DEAR FRIENDS--For some months past my dear husband and I have
wished very gratefully to thank you for having so kindly
assisted us in various Anti-Slavery efforts, and we now think it
quite time to give an account of our stewardship, and also to
lay before you several items of interesting intelligence
received from different parts of the United States. We will
thank you to look upon this intelligence as private, and must
request you to guard against any portion of it being reprinted.
WILLIAM S. BAILEY.--We have had great pleasure in forwarding
£222 to our valued correspondent, William S. Bailey, of Newport,
Kentucky; £160 of this sum in response to a circular issued at
Newcastle in the summer of last year, and received by our
friend, David Oliver, who acted as treasurer, and the remainder
chiefly collected by our dear young friends in England and
Ireland, after reading the account of his little daughter,
"Laura." This money has been very thankfully acknowledged, with
the exception of the last remittance just now on the road.
Most of our readers will be aware that W.S. Bailey's
printing-office and premises were again ruthlessly attacked
after the Harper's Ferry outbreak, on the unfounded assumption
that he was meditating a similar proceeding, and that it was
unsafe for a free press to be any longer tolerated in Kentucky.
His forms and type were accordingly dragged through the streets
of Newport, and a considerable portion of them flung by a mob
(of "gentlemen") into the Ohio River. A few extracts from his
own letters will pretty fully explain both his past and present
position. The subscription list on his behalf is still open, and
any further assistance for this heroic man and his noble-hearted
family will be very gratefully received and forwarded.
"NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, Nov. 19th, 1859.
"From my letter of the 7th inst. you will have learned
the sad intelligence that my printing-office has been
destroyed by a brutal mob of Pro-Slavery men. Through
the money I received from you and other friends in this
country I was moving the cause of freedom in all parts
of Kentucky. The people seemed to grasp our platform
with eagerness, and the slaveholders became alarmed to
see their wish to read and discuss its simple truths.
Hence they plotted together to devise a stratagem by
which they could destroy _The Free South_, and in the
meantime the Harper's Ferry difficulty, by Mr. Brown,
was seized upon to excite the people against me, and the
most extravagant lies were told about me, as trying to
excite slaves to rebellion; intending to seize the
United States barracks at this place, arm the negroes,
and commence war upon slave-holders. All these lies were
told as profound secrets to the people by the tools of
the slave-power. But these lies have already exploded,
and the people are resuming their common sense again.
"I tried your plan of non-resistance with all my power.
I pleaded with all the earnestness of my soul, and so
did my wife and daughters, but though I am certain many
were moved in conscience against the savage outrage, and
did their work with a stinging heart, yet they felt that
they must stick to their party, and complete the
destruction. Slavery, indeed, makes the most hardened
savages the world ever knew. The savage war-whoop of the
Indian never equalled their dastardly cry of 'shoot
him,' 'cut his throat,' 'stab him,' and such like words
most maliciously spoken." * * "Slavery is the cause
of this devilish spirit in men; but this outrage has
gained me many friends, and will do much towards putting
down Slavery in the state. It will also add many
thousand votes to the republican presidential candidate
in 1860. God grant it may work out a great good!" * *
* * "I Want to get started again as soon as I possibly
can. As soon as I can raise 1,000 dollars, I can make a
beginning, and soon after you will see _The Free South_
again, and I trust a much handsomer sheet than it was
before."
NEWPORT, January 6th, 1860.
"Yours of 12mo. 17th, 1860, is received, containing a
draft for £50, and another of the 'Little Laura' books,
which, thank God, is doing some good in Newport and
Covington, in the hands of two Christian friends. The
renewed obligations under which the good people of
England, through your instrumentality, place me and my
abused people, call for expressions of gratitude from
both me and them beyond my ability to pen. But you can
imagine how we ought to feel in our trials and wants to
such kind friends as you. Neither I nor my Anti-Slavery
friends here can express our thankfulness in the elegant
language your better educated countrymen may feel we
should use, but, by the Omnipotent Judge of all hearts,
I trust our feeble effort will be accepted, and you and
yours be blessed and protected now and for ever. Such
encouragement strengthens me in the belief that the
Spirit of God is abroad in the hearts of the people,
moving them to sympathize with the poor, subjected
slave." * * * * "I have the promise of abler pens
to aid me when I get started again; and I am glad to see
that a poor working-man and his family have been the
means of calling the attention of men of letters to
assist in raising from the dust a crushed race of men;
and although the red clouds of war hover thick around
us, and vengeance lurks in secret places, I trust,
through the guidance of an All-wise Director, to steer
safely through the angry tide that now so often ebbs and
flows around me; but should I fall, I trust, dear lady,
that my dear wife and family may be remembered by the
good and true."
