Preface

In the month of August, 1841, I attended an anti-slavery convention in Nantucket, at which it was my happiness to become acquainted with Frederick Douglass, the writer of the following Narrative. He was a stranger to nearly every member of that body; but, having recently made his escape from the southern prison-house of bondage, and feeling his curiosity excited to ascertain the principles and measures of the abolitionists,—of whom he had heard a somewhat vague description while he was a slave,—he was induced to give his attendance, on the occasion alluded to, though at that time a resident in New Bedford.

In August 1841, I attended an anti-slavery convention in Nantucket. There I had the pleasure of meeting Frederick Douglass, the author of the following Narrative. Nearly everyone at the convention was a stranger to him. He had recently escaped from the prison of slavery in the South. He was curious to learn about the abolitionists’ principles and methods. While enslaved, he had heard only a somewhat vague description of them. This curiosity led him to attend the convention, although he was living in New Bedford at the time.

Fortunate, most fortunate occurrence!—fortunate for the millions of his manacled brethren, yet panting for deliverance from their awful thraldom!—fortunate for the cause of negro emancipation, and of universal liberty!—fortunate for the land of his birth, which he has already done so much to save and bless!—fortunate for a large circle of friends and acquaintances, whose sympathy and affection he has strongly secured by the many sufferings he has endured, by his virtuous traits of character, by his ever-abiding remembrance of those who are in bonds, as being bound with them!—fortunate for the multitudes, in various parts of our republic, whose minds he has enlightened on the subject of slavery, and who have been melted to tears by his pathos, or roused to virtuous indignation by his stirring eloquence against the enslavers of men!—fortunate for himself, as it at once brought him into the field of public usefulness, “gave the world assurance of a MAN,” quickened the slumbering energies of his soul, and consecrated him to the great work of breaking the rod of the oppressor, and letting the oppressed go free!

What a fortunate, most fortunate event! Fortunate for his millions of chained brothers, still desperate for freedom from their terrible enslavement! Fortunate for the cause of Black emancipation and universal liberty! Fortunate for the country of his birth, which he has already done so much to save and bless! Fortunate for his many friends and acquaintances, whose sympathy and affection he has firmly won! He has won them through his many sufferings, his moral character, and his constant remembrance of those still enslaved. He remembers them as though he were still chained beside them! Fortunate for the multitudes across our republic whom he has enlightened about slavery! His deeply moving words have brought them to tears. His powerful speeches against enslavers have stirred them to righteous anger! Fortunate for himself, too, since it immediately brought him into a life of public service! It “gave the world assurance of a MAN” and awakened the sleeping energies of his soul. It dedicated him to the great work of breaking the oppressor’s power and setting the oppressed free!

I shall never forget his first speech at the convention—the extraordinary emotion it excited in my own mind—the powerful impression it created upon a crowded auditory, completely taken by surprise—the applause which followed from the beginning to the end of his felicitous remarks. I think I never hated slavery so intensely as at that moment; certainly, my perception of the enormous outrage which is inflicted by it, on the godlike nature of its victims, was rendered far more clear than ever. There stood one, in physical proportion and stature commanding and exact—in intellect richly endowed—in natural eloquence a prodigy—in soul manifestly “created but a little lower than the angels”—yet a slave, ay, a fugitive slave,—trembling for his safety, hardly daring to believe that on the American soil, a single white person could be found who would befriend him at all hazards, for the love of God and humanity! Capable of high attainments as an intellectual and moral being—needing nothing but a comparatively small amount of cultivation to make him an ornament to society and a blessing to his race—by the law of the land, by the voice of the people, by the terms of the slave code, he was only a piece of property, a beast of burden, a chattel personal, nevertheless!

I will never forget his first speech at the convention, or the extraordinary emotion it stirred in me. It made a powerful impression on the crowded audience, who were completely taken by surprise. Applause followed his eloquent remarks from beginning to end. I think I never hated slavery so intensely as I did at that moment. Certainly, I saw far more clearly than ever the enormous wrong slavery inflicts on the godlike nature of its victims. There stood a man with a commanding build and stature, perfectly proportioned, richly gifted in intellect, and extraordinarily eloquent. His soul was clearly “created but a little lower than the angels.” Yet he was a slave, yes, a fugitive slave, trembling for his safety. He hardly dared believe that even one white person on American soil would befriend him at any risk. Could anyone do so out of love for God and humanity? He was capable of great intellectual and moral achievements. He needed only a relatively small amount of education to bring honor to society and be a blessing to his race. Yet the law of the land, public opinion, and the slave code treated him as nothing but property. He was a beast of burden, a possession to be owned, nevertheless!

