Will you please to telegrape to me, No. 31 Dummer st.
Jake, another member of the company of nine, was twenty-two years of
age, of dark hue, round-made, keen eyes, and apparently a man of
superior intelligence. Unfortunately his lot had been of such a nature
that no helping opportunity had been afforded for the cultivation of his
mind.
He condemned in very strong terms a man by the name of Benjamin B.
Chambers, who lived near Elkton, but did not there require the services
of Jake, hiring Jake out just as he would have hired a horse, and
likewise keeping his pay. Jake thought that if justice could have been
awarded him, Chambers would either have had to restore that of which he
had wronged him, or expiate the wrong in prison.
Jake, however, stood more in awe of a young master, who was soon likely
to come into power, than he did of the old master. This son had already
given Jake to understand that once in his hands it "wouldn't be long
before he would have him jingling in his pocket," signifying, that he
would sell him as soon as his father was gone.
The manner of the son stirred Jake's very blood to boiling heat it
seemed. His suffering, and the suffering of his fellow-bondsmen had
never before appeared so hard. The idea that he must work, and be sold
at the pleasure of another, made him decide to "pull up stakes," and
seek refuge elsewhere. Such a spirit as he possessed could not rest in
servitude.
Mary Ann, the wife of Jake, who accompanied him, was a pleasant-looking
bride. She said that she was owned by "Elias Rhoads, a farmer, and a
pretty fair kind of a man." She had been treated very well.
John and Henry Dade, ages twenty and twenty-five years, were from
Washington. They belonged to the class of well-cared for slaves; at
least they said that their mistress had not dealt severely with them,
and they never would have consented to pass through the severe
sufferings encountered on their journey, but for the strong desire they
had to be free. From Canada John wrote back as follows:
ST. CATHARINES, Canada.
MR. STILL, SIR:--I ar rivd on Friday evenen bot I had rite smart
troble for my mony gave out at the bridge and I had to fot et to
St. Catherin tho I went rite to worke at the willard house for 8
dolor month bargend for to stae all the wentor bot I havent eny
clouse nor money please send my tronke if et has come. Derate et
to St. Catharines to the willard house to John Dade and if et
ant come plice rite for et soon as posable deract your letter to
Rosenen Dade Washington send your deraction please tend to this
rite a way for I haf made a good start I think that I can gate a
longe en this plase. If my brother as well send him on for I haf
a plase for him ef he ant well please don't send him for this as
no plase for a sik possan. The way I got this plase I went to
see a fran of myen from Washington. Dan al well and he gave me
werke. Pleas ancer this as soon as you gat et you must excues
this bad riting for my chance wars bot small to line this mouch,