"NEWPORT, May 25th, 1860.
"I am glad to tell you that we feel it a great victory
over the slave power to be able to rise again from our
ruins, and in the face of slave-owning despots denounce
their inhumanity and their sins. I trust that Almighty
God will continue to be with me and my dear family in
this good work." * * * "You cannot but see, I
think, by the southern press, that slave-holders begin
to fear and tremble for the safety of their 'peculiar
institution.' The death of John Brown is yet to be
atoned for, by the slave-holding oligarchy. His undying
spirit haunts them by day and by night, and in the midst
of their voluptuous enjoyments, the very thought of John
Brown chills their souls and poisons their pleasures.
Their tarring and feathering of good citizens; their
riding them upon rails, and ducking them, in dirty
ponds; their destruction of liberty presses, and the
hanging of John Brown and his friends, to intimidate men
from the advocacy of freedom, will all come tumbling
upon their own heads as a just retribution for their
outrageous brutality. Only let us persevere, and
oppressed humanity, bent in timid silence throughout the
south, will rise and throw off the yoke of Slavery and
rejoice in beholding itself _free_!"
"NEWPORT, August 18.
"I send you three copies of my paper. Since receiving
your letter, I and my family have done all in our power
to get it out, but we had to get old type from the
foundry and sort it, to make the sheet the size you now
see it. We hate to be put down by the influence of
tyranny, and you cannot imagine our sorrow, anxiety,
necessity and determination." * * * "I have received,
since the press was destroyed, 700 dollars in all, which
has been spent in repairing and roofing our
dwelling-house, and repairing the breaches made upon the
office, together with mending the presses and procuring
job type and some little for the paper, but nearly all
the latter is old type. Our kindest thanks to the
liberty-loving people of your country, Scotland, and
Ireland, and tell them I shall never surrender the cause
of freedom. A little money from all my friends, would
soon reinstate me, and when they see my paper I trust it
will cheer their hopes, and cause a new fire for liberty
in Kentucky.
"I cannot but sometimes ask in my closet meditations: O
God of mercy and love, why permittest Thou these things?
But still I hope for a change of mind in my enemies, and
shall press onward to accomplish the great task
seemingly allotted to me upon Kentucky soil."
THE PERSECUTED BEREANS.--There is another call connected with
Kentucky, which we wish to bring before our friends. At a
village in that State, called Berea, (situated in Madison
county), a little band of Christian men and women, had been
pursuing their useful labors for some years past. They avowedly
held Anti-slavery sentiments, but this was the beginning and end
of their offending. They possessed a farm and saw-mill, etc.,
and had established a flourishing school. These good people were
quietly following their usual employments, when, in the early
part of last winter, sixty-two armed Kentuckians rode upon
horseback to their cottage doors, and summarily informed them
that they must leave the State in ten days' time, or would be
expelled from it forcibly. All pleading was hopeless, and any
attempt at self-defence out of the question. They bowed before
the storm, and hastily gathering up their garments, in three
days' time were on their road to Ohio. Their three Christian
pastors took the same course. One of the latter has since
returned to Kentucky, to bury his youngest little boy, in a
grave-yard attached to one of the churches there. He was enabled
to preach to the people who assembled on the occasion, but was
not allowed to remain in his native State.
Another of the exiles ventured to go back to Berea, but this
immediately led to an outbreak of popular feeling, for his
saw-mill was set on fire by the mob, and presently destroyed.
