Theplanwefinallyconcludeduponwas，togetalargecanoebelongingtoMr。Hamilton，andupontheSaturdaynightprevioustoEasterholidays，paddledirectlyuptheChesapeakeBay。Onourar-
rivalattheheadofthebay，adistanceofseventyoreightymilesfromwherewelived，itwasourpurposetoturnourcanoeadrift，andfollowtheguidanceofthenorthstartillwegotbeyondthelimitsofMaryland。Ourreasonfortakingthewaterroutewas，thatwewerelessliabletobesuspectedasrunaways;wehopedtoberegardedasfishermen;
whereas，ifweshouldtakethelandroute，weshouldbesubjectedtointerruptionsofalmosteverykind。
Anyonehavingawhiteface，andbeingsodisposed，couldstopus，andsubjectustoexamination。
Theweekbeforeourintendedstart，Iwrotesev-
eralprotections，oneforeachofus。AswellasI
canremember，theywereinthefollowingwords，towit：——
"ThisistocertifythatI，theundersigned，havegiventhebearer，myservant，fulllibertytogotoBaltimore，andspendtheEasterholidays。Writtenwithmineownhand，&c。，1835。
"WILLIAMHAMILTON，"NearSt。Michael’s，inTalbotcounty，Maryland。"
WewerenotgoingtoBaltimore;but，ingoingupthebay，wewenttowardBaltimore，andthesepro-
tectionswereonlyintendedtoprotectuswhileonthebay。
Asthetimedrewnearforourdeparture，ouranxietybecamemoreandmoreintense。Itwastrulyamatteroflifeanddeathwithus。Thestrengthofourdeterminationwasabouttobefullytested。Atthistime，Iwasveryactiveinexplainingeverydif-
ficulty，removingeverydoubt，dispellingeveryfear，andinspiringallwiththefirmnessindispensabletosuccessinourundertaking;assuringthemthathalfwasgainedtheinstantwemadethemove;wehadtalkedlongenough;wewerenowreadytomove;
ifnotnow，wenevershouldbe;andifwedidnotintendtomovenow，wehadaswellfoldourarms，sitdown，andacknowledgeourselvesfitonlytobeslaves。This，noneofuswerepreparedtoacknowl-
edge。Everymanstoodfirm;andatourlastmeeting，wepledgedourselvesafresh，inthemostsolemnmanner，that，atthetimeappointed，wewouldcer-
tainlystartinpursuitoffreedom。Thiswasinthemiddleoftheweek，attheendofwhichweweretobeoff。Wewent，asusual，toourseveralfieldsoflabor，butwithbosomshighlyagitatedwiththoughtsofourtrulyhazardousundertaking。Wetriedtoconcealourfeelingsasmuchaspossible;
andIthinkwesucceededverywell。
Afterapainfulwaiting，theSaturdaymorning，whosenightwastowitnessourdeparture，came。I
haileditwithjoy，bringwhatofsadnessitmight。
Fridaynightwasasleeplessoneforme。Iprobablyfeltmoreanxiousthantherest，becauseIwas，bycommonconsent，attheheadofthewholeaffair。
Theresponsibilityofsuccessorfailurelayheavilyuponme。Thegloryoftheone，andtheconfusionoftheother，werealikemine。ThefirsttwohoursofthatmorningweresuchasIneverexperiencedbefore，andhopenevertoagain。Earlyinthemorning，wewent，asusual，tothefield。Wewerespreadingmanure;andallatonce，whilethusen-
gaged，Iwasoverwhelmedwithanindescribablefeel-
ing，inthefulnessofwhichIturnedtoSandy，whowasnearby，andsaid，"Wearebetrayed！""Well，"
saidhe，"thatthoughthasthismomentstruckme。"
Wesaidnomore。Iwasnevermorecertainofanything。
Thehornwasblownasusual，andwewentupfromthefieldtothehouseforbreakfast。Iwentfortheform，morethanforwantofanythingtoeatthatmorning。JustasIgottothehouse，inlookingoutatthelanegate，Isawfourwhitemen，withtwocoloredmen。Thewhitemenwereonhorseback，andthecoloredoneswerewalkingbehind，asiftied。
Iwatchedthemafewmomentstilltheygotuptoourlanegate。Heretheyhalted，andtiedthecoloredmentothegate-post。Iwasnotyetcertainastowhatthematterwas。Inafewmoments，inrodeMr。Hamilton，withaspeedbetokeninggreatexcite-
ment。Hecametothedoor，andinquiredifMasterWilliamwasin。Hewastoldhewasatthebarn。Mr。
Hamilton，withoutdismounting，rodeuptothebarnwithextraordinaryspeed。Inafewmoments，heandMr。Freelandreturnedtothehouse。Bythistime，thethreeconstablesrodeup，andingreathastedis-
mounted，tiedtheirhorses，andmetMasterWilliamandMr。Hamiltonreturningfromthebarn;andaftertalkingawhile，theyallwalkeduptothekitchendoor。TherewasnooneinthekitchenbutmyselfandJohn。HenryandSandywereupatthebarn。Mr。Freelandputhisheadinatthedoor，andcalledmebyname，saying，thereweresomegentle-
menatthedoorwhowishedtoseeme。Isteppedtothedoor，andinquiredwhattheywanted。Theyatonceseizedme，and，withoutgivingmeanysatis-
faction，tiedme——lashingmyhandscloselytogether。
Iinsisteduponknowingwhatthematterwas。Theyatlengthsaid，thattheyhadlearnedIhadbeenina"scrape，"andthatIwastobeexaminedbeforemymaster;andiftheirinformationprovedfalse，I
shouldnotbehurt。
Inafewmoments，theysucceededintyingJohn。
TheythenturnedtoHenry，whohadbythistimereturned，andcommandedhimtocrosshishands。
"Iwon’t！"saidHenry，inafirmtone，indicatinghisreadinesstomeettheconsequencesofhisrefusal。
"Won’tyou？"saidTomGraham，theconstable。"No，Iwon’t！"saidHenry，inastillstrongertone。Withthis，twooftheconstablespulledouttheirshiningpistols，andswore，bytheirCreator，thattheywouldmakehimcrosshishandsorkillhim。Eachcockedhispistol，and，withfingersonthetrigger，walkeduptoHenry，saying，atthesametime，ifhedidnotcrosshishands，theywouldblowhisdamnedheartout。"Shootme，shootme！"saidHenry;"youcan’tkillmebutonce。Shoot，shoot，——andbedamned！~I
won’tbetied！~"Thishesaidinatoneoflouddefi-
ance;andatthesametime，withamotionasquickaslightning，hewithonesinglestrokedashedthepistolsfromthehandofeachconstable。Ashedidthis，allhandsfelluponhim，and，afterbeatinghimsometime，theyfinallyoverpoweredhim，andgothimtied。
Duringthescuffle，Imanaged，Iknownothow，togetmypassout，and，withoutbeingdiscovered，putitintothefire。Wewereallnowtied;andjustasweweretoleaveforEastonjail，BetsyFreeland，motherofWilliamFreeland，cametothedoorwithherhandsfullofbiscuits，anddividedthembetweenHenryandJohn。Shethendeliveredherselfofaspeech，tothefollowingeffect：——addressingherselftome，shesaid，"~Youdevil！Youyellowdevil！~itwasyouthatputitintotheheadsofHenryandJohntorunaway。Butforyou，youlong-leggedmulattodevil！HenrynorJohnwouldneverhavethoughtofsuchathing。"Imadenoreply，andwasimme-
diatelyhurriedofftowardsSt。Michael’s。Justamo-
mentprevioustothescufflewithHenry，Mr。Hamil-
tonsuggestedtheproprietyofmakingasearchfortheprotectionswhichhehadunderstoodFrederickhadwrittenforhimselfandtherest。But，justatthemomenthewasaboutcarryinghisproposalintoeffect，hisaidwasneededinhelpingtotieHenry;
andtheexcitementattendingthescufflecausedthemeithertoforget，ortodeemitunsafe，underthecircumstances，tosearch。Sowewerenotyetconvictedoftheintentiontorunaway。
WhenwegotabouthalfwaytoSt。Michael’s，whiletheconstableshavingusinchargewerelook-
ingahead，Henryinquiredofmewhatheshoulddowithhispass。Itoldhimtoeatitwithhisbiscuit，andownnothing;andwepassedthewordaround，"~Ownnothing;~"and"~Ownnothing！~"saidweall。
