The Underground Railroad
route to Chambersburg, in consequence of this bold and successful
movement. The horses were easily captured at the hotel, where they were
left, but, of course, they were mute as to what had become of their
drivers. The furious Fierys probably got wind of the fact, that they had
made their way to Harrisburg. At any rate they made very diligent search
at this point. While here prosecuting his hunting operations, Fiery
managed to open communication with at least one member of the Harrisburg
Committee, to whom his grievances were made known, but derived little
satisfaction.
After the experience of a few weeks, the pursuers came to the
conclusion, that there was no likelihood of recovering them through
these agencies, or through the Fugitive Slave Law. In their despair,
therefore, they resorted to another "dodge." All at once they became
"sort-o'-friendly"--indeed more than half disposed to emancipate. The
member of the Committee in Harrisburg had, it is probable, frequently
left room for their great delusion, if he did not even go so far as to
feed their hopes with plausible suggestions, that some assistance might
be afforded by which an amicable settlement might be made between
masters and slaves.
The following extract, from the Committee's letter, relative to this
matter, is open to this inference, and may serve to throw some light on
the subject:
HARRISBURG, April 28, '56.
Friend Still:--Your last came to hand in due season, and I am
happy to hear of the safe arrival of those gents.
I have before me the Power of Attorney of Mr. John S. Fiery, son
of Mr. Henry Fiery, of Washington county, Md., the owner of
those three men, two women and three children, who arrived in
your town on the 24th or 25th of March. He graciously
condescends to liberate the oldest in a year, and the remainder
in proportional time, if they will come back; or to sell them
their time for $1300. He is sick of the job, and is ready to
make any conditions. Now, if you personally can get word to them
and get them to send him a letter, in my charge, informing him
of their whereabouts and prospects, I think it will be the best
answer I can make him. He will return here in a week or two, to
know what can be done. He offers $500 to see them.
Or if you can send me word where they are, I will endeavor to
write to them for his special satisfaction; or if you cannot do
either, send me your latest information, for I intend to make
him spend a few more dollars, and if possible get a little
sicker of this bad job. Do try and send him a few bitter pills
for his weak nerves and disturbed mind.
Yours in great haste,
Jos. C. Bustill.
A subsequent letter from Mr. Bustill contains, besides other interesting
Underground Rail Road matter, an item relative to the feeling of
disappointment experienced by Mr. Fiery on learning that his property
was in Canada.
HARRISBURG, May 26, '56.
Friend Still:--I embrace the opportunity presented by the visit
of our friend, John F. Williams, to drop you a few lines in
relation to our future operations.
The Lightning Train was put on the Road on last Monday, and as
the traveling season has commenced and this is the Southern
route for Niagara Falls, I have concluded not to send by way of
Auburn, except in cases of great danger; but hereafter we will
use the Lightning Train, which leaves here at 1-1/2 and arrives
in your city at 5 o'clock in the morning, and I will telegraph
about 5-1/2 o'clock in the afternoon, so it may reach you before
you close. These four are the only ones that have come since my
last. The woman has been here some time waiting for her child
and her beau, which she expects here about the first of June. If
possible, please keep a knowledge of her whereabouts, to enable
me to inform him if he comes.
_I have nothing more to send you, except that John Fiery has
visited us again and much to his chagrin received the
information of their being in Canada_.
Yours as ever,
Jos. C. Bustill.
Whilst the Fierys were working like beavers to re-enslave these
brave fugitives, the latter were daily drinking in more and more
of the spirit of freedom and were busy with schemes for the
deliverance of other near kin left behind under the galling
yoke.
Several very interesting letters were received from Otho Taylor,
relative to a raid he designed making expressly to effect the
escape of his family. The two subjoined must suffice, (others,
much longer, cannot now be produced, they have probably been
loaned and not returned.)
APRIL 15th, 1857.
SIR--We arrived here safely. Mr. Syrus and his lady is
well situated. They have a place for the year round 15
dollars per month. We are all well and hope that you are
all the same. Now I wish to know whether you would
please to send me some money to go after those people.
Send it here if you please.
Yours truly,
OTHO TAYLOR.
WILLIAM STILL.
ST. CATHARINES, Jan. 26, 1857.
MR. WM. STILL:--Dear Sir--I write at this time in behalf of Otho
Taylor. He is very anxious to go and get his family at Clear
Spring, Washington county, Md. He would like to know if the
Society there would furnish him the means to go after them from
Philadelphia, that you will be running no risk in doing this. If
the Society can do this, he would not be absent from P. more
than three days.
He is so anxious to get his family from slavery that he is
willing to do almost anything to get them to Canada. You may
possibly recollect him--he was at your place last August. I
think he can be trusted. If you can do something for him, he has
the means to take him to your place.
Please let me know immediately if you can do this.
Respectfully yours,
M.A.H. WILSON.
