Twelve years a slave. Narrative of Solomon Northup, a citizen of New-York, kidnapped in Washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the Red River in Louisiana

Front matter

> , 1 * . '^ ^/ ^ ^ " ^ ^^

SOJ.OMON IX HIS PLANTATION' SUIT.

TWELVE YEARS A SLATE.

Chapter I

Introductory — Ancestry — The Northup Family — Birth and Parentage — Mintus Northup — Marriage with Anne Hampton — Good Resolutions — Champlain Canal — Rafting Excursion to Canada — Farming — The Violin — Cooking — Removal to Saratoga — Parker and Perry — Slaves and Slavery — The Children — The Beginning of Sorrow, 17

CHAPTER n.

The two Strangers — The Circus Company — Departure from Saratoga — Yentriloquism and Legerdemain — Journey to New-York — Free Papers — Brown and Hamilton — The haste to reach the Circus — Arrival in "Washington — Funeral of Harrison — The Sudden Sickness — The Torment of Thirst — The Receding Light — Insensibility — Chains and D arkness, \ 28

CHAPTER ffl.

Painful Meditations — James H. Burch — Williams' Slave Pen in Washington — The Lackey, Radburn — Assert my Freedom — ^The Anger of the Trader — ^The Paddle and Cat-o'-ninetails — ^The Whipping — New Acquaintances — Ray, Williams, and Randall — Arrival of Little Emily and her Mother in the Pen — Maternal Sorio ws — The Story of Eliza 40

VIU CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV.

PAOW,

Eliza's Sorrows — Preparation to Embark — Driven Through the Streets of Washington — Hail, Columbia — The Tomb of "Washington — Clem Ray — The Breakfast on the Steamer — The happy Birds — Aquia Creek — Fredericksburgh — Arrival in Richmond — Goodin and his Slave Pen — Robert, of Cincinnati — David and his Wife — Mary and Lethe — Clem's Return — His subsequent Escape to Canada — The Brig Orleans — James H. Burch, 64

CHAPTER V.

Arrival at N'orfolk — ^Frederick and Maria — Arthur, the Freeman — Appointed Steward — Jim, Cuffee, and Jenny — The Storm — Bahama Banks — The Calm — The Conspiracy — ^The Long Boat — The Small-Pox — Death of Robert — Manning, the Sailor — The Meeting in the Forecastle — The Letter — • Arrival at New-Orleans — Arthur's Rescue — Theophilus Freeman, the Consignee — Piatt — First Night in the New-Orleans Slave Pen, 65

CHAPTER VI.

Freeman*8 Industry — Cleanliness and Clothes — ^Exercising in the Show Room — The Dance — Bob, the Fiddler — Arrival of Customers — Slaves Examined — The Old Gentleman of New-Orleans — Sale of David, Caroline, and Lethe — Parting of Randall and Eliza — Small-Pox — The Hospital — Recovery and Return to Freeman's Slave Pen — The Purchaser of Eliza, Harry, and Piatt — Eliza's Agony on Parting from Little Emily, 78

CHAPTER Va

The Steamboat Rodolph — Departure from New-Orleans — Wil liam Ford — Arrival at Alexandria, on Red River — Resolutions—The Great Pine Woods— Wild Cattle — Martin's Summer Residence — The Texas Road — Arrival at Master Ford's — ^Rose — Mistress Ford — Sally and her Children — John, the Cook — Walter, Sam, and Antony — The Mills on Indian Creek — Sabbath Days — Sam's Conversion — The Profit of

CONTENTS. IX

PAGB.

Kindness — Rafting — Adam Taydem, tlie Little "White Man — Cascalla and his Tribe — The Indian Ball — John M. Tibeats —The Storm approaching, 89

CHAPTER Vm.