Ourconfidenceineachotherwasunshaken。Wewereresolvedtosucceedorfailtogether，afterthecalamityhadbefallenusasmuchasbefore。Wewerenowpreparedforanything。Weweretobedraggedthatmorningfifteenmilesbehindhorses，andthentobeplacedintheEastonjail。WhenwereachedSt。Michael’s，weunderwentasortofexami-
nation。Wealldeniedthatweeverintendedtorunaway。Wedidthismoretobringouttheevidenceagainstus，thanfromanyhopeofgettingclearofbeingsold;for，asIhavesaid，wewerereadyforthat。Thefactwas，wecaredbutlittlewherewewent，sowewenttogether。Ourgreatestconcernwasaboutseparation。Wedreadedthatmorethananythingthissideofdeath。Wefoundtheevidenceagainstustobethetestimonyofoneperson;ourmasterwouldnottellwhoitwas;butwecametoaunanimousdecisionamongourselvesastowhotheirinformantwas。WeweresentofftothejailatEaston。Whenwegotthere，weweredelivereduptothesheriff，Mr。JosephGraham，andbyhimplacedinjail。Henry，John，andmyself，wereplacedinoneroomtogether——Charles，andHenryBailey，inanother。Theirobjectinseparatinguswastohinderconcert。
Wehadbeeninjailscarcelytwentyminutes，whenaswarmofslavetraders，andagentsforslavetraders，flockedintojailtolookatus，andtoas-
certainifwewereforsale。SuchasetofbeingsI
neversawbefore！Ifeltmyselfsurroundedbysomanyfiendsfromperdition。Abandofpiratesneverlookedmoreliketheirfather，thedevil。Theylaughedandgrinnedoverus，saying，"Ah，myboys！
wehavegotyou，haven’twe？"Andaftertauntingusinvariousways，theyonebyonewentintoanexaminationofus，withintenttoascertainourvalue。
Theywouldimpudentlyaskusifwewouldnotliketohavethemforourmasters。Wewouldmakethemnoanswer，andleavethemtofindoutasbesttheycould。Thentheywouldcurseandswearatus，tellingusthattheycouldtakethedeviloutofusinaverylittlewhile，ifwewereonlyintheirhands。
Whileinjail，wefoundourselvesinmuchmorecomfortablequartersthanweexpectedwhenwewentthere。Wedidnotgetmuchtoeat，northatwhichwasverygood;butwehadagoodcleanroom，fromthewindowsofwhichwecouldseewhatwasgo-
ingoninthestreet，whichwasverymuchbetterthanthoughwehadbeenplacedinoneofthedark，dampcells。Uponthewhole，wegotalongverywell，sofarasthejailanditskeeperwereconcerned。
Immediatelyaftertheholidayswereover，contrarytoallourexpectations，Mr。HamiltonandMr。Free-
landcameuptoEaston，andtookCharles，thetwoHenrys，andJohn，outofjail，andcarriedthemhome，leavingmealone。Iregardedthisseparationasafinalone。Itcausedmemorepainthananythingelseinthewholetransaction。Iwasreadyforanythingratherthanseparation。Isupposedthattheyhadconsultedtogether，andhaddecidedthat，asIwasthewholecauseoftheintentionoftheotherstorunaway，itwashardtomaketheinnocentsufferwiththeguilty;andthattheyhad，therefore，concludedtotaketheothershome，andsellme，asawarningtotheothersthatremained。ItisduetothenobleHenrytosay，heseemedalmostasreluctantatleavingtheprisonasatleavinghometocometotheprison。Butweknewweshould，inallprobability，beseparated，ifweweresold;andsincehewasintheirhands，heconcludedtogopeaceablyhome。
Iwasnowlefttomyfate。Iwasallalone，andwithinthewallsofastoneprison。Butafewdaysbefore，andIwasfullofhope。Iexpectedtohavebeensafeinalandoffreedom;butnowIwascov-
eredwithgloom，sunkdowntotheutmostdespair。
Ithoughtthepossibilityoffreedomwasgone。I
waskeptinthiswayaboutoneweek，attheendofwhich，CaptainAuld，mymaster，tomysurpriseandutterastonishment，cameup，andtookmeout，withtheintentionofsendingme，withagentlemanofhisacquaintance，intoAlabama。But，fromsomecauseorother，hedidnotsendmetoAlabama，butconcludedtosendmebacktoBaltimore，toliveagainwithhisbrotherHugh，andtolearnatrade。
Thus，afteranabsenceofthreeyearsandonemonth，IwasoncemorepermittedtoreturntomyoldhomeatBaltimore。Mymastersentmeaway，becausethereexistedagainstmeaverygreatpreju-
diceinthecommunity，andhefearedImightbekilled。
InafewweeksafterIwenttoBaltimore，MasterHughhiredmetoMr。WilliamGardner，anex-
tensiveship-builder，onFell’sPoint。Iwasputtheretolearnhowtocalk。It，however，provedaveryunfavorableplacefortheaccomplishmentofthisobject。Mr。Gardnerwasengagedthatspringinbuildingtwolargeman-of-warbrigs，professedlyfortheMexicangovernment。ThevesselsweretobelaunchedintheJulyofthatyear，andinfailurethereof，Mr。Gardnerwastoloseaconsiderablesum;
sothatwhenIentered，allwashurry。Therewasnotimetolearnanything。Everymanhadtodothatwhichheknewhowtodo。Inenteringtheship-
yard，myordersfromMr。Gardnerwere，todowhat-
everthecarpenterscommandedmetodo。Thiswasplacingmeatthebeckandcallofaboutseventy-fivemen。Iwastoregardalltheseasmasters。Theirwordwastobemylaw。Mysituationwasamosttryingone。AttimesIneededadozenpairofhands。
Iwascalledadozenwaysinthespaceofasingleminute。Threeorfourvoiceswouldstrikemyearatthesamemoment。Itwas——"Fred。，comehelpmetocantthistimberhere。"——"Fred。，comecarrythistimberyonder。"——"Fred。，bringthatrollerhere。"——
"Fred。，gogetafreshcanofwater。"——"Fred。，comehelpsawofftheendofthistimber。"——"Fred。，goquick，andgetthecrowbar。"——"Fred。，holdontheendofthisfall。"——"Fred。，gototheblacksmith’sshop，andgetanewpunch。"——"Hurra，Fred。！runandbringmeacoldchisel。"——"Isay，Fred。，bearahand，andgetupafireasquickaslightningunderthatsteam-box。"——"Halloo，nigger！come，turnthisgrindstone。"——"Come，come！move，move！andBOWSE
thistimberforward。"——"Isay，darky，blastyoureyes，whydon’tyouheatupsomepitch？"——"Halloo！
halloo！halloo！"（Threevoicesatthesametime。）
"Comehere！——Gothere！——Holdonwhereyouare！
Damnyou，ifyoumove，I’llknockyourbrainsout！"
Thiswasmyschoolforeightmonths;andImighthaveremainedtherelonger，butforamosthorridfightIhadwithfourofthewhiteapprentices，inwhichmylefteyewasnearlyknockedout，andI
washorriblymangledinotherrespects。Thefactsinthecasewerethese：UntilaverylittlewhileafterIwentthere，whiteandblackship-carpentersworkedsidebyside，andnooneseemedtoseeanyimproprietyinit。Allhandsseemedtobeverywellsatisfied。Manyoftheblackcarpenterswerefreemen。
Thingsseemedtobegoingonverywell。Allatonce，thewhitecarpentersknockedoff，andsaidtheywouldnotworkwithfreecoloredworkmen。Theirreasonforthis，asalleged，was，thatiffreecoloredcarpenterswereencouraged，theywouldsoontakethetradeintotheirownhands，andpoorwhitemenwouldbethrownoutofemployment。Theythereforefeltcalleduponatoncetoputastoptoit。And，takingadvantageofMr。Gardner’snecessities，theybrokeoff，swearingtheywouldworknolonger，unlesshewoulddischargehisblackcarpenters。Now，thoughthisdidnotextendtomeinform，itdidreachmeinfact。Myfellow-apprenticesverysoonbegantofeelitdegradingtothemtoworkwithme。Theybegantoputonairs，andtalkaboutthe"niggers"takingthecountry，sayingwealloughttobekilled;and，beingencouragedbythejourney-