Such appeals came very frequently from Canada, causing much sadness, as
but little encouragement could be held out to such projects. In the
first place, the danger attendant upon such expeditions was so fearful,
and in the second place, our funds were so inadequate for this kind of
work, that, in most cases, such appeals had to be refused. Of course,
there were those whose continual coming, like the poor widow in the
Gospel, could not be denied.
* * * * *
HEAVY REWARD.
THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD.--Ran away from the subscriber,
residing near Bladensburg, Prince George's county, Maryland, on
Saturday night, the 22d of March, 1856, my negro man, Tom
Matthews, aged about 25 years, about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high,
dark copper color, full suit of bushy hair, broad face, with
high cheek bones, broad and square shoulders, stands and walks
very erect, though quite a sluggard in action, except in a
dance, at which he is hard to beat. He wore away a black coat
and brown pantaloons. I will give the above reward if taken and
brought home, or secured in jail, so that I get him.
E.A. JONES, near Bladensburg, Md.
As Mr. Jones may be unaware which way his man Tom traveled, this item
may inform him that his name was entered on the Underground Rail Road
book April 4th, 1856, at which date he appeared to be in good health and
full of hope for a safe sojourn in Canada. He was destitute, of course,
just as anybody else would have been, if robbers had stripped him of
every dollar of his earnings; but he felt pretty sure, that he could
take care of himself in her Majesty's dominion.
The Committee, encouraged by his efforts, reached him a helping hand and
sent him on to swell the goodly number in the promised land--Canada.
On the same day that Tom arrived, the Committee had the pleasure of
taking JAMES JONES by the hand. He was owned by Dr. William Stewart, of
King George's Court House, Maryland. He was not, however, in the service
of his master at the time of his escape but was hired out in Alexandria.
For some reason, not noticed in the book, James became dissatisfied,
changed his name to Henry Rider, got an Underground Rail Road pass and
left the Dr. and his other associations in Maryland. He was one of the
well-cared for "articles," and was of very near kin to the white people,
at least a half-brother (mulatto, of course). He was thirty-two years of
age, medium size, hard-featured and raw-boned, but "no marks about him."
James looked as if he had had pretty good health, still the Committee
thought that he would have much better in Canada. After hearing a full
description of that country and of the great number of fugitives there
from Maryland and other parts of the South, "Jim" felt that that was
just the place he wanted to find, and was soon off with a free ticket, a
letter of introduction, etc.
* * * * *
CAPTAIN F. ARRIVES WITH FOURTEEN "PRIME ARTICLES" ON BOARD.
Thomas Garrett announced this in the following letter:
WILMINGTON, 3d mo., 23d, 1856.
DEAR FRIEND, WILLIAM STILL:--Captain Fountain has arrived all
safe, with the human cargo thee was inquiring for, a few days
since. I had men waiting till 12 o'clock till the Captain
arrived at his berth, ready to receive them; last night they
then learned, that he had landed them at the Rocks, near the old
Swedes church, in the care of our efficient Pilot, who is in the
employ of my friend, John Hillis, and he has them now in charge.
As soon as my breakfast is over, I will see Hillis and determine
what is best to be done in their case. My own opinion is, we had
better send them to Hook and there put them in the cars to-night
and send a pilot to take them to thy house. As Marcus Hook is in
Pennsylvania, the agent of the cars runs no risk of the fine of
five hundred dollars our State imposes for assisting one of
God's poor out of the State by steamboat or cars.
As ever thy friend,
THOS. GAREETT.
NAMES OF THE "ARTICLES."
Rebecca Jones, and her three daughters, Sarah Frances, Mary, and
Rebecca; Isaiah Robinson, Arthur Spence, Caroline Taylor, and her two
daughters, Nancy, and Mary; Daniel Robinson; Thomas Page; Benjamin
Dickinson; David Cole and wife.
From the tenor of Thomas Garrett's letter, the Committee was prepared
for a joyful reception, knowing that Captain F. was not in the habit of
doing things by the halves--that he was not in the habit of bringing
numbskulls; indeed he brought none but the bravest and most intelligent.
Yet notwithstanding our knowledge of his practice in this respect, when
he arrived we were surprised beyond measure. The women outnumbered the
men. The two young mothers, with their interesting, hearty and
fine-looking children representing in blood the two races about
equally--presented a very impressive spectacle.
The men had the appearance of being active, smart, and well disposed,
much above the generality of slaves; but, compared with those of the
opposite sex, their claims for sympathy were very faint indeed. No one
could possibly avoid the conclusion, that these mothers, with their
handsome daughters, were valued on the Ledger of their owners at
enormously high prices; that lustful traders and sensualists had already
gloated over the thought of buying them in a few short years. Probably
not one of those beautiful girls would have brought less than fifteen
hundred or two thousand dollars at the age of fifteen. It was therefore
a great satisfaction to think, that their mothers, who knew full well to