IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 m IIM 1132 1.4 |M 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ,\ V # ■1.^ :\ \ #% V V, «• 6^ ' F.,n RS A R E F O R M E R pv.- J092.) o/' an AholiJhfiiMf ' nffn A -liti-Sfa'-fry ^'^' ov«u so to ) I* A \ ^ -7 M MM-j'. "v*.;: ;^ ^^^u^':.;iViM.r'^'^...:J y.'A .J } \. ^ C>'- /^7 'lV,J.'ll.» ! r,ffl'IU. ' . 'l'a " Reform i, the wi,o.st, and ,no,f natnral Pkkvkxtim.: ,„ Revolution. ''~E,normn. MEMOIRS OP A REFORMER (1832-1892.) BY ALEXAISTDER MILTOIST ROSS ^fl'S^^.^'-^n' ^^'lf'''^'<>^ ««rf Experiences of an AbolitioLf - (m2\ ; Gorr. Member of the British and Foriqn AnttsaTrv offke I^V^' if-Slareri^ of France : Vic^f^J^ZP' of the National Lthcrty League of the U. S.: Presi- dent of the OiUario Medical Liberty League, the Anti-Compnlsorv Vaccination League, and the food Reform Society of Canada, He, etc.y etc. '•Whatsoever ye would that men, should do to you, do ye even so to them.' - ,/r.ws. TORONTO: HUNTER, ROSE Sz COMPANY 189.3. rmjt^vm'miij j .MM,.ji-!ii',iMlilli Entere.1 accorrling to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year nne thousand ei-ht hundred and ninety-three, by Alexander Milton Ross, at the Department of Agriodture. i3^ ®o the ^etnovxi OF JOHN BROWN, The Martyr : JOSEPH GARIBALDI, The Liberator; ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Thfi Emancipator .• LirORETTA MOTT. (IKRRIT SmiTH. VVeXDKU. P„ILUPS. Hor.CK Grbbly, William Lyon Mackenzie, Marshal S. Bidwbll, Russel T. Tball and J. Emery Coderre, Reformers, This volume is reverently dedicated by THK AUTHOR. i6M-''%m»mmmmhMh^AV^^-^mpimsmmm v^ U ?5553PBfTrasn PREFACE --• • • - These Wen,oir« are given to tl.e public in eoinpli- "nee with tl,o repeated solicitations of frien,l« „n.l co-laborera In tl>eir preparation I have strictly ■ oiramecl from any atten.pt at embellislunent or mnplification, but have aimed at accuracy of state- ...cut, briefness of description, and simplicity of style. C^7^/ Toronto, 1893. ••««« iinpki.m'^m^iTiv-'m.'Mi. mmmmr^m'^s^^i^'^^^l^m^^;^?^^^ '^^^^ MEMOIRS OF J^ E/EFOIS.ZMIEK. (CHAPTER I. 1849-55. My Heritage —Karliest, Recollectifma-Firat IinprcsnionB of Hu- ll' Slavery- F'ost Experience ot a Struggle tor Freedom — J-eave Caj'odu— Arrival in Xew York City- Marshal S. Bid- >vell— H« I «:e (Jreeley — William CuUen Bryant- Dr. Valentine M'>tt- l)r. Trail — First Visit to Washington — Joshua R. (iid- diugs — Dr. (lamaiiel Bailey — C4en. Sam. Houston — Senate and House ot Reproseniatives — Daniel We})8ter — Jolm C Calhoun — Henry Clay —Intemperance at the Capitol— Slave Cotlicfl - Return to New Yoik— Tiie Death of My Mother — Visit Canada. MY HERITAGE. From my mother I received a hei-itage (A (|nali- tios wliich have been ruling factors in all my labors for the betterment of humanity — a love oi nature, and a love of freedom. From my childhood I have hated and rebelled against tyranny and oppression, under whatever form they were manifested or im- posed. Memoirs of a Reformer. ^ # EARLIEST RECOLLECTIONS. My earliest recollections of a struggle against oppression date back to the year 1838. The Ca- nadian Government at that time was a selfish, ar- rogant, oppressive Family Compact, that deserved annihilation, and would have met it, had all the Liberal leaders been animated with the zeal, energy, courage, intelligence and consistency of William Lyon Mackenzie, to whom Canadians of to-day are more than to any man indebted for the rights and liberties they now possess. vt FIRST IMPRESSION OF HUMAN SLAVERY. My first impressions of human slavery were re ceived from my mother, to whom I am indebted for whatever I have accomplished or attained that is worthy and meritorious. Subsequent descriptions of the internal working of the institution of slavery in the slave states, were given me by fugitive slaves in Canada. Many of these victims of " man's cruelty to man " bore ineffaceable evidence of brandings with red hot irons, scourgings, and horrible mutilations, the sight of which kindled an unquenchable flame, and clinched my determination to do what I could toward " letting the oppressed go free." .,J»«ffc*i5#** ^^SSBSti Memoirs of a Reformfv. re for .t is ivery klaves man red the and could LEAVE CANADA. In my seventeenth year I went to the United States to prepare for the battle of life. My first ob- ject was to acquire a broader and fuller knowledf^e of the workings of human slavery in the United States. My next object was to acquire a knowledj^e of medicine and surgery, which would enable me to earn the means to prosecute what was even at that early period the leading aspiration of my life — the abolition of human slavery. I had long before determined to cast my lot with the despised and hated men and women, who were sacrificing their all to obtain freedom for the poor down-trodden slaves of the republic. MARSHAL S. HIjnVELL. I had often heard my mother refer in kindly terms to Marshal S. Bidwell, as an old friend then residing in New York. Mr. Bidwell had occupied a prominent political position in Canada, previous to the rebellion of 1837, but becoming involved in opposition to the (Family Compact) Tory Govern- ment he was forced to leave the country, and settled in N»w York, where he attained high distinction as a lawyer and jurist. He was noted for his high and delicate sense of honor, as well as for intellectual refinement aud culture. He received me in the 4 Memoirs of a Reformer. kindest manner, asking many (luestions about old friends in Canada. I became a frequent visitor at his home, and there met many of the most worthy citizens of New York. Thi'ough Mr. Bidwell, I became acquainted with Horace Greeley, William Cullen Bryant, and many other good men and women, whose kindly sympathy and pure lives have been a blessing to me. DR. R. T. TRALL. I also formed what proved a life-long friendship with Dr. Trail the Hydropathist, who at that time was actively disseminating his hydropathic and hy- gienic theories. I attended his evening lectures and subsequently graduated at his school. He was an active, vigorous thinker and speaker : very inde- pendent and uncompromising, and tenacious of his opinions. His life and labors were productive of great goo _ MiiiittiifiKiBiiHHUi 'At fs. Mernolrs of (t Refornur. 5 ncHH at a time when I was preparing for the hattle of life. I shall ever revere liis memory. ■s' i m . .■■-5 Liite >fes- mee ind- FIRST VISIT TO WASHIXCiTON. Mr. Greeley and other friends advised me to spend the winter in Wasliington. I was made acijuainted with Joshua R. Giddings, of the House of Ke[)resen- tatives, General Sam. Houston, of the Senate, and Dr. Gamaliel Bailey of the NaHoivil Era, wlio secured me a good position in the office of the Em, where my duties were light, affording me plenty of time for study and observation. I was mad(^ a wi'lcouK? visitor at the house of Dr. Bailey and his excellent wife, and participated in the delightful intellectual feasts that made their home the resort of tlie })est and greatest men of that day. At the feet of "' Gamaliel " I was happy to sit and listen to wortual Memoirs of a Reformer. 7 face, and tlie peculiar light that flashed from his eyes while speaking, made him a very striking figure. Daniel Webster at that time was a most majestic- looking man, physically and intellectually, His frame was massive and lion-like, his hea^^m»^ ■u m-rttu ■iit-'^^f^'r-^r -i. ■i-.'fi-v-t:. •l^,„l (Is I 14 MeMioirs of a Reformer. ions and professional oHtracifim would be my portion. I knew that no other chiss of citizenH were more despised hy tlie ricli, the powerful and the influential, tlian the despised abolitionists. I knew the path to professional preferment, success and influence was closed to me, but I felt then as I feel now, that the title of " negro thief " so often applied to me at that time was a prouder title than any conferred by monarehs. I felt then, and I feel now, after the lapse of thirty-five years, the approval of my own conscience, which is more to me than the fickle ap- plause and approval of men. THE OUTF.OOK. The outlook was dark and unpromising, but my faith in the justice of the cause was steadfast, and my hope in the future undinnned by the prevailing political fogs — and treacher}'^ of politicians ami dough-faced friends. In thirteen great states of the republ'c human slavery existed, and throughout these states men, women, and children were bought and sold, just as cattle and swine are bought and sold at the present time. They were deprived of all human rights, beaten, abused, outraged and killed at the will and pleasure of their owners. Husbands were sold and separated from their wives, and children were sold and separated from their parents. In fact, four Memoirs