Of all the passengers who had hitherto arrived with bruised and mangled
bodies received at the hands of slave-holders, none brought a back so
shamefully lacerated by the lash as Thomas Madden. Not a single spot had
been exempted from the excoriating cow-hide. A most bloody picture did
the broad back and shoulders of Thomas present to the eye as he bared
his wounds for inspection. While it was sad to think, that millions of
men, women, and children throughout the South were liable to just such
brutal outrages as Thomas had received, it was a satisfaction to think,
that this outrage had made a freeman of him.
He was only twenty-two years of age, but that punishment convinced him
that he was fully old enough to leave such a master as E. Ray, who had
almost murdered him. But for this treatment, Thomas might have remained
in some degree contented in Slavery. He was expected to look after the
fires in the house on Sunday mornings. In a single instance desiring to
be absent, perhaps for his own pleasure, two boys offered to be his
substitute. The services of the boys were accepted, and this gave
offence to the master. This Thomas declared was the head and front of
his offending. His simple narration of the circumstances of his slave
life was listened to by the Committee with deep interest and a painful
sense of the situation of slaves under the despotism of such men as Ray.
After being cared for by the Committee he was sent on to Canada. When
there he wrote back to let the Committee know how he was faring, the
narrow escape he had on the way, and likewise to convey the fact, that
one named "Rachel," left behind, shared a large place in his affections.
The subjoined letter is the only correspondence of his preserved:
STANFORD, June 1st, 1855, Niagara districk.
DEAR SIR:--I set down to inform you that I take the liberty to
rite for a frend to inform you that he is injoying good health
and hopes that this will finde you the same he got to this
cuntry very well except that in Albany he was vary neig taking
back to his oald home but escaped and when he came to the
suspention bridg he was so glad that he run for freadums shore
and when he arived it was the last of October and must look for
sum wourk for the winter he choped wood until Feruary times are
good but money is scarce he thinks a great deal of the girl he
left behind him he thinks that there is non like her here non so
hansom as his Rachel right and let him hear from you as soon as
convaniant no more at presant but remain yours,