The way now appeared to be in a measure open; also I thought that the
religious and temperance interest mentioned in the latter portion of Mr.
Smith's letter, augured a state of feeling which would be a protection to
me. But fearing still that there might be danger in visiting Raleigh
without the permit from the Governor, or at least wishing to take every
possible precaution, I addressed another letter to Mr. Smith, and received
under date of March 12th, a reply, from which I copy as follows:
"The Governor has just returned, and I called upon him to get the permit
as you requested, but he said he had no authority by law to grant one;
and he told me to say to you, that you might in perfect safety come home
in a quiet manner, and remain twenty days without being interrupted. I
also consulted Mr. Manly [a lawyer] and he told me the same thing. * * *
_Surely you need not fear any thing under these circumstances. You had
therefore better come on just as soon as possible._"
* * * * *
I need not say, what the reader has already seen, that my life so far had
been one of joy succeeding sorrow, and sorrow following joy; of hope, of
despair; of bright prospects, of gloom; and of as many hues as ever appear
on the varied sky, from the black of midnight, or the deep brown of a
tempest, to the bright warm glow of a clear noon day. On the 11th of
April it was noon with me; I left Boston on my way for Raleigh with high
hopes, intending to pay over the money for my family and return with them
to Boston, which I intended should be my future home; for there I had
found friends and there I would find a grave. The visit I was making to
the South was to be a farewell one; and I did not dream that my old
cradle, hard as it once had jostled me, would refuse to rock me a
pleasant, or even an affectionate good bye. I thought, too, that the
assurances I had received from the Governor, through Mr. Smith, and the
assurances of other friends, were a sufficient guaranty that I might visit
the home of my boyhood, of my youth, of my manhood, in peace, especially
as I was to stay but for a few days and then to return. With these
thoughts, and with the thoughts of my family and freedom, I pursued my way
to Raleigh, and arrived there on the 23d of the month. It was Saturday
about four o'clock, P.M. when I found myself once more in the midst of my
family. With them I remained over the Sabbath, as it was sweet to spend a
little time with them after so long an absence, an absence filled with so
much of interest to us, and as I could not do any business until the
beginning of the week. On Monday morning between eight and nine o'clock,
while I was making ready to leave the house for the first time after my
arrival, to go to the store of Mr. Smith, where I was to transact my
business with him, two constables, Messrs. Murray and Scott, entered,
accompanied by two other men, and summoned me to appear immediately before
the police. I accordingly accompanied them to the City Hall, but as it was
locked and the officers could not at once find the key, we were told that
the court would be held in Mr. Smith's store, a large and commodious room.
This was what is termed in common phrase in Raleigh a "call court." The
Mayor, Mr. Loring, presided, assisted by William Boylan and Jonathan
Busbye, Esqs. Justices of the Peace. There was a large number of people
together--more than could obtain admission to the room, and a large
company of mobocratic spirits crowded around the door. Mr. Loring read the
writ, setting forth that I had been guilty of _delivering abolition
lectures in the State of Massachusetts_. He asked me whether I was guilty
or not guilty. I told him I did not know whether I had given abolition
lectures or not, but if it pleased the court, I would relate the course I
had pursued during my absence from Raleigh. He then said that I was at
liberty to speak.
The circumstances under which I left Raleigh, said I, are perfectly
familiar to you. It is known that I had no disposition to remove from this
city, but resorted to every lawful means to remain. After I found that I
could not be permitted to stay, I went away leaving behind everything I
held dear with the exception of one child, whom I took with me, after
paying two hundred and fifty dollars for her. It is also known to you and
to many other persons here present, that I had engaged to purchase my wife
and children of her master, Mr. Smith, for the sum of twenty-five hundred
dollars, and that I had paid of this sum (including my house and lot)
eleven hundred and twenty dollars, leaving a balance to be made up of
thirteen hundred and eighty dollars. I had previously to that lived in
Raleigh, a slave, the property of Mr. Sherwood Haywood, and had purchased
my freedom by paying the sum of one thousand dollars. But being driven
away, no longer permitted to live in this city, to raise the balance of
the money due on my family, my last resort was to call upon the friends of
humanity in other places, to assist me.
