Hallock and
others in their friendly recommendation of Mr.
others in their friendly recommendation of Mr.
Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, an American Slave, Written
Sibly, and Albert G.
Sibly became possessed of him by his
marriage with Judge David White's daughter, he being born
Judge White's slave.
The boy Walton at the time he belonged to John Sibly,
married a slave of my father's, a mulatto girl, and sometime
afterwards solicited him to buy him; the old man after much
importuning from Walton, consented to do so, and accordingly
paid Sibly eight hundred and fifty dollars. He did not buy
him because he needed him, but from the fact that he had a
wife there, and Walton on his part promising every thing
that my father could desire.
It was not long, however, before Walton became indolent and
neglectful of his duty; and in addition to this, he was
guilty, as the old man thought, of worse offences. He
watched his conduct more strictly, and found he was guilty
of disposing of articles from the farm for his own use, and
pocketing the money.
He actually caught him one day stealing wheat--he had
conveyed one sack full to a neighbor and whilst he was
delivering the other my father caught him in the very act.
He confessed his guilt and promised to do better for the
future--and on his making promises of this kind my father
was disposed to keep him still, not wishing to part him from
his wife, for whom he professed to entertain the strongest
affection. When the Christmas Holidays came on, the old man,
as is usual in this country, gave his negroes a week
Holiday. Walton, instead of regaling himself by going about
visiting his colored friends, took up his line of march for
her Britanic Majesty's dominions.
He was gone about two years I think, when I heard of him in
Cincinnati; I repaired thither, with some few friends to aid
me, and succeeded in securing him.
He was taken to Louisville, and on the next morning after
our arrival there, he escaped, almost from before our face,
while we were on the street before the Tavern. He succeeded
in eluding our pursuit, and again reached Canada in safety.
Nothing daunted he returned, after a lapse of some twelve or
eighteen months, with the intention, as I have since
learned, of conducting off his wife and eight or ten more
slaves to Canada.
I got news of his whereabouts, and succeeded in recapturing
him. I took him to Louisville and together with his wife and
child, (she going along with him at her owner's request,)
sold him. He was taken from thence to New Orleans--and from
hence to Red River, Arkansas--and the next news I had of him
he was again wending his way to Canada, and I suppose now is
at or near Detroit.
In relation to his character, it was the general opinion
here that he was a notorious liar, and a rogue. These
things I can procure any number of respectable witnesses to
prove.
In proof of it, he says his mother belonged to James Bibb,
which is a lie, there not having been such a man about here,
much less brother of Secretary Bibb. He says that Bibb's
daughter married A. G. Sibly, when the fact is Sibly married
Judge David White's daughter, and his mother belonged to
White also and is now here, free.
So you will perceive he is guilty of lying for no effect,
and what might it not be supposed he would do where he could
effect anything by it.
I have been more tedious than I should have been, but being
anxious to give you his rascally conduct in full, must be my
apology. You are at liberty to publish this letter, or make
any use you see proper of it. If you do publish it, let me
have a paper containing the publication--at any rate let me
hear from you again.
Respectfully yours, &c,
SILAS GATEWOOD.
TO C. H. STEWART, ESQ.
* * * * *
[No. 3. An Extract. ] CINCINNATI, _March 10, 1845_.
MY DEAR SIR:--Mrs. Path, Nickens and Woodson did not see
Bibb on his first visit, in 1837, when he staid with Job
Dundy, but were subsequently told of it by Bibb. They first
saw him in May, 1838. Mrs. Path remembers this date because
it was the month in which she removed from Broadway to
Harrison street, and Bibb assisted her to remove. Mrs.
Path's garden adjoined Dundy's back yard. While engaged in
digging up flowers, she was addressed by Bibb, who was
staying with Dundy, and who offered to dig them up for her.
She hired him to do it. Mrs. Dundy shortly after called over
and told Mrs. Path that he was a slave. After that Mrs. Path
took him into her house and concealed him. While concealed,
he astonished his good protectress by his ingenuity in
bottoming chairs with cane. When the furniture was removed,
Bibb insisted on helping, and was, after some remonstrances,
permitted. At the house on Harrison street, he was employed
for several days in digging a cellar, and was so employed
when seized on Saturday afternoon by the constables. He
held frequent conversations with Mrs. Path and others, in
which he gave them the same account which he has given you.
On Saturday afternoon, two noted slave-catching constables,
E. V. Brooks and O'Neil, surprised Bibb as he was digging in
the cellar. Bibb sprang for the fence and gained the top of
it, where he was seized and dragged back. They took him
immediately before William Doty, a Justice of infamous
notoriety as an accomplice of kidnappers, proved property,
paid charges and took him away.
His distressed friends were surprised by his re-appearance
in a few days after, the Wednesday following, as they think.
He reached the house of Dr. Woods, (a colored man since
deceased,) before day-break, and staid until dusk. Mrs.
Path, John Woodson and others made up about twelve dollars
for him. Woodson accompanied him out of town a mile and bid
him "God speed. " He has never been here since. Woodson and
Clark saw him at Detroit two years ago.
Yours truly,
WILLIAM BIRNEY.
* * * * *
[No. 4. ] LOUISVILLE, _March 14, 1845_.
MR. STEWART. --Yours of the 1st came to hand on the 13th
inst. You wished me to inform you what became of a boy that
was in the work-house in the fall of '39. The boy you allude
to went by the name of Walton; he had ran away from Kentucky
some time before, and returned for his wife--was caught and
sold to Garrison; he was taken to Louisiana, I think--he was
sold on Red River to a planter. As Garrison is absent in the
City of New Orleans at this time, I cannot inform you who he
was sold to. Garrison will be in Louisville some time this
Spring; if you wish me, I will inquire of Garrison and
inform you to whom he was sold, and where his master lives
at this time.
Yours,
W. PORTER.
* * * * *
[No. 5. ] BEDFORD, TRIMBLE COUNTY, KY.
C. H. STEWART, ESQ. ,
SIR. --I received your note on the 16th inst. , and in
accordance with it I write you these lines. You stated that
you would wish to know something about Walton H. Bibb, and
whether he had a wife and child, and whether they were sold
to New Orleans. Sir, before I answer these inquiries, I
should like to know who Charles H. Stewart is, and why you
should make these inquiries of me, and how you knew who I
was, as you are a stranger to me and I must be to you. In
your next if you will tell me the intention of your
inquiries, I will give you a full history of the whole case.
I have a boy in your county by the name of King, a large man
and very black; if you are acquainted with him, give him my
compliments, and tell him I am well, and all of his friends.
W. H. Bibb is acquainted with him.
I wait your answer.
Your most obedient,
W. H. GATEWOOD.
_March 17, 1845_.
* * * * *
[No. 6. ] BEDFORD, KENTUCKY, _April 6th, 1845_.
MR. CHARLES H. STEWART.
SIR:--Yours of the 1st March is before me, inquiring if one
Walton Bibb, a colored man, escaped from me at Louisville,
Ky. , in the Spring of 1839. To that inquiry I answer, he
did. The particulars are these: He ran off from William
Gatewood some time in 1838 I think, and was heard of in
Cincinnati. Myself and some others went there and took him,
and took him to Louisville for sale, by the directions of
his master. While there he made his escape and was gone some
time, I think about one year or longer. He came back it was
said, to get his wife and child, so report says. He was
again taken by his owner; he together with his wife and
child was taken to Louisville and sold to a man who traded
in negroes, and was taken by him to New Orleans and sold
with his wife and child to some man up Red River, so I was
informed by the man who sold him. He then ran off and left
his wife and child and got back, it seems, to your country.
