_Letter from W.H. Gatewood.--My reply.--My efforts as a public
lecturer.--Singular incident in Steubenville--Meeting with a friend of
Whitfield in Michigan.--Outrage on a canal packet.--Fruitless efforts
to find my wife._
The first direct information that I received concerning any of my
relations, after my last escape from slavery, was communicated in a
letter from Wm. H. Gatewood, my former owner, which I here insert word
for word, without any correction:
BEDFORD, TRIMBLE COUNTY, KY.
Mr. H. BIBB.
DEAR SIR:--After my respects to you and yours &c, I received
a small book which you sent to me that I peroseed and found
it was sent by H. Bibb I am a stranger in Detroit and know
no man there without it is Walton H. Bibb if this be the man
please to write to me and tell me all about that place and
the people I will tell you the news here as well as I can
your mother is still living here and she is well the people
are generally well in this cuntry times are dull and produce
low give my compliments to King, Jack, and all my friends in
that cuntry I read that book you sent me and think it will
do very well--George is sold, I do not know any thing about
him I have nothing more at present, but remain yours &c
W.H. GATEWOOD.
February 9th, 1844.
P.S. You will please to answer this letter.
Never was I more surprised than at the reception of this letter, it
came so unexpected to me. There had just been a State Convention held
in Detroit, by the free people of color, the proceedings of which were
published in pamphlet form. I forwarded several of them to
distinguished slaveholders in Kentucky--one among others was Mr.
Gatewood, and gave him to understand who sent it. After showing this
letter to several of my anti-slavery friends, and asking their
opinions about the propriety of my answering it, I was advised to do
it, as Mr. Gatewood had no claim on me as a slave, for he had sold
and got the money for me and my family. So I wrote him an answer, as
near as I can recollect, in the following language:
DEAR SIR:--I am happy to inform you that you are not
mistaken in the man whom you sold as property, and received
pay for as such. But I thank God that I am not property now,
but am regarded as a man like yourself, and although I live
far north, I am enjoying a comfortable living by my own
industry. If you should ever chance to be traveling this
way, and will call on me, I will use you better than you did
me while you held me as a slave. Think not that I have any
malice against you, for the cruel treatment which you
inflicted on me while I was in your power. As it was the
custom of your country, to treat your fellow man as you did
me and my little family, I can freely forgive you.
I wish to be remembered in love to my aged mother, and
friends; please tell her that if we should never meet again
in this life, my prayer shall be to God that we may meet in
Heaven, where parting shall be no more.
You wish to be remembered to King and Jack. I am pleased,
sir, to inform you that they are both here, well, and doing
well. They are both living in Canada West. They are now the
owners of better farms than the men are who once owned them.
You may perhaps think hard of us for running away from
slavery, but as to myself, I have but one apology to make
for it, which is this: I have only to regret that I did not
start at an earlier period. I might have been free long
before I was. But you had it in your power to have kept me
there much longer than you did. I think it is very probable
that I should have been a toiling slave on your plantation
to-day, if you had treated me differently.
To be compelled to stand by and see you whip and slash my
wife without mercy, when I could afford her no protection,
not even by offering myself to suffer the lash in her place,
was more than I felt it to be the duty of a slave husband to
endure, while the way was open to Canada. My infant child
was also frequently flogged by Mrs. Gatewood, for crying,
until its skin was bruised literally purple. This kind of
treatment was what drove me from home and family, to seek a
better home for them. But I am willing to forget the past. I
should be pleased to hear from you again, on the reception
of this, and should also be very happy to correspond with
you often, if it should be agreeable to yourself. I
subscribe myself a friend to the oppressed, and Liberty
forever.
HENRY BIBB.
WILLIAM GATEWOOD.
Detroit, March 23d, 1844.
The first time that I ever spoke before a public audience, was to give
a narration of my own sufferings and adventures, connected with
slavery. I commenced in the village of Adrian, State of Michigan, May,
1844. From that up to the present period, the principle part of my
time has been faithfully devoted to the cause of freedom--nerved up
and encouraged by the sympathy of anti-slavery friends on the one
hand, and prompted by a sense of duty to my enslaved countrymen on the
other, especially, when I remembered that slavery had robbed me of my
freedom--deprived me of education--banished me from my native State,
and robbed me of my family.
I went from Michigan to the State of Ohio, where I traveled over some
of the Southern counties of that State, in company with Samuel Brooks,
and Amos Dresser, lecturing upon the subject of American Slavery. The
prejudice of the people at that time was very strong against the
abolitionists; so much so that they were frequently mobbed for
discussing the subject.
We appointed a series of meetings along on the Ohio River, in sight of
the State of Virginia; and in several places we had Virginians over to
hear us upon the subject. I recollect our having appointed a meeting
in the city of Steubenville, which is situated on the bank of the
river Ohio. There was but one known abolitionist living in that city,
named George Ore. On the day of our meeting, when we arrived in this
splendid city there was not a church, school house, nor hall, that we
could get for love or money, to hold our meeting in. Finally, I
believe that the whigs consented to let us have the use of their club
room, to hold the meeting in; but before the hour had arrived for us
to commence, they re-considered the matter, and informed us that we
could not have the use of their house for an abolition meeting.