men，theycommencedmakingmyconditionashardastheycould，byhectoringmearound，andsometimesstrikingme。I，ofcourse，keptthevowImadeafterthefightwithMr。Covey，andstruckbackagain，regardlessofconsequences;andwhileIkeptthemfromcombining，Isucceededverywell;
forIcouldwhipthewholeofthem，takingthemseparately。They，however，atlengthcombined，andcameuponme，armedwithsticks，stones，andheavyhandspikes。Onecameinfrontwithahalfbrick。
Therewasoneateachsideofme，andonebehindme。WhileIwasattendingtothoseinfront，andoneitherside，theonebehindranupwiththehand-
spike，andstruckmeaheavyblowuponthehead。
Itstunnedme。Ifell，andwiththistheyallranuponme，andfelltobeatingmewiththeirfists。I
letthemlayonforawhile，gatheringstrength。Inaninstant，Igaveasuddensurge，androsetomyhandsandknees。JustasIdidthat，oneoftheirnumbergaveme，withhisheavyboot，apowerfulkickinthelefteye。Myeyeballseemedtohaveburst。Whentheysawmyeyeclosed，andbadlyswollen，theyleftme。WiththisIseizedthehand-
spike，andforatimepursuedthem。Butherethecarpentersinterfered，andIthoughtImightaswellgiveitup。Itwasimpossibletostandmyhandagainstsomany。Allthistookplaceinsightofnotlessthanfiftywhiteship-carpenters，andnotoneinterposedafriendlyword;butsomecried，"Killthedamnednigger！Killhim！killhim！Hestruckawhiteperson。"Ifoundmyonlychanceforlifewasinflight。Isucceededingettingawaywithoutanadditionalblow，andbarelyso;fortostrikeawhitemanisdeathbyLynchlaw，——andthatwasthelawinMr。Gardner’sship-yard;noristheremuchofanyotheroutofMr。Gardner’sship-yard。
Iwentdirectlyhome，andtoldthestoryofmywrongstoMasterHugh;andIamhappytosayofhim，irreligiousashewas，hisconductwasheavenly，comparedwiththatofhisbrotherThomasundersimilarcircumstances。Helistenedattentivelytomynarrationofthecircumstancesleadingtothesavageoutrage，andgavemanyproofsofhisstrongindigna-
tionatit。Theheartofmyonceoverkindmistresswasagainmeltedintopity。Mypuffed-outeyeandblood-coveredfacemovedhertotears。Shetookachairbyme，washedthebloodfrommyface，and，withamother’stenderness，boundupmyhead，coveringthewoundedeyewithaleanpieceoffreshbeef。Itwasalmostcompensationformysufferingtowitness，oncemore，amanifestationofkindnessfromthis，myonceaffectionateoldmistress。MasterHughwasverymuchenraged。Hegaveexpressiontohisfeelingsbypouringoutcursesupontheheadsofthosewhodidthedeed。AssoonasIgotalittlethebetterofmybruises，hetookmewithhimtoEsquireWatson’s，onBondStreet，toseewhatcouldbedoneaboutthematter。Mr。Watsoninquiredwhosawtheassaultcommitted。MasterHughtoldhimitwasdoneinMr。Gardner’sship-yardatmidday，wheretherewerealargecompanyofmenatwork。
"Astothat，"hesaid，"thedeedwasdone，andtherewasnoquestionastowhodidit。"Hisanswerwas，hecoulddonothinginthecase，unlesssomewhitemanwouldcomeforwardandtestify。Hecouldissuenowarrantonmyword。IfIhadbeenkilledinthepresenceofathousandcoloredpeople，theirtestimonycombinedwouldhavebeeninsufficienttohavearrestedoneofthemurderers。MasterHugh，foronce，wascompelledtosaythisstateofthingswastoobad。Ofcourse，itwasimpossibletogetanywhitemantovolunteerhistestimonyinmybehalf，andagainstthewhiteyoungmen。Eventhosewhomayhavesympathizedwithmewerenotpreparedtodothis。Itrequiredadegreeofcourageunknowntothemtodoso;forjustatthattime，theslightestmanifestationofhumanitytowardacoloredpersonwasdenouncedasabolitionism，andthatnamesub-
jecteditsbearertofrightfulliabilities。Thewatch-
wordsofthebloody-mindedinthatregion，andinthosedays，were，"Damntheabolitionists！"and"Damntheniggers！"Therewasnothingdone，andprobablynothingwouldhavebeendoneifIhadbeenkilled。Suchwas，andsuchremains，thestateofthingsintheChristiancityofBaltimore。
MasterHugh，findinghecouldgetnoredress，re-
fusedtoletmegobackagaintoMr。Gardner。Hekeptmehimself，andhiswifedressedmywoundtillIwasagainrestoredtohealth。Hethentookmeintotheship-yardofwhichhewasforeman，intheemploymentofMr。WalterPrice。ThereIwasim-
mediatelysettocalking，andverysoonlearnedtheartofusingmymalletandirons。InthecourseofoneyearfromthetimeIleftMr。Gardner’s，Iwasabletocommandthehighestwagesgiventothemostexperiencedcalkers。Iwasnowofsomeimpor-
tancetomymaster。Iwasbringinghimfromsixtosevendollarsperweek。Isometimesbroughthimninedollarsperweek：mywageswereadollarandahalfaday。Afterlearninghowtocalk，Isoughtmyownemployment，mademyowncontracts，andcollectedthemoneywhichIearned。Mypathwaybecamemuchmoresmooththanbefore;mycondi-
tionwasnowmuchmorecomfortable。WhenIcouldgetnocalkingtodo，Ididnothing。Duringtheseleisuretimes，thoseoldnotionsaboutfreedomwouldstealovermeagain。WheninMr。Gardner’semploy-
ment，Iwaskeptinsuchaperpetualwhirlofex-
citement，Icouldthinkofnothing，scarcely，butmylife;andinthinkingofmylife，Ialmostforgotmyliberty。Ihaveobservedthisinmyexperienceofslavery，——thatwhenevermyconditionwasim-
proved，insteadofitsincreasingmycontentment，itonlyincreasedmydesiretobefree，andsetmetothinkingofplanstogainmyfreedom。Ihavefoundthat，tomakeacontentedslave，itisnecessarytomakeathoughtlessone。Itisnecessarytodarkenhismoralandmentalvision，and，asfaraspossible，toannihilatethepowerofreason。Hemustbeabletodetectnoinconsistenciesinslavery;hemustbemadetofeelthatslaveryisright;andhecanbebroughttothatonlywhenheceasestobeaman。
Iwasnowgetting，asIhavesaid，onedollarandfiftycentsperday。Icontractedforit;Iearnedit;
itwaspaidtome;itwasrightfullymyown;yet，uponeachreturningSaturdaynight，IwascompelledtodelivereverycentofthatmoneytoMasterHugh。
Andwhy？Notbecauseheearnedit，——notbecausehehadanyhandinearningit，——notbecauseIowedittohim，——norbecausehepossessedtheslightestshadowofarighttoit;butsolelybecausehehadthepowertocompelmetogiveitup。Therightofthegrim-visagedpirateuponthehighseasisexactlythesame。
CHAPTERXI
InowcometothatpartofmylifeduringwhichI
planned，andfinallysucceededinmaking，myescapefromslavery。Butbeforenarratinganyofthepe-
culiarcircumstances，Ideemitpropertomakeknownmyintentionnottostateallthefactscon-
nectedwiththetransaction。Myreasonsforpursuingthiscoursemaybeunderstoodfromthefollowing：
First，wereItogiveaminutestatementofallthefacts，itisnotonlypossible，butquiteprobable，thatotherswouldtherebybeinvolvedinthemostembar-
rassingdifficulties。Secondly，suchastatementwouldmostundoubtedlyinducegreatervigilanceonthepartofslaveholdersthanhasexistedheretoforeamongthem;whichwould，ofcourse，bethemeansofguardingadoorwherebysomedearbrotherbond-
manmightescapehisgallingchains。Ideeplyregretthenecessitythatimpelsmetosuppressanythingofimportanceconnectedwithmyexperienceinslavery。Itwouldaffordmegreatpleasureindeed，aswellasmateriallyaddtotheinterestofmynar-