I can say for Gatewood he was a good master, and treated him
well. Gatewood bought him from a Mr. Sibly, who was going
to send him down the river. Walton, to my knowledge,
influenced Gatewood to buy him, and promised if he would,
never to disobey him or run off. Who he belongs to now, I do
not know. I know Gatewood sold his wife and child at a great
sacrifice, to satisfy him. If any other information is
necessary I will give it, if required. You will please write
me again what he is trying to do in your country, or what he
wishes the inquiry from me for.
Yours, truly,
DANIEL S. LANE.
* * * * *
These letters need little comment. Their testimony combined is most
harmonious and conclusive. Look at the points established.
1. Hiram Wilson gives the testimony of reputable men now in Canada,
who knew Henry Bibb as a slave in Kentucky.
2. Silas Gatewood, with a peculiar relish, fills three pages of
foolscap, "being anxious to give his rascally conduct in full," as he
says. But he vaults over the saddle and lands on the other side. His
testimony is invaluable as an endorsement of Mr. Bibb's truthfulness.
He illustrates all the essential facts of this narrative. He also
labors to prove him deceitful and a liar.
Deceit in a slave, is only a slight reflex of the stupendous fraud
practised by his master. And its indulgence has far more logic in its
favor, than the ablest plea ever written for slave holding, under ever
such peculiar circumstances. The attempt to prove Mr. Bibb in the lie,
is a signal failure, as he never affirmed what Gatewood denies. With
this offset, the letter under notice is a triumphant vindication of
one, whom he thought there by to injure sadly. As Mr. Bibb has most
happily acknowledged the wheat, (see page 130,) I pass the charge of
stealing by referring to the logic there used, which will be deemed
convincing.
3. William Birney, Esq. , attests the facts of Mr. Bibb's arrest in
Cincinnati, and the subsequent escape, as narrated by him, from the
declaration of eye witnesses.
4. W. Porter, Jailor, states that Bibb was in the work-house at
Louisville, held and sold afterwards to the persons and at the places
named in this volume.
5. W. H. Gatewood, with much Southern dignity, will answer no
questions, but shows his relation to these matters by naming
"King"--saying, "W. H. Bibb is acquainted with him," and promising "a
full history of the case. "
6. Daniel S. Lane, with remarkable straight-forwardness and stupidity,
tells all he knows, and then wants to know what they ask him for. The
writer will answer that question. He wanted to prove by two or more
witnesses, the truth of his own statements; which has most surely been
accomplished.
Having thus presented an array of testimony sustaining the facts
alleged in this narrative, the introduction will be concluded by
introducing a letter signed by respectable men of Detroit, and
endorsed by Judge Wilkins, showing the high esteem in which Mr. Bibb
is held by those who know him well where he makes his home. Their
testimony expresses their present regard as well as an opinion of his
past character. It is introduced here with the greatest satisfaction,
as the writer is assured, from an intimate acquaintance with Henry
Bibb, that all who know him hereafter will entertain the same
sentiments toward him:
* * * * *
DETROIT, _March 10, 1845_.
The undersigned have pleasure in recommending Henry Bibb to
the kindness and confidence of Anti-slavery friends in every
State. He has resided among us for some years. His
deportment, his conduct, and his Christian course have won
our esteem and affection. The narrative of his sufferings
and more early life has been thoroughly investigated by a
Committee appointed for the purpose. They sought evidence
respecting it in every proper quarter, and their report
attested its undoubted truth. In this conclusion we all
cordially unite.
H. Bibb has for some years publicly made this narrative to
assemblies, whose number cannot be told; it has commanded
public attention in this State, and provoked inquiry.
Occasionally too we see persons from the South, who knew him
in early years, yet not a word or fact worthy of impairing
its truth has reached us; but on the contrary, every thing
tended to its corroboration.
Mr. Bibb's Anti-slavery efforts in this State have produced
incalculable benefit. The Lord has blessed him into an
instrument of great power. He has labored much, and for very
inadequate compensation. Lucrative offers for other quarters
did not tempt him to a more profitable field. His sincerity
and disinterestedness are therefore beyond suspicion.
We bid him "God-speed," on his route. We bespeak for him
every kind consideration. * * * *
H. HALLOCK,
President of the Detroit Lib. Association.
CULLEN BROWN, _VICE-PRESIDENT_.
S. M. HOLMES, _SECRETARY_.
J. D. BALDWIN,
CHARLES H. STEWART,
MARTIN WILSON,
WILLIAM BARNUM.
DETROIT, Nov. 11, 1845.
The undersigned, cheerfully concurs with Mr.
Hallock and
others in their friendly recommendation of Mr. Henry Bibb.
The undersigned has known him for many months in the Sabbath
School in this City, partly under his charge, and can
certify to his correct deportment, and commend him to the
sympathies of Christian benevolence.
ROSS WILKINS.
* * * * *
The task now performed, in preparing for the press and
introducing to the public the narrative of Henry Bibb, has
been one of the most pleasant ever required at my hands. And
I conclude it with an expression of the hope that it may
afford interest to the reader, support to the author in his
efforts against slavery, and be instrumental in advancing
the great work of emancipation in this country.
LUCIUS C. MATLACK.
NEW YORK CITY, _July 1st, 1849_.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
This work has been written during irregular intervals, while I have
been travelling and laboring for the emancipation of my enslaved
countrymen. The reader will remember that I make no pretension to
literature; for I can truly say, that I have been educated in the
school of adversity, whips, and chains. Experience and observation
have been my principal teachers, with the exception of three weeks
schooling which I have had the good fortune to receive since my escape
from the "grave yard of the mind," or the dark prison of human
bondage. And nothing but untiring perseverance has enabled me to
prepare this volume for the public eye; and I trust by the aid of
Divine Providence to be able to make it intelligible and instructive.
I thank God for the blessings of Liberty--the contrast is truly great
between freedom and slavery. To be changed from a chattel to a human
being, is no light matter, though the process with myself practically
was very simple. And if I could reach the ears of every slave to-day,
throughout the whole continent of America, I would teach the same
lesson, I would sound it in the ears of every hereditary bondman,
"break your chains and fly for freedom! "
It may be asked why I have written this work, when there has been so
much already written and published of the same character from other
fugitives? And, why publish it after having told it publicly all
through New England and the Western States to multiplied thousands?
My answer is, that in no place have I given orally the detail of my
narrative; and some of the most interesting events of my life have
never reached the public ear. Moreover, it was at the request of many
friends of down-trodden humanity, that I have undertaken to write the
following sketch, that light and truth might be spread on the sin and
evils of slavery as far as possible. I also wanted to leave my humble
testimony on record against this man-destroying system, to be read by
succeeding generations when my body shall lie mouldering in the dust.
But I would not attempt by any sophistry to misrepresent slavery in
order to prove its dreadful wickedness. For, I presume there are none
who may read this narrative through, whether Christians or
slaveholders, males or females, but what will admit it to be a system
of the most high-handed oppression and tyranny that ever was tolerated
by an enlightened nation.
HENRY BIBB
NARRATIVE
OF THE
LIFE OF HENRY BIBB
CHAPTER I.
_Sketch of my Parentage. --Early separation from my Mother. --Hard
Fare. --First Experiments at running away. --Earnest longing for
Freedom. --Abhorrent nature of Slavery. _
I was born May 1815, of a slave mother, in Shelby County, Kentucky,
and was claimed as the property of David White Esq. He came into
possession of my mother long before I was born. I was brought up in
the Counties of Shelby, Henry, Oldham, and Trimble. Or, more correctly
speaking, in the above counties, I may safely say, I was _flogged up_;
for where I should have received moral, mental, and religious
instruction, I received stripes without number, the object of which
was to degrade and keep me in subordination. I can truly say, that I
drank deeply of the bitter cup of suffering and woe. I have been
dragged down to the lowest depths of human degradation and
wretchedness, by Slaveholders.
