The Underground Railroad
discussion; we confined ourselves to speaking at them, in order
that they might be led to speak to us; but our efforts were of
no avail. The gauntlet, which was unmistakably thrown down by
our party, the Americans were too wary to take up. We spoke
among each other of the wrongs of Slavery; it was in vain. We
discoursed freely upon the iniquity of a professedly Christian
Republic holding three millions of its population in cruel and
degrading bondage; you might as well have preached to the winds.
Wm. Wells Brown took 'Punch's Virginia Slave' and deposited it
within the enclosure by the 'Greek Slave,' saying audibly, 'As
an American fugitive slave, I place this 'Virginia Slave' by the
side of the 'Greek Slave,' as its most fitting companion.' Not a
word, or reply, or remonstrance from Yankee or Southerner. We
had not, however, proceeded many steps from the place before the
'Virginia Slave' was removed. We returned to the statue, and
stood near the American by whom it had been taken up, to give
him an opportunity of making any remarks he chose upon the
matter. Whatever were his feelings, his policy was to keep his
lips closed. If he had felt that the act was wrongful, would he
not have appealed to the sense of justice of the British
bystanders, who are always ready to resist an insult offered to
a foreigner in this country? If it was an insult, why not resent
it, as became high-spirited Americans? But no; the chivalry of
the South tamely allowed itself to be plucked by the beard; the
garrulity of the North permitted itself to be silenced by three
fugitive slaves.... We promenaded the Exhibition between six and
seven hours, and visited nearly every portion of the vast
edifice. Among the thousands whom we met in our perambulations,
who dreamed of any impropriety in a gentleman of character and
standing, like Mr. McDonnell, walking arm-in-arm with a colored
woman; or an elegant and accomplished young lady, like Miss
Thompson, (daughter of the Hon. George Thompson, M.C.), becoming
the promenading companion of a colored man? Did the English
peers or peeresses? Not the most aristocratic among them. Did
the representatives of any other country have their notions of
propriety shocked by the matter? None but Americans. To see the
arm of a beautiful English young lady passed through that of 'a
nigger,' taking ices and other refreshments with him, upon terms
of the most perfect equality, certainly was enough to 'rile,'
and evidently did 'rile' the slave-holders who beheld it; but
there was no help for it. Even the New York Broadway bullies
would not have dared to utter a word of insult, much less lift a
finger against Wm. Wells Brown, when walking with his fair
companion in the World's Exhibition. It was a circumstance not
to be forgotten by these Southern Bloodhounds. Probably, for the
first time in their lives, they felt themselves thoroughly
muzzled; they dared not even to bark, much less bite. Like the
meanest curs, they had to sneak through the Crystal Palace,
unnoticed and uncared for; while the victims who had been
rescued from their jaws, were warmly greeted by visitors from
all parts of the country.
* * * * *
Brown and the Crafts have paid several other visits to the Great
Exhibition, in one of which, Wm. Craft succeeded in getting some
Southerners "out" upon the Fugitive Slave Bill, respecting which a
discussion was held between them in the American department. Finding
themselves worsted at every point, they were compelled to have recourse
to lying, and unblushingly denied that the bill contained the provisions
which Craft alleged it did. Craft took care to inform them who and what
he was. He told them that there had been too much information upon that
measure diffused in England for lying to conceal them. He has
subsequently met the same parties, who, with contemptible hypocrisy,
treated "the nigger" with great respect.
In England the Crafts were highly respected. While under her British
Majesty's protection, Ellen became the mother of several children,
(having had none under the stars and stripes). These they spared no
pains in educating for usefulness in the world. Some two years since
William and Ellen returned with two of their children to the United
States, and after visiting Boston and other places, William concluded to
visit Georgia, his old home, with a view of seeing what inducement war
had opened up to enterprise, as he had felt a desire to remove his
family thither, if encouraged. Indeed he was prepared to purchase a
plantation, if he found matters satisfactory. This visit evidently
furnished the needed encouragement, judging from the fact that he did
purchase a plantation somewhere in the neighborhood of Savannah, and is
at present living there with his family.
The portraits of William and Ellen represent them at the present stage
of life, (as citizens of the U.S.)--of course they have greatly changed
in appearance from what they were when they first fled from Georgia.
Obviously the Fugitive Slave Law in its crusade against William and
Ellen Craft, reaped no advantages, but on the contrary, liberty was
greatly the gainer.
* * * * *
ARRIVALS FROM RICHMOND.
LEWIS COBB AND NANCY BRISTER.
No one Southern city furnished a larger number of brave, wide-awake and
likely-looking Underground Rail Road passengers than the city of
Richmond. Lewis and Nancy were fair specimens of the class of travelers
coming from that city. Lewis was described as a light yellow man, medium
size, good-looking, and intelligent. In referring to bondage, he spoke
with great earnestness, and in language very easily understood;
especially when speaking of Samuel Myers, from whom he escaped, he did
not hesitate to give him the character of being a very hard man, who was
never satisfied, no matter how hard the slaves might try to please him.