of a Reformer. in inillionH of men, women and chiMren, in tlie Hlave states, possessed no rights that their masters were bound to respect. Slavery was the dominant power before which all other interests were subordinate. The coara(;st, blackest, and most brutal tyranny prevailed all over that vile scmth Sodom, No word of pity or relief came to the oppressed. No one dare utter a word aloud againsi; the institution of slavery^ except at peril of life. To teach a slave to read was punished with death. A reign of terror prevailed. From the sanctum of the editor, the pulpit of tiie preacher, the desk of the teacher, the counting-house of the merchant, not a voice was heard on behalf of four millions of human beings held in cruel bondage, from which there appeared at that time no hope of relief. The poor slaves were silent and hopeless ; if they looked for help to the so-called free states of the republic, they were met by the command, " Ser- vants obey your masters." If they fled from bond- age, the Federal government stood ready to act the part of a policeman for the slave masters, and send the fugitive back to slavery. In a majority of the northern states a mean, cowardly, servile spirit pre- vailed, that bowed and cringed before the haughty slave-masters. All the power and influence of the national gov- ernment, all the power and influence of the wealthy classes, all the social and religious influence of the clergy and professional classes, were enlisted in T^.^mmm^i 16 Memoirs of a Reformer. § I powitive or negative support of that sodomic insti- tution, vvliich made merchandise of the souls and l)odies of human beings. The press of the north was muzzled. The religious Tract Societies, the Bible Societies, the Missionary Societies from Ver- mont to Texas, were silent or (juiescent in the face of this giant wrong. That was the condition of the American Repub- lic in 1(S55. Its so-called banner of freedom, was a Haunting lie, its constitution a compact with Satan, its motto a deceitful, lying cant. To the selfish and superficial observer of that time it appeared as if this arrogant slave power would last foi-ever ; entrenched in Federal and State law sustained by the church and all the dominant and wealthy classes of the republic, it appeared impreg- nable and indestructable. But, wait and see what a wonderful transformation was wrought in a fev: shoi't years through the earnest labors of a few com- paratively insignificant men and women " who loved their neighbors," and obeyed the golden rule. The members of this little band of abolitionists were at first ridiculed and despised, and treated p.s ignorant fanatics and cranks. As they increased in number ar.d daring, they were hated, persecuted, outraged, and in many cases barbarously murdered. What crime had these men committed ? The crime of " doir.g unto others as they would have others do unto them," the crime Memoirs of a Refomner. 17 nsti- \ and north i, the \ Ver- le tace Repub- i^ was a I Satan, Kat time ;r wouhi tatelaw nant and impvey;- see what in a f ev: few coui- who loved •ule. The its were at (S ignorant laving, tl^ey xuany cases tiiese men jto others as " the crime of loving liberty better than slavery, the crime of teaching that every human being born into this world possesses an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. HUMAN SLAVERY AS IT WAS — FOUR MILLIONS ( I' SLAVES IN BONDAGE. The number of slaves in the Southern States at this period (1850) exceeded four millions, distri- buted as follows : Alabama, 445,000; Mississippi, 486,431; South Carolina, 402,400 ; Louisiana, 341,- 720; Texas, 182.566; Virginia, 490,465; Missouri, 114,921; Arkansas, 111,115; North Carolina, 331,- 059; Tennessee, 275.719; Kentucky, 225,483; Georgia, 462,198; Florida, 61,745; Delaware, 1,- 798 ; Maryland, 87,189 ; making a total of n)ore than four millions of human beings held in crue) bondage. SLAVES WERE CHATl'ELS. Throughout the slave states, slaves were con- sidered chattels, and were classe«i with horses, mules, swine, and other domestic animals. The slave was subject to his master's disposal. He was doomed to toil that others might reap the fruits of his unrequited labor. He had no right in things real or personal ; he was not ranked among senti- ent things, but among things. His wife and his B ^^•ui^^mm^mi ... '-"^^■^imm^ •■■ 18 Memoirs of a Reformer. offspring belonged to liis master, to do as lie pleased with. There was no law for the slave but his mas- ter's whip. In Fact, the slave had no I'ight which his master was hound to respect. He was bought, sold and traded, the same as lands, cattle, and mules were bought, sold and traded. That my readers may have a clear idea of the status of the slaves, I reprint a few advertisements clipped from southern papers of that time : such advertisements Were usually headed by a cut of a man or woman with a bundle on his or her back. The extent and cruelty of the inter-state slave trade is well illus- trated by an extract from a report printed by the Presbyterian Synod of Kentucky in 1851 : "These horrid sceres (coffle gangs of slaves) are fi'e(juently occurring in our midst. There is not a neighbor- hood in tlie state where these heartrending scenes are not displayed : there is not a village or road that does not behold the sad procession of manacled outcasts whose chains and mournful countenances tell that t,hey are exiled by force from all that their hearts hold dear." Virginia, Maryland and Kentucky were the breeding states of the south. It has Ijeen truly said that " the best blood of Virginia runs in the veins of her slaves." This remark was equally true of Kentucky and Maryland. Memoirs of ■!«,»' anf-* ;-,.^i.-.:..,: J»* Memoirs of a Reformer. 21 kble im- >ared to so, good kves con- anics and treets. CS AND trict Court I will sell next, the ton planta- chafalaya le improve- er'a house, ation being ict, and of act, bound - y James H. you. 7. Alexander, aged about 45 years. 8. Gkorue, aged about 28 years. 9. Antony, aged about 26 years. 10. Harry, aged about 15 years. 11. Jane, aged about 11 years. 12. MiLLY, aged about 2.3 years ; her three children — Dolly, 4 years, Abe, 2 years, Polly, 1 month. 1.3. Zelphy, aged about 22 years, and her two children — Em- meline, .3 years, Tom, 1 year. 14. Rhoda, aged 7 years. 15. Kli.en, aged 38 years. 16. Zach, aged 9 years. 17. Henry, aged 24 years. Also 8 head of mules, stock ot cattle, oxen, hogs and farming uteus-ila on said plantations. The said property will be sold in block, or separately, to suit purchasers. TKR.MS OF SALE. If sold in block, $6,000 cash ; the balance on a credit of one, two, three and four years, the purchase price to bear 8 per cent, interest from day of sale, and to be secured by notes, with ap- proved personal security, and a mortgage detained on the pro- perty. If sold separately, the land on a credit of one, two, three and four years, with 8 per cent, interest from day of sale, to be sec- ured by note, with approved personal security and mortgage on the property. . The negroes, one-thir I cash, the balance on one or two years, with 8 per cent, interest from the day of sale, to be secured by note; with approved personal security and mortgage on the pro- perty. The mules, farming utensils, stock, etc., on a credit of twelve months, with 8 per cent, interest from day of sale, to bo secured by note, with approved personal security, for all sums over $KM) ; for all sums under $100, cash. Persons desiring to examine the plantation before the sale, can ■ ■m^arif^* ! I i ! li 9.9 Meinoim pounds ; speaks slowly and stammers a littlu when confused ; Iiair tolerably long and straight. Richard, about 'ifi years of age, weighs 14.'» pounds, of dark complexion ; has a large scar on the left cheek and one on the ohin, same side of face. Tom Sim MS, about 2.1 years old ; weighs about loO pounds ; dark complexion ; when he left iiad a small goatee under the chin. Gus SIMMS, about \H years old; weighs about 120 pounds ; dark complexion, slim, and rather delicate in appearance. I will pay the above rewanl if the above-named slaves are lodged in jail where I can get them, or.