ROBERT McCOY _alias_ WILLIAM DONAR.
In October, 1854, the Committee received per steamer, directly from
Norfolk, Va., Robert McCoy and Elizabeth Saunders. Robert had constantly
been in the clutches of the negro-trader Hall, for the last sixteen
years, previous to his leaving, being owned by him. He had, therefore,
possessed very favorable opportunities for varied observation and
experience relative to the trader's conduct in his nefarious business,
as well as for witnessing the effects of the auction-block upon all
ages--rending asunder the dearest ties, despite the piteous wails of
childhood or womanhood, parental or conjugal relations. But no attempt
will be made to chronicle the deeds of this dealer in human flesh. Those
stories fresh from the lips of one who had just escaped, were painful in
the extreme, but in the very nature of things some of the statements are
too revolting to be published. In lieu of this fact, except the above
allusions to the trader's business, this sketch will only refer to
Robert's condition as a slave, and finally as a traveler on the
Underground Rail Road.
Robert was a man of medium size, dark mulatto, of more than ordinary
intelligence. His duties had been confined to the house, and not to the
slave pen. As a general thing, he had managed, doubtless through much
shrewdness, to avoid very severe outrages from the trader. On the whole,
he had fared "about as well" as the generality of slaves.
Yet, in order to free himself from his "miserable" life, he was willing,
as he declared, to suffer almost any sacrifice. Indeed, his conduct
proved the sincerity of this declaration, as he had actually been
concealed five months in a place in the city, where he could not
possibly avoid daily suffering of the most trying kind. His resolve to
be free was all this while maturing. The trader had threatened to sell
Robert, and to prevent it Robert (thus) "took out." Successfully did he
elude the keen scent and grasp of the hunters, who made diligent efforts
to recapture him. Although a young man--only about twenty-eight years of
age, his health was by no means good. His system had evidently been
considerably shattered by Slavery, and symptoms of consumption, together
with chronic rheumatism, were making rapid headway against the physical
man. Under his various ills, he declared, as did many others from the
land of bondage, that his faith in God afforded him comfort and hope. He
was obliged to leave his wife, Eliza, in bonds, not knowing whether they
should ever meet again on earth, but he was somewhat hopeful that the
way would open for her escape also.
After reaching Philadelphia, where his arrival had long been anticipated
by the Vigilance Committee, his immediate wants were met, and in due
order he was forwarded to New Bedford, where, he was led to feel, he
would be happy in freedom.
Scarcely had he been in New Bedford one month, before his prayers and
hopes were realized with regard to the deliverance of his wife. On
hearing of the good news of her coming he wrote as follows--
NEW BEDFORD, Nov. 3, 1859.
DEAR SIR:--i embrace this opertunity to inform you that i
received your letter with pleasure, i am enjoying good health
and hope that these few lines will find you enjoying the same
blessing. i rejoise to hear from you i feel very much indetted
to you for not writing before but i have been so bissy that is
the cause, i rejoise to heare of the arrival of my wife, and
hope she is not sick from the roling of the sea and if she is
not, pleas to send her on here Monday with a six baral warlian
and a rifall to gard her up to my residance i thank you kindly
for the good that you have don for me. Give my respects to Mrs.
Still, tell her i want to see her very bad and you also i would
come but i am afraid yet to venture, i received your letter the
second, but about the first of spring i hope to pay you a visit
or next summer. i am getting something to do every day. i will
write on her arrivall and tell you more. Mr. R. White sends his
love to you and your famerly and says that he is very much
indetted to you for his not writing and all so he desires to
know wheather his cloths has arived yet or not, and if they are
please to express them on to him or if at preasant by Mrs.
Donar. Not any more at preasent. i remain your affectionate
brother,