Translated from the French.
Warner Mifflin, for his candor, affability, and knowledge, was ranked
among those who are an honor to their country and their age. He had
received from his father thirty-seven negroes, old and young. The day
that he had fixed upon for their emancipation being come, he called
one after another into his chamber, and this was the conversation that
passed with one of them:
"Well, my friend James, how old art thou?" "I am twenty-nine and a
half years old, master." "Thou shouldst have been free, as thy white
brethren are, at twenty-one. Religion and humanity enjoin me this day
to give thee thy liberty, and justice requires me to pay thee for
eight and a half years' service, at the rate of twenty-one pounds
and five shillings per annum, including in it thy food and raiment,
making altogether a sum of ninety-five pounds, twelve shillings, and
sixpence owing to thee; but as thou art young and healthy, thou hadst
better work for thy living: my intention is to give thee a bond for it,
bearing interest at the rate of seven per cent.
"Thou hast now no master but God and the laws. Go into the next room;
thou wilt find there thy late mistress and my nephew; they are engaged
in writing thy manumission. May God bless thee, James! Be wise and
industrious; in all thy trials, thou wilt find a friend in thy old
master."
James, surprised at a scene so new and affecting, shed many tears;
astonishment, gratitude, and a variety of feelings, shook his frame.
He shed a flood of tears, and could scarcely articulate these words:
"Ah, my master! why do you give me my liberty? I have always had what
I wanted: we have worked together in the fields, and I have worked as
much for myself as for you.
"I have eaten of the same food, and been clothed like you--and we have
gone together on foot to meeting. We have the Sabbath to ourselves: we
don't lack any thing. When we are sick, our good and tender mistress
comes to our bedside, always saying something consolatory to us. Ah, my
dear master! when I am free, where shall I go? and when I am sick--"
"Thou shalt be as the whites; thou shalt hire with those who will
give thee generous wages: in a few years, thou shalt purchase a piece
of land, marry a wife, wise and industrious as thyself, and rear up
children, as I have reared thee, in the fear of the Lord and love of
labor. After having lived free and happy, thou shalt die in peace.
"Thou _must_ accept liberty, James; it is a great while since it was
due to thee. Would to God, the Father of all men, that the whites had
never thought of trading in thy African brethren; may He inspire all
men with the desire of following our example. We, who regard liberty
as the first of blessings, why should we refuse it to those who live
among us?"
"Ah, my master! you are so good is the reason I wish not to leave
you--_I have never been a slave_. You have never spoken to me but as
you speak to white men; I have lacked nothing, either in sickness or in
health; I have never worked more than your neighbors, who have worked
for themselves.
"I have been richer than many whites--to some of whom I have lent
money. And my good and tender mistress never commands us to do
anything, but makes us do everything by only saying, 'Please to do it.'
How shall I leave you? give me by the year what you will, in the name
of a freeman or a slave, it is of little consequence to me--I shall
never be happy but with you--I will never leave you."
"Well, James, I consent to what thou desirest; after thy manumission
shall have passed through the necessary forms, I will hire thee by the
year; but take at least one of relaxation; it is a great epoch of thy
life; celebrate it with joy, and rest by doing whatsoever thou wilt."
"No master! it is seed time--I will take my pleasure another time--one
day only shall be a holiday in my family. Then, since you will have it
so, I will accept my liberty; and my first action, as a free man, is
to take your hand, my master, press it between mine, and lay it on my
heart, where the attachment and gratitude of James will not cease until
that ceases to beat; and until that moment be assured that no laborer
in the county of Kent will be more industrious than he who henceforth
shall be called FAITHFUL JAMES."