>!25 for either one of them. They may iiroba.jly try to make their way to the Free States, and may state that they belong to Sam Bnford, my overseer, or to \V. L. Campbell, of New Orleans, from whom I bought them. M. (IILLIS, Of the firm of (Jillis & Ferguson fO.NK HuNDRKi) DoLLAHS Rewakd. — Ran away from the undersigned, on or alK)nt the 18th of July, I8i)7, a negro man named Peyton (calls himself Peyton Randolph), aged 2<) years, five feet seven inches higVi, weighs l.")0 pounds; he is genteel in his appearance, aiul can read and write. The above reward will be paid to any one who will have him lodged in jail, so that he can be recovered, or wiio will deliver him to Mr. John Frmon, on the corner of Race and Camp streets in this city. M. C. HALE, Constance, near Second-street. • TwEXTV-KiVE Dollars Reward. —Ran away from the J^ subscriber, on the 29th of October, Missorui or Ann, a •fSU very likely grifFe, aged I.") years, and about oA feet high ; figure rather slender. She was barefooted, and had on a brown calico dress. She is refined and plausible in her manner and language, and unacquainted in the city. L. OREENLEAF, Cor. Annunciation and Jackson streets. iw ■li^mm^'imm^ 2i Memoirs of a Reformer ( From the Richmond, Va. , Whig. ) "One Hundred Dollars Reward will be given for the ap- prehension of my negro, Edmund Kenney. He has straight hair, and complexion so nearly white that it is believed a stranger would suppose that there was iio African blood in him. He was with my boy Dick a «hort time since, in Norfolk, and offered him for sale, and was apprehended, but escaped under pretence of being a white man." "Two Hundred Dollar.s Reward. — Ran away from the subscriber, last November, a white negro man, about 35 years old, hefght about five feet eight or ten inches, blue eyes, has a yellow woolly head, very fair skin. "P.S. — Said man has a good-shaped foot and leg; and his foot is very small and hollow." Twenty Dollars Reward. — Ran away from the subscriber, on the I4th instant, a negro girl named Molly. She is 16 or 17 years of age, slim made, IcUely branded on her left cheek, thiis, " ^," and a piece is taken off her ear on the same side ; the same letter is branded on the inside of both her legs. ABNER ROSS, Fairfield District, S.C. ' {From the Georgia Messenger. ) "Runaway. — My man George; has holes in his ears; is marked on the back with the whip ; has been shot in the legs ; has a scar on the forehead." I {From the Wibnington, N.C., Advertiser.) " Ran away, my negro man Richard. A reward of twenty- five dollars will be paid for his apprehension, dead or alive. Satisfactory proof only will be required of his being killed. He has with him, in all probability, his wife Eliza, who ran away from Colonel Thompson. Memoir's of n Rpfomier. 25 (From the Savannah Republican. ) *' Fifty Dollars Reward. — Ran away from the subscriber, on the 22nd ult., my negro man Albert, who is twenty-seven jears old, very white, so much so, that he would not be suspected of being a iietfro. Has blue eyes, and very light hair. Wore, when he left, a long thin beard, and rode a chestnut sorrel horse, with about $70 belonging to himself. " He is about five feet eight inches high, and weighs about 140 pounds. Has a very humble and meek appearance ; can neither read nor write, and is a very kind and amiable fellow ; speaks much like a low country negro. He has, no doubt, been led off by some miserable wretch during my absence in New York." A letter in a Vicksburg, Miss., paper, of June, 1857, from a planter, contained the following passage : "I can tell you how to break a negro of running away. When I catch a runaway negro I tie him down and pull one of his toe nails out by the roots, and tell him if he ever runs away again I will pull out two of them. I never have to do it more than once. It cures them." BLOOD HOUNDS. Blood Hounds were used to track runaway slaves, especially in thick woods or in swamps, where the poor wretches would live in caves or among the rocks, to elude the pursuit of their cruel taskmas- ters. Many died of exposure and starvation, rather than return to their owners, to be whipped and branded with red-hot irons. I clipped the follow- ing advertisements from Southern papers : "Blood Hounds.— The undersigned, having bought the en- tire pack of negro dogs (o^ the Hay & Allen stock) he now pro- poses to catch runaway negroes. His charges will be three dol- lars a day for hunting, and fifteen dollars for catching a runaway. 2() Mfnioirf* of a Reformer. f; I' H He reuideH three and one-half niilea norlh of Livingston, near the lower Jones' Bluff Road. "Wir-MAM Gamhrkk." " Notice. —The subscriber, livinjj on Carroway Lake, on- Hoes' Hayou, in Carroll parish, sixteen miles on the road leading from Bayou Mason to Lake Providence, is ready with a pair of dogs to hunt runaway negroes at any time. These dogs are well trained, and are known throughout the parish. Letters addressed to nje at Providence, will secure immediate attention. My terms are five doUais per day for hunting the trails, whether the n^gro is caught or not. Wiiere a twelve hours' trail is shown, and the negro not taken, no charge is made. For taking a negro, twenty- fi\e dollars, and no charge made for hunting. ••James W. Hall." YALTTE OF BLOODHOUNDS. The value ot* blootlhounds to the slave-hunters may he inferred from the following (quotation of prices taKen from a Columbia, S. C, paper : "Mr. J. L. Bryan, of Moore county, sold at auction, on the 20th instant, a pack of ten bloodhounds, trained for hunting run- away negroes, for the sum of .i?l,540. The highest price paid for any one dog was !i?301 ; the lowest price, $75 ; average for the ten, .1i!ir)4.' Bloodhounds are larger and more compact than ordinary hounds, with hair straight and sleek as that of the finest race horse, colored between yel- low and brown, short-eared, rather long-nosed, and built for scenting, quick action and speed. They can take a scent three days old and run it down- Their speed is about equal to, and their endurance Mfiiioirs of '< Rt'fitnner. 27 rtv Hoes' ng from f (logs to L trained, ed to ine terms are ; n^gro is , and the ,j twenty- lunting run- price paid average for ipact than sleek as bween yel- noscd, and ed. They |n it down- • endurance much ^n-eater tluin, a o-ruyliound. Tlieir bark re- st'inl)los neither that of a bulldog, cur, nor hound, but is a yelp like awolf.s. Their bite is a wolf-like snap, not the hohl-fast grip of a bulldog. The "catch dog" used in slavery times on Southern plantations in capturing runaway slaves, looked like a cross between a Newfoundland and bull of large and powerl'iil build. DESCUIITION OF A NEffHO HTTNT. Tile overseer or hunter mounts a fleet horse, holds his "catch" dog by a chain, and turns loose the hounds. Circling round, they strike the scent and soon lead off, their fast receding yelps marking the rapidity of the chase. The hor.seman follows over fences through timber and swamp as best he can, holding his " catcli dog in lea.sh." Hounds sighting the negro, divide, form a semi-circle, and rapidly draw it into a large circle around him. As the pur- sued wretch runs, the dogs in front of him fallback, but preserve their equi-distant place in the circle which they are gradually clo.sing. On nearing him they snap at his legs, but do not spring at his throat. As the circle narrows, the hunter arrives. The ominous .sound of the chains' rattle, like the warning note of the serpent, strikes the negro's ears. The " catcli dog " springs upon the exhausted runaway and holds him, hounds are clubbed away, the fugi- tive secured, dogs leashed, and the hunt is over. ■ rlT^' li! 28 MffO/nTf* of f lis letters Jefferson says, " when the mer)^. e of lii . ilaves' tears, is full, when their groans havr; involved heaven itself in darkness, doubtless a God of justice will listen to their distress." JOHN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE. John Randolph of Roanoke, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and a native of Virginia, says : — "Avarice alone can drive, as it does drive, this infernal traffic, bi^^} the wretched victims of it, like so many post-hoif c^:, s. hipped to death in a mail-coach." " Ambition has its cover ^V^ts in the pride, pomp, and circumstance o. gloriouf* Wir, but where are the trophies of avarice ? The handcuff, the manacle the blood-stained jowhidci ! What man is worse re- ceived in society for being a hard master ? Who bsisgsi Memoirs of a Refivniifr. 