HARRIET TUBMAN had been their "Moses," but not in the sense that Andrew
Johnson was the "Moses of the colored people." She had faithfully gone
down into Egypt, and had delivered these six bondmen by her own heroism.
Harriet was a woman of no pretensions, indeed, a more ordinary specimen
of humanity could hardly be found among the most unfortunate-looking
farm hands of the South. Yet, in point of courage, shrewdness and
disinterested exertions to rescue her fellow-men, by making personal
visits to Maryland among the slaves, she was without her equal.
Her success was wonderful. Time and again she made successful visits to
Maryland on the Underground Rail Road, and would be absent for weeks, at
a time, running daily risks while making preparations for herself and
passengers. Great fears were entertained for her safety, but she seemed
wholly devoid of personal fear. The idea of being captured by
slave-hunters or slave-holders, seemed never to enter her mind. She was
apparently proof against all adversaries. While she thus manifested such
utter personal indifference, she was much more watchful with regard to
those she was piloting. Half of her time, she had the appearance of one
asleep, and would actually sit down by the road-side and go fast asleep
when on her errands of mercy through the South, yet, she would not
suffer one of her party to whimper once, about "giving out and going
back," however wearied they might be from hard travel day and night. She
had a very short and pointed rule or law of her own, which implied death
to any who talked of giving out and going back. Thus, in an emergency
she would give all to understand that "times were very critical and
therefore no foolishness would be indulged in on the road." That several
who were rather weak-kneed and faint-hearted were greatly invigorated by
Harriet's blunt and positive manner and threat of extreme measures,
there could be no doubt.
After having once enlisted, "they had to go through or die." Of course
Harriet was supreme, and her followers generally had full faith in her,
and would back up any word she might utter. So when she said to them
that "a live runaway could do great harm by going back, but that a dead
one could tell no secrets," she was sure to have obedience. Therefore,
none had to die as traitors on the "middle passage." It is obvious
enough, however, that her success in going into Maryland as she did, was
attributable to her adventurous spirit and utter disregard of
consequences. Her like it is probable was never known before or since.
On examining the six passengers who came by this arrival they were thus
recorded:
December 29th, 1854--John is twenty years of age, chestnut color, of
spare build and smart. He fled from a farmer, by the name of John
Campbell Henry, who resided at Cambridge, Dorchester Co., Maryland. On
being interrogated relative to the character of his master, John gave no
very amiable account of him. He testified that he was a "hard man" and
that he "owned about one hundred and forty slaves and sometimes he would
sell," etc. John was one of the slaves who were "hired out." He "desired
to have the privilege of hunting his own master." His desire was not
granted. Instead of meekly submitting, John felt wronged, and made this
his reason for running away. This looked pretty spirited on the part of
one so young as John. The Committee's respect for him was not a little
increased, when they heard him express himself.
Benjamin was twenty-eight years of age, chestnut color, medium size, and
shrewd. He was the so-called property of Eliza Ann Brodins, who lived
near Buckstown, in Maryland. Ben did not hesitate to say, in unqualified
terms, that his mistress was "very devilish." He considered his charges,
proved by the fact that three slaves (himself one of them) were required
to work hard and fare meagerly, to support his mistress' family in
idleness and luxury. The Committee paid due attention to his ex parte
statement, and was obliged to conclude that his argument, clothed in
common and homely language, was forcible, if not eloquent, and that he
was well worthy of aid. Benjamin left his parents besides one sister,
Mary Ann Williamson, who wanted to come away on the Underground Rail
Road.
Henry left his wife, Harriet Ann, to be known in future by the name of
"Sophia Brown." He was a fellow-servant of Ben's, and one of the
supports of Eliza A. Brodins.
Henry was only twenty-two, but had quite an insight into matters and
things going on among slaves and slave-holders generally, in country
life. He was the father of two small children, whom he had to leave
behind.
Peter was owned by George Wenthrop, a farmer, living near Cambridge, Md.
In answer to the question, how he had been used, he said "hard." Not a
pleasant thought did he entertain respecting his master, save that he
was no longer to demand the sweat of Peter's brow. Peter left parents,
who were free; he was born before they were emancipated, consequently,
he was retained in bondage.
Jane, aged twenty-two, instead of regretting that she had unadvisedly
left a kind mistress and indulgent master, who had afforded her
necessary comforts, affirmed that her master, "Rash Jones, was the worst
man in the country." The Committee were at first disposed to doubt her
sweeping statement, but when they heard particularly how she had been
treated, they thought Catharine had good ground for all that she said.
Personal abuse and hard usage, were the common lot of poor slave girls.
Robert was thirty-five years of age, of a chestnut color, and well made.
His report was similar to that of many others. He had been provided with
plenty of hard drudgery--hewing of wood and drawing of water, and had
hardly been treated as well as a gentleman would treat a dumb brute. His
feelings, therefore, on leaving his old master and home, were those of
an individual who had been unjustly in prison for a dozen years and had
at last regained his liberty.
The civilization, religion, and customs under which Robert and his
companions had been raised, were, he thought, "very wicked." Although
these travelers were all of the field-hand order, they were,
nevertheless, very promising, and they anticipated better days in
Canada. Good advice was proffered them on the subject of temperance,
industry, education, etc. Clothing, food and money were also given them
to meet their wants, and they were sent on their way rejoicing.