rative，wereIatlibertytogratifyacuriosity，whichIknowexistsinthemindsofmany，byanaccuratestatementofallthefactspertainingtomymostfortunateescape。ButImustdeprivemyselfofthispleasure，andthecuriousofthegratificationwhichsuchastatementwouldafford。Iwouldallowmy-
selftosufferunderthegreatestimputationswhichevil-mindedmenmightsuggest，ratherthanexcul-
patemyself，andtherebyrunthehazardofclosingtheslightestavenuebywhichabrotherslavemightclearhimselfofthechainsandfettersofslavery。
Ihaveneverapprovedoftheverypublicmannerinwhichsomeofourwesternfriendshaveconductedwhattheycallthe~undergroundrailroad，~butwhichIthink，bytheiropendeclarations，hasbeenmademostemphaticallythe~uppergroundrailroad。~Ihonorthosegoodmenandwomenfortheirnobledaring，andapplaudthemforwillinglysubjectingthem-
selvestobloodypersecution，byopenlyavowingtheirparticipationintheescapeofslaves。I，however，canseeverylittlegoodresultingfromsuchacourse，eithertothemselvesortheslavesescaping;while，upontheotherhand，Iseeandfeelassuredthatthoseopendeclarationsareapositiveeviltotheslavesremaining，whoareseekingtoescape。Theydonothingtowardsenlighteningtheslave，whilsttheydomuchtowardsenlighteningthemaster。
Theystimulatehimtogreaterwatchfulness，andenhancehispowertocapturehisslave。Weowesomethingtotheslavesouthofthelineaswellastothosenorthofit;andinaidingthelatterontheirwaytofreedom，weshouldbecarefultodonothingwhichwouldbelikelytohindertheformerfromescapingfromslavery。Iwouldkeepthemercilessslaveholderprofoundlyignorantofthemeansofflightadoptedbytheslave。Iwouldleavehimtoimaginehimselfsurroundedbymyriadsofinvisibletormentors，everreadytosnatchfromhisinfernalgrasphistremblingprey。Lethimbelefttofeelhiswayinthedark;letdarknesscommensuratewithhiscrimehoveroverhim;andlethimfeelthatateverystephetakes，inpursuitoftheflyingbondman，heisrunningthefrightfulriskofhavinghishotbrainsdashedoutbyaninvisibleagency。Letusrenderthetyrantnoaid;letusnotholdthelightbywhichhecantracethefootprintsofourflyingbrother。Butenoughofthis。Iwillnowproceedtothestatementofthosefacts，connectedwithmyescape，forwhichIamaloneresponsible，andforwhichnoonecanbemadetosufferbutmyself。
Intheearlypartoftheyear1838，Ibecamequiterestless。IcouldseenoreasonwhyIshould，attheendofeachweek，pourtherewardofmytoilintothepurseofmymaster。WhenIcarriedtohimmyweeklywages，hewould，aftercountingthemoney，lookmeinthefacewitharobber-likefierceness，andask，"Isthisall？"Hewassatisfiedwithnothinglessthanthelastcent。Hewould，however，whenI
madehimsixdollars，sometimesgivemesixcents，toencourageme。Ithadtheoppositeeffect。Ire-
gardeditasasortofadmissionofmyrighttothewhole。Thefactthathegavemeanypartofmywageswasproof，tomymind，thathebelievedmeentitledtothewholeofthem。Ialwaysfeltworseforhavingreceivedanything;forIfearedthatthegivingmeafewcentswouldeasehisconscience，andmakehimfeelhimselftobeaprettyhonorablesortofrobber。Mydiscontentgrewuponme。Iwaseveronthelook-outformeansofescape;and，find-
ingnodirectmeans，Ideterminedtotrytohiremytime，withaviewofgettingmoneywithwhichtomakemyescape。Inthespringof1838，whenMasterThomascametoBaltimoretopurchasehisspringgoods，Igotanopportunity，andappliedtohimtoallowmetohiremytime。Heunhesitatinglyrefusedmyrequest，andtoldmethiswasanotherstratagembywhichtoescape。HetoldmeIcouldgonowherebutthathecouldgetme;andthat，intheeventofmyrunningaway，heshouldsparenopainsinhiseffortstocatchme。Heexhortedmetocontentmyself，andbeobedient。Hetoldme，ifIwouldbehappy，Imustlayoutnoplansforthefuture。
Hesaid，ifIbehavedmyselfproperly，hewouldtakecareofme。Indeed，headvisedmetocompletethoughtlessnessofthefuture，andtaughtmetode-
pendsolelyuponhimforhappiness。Heseemedtoseefullythepressingnecessityofsettingasidemyintellectualnature，inordertocontentmentinslavery。Butinspiteofhim，andeveninspiteofmyself，Icontinuedtothink，andtothinkabouttheinjusticeofmyenslavement，andthemeansofescape。
Abouttwomonthsafterthis，IappliedtoMasterHughfortheprivilegeofhiringmytime。HewasnotacquaintedwiththefactthatIhadappliedtoMasterThomas，andhadbeenrefused。Hetoo，atfirst，seemeddisposedtorefuse;but，aftersomere-
flection，hegrantedmetheprivilege，andproposedthefollowingterms：Iwastobeallowedallmytime，makeallcontractswiththoseforwhomI
worked，andfindmyownemployment;and，inre-
turnforthisliberty，Iwastopayhimthreedollarsattheendofeachweek;findmyselfincalkingtools，andinboardandclothing。Myboardwastwodol-
larsandahalfperweek。This，withthewearandtearofclothingandcalkingtools，mademyregularexpensesaboutsixdollarsperweek。ThisamountIwascompelledtomakeup，orrelinquishtheprivilegeofhiringmytime。Rainorshine，workornowork，attheendofeachweekthemoneymustbeforthcoming，orImustgiveupmyprivilege。Thisarrangement，itwillbeperceived，wasdecidedlyinmymaster’sfavor。Itrelievedhimofallneedoflookingafterme。Hismoneywassure。Hereceivedallthebenefitsofslaveholdingwithoutitsevils;
whileIenduredalltheevilsofaslave，andsufferedallthecareandanxietyofafreeman。Ifounditahardbargain。But，hardasitwas，Ithoughtitbetterthantheoldmodeofgettingalong。Itwasasteptowardsfreedomtobeallowedtobeartherespon-
sibilitiesofafreeman，andIwasdeterminedtoholdonuponit。Ibentmyselftotheworkofmakingmoney。Iwasreadytoworkatnightaswellasday，andbythemostuntiringperseveranceandindustry，Imadeenoughtomeetmyexpenses，andlayupalittlemoneyeveryweek。IwentonthusfromMaytillAugust。MasterHughthenrefusedtoallowmetohiremytimelonger。Thegroundforhisrefusalwasafailureonmypart，oneSaturdaynight，topayhimformyweek’stime。ThisfailurewasoccasionedbymyattendingacampmeetingabouttenmilesfromBaltimore。Duringtheweek，IhadenteredintoanengagementwithanumberofyoungfriendstostartfromBaltimoretothecampgroundearlySaturdayevening;andbeingdetainedbymyem-
ployer，IwasunabletogetdowntoMasterHugh’swithoutdisappointingthecompany。IknewthatMasterHughwasinnospecialneedofthemoneythatnight。Ithereforedecidedtogotocampmeet-
ing，anduponmyreturnpayhimthethreedollars。
IstaidatthecampmeetingonedaylongerthanI
intendedwhenIleft。ButassoonasIreturned，I
calleduponhimtopayhimwhatheconsideredhisdue。Ifoundhimveryangry;hecouldscarcerestrainhiswrath。Hesaidhehadagreatmindtogivemeaseverewhipping。HewishedtoknowhowIdaredgooutofthecitywithoutaskinghispermission。I
toldhimIhiredmytimeandwhileIpaidhimthepricewhichheaskedforit，IdidnotknowthatI
wasboundtoaskhimwhenandwhereIshouldgo。