My mother was known by the name of Milldred Jackson. She is the mother
of seven slaves only, all being sons, of whom I am the eldest. She was
also so fortunate or unfortunate, as to have some of what is called
the slaveholding blood flowing in her veins. I know not how much; but
not enough to prevent her children though fathered by slaveholders,
from being bought and sold in the slave markets of the South. It is
almost impossible for slaves to give a correct account of their male
parentage. All that I know about it is, that my mother informed me
that my fathers name was JAMES BIBB. He was doubtless one of the
present Bibb family of Kentucky; but I have no personal knowledge of
him at all, for he died before my recollection.
The first time I was separated from my mother, I was young and small.
I knew nothing of my condition then as a slave. I was living with Mr.
White, whose wife died and left him a widower with one little girl,
who was said to be the legitimate owner of my mother, and all her
children. This girl was also my playmate when we were children.
I was taken away from my mother, and hired out to labor for various
persons, eight or ten years in succession; and all my wages were
expended for the education of Harriet White, my playmate. It was then
my sorrows and sufferings commenced. It was then I first commenced
seeing and feeling that I was a wretched slave, compelled to work
under the lash without wages, and often without clothes enough to hide
my nakedness. I have often worked without half enough to eat, both
late and early, by day and by night. I have often laid my wearied
limbs down at night to rest upon a dirt floor, or a bench, without any
covering at all, because I had no where else to rest my wearied body,
after having worked hard all the day. I have also been compelled in
early life, to go at the bidding of a tyrant, through all kinds of
weather, hot or cold, wet or dry, and without shoes frequently, until
the month of December, with my bare feet on the cold frosty ground,
cracked open and bleeding as I walked. Reader, believe me when I say,
that no tongue, nor pen ever has or can express the horrors of
American Slavery. Consequently I despair in finding language to
express adequately the deep feeling of my soul, as I contemplate the
past history of my life. But although I have suffered much from the
lash, and for want of food and raiment; I confess that it was no
disadvantage to be passed through the hands of so many families, as
the only source of information that I had to enlighten my mind,
consisted in what I could see and hear from others. Slaves were not
allowed books, pen, ink, nor paper, to improve their minds. But it
seems to me now, that I was particularly observing, and apt to retain
what came under my observation. But more especially, all that I heard
about liberty and freedom to the slaves, I never forgot. Among other
good trades I learned the art of running away to perfection. I made a
regular business of it, and never gave it up, until I had broken the
bands of slavery, and landed myself safely in Canada, where I was
regarded as a man, and not as a thing.
The first time in my life that I ran away, was for ill treatment, in
1835. I was living with a Mr. Vires, in the village of Newcastle. His
wife was a very cross woman. She was every day flogging me, boxing,
pulling my ears, and scolding, so that I dreaded to enter the room
where she was. This first started me to running away from them. I was
often gone several days before I was caught. They would abuse me for
going off, but it did no good. The next time they flogged me, I was
off again; but after awhile they got sick of their bargain, and
returned me back into the hands of my owners. By this time Mr. White
had married his second wife. She was what I call a tyrant. I lived
with her several months, but she kept me almost half of my time in the
woods, running from under the bloody lash. While I was at home she
kept me all the time rubbing furniture, washing, scrubbing the floors;
and when I was not doing this, she would often seat herself in a large
rocking chair, with two pillows about her, and would make me rock her,
and keep off the flies. She was too lazy to scratch her own head, and
would often make me scratch and comb it for her. She would at other
times lie on her bed, in warm weather, and make me fan her while she
slept, scratch and rub her feet; but after awhile she got sick of me,
and preferred a maiden servant to do such business. I was then hired
out again; but by this time I had become much better skilled in
running away, and would make calculation to avoid detection, by taking
with me a bridle. If any body should see me in the woods, as they
have, and asked "what are you doing here sir! you are a runaway! "--I
said, "no, sir, I am looking for our old mare;" at other times,
"looking for our cows. " For such excuses I was let pass. In fact, the
only weapon of self defence that I could use successfully, was that of
deception. It is useless for a poor helpless slave, to resist a white
man in a slaveholding State. Public opinion and the law is against
him; and resistance in many cases is death to the slave, while the law
declares, that he shall submit or die.
The circumstances in which I was then placed, gave me a longing desire
to be free. It kindled a fire of liberty within my breast which has
never yet been quenched. This seemed to be a part of my nature; it was
first revealed to me by the inevitable laws of nature's God. I could
see that the All-wise Creator, had made man a free, moral, intelligent
and accountable being; capable of knowing good and evil. And I
believed then, as I believe now, that every man has a right to wages
for his labor; a right to his own wife and children; a right to
liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and a right to worship God
according to the dictates of his own conscience. But here, in the
light of these truths, I was a slave, a prisoner for life; I could
possess nothing, nor acquire anything but what must belong to my
keeper. No one can imagine my feelings in my reflecting moments, but
he who has himself been a slave. Oh! I have often wept over my
condition, while sauntering through the forest, to escape cruel
punishment.
"No arm to protect me from tyrants aggression;
No parents to cheer me when laden with grief.
Man may picture the bounds of the rocks and the rivers,
The hills and the valleys, the lakes and the ocean,
But the horrors of slavery, he never can trace. "
The term slave to this day sounds with terror to my soul,--a word too
obnoxious to speak--a system too intolerable to be endured. I know
this from long and sad experience. I now feel as if I had just been
aroused from sleep, and looking back with quickened perception at the
state of torment from whence I fled. I was there held and claimed as a
slave; as such I was subjected to the will and power of my keeper, in
all respects whatsoever. That the slave is a human being, no one can
deny. It is his lot to be exposed in common with other men, to the
calamities of sickness, death, and the misfortunes incident to life.
But unlike other men, he is denied the consolation of struggling
against external difficulties, such as destroy the life, liberty, and
happiness of himself and family. A slave may be bought and sold in the
market like an ox. He is liable to be sold off to a distant land from
his family. He is bound in chains hand and foot; and his sufferings
are aggravated a hundred fold, by the terrible thought, that he is not
allowed to struggle against misfortune, corporeal punishment, insults,
and outrages committed upon himself and family; and he is not allowed
to help himself, to resist or escape the blow, which he sees impending
over him.
This idea of utter helplessness, in perpetual bondage, is the more
distressing, as there is no period even with the remotest generation
when it shall terminate.
CHAPTER II.
_A fruitless effort for education. --The Sabbath among
Slaves. --Degrading amusements. --Why religion is rejected. --Condition
of poor white people. --Superstition among slaves. --Education
forbidden_.
In 1833, I had some very serious religious impressions, and there was
quite a number of slaves in that neighborhood, who felt very desirous
to be taught to read the Bible. There was a Miss Davis, a poor white
girl, who offered to teach a Sabbath School for the slaves,
notwithstanding public opinion and the law was opposed to it. Books
were furnished and she commenced the school; but the news soon got to
our owners that she was teaching us to read. This caused quite an
excitement in the neighborhood. Patrols[1] were appointed to go and
break it up the next Sabbath. They were determined that we should not
have a Sabbath School in operation. For slaves this was called an
incendiary movement.
