLAVE PLANTATION. | |
| Home plantation of Colonel Lloyd—Its isolation—Its industries—The slave rule—Power of overseers—Author finds some enjoyment—Natural scenery—Sloop “Sally Lloyd”—Wind mill—Slave quarter—“Old master’s” house—Stables, store houses, etc., etc.—The great house—Its surroundings—Lloyd Burial-place—Superstition of slaves—Colonel Lloyd’s wealth—Negro politeness—Doctor Copper—Captain Anthony—His family—Master Daniel Lloyd—His brothers—Social etiquette | [39] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| A SLAVEHOLDER’S CHARACTER. | |
| Increasing acquaintance with old master—Evils of unresisted passion—Apparent tenderness—A man of trouble—Custom of muttering to himself—Brutal outrage—A drunken overseer—Slaveholder’s impatience—Wisdom of appeal—A base and selfish attempt to break up a courtship | [48] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| A CHILD’S REASONING. | |
| The author’s early reflections on slavery—Aunt Jennie and Uncle Noah—Presentiment of one day becoming a freeman—Conflict between an overseer and a slave woman—Advantage of resistance—Death of an overseer—Col. Lloyd’s plantation home—Monthly distribution of food—Singing of slaves—An explanation—The slaves’ food and clothing—Naked children—Life in the quarter—Sleeping places—not beds—Deprivation of sleep—Care of nursing babies—Ash cake—Contrast | [53] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| LUXURIES AT THE GREAT HOUSE. | |
| Contrasts—Great House luxuries—Its hospitality—Entertainments—Fault-finding—Shameful humiliation of an old and faithful coachman—William Wilks—Curious incident—Expressed satisfaction not always genuine—Reasons for suppressing the truth | [61] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| CHARACTERISTICS OF OVERSEERS. | |
| Austin Gore—Sketch of his character—Overseers as a class—Their peculiar characteristics—The marked individuality of Austin Gore—His sense of duty—Murder of poor Denby—Sensation—How Gore made his peace with Col. Lloyd—Other horrible murders—No laws for the protection of slaves possible of being enforced | [71] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| CHANGE OF LOCATION. | |
| Miss Lucretia—Her kindness—How it was manifested—“Ike”—A battle with him—Miss Lucretia’s balsam—Bread—How it was obtained—Gleams of sunset amidst the general darkness—Suffering from cold—How we took our meal mush—Preparations for going to Baltimore—Delight at the change—Cousin Tom’s opinion of Baltimore—Arrival there—Kind reception—Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Auld—Their son Tommy—My relations to them—My duties—A turning-point in my life | [78] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| LEARNING TO READ. | |
| City annoyances—Plantation regrets—My mistress—Her history—Her kindness—My master—His sourness—My comforts—Increased sensitiveness—My occupation—Learning to read—Baneful effects of slaveholding on my dear, good mistress—Mr. Hugh forbids Mrs. Sophia to teach me further—Clouds gather on my bright prospects—Master Auld’s exposition of the Philosophy of Slavery—City slaves—Country slaves—Contrasts—Exceptions—Mr. Hamilton’s two slaves—Mrs. Hamilton’s cruel treatment of them—Piteous aspect presented by them—No power to come between the slave and slaveholder | [85] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| GROWING IN KNOWLEDGE. | |
| My mistress—Her slaveholding duties—Their effects on her originally noble nature—The conflict in her mind—She opposes my learning to read—Too late—She had given me the “inch,” I was resolved to take the “ell”—How I pursued my study to read—My tutors—What progress I made—Slavery—What I heard said about it—Thirteen years old—Columbian orator—Dialogue—Speeches—Sheridan—Pitt—Lords Chatham and Fox—Knowledge increasing—Liberty—Singing—Sadness—Unhappiness of Mrs. Sophia—My hatred of slavery—One Upas tree overshadows us all | [92] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| RELIGIOUS NATURE AWAKENED. | |