A beloved friend from New Bedford prevailed on Mr. DOUGLASS to address the convention. He came forward to the platform with a hesitancy and embarrassment, necessarily the attendants of a sensitive mind in such a novel position. After apologizing for his ignorance, and reminding the audience that slavery was a poor school for the human intellect and heart, he proceeded to narrate some of the facts in his own history as a slave, and in the course of his speech gave utterance to many noble thoughts and thrilling reflections. As soon as he had taken his seat, filled with hope and admiration, I rose, and declared that PATRICK HENRY, of revolutionary fame, never made a speech more eloquent in the cause of liberty, than the one we had just listened to from the lips of that hunted fugitive. So I believed at that time—such is my belief now. I reminded the audience of the peril which surrounded this self-emancipated young man at the North,—even in Massachusetts, on the soil of the Pilgrim Fathers, among the descendants of revolutionary sires; and I appealed to them, whether they would ever allow him to be carried back into slavery,—law or no law, constitution or no constitution. The response was unanimous and in thunder-tones—“NO!” “Will you succor and protect him as a brother-man—a resident of the old Bay State?” “YES!” shouted the whole mass, with an energy so startling, that the ruthless tyrants south of Mason and Dixon’s line might almost have heard the mighty burst of feeling, and recognized it as the pledge of an invincible determination, on the part of those who gave it, never to betray him that wanders, but to hide the outcast, and firmly to abide the consequences.

A dear friend from New Bedford persuaded Mr. DOUGLASS to speak to the convention. He stepped onto the platform with hesitation and embarrassment, natural feelings for a sensitive person in such an unfamiliar position. He apologized for his lack of education. He reminded the audience that slavery did little to develop the human mind or heart. Then he shared some facts about his own life as a slave. During his speech, he expressed many noble thoughts and deeply moving reflections. As soon as he sat down, I rose, filled with hope and admiration. I declared that PATRICK HENRY, famed for his role in the Revolution, had never spoken more eloquently for liberty. That was how highly I valued the speech we had just heard from this hunted fugitive. I believed it then, and I believe it now. I reminded the audience of the danger surrounding this young man who had freed himself, even in the North. He faced danger even in Massachusetts, on the Pilgrim Fathers’ soil, among descendants of Revolutionary patriots. I asked whether they would ever let him be taken back into slavery, regardless of any law or constitution. Their answer was unanimous and thunderous, “NO!” “Will you help and protect him as a fellow human being, a resident of the old Bay State?” “YES!” the entire crowd shouted with startling force. The cruel tyrants south of the Mason-Dixon line might almost have heard that mighty outburst of feeling. They might have recognized it as a pledge of unshakable determination by everyone who shouted. They would never betray the fugitive but would shelter the outcast and stand firm, whatever the consequences.

It was at once deeply impressed upon my mind, that, if Mr. DOUGLASS could be persuaded to consecrate his time and talents to the promotion of the anti-slavery enterprise, a powerful impetus would be given to it, and a stunning blow at the same time inflicted on northern prejudice against a colored complexion. I therefore endeavored to instil hope and courage into his mind, in order that he might dare to engage in a vocation so anomalous and responsible for a person in his situation; and I was seconded in this effort by warm-hearted friends, especially by the late General Agent of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, Mr. JOHN A. COLLINS, whose judgment in this instance entirely coincided with my own. At first, he could give no encouragement; with unfeigned diffidence, he expressed his conviction that he was not adequate to the performance of so great a task; the path marked out was wholly an untrodden one; he was sincerely apprehensive that he should do more harm than good. After much deliberation, however, he consented to make a trial; and ever since that period, he has acted as a lecturing agent, under the auspices either of the American or the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. In labors he has been most abundant; and his success in combating prejudice, in gaining proselytes, in agitating the public mind, has far surpassed the most sanguine expectations that were raised at the commencement of his brilliant career. He has borne himself with gentleness and meekness, yet with true manliness of character. As a public speaker, he excels in pathos, wit, comparison, imitation, strength of reasoning, and fluency of language. There is in him that union of head and heart, which is indispensable to an enlightenment of the heads and a winning of the hearts of others. May his strength continue to be equal to his day! May he continue to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of God,” that he may be increasingly serviceable in the cause of bleeding humanity, whether at home or abroad!

