NARRATIVE
OFTHE
LIFE
OF
FREDERICKDOUGLASS，AN
AMERICANSLAVE。
WRITTENBYHIMSELF。
BOSTON
PUBLISHEDATTHEANTI-SLAVERYOFFICE，NO。25CORNHILL
1845
NARRATIVE
OFTHELIFEOF
FREDERICKDOUGLASS，ANAMERICANSLAVE
WRITTENBYHIMSELF
ENTERED，ACCORDINGTOACTOFCONGRESS，INTHEYEAR1845
BYFREDERICKDOUGLASS，INTHECLERK’SOFFICEOFTHEDISTRICTCOURT
OFMASSACHUSETTS。
PREFACE
InthemonthofAugust，1841，Iattendedananti-
slaveryconventioninNantucket，atwhichitwasmyhappinesstobecomeacquaintedwithFREDERICK
DOUGLASS，thewriterofthefollowingNarrative。Hewasastrangertonearlyeverymemberofthatbody;
but，havingrecentlymadehisescapefromthesouth-
ernprison-houseofbondage，andfeelinghiscuriosityexcitedtoascertaintheprinciplesandmeasuresoftheabolitionists，——ofwhomhehadheardasomewhatvaguedescriptionwhilehewasaslave，——hewasin-
ducedtogivehisattendance，ontheoccasional-
ludedto，thoughatthattimearesidentinNewBedford。
Fortunate，mostfortunateoccurrence！——fortunateforthemillionsofhismanacledbrethren，yetpant-
ingfordeliverancefromtheirawfulthraldom！——for-
tunateforthecauseofnegroemancipation，andofuniversalliberty！——fortunateforthelandofhisbirth，whichhehasalreadydonesomuchtosaveandbless！
——fortunateforalargecircleoffriendsandacquaint-
ances，whosesympathyandaffectionhehasstronglysecuredbythemanysufferingshehasendured，byhisvirtuoustraitsofcharacter，byhisever-abidingremembranceofthosewhoareinbonds，asbeingboundwiththem！——fortunateforthemultitudes，invariouspartsofourrepublic，whosemindshehasenlightenedonthesubjectofslavery，andwhohavebeenmeltedtotearsbyhispathos，orrousedtovirtuousindignationbyhisstirringeloquenceagainsttheenslaversofmen！——fortunateforhimself，asitatoncebroughthimintothefieldofpublicuse-
fulness，\"gavetheworldassuranceofaMAN，\"quick-
enedtheslumberingenergiesofhissoul，andcon-
secratedhimtothegreatworkofbreakingtherodoftheoppressor，andlettingtheoppressedgofree！
Ishallneverforgethisfirstspeechattheconven-
tion——theextraordinaryemotionitexcitedinmyownmind——thepowerfulimpressionitcreateduponacrowdedauditory，completelytakenbysurprise——theapplausewhichfollowedfromthebeginningtotheendofhisfelicitousremarks。IthinkIneverhatedslaverysointenselyasatthatmoment;certainly，myperceptionoftheenormousoutragewhichisin-
flictedbyit，onthegodlikenatureofitsvictims，wasrenderedfarmoreclearthanever。Therestoodone，inphysicalproportionandstaturecommandingandexact——inintellectrichlyendowed——innaturalelo-
quenceaprodigy——insoulmanifestly\"createdbutalittlelowerthantheangels\"——yetaslave，ay，afugi-
tiveslave，——tremblingforhissafety，hardlydaringtobelievethatontheAmericansoil，asinglewhitepersoncouldbefoundwhowouldbefriendhimatallhazards，fortheloveofGodandhumanity！Ca-
pableofhighattainmentsasanintellectualandmoralbeing——needingnothingbutacomparativelysmallamountofcultivationtomakehimanorna-
menttosocietyandablessingtohisrace——bythelawoftheland，bythevoiceofthepeople，bythetermsoftheslavecode，hewasonlyapieceofproperty，abeastofburden，achattelpersonal，nevertheless！
AbelovedfriendfromNewBedfordprevailedonMr。DOUGLASStoaddresstheconvention：Hecameforwardtotheplatformwithahesitancyandembar-
rassment，necessarilytheattendantsofasensitivemindinsuchanovelposition。Afterapologizingforhisignorance，andremindingtheaudiencethatslav-
erywasapoorschoolforthehumanintellectandheart，heproceededtonarratesomeofthefactsinhisownhistoryasaslave，andinthecourseofhisspeechgaveutterancetomanynoblethoughtsandthrillingreflections。Assoonashehadtakenhisseat，filledwithhopeandadmiration，Irose，anddeclaredthatPATRICKHENRY，ofrevolutionaryfame，nevermadeaspeechmoreeloquentinthecauseofliberty，thantheonewehadjustlistenedtofromthelipsofthathuntedfugitive。SoIbelievedatthattime——suchismybeliefnow。Iremindedtheaudienceoftheperilwhichsurroundedthisself-
emancipatedyoungmanattheNorth，——eveninMas-
sachusetts，onthesoilofthePilgrimFathers，amongthedescendantsofrevolutionarysires;andIap-
pealedtothem，whethertheywouldeverallowhimtobecarriedbackintoslavery，——lawornolaw，con-
stitutionornoconstitution。Theresponsewasunani-
mousandinthunder-tones——\"NO！\"\"Willyousuccorandprotecthimasabrother-man——aresidentoftheoldBayState？\"\"YES！\"shoutedthewholemass，withanenergysostartling，thattheruthlesstyrantssouthofMasonandDixon’slinemightalmosthaveheardthemightyburstoffeeling，andrecognizeditasthepledgeofaninvincibledetermination，onthepartofthosewhogaveit，nevertobetrayhimthatwanders，buttohidetheoutcast，andfirmlytoabidetheconsequences。
Itwasatoncedeeplyimpresseduponmymind，that，ifMr。DOUGLASScouldbepersuadedtoconse-
cratehistimeandtalentstothepromotionoftheanti-slaveryenterprise，apowerfulimpetuswouldbegiventoit，andastunningblowatthesametimeinflictedonnorthernprejudiceagainstacoloredcomplexion。Ithereforeendeavoredtoinstilhopeandcourageintohismind，inorderthathemightdaretoengageinavocationsoanomalousandre-
sponsibleforapersoninhissituation;andIwassecondedinthiseffortbywarm-heartedfriends，es-
peciallybythelateGeneralAgentoftheMassa-
chusettsAnti-SlaverySociety，Mr。JOHNA。COLLINS，whosejudgmentinthisinstanceentirelycoincidedwithmyown。Atfirst，hecouldgivenoencourage-
ment;withunfeigneddiffidence，heexpressedhisconvictionthathewasnotadequatetotheperform-
anceofsogreatatask;thepathmarkedoutwaswhollyanuntroddenone;hewassincerelyappre-
hensivethatheshoulddomoreharmthangood。
Aftermuchdeliberation，however，heconsentedtomakeatrial;andeversincethatperiod，hehasactedasalecturingagent，undertheauspiceseitheroftheAmericanortheMassachusettsAnti-SlaverySociety。
