Anglo-African and Anglo-Saxon were about equally mixed in the
organization of Mr. Pettifoot. His education, with regard to books, was
quite limited. He had, however, managed to steal the art of reading and
writing, to a certain extent. Notwithstanding the Patriarchal
Institution of the South, he was to all intents and purposes a rebel at
heart, consequently he resolved to take a trip on the Underground Rail
Road to Canada. So, greatly to the surprise of those whom he was
serving, he was one morning inquired for in vain. No one could tell what
had become of Jack no more than if he had vanished like a ghost.
Doubtless Messrs. McHenry and McCulloch were under the impression that
newspapers and money possessed great power and could, under the
circumstances, be used with entire effect. The following advertisement
is evidence, that Jack was much needed at the tobacco factory.
$100 REWARD--For the apprehension and delivery to us of a
MULATTO MAN, named John Massenberg, or John Henry Pettifoot, who
has been passing as free, under the name of Sydney. He is about
5 feet 6 or 8 inches high, spare made, bright, with a bushy head
of hair, curled under and a small moustache. Absconded a few
days ago from our Tobacco Factory.
[Illustration: ]
McHENRY & MCCULLOCH.
ju 16 3t.
Jack was aware that a trap of this kind would most likely be set for
him, and that the large quantity of Anglo-Saxon blood in his veins would
not save him. He was aware, too, that he was the reputed son of a white
gentleman, who was a professional dentist, by the name of Dr. Peter
Cards. The Doctor, however, had been called away by death, so Jack could
see no hope or virtue in having a white father, although a "chivalric
gentleman," while living, and a man of high standing amongst
slave-holders. Jack was a member of the Baptist church, too, and hoped
he was a good Christian; but he could look for no favors from the
Church, or sympathy on the score of his being a Christian. He knew very
well were it known, that he had the love of freedom in his heart, or the
idea of the Underground Rail Road in his head, he would be regarded as
having committed the "unpardonable sin." So Jack looked to none of these
"broken reeds" in Richmond in the hour of his trial, but to Him above,
whom he had not seen, and to the Underground Rail Road. He felt pretty
well satisfied, that if Providence would aid him, and he could get a
conductor to put him on the right road to Canada, he would be all right.
Accordingly, he acted up to his best light, and thus he succeeded
admirably, as the sequel shows.
JOHN HENRY PETTIFOOT. John is a likely young man, quite bright in color
and in intellect also. He was the son of Peter Cards, a dentist by
profession, and a white man by complexion. As a general thing, he had
been used 'very well;' had no fault to find, except this year, being
hired to McHenry & McCulloch, tobacconists, of Petersburg, Va., whom he
found rather more oppressive than he agreed for, and supposing that he
had 'no right' to work for any body for nothing, he 'picked up his bed
and walked.' His mistress had told him that he was '_willed_ free,' at
her death, but John was not willing to wait her "motions to die."
He had a wife in Richmond, but was not allowed to visit her. He left one
sister and a step-father in bondage. Mr. Pettifoot reached Philadelphia
by the Richmond line of steamers, stowed away among the pots and cooking
utensils. On reaching the city, he at once surrendered himself into the
hands of the Committee, and was duly looked after by the regular acting
members.
* * * * *