Ford's Embarrassments — The Sale to Tibeats — The Chattel Mortgage — Mistress Ford's Plantation on Bayou Boeuf — Description of the Latter — Ford's Brother-in-law, Peter Tanner — Meeting with Eliza — She still Mourns for her Children — Ford's Overseer, Chapin — Tibeats' Abuse — The Keg of Nails — The First Fight with Tibeats — His Discomfiture and Castigation — The attempt to Hang me — Chapin's Interference and Speech — Unhappy Reflections — Abrupt De- , parture of Tibeats, Cook, and Ramsey — Lawson and the Brown Mule — Message to the Pine Woods, 105

CHAPTER IX.

The Hot Sun — Yet bound — The Cords sink into my Flesh — Chapin's Uneasiness — Speculation — Rachel, and her Cup of Water — Suffering increases — The Happiness of Slavery — Arrival of Ford — He cuts the Cords which bind me, and takes the Rope from my Neck — Misery — The gathering of the Slaves in Eliza's Cabin — Their Kindness — Rachel Repeats the Occurrences of the Day — Lawson entertains his Companions with an Account of his Ride — Chapin's apprehensions of Tibeats — Hired to Peter Tanner — Peter expounds the Scriptures — Description of the Stocks, 118

CHAPTER X.

Return to Tibeats — Impossibility of pleasing him — He attacks me with a Hatchet — The Struggle over the Broad Axe — The Temptation to Murder him — Escape across the Plantation — Observations from the Fence — Tibeats approaches, followed by the Hounds— They take my Track— Their load Yells — They almost overtake me — I reach the Water — The Hounds confused — ^Moccasin Snakes — Alligators — Night in the "Great Pacoudrie Swamp" -The Sounds of Li fa

X CONTENTS.

PAGE

North-West Course — Emerge into the Pine "Woods — Slave aiid his Young Master — Arrival at Ford's — Food and Rest, l;il

CHAPTER XI.

The Mistress' Garden — The Crimson and Golden Fruit — Orange and Pomegranate Trees — Return to Bayou Boeuf — Master Ford's Remarks on the way — The Meeting with Tibeats — His Account of the Chase — Ford censures his Brutality — Arrival at the Plantation — Astonishment of the Slaves OD seeing me — The anticipated Flogging — Kentucky John — ^Mr. Eldret, the Planter — Eldret's Sam — Trip to the "Big Cane Brake"— The Tradition of "Sutton's Field"— Forest Trees — Gnats and Mosquitoes — The Arrival of Black "Women in the Big Cane — Lumber "Women — Sudden Appearance of Tibeats — His Provoking Treatment — Visit to Bayou BcBuf — The Slave Pass — Southern Hospitality — The Last of Eliza — Sale to Edwin Epps, 146

CHAPTER Xn.

Personal Appearance of Epps — Epps, Drunk and Sober — A Glimpse of his History — Cotton Growing — The Mode of Ploughing and Preparing Ground — Of Planting, of Hoeing, of Picking, of Treating Raw Hands —The difference in Cotton Pickers — Patsey a remarkable one — Tasked according to Ability — Beauty of a Cotton Field — The Slave's Labors — Fear of Approaching the Gin-House — Weighing — "Chores"— Cabin Life— The Corn Mill — The Uses of the Gourd — Fear of Oversleeping — Fear continually — Mode of Cultivating Corn — Sweet Potatoes — Fertility of the Soil — Fattening Hogs — Preserving Bacon — Raising Cattle — Shooting-Matches — Garden Products — Flowers and "Verdure, 1 62

CHAPTER Xm.

The Curious Axe-Helve — Symptoms of approaching Dlness — Continue to decline — The Whip ineffectual — Confined

CONTENTS. Al

rAGK.

to the Cabin — Visit by Dr. "Wines — Partial Recovery — ^Failure at Cotton Picking — What may be heard on Epps' Plantation — Lashes Graduated — Epps in a Whipping Mood — Epps in a Dancing Mood — Description of the Dance — Loss of Rest no Excuse — Epps' Characteristics — Jim Burns — Removal from HuflF Power to Bayou Boeuf — Description of Uncle Abram; of Wiley; of Aunt Phebe; of Bob, Henry, and Edward ; of Patsey ; with a Genealogical Account of each — Something of their Past History, and Peculiar Characteristics — Jealousy and Lust — Patsey, the Victim, 176

CHAPTER XIV.