| Abolitionists spoken of—Eagerness to know the meaning of the word—Consults the dictionary—Incendiary information—The enigma solved—“Nat Turner” insurrection—Cholera—Religion—Methodist Minister—Religious impressions—Father Lawson—His character and occupation—His influence over me—Our mutual attachment—New hopes and aspirations—Heavenly light—Two Irishmen on wharf—Conversation with them—Learning to write—My aims | [100] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| THE VICISSITUDES OF SLAVE LIFE. | |
| Death of old Master’s son Richard, speedily followed by that of old Master—Valuation and division of all the property, including the slaves—Sent for to come to Hillsborough to be valued and divided—Sad prospects and grief—Parting—Slaves have no voice in deciding their own destinies—General dread of falling into Master Andrew’s hands—His drunkenness—Good fortune in falling to Miss Lucretia—She allows my return to Baltimore—Joy at Master Hugh’s—Death of Miss Lucretia—Master Thomas Auld’s second marriage—The new wife unlike the old—Again removed from Master Hugh’s—Reasons for regret—Plan of escape | [107] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| EXPERIENCE IN ST. MICHAELS. | |
| St. Michaels and its inhabitants—Capt. Auld—His new wife—Sufferings from hunger—Forced to steal—Argument in vindication thereof—Southern camp-meeting—What Capt. Auld did there—Hopes—Suspicions—The result—Faith and works at variance—Position in the church—Poor Cousin Henny—Methodist preachers—Their disregard of the slaves—One exception—Sabbath-school—How and by whom broken up—Sad change in my prospects—Covey, the negro-breaker | [116] |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| COVEY, THE NEGRO BREAKER. | |
| Journey to Covey’s—Meditations by the way—Covey’s house—Family—Awkwardness as a field hand—A cruel beating—Why given—Description of Covey—First attempt at driving oxen—Hair-breadth escape—Ox and man alike property—Hard labor more effective than the whip for breaking down the spirit—Cunning and trickery of Covey—Family worship—Shocking and indecent contempt for chastity—Great mental agitation—Anguish beyond description | [129] |
| CHAPTER XVI. | |
| ANOTHER PRESSURE OF THE TYRANT’S VICE. | |
| Experience at Covey’s summed up—First six months severer than the remaining six—Preliminaries to the change—Reasons for narrating the circumstances—Scene in the treading-yard—Author taken ill—Escapes to St. Michaels—The pursuit—Suffering in the woods—Talk with Master Thomas—His beating—Driven back to Covey’s—The slaves never sick—Natural to expect them to feign sickness—Laziness of slaveholders | [142] |
| CHAPTER XVII. | |
| THE LAST FLOGGING. | |
| A sleepless night—Return to Covey’s—Punished by him—The chase defeated—Vengeance postponed—Musings in the woods—The alternative—Deplorable spectacle—Night in the woods—Expected attack—Arrested by Sandy—A friend, not a master—Sandy’s hospitality—The ash-cake supper—Interview with Sandy—His advice—Sandy a conjuror as well as a Christian—The magic root—Strange meeting with Covey—His manner—Covey’s Sunday face—Author’s defensive resolve—The fight—The victory, and its results | [150] |
| CHAPTER XVIII. | |
| NEW RELATIONS AND DUTIES. | |
| Change of masters—Benefits derived by change—Fame of the fight with Covey—Reckless unconcern—Author’s abhorence of slavery—Ability to read a cause of prejudice—The holidays—How spent—Sharp hit at slavery—Effects of holidays—Difference between Covey and Freeland—An irreligious master preferred to a religious one—Hard life at Covey’s useful to the author—Improved condition does not bring contentment—Congenial society at Freeland’s—Author’s Sabbath-school—Secresy necessary—Affectionate relations of tutor and pupils—Confidence and friendship among slaves—Slavery the inviter of vengeance | [164] |
| CHAPTER XIX. | |
| THE RUNAWAY PLOT. | |