Inlaborshehasbeenmostabundant;andhissuccessincombatingprejudice，ingainingproselytes，inagi-
tatingthepublicmind，hasfarsurpassedthemostsanguineexpectationsthatwereraisedatthecom-
mencementofhisbrilliantcareer。Hehasbornehim-
selfwithgentlenessandmeekness，yetwithtruemanlinessofcharacter。Asapublicspeaker，heexcelsinpathos，wit，comparison，imitation，strengthofreasoning，andfluencyoflanguage。Thereisinhimthatunionofheadandheart，whichisindispensabletoanenlightenmentoftheheadsandawinningoftheheartsofothers。Mayhisstrengthcontinuetobeequaltohisday！Mayhecontinueto\"growingrace，andintheknowledgeofGod，\"thathemaybeincreasinglyserviceableinthecauseofbleedinghumanity，whetherathomeorabroad！
Itiscertainlyaveryremarkablefact，thatoneofthemostefficientadvocatesoftheslavepopulation，nowbeforethepublic，isafugitiveslave，inthepersonofFREDERICKDOUGLASS;andthatthefreecoloredpopulationoftheUnitedStatesareasablyrepresentedbyoneoftheirownnumber，intheper-
sonofCHARLESLENOXREMOND，whoseeloquentappealshaveextortedthehighestapplauseofmulti-
tudesonbothsidesoftheAtlantic。Letthecalum-
niatorsofthecoloredracedespisethemselvesfortheirbasenessandilliberalityofspirit，andhence-
forthceasetotalkofthenaturalinferiorityofthosewhorequirenothingbuttimeandopportunitytoattaintothehighestpointofhumanexcellence。
Itmay，perhaps，befairlyquestioned，whetheranyotherportionofthepopulationoftheearthcouldhaveenduredtheprivations，sufferingsandhorrorsofslavery，withouthavingbecomemoredegradedinthescaleofhumanitythantheslavesofAfricandescent。Nothinghasbeenleftundonetocrippletheirintellects，darkentheirminds，debasetheirmoralnature，obliteratealltracesoftheirrelation-
shiptomankind;andyethowwonderfullytheyhavesustainedthemightyloadofamostfrightfulbond-
age，underwhichtheyhavebeengroaningforcen-
turies！Toillustratetheeffectofslaveryonthewhiteman，——toshowthathehasnopowersofendurance，insuchacondition，superiortothoseofhisblackbrother，——DANIELO’CONNELL，thedistinguishedadvocateofuniversalemancipation，andthemighti-
estchampionofprostratebutnotconqueredIreland，relatesthefollowinganecdoteinaspeechdeliveredbyhimintheConciliationHall，Dublin，beforetheLoyalNationalRepealAssociation，March31，1845。
\"Nomatter，\"saidMr。O’CONNELL，\"underwhatspecioustermitmaydisguiseitself，slaveryisstillhideous。~Ithasanatural，aninevitabletendencytobrutalizeeverynoblefacultyofman。~AnAmericansailor，whowascastawayontheshoreofAfrica，wherehewaskeptinslaveryforthreeyears，was，attheexpirationofthatperiod，foundtobeimbrutedandstultified——hehadlostallreasoningpower;andhavingforgottenhisnativelanguage，couldonlyut-
tersomesavagegibberishbetweenArabicandEng-
lish，whichnobodycouldunderstand，andwhichevenhehimselffounddifficultyinpronouncing。SomuchforthehumanizinginfluenceofTHEDOMESTIC
INSTITUTION！\"Admittingthistohavebeenanex-
traordinarycaseofmentaldeterioration，itprovesatleastthatthewhiteslavecansinkaslowinthescaleofhumanityastheblackone。
Mr。DOUGLASShasveryproperlychosentowritehisownNarrative，inhisownstyle，andaccordingtothebestofhisability，ratherthantoemploysomeoneelse。Itis，therefore，entirelyhisownproduc-
tion;and，consideringhowlonganddarkwastheca-
reerhehadtorunasaslave，——howfewhavebeenhisopportunitiestoimprovehismindsincehebrokehisironfetters，——itis，inmyjudgment，highlycreditabletohisheadandheart。Hewhocanperuseitwithoutatearfuleye，aheavingbreast，anafflictedspirit，——
withoutbeingfilledwithanunutterableabhorrenceofslaveryandallitsabettors，andanimatedwithadeterminationtoseektheimmediateoverthrowofthatexecrablesystem，——withouttremblingforthefateofthiscountryinthehandsofarighteousGod，whoiseveronthesideoftheoppressed，andwhosearmisnotshortenedthatitcannotsave，——musthaveaflintyheart，andbequalifiedtoactthepartofatrafficker\"inslavesandthesoulsofmen。\"Iamcon-
fidentthatitisessentiallytrueinallitsstatements;
thatnothinghasbeensetdowninmalice，nothingexaggerated，nothingdrawnfromtheimagination;
thatitcomesshortofthereality，ratherthanover-
statesasinglefactinregardtoSLAVERYASITIS。
TheexperienceofFREDERICKDOUGLASS，asaslave，wasnotapeculiarone;hislotwasnotespeciallyahardone;hiscasemayberegardedasaveryfairspecimenofthetreatmentofslavesinMaryland，inwhichStateitisconcededthattheyarebetterfedandlesscruellytreatedthaninGeorgia，Alabama，orLouisiana。Manyhavesufferedincomparablymore，whileveryfewontheplantationshavesuf-
feredless，thanhimself。Yethowdeplorablewashissituation！whatterriblechastisementswereinflicteduponhisperson！whatstillmoreshockingoutrageswereperpetrateduponhismind！withallhisnoblepowersandsublimeaspirations，howlikeabrutewashetreated，evenbythoseprofessingtohavethesamemindinthemthatwasinChristJesus！towhatdreadfulliabilitieswashecontinuallysubjected！howdestituteoffriendlycounselandaid，eveninhisgreatestextremities！howheavywasthemidnightofwoewhichshroudedinblacknessthelastrayofhope，andfilledthefuturewithterrorandgloom！whatlongingsafterfreedomtookpossessionofhisbreast，andhowhismiseryaugmented，inproportionashegrewreflectiveandintelligent，——thusdemonstratingthatahappyslaveisanextinctman！howhethought，reasoned，felt，underthelashofthedriver，withthechainsuponhislimbs！whatperilsheen-
counteredinhisendeavorstoescapefromhishor-
ribledoom！andhowsignalhavebeenhisdeliveranceandpreservationinthemidstofanationofpitilessenemies！
ThisNarrativecontainsmanyaffectingincidents，manypassagesofgreateloquenceandpower;butI