The Sabbath is not regarded by a large number of the slaves as a day
of rest. They have no schools to go to; no moral nor religious
instruction at all in many localities where there are hundreds of
slaves. Hence they resort to some kind of amusement. Those who make no
profession of religion, resort to the woods in large numbers on that
day to gamble, fight, get drunk, and break the Sabbath. This is often
encouraged by slaveholders. When they wish to have a little sport of
that kind, they go among the slaves and give them whiskey, to see them
dance, "pat juber," sing and play on the banjo. Then get them to
wrestling, fighting, jumping, running foot races, and butting each
other like sheep. This is urged on by giving them whiskey; making bets
on them; laying chips on one slave's head, and daring another to tip
it off with his hand; and if he tipped it off, it would be called an
insult, and cause a fight. Before fighting, the parties choose their
seconds to stand by them while fighting; a ring or a circle is formed
to fight in, and no one is allowed to enter the ring while they are
fighting, but their seconds, and the white gentlemen. They are not
allowed to fight a duel, nor to use weapons of any kind. The blows are
made by kicking, knocking, and butting with their heads; they grab
each other by their ears, and jam their heads together like sheep. If
they are likely to hurt each other very bad, their masters would rap
them with their walking canes, and make them stop. After fighting,
they make friends, shake hands, and take a dram together, and there is
no more of it.
But this is all principally for want of moral instruction. This is
where they have no Sabbath Schools; no one to read the Bible to them;
no one to preach the gospel who is competent to expound the
Scriptures, except slaveholders. And the slaves, with but few
exceptions, have no confidence at all in their preaching, because they
preach a pro-slavery doctrine. They say, "Servants be obedient to your
masters;--and he that knoweth his master's will and doeth it not,
shall be beaten with many stripes;--" means that God will send them to
hell, if they disobey their masters. This kind of preaching has driven
thousands into infidelity. They view themselves as suffering unjustly
under the lash, without friends, without protection of law or gospel,
and the green eyed monster tyranny staring them in the face. They know
that they are destined to die in that wretched condition, unless they
are delivered by the arm of Omnipotence. And they cannot believe or
trust in such a religion, as above named.
The poor and loafering class of whites, are about on a par in point of
morals with the slaves at the South. They are generally ignorant,
intemperate, licentious, and profane. They associate much with the
slaves; are often found gambling together on the Sabbath; encouraging
slaves to steal from their owners, and sell to them, corn, wheat,
sheep, chickens, or any thing of the kind which they can well conceal.
For such offences there is no law to reach a slave but lynch law. But
if both parties are caught in the act by a white person, the slave is
punished with the lash, while the white man is often punished with
both lynch and common law. But there is another class of poor white
people in the South, who, I think would be glad to see slavery
abolished in self defence; they despise the institution because it is
impoverishing and degrading to them and their children.
The slave holders are generally rich, aristocratic, overbearing; and
they look with utter contempt upon a poor laboring man, who earns his
bread by the "sweat of his brow," whether he be moral or immoral,
honest or dishonest. No matter whether he is white or black; if he
performs manual labor for a livelihood, he is looked upon as being
inferior to a slaveholder, and but little better off than the slave,
who toils without wages under the lash. It is true, that the
slaveholder, and non-slaveholder, are living under the same laws in
the same State. But the one is rich, the other is poor; one is
educated, the other is uneducated; one has houses, land and influence,
the other has none. This being the case, that class of the
non-slaveholders would be glad to see slavery abolished, but they dare
not speak it aloud.
There is much superstition among the slaves. Many of them believe in
what they call "conjuration," tricking, and witchcraft; and some of
them pretend to understand the art, and say that by it they can
prevent their masters from exercising their will over their slaves.
Such are often applied to by others, to give them power to prevent
their masters from flogging them. The remedy is most generally some
kind of bitter root; they are directed to chew it and spit towards
their masters when they are angry with their slaves. At other times
they prepare certain kinds of powders, to sprinkle about their masters
dwellings. This is all done for the purpose of defending themselves in
some peaceable manner, although I am satisfied that there is no virtue
at all in it. I have tried it to perfection when I was a slave at the
South. I was then a young man, full of life and vigor, and was very
fond of visiting our neighbors slaves, but had no time to visit only
Sundays, when I could get a permit to go, or after night, when I could
slip off without being seen. If it was found out, the next morning I
was called up to give an account of myself for going off without
permission; and would very often get a flogging for it.
I got myself into a scrape at a certain time, by going off in this
way, and I expected to be severely punished for it. I had a strong
notion of running off, to escape being flogged, but was advised by a
friend to go to one of those conjurers, who could prevent me from
being flogged. I went and informed him of the difficulty. He said if I
would pay him a small sum, he would prevent my being flogged. After I
had paid him, he mixed up some alum, salt and other stuff into a
powder, and said I must sprinkle it about my master, if he should
offer to strike me; this would prevent him. He also gave me some kind
of bitter root to chew, and spit towards him, which would certainly
prevent my being flogged. According to order I used his remedy, and
for some cause I was let pass without being flogged that time.
I had then great faith in conjuration and witchcraft. I was led to
believe that I could do almost as I pleased, without being flogged. So
on the next Sabbath my conjuration was fully tested by my going off,
and staying away until Monday morning, without permission. When I
returned home, my master declared that he would punish me for going
off; but I did not believe that he could do it while I had this root
and dust; and as he approached me, I commenced talking saucy to him.
But he soon convinced me that there was no virtue in them. He became
so enraged at me for saucing him, that he grasped a handful of
switches and punished me severely, in spite of all my roots and
powders.
But there was another old slave in that neighborhood, who professed to
understand all about conjuration, and I thought I would try his skill.
He told me that the first one was only a quack, and if I would only
pay him a certain amount in cash, that he would tell me how to prevent
any person from striking me. After I had paid him his charge, he told
me to go to the cow-pen after night, and get some fresh cow manure,
and mix it with red pepper and white people's hair, all to be put into
a pot over the fire, and scorched until it could be ground into snuff.
I was then to sprinkle it about my master's bed-room, in his hat and
boots, and it would prevent him from ever abusing me in any way. After
I got it all ready prepared, the smallest pinch of it scattered over a
room, was enough to make a horse sneeze from the strength of it; but
it did no good. I tried it to my satisfaction. It was my business to
make fires in my master's chamber, night and morning. Whenever I could
get a chance, I sprinkled a little of this dust about the linen of the
bed, where they would breathe it on retiring. This was to act upon
them as what is called a kind of love powder, to change their
sentiments of anger, to those of love, towards me, but this all
proved to be vain imagination. The old man had my money, and I was
treated no better for it.
One night when I went in to make a fire, I availed myself of the
opportunity of sprinkling a very heavy charge of this powder about my
master's bed. Soon after their going to bed, they began to cough and
sneeze. Being close around the house, watching and listening, to know
what the effect would be, I heard them ask each other what in the
world it could be, that made them cough and sneeze so. All the while,
I was trembling with fear, expecting every moment I should be called
and asked if I knew any thing about it. After this, for fear they
might find me out in my dangerous experiments upon them, I had to give
them up, for the time being. I was then convinced that running away
was the most effectual way by which a slave could escape cruel
punishment.
As all the instrumentalities which I as a slave, could bring to bear
upon the system, had utterly failed to palliate my sufferings, all
hope and consolation fled. I must be a slave for life, and suffer
under the lash or die. The influence which this had only tended to
make me more unhappy. I resolved that I would be free if running away
could make me so. I had heard that Canada was a land of liberty,
somewhere in the North; and every wave of trouble that rolled across
my breast, caused me to think more and more about Canada, and liberty.
