John Clayton, the companion in tribulation of William and James, must
not be lost sight of any longer. He was owned by the Widow Clayton, and
was white enough to have been nearly related to her, being a mulatto. He
was about thirty-five years of age, a man of fine appearance, and quite
intelligent. Several years previous he had made an attempt to escape,
but failed. Prior to escaping in this instance, he had been laboring in
a tobacco factory at $150 a year. It is needless to say that he did not
approve of the "peculiar institution." He left a wife and one child
behind to mourn after him. Of his views of Canada and Freedom, the
following frank and sensible letter, penned shortly after his arrival,
speaks for itself--
TORONTO, March 6th, 1854.
DEAR MR. STILL:--I take this method of informing you that I am
well both in health and mind. You may rest assured that I fells
myself a free man and do not fell as I did when I was in
Virginia thanks be to God I have no master into Canada but I am
my own man. I arrived safe into Canada on friday last. I must
request of you to write a few lines to my wife and jest state to
her that her friend arrived safe into this glorious land of
liberty and I am well and she will make very short her time in
Virginia. tell her that I likes here very well and hopes to like
it better when I gets to work I don't meane for you to write the
same words that are written above but I wish you give her a
clear understanding where I am and Shall Remain here untel She
comes or I hears from her.
Nothing more at present but remain yours most respectfully,