The Underground Railroad
seized the chain of their boat, and the struggle became
fearful in the extreme for a few moments. However, the
same spirit that prompted the effort to be free, moved
one of the heroic black bondmen to apply the oar to the
head of one of their pursuers, which straightway laid
him prostrate. The whites, like old Apollyon in the
Pilgrim's Progress, at this decided indication that
their precious lives might not be spared if they did not
avail themselves of an immediate retreat, suddenly
parted from their antagonists. Not being contented,
however, thus to give up the struggle, after getting
some yards off, they fired a loaded gun in the midst of
the fugitives, peppering two of them considerably about
the head and face, and one about the arms. As the shot
was light they were not much damaged, however, at any
rate not discouraged. Not forgetting which way to steer
across the bay, in the direction of the lighthouse, they
rowed for that point with all possible speed, but their
bark being light, and the wind and rough water by no
means manageable, ere they reached the desired shore
they were carried a considerable distance off their
course, in the immediate vicinity of a small island.
Leaving their boat they went upon the island, the women
sick, and there reposed without food, utterly ignorant
of where they were for one whole day and night, without
being able to conjecture when or where they should find
free land for which they had so long and fervently
prayed. However, after thus resting, feeling compelled
to start on again, they set off on foot. They had not
walked a mile ere, providentially, they fell in with an
oyster man and a little boy waiting for the tide. With
him they ventured to converse, and soon felt that he
might be trusted with, at least, a hint of their
condition. Accordingly they made him acquainted in part
with their piteous story, and he agreed to bring them
within fifteen miles of ---- for twenty-five dollars,
all the capital they had. Being as good as his word, he
did not leave them fifteen miles off the city, but
brought them directly to it." * * * * "How happy
they were at finding themselves in the hands of friends,
and surrounded with flattering prospects of soon
reaching Canada you may imagine, but I could not
describe."[A]
[Footnote A: In those days the writer in giving
information enjoined the utmost secresy, considering
that the cause might be sadly damaged simply by being
inadvertently exposed even by friends, thousands of
miles away. The Pro-slavery-mob spirit at that time was
also very rampant in Philadelphia and other northern
cities, threatening abolitionists and all concerned in
the work of aiding the slave.]
Thanks to the benevolent bounty of several kind donors, we had
lately the pleasure of sending a few pounds to the writer of the
foregoing letter. We omit his name and residence. He belongs,
like Douglass, to the proscribed race. Who would not help these
generous-hearted men, who are devoting their whole energies to
the well-being of the crushed and downtrodden? We are the more
encouraged to send out this little sheet, made up of thanks and
requisitions, because occasional inquiries are reaching us of
"What can we do for the slave? We are hearing but little about
him, and do not know how to work on his behalf." Allow us to say
to one and all, who may be thus circumstanced, that we do not
look for great things, but that if they can levy a shilling a
year from all who feel for the injured bondman, these little
sums would soon mount up and prove of incalculable service to
those who are struggling for freedom. As to the special destiny
of these shillings or half-crowns, let the subscribers choose
for themselves, and their kind aid will be sure to be truly
welcome to the party receiving it. We do not ask for such
contributions to be forwarded through Newcastle unless this be a
matter of convenience to those concerned. If there be other
modes of sending to the United States within the reach of the
friends, who receive this paper, let them by all means be used.
We are always happy to receive aid for the fugitives or for any
other Anti-slavery cause, and consider it no trouble at all to
send it on, but do not wish to be monopolizing. As far as
Kentucky is concerned, that State being distant, and mob-law
rampant there, we shall continue gratefully to receive
assistance on its behalf, and to avail ourselves of the
accustomed mode of reaching it, this having been proved to be
both safe and easy.
FREE LABOR PRODUCE.--And lastly, as to the long-prized
principle, to our minds the very alphabet of Anti-Slavery
action, the importance of encouraging the growth and consumption
of Free produce rather than that raised by the sweat and blood
of the bondman. Our convictions of the righteousness of this
course are as strong as they ever were; but perhaps we hoped too
much, relied too fondly on the conscientiousness of the British
Anti-Slavery public, in supposing that a sufficient number of
individuals could be found prepared to make a slight sacrifice
for humanity's sake, and to keep the oppressed continually in
mind by a little untiring pains-taking. We hardly supposed that
the most strenuous efforts in this direction would be enough to
affect the British market; but we did believe, and believe
still, that not only is there a consistency in a preference for
free produce, but that this preference is encouraging to the
free laborer, and that humanly speaking nothing is more
calculated to nerve his hand and heart for vigorous effort. The
principle of abstinence from slave produce may be smiled at, but
we are quite sure it is an honest one, and, as a good old
proverb observes, "It takes a great many bushels full of earth
to bury a truth."