But more especially after having been flogged, I have fled to the
highest hills of the forest, pressing my way to the North for refuge;
but the river Ohio was my limit. To me it was an impassable gulf.
marriage with Judge David White's daughter, he being born
Judge White's slave.
The boy Walton at the time he belonged to John Sibly,
married a slave of my father's, a mulatto girl, and sometime
afterwards solicited him to buy him; the old man after much
importuning from Walton, consented to do so, and accordingly
paid Sibly eight hundred and fifty dollars. He did not buy
him because he needed him, but from the fact that he had a
wife there, and Walton on his part promising every thing
that my father could desire.
It was not long, however, before Walton became indolent and
neglectful of his duty; and in addition to this, he was
guilty, as the old man thought, of worse offences. He
watched his conduct more strictly, and found he was guilty
of disposing of articles from the farm for his own use, and
pocketing the money.
He actually caught him one day stealing wheat--he had
conveyed one sack full to a neighbor and whilst he was
delivering the other my father caught him in the very act.
He confessed his guilt and promised to do better for the
future--and on his making promises of this kind my father
was disposed to keep him still, not wishing to part him from
his wife, for whom he professed to entertain the strongest
affection. When the Christmas Holidays came on, the old man,
as is usual in this country, gave his negroes a week
Holiday. Walton, instead of regaling himself by going about
visiting his colored friends, took up his line of march for
her Britanic Majesty's dominions.
He was gone about two years I think, when I heard of him in
Cincinnati; I repaired thither, with some few friends to aid
me, and succeeded in securing him.
He was taken to Louisville, and on the next morning after
our arrival there, he escaped, almost from before our face,
while we were on the street before the Tavern. He succeeded
in eluding our pursuit, and again reached Canada in safety.
Nothing daunted he returned, after a lapse of some twelve or
eighteen months, with the intention, as I have since
learned, of conducting off his wife and eight or ten more
slaves to Canada.
I got news of his whereabouts, and succeeded in recapturing
him. I took him to Louisville and together with his wife and
child, (she going along with him at her owner's request,)
sold him. He was taken from thence to New Orleans--and from
hence to Red River, Arkansas--and the next news I had of him
he was again wending his way to Canada, and I suppose now is
at or near Detroit.
In relation to his character, it was the general opinion
here that he was a notorious liar, and a rogue. These
things I can procure any number of respectable witnesses to
prove.
In proof of it, he says his mother belonged to James Bibb,
which is a lie, there not having been such a man about here,
much less brother of Secretary Bibb. He says that Bibb's
daughter married A. G. Sibly, when the fact is Sibly married
Judge David White's daughter, and his mother belonged to
White also and is now here, free.
So you will perceive he is guilty of lying for no effect,
and what might it not be supposed he would do where he could
effect anything by it.
I have been more tedious than I should have been, but being
anxious to give you his rascally conduct in full, must be my
apology. You are at liberty to publish this letter, or make
any use you see proper of it. If you do publish it, let me
have a paper containing the publication--at any rate let me
hear from you again.
Respectfully yours, &c,
SILAS GATEWOOD.
TO C. H. STEWART, ESQ.
* * * * *
[No. 3. An Extract. ] CINCINNATI, _March 10, 1845_.
MY DEAR SIR:--Mrs. Path, Nickens and Woodson did not see
Bibb on his first visit, in 1837, when he staid with Job
Dundy, but were subsequently told of it by Bibb. They first
saw him in May, 1838. Mrs. Path remembers this date because
it was the month in which she removed from Broadway to
Harrison street, and Bibb assisted her to remove. Mrs.
Path's garden adjoined Dundy's back yard. While engaged in
digging up flowers, she was addressed by Bibb, who was
staying with Dundy, and who offered to dig them up for her.
She hired him to do it. Mrs. Dundy shortly after called over
and told Mrs. Path that he was a slave. After that Mrs. Path
took him into her house and concealed him. While concealed,
he astonished his good protectress by his ingenuity in
bottoming chairs with cane. When the furniture was removed,
Bibb insisted on helping, and was, after some remonstrances,
permitted. At the house on Harrison street, he was employed
for several days in digging a cellar, and was so employed
when seized on Saturday afternoon by the constables. He
held frequent conversations with Mrs. Path and others, in
which he gave them the same account which he has given you.
On Saturday afternoon, two noted slave-catching constables,
E. V. Brooks and O'Neil, surprised Bibb as he was digging in
the cellar. Bibb sprang for the fence and gained the top of
it, where he was seized and dragged back. They took him
immediately before William Doty, a Justice of infamous
notoriety as an accomplice of kidnappers, proved property,
paid charges and took him away.
His distressed friends were surprised by his re-appearance
in a few days after, the Wednesday following, as they think.
He reached the house of Dr. Woods, (a colored man since
deceased,) before day-break, and staid until dusk. Mrs.
Path, John Woodson and others made up about twelve dollars
for him. Woodson accompanied him out of town a mile and bid
him "God speed. " He has never been here since. Woodson and
Clark saw him at Detroit two years ago.
Yours truly,
WILLIAM BIRNEY.
* * * * *
[No. 4. ] LOUISVILLE, _March 14, 1845_.
MR. STEWART. --Yours of the 1st came to hand on the 13th
inst. You wished me to inform you what became of a boy that
was in the work-house in the fall of '39. The boy you allude
to went by the name of Walton; he had ran away from Kentucky
some time before, and returned for his wife--was caught and
sold to Garrison; he was taken to Louisiana, I think--he was
sold on Red River to a planter. As Garrison is absent in the
City of New Orleans at this time, I cannot inform you who he
was sold to. Garrison will be in Louisville some time this
Spring; if you wish me, I will inquire of Garrison and
inform you to whom he was sold, and where his master lives
at this time.
Yours,
W. PORTER.
* * * * *
[No. 5. ] BEDFORD, TRIMBLE COUNTY, KY.
C. H. STEWART, ESQ. ,
SIR. --I received your note on the 16th inst. , and in
accordance with it I write you these lines. You stated that
you would wish to know something about Walton H. Bibb, and
whether he had a wife and child, and whether they were sold
to New Orleans. Sir, before I answer these inquiries, I
should like to know who Charles H. Stewart is, and why you
should make these inquiries of me, and how you knew who I
was, as you are a stranger to me and I must be to you. In
your next if you will tell me the intention of your
inquiries, I will give you a full history of the whole case.
I have a boy in your county by the name of King, a large man
and very black; if you are acquainted with him, give him my
compliments, and tell him I am well, and all of his friends.
W. H. Bibb is acquainted with him.
I wait your answer.
Your most obedient,
W. H. GATEWOOD.
_March 17, 1845_.
* * * * *
[No. 6. ] BEDFORD, KENTUCKY, _April 6th, 1845_.
MR. CHARLES H. STEWART.
SIR:--Yours of the 1st March is before me, inquiring if one
Walton Bibb, a colored man, escaped from me at Louisville,
Ky. , in the Spring of 1839. To that inquiry I answer, he
did. The particulars are these: He ran off from William
Gatewood some time in 1838 I think, and was heard of in
Cincinnati. Myself and some others went there and took him,
and took him to Louisville for sale, by the directions of
his master. While there he made his escape and was gone some
time, I think about one year or longer. He came back it was
said, to get his wife and child, so report says. He was
again taken by his owner; he together with his wife and
child was taken to Louisville and sold to a man who traded
in negroes, and was taken by him to New Orleans and sold
with his wife and child to some man up Red River, so I was
informed by the man who sold him. He then ran off and left
his wife and child and got back, it seems, to your country.