33 i. The br and escape ' slave- equeatli had he lid have uld have Liars, and ^ a thous- son says, 'uU, when . darkness, I- distress." signers of native of ), as it does led victims [to death in -)ride, pomp, [ where are Ithe manacle 1 is worse re- Ister? Who denies tlie right of a daughter or sister to such monsters ? "(Speech in Congress.) Study tliis picture. Wholesale murder, bai'barism and cruelty. The general prevalence of these in the highest circles, and no one regarding the perpetrators the worse for it, or shrinking back from the closest family affinity with the monsters ! THE CLERGY OF THE SLAVE STATES. Every clergyman in the Slave Stales, either openly or passively, upheld human slavery. They maintained that slavery was a wise and benefi- cent institution devised by God for the protection and welfare of the negro race. These reverend pro-slavery champions resembled the priests of Juggernaut recommending the worship of their god by pointing to the wretches writhing and shrieking and expiring under his car. From a pro-slavery pamphlet, published by the Reverend James Smiley of the Amita Presbytery, Mississippi, I extract the following : " If slavery be a sin, and if the buying, selling and holding a slave be a sin, then th?ee- fouiths of all the Episcopalians, Methodists, Bap- tists and Presbyterians of eleven states of this union ai-e of the devil. They not only buy and [sell slaves, but they arrest and restore runaway [slaves, an' the slaves of the South : the routi's to he taken, aftei- reachiufj the so-called Free St ites, and the relief |)Osts. wheiv shelter and aid for transpor- tation couhl he ohtained. My exc(dlent friend also accompanied me to Ohio and Indiana, where 1 ma shelter to the fuc^itives, and assisted them to reach Canada. The Rev. (), B. Frothingham, in his life of Ceri-it Smith, says : "Alexaiuler M. Ross, of Canada, whose remarkable exploits in running off slaves caused such consternation in the southern states, was in communication with CJerrit Smith from first to last, was aided by him in his preparation with information and ^i*€''*m;.m'mt>mt.'^, flP' >V>./»> >*!»~,.*^.4f. liia warned me ot* the (hin<^er.s that were in my patl» and some of them ur^ed me to seek other and Irss (hmfjerous cliannels vvlierein to aid tlie oppi'cssed. I felt convinced, over, that the only ett'ectual way to help the slaves was to aid them to «'scape from homla^e. To accomplish that it was necessary to ^o to them, advise them, and give them practical assistance. For, with hut few exceptions, the slaves were in absolute ignorance of everything Ijeycmd the boundary of tlieir plantation or town. The cir- culation of information among the oppressed would also tend to excite a spirit of iiujuiry and create a feeling of independence which ultimately might lead to insurrection and the ilestruction of the in- stitution of slave) I the United States. Before leaving Fhiladelplna, it was nuitually ai-ranged be- tween my friends and myself, in respect to confiden- tial corres])ondence, that the term " hardware " was to signify males and " dry goods " females. I was to notify my friend in Philadelphia (if possible) whenever a package of " hardware " or of " dry goods ' was started for freedom, and he in turn warned the friends in Ohio and Pennsylvania to be on the lookout for runaways. My name was drop- ped, and others assumed to meet the emergency of the occasion. My communications with the outside Pi ! }ffinoirs uf (I Ucfarnyr. 43 those Boston M that me to rein to Vectuul eHcape cessary ractical l; Hlaves V)eyon(l riie cii'- d would create a inijijht i the in- Bet'ore nged be- jonfiden- Hre " was I was possible) of " dry ) in turn mia to be vas drop- rgency of le outside world were in eiplnr and con fined to one indivi(hial with many names. Tlu'se pre('antit)ns wore deemed absohitely nec(^sHary for my personal safety anil huc- cesH in my iia/ardous task. My appearances and disappiiarances were so uncertain and mysterious that uiy northern friends were accustomed to call me the " Man of Mystery," while in the south a much more sulphurous title was accorded me. INTO THE LAND OF H()NDA(JE. Fully efjuipped, I crossed the Potomac and entered the land of bondage. On my arrival in Richmond I went to the house of a gentleman to whom I had been directed and who was known at the north to be an abolitionist. I sj»ent a few days in quietly determining upon the best plans to adopt. THE WORK BEGUN. Having finally decided upon my course, I invited a number of the most intelligent, active, and re- liable slaves to meet me at the house of a colored preacher, on a Sunday evening. TALK TO FORTY-TWO SLAVES. On the night appointed, forty-two slaves came to hear what prospect there was for their escape from "Tiir- "i|-T"'Tir-rtirilli 44 l\fp7n-ii--nr iMrr 46 Memoirs of a Refomier. i\ !il an old free nepfro and advised nie to trust him ini- ])Heitly. This good man was nearly eighty years of age, and had the confidence of all the colored people for miles around Nashville. He lived a short dis- tance outside the city li.nits. At his house he preach- ed to such of the slaves as were disposed and could attend every Sunday evening. I requested him to invite as many reliable and intelligent slaves as he could to ■ et at his house on the next Sunday evening. v)n the evening appointed, thirteen fine able-bodied men assembled to see and hear an abol- itionist. Never have I met more intelligent looking colored men than those that composed my little audience on that occasion : their ages ranged from eighteen to thirty. Some were very black, while others were mulattoes, and two of them had straight hair and were light-coloured. ON GUARD. ;m My host volunteered to stand guard outside the house to prevent interruption and to intercept any unfriendly or evil-minded callers. I talked to my hearers earnestly and practically, explaining the con- dition and prospects of the colored people in Cana- da, and the obstacles and dangers they would have to encounter on the way to that land of refuge. No lecturer ever had a more intensely earnest audience ih'y.n I had that evening. I gathered the brave fel- III I mm memiismrsm t Memoirs of u Rrforinfr. 47 lows ai'ouiid ine so that I could look each in the face i\,n<\ ^^'wo cinphaHis to my iiistiMictioiis. In con- clusion J t()ioy under my window. The burthen of his cry was the escape of several slaves from Nashville in one night. I raised the window and told the boy to bring a paper to my room. It contained the followmg item of in- terest to me : — "TWELVE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD. " Great excitement in Nashville ; escape of seven tirst-class slave men by the aid of an abolitionist, w^.o has been seen in the city for several days. Three hundred dollars reward is ottered for tlie capture and return of each of the slaves, and twelve hundred dollars for the apprehension of the ' ac- cursed abolitionist.' " Then followed a description of the slaves, and a very good description of my- self, considering that I kept very close during my stay in Nashville. At a glance I saw the danger of my position, and determined to leave the hotel at once. Returning to the house I had first visited, I made enquiries for the residence of a colored man upon whom my colored friend in Nashville told me 1 could rely. Having received the proper direction, I went to his humble dwelling and was cordially welcomed on mentioning the name of his old friend at Nashville. D INSTITUT: I 1 60 Mciuoirs of a Tx^'Jornic)' A NOIILE MAN. Ho was a fine-looking inan, witli lioiieHt eyes, open countenance, ami of more tlian onlinaiy in- telligence for on(3 of his race. I hany Indians, that after all this, in order to sust-iin a cause which every man in this ' glorious republic ' (0 is under e(iual moi'al ohlijva- tions to do, and for the nef^^lect of which he will l)e held accountable to God ; a cause in which every man woman and child of the entire human family has a deep, awful interest ; that when no wap^s are asked or expected, he cannot secure amidst all the wealth, luxury and extravagance of this ' Heav(}n exalted people,' even the necessary supplies of the common soldier. ' How are the mighty fallen ! ' " To George L.Stearas of Boston, and his noble wife, are due the honor and glory of having supplied the financial wants of John Brown, which enabled him to make his heroic onslaught, that kindled the flame which devoured the institution of slavery and gave freedom to millions of slaves. n 5 58 Memoirs of a Reformer. f I I iS' CHARACTER OF JOHN BROWX. I have been in the presence of many men called great and distinguished, but never have I met a more remarkable man than Captain John Brown. There was manifest in all he said and did an ab- sorbing intensity of purpose controlled by lofty moral principles. He was not a I'eligionist, but he was a Christian. JOHN HROWN's AN'CESTRY. The following items I gathered 5 '^ n SOWINfi SEED AT SELMA. I made this place my base for extensive incur- sions to the surrounding country. There was not a plantation within fifteen miles of vSelma that I did not visit successfully, I, I IN A DANCiEUOUS POSITFON. ;h m- Hj ipleted lal. at Selma, I selected aving com] a small town in Mississippi, for my next field of labor. I had been at work about two weeks, when a difliculty occurred which, but for the faith- fulness of a negro, would have ended in my death, at the hands of an infuriated mob. During one of my visits to a plantation I met a negro slave of more than ordinary intelligence. His master was a man of coarse and brutal instincts, who had burned the initials of his name into the flesh of sev- eral of his slaves, to render their capture more certain in case they attempted to run away from this merciless wretch. I saw several of the victims of his cruelty, whose backs would forever bear the marks of his branding iron and lash. He was a veritable " Legree." On one of my excursions over his plantation, I was accompanied by the slave mentioned. During our rambles he gave me a history of his life and suf- ferings, and expressed an earnest desire to gain his B i;^! if'l! I ,.1 ill i f'l "J 1 > I': 1' • 4 ! 