The loss of this party likewise falls on Maryland. With all the efforts
exerted by slave-holders, they could not prevent the Underground Rail
Road from bringing away passengers.
Alfred was twenty-eight years of age, with sharp features, dark color,
and of medium size. He charged one Elijah J. Johnson, a commissioner of
Baltimore Co., with having deprived him of the fruits of his labor. He
had looked fully into his master's treatment of him, and had come to the
conclusion that it was wrong in every respect, for one man to make
another work and then take all his wages from him; thus decided, Alfred,
desiring liberty, whereby he could do better for himself felt that he
must "took out" and make his way to Canada. Nevertheless, he admitted
that he had been "treated pretty well" compared with others. True, he
had "not been fed very well;" Elijah, his master, was an old man with a
white head, tall and stout, and the owner of fifteen head of slaves. At
the same time, a member of St. John's church.
Alfred had treasured up the sad remembrance against him of the sale of
his mother from him when a little boy, only three years old. While he
was then too young to have retained her features in his memory, the fact
had always been a painful one to reflect upon.
George was twenty-six years of age, stout, long-faced, and of dark
complexion. He looked as though he might have eagerly grasped education
if the opportunity had been allowed him. He too belonged to Elijah J.
Johnson, against whom he entertained much more serious objections than
Alfred. Indeed, George did not hesitate to say with emphasis, that he
neither liked his old master, mistress, nor any of the family. Without
recording his grievances in detail, a single instance will suffice of
the kind of treatment to which he objected, and which afforded the
pretext for his becoming a patron of the Underground Rail Road.
It was this, said George: "I went into the corn-field and got some corn.
This made my master and mistress very mad, and about it Dr. Franklin
Rodgers, my young mistress' husband, struck me some pretty heavy blows,
and knocked me with his fist, etc." Thus, George's blood was raised, and
he at once felt that it was high time to be getting away from such
patriarchs. It was only necessary to form a strong resolution and to
start without delay.
There were two others who, he believed, could be trusted, so he made
known his intentions to them, and finding them sound on the question of
freedom he was glad of their company. For an emergency, he provided
himself with a pair of pistols and a formidable-looking knife, and
started, bent on reaching Canada; determined at least, not to be taken
back to bondage alive. Charles was twenty-four years of age, a very
dark-colored individual, and also belonged to said Johnson.
Charles was well acquainted with his old master and mistress, and made
very quick work of giving his experience. After hearing him, from the
manner in which he expressed himself, no one could doubt his earnestness
and veracity. His testimony ran substantially thus:
"For the last three years I have been treated very hard. In the presence
of the servants, old Johnson had me tied, stripped, and with his own
hands, flogged me on the naked back shamefully. The old mistress was
cross too." It was some time before the smarting ceased, but it was not
long ere the suffering produced very decided aspirations to get over to
John Bull's Dominions. He resolved to go, at all hazards. In order that
he might not be surprised on the Underground Rail Road without any
weapons of defense, determined as he was to fight rather than be dragged
back, he provided himself with a heavy, leaden ball and a razor. They
met, however, with no serious difficulty, save from hard walking and
extreme hunger. In appearance, courage, and mother-wit, this party was
of much promise.
* * * * *