| New Year’s thoughts and meditations—Again hired by Freeland—Kindness no compensation for slavery—Incipient steps toward escape—Considerations leading thereto—Hostility to slavery—Solemn vow taken—Plan divulged to slaves—Columbian Orator again—Scheme gains favor—Danger of discovery—Skill of slaveholders—Suspicion and coercion—Hymns with double meaning—Consultation—Password—Hope and fear—Ignorance of Geography—Imaginary difficulties—Patrick Henry—Sandy a dreamer—Route to the north mapped out—Objections—Frauds—Passes—Anxieties—Fear of failure—Strange presentiment—Coincidence—Betrayal—Arrests—Resistance—Mrs. Freeland—Prison—Brutal jests—Passes eaten—Denial—Sandy—Dragged behind horses—Slave traders—Alone in prison—Sent to Baltimore | [174] |
| CHAPTER XX. | |
| APPRENTICESHIP LIFE. | |
| Nothing lost in my attempt to run away—Comrades at home—Reasons for sending me away—Return to Baltimore—Tommy changed—Caulking in Gardiner’s ship yard—Desperate fight—Its causes—Conflict between white and black labor—Outrage—Testimony—Master Hugh—Slavery in Baltimore—My condition improves—New associations—Slaveholder’s right to the slave’s wages—How to make a discontented slave | [200] |
| CHAPTER XXI. | |
| ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY. | |
| Closing incidents in my “Life as a Slave”—Discontent—Suspicions—Master’s generosity—Difficulties in the way of escape—Plan to obtain money—Allowed to hire my time—A gleam of hope—Attend camp-meeting—Anger of Master Hugh—The result—Plans of escape—Day for departure fixed—Harassing doubts and fears—Painful thoughts of separation from friends | [212] |
| SECOND PART. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY. | |
| Reasons for not having revealed the manner of escape—Nothing of romance in the method—Danger—Free Papers—Unjust tax—Protection papers—“Free trade and sailors’ rights”—American eagle—Railroad train—Unobserving conductor—Capt. McGowan—Honest German—Fears—Safe arrival in Philadelphia—Ditto in New York | [220] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| LIFE AS A FREEMAN. | |
| Loneliness and insecurity—“Allender’s Jake”—Succored by a sailor—David Ruggles—Marriage—Steamer J. W. Richmond—Stage to New Bedford—Arrival there—Driver’s detention of baggage—Nathan Johnson—Change of Name—Why called “Douglass”—Obtaining Work—The Liberator and its Editor | [228] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| INTRODUCED TO THE ABOLITIONISTS. | |
| Anti-Slavery Convention at Nantucket—First Speech—Much Sensation—Extraordinary Speech of Mr. Garrison—Anti-Slavery Agency—Youthful Enthusiasm—Fugitive Slaveship Doubted—Experience in Slavery Written—Danger of Recapture | [244] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD FRIENDS. | |
| Work in Rhode Island—Dorr War—Recollections of old friends—Further labors in Rhode Island and elsewhere in New England | [250] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| ONE HUNDRED CONVENTIONS. | |
| Anti-Slavery Conventions held in parts of New England, and in some of the Middle and Western States—Mobs—Incidents, etc. | [257] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| IMPRESSIONS ABROAD. | |
| Danger to be averted—A refuge sought abroad—Voyage on the steamship Cambria—Refusal of first-class passage—Attractions of the forecastle-deck—Hutchinson family—Invited to make a speech—Southerners feel insulted—Captain threatens to put them in irons—Experiences abroad—Attentions received—Impressions of different members of Parliament, and of other public men—Contrast with life in America—Kindness of friends—Their purchase of my person, and the gift of the same to myself—My return | [266] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| TRIUMPHS AND TRIALS. | |
| New Experiences—Painful Disagreement of Opinion with old Friends—Final Decision to Publish my Paper in Rochester—Its Fortunes and its Friends—Change in my own Views Regarding the Constitution of the United States—Fidelity to Conviction—Loss of Old Friends—Support of New Ones—Loss of House, etc., by Fire—Triumphs and Trials—Under-ground Railroad—Incidents | [294] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| JOHN BROWN AND MRS. STOWE. | |