I immediately felt certain that Mr. Douglass could give the anti-slavery movement a powerful boost. He would need to be persuaded to devote his time and talents to its cause. At the same time, he could strike a stunning blow against northern prejudice toward people with dark skin. I therefore tried to give him hope and courage to take on this work. Such a calling was unusual and carried great responsibility for someone in his position. Warm-hearted friends supported my efforts, especially Mr. John A. Collins, the former General Agent of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. His judgment in this matter agreed entirely with mine. At first, Douglass gave us no reason to hope he would agree. With genuine self-doubt, he said he believed he was not equal to so great a task. The path before him was entirely untraveled. He sincerely feared he would do more harm than good. After much thought, however, he agreed to try. Since then, he has worked as a traveling lecturer for either the American or the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. He has worked tirelessly. His success in fighting prejudice, winning supporters, and stirring public concern has far exceeded our highest hopes at his brilliant career’s beginning. He has conducted himself with gentleness and humility, yet with true manly strength of character. As a public speaker, he excels at moving his audience, using wit, drawing comparisons, and imitating others. He also excels in powerful reasoning and fluent expression. He combines intellect and feeling, qualities essential to enlightening other people’s minds and winning their hearts. May his strength always meet each day’s demands! May he continue to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of God.” May this make him increasingly useful to the cause of suffering humanity, whether at home or abroad!

It is certainly a very remarkable fact, that one of the most efficient advocates of the slave population, now before the public, is a fugitive slave, in the person of Frederick Douglass; and that the free colored population of the United States are as ably represented by one of their own number, in the person of Charles Lenox Remond, whose eloquent appeals have extorted the highest applause of multitudes on both sides of the Atlantic. Let the calumniators of the colored race despise themselves for their baseness and illiberality of spirit, and henceforth cease to talk of the natural inferiority of those who require nothing but time and opportunity to attain to the highest point of human excellence.

It is certainly remarkable that Frederick Douglass, a fugitive slave, is among the most effective public advocates for enslaved people. Free Black Americans are just as ably represented by one of their own, Charles Lenox Remond. His eloquent appeals have drawn the highest praise from crowds on both sides of the Atlantic. Let those who slander Black people despise themselves for their cruelty and narrow-mindedness. Let them stop claiming the natural inferiority of people who need only time and opportunity to reach the highest level of human excellence.

It may, perhaps, be fairly questioned, whether any other portion of the population of the earth could have endured the privations, sufferings and horrors of slavery, without having become more degraded in the scale of humanity than the slaves of African descent. Nothing has been left undone to cripple their intellects, darken their minds, debase their moral nature, obliterate all traces of their relationship to mankind; and yet how wonderfully they have sustained the mighty load of a most frightful bondage, under which they have been groaning for centuries! To illustrate the effect of slavery on the white man,—to show that he has no powers of endurance, in such a condition, superior to those of his black brother,—Daniel O’Connell, the distinguished advocate of universal emancipation, and the mightiest champion of prostrate but not conquered Ireland, relates the following anecdote in a speech delivered by him in the Conciliation Hall, Dublin, before the Loyal National Repeal Association, March 31, 1845. “No matter,” said Mr. O’Connell, “under what specious term it may disguise itself, slavery is still hideous. It has a natural, an inevitable tendency to brutalize every noble faculty of man. An American sailor, who was cast away on the shore of Africa, where he was kept in slavery for three years, was, at the expiration of that period, found to be imbruted and stultified—he had lost all reasoning power; and having forgotten his native language, could only utter some savage gibberish between Arabic and English, which nobody could understand, and which even he himself found difficulty in pronouncing. So much for the humanizing influence of The Domestic Institution!” Admitting this to have been an extraordinary case of mental deterioration, it proves at least that the white slave can sink as low in the scale of humanity as the black one.