Destruction of the Cotton Crop in 1845 — Demand for Laborers in St. Mary's Parish — Sent thither in a Drove — The Order of the March — The Grand Coteau — Hired to Judge Turner on Bayou Salle — Appointed Driver in his Sugar House — Sunday Services — Slave Furniture ; how obtained — The Party at Yarney's, in Centreville — Good Fortune — The Captain of the Steamer — His Refusal to Secrete me — Return to Bayou Boeuf — Sight of Tibeats — Patsey's Sorrows^ — Tumult and Contention — Hunting the Coon and Opossum — The Cunning of the latter — The Lean Condition of the Slave — Description of the Fish Trap — The Murder of the Man from Natchez — Epps Chalenged by Marshall — The Influence of Slavery — The Love of Freedom, 191

CHAPTER XV.

Xiabors on Sugar Plantations — The Mode of Planting Cane — of Hoeing Cane — Cane Ricks — Cutting Cane — Description of the Cane Knife — Winrowing — Preparing for Succeeding Crops — Description of Hawkins' Sugar Mill on Bayou Boeuf — The Christmas Holidays — The Carnival Season of the Children of Bondage — The Christmas Supper — Red, the Favorite Color — The Violin, and the Consolation it aflforded — The Christmas Dance — Lively, the Coquette — Sam Roberts, and his Rivals — Slave Songs — Southern Life as it is — Three Days in the Year — The System of Marriage — Uncle Abram's Contempt of Matrimony, 208

Xll CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVI.

PAO&

Overseers — How they are Armed and Accompanied — The Homicide — His Execution at Marksville — Slave Drivers — Appointed Driver on removing to Bayou Boeuf — Practice makes perfect — Epps's Attempt to Cut Piatt's Throat — The Escape from him — Protected by the Mistress — Forbids Reading and Writing — Obtain a Sheet of Paper after Nine Years* Effort — The Letter — Armsby, the Mean White — Partially confide in him — His Treachery — Epps' Suspicions — How they were quieted — Burning the Letter — Armsby leaves the Bayou — Disappointment and Despair, 228

CHAPTER XVn.

Wiley disregards the counsels of Aunt Phebe and Cncle Abram, and is caught by the Patrollers — The Organization and Duties of the latter — Wiley Runs Away — Speculations in regard to him — His Unexpected Return — His Capture on the Red River, and Confinement in Alexandria Jail — Discovered by Joseph B. Roberts — Subduing Dogs in anticipation of Escape — The Fugitives in the Great Pine Woods — Captured by Adam Taydem and the Indians — Augustus killed by Dogs — Nelly, Eldret's Slave Woman— The Story of Celeste

— The Concerted Movement — Lew Cheney, the Traitor — The Idea of Insurrection, 2&6

CHAPTER XVin.

O'Niel, the Tanner — Conversation with Aunt Phebe overheard — Epps in the Tanning Business — Stabbing of Uncle Abrara

— The Ugly Wound — Epps is Jealous — Patsey is Missing— Her Return from Shaw's — Harriet, Shaw's Black Wife — Epps Enraged — Patsey denies his Charges — She is Tied Down Naked to Four Stakes — The Inhuman Flogging — Flaying of Patsey — The Beauty of the Day — The Bucket of Salt Water — The Dress stiff with Blood— ^Patsey grows Melancholy— Her Idea of God and Eternity— Of Heaven and Freedom— The Effect of Slave- Whipping — Epps' Oldest Son

."Tlie Child is Father to the Man," 250

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIX.

•" ^ PAGR

Avery, on Bayoa Rouge — Peculiarity of Dwellings — Eppa builds a New House — Bass, the Carpenter — His Noble Qualities — His Personal Appearance and Eccentricities — Bass and Epps discuss the Question of Slavery — Epps' Opinion of Bass — I make myself known to him — Our Conversation "—His Surprise — The Midnight Meeting on the Bayou Bank — Bass' Assurances — Declares War against Slavery — Why I did not Disclose my History — Bass writes Letters — Copy of his Letter to Messrs. Parker and Perry — The Fever of Suspense — Disappointments — Bass endeavors to cheer me —My Faith in him, 2" 3

CHAPTER XX.