I can say for Gatewood he was a good master, and treated him
well. Gatewood bought him from a Mr. Sibly, who was going
to send him down the river. Walton, to my knowledge,
influenced Gatewood to buy him, and promised if he would,
never to disobey him or run off. Who he belongs to now, I do
not know. I know Gatewood sold his wife and child at a great
sacrifice, to satisfy him. If any other information is
necessary I will give it, if required. You will please write
me again what he is trying to do in your country, or what he
wishes the inquiry from me for.
Yours, truly,
DANIEL S. LANE.
* * * * *
These letters need little comment. Their testimony combined is most
harmonious and conclusive. Look at the points established.
1. Hiram Wilson gives the testimony of reputable men now in Canada,
who knew Henry Bibb as a slave in Kentucky.
2. Silas Gatewood, with a peculiar relish, fills three pages of
foolscap, "being anxious to give his rascally conduct in full," as he
says. But he vaults over the saddle and lands on the other side. His
testimony is invaluable as an endorsement of Mr. Bibb's truthfulness.
He illustrates all the essential facts of this narrative. He also
labors to prove him deceitful and a liar.
Deceit in a slave, is only a slight reflex of the stupendous fraud
practised by his master. And its indulgence has far more logic in its
favor, than the ablest plea ever written for slave holding, under ever
such peculiar circumstances. The attempt to prove Mr. Bibb in the lie,
is a signal failure, as he never affirmed what Gatewood denies. With
this offset, the letter under notice is a triumphant vindication of
one, whom he thought there by to injure sadly. As Mr. Bibb has most
happily acknowledged the wheat, (see page 130,) I pass the charge of
stealing by referring to the logic there used, which will be deemed
convincing.
3. William Birney, Esq. , attests the facts of Mr. Bibb's arrest in
Cincinnati, and the subsequent escape, as narrated by him, from the
declaration of eye witnesses.
4. W. Porter, Jailor, states that Bibb was in the work-house at
Louisville, held and sold afterwards to the persons and at the places
named in this volume.
5. W. H. Gatewood, with much Southern dignity, will answer no
questions, but shows his relation to these matters by naming
"King"--saying, "W. H. Bibb is acquainted with him," and promising "a
full history of the case. "
6. Daniel S. Lane, with remarkable straight-forwardness and stupidity,
tells all he knows, and then wants to know what they ask him for. The
writer will answer that question. He wanted to prove by two or more
witnesses, the truth of his own statements; which has most surely been
accomplished.
Having thus presented an array of testimony sustaining the facts
alleged in this narrative, the introduction will be concluded by
introducing a letter signed by respectable men of Detroit, and
endorsed by Judge Wilkins, showing the high esteem in which Mr. Bibb
is held by those who know him well where he makes his home. Their
testimony expresses their present regard as well as an opinion of his
past character. It is introduced here with the greatest satisfaction,
as the writer is assured, from an intimate acquaintance with Henry
Bibb, that all who know him hereafter will entertain the same
sentiments toward him:
* * * * *
DETROIT, _March 10, 1845_.
The undersigned have pleasure in recommending Henry Bibb to
the kindness and confidence of Anti-slavery friends in every
State. He has resided among us for some years. His
deportment, his conduct, and his Christian course have won
our esteem and affection. The narrative of his sufferings
and more early life has been thoroughly investigated by a
Committee appointed for the purpose. They sought evidence
respecting it in every proper quarter, and their report
attested its undoubted truth. In this conclusion we all
cordially unite.
H. Bibb has for some years publicly made this narrative to
assemblies, whose number cannot be told; it has commanded
public attention in this State, and provoked inquiry.
Occasionally too we see persons from the South, who knew him
in early years, yet not a word or fact worthy of impairing
its truth has reached us; but on the contrary, every thing
tended to its corroboration.
Mr. Bibb's Anti-slavery efforts in this State have produced
incalculable benefit. The Lord has blessed him into an
instrument of great power. He has labored much, and for very
inadequate compensation. Lucrative offers for other quarters
did not tempt him to a more profitable field. His sincerity
and disinterestedness are therefore beyond suspicion.
We bid him "God-speed," on his route. We bespeak for him
every kind consideration. * * * *
H. HALLOCK,
President of the Detroit Lib. Association.
CULLEN BROWN, _VICE-PRESIDENT_.
S. M. HOLMES, _SECRETARY_.
J. D. BALDWIN,
CHARLES H. STEWART,
MARTIN WILSON,
WILLIAM BARNUM.
DETROIT, Nov. 11, 1845.
The undersigned, cheerfully concurs with Mr.
Hallock and
others in their friendly recommendation of Mr. Henry Bibb.
The undersigned has known him for many months in the Sabbath
School in this City, partly under his charge, and can
certify to his correct deportment, and commend him to the
sympathies of Christian benevolence.
ROSS WILKINS.
* * * * *
The task now performed, in preparing for the press and
introducing to the public the narrative of Henry Bibb, has
been one of the most pleasant ever required at my hands. And
I conclude it with an expression of the hope that it may
afford interest to the reader, support to the author in his
efforts against slavery, and be instrumental in advancing
the great work of emancipation in this country.
LUCIUS C. MATLACK.
NEW YORK CITY, _July 1st, 1849_.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
This work has been written during irregular intervals, while I have
been travelling and laboring for the emancipation of my enslaved
countrymen. The reader will remember that I make no pretension to
literature; for I can truly say, that I have been educated in the
school of adversity, whips, and chains. Experience and observation
have been my principal teachers, with the exception of three weeks
schooling which I have had the good fortune to receive since my escape
from the "grave yard of the mind," or the dark prison of human
bondage. And nothing but untiring perseverance has enabled me to
prepare this volume for the public eye; and I trust by the aid of
Divine Providence to be able to make it intelligible and instructive.
I thank God for the blessings of Liberty--the contrast is truly great
between freedom and slavery. To be changed from a chattel to a human
being, is no light matter, though the process with myself practically
was very simple. And if I could reach the ears of every slave to-day,
throughout the whole continent of America, I would teach the same
lesson, I would sound it in the ears of every hereditary bondman,
"break your chains and fly for freedom! "
It may be asked why I have written this work, when there has been so
much already written and published of the same character from other
fugitives? And, why publish it after having told it publicly all
through New England and the Western States to multiplied thousands?
My answer is, that in no place have I given orally the detail of my
narrative; and some of the most interesting events of my life have
never reached the public ear. Moreover, it was at the request of many
friends of down-trodden humanity, that I have undertaken to write the
following sketch, that light and truth might be spread on the sin and
evils of slavery as far as possible. I also wanted to leave my humble
testimony on record against this man-destroying system, to be read by
succeeding generations when my body shall lie mouldering in the dust.
But I would not attempt by any sophistry to misrepresent slavery in
order to prove its dreadful wickedness. For, I presume there are none
who may read this narrative through, whether Christians or
slaveholders, males or females, but what will admit it to be a system
of the most high-handed oppression and tyranny that ever was tolerated
by an enlightened nation.
HENRY BIBB
NARRATIVE
OF THE
LIFE OF HENRY BIBB
CHAPTER I.
_Sketch of my Parentage. --Early separation from my Mother. --Hard
Fare. --First Experiments at running away. --Earnest longing for
Freedom. --Abhorrent nature of Slavery. _
I was born May 1815, of a slave mother, in Shelby County, Kentucky,
and was claimed as the property of David White Esq. He came into
possession of my mother long before I was born. I was brought up in
the Counties of Shelby, Henry, Oldham, and Trimble. Or, more correctly
speaking, in the above counties, I may safely say, I was _flogged up_;
for where I should have received moral, mental, and religious
instruction, I received stripes without number, the object of which
was to degrade and keep me in subordination. I can truly say, that I
drank deeply of the bitter cup of suffering and woe. I have been
dragged down to the lowest depths of human degradation and
wretchedness, by Slaveholders.