But while this self-denying protest has been going on in a few
limited circles, how great is the advance that free labor has
been making within the last two years! Who is to say whether
some of those quiet testimonies may not have contributed to
erect that mighty machinery that is now adding to its wheels and
springs from day to day, and which bids fair at no distant
period to supersede slave labor and its long train of sorrow and
oppression?
Earnest lectures have just been delivered in Newcastle by our
colored friend, Dr. M.R. Delany, lately engaged in a tour of
observation in West Africa, where he longs to establish a
nourishing colony of his people, whose express object shall be
to put down the abominable Slave-trade and to cultivate free
cotton and other tropical produce. We wish this brave man every
encouragement in his noble enterprise. He has secured the
confidence of "The African Aid Society," in London, one of whose
earliest measures has been to assist him with funds. The present
Secretary of the society is Frederick W. Fitzgerald, 7 Adam
Street, Strand, London.
And who need speak of the Zambesi and Dr. Livingston, or of
Central or Eastern Africa; of India, or Australia, or of the
prolific West India Islands?
As we prepare this little sheet, a kind letter has come in from
Stephen Bourne, for many years a stipendiary magistrate in
Jamaica, and now the ardent promoter of a cotton-growing company
of that island. He says to us, when writing from London, on the
19th inst., "Our scheme embraces more than meets the eye, and to
illustrate this, I send a map (with prospectus) of the proposed
estate, by which you will see that we reckon on obtaining cotton
by free labor and by mechanical agency from Jamaica, at a price
so far below that at which it can be produced by slave labor,
that if we succeed, we shall put an end to the whole system, as
no one will be able to afford to carry it on in competition with
free labor." * * * "Jamaica is much nearer and easier of
access for fugitives from Cuba and Porto Rico, than Canada is to
Georgia, Virginia, or Louisiana. If, therefore, we can offer
them an asylum and profitable employment on the estate, we shall
open up a new Underground Rail Road, or rather enable the slaves
to escape from Cuba by getting into a boat, and in one night
finding their way to freedom." * * * "There is no doubt they
could do this at much less risk than slaves now incur, in order
to obtain liberty in America."
The proposed estate in Jamaica consists of about one thousand
acres, and the shares in this company are £10 each, £1 only to
be called up immediately, the rest by instalments. The liability
is limited. Full information may be obtained by addressing
Stephen Bourne, Esq., 55 Charing Cross, London, or the Secretary
of the "Jamaica Cotton-growing Company," C. W. Streatfield, Esq.
We rejoice to see that this new company is being supported not
only by benevolent philanthropists and capitalists in London,
but by experienced Manchester manufacturers; among the rest by
the excellent Thomas Clegg, so well known for his persevering
efforts in West Africa, and by Thomas Bazley, M.P. for
Manchester, and a most extensive cotton spinner. Their mills
would alone, consume the cotton grown on three such estates as
that which it is proposed to cultivate. There is abundant room,
therefore, for cultivation of cotton by the emancipated
freeholders.
Communications have also reached us from Demerara. Charles
Rattray, a valuable Scotch missionary in that colony, was in
England last spring, and went back to his adopted country with
his mind full fraught with the importance of cotton growing
within its borders. He happened to have small samples of
Demerara cotton with him. These were shown to cotton-brokers and
manufacturers in Liverpool and Manchester, and were pronounced
to be most excellent--so much so, that specimen gins and a
supply of cotton-seed were kindly presented to him at the latter
place, before he left England. Mr. Rattray is now bringing the
subject before his people, and is also intending to plant with
cotton some ground belonging to the Mission station.
But we will not further enlarge. Commending our cause to Him,
who has promised never to forget the poor and needy, and that in
His own good time He will arise for their deliverance and "break
every yoke."
I remain, sincerely and respectfully, your friend,
Anna H. Richardson.
_54 Westmoreland Terrace_, _Newcastle-on-Tyne, 9 mo., 22, 1860._
P.S. Since writing the above, we have seen it stated in the
_Principia,_ a New York paper, that William S. Bailey has been
arrested on a charge of publishing an incendiary paper, and held
to bail in the sum of $1,000, to appear before the Circuit
Court, in November next. It is further stated that one of the
two magistrates by whom W.S. Bailey was examined, and held to
bail on this charge, was the chosen leader of the mob that
destroyed his type and printing press.
We have yet to see what will be the end of this cruel conflict.