Bass faithful to his word — His Arrival on Christmas Eve — The Difficulty of Obtaining an Interview — The Meeting in the Cabin — Non-arrival of the Letter — Bass announces his Intention to proceed North — Christmas — Coversation between Epps and Bass — Young Mistress McCoy, the Beauty of Bayou BoBuf — The "Ne plus ultra" of Dinners — Music

- and Dancing — Presence of the Mistress — Her Exceeding Beauty — The Last Slave Dance — William Pierce — Over sleep myself — The Last Whipping — Despondency — Cold Morning — Epps' Threats — The Passing Carriage — Strangers approaching through the Cotton-Field — Last Hour on Bayou Boeuf, 279

CHAPTER XXL

The Letter reaches Saratoga — Is forwarded to Anne — Is laid before Henry B. Northup — The Statute of May 14, 1840 — Its Provisions — Anne's Memorial to the Governor — The affidavits Accompanying it — Senator Soule's Letter — Departure of the Agent appointed by the Governor — Arrival at Marksville — The Hon. John P. Waddill — The Conversation on New-York Politics — It suggests a Fortunate Idea — The Meeting with Bass — The Secret out — Legal Proceedings instituted— -Departure of Northup and the Sheriff from Marks-

XIV CONTENTS.

PAOB

ville for Bayou Boeuf — Arrangements on the "Way — Rcjic-ii Epps' Plantation — Discover his Slaves in the Cotton-FieM — The Meeting — The Farewell, 2sy

CHAPTER XXn.

A.rrival in New-Orleans — Glimpse of Freeman — Genois, the Recorder — His Description of Solomon — Reach Charleston Interrupted by Custom House Officers — Pass through Richmond — Arrival in Washington — Burch Arrested — Shekels and Thorn — Their Testimony — Burch Acquitted — Arrest of Solomon — Burch withdraws the Complaint — The Higher Tribunal — Departure from "Washington — Arrival at Sandy Hill — Old Friends and Familiar Scenes — Proceed to Glens Falls — Meeting with Anne, Margaret, and Elizabeth — Solomon Northup Staunton — Incidents — Conclusion, 310

ArPENiux, 323

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS,

Portrait of Solomon in his Plantation Suit, 1

Scene in the Slave Pen at "Washington, 45

Separation of Eliza and her last Child, 86

Chapin rescues Solomon from Hanging, 116

The Staking out and Flogging of the girl Patsey, 256

Scene in the Cotton Field, and Solomon's Delivery, 303

Arrival Home, and first meeting with his "Wife and Chh.dren^ 220

EDITOR'S PREFACE.

When the editx)i commenced the preparation of the fol lowing narrative, he did not suppose it would reach the size of this volume. In order, however, to present aU the facts which have been communicated to him, it has seemed necessary to extend it to its present length.

Many of the statements contained in the following pages are corroborated by abundant evidence — others rest entirely upon Solomon's assertion. That he has adhered strictly to the truth, the editor, at least, who has had an opportunity of detecting any contradiction or discrepancy in his statements, is well sat> isfied. He has invariably repeated the same story without deviating in the slightest particular, and has also carefully perused the manuscript, dictating an alteration wherever the most trivial inaccuracy has appeared.

It was Solomon's fortune, during his captivity, to be owned by several masters. The treatment he received while at the " Pine Woods " shows that among slaveholders there are men of humanity as well as of cruelty. Some of them are spoken of with emotions of gratitude — others in a spirit of bitterness. It is

XVI believed that the followuig account of his experience on Bayou Boeuf presents a correct picture of Slavery, in all its lights and shadows, as it now exists in that locality. Unbiased, as he conceives, by any prepossessions or prejudices, the only object of the editor has been to give a faithful history of Solomon Northup's life, as he received it from his lips.