The exiles are consequently still in Ohio, or wandering about in
search of employment. We have been privileged in receiving two
letters respecting them, from one of their excellent pastors,
John G. Fee. This gentleman is himself, the son of a
slave-holder, but gave up his earthly patrimony many years since
for conscience' sake, and has since made it the business of his
life to proclaim the gospel in its purity, and to use every
available means for directing all to Christ.
When speaking of Berea, Mr. Fee remarks: "The land was poor, but
the situation beautiful, with good water, and a favorable
location, in some respects. We could have had locations more
fertile and more easy of access, but more exposed to the
slave-power. It was five miles from a turnpike road, with quite
a population around it for a slave State."
In one of Mr. Fee's letters he introduces a subject which we
wish especially to bring before our friends, feeling almost sure
that many of them will respond to its importance:
"You ask, he says, if there are not noble-hearted young people
in slave-holding families? There is one whom I desire to commend
to your special prayer and regard, Elizabeth Rawlings, daughter
of John H. Rawlings, of Madison county, Kentucky. He was once a
slave-holder, but has twice been a delegate to our Free-soil
National Conventions, and is a strong friend of freedom. His
daughter has had small opportunities for acquiring knowledge,
but was in our school at Berea, and making rapid progress. Our
school was not only Anti-slavery, but avowedly Anti-caste. This
made it the more odious. When Mr. Rogers and others were about
to be driven away, she announced that she would continue the
school on the same principles. Accordingly she went into the
school-room after a few days, with a little band of small
scholars, and has perseveringly kept it up. This noble and
brave-hearted young woman is about twenty-two years of age; has
a very vigorous mind; acquires knowledge very rapidly; is very
modest; and is, I trust, a true believer in Christ. I desire to
see her fitted for the post of teacher. One year's study would
greatly benefit her. She has not gone beyond grammar and
arithmetic. I have not means or would at once give her those
advantages she needs. I once had a small patrimony, but expended
it in freedom's cause, and now live on the small salary of a
[Home] Missionary. I have a daughter of fifteen, as far advanced
as Miss Rawlings. I want to train and educate them both for
teaching, and had thought to educate the latter, and suggest to
some one to educate the other. I do not urge, but simply
suggest. This might be another cord binding the two continents.
Lewis Tappan, of New York, would receive to transmit, and I
would report."
Now if we may lay before you, dear friends, our hearts' inquiry,
it is this: "Cannot we in England, raise £50 or £60 for one
year's schooling for these two dear girls, Elizabeth Rawlings
and J.G. Fee's daughter?" It seems to us, that the one deserves
it from her noble daring, the other as a little tribute to her
father's virtues. How delightful it would be if these two young
people could become able teachers of our own rearing, and in
days to come, be looked to as maintaining schools of an elevated
character upon their native soil! We have laid the case before a
few kind friends, and already had the pleasure of forwarding £8
to Mr. Fee's care, on behalf of his valued young friend,
Elizabeth Rawlings.
CORNELIA WILLIAMS.--The next person to be referred to is
Cornelia Williams, a bright young niece of our friend, Henry H.
Garnet's, whom many of our friends kindly assisted to redeem
from Slavery, in North Carolina, about three years since. We
rejoice to say this dear girl is going on very satisfactorily.
She has been diligently pursuing her studies in a school at
Nantucket, and appears to be much esteemed by all who know her.
She kindly sends us a little letter now and then, again
returning her glowing thanks to all who assisted in procuring
her freedom. Her mother, Dinah Williams (also a slave a few
years since, and redeemed in part by the surplus of 'the Weims
Ransom Fund'), has married an estimable Baptist minister within
the last year, and Cornelia resides under their roof.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.--It is known that our much-valued friend,
Frederick Douglass, left this country suddenly for America last
spring, chiefly on account of the decease of a most beloved
little girl. Till quite recently he was intending to return to
England very soon, but this is for the present delayed, on
account of increasing and pressing engagements in the United
States. We take the liberty of quoting an extract from one of
his letters:
"ROCHESTER, July 2d, 1860.