thinkthemostthrillingoneofthemallisthede-
scriptionDOUGLASSgivesofhisfeelings，ashestoodsoliloquizingrespectinghisfate，andthechancesofhisonedaybeingafreeman，onthebanksoftheChesapeakeBay——viewingtherecedingvesselsastheyflewwiththeirwhitewingsbeforethebreeze，andapostrophizingthemasanimatedbythelivingspiritoffreedom。Whocanreadthatpassage，andbein-
sensibletoitspathosandsublimity？CompressedintoitisawholeAlexandrianlibraryofthought，feeling，andsentiment——allthatcan，allthatneedbeurged，intheformofexpostulation，entreaty，rebuke，againstthatcrimeofcrimes，——makingmantheprop-
ertyofhisfellow-man！O，howaccursedisthatsystem，whichentombsthegodlikemindofman，defacesthedivineimage，reducesthosewhobycrea-
tionwerecrownedwithgloryandhonortoalevelwithfour-footedbeasts，andexaltsthedealerinhu-
manfleshaboveallthatiscalledGod！Whyshoulditsexistencebeprolongedonehour？Isitnotevil，onlyevil，andthatcontinually？Whatdoesitspres-
enceimplybuttheabsenceofallfearofGod，allregardforman，onthepartofthepeopleoftheUnitedStates？Heavenspeeditseternaloverthrow！
Soprofoundlyignorantofthenatureofslaveryaremanypersons，thattheyarestubbornlyincredu-
louswhenevertheyreadorlistentoanyrecitalofthecrueltieswhicharedailyinflictedonitsvictims。
Theydonotdenythattheslavesareheldasprop-
erty;butthatterriblefactseemstoconveytotheirmindsnoideaofinjustice，exposuretooutrage，orsavagebarbarity。Tellthemofcruelscourgings，ofmutilationsandbrandings，ofscenesofpollutionandblood，ofthebanishmentofalllightandknowl-
edge，andtheyaffecttobegreatlyindignantatsuchenormousexaggerations，suchwholesalemisstate-
ments，suchabominablelibelsonthecharacterofthesouthernplanters！Asifallthesedirefuloutrageswerenotthenaturalresultsofslavery！Asifitwerelesscrueltoreduceahumanbeingtotheconditionofathing，thantogivehimasevereflagellation，ortodeprivehimofnecessaryfoodandclothing！
Asifwhips，chains，thumb-screws，paddles，blood-
hounds，overseers，drivers，patrols，werenotallin-
dispensabletokeeptheslavesdown，andtogiveprotectiontotheirruthlessoppressors！Asif，whenthemarriageinstitutionisabolished，concubinage，adultery，andincest，mustnotnecessarilyabound;
whenalltherightsofhumanityareannihilated，anybarrierremainstoprotectthevictimfromthefuryofthespoiler;whenabsolutepowerisassumedoverlifeandliberty，itwillnotbewieldedwithdestruc-
tivesway！Skepticsofthischaracteraboundinso-
ciety。Insomefewinstances，theirincredulityarisesfromawantofreflection;but，generally，itindicatesahatredofthelight，adesiretoshieldslaveryfromtheassaultsofitsfoes，acontemptofthecoloredrace，whetherbondorfree。SuchwilltrytodiscredittheshockingtalesofslaveholdingcrueltywhicharerecordedinthistruthfulNarrative;buttheywilllaborinvain。Mr。DOUGLASShasfranklydisclosedtheplaceofhisbirth，thenamesofthosewhoclaimedownershipinhisbodyandsoul，andthenamesalsoofthosewhocommittedthecrimeswhichhehasallegedagainstthem。Hisstatements，there-
fore，mayeasilybedisproved，iftheyareuntrue。
InthecourseofhisNarrative，herelatestwoin-
stancesofmurderouscruelty，——inoneofwhichaplanterdeliberatelyshotaslavebelongingtoaneigh-
boringplantation，whohadunintentionallygottenwithinhislordlydomaininquestoffish;andintheother，anoverseerblewoutthebrainsofaslavewhohadfledtoastreamofwatertoescapeabloodyscourging。Mr。DOUGLASSstatesthatinneitheroftheseinstanceswasanythingdonebywayoflegalarrestorjudicialinvestigation。TheBaltimoreAmer-
ican，ofMarch17，1845，relatesasimilarcaseofatrocity，perpetratedwithsimilarimpunity——asfol-
lows：——\"~Shootingaslave。~——Welearn，upontheau-
thorityofaletterfromCharlescounty，Maryland，receivedbyagentlemanofthiscity，thatayoungman，namedMatthews，anephewofGeneralMat-
thews，andwhosefather，itisbelieved，holdsanof-
ficeatWashington，killedoneoftheslavesuponhisfather’sfarmbyshootinghim。TheletterstatesthatyoungMatthewshadbeenleftinchargeofthefarm;
thathegaveanordertotheservant，whichwasdis-
obeyed，whenheproceededtothehouse，~obtainedagun，and，returning，shottheservant。~Heimmedi-
ately，thelettercontinues，fledtohisfather’sresi-
dence，wherehestillremainsunmolested。\"——Letitneverbeforgotten，thatnoslaveholderoroverseercanbeconvictedofanyoutrageperpetratedonthepersonofaslave，howeverdiabolicalitmaybe，onthetestimonyofcoloredwitnesses，whetherbondorfree。Bytheslavecode，theyareadjudgedtobeasincompetenttotestifyagainstawhiteman，asthoughtheywereindeedapartofthebrutecreation。
Hence，thereisnolegalprotectioninfact，whatevertheremaybeinform，fortheslavepopulation;andanyamountofcrueltymaybeinflictedonthemwithimpunity。Isitpossibleforthehumanmindtoconceiveofamorehorriblestateofsociety？
Theeffectofareligiousprofessionontheconductofsouthernmastersisvividlydescribedinthefol-
lowingNarrative，andshowntobeanythingbutsalutary。Inthenatureofthecase，itmustbeinthehighestdegreepernicious。ThetestimonyofMr。
DOUGLASS，onthispoint，issustainedbyacloudofwitnesses，whoseveracityisunimpeachable。\"Aslave-
holder’sprofessionofChristianityisapalpableim-
posture。Heisafelonofthehighestgrade。Heisaman-stealer。Itisofnoimportancewhatyouputintheotherscale。\"
Reader！areyouwiththeman-stealersinsympathyandpurpose，oronthesideoftheirdown-troddenvictims？Ifwiththeformer，thenareyouthefoeofGodandman。Ifwiththelatter，whatareyoupre-
paredtodoanddareintheirbehalf？Befaithful，bevigilant，beuntiringinyoureffortstobreakeveryyoke，andlettheoppressedgofree。Comewhatmay——costwhatitmay——inscribeonthebannerwhichyouunfurltothebreeze，asyourreligiousandpo-