In the accomplishment of that object, he trusts he has succeeded, notwithstanding the numerous faults of style and (y expresssion it may be found to contain.

DAVID WILSON

Whitehall, N. Y., May, 1853.

NARRATIYE OF SOLOMON NORTHUP.

CHAPTER I.

INTEODrCTOKY ANCESIKT THE NORTHUP FAMILY BIRTH AND JPARENT-

^(3E MINTUS NORTHUP MARRIAGE WITH ANNE HAMPTON GOOD RES- OLUTIONS CHAMPLAIN CANAL RAFTING EXCURSION TO CANADA —

FARMING THE VIOLIN COOKING REMOVAL TO SARATOGA PARKER

AND PERRY SLAVES AND SLAVERY THE CHILDREN THE BEGINNING

OF SORROW.

Having, been born a freeman, and for more than tbirty years enjoyed tbe blessings of liberty in a free State — and baving at tbe end of tbat time been kidnapped and sold into Slavery, wbere I remained, until b^ppily rescued in tbe montb of January, 1853, after a bondage of twelve years— it bas been suggested tbat an account of my life and fortunes would not be uninteresting to tbe public.

Since my return to liberty, I bave not failed to perceive tbe increasing interest tbrougbout tbe Nortbern States, in regard to tbe subject of Slavery. Works of fiction, professing to portray its features in tbeir more pleasing as well as more repugnant aspects, bave been circulated to an extent unprecedented, and, as I understand, have created a fruitful topic of comment and

discussion.

I can speak of Slavery only so far as it came under

my own observation — only so far as I have known and experienced it in my own person. My object is, to give a candid and truthful statement of facts : to repeat the story of my life, without exaggeration, leaving it for others to determine, whether even the pages of fiction present a picture of more cruel wrong or a eeverer bondage.

As far back as I have been able to ascertain, my ancestors on the paternal side were slaves in Ehode Island. They belonged to a family by the name of Northup, one of whom, removing to the State of New- York, settled at Hoosic, in Kensselaer county. He brought with him Mintus ISTorthup, my father. On the death of this gentleman, which must have occurred some fifty years ago, my father became free, hav ing been emancipated by a direction in his will.

Henry B. North up, Esq., of Sandy Hill, a distinguished counselor at law, and the man to whom, un der Providence, I am indebted for my present liberty, and my return to the society of my wife and children, is a relative of the family in which my forefathers Tvere thus held to service, and from which they took the name I bear. To this fact may be attributed the persevering interest he has taken in my behalf.

Sometime after my father's liberation, he removed to the town of Minerva, Essex county, N. Y., where!

PARENTAGE. 1 9

was born, in the month of July, 1808. How long he remained in the latter place I have not the means of definitely ascertaining. From thence he removed to Granville, "Washington county, near a place known as Slyborough, where, for some years, he labored on the farm of Clark Northup, also a relative of his old master ; from thence he removed to the Alden farm, at Moss Street, a short distance north of the village of Sandy Hill ; and from thence to the farm now owned by Russel Pratt, situated on the road leading from Fort Edward to Argyle, where he continued to reside until his death, which took place on the 22d day of !N"ovember, 1829. He left a widow and two children — myself, and Joseph, an elder brother. The latte? is still living in the county of Oswego, near the city of that name ; my mother died during the period of my captivity.