We then got permission to hold forth in the public market house, and
even then so great was the hostility of the rabble, that they tried to
bluff us off, by threats and epithets. Our meeting was advertised to
take place at nine o'clock, A.M. The pro-slavery parties hired a
colored man to take a large auction bell, and go all over the city
ringing it, and crying, "ho ye! ho ye! Negro auction to take place in
the market house, at nine o'clock, by George Ore!" This cry was
sounded all over the city, which called out many who would not
otherwise have been present. They came to see if it was really the
case. The object of the rabble in having the bell rung was, to prevent
us from attempting to speak. But at the appointed hour, Bro. Dresser
opened the meeting with prayer, and Samuel Brooks mounted the block
and spoke for fifteen or twenty minutes, after which Mr. Dresser took
the block and talked about one hour upon the wickedness of
slaveholding. There were not yet many persons present. They were
standing off I suppose to see if I was to be offered for sale. Many
windows were hoisted and store doors open, and they were looking and
listening to what was said. After Mr. Dresser was through, I was
called to take the stand. Just at this moment there was no small stir
in rushing forward; so much indeed, that I thought they were coming up
to mob me. I should think that in less than fifteen minutes there were
about one thousand persons standing around, listening. I saw many of
them shedding tears while I related the sad story of my wrongs. At
twelve o'clock we adjourned the meeting, to meet again at the same
place at two P.M. Our afternoon meeting was well attended until nearly
sunset, at which time, we saw some signs of a mob and adjourned. The
mob followed us that night to the house of Mr. Ore, and they were
yelling like tigers, until late that night, around the house, as if
they wanted to tear it down.
In the fall of 1844, S.B. Treadwell, of Jackson, and myself, spent two
or three months in lecturing through the State of Michigan, upon the
abolition of slavery, in a section of country where abolitionists
were few and far between. Our meetings were generally appointed in
small log cabins, school houses, among the farmers, which were some
times crowded full; and where they had no horse teams, it was often
the case that there would be four or five ox teams come, loaded down
with men, women and children, to attend our meetings.
But the people were generally poor, and in many places not able to
give us a decent night's lodging. We most generally carried with us a
few pounds of candles to light up the houses wherein we held our
meetings after night; for in many places, they had neither candles nor
candlesticks. After meeting was out, we have frequently gone from
three to eight miles to get lodging, through the dark forest, where
there was scarcely any road for a wagon to run on.
I have traveled for miles over swamps, where the roads were covered
with logs, without any dirt over them, which has sometimes shook and
jostled the wagon to pieces, where we could find no shop or any place
to mend it. We would have to tie it up with bark, or take the lines to
tie it with, and lead the horse by the bridle. At other times we were
in mud up to the hubs of the wheels. I recollect one evening, we
lectured in a little village where there happened to be a Southerner
present, who was a personal friend of Deacon Whitfield, who became
much offended at what I said about his "Bro. Whitfield," and
complained about it after the meeting was out.
He told the people not to believe a word that I said, that it was all
a humbug. They asked him how he knew? "Ah!" said he, "he has slandered
Bro. Whitfield. I am well acquainted with him, we both belonged to one
church; and Whitfield is one of the most respectable men in all that
region of country." They asked if he (Whitfield) was a slaveholder?
The reply was "yes, but he treated his slaves well."
"Well," said one, "that only proves that he has told us the truth; for
all we wish to know, is that there is such a man as Whitfield, as
represented by Bibb, and that he is a slave holder."
On the 2d Sept., 1847, I started from Toledo on board the canal packet
Erie, for Cincinnati, Ohio. But before going on board, I was waited on
by one of the boat's crew, who gave me a card of the boat, upon which
was printed, that no pains would be spared to render all passengers
comfortable who might favor them with their patronage to Cincinnati.
This card I slipped into my pocket, supposing it might be of some use
to me. There were several drunken loafers on board going through as
passengers, one of whom used the most vulgar language in the cabin,
where there were ladies, and even vomited! But he was called a white
man, and a southerner, which made it all right. I of course took my
place in the cabin with the rest, and there was nothing said against
it that night. When the passengers went forward to settle their fare I
paid as much as any other man, which entitled me to the same
privileges. The next morning at the ringing of the breakfast bell, the
proprietor of the packet line, Mr. Samuel Doyle, being on board,
invited the passengers to sit up to breakfast. He also invited me
personally to sit up to the table. But after we were all seated, and
some had began to eat, he came and ordered me up from the table, and
said I must wait until the rest were done.