"You hold up before me the glorious promises contained
in the sacred Scriptures. These are needed by none more
than by those who have presumed to put themselves to the
work of accomplishing the abolition of Slavery in this
country. There is scarcely one single interest, social,
moral, religious, or physical, which is not in some way
connected with this stupendous evil. On the side of the
oppressor there is power, now as in the earlier days of
the world. I find much comfort in the thought that I am
but a passenger on board of this ship of life. I have
not the management committed to me. I am to obey orders,
and leave the rest to the great Captain whose wisdom is
able to direct. I have only to go on in His fear and in
His spirit, uttering with pen and tongue the whole truth
against Slavery, leaving to Him the honor and the glory
of destroying this mighty work of the devil. I long for
the end of my people's bondage, and would give all I
possess to witness the great jubilee; but God can wait,
and surely I may. If He, whose pure eyes cannot look
upon sin with allowance, can permit the day of freedom
to be deferred, I certainly can work and wait. The times
are just now a little brighter; but I will walk by
faith, not by sight, for all grounds of hope founded on
external appearance, have thus far signally failed and
broken down under me. Twenty years ago, Slavery did
really _seem_ to be rapidly hastening to its fall, but
ten years ago, the Fugitive Slave Bill, and the efforts
to enforce it, changed the whole appearance of the
struggle. Anti-slavery in an abolition sense, has been
ever since battling against heavy odds, both in Church
and State. Nevertheless, God reigns, and we need not
despair, and I for one do not. I know, at any rate, no
better work for me during the brief period I am to stay
on the earth, than is found in pleading the cause of the
down-trodden and the dumb.
"Since I reached home I have had the satisfaction of
passing nearly a score on to Canada, only two women
among them all. The constant meeting with these
whip-scarred brothers will not allow me to become
forgetful of the four millions still in bonds."
Our friends may, perhaps, remember that the cost of _Frederick
Douglass' paper_ is but five shillings per annum (with the
exception of a penny per month at the door for postage.) It is a
very interesting publication, and amply repays the trifling
outlay. F.D. would be glad to increase the number of his British
readers. He also continues gratefully to receive any aid from
this country for the assistance of the fugitives who are so
often taking refuge under his roof. Another letter of his
remarks, when speaking of them: "They usually tarry with us only
during the night, and are forwarded to Canada by the morning
train. We give them supper, lodging, and breakfast; pay their
expenses, and give them a half dollar over."
FUGITIVE SLAVES.--We next turn to the communication of another
warm friend to the fugitives in the State of ----. The following
is an extract from a recent letter of his:
"We have had within the last week just nineteen
Underground passengers. Fifteen came last Saturday,
between the hours of six in the morning and eleven at
night. Three only were females, wives of men in the
parties, the rest were all able-bodied young men. That
they were all likely-looking it needed no southern eye
to decide, and that their hearts burned within them for
freedom was apparent in every look of their
countenances. But it is only of one arrival that my time
will allow me to speak on the present occasion.
This consisted of two married couples, and two single
young men. They had been a week on the way. To
accomplish the desired object they could see no way so
feasible as to cross the ---- Bay. By inquiry they
gained instructions as to the direction they should
steer to strike for the lighthouse on the opposite
shore. Consequently they invested six dollars in a
little boat, and at once prepared themselves for this
most fearful adventure. To the water and their little
bark they stealthily repaired, and off they started. For
some distance they rowed not far from the shore. Being
in sight of land, they were spied by the ever-watchful
slave-holder or some one not favorable to their escape.
Hence a small boat, containing four white men, soon put
out after the fugitives. On overhauling them, stern
orders were given to surrender. The boat the runaways
were in was claimed, if not the party themselves. With
determined words the fugitives declared that the boat
was their own property, and that they would not give it
up; they said they would die before they would do so. At
this sign of resistance one of the white men, with an
oar, struck the head of one of the fugitives, which
knocked him down. At the same moment another white man
seized the chain of their boat, and the struggle became
fearful in the extreme for a few moments. However, the
same spirit that prompted the effort to be free, moved
one of the heroic black bondmen to apply the oar to the
head of one of their pursuers, which straightway laid
him prostrate. The whites, like old Apollyon in the
Pilgrim's Progress, at this decided indication that
their precious lives might not be spared if they did not
avail themselves of an immediate retreat, suddenly
parted from their antagonists. Not being contented,
however, thus to give up the struggle, after getting
some yards off, they fired a loaded gun in the midst of
the fugitives, peppering two of them considerably about
the head and face, and one about the arms. As the shot
was light they were not much damaged, however, at any
rate not discouraged. Not forgetting which way to steer
across the bay, in the direction of the lighthouse, they
rowed for that point with all possible speed, but their
bark being light, and the wind and rough water by no
means manageable, ere they reached the desired shore
they were carried a considerable distance off their
course, in the immediate vicinity of a small island.