My mother was known by the name of Milldred Jackson. She is the mother
of seven slaves only, all being sons, of whom I am the eldest. She was
also so fortunate or unfortunate, as to have some of what is called
the slaveholding blood flowing in her veins. I know not how much; but
not enough to prevent her children though fathered by slaveholders,
from being bought and sold in the slave markets of the South. It is
almost impossible for slaves to give a correct account of their male
parentage. All that I know about it is, that my mother informed me
that my fathers name was JAMES BIBB. He was doubtless one of the
present Bibb family of Kentucky; but I have no personal knowledge of
him at all, for he died before my recollection.
The first time I was separated from my mother, I was young and small.
I knew nothing of my condition then as a slave. I was living with Mr.
White, whose wife died and left him a widower with one little girl,
who was said to be the legitimate owner of my mother, and all her
children. This girl was also my playmate when we were children.
I was taken away from my mother, and hired out to labor for various
persons, eight or ten years in succession; and all my wages were
expended for the education of Harriet White, my playmate. It was then
my sorrows and sufferings commenced. It was then I first commenced
seeing and feeling that I was a wretched slave, compelled to work
under the lash without wages, and often without clothes enough to hide
my nakedness. I have often worked without half enough to eat, both
late and early, by day and by night. I have often laid my wearied
limbs down at night to rest upon a dirt floor, or a bench, without any
covering at all, because I had no where else to rest my wearied body,
after having worked hard all the day. I have also been compelled in
early life, to go at the bidding of a tyrant, through all kinds of
weather, hot or cold, wet or dry, and without shoes frequently, until
the month of December, with my bare feet on the cold frosty ground,
cracked open and bleeding as I walked. Reader, believe me when I say,
that no tongue, nor pen ever has or can express the horrors of
American Slavery. Consequently I despair in finding language to
express adequately the deep feeling of my soul, as I contemplate the
past history of my life. But although I have suffered much from the
lash, and for want of food and raiment; I confess that it was no
disadvantage to be passed through the hands of so many families, as
the only source of information that I had to enlighten my mind,
consisted in what I could see and hear from others. Slaves were not
allowed books, pen, ink, nor paper, to improve their minds. But it
seems to me now, that I was particularly observing, and apt to retain
what came under my observation. But more especially, all that I heard
about liberty and freedom to the slaves, I never forgot. Among other
good trades I learned the art of running away to perfection. I made a
regular business of it, and never gave it up, until I had broken the
bands of slavery, and landed myself safely in Canada, where I was
regarded as a man, and not as a thing.
The first time in my life that I ran away, was for ill treatment, in
1835. I was living with a Mr. Vires, in the village of Newcastle. His
wife was a very cross woman. She was every day flogging me, boxing,
pulling my ears, and scolding, so that I dreaded to enter the room
where she was. This first started me to running away from them. I was
often gone several days before I was caught. They would abuse me for
going off, but it did no good. The next time they flogged me, I was
off again; but after awhile they got sick of their bargain, and
returned me back into the hands of my owners. By this time Mr. White
had married his second wife. She was what I call a tyrant. I lived
with her several months, but she kept me almost half of my time in the
woods, running from under the bloody lash. While I was at home she
kept me all the time rubbing furniture, washing, scrubbing the floors;
and when I was not doing this, she would often seat herself in a large
rocking chair, with two pillows about her, and would make me rock her,
and keep off the flies. She was too lazy to scratch her own head, and
would often make me scratch and comb it for her. She would at other
times lie on her bed, in warm weather, and make me fan her while she
slept, scratch and rub her feet; but after awhile she got sick of me,
and preferred a maiden servant to do such business. I was then hired
out again; but by this time I had become much better skilled in
running away, and would make calculation to avoid detection, by taking
with me a bridle. If any body should see me in the woods, as they
have, and asked "what are you doing here sir! you are a runaway! "--I
said, "no, sir, I am looking for our old mare;" at other times,
"looking for our cows. " For such excuses I was let pass. In fact, the
only weapon of self defence that I could use successfully, was that of
deception. It is useless for a poor helpless slave, to resist a white
man in a slaveholding State. Public opinion and the law is against
him; and resistance in many cases is death to the slave, while the law
declares, that he shall submit or die.
The circumstances in which I was then placed, gave me a longing desire
to be free. It kindled a fire of liberty within my breast which has
never yet been quenched. This seemed to be a part of my nature; it was
first revealed to me by the inevitable laws of nature's God. I could
see that the All-wise Creator, had made man a free, moral, intelligent
and accountable being; capable of knowing good and evil. And I
believed then, as I believe now, that every man has a right to wages
for his labor; a right to his own wife and children; a right to
liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and a right to worship God
according to the dictates of his own conscience. But here, in the
light of these truths, I was a slave, a prisoner for life; I could
possess nothing, nor acquire anything but what must belong to my
keeper. No one can imagine my feelings in my reflecting moments, but
he who has himself been a slave. Oh! I have often wept over my
condition, while sauntering through the forest, to escape cruel
punishment.
"No arm to protect me from tyrants aggression;
No parents to cheer me when laden with grief.
Man may picture the bounds of the rocks and the rivers,
The hills and the valleys, the lakes and the ocean,
But the horrors of slavery, he never can trace. "
The term slave to this day sounds with terror to my soul,--a word too
obnoxious to speak--a system too intolerable to be endured. I know
this from long and sad experience. I now feel as if I had just been
aroused from sleep, and looking back with quickened perception at the
state of torment from whence I fled. I was there held and claimed as a
slave; as such I was subjected to the will and power of my keeper, in
all respects whatsoever. That the slave is a human being, no one can
deny. It is his lot to be exposed in common with other men, to the
calamities of sickness, death, and the misfortunes incident to life.
But unlike other men, he is denied the consolation of struggling
against external difficulties, such as destroy the life, liberty, and
happiness of himself and family. A slave may be bought and sold in the
market like an ox. He is liable to be sold off to a distant land from
his family. He is bound in chains hand and foot; and his sufferings
are aggravated a hundred fold, by the terrible thought, that he is not
allowed to struggle against misfortune, corporeal punishment, insults,
and outrages committed upon himself and family; and he is not allowed
to help himself, to resist or escape the blow, which he sees impending
over him.
This idea of utter helplessness, in perpetual bondage, is the more
distressing, as there is no period even with the remotest generation
when it shall terminate.
CHAPTER II.
_A fruitless effort for education. --The Sabbath among
Slaves. --Degrading amusements. --Why religion is rejected. --Condition
of poor white people. --Superstition among slaves. --Education
forbidden_.
In 1833, I had some very serious religious impressions, and there was
quite a number of slaves in that neighborhood, who felt very desirous
to be taught to read the Bible. There was a Miss Davis, a poor white
girl, who offered to teach a Sabbath School for the slaves,
notwithstanding public opinion and the law was opposed to it. Books
were furnished and she commenced the school; but the news soon got to
our owners that she was teaching us to read. This caused quite an
excitement in the neighborhood. Patrols[1] were appointed to go and
break it up the next Sabbath. They were determined that we should not
have a Sabbath School in operation. For slaves this was called an
incendiary movement.