'i m Meiaoirs of a Reformer. freedom. I felt that he coukl be relied upon, and imparted to him the secret object of my visit to the South. He listened with absorbing interest, whilst I explained to him the difficulties and dangers he would have to encounter on so long and perilous a journey. He, however, declared his determination to make the attempt, saying that death itself was preferable to his present existence. On the follow- ing • 1 'I .1 '! ii ! i s ■ ! 1 76 Memoirs of a Refi/nner. tendered me the congratulations of the society on my safe return from the land of darkness and des- pair. FUGITIVES FKOM HUNTSVII.I;K, ALABAMA. While in Philadelphia a telegram was received from a friend in Evansville, Ind., informing me that two fugitives had arrived there in a most pitiable condition, their emaciated bodies bearing the marks of many a bruise. I at once went to Evansville to render them such aid as I could. They were de- lighted to meet me again, and recalled an interview they had with me at Huntsville, Alabama. The poor fellows were kindly cared for, and after a I't'W days' rest, continued their journey to Canada, pre- pared to defend their right to own themselves against whoever might dis})ute it. The route trav- elled by these fugitives from Huntsville to the Ohio river was marked with their blood. Their escape was soon discovered and persistent efibrts were made to cai)ture them. They were followed for two days by bloodhounds that weie placed on their tracks, but which tliev sueceedt'd in eludiuii' by wading in the creeks and marshes: for forty - eight hours the dee]^ baying of the hounds was fre- (juently heard. They travelled by niglit only, tak- ing the north star for their guide, and by day rested in secluded places. Their sufferings from hunger were very severe, which they were often obliged to Memoirs of a Reformer. 77 relieve by eating frogs anrl other reptiles. Occa- sionally, however, they succee 84 f. M ii id Memoirs of a Reformer. would provoke him to engage in some enterprise which might result in the destruction of himself and his followers. I am persuaded that there was no reason for any such apprehension. I never heard him express any feeling of personal resent- ment towards any one, not even border ruffians. He appeared to me to be under the influence of broad, enlightened, and humane views, and a fixed determination to do his duty towards the oppressed. Next morning Capt. Brown departed from Bos- ton. I accompanied him to the depot, and bade him farewell. CAPTAIN BROWN CALLS A CONVENTION. The following invitation from Capt. Brown to at- tend a convention " of true friends of freedom," to be held in Chatham, Canada, I did not receive until the 13th of May — three days after the time ap- pointed for holding the convention : Chatham, Canada, May 5th, 1858. My Dkar Friend : I have called a quiet convention in this town of the true friends of freedom. Your attendance is earnestly requested on the 10th inst. Your friend, '-Hii^^SLi^. Memoirs of a Rf^former. REFUGEES IN CANADA. During the following summer I visited Canada, and had great pleasure in meeting many of those who had, under my auspices, escaped from the land of bondage. In Hamilton I was welcomed by a man who had escaped from Augusta. The meeting with so many of my former pupils, and the know- ledge that they were happy, thriving, and industri- ous, gave me great satisfaction. The trials and dan- gers I had endured in their behalf were rendered pleasing reminiscences. The information obtained from these refugees re- lative to the experiences while en route to Canada enabled me subsequently to render valuable aid to other fugitives from the land of bondage. AT W^ORK IN DELAWARE. On one occasion I visited Wilmington, Delaware, for the purpose of liberating the young wife of a refugee, who the year previous had made his es- cape to Canada, from the little town of Dover. I learned that the object of my visit was owned by a widow lady, who had but recently purchased the slave, paying the sum of twelve hundred dollars for her. I also learned that the widow was disposed to sell the girl, in fact that it w^as her intention to take her to New Orleans in the fall, for the purpose of m mm m I! iii I M r il 86 Memoi7'f^ of a Reformer. offering her for sale in the market, where prices ranged in proportion to the beauty and personal charms possessed by these victims of man's inhu- manity. After a few hours' consideration I decided upon a plan which ultimately interfered with the widow's project. In the morning I called at the house of the widow, ostensibly to purchase her slave woman. The bell was answered by an octoroon woman, whoni from the description I had received of her, I knew to be the object of my visit. I enquired whether her mistress was at home. She replied that her mistress had gone to market, and would not be home for an hour or two ; further, that she was the only person in the house. I asked her name, and other (juestions, which proved that she was Martha Ben- nett, the wife of the Canadian refugee. I then told her my object in calling, that I had recently seen her husband, and that if she desired to go to him, I would endeavor to take her to Canada. I gave her a fev/ lines written by her husband, begging her to come to him. She read the paper with deep feel- ing, trembling from head to foot, the tears falling fast upon the paper. She said, " Massa, I will do just what you tell me. I wish I could get to Canada. Missis is going to take me to New Orleans this fall, and then I shall never see my husband again." I told her to leave the house at midnight, or as soon after as possible, prepared to accompany me ; that I would i(j^(»i}«>»WAWtA-- Memoirs of a Reformer. 87 > 4 have a conveyance ready not far from the house to carry her out of the state to a place of safety ; that she must attend to lier duties during the day as usual, and not excite, by any unusual appearance or con- duct, the suspicions of her mistress. I then left, and made preparations to convey her to the house of Hannah Cox, near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. DEPOT OF THE rNDEllOUOUND RAILWAY. The house of this noble woman had for years been one of the depots of tho " un 1 the cow- ardly, weak-kneed, and truculent Northern poli- ticians into opposition to the haughty demands of the despots of the South. The crack of liis rifle at Harper's Ferry suddenly confronted every man in America, with his traditional cowardice, moral, political, or physical. There was a moment of timid deprecation or hasty denial : " We know not the map ; " — the million eyes met, the explosion of long-pent fires, the nation is rent, the lie dragged to judgment, the laws re-constructed, and the people of the Free States confess that John Brown, the *' outlaw," the " lunatic," the spurned of all sections to an ignominious death, was not prophet only, but li.i ;.1 ', : ii '4 ( R < y i' iiii 96 Memoirs of a Rfiformer. the very cry that was rising in every true heart in America. I esteem it a great privilege to have known John Brown, and to have had the opportunity of aiding him in his great purpose. AN EFFORT TO SEE JOHN BROWN. December the 2nd, 1859, was the day appointed for the execution of Captain Brown. I determined to make an effort to see him once more if possible. Taking the cars at Baltimore, on November 26th, I went to Harper's Ferry, and applied to the military officer in command for permission to go to Charles- town. He enquired my object in wishing to go there at that time, while so much excitement ex- isted. I replied, that I had a desire to see John Brown once more before his death. Without reply- ing to me, he called an officer in the room and dir- ected him to place me in close confinement until the arrival of the train for Baltimore and then to place me on the train, and command the conductor to take me to Baltimore. Then, raising his voice, he said, " Captain, if he (myself) returns to Harper's Ferry, shoot him at once." I was placed under guard until the train came in, when, in spite of my protests, I was taken to Baltimore. Determined to make one more attempt, I went to Richmond to try and obtain permission from the Governor. After much difficulty I obtained an Memoirs of a Reformer. 