WILLIAM B. WHITE, SUSAN BROOKS AND WILLIAM HENRY ATKINS.--STOWED AWAY IN
THE STEAMSHIP CITY OF RICHMOND.
But for their hope of liberty, their uncomfortable position could hardly
have been endured by these fugitives. William had been compelled to dig
and delve, to earn bread and butter, clothing and luxuries, houses and
land, education and ease for H.B. Dickinson, of Richmond. William
smarted frequently; but what could he do? Complaint from a slave was a
crime of the deepest dye. So William dug away mutely, but continued to
think, nevertheless. He was a man of about thirty-six years of age, of
dark chestnut color, medium size, and of pleasant manners to say the
least. His owner was a tobacco manufacturer, who held some thirty slaves
in his own right, besides hiring a great many others. William was
regularly employed by day in his master's tobacco factory. He was
likewise employed, as one of the carriers of the Richmond Dispatch; the
time allotted to fill the duties of this office, was however, before
sunrise in the morning. It is but just to state, in favor of his master,
that William was himself the receiver of a part of the pay for this
night work. It was by this means William procured clothing and certain
other necessaries.
From William's report of his master, he was by no means among the worst
of slave-holders in Richmond; he did not himself flog, but the overseer
was allowed to conduct this business, when it was considered necessary.
For a long time William had cherished a strong desire to be free, and
had gone so far on several occasions as to make unsuccessful attempts to
accomplish this end. At last he was only apprised of his opportunity to
carry his wishes into practice a few moments before the hour for the
starting of the Underground Rail Road train.
Being on the watch, he hailed the privilege, and left without looking
back.
True he left his wife and two children, who were free, and a son also
who was owned by Warner Toliver, of Gloucester county, Va. We leave the
reader to decide for himself, whether William did right or wrong, and
who was responsible for the sorrow of both husband and wife caused by
the husband's course. The Committee received him as a true and honest
friend of freedom, and as such aided him.
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