Leaving their boat they went upon the island, the women
sick, and there reposed without food, utterly ignorant
of where they were for one whole day and night, without
being able to conjecture when or where they should find
free land for which they had so long and fervently
prayed. However, after thus resting, feeling compelled
to start on again, they set off on foot. They had not
walked a mile ere, providentially, they fell in with an
oyster man and a little boy waiting for the tide. With
him they ventured to converse, and soon felt that he
might be trusted with, at least, a hint of their
condition. Accordingly they made him acquainted in part
with their piteous story, and he agreed to bring them
within fifteen miles of ---- for twenty-five dollars,
all the capital they had. Being as good as his word, he
did not leave them fifteen miles off the city, but
brought them directly to it." * * * * "How happy
they were at finding themselves in the hands of friends,
and surrounded with flattering prospects of soon
reaching Canada you may imagine, but I could not
describe."[A]
[Footnote A: In those days the writer in giving
information enjoined the utmost secresy, considering
that the cause might be sadly damaged simply by being
inadvertently exposed even by friends, thousands of
miles away. The Pro-slavery-mob spirit at that time was
also very rampant in Philadelphia and other northern
cities, threatening abolitionists and all concerned in
the work of aiding the slave.]
Thanks to the benevolent bounty of several kind donors, we had
lately the pleasure of sending a few pounds to the writer of the
foregoing letter. We omit his name and residence. He belongs,
like Douglass, to the proscribed race. Who would not help these
generous-hearted men, who are devoting their whole energies to
the well-being of the crushed and downtrodden? We are the more
encouraged to send out this little sheet, made up of thanks and
requisitions, because occasional inquiries are reaching us of
"What can we do for the slave? We are hearing but little about
him, and do not know how to work on his behalf." Allow us to say
to one and all, who may be thus circumstanced, that we do not
look for great things, but that if they can levy a shilling a
year from all who feel for the injured bondman, these little
sums would soon mount up and prove of incalculable service to
those who are struggling for freedom. As to the special destiny
of these shillings or half-crowns, let the subscribers choose
for themselves, and their kind aid will be sure to be truly
welcome to the party receiving it. We do not ask for such
contributions to be forwarded through Newcastle unless this be a
matter of convenience to those concerned. If there be other
modes of sending to the United States within the reach of the
friends, who receive this paper, let them by all means be used.
We are always happy to receive aid for the fugitives or for any
other Anti-slavery cause, and consider it no trouble at all to
send it on, but do not wish to be monopolizing. As far as
Kentucky is concerned, that State being distant, and mob-law
rampant there, we shall continue gratefully to receive
assistance on its behalf, and to avail ourselves of the
accustomed mode of reaching it, this having been proved to be
both safe and easy.
FREE LABOR PRODUCE.--And lastly, as to the long-prized
principle, to our minds the very alphabet of Anti-Slavery
action, the importance of encouraging the growth and consumption
of Free produce rather than that raised by the sweat and blood
of the bondman. Our convictions of the righteousness of this
course are as strong as they ever were; but perhaps we hoped too
much, relied too fondly on the conscientiousness of the British
Anti-Slavery public, in supposing that a sufficient number of
individuals could be found prepared to make a slight sacrifice
for humanity's sake, and to keep the oppressed continually in
mind by a little untiring pains-taking. We hardly supposed that
the most strenuous efforts in this direction would be enough to
affect the British market; but we did believe, and believe
still, that not only is there a consistency in a preference for
free produce, but that this preference is encouraging to the
free laborer, and that humanly speaking nothing is more
calculated to nerve his hand and heart for vigorous effort. The
principle of abstinence from slave produce may be smiled at, but
we are quite sure it is an honest one, and, as a good old
proverb observes, "It takes a great many bushels full of earth
to bury a truth."