Thisreplytroubledhim;and，afterreflectingafewmoments，heturnedtome，andsaidIshouldhiremytimenolonger;thatthenextthingheshouldknowof，Iwouldberunningaway。Uponthesameplea，hetoldmetobringmytoolsandclothinghomeforthwith。Ididso;butinsteadofseekingwork，asIhadbeenaccustomedtodopreviouslytohiringmytime，Ispentthewholeweekwithouttheperformanceofasinglestrokeofwork。Ididthisinretaliation。Saturdaynight，hecalleduponmeasusualformyweek’swages。ItoldhimIhadnowages;Ihaddonenoworkthatweek。Herewewereuponthepointofcomingtoblows。Heraved，andsworehisdeterminationtogetholdofme。Ididnotallowmyselfasingleword;butwasresolved，ifhelaidtheweightofhishanduponme，itshouldbeblowforblow。Hedidnotstrikeme，buttoldmethathewouldfindmeinconstantemploymentinfuture。Ithoughtthematteroverduringthenextday，Sunday，andfinallyresolveduponthethirddayofSeptember，asthedayuponwhichIwouldmakeasecondattempttosecuremyfreedom。Inowhadthreeweeksduringwhichtoprepareformyjourney。
EarlyonMondaymorning，beforeMasterHughhadtimetomakeanyengagementforme，IwentoutandgotemploymentofMr。Butler，athisship-yardnearthedrawbridge，uponwhatiscalledtheCityBlock，thusmakingitunnecessaryforhimtoseekemploymentforme。Attheendoftheweek，I
broughthimbetweeneightandninedollars。Heseemedverywellpleased，andaskedwhyIdidnotdothesametheweekbefore。Helittleknewwhatmyplanswere。Myobjectinworkingsteadilywastoremoveanysuspicionhemightentertainofmyintenttorunaway;andinthisIsucceededadmi-
rably。IsupposehethoughtIwasneverbettersatisfiedwithmyconditionthanattheverytimeduringwhichIwasplanningmyescape。Thesecondweekpassed，andagainIcarriedhimmyfullwages;
andsowellpleasedwashe，thathegavemetwenty-
fivecents，（quitealargesumforaslaveholdertogiveaslave，）andbademetomakeagooduseofit。
ItoldhimIwould。
Thingswentonwithoutverysmoothlyindeed，butwithintherewastrouble。Itisimpossibleformetodescribemyfeelingsasthetimeofmycon-
templatedstartdrewnear。Ihadanumberofwarm-
heartedfriendsinBaltimore，——friendsthatIlovedalmostasIdidmylife，——andthethoughtofbeingseparatedfromthemforeverwaspainfulbeyondexpression。Itismyopinionthatthousandswouldescapefromslavery，whonowremain，butforthestrongcordsofaffectionthatbindthemtotheirfriends。Thethoughtofleavingmyfriendswasde-
cidedlythemostpainfulthoughtwithwhichIhadtocontend。Theloveofthemwasmytenderpoint，andshookmydecisionmorethanallthingselse。
Besidesthepainofseparation，thedreadandappre-
hensionofafailureexceededwhatIhadexperiencedatmyfirstattempt。TheappallingdefeatIthensustainedreturnedtotormentme。Ifeltassuredthat，ifIfailedinthisattempt，mycasewouldbeahopelessone——itwouldsealmyfateasaslavefor-
ever。Icouldnothopetogetoffwithanythinglessthantheseverestpunishment，andbeingplacedbeyondthemeansofescape。ItrequirednoveryvividimaginationtodepictthemostfrightfulscenesthroughwhichIshouldhavetopass，incaseIfailed。Thewretchednessofslavery，andtheblessednessoffreedom，wereperpetuallybeforeme。
Itwaslifeanddeathwithme。ButIremainedfirm，and，accordingtomyresolution，onthethirddayofSeptember，1838，Ileftmychains，andsuc-
ceededinreachingNewYorkwithouttheslightestinterruptionofanykind。HowIdidso，——whatmeansIadopted，——whatdirectionItravelled，andbywhatmodeofconveyance，——Imustleaveunexplained，forthereasonsbeforementioned。
IhavebeenfrequentlyaskedhowIfeltwhenI
foundmyselfinafreeState。Ihaveneverbeenabletoanswerthequestionwithanysatisfactiontomy-
self。ItwasamomentofthehighestexcitementI
everexperienced。IsupposeIfeltasonemayimaginetheunarmedmarinertofeelwhenheisrescuedbyafriendlyman-of-warfromthepursuitofapirate。
Inwritingtoadearfriend，immediatelyaftermyarrivalatNewYork，IsaidIfeltlikeonewhohadescapedadenofhungrylions。Thisstateofmind，however，verysoonsubsided;andIwasagainseizedwithafeelingofgreatinsecurityandloneliness。I
wasyetliabletobetakenback，andsubjectedtoallthetorturesofslavery。Thisinitselfwasenoughtodamptheardorofmyenthusiasm。Butthelone-
linessovercameme。ThereIwasinthemidstofthousands，andyetaperfectstranger;withouthomeandwithoutfriends，inthemidstofthousandsofmyownbrethren——childrenofacommonFather，andyetIdarednottounfoldtoanyoneofthemmysadcondition。Iwasafraidtospeaktoanyoneforfearofspeakingtothewrongone，andtherebyfall-
ingintothehandsofmoney-lovingkidnappers，whosebusinessitwastolieinwaitforthepantingfugitive，astheferociousbeastsoftheforestlieinwaitfortheirprey。ThemottowhichIadoptedwhenIstartedfromslaverywasthis——"Trustnoman！"Isawineverywhitemananenemy，andinalmosteverycoloredmancausefordistrust。Itwasamostpainfulsituation;and，tounderstandit，onemustneedsexperienceit，orimaginehimselfinsimilarcircumstances。Lethimbeafugitiveslaveinastrangeland——alandgivenuptobethehunting-
groundforslaveholders——whoseinhabitantsarelegal-
izedkidnappers——whereheiseverymomentsub-
jectedtotheterribleliabilityofbeingseizeduponbyhisfellowmen，asthehideouscrocodileseizesuponhisprey！——Isay，lethimplacehimselfinmysituation——withouthomeorfriends——withoutmoneyorcredit——wantingshelter，andnoonetogiveit——
wantingbread，andnomoneytobuyit，——andatthesametimelethimfeelthatheispursuedbymerci-
lessmen-hunters，andintotaldarknessastowhattodo，wheretogo，orwheretostay，——perfectlyhelp-
lessbothastothemeansofdefenceandmeansofescape，——inthemidstofplenty，yetsufferingtheter-
riblegnawingsofhunger，——inthemidstofhouses，yethavingnohome，——amongfellow-men，yetfeelingasifinthemidstofwildbeasts，whosegreedinesstoswallowupthetremblingandhalf-famishedfugi-
tiveisonlyequalledbythatwithwhichthemonstersofthedeepswallowupthehelplessfishuponwhichtheysubsist，——Isay，lethimbeplacedinthismosttryingsituation，——thesituationinwhichIwasplaced，——then，andnottillthen，willhefullyappreciatethehardshipsof，andknowhowtosympathizewith，thetoil-wornandwhip-scarredfugitiveslave。
ThankHeaven，Iremainedbutashorttimeinthisdistressedsituation。IwasrelievedfromitbythehumanehandofMr。DAVIDRUGGLES，whosevigi-
lance，kindness，andperseverance，Ishallneverfor-
get。Iamgladofanopportunitytoexpress，asfaraswordscan，theloveandgratitudeIbearhim。Mr。
Rugglesisnowafflictedwithblindness，andishim-
selfinneedofthesamekindofficeswhichhewasoncesoforwardintheperformanceoftowardothers。
IhadbeeninNewYorkbutafewdays，whenMr。
Rugglessoughtmeout，andverykindlytookmetohisboarding-houseatthecornerofChurchandLespenardStreets。Mr。Ruggleswasthenverydeeplyengagedinthememorable~Darg~case，aswellasat-
tendingtoanumberofotherfugitiveslaves，devis-
ingwaysandmeansfortheirsuccessfulescape;and，thoughwatchedandhemmedinonalmosteveryside，heseemedtobemorethanamatchforhisenemies。
VerysoonafterIwenttoMr。Ruggles，hewishedtoknowofmewhereIwantedtogo;ashedeemeditunsafeformetoremaininNewYork。ItoldhimIwasacalker，andshouldliketogowhereIcouldgetwork。IthoughtofgoingtoCanada;buthede-