Myers was engaged in the commission and forwarding business, and was a
man of some standing in Richmond. From him Lewis had received very
severe floggings, the remembrance of which he would not only carry with
him to Canada, but to the grave. It was owing to abuse of this kind that
he was awakened to look for a residence under the protection of the
British Lion. For eight months he longed to get away, and had no rest
until he found himself on the Underground Rail Road.
His master was a member of the Century Methodist Church, as was also his
wife and family; but Lewis thought that they were strangers to practical
Christianity, judging from the manner that the slaves were treated by
both master and mistress. Lewis was a Baptist, and belonged to the
second church. Twelve hundred dollars had been offered for him. He left
his father (Judville), and his brother, John Harris, both slaves. In
view of his prospects in Canada, Lewis' soul overflowed with pleasing
anticipations of freedom, and the Committee felt great satisfaction in
assisting him.
Nancy was also from Richmond, and came in the same boat with Lewis. She
represented the most "likely-looking female bond servants." Indeed her
appearance recommended her at once. She was neat, modest, and
well-behaved--with a good figure and the picture of health, with a
countenance beaming with joy and gladness, notwithstanding the late
struggles and sufferings through which she had passed. Young as she was,
she had seen much of slavery, and had, doubtless, profited by the
lessons thereof. At all events, it was through cruel treatment, having
been frequently beaten after she had passed her eighteenth year, that
she was prompted to seek freedom. It was so common for her mistress to
give way to unbridled passions that Nancy never felt safe. Under the
severest infliction of punishment she was not allowed to complain.
Neither from mistress nor master had she any reason to expect mercy or
leniency--indeed she saw no way of escape but by the Underground Rail
Road.
It was true that the master, Mr. William Bears, was a Yankee from
Connecticut, and his wife a member of the Episcopal Church, but Nancy's
yoke seemed none the lighter for all that. Fully persuaded that she
would never find her lot any better while remaining in their hands, she
accepted the advice and aid of a young man to whom she was engaged; he
was shrewd enough to find an agent in Richmond, with whom he entered
into a covenant to have Nancy brought away. With a cheerful heart the
journey was undertaken in the manner aforesaid, and she safely reached
the Committee. Her mother, one brother and a sister she had to leave in
Richmond. One thousand dollars were lost in the departure of Nancy.
Having been accommodated and aided by the Committee, they were forwarded
to Canada. Lewis wrote back repeatedly and expressed himself very
gratefully for favors received, as will be seen by the appended letters
from him:
TORONTO, April 25, 1857.
To MR. WM. STILL--Dear Sir:--I take this opportunity of
addressing these few lines to inform you that I am well and hope
that they may find you and your family enjoying the same good
health. Please to give my love to you and your family. I had a
very pleasant trip from your house that morning. Dear sir, you
would oblige me much, if you have not sent that box to Mr.
Robinson, to open it and take out the little yellow box that I
tied up in the large one and send it on by express to me in
Toronto. Lift up a few of the things and you will find it near
the top. All the clothes that I have are in that box and I stand
in need of them. You would oblige me much by so doing. I stopped
at Mr. Jones' in Elmira, and was very well treated by him while
there. I am now in Toronto and doing very well at present. I am
very thankful to you and your family for the attention you paid
to me while at your house. I wish you would see Mr. Ormsted and
ask him if he has not some things for Mr. Anthony Loney, and if
he has, please send them on with my things, as we are both
living together at this time. Give my love to Mr. Anthony, also
to Mr. Ormsted and family. Dear sir, we both would be very glad
for you to attend to this, as we both do stand very much in need
of them at this time. Dear sir, you will oblige me by giving my
love to Miss Frances Watkins, and as she said she hoped to be
out in the summer, I should like to see her. I have met with a
gentleman here by the name of Mr. Truehart, and he sends his
best love to you and your family. Mr. Truehart desires to know
whether you received the letter he sent to you, and if so,
answer it as soon as possible. Please answer this letter as soon
as possible. I must now come to a close by saying that I remain
your beloved friend,
LEWIS COBB.
The young man who was there that morning, Mr. Robinson, got
married to that young lady.
TORONTO, June 2d, 1857.
To MR. WM. STILL--Dear Sir:--I received yours dated May 6th, and
was extremely happy to hear from you. You may be surprised that
I have not answered you before this, but it was on account of
not knowing anything concerning the letter being in the
post-office until I was told so by a friend. The box, of which I
had been inquiring, I have received, and am infinitely obliged
to you for sending it. Mr. and Mrs. Renson are living in
Hamilton, C.W. They send their best love to you and your family.
I am at present residing in Toronto, C.W. Mr. Anthony Loney has