97 til INTERVIEW WITH GOVERNOR WISE. I told the Governor that I had a strong desire to see John Brown before his execution ; that I Jiad some acquaintance with him, and had formed a very high estimate of him as a man. I asked him to allow me to go to Charlestown (under surveil- lance if he pleased), and bid the old Captain " good- bye." The Governor made many inquiries to ascer- tain my views of Brown, and finally asked whether I justified his attack on Virginia. I replied, that from childhood I had been an ardent admirer of Washington, Jefferson and Madison, and that all these great and good men deplored the existence of slavery in the Republic. That my admiration and friendship for John Brown was owing to his hold- ing similar views and his earnest desire to abolish the evil. The Governor looked amazed at my per- tinacity, and for a moment made no reply. At length he straightened himself up, and, assuming a dignified air, said, " My family motto is, ' sapere aude.' I am wise enough to understand your object in wishing to go to Charlestown, and I dare you to go. If you attempt it I will have you shot. It is such men as you who have urged Brown to make his crazy attack upon our constitutional rights and privileges. You shall not leave Richmond until after the execution of Brown. I would like to hang a dozen of your leading abolitionists." i i ■:-'i '■ij ll 1 !| ill 1. 98 ;!f : ' lii! ; i ii Mfinoirfi of a Reformer, GOVERNOR WISE WOULD LIKE TO BAG GIDDINGS AND GERRIT SMITH, AND HANG THEM ! " If 1 could hag old Giddiiigs and Gerrit Smith, I would hang them without trial." Hic Governor l)eeame excited, and paced the floor angrily, saying, " No, sir ! you shall not leave Richmond. You shall go to prison, and remain there until next Monday ; then you may go North, and slander the State which ought to have hanged you!" I replied, that as he refused me permission to see Captain Brown, I would leave Virginia at once, and thus save the State any trouble or expense on my account. I said this very quietly, while his eyes were riveted on me. In reply, he said, " Did I not tell you that you should remain a prisoner here until Monday ? " I replied, " Yes, Governor, you did ; but I am sure the executive of this great State is too wise to fear one unarmed man." For a moment he tapped the table with his fingers, then shaking his fore-finger, said : " Well, you may go, and I would advise you to tell your Giddings, Greeleys, Smiths and Garrisons, cowards that they are, to lead the next raid on Virginia themselves." Fearing that obstacles might be thrown in my way, which would cause detention and trouble, I requested the Governor to give me a permit to leave the State of Virginia. Without making reply, he picked up a blank card, and wrote as follows : — Hi Memoirs of a Reformer. 99 " The bearer is hereby ordered to leave the State of Virginia within twenty-four hours." 06i, /<>^ P til hP ■'II i' '^f lOiS Memoirtt of a Ite/ormer. Owen Brown (eon of John Brown) CapUin Oliver Brown " " " WatBon Brown " " " John K. Cook " Edwin Coppio Lieutenant Albert Hazlett " William Lehman " fRlVATEH. Barclay Coppio, Stuart Taylor, Frank J. Merriman, Louis Leary, Shields (treen, Dangerfield Newby, Jeremiah Anderson, O. P. Anderson, John Copeland, Charles Plummer Tidd, William Thompson (son-in-law of John Brown), Dauphin Thompson (son- in-law of John Brown). Captain Brown expected the slaves would flock to his standard in hundreds in case he was success- ful, hence the disproportionate number of commis- sioned officers in his force. These officers had been thoroughly drilled by Colonel Forbes, formerly an officer of Garibaldi's army, and it was Captain Brown's purpose to organize his colored recruits into companies under these officers. Never in the history of the world, did mightier results follow the actions of a like number of men. JOHN brown's "provisional CONSTITUTION." On page 84 the reader will find a call from John Brown for a convention to be held in Chatham, Canada, in May, 1858. The convention met on the day appointed and formed a " Provisional Constitu- tion," and elected a president and other civil officers. ^ Memoirs of a Reformer. 101) John Brown was appointed Commander-in-Chief, John Henry Kagi, Secretary of War, and Owen Brown, Treasurer of the military forces. This " Provisional Constitution " was to be John Brown's shield and authority as Commander-in-Chief, and it was by virtue of ^lis authority that his officers were commissioned. ! i Copy of Brofon'a commiaHion to hia Officers. Headtiuarters, War liept.. Near Harper's Ferry, Md. , October 15th, 1859. Greeting : Whereas, Owen Brown has been nomiaated a captain in the '. tny, established under the provisional constitution. Now, therefore, in pursuance of the authority vested in us by said constitution, we do hereby appoint and commission the said Owen Brown, a captain. Given at the office of the Secretary of War, this October 15th, 1850. J. H. Kaoi, C ' . i'^ '■!■■ n CHAPTER V. 1860-61. ' Number of Refugees in Canada — Negro Slave's Escape to Can- ada — Cruelty and Injustice of the Fugitive Slave Law — Presi- dential Election, 1860. NUMBER OF REFUGEES IN CANADA. I SPENT the next three months in Canada, visiting those refugees in whom I had taken a pei^sonal in- terest. I found six in Chatham, two in London, four in Hamilton, two in Amherstburgh, and one in Toronto — fifteen in all ; while several had gone from Canada to New England. It afforded me great satisfaction to find them sober, industrious members of society. It has often been remarked by both Canadians and visitors from the States, that the negro refugees in Camada were superior specimens of their race. The observation is true ; for none but those possessing superior qualities could hope to reach Canada. The difficulties and dangers of the route, and the fact that they were often closely pursued for weeks by human foes and by blood- hounds, required the exercise of rare qualities of mind and body. Their route would often lay through dismal swamps inhabited only by wild animals and poisonous reptiles. Sometimes the distance between 110 mm Memoirs of a Reform^.if. Ill the land of bondage and freedom was several hun- dreds of miles, every mile of which had to be traversed on foot. It is, indeed, surprising that so large a number of fugitives succeeded in reaching Canada, considering the obstacles they had to con- tend with on their long and dangerous journey. The number of refugee negroes in Canada at the outbreak of the Slaveholders Rebellion, was not far short of forty thousand. Probably more than half of them were manumitted slaves who, in consequence of unjust laws, were compelled to leave the States where they were manumitted. Many of these negroes settled in the Northern States, but the greater portion of them came to Canada. The following simple lines were familiar to most of the fugitives in Canada thirty years ago : — \ \ ■ ^ I If i:;l 1 III <{ THE NEGRO SLAVE'S ESCAPE TO CANADA. 1 " I'm on my way to Canada, that free and happy land, Thn cruelty of slavery I can no longer stand. My soul is grieved within me to think that I'm a slave> And I'm resolved to strike a blow for freedom or the grave. Farewell, farewell, old master, I'm on my way to Canada, Where colored men are free." " I heard old master pray last night, I heard him pray for me, That God would come with might and power and me from Satan free. ' WA'P ■ i I i 1-' 112 Memoirs of a Reformer. So I from Satan would be free and flee the wrath to come, But if Satan is in human form, old master's surely one. Farewell, farewell, old master, I'm on the road to Canada, Dear land of liberty." ** I've heard that Queen Victoria, if we would all forsake Our native land of slavery and come across the lake. That she was waiting on the shore with arms extended wide, To give us all a peaceful home in Canada by her side. Farewell, farewell, old master, that's good enough for me, I'm on my way to Canada, dear land of liberty. " " The hounds are baying on my track and master's close behind, Resolved that he will take me back before I cross the line. I no more dread the auctioneer, nor fear the master's frown, I no more tremble when I hear the baying of the hound. Farewell, farewell, old master, I've just arrived in Canada, Where every man is free ; God bless Canada ! " CRUELTY AND INJUSTICE OF THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW. When the Fugitive Slave Law was enacted in 1850, it carried terror to every person of African blood in the Free States. Stung with hopeless despair, more than six thousand Christian men and women fled from their homes, and sought refuge under the flag of Britain in Canada. In the words of Charles Sumner : — "The Free States became little better than a huge outlying plantation, quivering under the lash of the overseer ; or rather they were a diversified hunting ground for the flying bondman, resounding always with the ' halloo ' of the huntsman. There f*aemed to be no rest. The chase was hardly finished at Boston, i 1 'I Memoirs of a Reformer. 