cidedagainstit，andinfavorofmygoingtoNewBedford，thinkingIshouldbeabletogetworkthereatmytrade。Atthistime，Anna，*myintendedwife，cameon;forIwrotetoherimmediatelyaftermyarrivalatNewYork，（notwithstandingmyhomeless，houseless，andhelplesscondition，）informingherofmysuccessfulflight，andwishinghertocomeonforthwith。Inafewdaysafterherarrival，Mr。Rug-
glescalledintheRev。J。W。C。Pennington，who，inthepresenceofMr。Ruggles，Mrs。Michaels，andtwoorthreeothers，performedthemarriagecere-
mony，andgaveusacertificate，ofwhichthefol-
lowingisanexactcopy：——
"Thismaycertify，thatIjoinedtogetherinholymatrimonyFrederickJohnsonandAnnaMurray，asmanandwife，inthepresenceofMr。DavidRugglesandMrs。Michaels。
"JAMESW。C。PENNINGTON
"NEWYORK，SEPT。15，1838"
Uponreceivingthiscertificate，andafive-dollarbillfromMr。Ruggles，Ishoulderedonepartofourbaggage，andAnnatookuptheother，andwesetoutforthwithtotakepassageonboardofthesteam-
boatJohnW。RichmondforNewport，onourwaytoNewBedford。Mr。RugglesgavemealettertoaMr。ShawinNewport，andtoldme，incasemymoneydidnotservemetoNewBedford，tostopinNewportandobtainfurtherassistance;butuponour*Shewasfree。
IhadchangedmynamefromFrederickBAILEY
tothatofJOHNSON。
arrivalatNewport，weweresoanxioustogettoaplaceofsafety，that，notwithstandingwelackedthenecessarymoneytopayourfare，wedecidedtotakeseatsinthestage，andpromisetopaywhenwegottoNewBedford。Wewereencouragedtodothisbytwoexcellentgentlemen，residentsofNewBedford，whosenamesIafterwardascertainedtobeJosephRicketsonandWilliamC。Taber。Theyseemedatoncetounderstandourcircumstances，andgaveussuchassuranceoftheirfriendlinessasputusfullyateaseintheirpresence。Itwasgoodindeedtomeetwithsuchfriends，atsuchatime。UponreachingNewBedford，weweredirectedtothehouseofMr。
NathanJohnson，bywhomwewerekindlyreceived，andhospitablyprovidedfor。BothMr。andMrs。
Johnsontookadeepandlivelyinterestinourwel-
fare。Theyprovedthemselvesquiteworthyofthenameofabolitionists。Whenthestage-driverfoundusunabletopayourfare，heheldonuponourbag-
gageassecurityforthedebt。IhadbuttomentionthefacttoMr。Johnson，andheforthwithadvancedthemoney。
Wenowbegantofeeladegreeofsafety，andtoprepareourselvesforthedutiesandresponsibilitiesofalifeoffreedom。Onthemorningafterourar-
rivalatNewBedford，whileatthebreakfast-table，thequestionaroseastowhatnameIshouldbecalledby。Thenamegivenmebymymotherwas，"FrederickAugustusWashingtonBailey。"I，how-
ever，haddispensedwiththetwomiddlenameslongbeforeIleftMarylandsothatIwasgenerallyknownbythenameof"FrederickBailey。"IstartedfromBaltimorebearingthenameof"Stanley。"WhenI
gottoNewYork，Iagainchangedmynameto"Fred-
erickJohnson，"andthoughtthatwouldbethelastchange。ButwhenIgottoNewBedford，Ifounditnecessaryagaintochangemyname。Thereasonofthisnecessitywas，thatthereweresomanyJohnsonsinNewBedford，itwasalreadyquitedifficulttodistinguishbetweenthem。IgaveMr。Johnsontheprivilegeofchoosingmeaname，buttoldhimhemustnottakefrommethenameof"Frederick。"
Imustholdontothat，topreserveasenseofmyidentity。Mr。Johnsonhadjustbeenreadingthe"LadyoftheLake，"andatoncesuggestedthatmynamebe"Douglass。"FromthattimeuntilnowI
havebeencalled"FrederickDouglass;"andasIammorewidelyknownbythatnamethanbyeitheroftheothers，Ishallcontinuetouseitasmyown。
Iwasquitedisappointedatthegeneralappear-
anceofthingsinNewBedford。TheimpressionwhichIhadreceivedrespectingthecharacterandconditionofthepeopleofthenorth，Ifoundtobesingularlyerroneous。Ihadverystrangelysupposed，whileinslavery，thatfewofthecomforts，andscarcelyanyoftheluxuries，oflifewereenjoyedatthenorth，comparedwithwhatwereenjoyedbytheslaveholdersofthesouth。Iprobablycametothisconclusionfromthefactthatnorthernpeopleownednoslaves。Isupposedthattheywereaboutuponalevelwiththenon-slaveholdingpopulationofthesouth。Iknew~they~wereexceedinglypoor，andIhadbeenaccustomedtoregardtheirpovertyasthenec-
essaryconsequenceoftheirbeingnon-slaveholders。
Ihadsomehowimbibedtheopinionthat，intheabsenceofslaves，therecouldbenowealth，andverylittlerefinement。Anduponcomingtothenorth，I
expectedtomeetwitharough，hard-handed，anduncultivatedpopulation，livinginthemostSpartan-
likesimplicity，knowingnothingoftheease，luxury，pomp，andgrandeurofsouthernslaveholders。Suchbeingmyconjectures，anyoneacquaintedwiththeappearanceofNewBedfordmayveryreadilyinferhowpalpablyImusthaveseenmymistake。
IntheafternoonofthedaywhenIreachedNewBedford，Ivisitedthewharves，totakeaviewoftheshipping。HereIfoundmyselfsurroundedwiththestrongestproofsofwealth。Lyingatthewharves，andridinginthestream，Isawmanyshipsofthefinestmodel，inthebestorder，andofthelargestsize。
Upontherightandleft，Iwaswalledinbygranitewarehousesofthewidestdimensions，stowedtotheirutmostcapacitywiththenecessariesandcomfortsoflife。Addedtothis，almosteverybodyseemedtobeatwork，butnoiselesslyso，comparedwithwhatIhadbeenaccustomedtoinBaltimore。Therewerenoloudsongsheardfromthoseengagedinloadingandunloadingships。Iheardnodeepoathsorhorridcursesonthelaborer。Isawnowhippingofmen;
butallseemedtogosmoothlyon。Everymanap-
pearedtounderstandhiswork，andwentatitwithasober，yetcheerfulearnestness，whichbetokenedthedeepinterestwhichhefeltinwhathewasdoing，aswellasasenseofhisowndignityasaman。Tomethislookedexceedinglystrange。FromthewharvesI
strolledaroundandoverthetown，gazingwithwon-
derandadmirationatthesplendidchurches，beauti-
fuldwellings，andfinely-cultivatedgardens;evincinganamountofwealth，comfort，taste，andrefinement，suchasIhadneverseeninanypartofslaveholdingMaryland。
Everythinglookedclean，new，andbeautiful。I
sawfewornodilapidatedhouses，withpoverty-
strickeninmates;nohalf-nakedchildrenandbare-
footedwomen，suchasIhadbeenaccustomedtoseeinHillsborough，Easton，St。Michael’s，andBalti-
more。Thepeoplelookedmoreable，stronger，health-
ier，andhappier，thanthoseofMaryland。Iwasforoncemadegladbyaviewofextremewealth，withoutbeingsaddenedbyseeingextremepoverty。Butthemostastonishingaswellasthemostinterestingthingtomewastheconditionofthecoloredpeople，agreatmanyofwhom，likemyself，hadescapedthitherasarefugefromthehuntersofmen。Ifoundmany，whohadnotbeensevenyearsoutoftheirchains，livinginfinerhouses，andevidentlyenjoyingmoreofthecomfortsoflife，thantheaverageofslaveholdersinMaryland。Iwillventuretoassert，thatmyfriendMr。NathanJohnson（ofwhomI
cansaywithagratefulheart，"Iwashungry，andhegavememeat;Iwasthirsty，andhegavemedrink;
Iwasastranger，andhetookmein"）livedinaneaterhouse;dinedatabettertable;took，paidfor，andread，morenewspapers;betterunderstoodthemoral，religious，andpoliticalcharacterofthenation，——thanninetenthsoftheslaveholdersinTal-
botcountyMaryland。YetMr。Johnsonwasawork-
ingman。Hishandswerehardenedbytoil，andnothisalone，butthosealsoofMrs。Johnson。IfoundthecoloredpeoplemuchmorespiritedthanIhadsup-