liticalmotto——\"NOCOMPROMISEWITHSLAVERY！NO
UNIONWITHSLAVEHOLDERS！\"
WM。LLOYDGARRISON
BOSTON，~May~1，1845。
LETTER
FROMWENDELLPHILLIPS，ESQ。
BOSTON，APRIL22，1845。
MyDearFriend：
Youremembertheoldfableof\"TheManandtheLion，\"wherethelioncomplainedthatheshouldnotbesomisrepresented\"whenthelionswrotehis-
tory。\"
Iamgladthetimehascomewhenthe\"lionswritehistory。\"Wehavebeenleftlongenoughtogatherthecharacterofslaveryfromtheinvoluntaryevidenceofthemasters。Onemight，indeed，restsufficientlysatisfiedwithwhat，itisevident，mustbe，ingeneral，theresultsofsucharelation，with-
outseekingfarthertofindwhethertheyhavefol-
lowedineveryinstance。Indeed，thosewhostareatthehalf-peckofcornaweek，andlovetocountthelashesontheslave’sback，areseldomthe\"stuff\"outofwhichreformersandabolitionistsaretobemade。
Irememberthat，in1838，manywerewaitingfortheresultsoftheWestIndiaexperiment，beforetheycouldcomeintoourranks。Those\"results\"havecomelongago;but，alas！fewofthatnumberhavecomewiththem，asconverts。Amanmustbedis-
posedtojudgeofemancipationbyotherteststhanwhetherithasincreasedtheproduceofsugar，——andtohateslaveryforotherreasonsthanbecauseitstarvesmenandwhipswomen，——beforeheisreadytolaythefirststoneofhisanti-slaverylife。
Iwasgladtolearn，inyourstory，howearlythemostneglectedofGod’schildrenwakentoasenseoftheirrights，andoftheinjusticedonethem。Ex-
perienceisakeenteacher;andlongbeforeyouhadmasteredyourABC，orknewwherethe\"whitesails\"oftheChesapeakewerebound，youbegan，I
see，togaugethewretchednessoftheslave，notbyhishungerandwant，notbyhislashesandtoil，butbythecruelandblightingdeathwhichgathersoverhissoul。
Inconnectionwiththis，thereisonecircumstancewhichmakesyourrecollectionspeculiarlyvaluable，andrendersyourearlyinsightthemoreremarkable。
Youcomefromthatpartofthecountrywherewearetoldslaveryappearswithitsfairestfeatures。Letushear，then，whatitisatitsbestestate——gazeonitsbrightside，ifithasone;andthenimaginationmaytaskherpowerstoadddarklinestothepicture，asshetravelssouthwardtothat（forthecoloredman）ValleyoftheShadowofDeath，wheretheMississippisweepsalong。
Again，wehaveknownyoulong，andcanputthemostentireconfidenceinyourtruth，candor，andsincerity。Everyonewhohasheardyouspeakhasfelt，and，Iamconfident，everyonewhoreadsyourbookwillfeel，persuadedthatyougivethemafairspecimenofthewholetruth。Noone-sidedportrait，——nowholesalecomplaints，——butstrictjusticedone，wheneverindividualkindlinesshasneutralized，foramoment，thedeadlysystemwithwhichitwasstrangelyallied。Youhavebeenwithus，too，someyears，andcanfairlycomparethetwilightofrights，whichyourraceenjoyattheNorth，withthat\"noonofnight\"underwhichtheylaborsouthofMasonandDixon’sline。Telluswhether，afterall，thehalf-
freecoloredmanofMassachusettsisworseoffthanthepamperedslaveofthericeswamps！
Inreadingyourlife，noonecansaythatwehaveunfairlypickedoutsomerarespecimensofcruelty。
Weknowthatthebitterdrops，whichevenyouhavedrainedfromthecup，arenoincidentalaggravations，noindividualills，butsuchasmustminglealwaysandnecessarilyinthelotofeveryslave。Theyaretheessentialingredients，nottheoccasionalresults，ofthesystem。
Afterall，Ishallreadyourbookwithtremblingforyou。Someyearsago，whenyouwerebeginningtotellmeyourrealnameandbirthplace，youmayrememberIstoppedyou，andpreferredtoremainignorantofall。Withtheexceptionofavaguede-
scription，soIcontinued，tilltheotherday，whenyoureadmeyourmemoirs。Ihardlyknew，atthetime，whethertothankyouornotforthesightofthem，whenIreflectedthatitwasstilldangerous，inMassachusetts，forhonestmentotelltheirnames！
Theysaythefathers，in1776，signedtheDeclarationofIndependencewiththehalterabouttheirnecks。
You，too，publishyourdeclarationoffreedomwithdangercompassingyouaround。InallthebroadlandswhichtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesover-
shadows，thereisnosinglespot，——howevernarrowordesolate，——whereafugitiveslavecanplanthimselfandsay，\"Iamsafe。\"ThewholearmoryofNorth-
ernLawhasnoshieldforyou。Iamfreetosaythat，inyourplace，IshouldthrowtheMS。intothefire。
You，perhaps，maytellyourstoryinsafety，en-
dearedasyouaretosomanywarmheartsbyraregifts，andastillrarerdevotionofthemtotheserviceofothers。Butitwillbeowingonlytoyourlabors，andthefearlesseffortsofthosewho，tramplingthelawsandConstitutionofthecountryundertheirfeet，aredeterminedthattheywill\"hidetheout-
cast，\"andthattheirhearthsshallbe，spiteofthelaw，anasylumfortheoppressed，if，sometimeorother，thehumblestmaystandinourstreets，andbearwitnessinsafetyagainstthecrueltiesofwhichhehasbeenthevictim。
Yetitissadtothink，thattheseverythrobbingheartswhichwelcomeyourstory，andformyourbestsafeguardintellingit，areallbeatingcontrarytothe\"statuteinsuchcasemadeandprovided。\"Goon，mydearfriend，tillyou，andthosewho，likeyou，havebeensaved，soasbyfire，fromthedarkprison-
house，shallstereotypethesefree，illegalpulsesintostatutes;andNewEngland，cuttingloosefromablood-stainedUnion，shallgloryinbeingthehouseofrefugefortheoppressed，——tillwenolongermerely\"~hide~theoutcast，\"ormakeameritofstandingidlybywhileheishuntedinourmidst;but，consecrat-
inganewthesoilofthePilgrimsasanasylumfortheoppressed，proclaimourWELCOMEtotheslavesoloudly，thatthetonesshallreacheveryhutintheCarolinas，andmakethebroken-heartedbondmanleapupatthethoughtofoldMassachusetts。
Godspeedtheday！
~Tillthen，andever，~
~Yourstruly，~
~WENDELLPHILLIPS~
FREDERICKDOUGLASS。
FrederickDouglasswasborninslaveryasFred-
erickAugustusWashingtonBaileynearEastoninTalbotCounty，Maryland。Hewasnotsureoftheexactyearofhisbirth，butheknewthatitwas1817