113 i, 11 n iS a g fe before it broke out at Philadelphia, Syracuse or Buffalo, and then again raged furiously over the prairies of the west. Not a case occurred which did not shock the conscience of the country, and sting it with anger. The records of the time attest the accuracy of this statement." Perhaps there is no instance in history where human passion showed itself in grander forms of expression, or where eloquence lent all her gifts more completely to the demands of liberty, than the speech of Theodore Parker (now dead and buried in a foreign land), denouncing the capture of Thos. Simms, at Boston, and invoking the judgment of God and man upon the agents in this wickedness. This great effort cannot Ije forgotten in the history of humanity. But every case pleaded with an eloquence of its own, until at last one of these tragedies occurred which darken the heavens, and cry out with a voice that will be heard. It was the voice of a mother standing over her murdered child. Margaret Garner had escaped from slavery with three children, but she was overtaken at Cincin- nati. Unwilling to see her offspring returned to the shambles of the South, this unhappy mother, described in the testimony as " a womanly, amiable, affectionate mother," determined to save them in the only way within her power. With a butcher knife, coolly and deliberately, she took the life of (me of the children, described as " almost white, and a little girl of rare beauty," and attempt- H i: ■ •'. I ■ m ■ ■il •li ■ r 114 Memoirs of a Reformer. ed, without success, to take the life of the other two. To the preacher who interrogated her, she exclaimed, " The child is my own, given me of God to do the best a mother could in its behalf. I have done the best I could ; I would have done more and better for the rest ; I knew it was better for them to go home to God than back to slavery." But she was restrained in her purpose. The Fugitive Slave Act triumphed, and after the determination of sun- dry questions of jurisdiction, this devoted historic mother, with the two children that remained to her, and the dead body of the little one just emancipat- ed, was escorted by a national guard v.!:' armed men to the doom of slavery. But her case d'd not end with this revolting sacrifice. So long as the human heart is moved by human suffering, the story of this mother will be read with alternate anger and grief, while it is studied as a perpetual witness to the slaveholding tyranny which then ruled the Republic with execrable exactions, destined at last to break out in war, as the sacrifice of Virginia by her father is a perpetual witness to the decemviral tyranny which ruled Rome. But liberty is always priceless. There are other instances less known, in which kindred wrong has been done. Every case was a tragedy — under the forms of law. Worse than poisoned bowl or dagger was the certificate of a United States Commissioner — who was allowed, without interruption, to continue his dreadful trade. % wmmmmmi Memoirs of a Reformer. 115 THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1860. Durinfij no previous Presidential election (except that of 1856, when Fremont and Buchanan were the candidates), was there so much excitement on the slavery question as that of 1860, when Lincoln Breckenridge, Bell, and Douglas, were the candidates. To enable my readers to form a correct opinion * of the political position occupied by the republican candidate toward the institution of slavery, I give below the "Republican Platform," on which Presi- dent Lincoln went before the people for their suff- rages : — REPUBLICAN NATIONAL (LINCOLN) PLATFORM. Adoptkd at Chicago, 1860. Resolved, — That we, the delegated representativeH of the Republican electors of the United States, in Convention as- sembled, in discharge of the duty we owe to our constituents and our country, unite in the following declarations : 1. That the history of the nation, during the last four years, has fully established the propriety and necessity of the organiza- tion and perpetuation of the Republican party, and that the causes which called it into existence are permanent in their nature, and now, more than ever before, demand its peaceful and constitutional triumph. 2. That the maintenance of the principles promulgated in the Declaration of Independence and embodied in the Federal Con- stitution, " That all men are created equal ; that they are en- dowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights ; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness ; that ii m \ m p i J i m 1 116 Memoirs of a Reformer, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed," is essential to the preservation of our Republican institutions ; and that the Federal Constitution, the Rights of the States, and the Union of the States, must and shall be preserved. 7. That the new dogma, that the Constitution of its own force, carries Slavery into any or all of the Territories of the United States, is a dangerous political heresy, at variance with the explicit provisions of that instrument itself, with contemp? oraneous exposition, and with legislative and judicial precedent ; ib revolutionary in its tendency, and subversive of the peace and harmony of the country. 8. That the normal condition of all the territory of the United States is that of freedom ; That as our Republican fathers, when they had abolished Slavery in all our national territory, ordained that " no person should be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law," it becomes our duty, by legislation, whenever such legislation is necessary, to maintain this provi- sion of the Constitution against all attempts to violate it ; and we deny the authority of Congress, of a territorial legislature, or of any individuals, to give legal exiotence to Slavery in any Territory of the United States. 9. That we brand the recent re-opening of the African slave- trade, under the cover of our national flag, aided by perversions of judicial power, as a crime against humanity and a burning shame to our country and age ; and we call up>in Congress to take prompt and efficient measures for the total and final sup- pression of that execrable traffic. i L''Mkrai'£i^ m ■m f-l m ■*5 ■ m t .•i Si. c^S-^r S^fcv AA /£t ■■-'■■- V. , ..v,^-i,Wj^j4*Ws-?> >. i^^v' r^ .-^// ■«** .,;«' ;• , /.■*immimm.mm^ CHAPTER VI. 1 861-1865. ii Interview with President Lincoln — Confidential Service in Can- ada — Second Interview with the President — The President an Abolitionist — Office Seekers — Confederates in Canada — Rebel: Postal Service — With thcPresident— Rebel Dispatches— Rebels in New Brunswick — Mr. Lincoln's Kindness — Hospitalities of the White House— "Oh, why should the Spirit of Mortal be" Proud?" — ^Leave for New Brunswick — Occupy a State-room with a Rebel— r His Arrest— President Lincoln's Patience and Justice — Persecution of Joshua R. Giddings — His Arrest — ■ Death of Mr. Giddings— Efforts of the Author to Awaken Kindly Feelings Toward the United States — A Favorite Rebel Resort — Southern Schemes — With the Army of the Potomac — Step Towards Emancipation — The Emancipation Proclama- tion — Ratification of the Constitutional Amendment and Pro- clamation of Freedom — " Laus Deo " — Complimentary Letters from President Lincoln, Governor Fenton, of New York, and Charles Sumner — Offer of Services to Mexico — Benito Juarez — Natural History Labors. ♦:, a^hi*. ' /i' $ A If III THE SLAVEHOLDERS REBELLION. For many weeks after the death of Capt. Brown, I felt that the defeat of his plans at Harper's Ferry was a great calamity to the enslaved. I saw nothing in store for the poor slaves but toil and bondage for another generation. For who, at that time, foresaw the mighty conflict that was soon to be inaugurated 117 118 MewoirR of a Reformer, by the haughty slaveholders, by which they and their cherished institution were to be completely overthrown. The brave and noble words and conduct of John Brown, while in the hands of his murderers, shook the institution of slavery to its very foundation. The slaveholders fully comprehended that unless they could obtain from the North further guarantees for the protection of the institution of slavery — that secession from the Free States was their only salva- tion. Their insolent demands upon the North were met by a quiet determination that not another foot of the public domain should be given up to slavery. Northern politicians had become so accustomed to yielding obedience to the commands of the slave- drivers, that strong efforts were made to effect a compromise with the pro-slavery leaders in Con- gress. But the patience of the peace-loving people of the Free States was at length exhausted ; they had sub- mitted to the outrageous provisions of the Fugitive Slave Law ; they had looked on while the champions of freedom in Congress were insulted and assaulted by the slave-drivers of the South ; they had borne for years the taunts and sneers of the Southern chi- valry ; and now they resolved to assert their just rights and privileges as citizens of a free country. The threats and demands of the slaveholders were treated with the contempt they deserved. Memoirs of a Reforiiier. 