Though bom a slave, and laboring under the disadvantages to which my unfortunate race is subjected, my father was a man respected for his industry and integrity, as many now living, who well remember him, are ready to testify. His whole life was passed in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, never seeking employment in those more menial positions, which seem to be especially allotted to the children of Africa. Besides giving us an education surpassing that ordinarily bestowed upon children in our condition, he acquired, by his diligence and economy, a sufficient property qualification to entitle him to the right of suffrage. He was accustomed to speak to us of his early life ; and although at all times cherishing the warmest emotions of kindness, and even of affection towards the family, in whose house he had been a bondsman, he nevertheless comprehended the system of Slavery, and dwelt with sorrow on the degradation of his race. He endeavored to imbue our minds with sentiments of morality, and to teach us to place our trust and confidence in Him who regards the humblest as well as the highest of his creatures. How often since that time has the recollection of his paternal counsels occurred to me, while lying in a slave hut in the distant and sickly regions of Louisiana, smarting with the undeserved wounds which an inhuman master had inflicted, and longing only for the grave which had covered him, to shield me also from the lash of the oppressor. In the church-yard at Sandy Hill, an humble stone marks the spot where he reposes, after having worthily performed the duties appertaining to the lowly sphere wherein God had appointed him to walk.

Up to this period I had been principally engaged with my father in the labors of the farm. The leisure hours allowed me were generally either employed over my books, or playing on the violin — an amusement which was the ruling passion of my youth. It has also been the source of consolation since, affording pleasure to the simple beings with whom my lot was cast, and beguiling my own thoughts, for manyhoui-s, from the painful contemplation of my fate.

On Christmas day, 1829, I was married to Anne

GOOD EESOLTJTIONS. 21

Hampton, a colored girl then living in the vicinity of our residence. The ceremony was performed at Fort Edward, by Timothy Eddy, Esq., a magistrate of that town, and still a prominent citizen of the place. She had resided a long time at Sandy Hill, with Mr. Baird, proprietor of the Eagle Tavern, and also in the family of Rev. Alexander Proudfit, of Salem. This gentleman for many years had presided over the Presbyterian society at the latter place, and was widely distinguished for his learning and piety. Anne still holds in grateful remembrance the exceeding kindness and the excellent counsels of that good man. She is not able to determine the exact line of her descent, but the blood of three races mingles in her veins. It is difficult to tell whether the red, white, or black predominates. The union of them all, however, in her origin, has given her a singular but pleasing expression, such as is rarely to be seen. Though somewhat resembling, yet she cannot properly be styled a quadroon, a class to which, I have omitted to mention, my mother belonged.

I had just now passed the period of my minority, having reached the age of twenty-one years in the month of July previous. Deprived of the advice and assistance of my father, with a wife dependent upon me for support, I resolved to enter upon a life of industry ; and notwithstanding the obstacle of color, and the consciousness of my lowly state, indulged in pleasant dreams of a good time coming, when the pos session of some humble habitation, with a few sur

22 TWKLVE TEAES A SLAVE.

roundijg acres, should reward mj labors, and bring me the means of happiness and comfort.

From the time of my marriage to this day the love 1 have borne my wife has been sincere and unabated; and only those who have felt the glowing tenderness a father cherishes for his offspring, can appreciate my affection for the beloved children which have since been bom to us. This much I deem appropriate and necessary to say, in order that those who read these pages, may comprehend the poignancy of those sufferings I have been doomed to bear.

Immediately upon our marriage we commenced house-keeping, in the old yellow building then standing at the southern extremity of Fort Edward village, and which has since been transformed into a modern mansion, and lately occupied by Captain Lathrop. It is known as the Fort House. In this building the courts were sometime held after the organization of the county. It was also occupied by Burgoyne in 1777, being situated near the old Fort on the left bank of the Hudson.

During the winter I was employed with others repairing the Champlain Canal, on that section over which William Van ISTortwick was superintendent. David McEachron had the immediate charge of the men in whose company I labored. By the time the canal opened in the spring, I was enabled, from the savings of my wages, to purchase a pair of horses, and other things necessarily required in the business of navigation.

EXCTJRSION TO CANADA. 23

Having hired several efficient hands to assist me, I entered into contracts for the transportation of large rafts of timber from Lake Champlain to Troy. Djer Beckwith and a Mr. Bartemy, of Whitehall, accompanied me on several trips. During the season I became perfectly familiar with the art and mysteries of rafting — a knowledge which afterwards enabled me to render profitable service to a worthy master, and to astonish the simple-witted lumbermen on the banks of the Bayou Boeuf.