or1818。AsayoungboyhewassenttoBaltimore，tobeahouseservant，wherehelearnedtoreadandwrite，withtheassistanceofhismaster’swife。In1838heescapedfromslaveryandwenttoNewYorkCity，wherehemarriedAnnaMurray，afreecoloredwomanwhomhehadmetinBaltimore。Soonthere-
afterhechangedhisnametoFrederickDouglass。
In1841headdressedaconventionoftheMassa-
chusettsAnti-SlaverySocietyinNantucketandsogreatlyimpressedthegroupthattheyimmediatelyemployedhimasanagent。Hewassuchanimpres-
siveoratorthatnumerouspersonsdoubtedifhehadeverbeenaslave，sohewroteNARRATIVEOFTHELIFE
OFFREDERICKDOUGLASS。DuringtheCivilWarheas-
sistedintherecruitingofcoloredmenforthe54thand55thMassachusettsRegimentsandconsistentlyarguedfortheemancipationofslaves。Afterthewarhewasactiveinsecuringandprotectingtherightsofthefreemen。Inhislateryears，atdifferenttimes，hewassecretaryoftheSantoDomingoCommission，marshallandrecorderofdeedsoftheDistrictofColumbia，andUnitedStatesMinistertoHaiti。HisotherautobiographicalworksareMYBONDAGEAND
MYFREEDOMandLIFEANDTIMESOFFREDERICK
DOUGLASS，publishedin1855and1881respectively。
Hediedin1895。
CHAPTERI
IwasborninTuckahoe，nearHillsborough，andabouttwelvemilesfromEaston，inTalbotcounty，Maryland。Ihavenoaccurateknowledgeofmyage，neverhavingseenanyauthenticrecordcontainingit。
Byfarthelargerpartoftheslavesknowaslittleoftheiragesashorsesknowoftheirs，anditisthewishofmostmasterswithinmyknowledgetokeeptheirslavesthusignorant。Idonotremembertohaveevermetaslavewhocouldtellofhisbirthday。Theyseldomcomenearertoitthanplanting-time，harvest-
time，cherry-time，spring-time，orfall-time。Awantofinformationconcerningmyownwasasourceofunhappinesstomeevenduringchildhood。Thewhitechildrencouldtelltheirages。IcouldnottellwhyI
oughttobedeprivedofthesameprivilege。Iwasnotallowedtomakeanyinquiriesofmymastercon-
cerningit。Hedeemedallsuchinquiriesonthepartofaslaveimproperandimpertinent，andevidenceofarestlessspirit。ThenearestestimateIcangivemakesmenowbetweentwenty-sevenandtwenty-
eightyearsofage。Icometothis，fromhearingmymastersay，sometimeduring1835，Iwasaboutseventeenyearsold。
MymotherwasnamedHarrietBailey。ShewasthedaughterofIsaacandBetseyBailey，bothcol-
ored，andquitedark。Mymotherwasofadarkercomplexionthaneithermygrandmotherorgrand-
father。
Myfatherwasawhiteman。HewasadmittedtobesuchbyallIeverheardspeakofmyparentage。
Theopinionwasalsowhisperedthatmymasterwasmyfather;butofthecorrectnessofthisopinion，I
knownothing;themeansofknowingwaswithheldfromme。MymotherandIwereseparatedwhenI
wasbutaninfant——beforeIknewherasmymother。
Itisacommoncustom，inthepartofMarylandfromwhichIranaway，topartchildrenfromtheirmothersataveryearlyage。Frequently，beforethechildhasreacheditstwelfthmonth，itsmotheristakenfromit，andhiredoutonsomefarmacon-
siderabledistanceoff，andthechildisplacedunderthecareofanoldwoman，toooldforfieldlabor。
Forwhatthisseparationisdone，Idonotknow，unlessitbetohinderthedevelopmentofthechild’saffectiontowarditsmother，andtobluntanddestroythenaturalaffectionofthemotherforthechild。
Thisistheinevitableresult。
Ineversawmymother，toknowherassuch，morethanfourorfivetimesinmylife;andeachofthesetimeswasveryshortinduration，andatnight。ShewashiredbyaMr。Stewart，wholivedabouttwelvemilesfrommyhome。Shemadeherjourneystoseemeinthenight，travellingthewholedistanceonfoot，aftertheperformanceofherday’swork。Shewasafieldhand，andawhippingisthepenaltyofnotbeinginthefieldatsunrise，unlessaslavehasspecialpermissionfromhisorhermastertothecon-
trary——apermissionwhichtheyseldomget，andonethatgivestohimthatgivesittheproudnameofbeingakindmaster。Idonotrecollectofeverseeingmymotherbythelightofday。Shewaswithmeinthenight。Shewouldliedownwithme，andgetmetosleep，butlongbeforeIwakedshewasgone。Verylittlecommunicationevertookplacebetweenus。
Deathsoonendedwhatlittlewecouldhavewhileshelived，andwithitherhardshipsandsuffering。
ShediedwhenIwasaboutsevenyearsold，ononeofmymaster’sfarms，nearLee’sMill。Iwasnotal-
lowedtobepresentduringherillness，atherdeath，orburial。ShewasgonelongbeforeIknewanythingaboutit。Neverhavingenjoyed，toanyconsiderableextent，hersoothingpresence，hertenderandwatch-
fulcare，IreceivedthetidingsofherdeathwithmuchthesameemotionsIshouldhaveprobablyfeltatthedeathofastranger。
Calledthussuddenlyaway，sheleftmewithouttheslightestintimationofwhomyfatherwas。Thewhisperthatmymasterwasmyfather，mayormaynotbetrue;and，trueorfalse，itisofbutlittlecon-
sequencetomypurposewhilstthefactremains，inallitsglaringodiousness，thatslaveholdershaveordained，andbylawestablished，thatthechildrenofslavewomenshallinallcasesfollowthecondi-
tionoftheirmothers;andthisisdonetooobviouslytoadministertotheirownlusts，andmakeagrati-
ficationoftheirwickeddesiresprofitableaswellaspleasurable;forbythiscunningarrangement，theslaveholder，incasesnotafew，sustainstohisslavesthedoublerelationofmasterandfather。
Iknowofsuchcases;anditisworthyofremarkthatsuchslavesinvariablysuffergreaterhardships，andhavemoretocontendwith，thanothers。Theyare，inthefirstplace，aconstantoffencetotheirmistress。Sheiseverdisposedtofindfaultwiththem;
theycanseldomdoanythingtopleaseher;sheisneverbetterpleasedthanwhensheseesthemunderthelash，especiallywhenshesuspectsherhusbandofshowingtohismulattochildrenfavorswhichhewithholdsfromhisblackslaves。Themasterisfre-
quentlycompelledtosellthisclassofhisslaves，outofdeferencetothefeelingsofhiswhitewife;and，cruelasthedeedmaystrikeanyonetobe，foramantosellhisownchildrentohumanflesh-mongers，itisoftenthedictateofhumanityforhimtodoso;