I went to the city of Boston, and there I related the story of my
persecutions here, the same as I have now stated to you. The people gave
ear to my statements; and one of them, Rev. Mr. Neale, wrote back, unknown
to me, to Mr. Smith, inquiring of him whether the statements made by me
were correct. After Mr. Neale received the answer he sent for me, informed
me of his having written, and read to me the reply. The letter fully
satisfied Mr. Neale and his friends. He placed it in my hands, remarking
that it would, in a great measure, do away the necessity of using the
other documents in my possession. I then with that letter in my hands went
out from house to house, from place of business to place of business, and
from church to church, relating (where I could gain an ear) the same
heart-rending and soul-trying story which I am now repeating to you. In
pursuing that course, the people, first one and then another contributed,
until I had succeeded in raising the amount alluded to, namely, thirteen
hundred and eighty dollars. I may have had contributions from
abolitionists; but I did not stop to ask those who assisted me whether
they were anti-slavery or pro-slavery, for I considered that the money
coming from either, would accomplish the object I had in view. These are
the facts; and now, sir, it remains for you to say, whether I have been
giving abolition lectures or not.
In the course of my remarks I presented the letter of Mr. Smith to Mr.
Neale, showing that I had acted the open part while in Massachusetts; also
I referred to my having written to Mr. Smith requesting him to obtain for
me the permit of the Governor; and I showed to the court, Mr. Smith's
letters in reply, in order to satisfy them that I had reason to believe I
should be unmolested in my return.
Mr. Loring then whispered to some of the leading men; after which he
remarked that he saw nothing in what I had done, according to my
statements, implicating me in a manner worthy of notice. He called upon
any present who might be in possession of information tending to disprove
what I had said, or to show any wrong on my part, to produce it, otherwise
I should be set at liberty. No person appeared against me; so I was
discharged.
I started to leave the house; but just before I got to the door I met Mr.
James Litchford, who touched me on the shoulder, and I followed him back.
He observed to me that if I went out of that room I should in less than
five minutes be a dead man; for there was a mob outside waiting to drink
my life. Mr. Loring then spoke to me again and said that notwithstanding I
had been found guilty of nothing, yet public opinion was law; and he
advised me to leave the place the next day, otherwise he was convinced I
should have to suffer death. I replied, "not to-morrow, but to-day." He
answered that I could not go that day, because I had not done my business.
I told him that I would leave my business in his hands and in those of
other such gentlemen as himself, who might settle it for me and send my
family to meet me at Philadelphia. This was concluded upon, and a guard
appointed to conduct me to the depot. I took my seat in the cars, when
the mob that had followed us surrounded me, and declared that the cars
should not go, if I were permitted to go in them. Mr. Loring inquired what
they wanted of me; he told them that there had been an examination, and
nothing had been found against me; that they were at the examination
invited to speak if they knew of aught to condemn me, but they had
remained silent, and that now it was but right I should be permitted to
leave in peace. They replied that they wanted a more thorough
investigation, that they wished to search my trunks (I had but one trunk)
and see if I was not in possession of abolition papers. It now became
evident that I should be unable to get off in the cars; and my friends
advised me to go the shortest way possible to jail, for my safety. They
said they were persuaded that what the rabble wanted was to get me into
their possession, and then to murder me. The mob looked dreadfully
enraged, and seemed to lap for blood. The whole city was in an uproar. But
the first men and the more wealthy were my friends: and they did
everything in their power to protect me. Mr. Boylan, whose name has
repeatedly occurred in this publication, was more than a father to me; and
Mr. Smith and Mr. Loring, and many other gentlemen, whose names it would
give me pleasure to mention, were exceedingly kind.