The Sabbath is not regarded by a large number of the slaves as a day
of rest. They have no schools to go to; no moral nor religious
instruction at all in many localities where there are hundreds of
slaves. Hence they resort to some kind of amusement. Those who make no
profession of religion, resort to the woods in large numbers on that
day to gamble, fight, get drunk, and break the Sabbath. This is often
encouraged by slaveholders. When they wish to have a little sport of
that kind, they go among the slaves and give them whiskey, to see them
dance, "pat juber," sing and play on the banjo. Then get them to
wrestling, fighting, jumping, running foot races, and butting each
other like sheep. This is urged on by giving them whiskey; making bets
on them; laying chips on one slave's head, and daring another to tip
it off with his hand; and if he tipped it off, it would be called an
insult, and cause a fight. Before fighting, the parties choose their
seconds to stand by them while fighting; a ring or a circle is formed
to fight in, and no one is allowed to enter the ring while they are
fighting, but their seconds, and the white gentlemen. They are not
allowed to fight a duel, nor to use weapons of any kind. The blows are
made by kicking, knocking, and butting with their heads; they grab
each other by their ears, and jam their heads together like sheep. If
they are likely to hurt each other very bad, their masters would rap
them with their walking canes, and make them stop. After fighting,
they make friends, shake hands, and take a dram together, and there is
no more of it.
But this is all principally for want of moral instruction. This is
where they have no Sabbath Schools; no one to read the Bible to them;
no one to preach the gospel who is competent to expound the
Scriptures, except slaveholders. And the slaves, with but few
exceptions, have no confidence at all in their preaching, because they
preach a pro-slavery doctrine. They say, "Servants be obedient to your
masters;--and he that knoweth his master's will and doeth it not,
shall be beaten with many stripes;--" means that God will send them to
hell, if they disobey their masters. This kind of preaching has driven
thousands into infidelity. They view themselves as suffering unjustly
under the lash, without friends, without protection of law or gospel,
and the green eyed monster tyranny staring them in the face. They know
that they are destined to die in that wretched condition, unless they
are delivered by the arm of Omnipotence. And they cannot believe or
trust in such a religion, as above named.
The poor and loafering class of whites, are about on a par in point of
morals with the slaves at the South. They are generally ignorant,
intemperate, licentious, and profane. They associate much with the
slaves; are often found gambling together on the Sabbath; encouraging
slaves to steal from their owners, and sell to them, corn, wheat,
sheep, chickens, or any thing of the kind which they can well conceal.
For such offences there is no law to reach a slave but lynch law. But
if both parties are caught in the act by a white person, the slave is
punished with the lash, while the white man is often punished with
both lynch and common law. But there is another class of poor white
people in the South, who, I think would be glad to see slavery
abolished in self defence; they despise the institution because it is
impoverishing and degrading to them and their children.
The slave holders are generally rich, aristocratic, overbearing; and
they look with utter contempt upon a poor laboring man, who earns his
bread by the "sweat of his brow," whether he be moral or immoral,
honest or dishonest. No matter whether he is white or black; if he
performs manual labor for a livelihood, he is looked upon as being
inferior to a slaveholder, and but little better off than the slave,
who toils without wages under the lash. It is true, that the
slaveholder, and non-slaveholder, are living under the same laws in
the same State. But the one is rich, the other is poor; one is
educated, the other is uneducated; one has houses, land and influence,
the other has none. This being the case, that class of the
non-slaveholders would be glad to see slavery abolished, but they dare
not speak it aloud.
There is much superstition among the slaves. Many of them believe in
what they call "conjuration," tricking, and witchcraft; and some of
them pretend to understand the art, and say that by it they can
prevent their masters from exercising their will over their slaves.
Such are often applied to by others, to give them power to prevent
their masters from flogging them. The remedy is most generally some
kind of bitter root; they are directed to chew it and spit towards
their masters when they are angry with their slaves. At other times
they prepare certain kinds of powders, to sprinkle about their masters
dwellings. This is all done for the purpose of defending themselves in
some peaceable manner, although I am satisfied that there is no virtue
at all in it. I have tried it to perfection when I was a slave at the
South. I was then a young man, full of life and vigor, and was very
fond of visiting our neighbors slaves, but had no time to visit only
Sundays, when I could get a permit to go, or after night, when I could
slip off without being seen. If it was found out, the next morning I
was called up to give an account of myself for going off without
permission; and would very often get a flogging for it.
I got myself into a scrape at a certain time, by going off in this
way, and I expected to be severely punished for it. I had a strong
notion of running off, to escape being flogged, but was advised by a
friend to go to one of those conjurers, who could prevent me from
being flogged. I went and informed him of the difficulty. He said if I
would pay him a small sum, he would prevent my being flogged. After I
had paid him, he mixed up some alum, salt and other stuff into a
powder, and said I must sprinkle it about my master, if he should
offer to strike me; this would prevent him. He also gave me some kind
of bitter root to chew, and spit towards him, which would certainly
prevent my being flogged. According to order I used his remedy, and
for some cause I was let pass without being flogged that time.
I had then great faith in conjuration and witchcraft. I was led to
believe that I could do almost as I pleased, without being flogged. So
on the next Sabbath my conjuration was fully tested by my going off,
and staying away until Monday morning, without permission. When I
returned home, my master declared that he would punish me for going
off; but I did not believe that he could do it while I had this root
and dust; and as he approached me, I commenced talking saucy to him.
But he soon convinced me that there was no virtue in them. He became
so enraged at me for saucing him, that he grasped a handful of
switches and punished me severely, in spite of all my roots and
powders.
But there was another old slave in that neighborhood, who professed to
understand all about conjuration, and I thought I would try his skill.
He told me that the first one was only a quack, and if I would only
pay him a certain amount in cash, that he would tell me how to prevent
any person from striking me. After I had paid him his charge, he told
me to go to the cow-pen after night, and get some fresh cow manure,
and mix it with red pepper and white people's hair, all to be put into
a pot over the fire, and scorched until it could be ground into snuff.
I was then to sprinkle it about my master's bed-room, in his hat and
boots, and it would prevent him from ever abusing me in any way. After
I got it all ready prepared, the smallest pinch of it scattered over a
room, was enough to make a horse sneeze from the strength of it; but
it did no good. I tried it to my satisfaction. It was my business to
make fires in my master's chamber, night and morning. Whenever I could
get a chance, I sprinkled a little of this dust about the linen of the
bed, where they would breathe it on retiring. This was to act upon
them as what is called a kind of love powder, to change their
sentiments of anger, to those of love, towards me, but this all
proved to be vain imagination. The old man had my money, and I was
treated no better for it.
One night when I went in to make a fire, I availed myself of the
opportunity of sprinkling a very heavy charge of this powder about my
master's bed. Soon after their going to bed, they began to cough and
sneeze. Being close around the house, watching and listening, to know
what the effect would be, I heard them ask each other what in the
world it could be, that made them cough and sneeze so. All the while,
I was trembling with fear, expecting every moment I should be called
and asked if I knew any thing about it. After this, for fear they
might find me out in my dangerous experiments upon them, I had to give
them up, for the time being. I was then convinced that running away
was the most effectual way by which a slave could escape cruel
punishment.
As all the instrumentalities which I as a slave, could bring to bear
upon the system, had utterly failed to palliate my sufferings, all
hope and consolation fled. I must be a slave for life, and suffer
under the lash or die. The influence which this had only tended to
make me more unhappy. I resolved that I would be free if running away
could make me so. I had heard that Canada was a land of liberty,
somewhere in the North; and every wave of trouble that rolled across
my breast, caused me to think more and more about Canada, and liberty.
But more especially after having been flogged, I have fled to the
highest hills of the forest, pressing my way to the North for refuge;
but the river Ohio was my limit. To me it was an impassable gulf.