for，unlesshedoesthis，hemustnotonlywhipthemhimself，butmuststandbyandseeonewhitesontieuphisbrother，ofbutfewshadesdarkercom-
plexionthanhimself，andplythegorylashtohisnakedback;andifhelisponewordofdisapproval，itissetdowntohisparentalpartiality，andonlymakesabadmatterworse，bothforhimselfandtheslavewhomhewouldprotectanddefend。
Everyyearbringswithitmultitudesofthisclassofslaves。Itwasdoubtlessinconsequenceofaknowl-
edgeofthisfact，thatonegreatstatesmanofthesouthpredictedthedownfallofslaverybythein-
evitablelawsofpopulation。Whetherthisprophecyiseverfulfilledornot，itisneverthelessplainthataverydifferent-lookingclassofpeoplearespringingupatthesouth，andarenowheldinslavery，fromthoseoriginallybroughttothiscountryfromAfrica;andiftheirincreasedonoothergood，itwilldoawaytheforceoftheargument，thatGodcursedHam，andthereforeAmericanslaveryisright。IfthelinealdescendantsofHamarealonetobescriptur-
allyenslaved，itiscertainthatslaveryatthesouthmustsoonbecomeunscriptural;forthousandsareusheredintotheworld，annually，who，likemyself，owetheirexistencetowhitefathers，andthosefa-
thersmostfrequentlytheirownmasters。
Ihavehadtwomasters。Myfirstmaster’snamewasAnthony。Idonotrememberhisfirstname。
HewasgenerallycalledCaptainAnthony——atitlewhich，Ipresume，heacquiredbysailingacraftontheChesapeakeBay。Hewasnotconsideredarichslaveholder。Heownedtwoorthreefarms，andaboutthirtyslaves。Hisfarmsandslaveswereunderthecareofanoverseer。Theoverseer’snamewasPlummer。Mr。Plummerwasamiserabledrunkard，aprofaneswearer，andasavagemonster。Healwayswentarmedwithacowskinandaheavycudgel。I
haveknownhimtocutandslashthewomen’sheadssohorribly，thatevenmasterwouldbeenragedathiscruelty，andwouldthreatentowhiphimifhedidnotmindhimself。Master，however，wasnotahumaneslaveholder。Itrequiredextraordinarybar-
barityonthepartofanoverseertoaffecthim。Hewasacruelman，hardenedbyalonglifeofslave-
holding。Hewouldattimesseemtotakegreatpleas-
ureinwhippingaslave。Ihaveoftenbeenawakenedatthedawnofdaybythemostheart-rendingshrieksofanownauntofmine，whomheusedtotieuptoajoist，andwhipuponhernakedbacktillshewasliterallycoveredwithblood。Nowords，notears，noprayers，fromhisgoryvictim，seemedtomovehisironheartfromitsbloodypurpose。Theloudershescreamed，theharderhewhipped;andwherethebloodranfastest，therehewhippedlongest。Hewouldwhiphertomakeherscream，andwhiphertomakeherhush;andnotuntilovercomebyfatigue，wouldheceasetoswingtheblood-clottedcowskin。
IrememberthefirsttimeIeverwitnessedthishor-
ribleexhibition。Iwasquiteachild，butIwellre-
memberit。InevershallforgetitwhilstIrememberanything。Itwasthefirstofalongseriesofsuchout-
rages，ofwhichIwasdoomedtobeawitnessandaparticipant。Itstruckmewithawfulforce。Itwastheblood-stainedgate，theentrancetothehellofslavery，throughwhichIwasabouttopass。Itwasamostterriblespectacle。IwishIcouldcommittopaperthefeelingswithwhichIbeheldit。
ThisoccurrencetookplaceverysoonafterIwenttolivewithmyoldmaster，andunderthefollowingcircumstances。AuntHesterwentoutonenight，——
whereorforwhatIdonotknow，——andhappenedtobeabsentwhenmymasterdesiredherpresence。Hehadorderedhernottogooutevenings，andwarnedherthatshemustneverlethimcatchherincom-
panywithayoungman，whowaspayingattentiontoherbelongingtoColonelLloyd。Theyoungman’snamewasNedRoberts，generallycalledLloyd’sNed。Whymasterwassocarefulofher，maybesafelylefttoconjecture。Shewasawomanofnobleform，andofgracefulproportions，havingveryfewequals，andfewersuperiors，inpersonalappearance，amongthecoloredorwhitewomenofourneighbor-
hood。
AuntHesterhadnotonlydisobeyedhisordersingoingout，buthadbeenfoundincompanywithLloyd’sNed;whichcircumstance，Ifound，fromwhathesaidwhilewhippingher，wasthechiefof-
fence。Hadhebeenamanofpuremoralshimself，hemighthavebeenthoughtinterestedinprotectingtheinnocenceofmyaunt;butthosewhoknewhimwillnotsuspecthimofanysuchvirtue。BeforehecommencedwhippingAuntHester，hetookherintothekitchen，andstrippedherfromnecktowaist，leavingherneck，shoulders，andback，entirelynaked。Hethentoldhertocrossherhands，callingheratthesametimead————db——-h。Aftercrossingherhands，hetiedthemwithastrongrope，andledhertoastoolunderalargehookinthejoist，putinforthepurpose。Hemadehergetuponthestool，andtiedherhandstothehook。Shenowstoodfairforhisinfernalpurpose。Herarmswerestretchedupattheirfulllength，sothatshestoodupontheendsofhertoes。Hethensaidtoher，\"Now，youd————db——-h，I’lllearnyouhowtodisobeymyorders！\"andafterrollinguphissleeves，hecom-
mencedtolayontheheavycowskin，andsoonthewarm，redblood（amidheart-rendingshrieksfromher，andhorridoathsfromhim）camedrippingtothefloor。Iwassoterrifiedandhorror-strickenatthesight，thatIhidmyselfinacloset，anddarednotventureouttilllongafterthebloodytransactionwasover。Iexpecteditwouldbemyturnnext。Itwasallnewtome。Ihadneverseenanythinglikeitbefore。Ihadalwayslivedwithmygrandmotherontheoutskirtsoftheplantation，whereshewasputtoraisethechildrenoftheyoungerwomen。Ihadthere-
forebeen，untilnow，outofthewayofthebloodyscenesthatoftenoccurredontheplantation。
CHAPTERII
Mymaster’sfamilyconsistedoftwosons，AndrewandRichard;onedaughter，Lucretia，andherhus-
band，CaptainThomasAuld。Theylivedinonehouse，uponthehomeplantationofColonelEdwardLloyd。MymasterwasColonelLloyd’sclerkandsuperintendent。Hewaswhatmightbecalledtheoverseeroftheoverseers。Ispenttwoyearsofchild-
hoodonthisplantationinmyoldmaster’sfamily。