posedtheywouldbe。Ifoundamongthemadeter-
minationtoprotecteachotherfromtheblood-thirstykidnapper，atallhazards。Soonaftermyarrival，I
wastoldofacircumstancewhichillustratedtheirspirit。Acoloredmanandafugitiveslavewereonunfriendlyterms。Theformerwasheardtothreatenthelatterwithinforminghismasterofhiswhere-
abouts。Straightwayameetingwascalledamongthecoloredpeople，underthestereotypednotice，"Busi-
nessofimportance！"Thebetrayerwasinvitedtoat-
tend。Thepeoplecameattheappointedhour，andorganizedthemeetingbyappointingaveryreligiousoldgentlemanaspresident，who，Ibelieve，madeaprayer，afterwhichheaddressedthemeetingasfol-
lows："~Friends，wehavegothimhere，andIwouldrecommendthatyouyoungmenjusttakehimout-
sidethedoor，andkillhim！~"Withthis，anumberofthemboltedathim;buttheywereinterceptedbysomemoretimidthanthemselves，andthebe-
trayerescapedtheirvengeance，andhasnotbeenseeninNewBedfordsince。Ibelievetherehavebeennomoresuchthreats，andshouldtherebehere-
after，Idoubtnotthatdeathwouldbetheconse-
quence。
Ifoundemployment，thethirddayaftermyar-
rival，instowingasloopwithaloadofoil。Itwasnew，dirty，andhardworkforme;butIwentatitwithagladheartandawillinghand。Iwasnowmyownmaster。Itwasahappymoment，theraptureofwhichcanbeunderstoodonlybythosewhohavebeenslaves。Itwasthefirstwork，therewardofwhichwastobeentirelymyown。TherewasnoMas-
terHughstandingready，themomentIearnedthemoney，torobmeofit。IworkedthatdaywithapleasureIhadneverbeforeexperienced。Iwasatworkformyselfandnewly-marriedwife。Itwastomethestarting-pointofanewexistence。WhenIgotthroughwiththatjob，Iwentinpursuitofajobofcalking;butsuchwasthestrengthofprejudiceagainstcolor，amongthewhitecalkers，thattheyre-
fusedtoworkwithme，andofcourseIcouldgetnoemployment。*Findingmytradeofnoimmediatebenefit，Ithrewoffmycalkinghabiliments，andpre-
paredmyselftodoanykindofworkIcouldgettodo。Mr。Johnsonkindlyletmehavehiswood-horseandsaw，andIverysoonfoundmyselfaplentyofwork。Therewasnoworktoohard——nonetoodirty。
Iwasreadytosawwood，shovelcoal，carrywood，sweepthechimney，orrolloilcasks，——allofwhichI
*IamtoldthatcoloredpersonscannowgetemploymentatcalkinginNewBedford——aresultofanti-slaveryeffort。
didfornearlythreeyearsinNewBedford，beforeI
becameknowntotheanti-slaveryworld。
InaboutfourmonthsafterIwenttoNewBed-
ford，therecameayoungmantome，andinquiredifIdidnotwishtotakethe"Liberator。"ItoldhimIdid;but，justhavingmademyescapefromslavery，IremarkedthatIwasunabletopayforitthen。I，however，finallybecameasubscribertoit。Thepapercame，andIreaditfromweektoweekwithsuchfeelingsasitwouldbequiteidleformetoattempttodescribe。Thepaperbecamemymeatandmydrink。Mysoulwassetallonfire。Itssympathyformybrethreninbonds——itsscathingdenunciationsofslaveholders——itsfaithfulexposuresofslavery——anditspowerfulattacksupontheupholdersoftheinstitu-
tion——sentathrillofjoythroughmysoul，suchasIhadneverfeltbefore！
Ihadnotlongbeenareaderofthe"Liberator，"
beforeIgotaprettycorrectideaoftheprinciples，measuresandspiritoftheanti-slaveryreform。Itookrightholdofthecause。Icoulddobutlittle;butwhatIcould，Ididwithajoyfulheart，andneverfelthappierthanwheninananti-slaverymeeting。Isel-
domhadmuchtosayatthemeetings，becausewhatIwantedtosaywassaidsomuchbetterbyothers。
But，whileattendingananti-slaveryconventionatNantucket，onthe11thofAugust，1841，Ifeltstronglymovedtospeak，andwasatthesametimemuchurgedtodosobyMr。WilliamC。Coffin，agentlemanwhohadheardmespeakinthecoloredpeople’smeetingatNewBedford。Itwasaseverecross，andItookitupreluctantly。Thetruthwas，Ifeltmyselfaslave，andtheideaofspeakingtowhitepeopleweighedmedown。Ispokebutafewmoments，whenIfeltadegreeoffreedom，andsaidwhatIdesiredwithconsiderableease。Fromthattimeuntilnow，Ihavebeenengagedinpleadingthecauseofmybrethren——withwhatsuccess，andwithwhatdevotion，Ileavethoseacquaintedwithmyla-
borstodecide。
APPENDIX
Ifind，sincereadingovertheforegoingNarrative，thatIhave，inseveralinstances，spokeninsuchatoneandmanner，respectingreligion，asmaypossi-
blyleadthoseunacquaintedwithmyreligiousviewstosupposemeanopponentofallreligion。Tore-
movetheliabilityofsuchmisapprehension，Ideemitpropertoappendthefollowingbriefexplanation。
WhatIhavesaidrespectingandagainstreligion，I
meanstrictlytoapplytothe~slaveholdingreligion~ofthisland，andwithnopossiblereferencetoChristi-
anityproper;for，betweentheChristianityofthisland，andtheChristianityofChrist，Irecognizethewidestpossibledifference——sowide，thattoreceivetheoneasgood，pure，andholy，isofnecessitytore-
jecttheotherasbad，corrupt，andwicked。Tobethefriendoftheone，isofnecessitytobetheenemyoftheother。Ilovethepure，peaceable，andimpar-
tialChristianityofChrist：Ithereforehatethecor-
rupt，slaveholding，women-whipping，cradle-plunder-
ing，partialandhypocriticalChristianityofthisland。
Indeed，Icanseenoreason，butthemostdeceitfulone，forcallingthereligionofthislandChristianity。
Ilookuponitastheclimaxofallmisnomers，theboldestofallfrauds，andthegrossestofalllibels。
Neverwasthereaclearercaseof"stealingtheliveryofthecourtofheaventoservethedevilin。"IamfilledwithunutterableloathingwhenIcontem-
platethereligiouspompandshow，togetherwiththehorribleinconsistencies，whicheverywheresurroundme。Wehavemen-stealersforministers，women-
whippersformissionaries，andcradle-plunderersforchurchmembers。Themanwhowieldstheblood-
clottedcowskinduringtheweekfillsthepulpitonSunday，andclaimstobeaministerofthemeekandlowlyJesus。Themanwhorobsmeofmyearningsattheendofeachweekmeetsmeasaclass-leaderonSundaymorning，toshowmethewayoflife，andthepathofsalvation。Hewhosellsmysister，forpurposesofprostitution，standsforthasthepi-
ousadvocateofpurity。Hewhoproclaimsitare-
ligiousdutytoreadtheBibledeniesmetherightoflearningtoreadthenameoftheGodwhomademe。Hewhoisthereligiousadvocateofmarriagerobswholemillionsofitssacredinfluence，andleavesthemtotheravagesofwholesalepollution。Thewarmdefenderofthesacrednessofthefamilyre-
lationisthesamethatscatterswholefamilies，——sun-
deringhusbandsandwives，parentsandchildren，sistersandbrothers，——leavingthehutvacant，andthehearthdesolate。Weseethethiefpreachingagainsttheft，andtheadultereragainstadultery。Wehavemensoldtobuildchurches，womensoldtosupportthegospel，andbabessoldtopurchaseBiblesforthePOORHEATHEN！ALLFORTHEGLORYOFGODANDTHE
GOODOFSOULS！Theslaveauctioneer’sbellandthechurch-goingbellchimeinwitheachother，andthebittercriesoftheheart-brokenslavearedrownedinthereligiousshoutsofhispiousmaster。Revivalsofreligionandrevivalsintheslave-tradegohandinhandtogether。Theslaveprisonandthechurchstandneareachother。Theclankingoffettersandtherattlingofchainsintheprison，andthepiouspsalmandsolemnprayerinthechurch，maybeheardatthesametime。Thedealersinthebodiesandsoulsofmenerecttheirstandinthepresenceofthepulpit，andtheymutuallyhelpeachother。