I left the table without making any reply, and walked out on the deck
of the boat. After breakfast the passengers came up, and the cabin boy
was sent after me to come to breakfast, but I refused. Shortly after,
this man who had ordered me from the table, came up with the ladies. I
stepped up and asked him if he was the captain of the boat. His answer
was no, that he was one of the proprietors. I then informed him that I
was going to leave his boat at the first stopping place, but before
leaving I wanted to ask him a few questions: "Have I misbehaved to any
one on board of this boat? Have I disobeyed any law of this boat?"
"No," said he.
"Have I not paid you as much as any other passenger through to
Cincinnati?"
"Yes," said he.
"Then I am sure that I have been insulted and imposed upon, on board
of this boat, without any just cause whatever."
"No one has misused you, for you ought to have known better than to
have come to the table where there were white people."
"Sir, did you not ask me to come to the table?"
"Yes, but I did not know that you was a colored man, when I asked you;
and then it was better to insult one man than all the passengers on
board of the boat."
"Sir, I do not believe that there is a gentleman or lady on board of
this boat who would have considered it an insult for me to have taken
my breakfast, and you have imposed upon me by taking my money and
promising to use me well, and then to insult me as you have."
"I don't want any of your jaw," said he.
"Sir, with all due respect to your elevated station, you have imposed
upon me in a way which is unbecoming a gentleman. I have paid my
money, and behaved myself as well as any other man, and I am
determined that no man shall impose on me as you have, by deceiving
me, without my letting the world know it. I would rather a man should
rob me of my money at midnight, than to take it in that way."
I left this boat at the first stopping place, and took the next boat
to Cincinnati. On the last boat I had no cause to complain of my
treatment. When I arrived at Cincinnati, I published a statement of
this affair in the Daily Herald.
The next day Mr. Doyle called on the editor in a great
passion.--"Here," said he, "what does this mean."
"What, sir?" said the editor quietly.
"Why, the stuff here, read it and see."
"Read it yourself," answered the editor.
"Well, I want to know if you sympathize with this nigger here."
"Who, Mr. Bibb? Why yes, I think he is a gentleman, and should be used
as such."
"Why this is all wrong--all of it."
"Put your finger on the place, and I will right it."
"Well, he says that we took his money, when we paid part back. And if
you take his part, why I'll have nothing to do with your paper."
So ended his wrath.
In 1845, the anti-slavery friends of Michigan employed me to take the
field as an anti-slavery Lecturer, in that State, during the Spring,
Summer, and Fall, pledging themselves to restore to me my wife and
child, if they were living, and could be reached by human agency,
which may be seen by the following circular from the Signal of
Liberty:
TO LIBERTY FRIENDS:--In the Signal of the 28th inst. is a
report from the undersigned respecting Henry Bibb. His
narrative always excites deep sympathy for himself and
favorable bias for the cause, which seeks to abolish the
evils he so powerfully portrays. Friends and foes attest his
efficiency.
Mr. Bibb has labored much in lecturing, yet has collected
but a bare pittance. He has received from Ohio lucrative
offers, but we have prevailed on him to remain in this
State.
We think that a strong obligation rests on the friends in
this State to sustain Mr. Bibb, and restore to him his wife
and child. Under the expectation that Michigan will yield to
these claims: will support their laborer, and re-unite the
long severed ties of husband and wife, parent and child, Mr.
Bibb will lecture through the whole State.
Our object is to prepare friends for the visit of Mr. Bibb,
and to suggest an effective mode of operations for the whole
State.
Let friends in each vicinity appoint a collector--pay to him
all contributions for the freedom of Mrs. Bibb and child:
then transmit them to us. We will acknowledge them in the
Signal, and be responsible for them. We will see that the
proper measures for the freedom of Mrs. Bibb and child are
taken, and if it be within our means we will accomplish
it--nay we will accomplish it, if the objects be living and
the friends sustain us. But should we fail, the
contributions will be held subject to the order of the
donors, less however, by a proportionate deduction of
expenses from each.
The hope of this re-union will nerve the heart and body of
Mr. Bibb to re-doubled effort in a cause otherwise dear to
him. And as he will devote his whole time systematically to
the anti-slavery cause, he must also depend on friends for
the means of livelihood. We bespeak for him your
hospitality, and such pecuniary contributions as you can
afford, trusting that the latter may be sufficient to enable
him to keep the field.
A.L. PORTER,
C.H. STEWART,
SILAS M. HOLMES
DETROIT, APRIL 22, 1845.
I have every reason to believe that they acted faithfully in the
matter, but without success. They wrote letters in every quarter where
they would be likely to gain any information respecting her. There
were also two men sent from Michigan in the summer of 1845, down
South, to find her if possible, and report--and whether they found out
her condition, and refused to report, I am not able to say--but
suffice it to say that they never have reported. They were respectable
men and true friends of the cause, one of whom was a Methodist
minister, and the other a cabinet maker, and both white men.
The small spark of hope which had still lingered about my heart had
almost become extinct.