ItwasherethatIwitnessedthebloodytransactionrecordedinthefirstchapter;andasIreceivedmyfirstimpressionsofslaveryonthisplantation，Iwillgivesomedescriptionofit，andofslaveryasitthereexisted。TheplantationisabouttwelvemilesnorthofEaston，inTalbotcounty，andissituatedontheborderofMilesRiver。Theprincipalproductsraiseduponitweretobacco，corn，andwheat。Thesewereraisedingreatabundance;sothat，withtheproductsofthisandtheotherfarmsbelongingtohim，hewasabletokeepinalmostconstantem-
ploymentalargesloop，incarryingthemtomarketatBaltimore。ThissloopwasnamedSallyLloyd，inhonorofoneofthecolonel’sdaughters。Mymas-
ter’sson-in-law，CaptainAuld，wasmasterofthevessel;shewasotherwisemannedbythecolonel’sownslaves。TheirnameswerePeter，Isaac，Rich，andJake。Thesewereesteemedveryhighlybytheotherslaves，andlookeduponastheprivilegedonesoftheplantation;foritwasnosmallaffair，intheeyesoftheslaves，tobeallowedtoseeBaltimore。
ColonelLloydkeptfromthreetofourhundredslavesonhishomeplantation，andownedalargenumbermoreontheneighboringfarmsbelongingtohim。ThenamesofthefarmsnearesttothehomeplantationwereWyeTownandNewDesign。\"WyeTown\"wasundertheoverseershipofamannamedNoahWillis。NewDesignwasundertheoverseer-
shipofaMr。Townsend。Theoverseersofthese，andalltherestofthefarms，numberingovertwenty，receivedadviceanddirectionfromthemanagersofthehomeplantation。Thiswasthegreatbusinessplace。Itwastheseatofgovernmentforthewholetwentyfarms。Alldisputesamongtheoverseersweresettledhere。Ifaslavewasconvictedofanyhighmisdemeanor，becameunmanageable，orevincedadeterminationtorunaway，hewasbroughtimmedi-
atelyhere，severelywhipped，putonboardthesloop，carriedtoBaltimore，andsoldtoAustinWoolfolk，orsomeotherslave-trader，asawarningtotheslavesremaining。
Here，too，theslavesofalltheotherfarmsreceivedtheirmonthlyallowanceoffood，andtheiryearlyclothing。Themenandwomenslavesreceived，astheirmonthlyallowanceoffood，eightpoundsofpork，oritsequivalentinfish，andonebushelofcornmeal。Theiryearlyclothingconsistedoftwocoarselinenshirts，onepairoflinentrousers，liketheshirts，onejacket，onepairoftrousersforwinter，madeofcoarsenegrocloth，onepairofstockings，andonepairofshoes;thewholeofwhichcouldnothavecostmorethansevendollars。Theallowanceoftheslavechildrenwasgiventotheirmothers，ortheoldwomenhavingthecareofthem。Thechil-
drenunabletoworkinthefieldhadneithershoes，stockings，jackets，nortrousers，giventothem;theirclothingconsistedoftwocoarselinenshirtsperyear。
Whenthesefailedthem，theywentnakeduntilthenextallowance-day。Childrenfromseventotenyearsold，ofbothsexes，almostnaked，mightbeseenatallseasonsoftheyear。
Therewerenobedsgiventheslaves，unlessonecoarseblanketbeconsideredsuch，andnonebutthemenandwomenhadthese。This，however，isnotconsideredaverygreatprivation。Theyfindlessdifficultyfromthewantofbeds，thanfromthewantoftimetosleep;forwhentheirday’sworkinthefieldisdone，themostofthemhavingtheirwash-
ing，mending，andcookingtodo，andhavingfewornoneoftheordinaryfacilitiesfordoingeitherofthese，verymanyoftheirsleepinghoursarecon-
sumedinpreparingforthefieldthecomingday;
andwhenthisisdone，oldandyoung，maleandfemale，marriedandsingle，dropdownsidebyside，ononecommonbed，——thecold，dampfloor，——eachcoveringhimselforherselfwiththeirmiserableblankets;andheretheysleeptilltheyaresummonedtothefieldbythedriver’shorn。Atthesoundofthis，allmustrise，andbeofftothefield。Theremustbenohalting;everyonemustbeathisorherpost;andwoebetidesthemwhohearnotthismorningsummonstothefield;foriftheyarenotawakenedbythesenseofhearing，theyarebythesenseoffeeling：noagenorsexfindsanyfavor。
Mr。Severe，theoverseer，usedtostandbythedoorofthequarter，armedwithalargehickorystickandheavycowskin，readytowhipanyonewhowassounfortunateasnottohear，or，fromanyothercause，waspreventedfrombeingreadytostartforthefieldatthesoundofthehorn。
Mr。Severewasrightlynamed：hewasacruelman。Ihaveseenhimwhipawoman，causingthebloodtorunhalfanhouratthetime;andthis，too，inthemidstofhercryingchildren，pleadingfortheirmother’srelease。Heseemedtotakepleasureinmanifestinghisfiendishbarbarity。Addedtohiscruelty，hewasaprofaneswearer。Itwasenoughtochillthebloodandstiffenthehairofanordinarymantohearhimtalk。Scarceasentenceescapedhimbutthatwascommencedorconcludedbysomehor-
ridoath。Thefieldwastheplacetowitnesshiscrueltyandprofanity。Hispresencemadeitboththefieldofbloodandofblasphemy。Fromtherisingtillthegoingdownofthesun，hewascursing，raving，cutting，andslashingamongtheslavesofthefield，inthemostfrightfulmanner。Hiscareerwasshort。
HediedverysoonafterIwenttoColonelLloyd’s;
andhediedashelived，uttering，withhisdyinggroans，bittercursesandhorridoaths。Hisdeathwasregardedbytheslavesastheresultofamercifulprovidence。
Mr。Severe’splacewasfilledbyaMr。Hopkins。
Hewasaverydifferentman。Hewaslesscruel，lessprofane，andmadelessnoise，thanMr。Severe。Hiscoursewascharacterizedbynoextraordinarydemon-
strationsofcruelty。Hewhipped，butseemedtotakenopleasureinit。Hewascalledbytheslavesagoodoverseer。
ThehomeplantationofColonelLloydworetheappearanceofacountryvillage。Allthemechanicaloperationsforallthefarmswereperformedhere。
Theshoemakingandmending，theblacksmithing，cartwrighting，coopering，weaving，andgrain-grind-
ing，wereallperformedbytheslavesonthehomeplantation。Thewholeplaceworeabusiness-likeas-
pectveryunliketheneighboringfarms。Thenum-