119 CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE IN CANADA. A few months after the inauguration of President Lincoln, I received a letter from the Hon. Charles Sumner, requesting me to come to Washington at my earliest convenience. INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT LINCOLN. The day after my arrival in Washington, I was introduced to the President. Mr. Lincoln received me very cordially, and invited me to dine with him. Assembled at the President's table were several pro- minent gentlemen, to whom Mr. Lincoln introduced me as " a red-hot abolitionist from Canada." One of the guests, a prominent member of Congress, from Indiana (severely injured in after years by the Cre- dit Mohilier), said in a slurring manner, " I wish the negroes of the United States would emigrate to Can- ada, as the Canadians are so fond of their company." Mr. Lincoln said, "It would be better for the negroes, that's certain." " Yes," I replied, a little warmly, " it would be better for the negroes ; for, under our flag, the blackest negro is entitled to, and freely accord- ed, every right and privilege enjoyed by native Canadians. We make no distinction in respect to the colour of a man's skin. It is true, we live under a monarchial form of government ; but every man and woman, white, black or brown, have equal rights 120 • j Mf'moirfi of a Haft trw, fir. muhr our laws." Mr. Lincoln, in a jocular way, said to the nu'inbur of CongrcsH, " It* you are not careful, you will hring on a war with Canada. I think we have a big (enough job on hand now." The conversation then turned on the attitude of England toward the Free States in their contest with the slaveholders. One gentleman remarked that he was surprised to see so many manifestations of unfriendliness on the part of the English and Canadian people, and asked me how I accounted for it. I replied, " How can you expect it otherwise, when there exists in your Northern States so much diversity of opinion as to the justness of your cause ? The unfriendly expressions of an English statesman, or the avowed hostility of a few English and Cana- dian papers, are noted by you with painful surprise, while the treasonable utterances and acts of some of your own political leaders and people are quite over- looked. Besides, you cannot expc^ct the sympathy of Canadians in your behalf, while you display such an utter disregard for the rights and liberties of your own citizens, as I witnessed in this city yes- terday." Mr. Lincoln asked to what I alluded ? I replied, " A United States Marshal passed through Washing- ton, yesterday, having in i; is charge a coloured man, whom he was taking bpjk to Virginia under your Fugitive Slave Law. The man had escaped from his master — who is an open rebel — and fled to Wilming- Mfimoirft of a Refnrmrr. 121 ! i ■ ton, Delaware, wliei-e he wnn nrrcHted, ami taken hack into shiveiy." After dinner, Mr. Lincohi led nie to a window, diHtant from the rest of the party, and said, " Mr. Sninner sent for you at my request. We need a faithfii' friend in Canada to look after our inter- ests, antl keep us posted as to the schemes of the Confederates in Canada. V'ou have heen stronffly recommended to me for the position. Your com- munications may be sent direct to me. '^riiink it over to-ni^ht ; and if you can accept the mission, come up and see me at nine o'clock to-morrow morn* ing." When I took my leave of him, he said, " I hope you will decide to serve us." I concluded to accept the responsibilities of the mission, being per- suaded to this conclusion l)y tb.e wishes of the Presi- dent and my friend Mr. Sumner. THE PRESIDENT AN ABOLITIONIST. At nine o'clock next morning, I waited upon the President, and announced my decision. He grasped my hand in a hearty manner, and said. " Thank you ; thank you ; I am glad of it." I said, " Mr. Lincoln, if the purpose of j'^our Government is the liberation from bondage of the poor slaves of the South, I shall feel justified in accepting any posi- tion where I could best serve you ; but when I see so much tenderness for that vile institution and for 122 Memoirs of -r heart. I never heard him speak unkindly of any man ; even the rebels received no word of anger from him. CONFEDERATES IN CANADA. 1 On my return to Montreal, I sought opportun- ities to become acquainted with the names, habits, and occupations of the various Confederates in Canada. - The principal Confederate agent in Canada at that time was Jacob Thompson, an e!x-member of Buchanan's administration, whose contemptible con- duct, while a member of the Government, in warn- ing the rebels of Charleston of the sailing of th(; steamer " Star of the West" with provisions for the i.Vtfl ! T in at of Memoirs of a Reformer, 125 besieged garrison at Fort Sumpter, furnishes a good index to his character. The plots and schemes devised by him and his subordinates to furnish the rebels with clothing, boots and shoes, etc., via Nas- sau, Cuba, and to keep open a channel of communi- cation with the Confederate States, kept me con- tinually on the qui vive to frustrate their designs. There prevailed in Canada at this period a very strong and active sympathy for the Confederates. Indeed, I may say, that among the wealthy and in- fluential classes there were few but what wished for the success of the slaveholders, and the conse- quent disruption of the Union. This was not from any love for slavery, but rather a l-eflex of the sympathy manifestsd by the higher classes in Eng- land for the Confederacy. To overcome this pre- judice against the Northern cause, and awaken kindly sympathies for the people of the Free States in the contest with slavery, was the object of my earnest efforts. To assist me in accomplishing that purpose, I brought before the Canadian people tlie claims of the Sanitary Commission of the United States Army, an organization that excited the generous impulses of Christians of all denomina- tions and classes. The Montreal Daily Witness, in alluding to this subject at the time, s lid : — ** The United States Sanitary CuninilHaion lias opened branches in three of the European capitals, London, Paris and Berlin ; i :t I'M ''i * '1^ f i i f •i i i ■i 11 1^ !: 126 Memoirs of a Reformer. and from the London branch alone a large amount of pecuniary aid has been remitted. Dr. A. M. Robs has opened another branch in this city. We know of no agency more likely to awaken kindly feelings here, towards the United States, than this. Dr. Ross informs us, indeed, that this is the object of the Commission in forming their foreign offices, which give an opportunity of circulating information which may remove preju- dice, and of receiving btnefits and awakening kindly sympathies for the sick and wounded soldiers." REBEL POSTAL SERVICE. Toward the close of 1862, I discovered that a regult system of postal service was in operation betwec Confederate States and Europe, via Detroit, aL . ' • "cal and Boston. After weeks of dili- gent search, the detectives arrested a woman who regularly passed between Detroit and Boston, via Montreal and Rouse's Point, N.Y., once a fortnight. She was despoiled of her mail, and placed in prison. I carried the " mail" to Washington, arriving there at midnight, and went direct to the White House and sent my card to the President, who had retired to bed. In a few minutes the porter returned and requested me to accompany him to the President's room, when the President would soon join me. The room into which I was ushered was the same in which I had spent several hours with the Presi- dent on the occasion of my first interview with him. Scattered about the floor, and lying open on the table, were several military maps and docu- ments indicating recent use. On the wall hung a TTyTt^i