But while this self-denying protest has been going on in a few
limited circles, how great is the advance that free labor has
been making within the last two years! Who is to say whether
some of those quiet testimonies may not have contributed to
erect that mighty machinery that is now adding to its wheels and
springs from day to day, and which bids fair at no distant
period to supersede slave labor and its long train of sorrow and
oppression?
Earnest lectures have just been delivered in Newcastle by our
colored friend, Dr. M.R. Delany, lately engaged in a tour of
observation in West Africa, where he longs to establish a
nourishing colony of his people, whose express object shall be
to put down the abominable Slave-trade and to cultivate free
cotton and other tropical produce. We wish this brave man every
encouragement in his noble enterprise. He has secured the
confidence of "The African Aid Society," in London, one of whose
earliest measures has been to assist him with funds. The present
Secretary of the society is Frederick W. Fitzgerald, 7 Adam
Street, Strand, London.
And who need speak of the Zambesi and Dr. Livingston, or of
Central or Eastern Africa; of India, or Australia, or of the
prolific West India Islands?
As we prepare this little sheet, a kind letter has come in from
Stephen Bourne, for many years a stipendiary magistrate in
Jamaica, and now the ardent promoter of a cotton-growing company
of that island. He says to us, when writing from London, on the
19th inst., "Our scheme embraces more than meets the eye, and to
illustrate this, I send a map (with prospectus) of the proposed
estate, by which you will see that we reckon on obtaining cotton
by free labor and by mechanical agency from Jamaica, at a price
so far below that at which it can be produced by slave labor,
that if we succeed, we shall put an end to the whole system, as
no one will be able to afford to carry it on in competition with
free labor." * * * "Jamaica is much nearer and easier of
access for fugitives from Cuba and Porto Rico, than Canada is to
Georgia, Virginia, or Louisiana. If, therefore, we can offer
them an asylum and profitable employment on the estate, we shall
open up a new Underground Rail Road, or rather enable the slaves
to escape from Cuba by getting into a boat, and in one night
finding their way to freedom." * * * "There is no doubt they
could do this at much less risk than slaves now incur, in order
to obtain liberty in America."
The proposed estate in Jamaica consists of about one thousand
acres, and the shares in this company are £10 each, £1 only to
be called up immediately, the rest by instalments. The liability
is limited. Full information may be obtained by addressing
Stephen Bourne, Esq., 55 Charing Cross, London, or the Secretary
of the "Jamaica Cotton-growing Company," C. W. Streatfield, Esq.
We rejoice to see that this new company is being supported not
only by benevolent philanthropists and capitalists in London,
but by experienced Manchester manufacturers; among the rest by
the excellent Thomas Clegg, so well known for his persevering
efforts in West Africa, and by Thomas Bazley, M.P. for
Manchester, and a most extensive cotton spinner. Their mills
would alone, consume the cotton grown on three such estates as
that which it is proposed to cultivate. There is abundant room,
therefore, for cultivation of cotton by the emancipated
freeholders.
Communications have also reached us from Demerara. Charles
Rattray, a valuable Scotch missionary in that colony, was in
England last spring, and went back to his adopted country with
his mind full fraught with the importance of cotton growing
within its borders. He happened to have small samples of
Demerara cotton with him. These were shown to cotton-brokers and
manufacturers in Liverpool and Manchester, and were pronounced
to be most excellent--so much so, that specimen gins and a
supply of cotton-seed were kindly presented to him at the latter
place, before he left England. Mr. Rattray is now bringing the
subject before his people, and is also intending to plant with
cotton some ground belonging to the Mission station.
But we will not further enlarge. Commending our cause to Him,
who has promised never to forget the poor and needy, and that in
His own good time He will arise for their deliverance and "break
every yoke."