| My First Meeting with Capt John Brown—The Free Soil Movement—Colored Convention—Uncle Tom’s Cabin—Industrial School for Colored People—Letter to Mrs. H. B. Stowe | [309] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| INCREASING DEMANDS OF THE SLAVE POWER. | |
| Increased demands of slavery—War in Kansas—John Brown’s raid—His capture and execution—My escape to England from United States marshals | [329] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| THE BEGINNING OF THE END. | |
| My connection with John Brown—To and from England—Presidential contest—Election of Abraham Lincoln | [350] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| SECESSION AND WAR. | |
| Recruiting of the 54th and 55th Colored Regiments—Visit to President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton—Promised a Commission as Adjutant General to General Thomas—Disappointment | [373] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| HOPE FOR THE NATION. | |
| Proclamation of emancipation—Its reception in Boston—Objections brought against it—Its effect on the country—Interview with President Lincoln—New York riots—Re-election of Mr. Lincoln—His inauguration, and inaugural—Vice-President Johnson—Presidential reception—The fall of Richmond—Fanueil Hall—The assassination—Condolence | [390] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| VAST CHANGES. | |
| Satisfaction and anxiety, new fields of labor opening—Lyceums and colleges soliciting addresses—Literary attractions—Pecuniary gain—Still pleading for human rights—President Andy Johnson—Colored delegation—Their reply to him—National Loyalist Convention, 1866, and its procession—Not Wanted—Meeting with an old friend—Joy and surprise—The old master’s welcome, and Miss Amanda’s friendship—Enfranchisement debated and accomplished—The Negro a citizen | [414] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| LIVING AND LEARNING. | |
| Inducements to a political career—Objections—A newspaper enterprise—The New National Era—Its abandonment—The Freedman’s Saving and Trust Company—Sad experience—Vindication | [442] |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE. | |
| The Santo Domingo controversy—Decoration day at Arlington, 1871—Speech delivered there—National colored convention at New Orleans, 1872—Elector at large for the State of New York—Death of Hon. Henry Wilson | [451] |
| CHAPTER XVI. | |
| “TIME MAKES ALL THINGS EVEN.” | |
| Return to the “old master”—A last interview—Capt. Auld’s admission “had I been in your place, I should have done as you did”—Speech at Easton—The old jail there—Invited to a sail on the revenue cutter Guthrie—Hon. John L. Thomas—Visit to the old plantation—Home of Col. Lloyd—Kind reception and attentions—Familiar scenes—Old memories—Burial-ground—Hospitality—Gracious reception from Mrs. Buchanan—A little girl’s floral gift—A promise of a “good time coming”—Speech at Harper’s Ferry, Decoration day, 1881—Storer College—Hon. A. J. Hunter | [487] |
| CHAPTER XVII. | |
| INCIDENTS AND EVENTS. | |
| Hon. Gerrit Smith and Mr. E. C. Delevan—Experiences at Hotels and on Steamboats and other modes of travel—Hon. Edward Marshall—Grace Greenwood—Hon. Moses Norris—Rob’t J. Ingersoll—Reflections and conclusions—Compensations | [503] |
| CHAPTER XVIII. | |
| “HONOR TO WHOM HONOR.” | |
| Grateful recognition—Friends in need—Lucretia Mott—Lydia Maria Child—Sarah and Angelina Grimke—Abby Kelly—H. Beecher Stowe—Other Friends—Woman Suffrage | [517] |
| CHAPTER XIX. | |
| RETROSPECTION. | |
| Meeting of colored citizens in Washington to express their sympathy at the great national bereavement, the death of President Garfield—Concluding reflections and convictions | [527] |
| APPENDIX. | |
| Oration at the unveiling of the Freedmen’s monument, at Lincoln Park, Washington, D. C., April 14, 1876—Extract from a speech delivered at Elmira, N. Y., August 1, 1880 | [533] |