The guard then conducted me through the mob to the prison; and I felt
joyful that even a prison could protect me. Looking out from the prison
window, I saw my trunk in the hands of Messrs. Johnson, Scott, and others,
who were taking it to the City Hall for examination. I understood
afterwards that they opened my trunk; and as the lid flew up, Lo! a paper!
a paper!! Those about seized it, three or four at once, as hungry dogs
would a piece of meat after forty days famine. But the meat quickly turned
to a stone; for the paper it happened, was one _printed in Raleigh_, and
edited by WESTON R. GALES, a nice man to be sure, but no abolitionist. The
only other printed or written things in the trunk were some business cards
of a firm in Raleigh--not incendiary.
Afterwards I saw from the window Mr. Scott, accompanied by Mr. Johnson,
lugging my carpet-bag in the same direction my trunk had gone. It was
opened at the City Hall, and found actually to contain a pair of old
shoes, and a pair of old boots!--but they did not conclude that these were
incendiary.
Mr. Smith now came to the prison and told me that the examination had been
completed, and nothing found against me; but that it would not be safe for
me to leave the prison immediately. It was agreed that I should remain in
prison until after night-fall, and then steal secretly away, being let
out by the keeper, and pass unnoticed to the house of my old and tried
friend Mr. Boylan. Accordingly I was discharged between nine and ten
o'clock. I went by the back way leading to Mr. Boylan's; but soon and
suddenly a large company of men sprang upon me, and instantly I found
myself in their possession. They conducted me sometimes high above ground
and sometimes dragging me along, but as silently as possible, in the
direction of the gallows, which is always kept standing upon the Common,
or as it is called "the pines," or "piny old field." I now expected to
pass speedily into the world of spirits; I thought of that unseen region
to which I seemed to be hastening; and then my mind would return to my
wife and children, and the labors I had made to redeem them from bondage.
Although I had the money to pay for them according to a bargain already
made, it seemed to me some white man would get it, and they would die in
slavery, without benefit from my exertions and the contributions of my
friends. Then the thought of my own death, to occur in a few brief
moments, would rush over me, and I seemed to bid adieu in spirit to all
earthly things, and to hold communion already with eternity. But at length
I observed those who were carrying me away, changed their course a little
from the direct line to the gallows, and hope, a faint beaming, sprung up
within me; but then as they were taking me to the woods, I thought they
intended to murder me there, in a place where they would be less likely to
be interrupted than in so public a spot as where the gallows stood. They
conducted me to a rising ground among the trees, and set me down. "Now,"
said they, "tell us the truth about those abolition lectures you have been
giving at the North." I replied that I had related the circumstances
before the court in the morning; and could only repeat what I had then
said. "But that was not the truth--tell us the truth." I again said that
any different story would be false, and as I supposed I was in a few
minutes to die, I would not, whatever they might think I would say under
other circumstances, pass into the other world with a lie upon my lips.
Said one, "you were always, Lunsford, when you were here, a clever fellow,
and I did not think you would be engaged in such business as giving
abolition lectures." To this and similar remarks, I replied that the
people of Raleigh had always said the abolitionists did not believe in
buying slaves, but contended that their masters ought to free them without
pay. I had been laboring to buy my family; and how then could they suppose
me to be in league with the abolitionists?
After other conversation of this kind, and after they seemed to have
become tired of questioning me, they held a consultation in a low whisper
among themselves. Then a bucket was brought and set down by my side; but
what it contained or for what it was intended, I could not divine. But
soon, one of the number came forward with a pillow, and then hope sprung
up, a flood of light and joy within me. The heavy weight on my heart
rolled off; death had passed by and I unharmed. They commenced stripping
me till every rag of clothes was removed; and then the bucket was set
near, and I discovered it to contain tar. One man, I will do him the honor
to record his name, Mr. WILLIAM ANDRES, a journeyman printer, when he is
any thing, except a tar-and-featherer, put his hands the first into the
bucket, and was about passing them to my face. "Don't put any in his face
or eyes," said one.[A] So he desisted; but he, with three other
"gentlemen," whose names I should be happy to record if I could recall
them, gave me as nice a coat of tar all over, face only excepted, as any
one would wish to see. Then they took the pillow and ripped it open at one
end, and with the open end commenced the operation at the head and so
worked downwards, of putting a coat of its contents over that of the
contents of the bucket. A fine escape from the hanging this will be,
thought I, provided they do not with a match set fire to the feathers. I
had some fear they would. But when the work was completed they gave me my
clothes, and one of them handed me my watch which he had carefully kept in
his hands; they all expressed great interest in my welfare, advised me how
to proceed with my business the next day, told me to stay in the place as
long as I wished, and with other such words of consolation they bid me
good night.