Thedealergiveshisblood-stainedgoldtosupportthepulpit，andthepulpit，inreturn，covershisin-
fernalbusinesswiththegarbofChristianity。Herewehavereligionandrobberythealliesofeachother——devilsdressedinangels’robes，andhellpresentingthesemblanceofparadise。
"JustGod！andthesearethey，Whoministeratthinealtar，Godofright！
Menwhotheirhands，withprayerandblessing，layOnIsrael’sarkoflight。
"What！preach，andkidnapmen？
Givethanks，androbthyownafflictedpoor？
Talkofthygloriousliberty，andthenBolthardthecaptive’sdoor？
"What！servantsofthyownMercifulSon，whocametoseekandsaveThehomelessandtheoutcast，fetteringdownThetaskedandplunderedslave！
"PilateandHerodfriends！
Chiefpriestsandrulers，asofold，combine！
JustGodandholy！isthatchurchwhichlendsStrengthtothespoilerthine？"
TheChristianityofAmericaisaChristianity，ofwhosevotariesitmaybeastrulysaid，asitwasoftheancientscribesandPharisees，"Theybindheavyburdens，andgrievoustobeborne，andlaythemonmen’sshoulders，buttheythemselveswillnotmovethemwithoneoftheirfingers。Alltheirworkstheydofortobeseenofmen。——Theylovetheupper-
mostroomsatfeasts，andthechiefseatsinthesyna-
gogues，……andtobecalledofmen，Rabbi，Rabbi。——Butwoeuntoyou，scribesandPharisees，hypocrites！foryeshutupthekingdomofheavenagainstmen;foryeneithergoinyourselves，neithersufferyethemthatareenteringtogoin。Yedevourwidows’houses，andforapretencemakelongprayers;thereforeyeshallreceivethegreaterdam-
nation。Yecompassseaandlandtomakeoneprose-
lyte，andwhenheismade，yemakehimtwofoldmorethechildofhellthanyourselves。——Woeuntoyou，scribesandPharisees，hypocrites！foryepaytitheofmint，andanise，andcumin，andhaveomit-
tedtheweightiermattersofthelaw，judgment，mercy，andfaith;theseoughtyetohavedone，andnottoleavetheotherundone。Yeblindguides！
whichstrainatagnat，andswallowacamel。Woeuntoyou，scribesandPharisees，hypocrites！foryemakecleantheoutsideofthecupandoftheplatter;
butwithin，theyarefullofextortionandexcess。——
Woeuntoyou，scribesandPharisees，hypocrites！foryearelikeuntowhitedsepulchres，whichindeedap-
pearbeautifuloutward，butarewithinfullofdeadmen’sbones，andofalluncleanness。Evensoyealsooutwardlyappearrighteousuntomen，butwithinyearefullofhypocrisyandiniquity。"
Darkandterribleasisthispicture，IholdittobestrictlytrueoftheoverwhelmingmassofprofessedChristiansinAmerica。Theystrainatagnat，andswallowacamel。Couldanythingbemoretrueofourchurches？Theywouldbeshockedatthepropo-
sitionoffellowshippingaSHEEP-stealer;andatthesametimetheyhugtotheircommunionaMAN-
stealer，andbrandmewithbeinganinfidel，ifI
findfaultwiththemforit。TheyattendwithPhari-
saicalstrictnesstotheoutwardformsofreligion，andatthesametimeneglecttheweightiermattersofthelaw，judgment，mercy，andfaith。Theyareal-
waysreadytosacrifice，butseldomtoshowmercy。
TheyaretheywhoarerepresentedasprofessingtoloveGodwhomtheyhavenotseen，whilsttheyhatetheirbrotherwhomtheyhaveseen。Theylovetheheathenontheothersideoftheglobe。Theycanprayforhim，paymoneytohavetheBibleputintohishand，andmissionariestoinstructhim;whiletheydespiseandtotallyneglecttheheathenattheirowndoors。
Suchis，verybriefly，myviewofthereligionofthisland;andtoavoidanymisunderstanding，grow-
ingoutoftheuseofgeneralterms，Imeanbythereligionofthisland，thatwhichisrevealedinthewords，deeds，andactions，ofthosebodies，northandsouth，callingthemselvesChristianchurches，andyetinunionwithslaveholders。Itisagainstreligion，aspresentedbythesebodies，thatIhavefeltitmydutytotestify。
Iconcludetheseremarksbycopyingthefollowingportraitofthereligionofthesouth，（whichis，bycommunionandfellowship，thereligionofthenorth，）whichIsoberlyaffirmis"truetothelife，"
andwithoutcaricatureortheslightestexaggeration。
Itissaidtohavebeendrawn，severalyearsbeforethepresentanti-slaveryagitationbegan，byanorth-
ernMethodistpreacher，who，whileresidingatthesouth，hadanopportunitytoseeslaveholdingmor-
als，manners，andpiety，withhisowneyes。"ShallInotvisitforthesethings？saiththeLord。Shallnotmysoulbeavengedonsuchanationasthis？"
APARODY
"Come，saintsandsinners，hearmetellHowpiouspriestswhipJackandNell，Andwomenbuyandchildrensell，Andpreachallsinnersdowntohell，Andsingofheavenlyunion。
"They’llbleatandbaa，donalikegoats，Gorgedownblacksheep，andstrainatmotes，Arraytheirbacksinfineblackcoats，Thenseizetheirnegroesbytheirthroats，Andchoke，forheavenlyunion。
"They’llchurchyouifyousipadram，Anddamnyouifyoustealalamb;
YetroboldTony，Doll，andSam，Ofhumanrights，andbreadandham;
Kidnapper’sheavenlyunion。
"They’llloudlytalkofChrist’sreward，Andbindhisimagewithacord，Andscold，andswingthelashabhorred，AndselltheirbrotherintheLordTohandcuffedheavenlyunion。
"They’llreadandsingasacredsong，Andmakeaprayerbothloudandlong，Andteachtherightanddothewrong，Hailingthebrother，sisterthrong，Withwordsofheavenlyunion。
"Wewonderhowsuchsaintscansing，OrpraisetheLorduponthewing，Whoroar，andscold，andwhip，andsting，Andtotheirslavesandmammoncling，Inguiltyconscienceunion。
"They’llraisetobacco，corn，andrye，Anddrive，andthieve，andcheat，andlie，Andlayuptreasuresinthesky，Bymakingswitchandcowskinfly，Inhopeofheavenlyunion。
"They’llcrackoldTonyontheskull，AndpreachandroarlikeBashanbull，Orbrayingass，ofmischieffull，ThenseizeoldJacobbythewool，Andpullforheavenlyunion。
"Aroaring，ranting，sleekman-thief，Wholivedonmutton，veal，andbeef，YetneverwouldaffordreliefToneedy，sablesonsofgrief，Wasbigwithheavenlyunion。
"’Lovenottheworld，’thepreachersaid，Andwinkedhiseye，andshookhishead;
HeseizedonTom，andDick，andNed，Cutshorttheirmeat，andclothes，andbread，Yetstilllovedheavenlyunion。
"AnotherpreacherwhiningspokeOfOnewhoseheartforsinnersbroke：
HetiedoldNannytoanoak，Anddrewthebloodateverystroke，Andprayedforheavenlyunion。
"Twoothersopedtheirironjaws，Andwavedtheirchildren-stealingpaws;
Theresattheirchildreningewgaws;
Bystintingnegroes’backsandmaws，Theykeptupheavenlyunion。
"AllgoodfromJackanothertakes，Andentertainstheirflirtsandrakes，Whodressassleekasglossysnakes，Andcramtheirmouthswithsweetenedcakes;
Andthisgoesdownforunion。"
SincerelyandearnestlyhopingthatthislittlebookmaydosomethingtowardthrowinglightontheAmericanslavesystem，andhasteningthegladdayofdeliverancetothemillionsofmybrethreninbonds——faithfullyrelyinguponthepoweroftruth，love，andjustice，forsuccessinmyhumbleefforts——andsolemnlypledgingmyselfanewtothesacredcause，——Isubscribemyself，FREDERICKDOUGLASS
LYNN，Mass。，April28，1845。