berofhouses，too，conspiredtogiveitadvantageovertheneighboringfarms。Itwascalledbytheslavesthe~GreatHouseFarm。~Fewprivilegeswereesteemedhigher，bytheslavesoftheout-farms，thanthatofbeingselectedtodoerrandsattheGreatHouseFarm。Itwasassociatedintheirmindswithgreatness。ArepresentativecouldnotbeprouderofhiselectiontoaseatintheAmericanCongress，thanaslaveononeoftheout-farmswouldbeofhiselectiontodoerrandsattheGreatHouseFarm。
Theyregardeditasevidenceofgreatconfidencere-
posedinthembytheiroverseers;anditwasonthisaccount，aswellasaconstantdesiretobeoutofthefieldfromunderthedriver’slash，thattheyes-
teemeditahighprivilege，oneworthcarefullivingfor。Hewascalledthesmartestandmosttrustyfel-
low，whohadthishonorconferreduponhimthemostfrequently。Thecompetitorsforthisofficesoughtasdiligentlytopleasetheiroverseers，astheoffice-seekersinthepoliticalpartiesseektopleaseanddeceivethepeople。ThesametraitsofcharactermightbeseeninColonelLloyd’sslaves，asareseenintheslavesofthepoliticalparties。
TheslavesselectedtogototheGreatHouseFarm，forthemonthlyallowanceforthemselvesandtheirfellow-slaves，werepeculiarlyenthusiastic。Whileontheirway，theywouldmakethedenseoldwoods，formilesaround，reverberatewiththeirwildsongs，revealingatoncethehighestjoyandthedeepestsadness。Theywouldcomposeandsingastheywentalong，consultingneithertimenortune。Thethoughtthatcameup，cameout——ifnotintheword，inthesound;——andasfrequentlyintheoneasintheother。
Theywouldsometimessingthemostpatheticsenti-
mentinthemostrapturoustone，andthemostrap-
turoussentimentinthemostpathetictone。Intoalloftheirsongstheywouldmanagetoweavesome-
thingoftheGreatHouseFarm。Especiallywouldtheydothis，whenleavinghome。Theywouldthensingmostexultinglythefollowingwords：——
\"IamgoingawaytotheGreatHouseFarm！
O，yea！O，yea！O！\"
Thistheywouldsing，asachorus，towordswhichtomanywouldseemunmeaningjargon，butwhich，nevertheless，werefullofmeaningtothemselves。I
havesometimesthoughtthatthemerehearingofthosesongswoulddomoretoimpresssomemindswiththehorriblecharacterofslavery，thantheread-
ingofwholevolumesofphilosophyonthesubjectcoulddo。
Ididnot，whenaslave，understandthedeepmeaningofthoserudeandapparentlyincoherentsongs。Iwasmyselfwithinthecircle;sothatInei-
thersawnorheardasthosewithoutmightseeandhear。Theytoldataleofwoewhichwasthenal-
togetherbeyondmyfeeblecomprehension;theyweretonesloud，long，anddeep;theybreathedtheprayerandcomplaintofsoulsboilingoverwiththebitterestanguish。Everytonewasatestimonyagainstslavery，andaprayertoGodfordeliverancefromchains。Thehearingofthosewildnotesalwaysde-
pressedmyspirit，andfilledmewithineffablesad-
ness。Ihavefrequentlyfoundmyselfintearswhilehearingthem。Themererecurrencetothosesongs，evennow，afflictsme;andwhileIamwritingtheselines，anexpressionoffeelinghasalreadyfounditswaydownmycheek。TothosesongsItracemyfirstglimmeringconceptionofthedehumanizingchar-
acterofslavery。Icannevergetridofthatconcep-
tion。Thosesongsstillfollowme，todeepenmyhatredofslavery，andquickenmysympathiesformybrethreninbonds。Ifanyonewishestobeim-
pressedwiththesoul-killingeffectsofslavery，lethimgotoColonelLloyd’splantation，and，onallow-
ance-day，placehimselfinthedeeppinewoods，andtherelethim，insilence，analyzethesoundsthatshallpassthroughthechambersofhissoul，——andifheisnotthusimpressed，itwillonlybebecause\"thereisnofleshinhisobdurateheart。\"
Ihaveoftenbeenutterlyastonished，sinceIcametothenorth，tofindpersonswhocouldspeakofthesinging，amongslaves，asevidenceoftheircon-
tentmentandhappiness。Itisimpossibletoconceiveofagreatermistake。Slavessingmostwhentheyaremostunhappy。Thesongsoftheslaverepresentthesorrowsofhisheart;andheisrelievedbythem，onlyasanachingheartisrelievedbyitstears。Atleast，suchismyexperience。Ihaveoftensungtodrownmysorrow，butseldomtoexpressmyhappiness。
Cryingforjoy，andsingingforjoy，werealikeun-
commontomewhileinthejawsofslavery。Thesingingofamancastawayuponadesolateislandmightbeasappropriatelyconsideredasevidenceofcontentmentandhappiness，asthesingingofaslave;thesongsoftheoneandoftheotherarepromptedbythesameemotion。
CHAPTERIII
ColonelLloydkeptalargeandfinelycultivatedgarden，whichaffordedalmostconstantemploymentforfourmen，besidesthechiefgardener，（Mr。
M’Durmond。）Thisgardenwasprobablythegreat-
estattractionoftheplace。Duringthesummermonths，peoplecamefromfarandnear——fromBaltimore，Easton，andAnnapolis——toseeit。Itaboundedinfruitsofalmosteverydescription，fromthehardyappleofthenorthtothedelicateorangeofthesouth。Thisgardenwasnottheleastsourceoftroubleontheplantation。Itsexcellentfruitwasquiteatemptationtothehungryswarmsofboys，aswellastheolderslaves，belongingtothecolonel，fewofwhomhadthevirtueorthevicetoresistit。Scarcelyadaypassed，duringthesummer，butthatsomeslavehadtotakethelashforstealingfruit。
Thecolonelhadtoresorttoallkindsofstratagemstokeephisslavesoutofthegarden。Thelastandmostsuccessfulonewasthatoftarringhisfenceallaround;afterwhich，ifaslavewascaughtwithanytaruponhisperson，itwasdeemedsufficientproofthathehadeitherbeenintothegarden，orhadtriedtogetin。Ineithercase，hewasseverelywhip-
pedbythechiefgardener。Thisplanworkedwell;
theslavesbecameasfearfuloftarasofthelash。
TheyseemedtorealizetheimpossibilityoftouchingTARwithoutbeingdefiled。
Thecolonelalsokeptasplendidridingequipage。
Hisstableandcarriage-housepresentedtheappear-
anceofsomeofourlargecityliveryestablishments。
Hishorseswereofthefinestformandnoblestblood。
Hiscarriage-housecontainedthreesplendidcoaches，threeorfourgigs，besidesdearbornsandbarouchesofthemostfashionablestyle。
Thisestablishmentwasunderthecareoftwoslaves——oldBarneyandyoungBarney——fatherandson。
Toattendtothisestablishmentwastheirsolework。