[Footnote A: I think this was Mr. Burns, a blacksmith in the place, but I
am not certain. At any rate, this man was my _friend_ (if so he may be
called) on this occasion; and it was fortunate for me that the company
generally seemed to look up to him for wisdom.]
After I had returned to my family, to their inexpressible joy, as they had
become greatly alarmed for my safety, some of the persons who had
participated in this outrage, came in (probably influenced by a curiosity
to see how the tar and feathers would be got off) and expressed great
sympathy for me. They said they regretted that the affair had
happened--that they had no objections to my living in Raleigh--I might
feel perfectly safe to go out and transact my business preparatory to
leaving--I should not be molested.
Meanwhile, my friends understanding that I had been discharged from
prison, and perceiving I did not come to them, had commenced a regular
search for me, on foot and on horseback, every where; and Mr. Smith called
upon the Governor to obtain his official interference; and after my
return, a guard came to protect me; but I chose not to risk myself at my
own house, and so went to Mr. Smith's, where this guard kept me safely
until morning. They seemed friendly indeed, and were regaled with a supper
during the night by Mr. Smith. My friend, Mr. Battle, (late private
secretary to the Governor,) was with them; and he made a speech to them
setting forth the good qualities I had exhibited in my past life,
particularly in my connection with the Governor's office.
In the morning Mr. Boylan, true as ever, and unflinching in his
friendship, assisted me in arranging my business,[A] so that I should
start with my family _that day_ for the north. He furnished us with
provisions more than sufficient to sustain the family to Philadelphia,
where we intended to make a halt; and sent his own baggage wagon to convey
our baggage to the depot, offering also to send his carriage for my
family. But my friend, Mr. Malone, had been before him in this kind offer,
which I had agreed to accept.
[Footnote A: Of course I was obliged to sacrifice much on my property,
leaving in this hurried manner. And while I was in the North, a kind
_friend_ had removed from the wood-lot, wood that I had cut and corded,
for which I expected to receive over one hundred dollars; thus saving me
the trouble of making sale of it, or of being burdened with the money it
would bring. I suppose I have no redress. I might add other things as
bad.]
Brief and sorrowful was the parting from my kind friends; but the worst
was the thought of leaving my mother. The cars were to start at ten
o'clock in the morning. I called upon my old mistress, Mrs. Haywood, who
was affected to weeping by the considerations that naturally came to her
mind. She had been kind to me; the day before she and her daughter, Mrs.
Hogg, now present, had jointly transmitted a communication to the court
representing that in consequence of my good conduct from my youth, I could
not be supposed to be guilty of any offence. And now, "with tears that
ceased not flowing," they gave me their parting blessing. My mother was
still Mrs. Haywood's slave, and I her only child. Our old mistress could
not witness the sorrow that would attend the parting with my mother. She
told her to go with me; and said that if I ever became able to pay two
hundred dollars for her, I might; otherwise it should be her loss. She
gave her the following paper, which is in the ordinary form of a _pass_:
RALEIGH, N.C. April 26, 1842.
Know all persons by these presents, that the bearer of this, Clarissa, a
slave, belonging to me, hath my permission to visit the city of New York
with her relations, who are in company with her; and it is my desire
that she may be protected and permitted to pass without molestation or
hindrance, on good behavior. Witness my hand this 26th April, 1842.