In one of my voyages down Lake Champlain, I was induced to make a visit to Canada. Bepairing to Montreal, I visited the cathedral and other places of interest in that city, from whence I continued my excursion to Kingston and other towns, obtaining a knowledge of localities, which was also of service to me afterwards, as will appear towards the close of this narrative.

Having completed my contracts on the canal satisfactorily to myself and to my employer, and not wishing to remain idle, now that the navigation of the canal was again suspended, I entered into another contract with Medad Gunn, to cut a large quantity of wood. Li this business I was engaged during the winter of 1831-32.

"With the return of spring, Anne and myself conceived the project of taking a farm in the neighborhood. I had been accustomed from earliest youth to agricultural labors, and it was an occupation congenial to my tastes. I accordingly entered into arrange-

24 TWELVE TEAHS A SLAVE.

ments for a part of tlie old Aldeu farm, on whicli my fatlier formerly resided. "With one cow, one swine, a yoke of fine oxen I had lately purchased of Lewis Brown, in Hartford, and other personal property and effects, we proceeded to our new home in Eangsbury. That year I planted twenty-five acres of com, sowed large fields of oats, and commenced farming upon as large a scale as my utmost means would permit. Anne was diligent about the house affairs, while I toiled laboriously in the field.

On this place we continued to reside until 1834:. In the winter season I had numerous calls to play on the violin. Wherever the young people assembled to dance, I was almost invariably there. Throughout the surrounding villages my fiddle was notorious. Anne, also, during her long residence at the Eagle Tavern, had become somewhat famous as a cook. During court weeks, and on public occasions, she was employed at high wages in the kitchen at Sherrill's Coffee House.

We always returned home from the performance of these services with money in our pockets ; so that, with fiddling, cooking, and farming, we soon found ourselves in the possession of abundance, and, in fact leading a happy and prosperous life. Well, indeed, would it have been for us had we remained on the farm at Kingsbury; but the time came when the next step was to be taken towards the cruel destiny that awaited me.

In March, 1834, we removed to Saratoga Springs

REMOVAL TO SARATOGA. 25

We occupied a house belonging to Daniel O'Brien, on the north side of "Washington street. At that time Isaac Taylor kept a large boarding house, known as Washington Hall, at the north end of Broadway. He employed me to drive a hack, in which capacity 1 worked for him two years. After this time I was generally employed through the visiting season, as also was Anne, in the United States Hotel, and other public houses of the place. In winter seasons I relied upon my violin, though during the constructrion of the Troy and Saratoga railroad, I performed many hard days' labor upon it.

I was in the habit, at Saratoga, of purchasing arti cles necessary foi my family at the stores of Mr. Ce phas Parker and Mr. William Perry, gentlemen towards whom, for many acts of kindness, I entertained feelings of strong regard. It was for this reason that, twelve years afterwards, I caused to be directed to them the letter, which is hereinafter inserted, and which was the means, in the hands of Mr. J^orthup, of my fortunate deliverance.

While living at the United States Hotel, I frequently met with slaves, who had accompanied their masters from the South. They were always well dressed and well provided for, leading apparently an easy life, with but few of its ordinary troubles to perplex them. Many times they entered into conversation with me on the subject of Slavery. Almost uniformly I found fchey cherished a secret desire for liberty. Some of

*hem expressed the most ardent anxiety to escape, and B consulted me on the best method of effecting it. The fear of punishment, however, which they knew was certain to attend their re-capture and return, in all cases proved sufficient to deter them from the experiment. Having all my life breathed the free air of the Korth, and conscious that I possessed the same feelings and affections that find a place in the white man's breast; conscious, moreover, of an intelligence equal to that of some men, at least, with a fairer skin, I was too ignorant, perhaps too independent, to conceive how any one could be content to live in the abject condition of a slave. I could not comprehend the justice of that law, or that religion, which upholds or recognizes the principle of Slavery ; and never once, I am proud to say, did I fail to counsel any one who came to me, to watch his opportunity, and strike for freedom.