Perhaps we may fairly ask whether any other people on earth could have endured slavery’s hardships, suffering, and horrors. Would they not have been reduced to a lower level of humanity than enslaved people of African descent? Every effort has been made to cripple their intellects, cloud their minds, and corrupt their moral character. Every effort has been made to erase all signs of their connection to humanity. Yet how remarkably they have borne the crushing weight of this terrible bondage, under which they have groaned for centuries! The following story illustrates slavery’s effect on the white man. It shows that he has no greater ability to endure that condition than his black brother. Daniel O’Connell, the distinguished advocate of universal emancipation, told it in a speech. He was also the greatest champion of Ireland, a nation brought low but not conquered. He delivered the speech at Conciliation Hall, Dublin, before the Loyal National Repeal Association on March 31, 1845. “No matter,” said Mr. O’Connell, “what misleading name it hides behind, slavery is still hideous. It naturally and inevitably tends to brutalize every noble human faculty. An American sailor was shipwrecked on the African coast and held in slavery there for three years. At the end of that time, he was found to have become brutalized and mentally dulled. He had lost all power to reason. He had forgotten his native language and could utter only a crude, unintelligible mixture of Arabic and English. Nobody could understand it, and even he himself struggled to pronounce it. So much for the humanizing influence of The Domestic Institution!” Even if this was an extraordinary case of mental decline, it proves at least one thing. A white person held in slavery can sink as low in the scale of humanity as a black person.

Mr. Douglass has very properly chosen to write his own Narrative, in his own style, and according to the best of his ability, rather than to employ some one else. It is, therefore, entirely his own production; and, considering how long and dark was the career he had to run as a slave,—how few have been his opportunities to improve his mind since he broke his iron fetters,—it is, in my judgment, highly creditable to his head and heart. He who can peruse it without a tearful eye, a heaving breast, an afflicted spirit,—without being filled with an unutterable abhorrence of slavery and all its abettors, and animated with a determination to seek the immediate overthrow of that execrable system,—without trembling for the fate of this country in the hands of a righteous God, who is ever on the side of the oppressed, and whose arm is not shortened that it cannot save,—must have a flinty heart, and be qualified to act the part of a trafficker “in slaves and the souls of men.” I am confident that it is essentially true in all its statements; that nothing has been set down in malice, nothing exaggerated, nothing drawn from the imagination; that it comes short of the reality, rather than overstates a single fact in regard to slavery as it is. The experience of Frederick Douglass, as a slave, was not a peculiar one; his lot was not especially a hard one; his case may be regarded as a very fair specimen of the treatment of slaves in Maryland, in which State it is conceded that they are better fed and less cruelly treated than in Georgia, Alabama, or Louisiana. Many have suffered incomparably more, while very few on the plantations have suffered less, than himself. Yet how deplorable was his situation! what terrible chastisements were inflicted upon his person! what still more shocking outrages were perpetrated upon his mind! with all his noble powers and sublime aspirations, how like a brute was he treated, even by those professing to have the same mind in them that was in Christ Jesus! to what dreadful liabilities was he continually subjected! how destitute of friendly counsel and aid, even in his greatest extremities! how heavy was the midnight of woe which shrouded in blackness the last ray of hope, and filled the future with terror and gloom! what longings after freedom took possession of his breast, and how his misery augmented, in proportion as he grew reflective and intelligent,—thus demonstrating that a happy slave is an extinct man! how he thought, reasoned, felt, under the lash of the driver, with the chains upon his limbs! what perils he encountered in his endeavors to escape from his horrible doom! and how signal have been his deliverance and preservation in the midst of a nation of pitiless enemies!

Mr. Douglass has rightly chosen to write his own Narrative, in his own style and to the best of his ability. He chose this rather than having someone else write it. The work is therefore entirely his own. His years in slavery were long and dark. Since breaking his iron chains, he has had few opportunities to develop his mind. In my judgment, his work brings great credit to both his mind and his heart. Anyone who reads it without tears, a heaving chest, and a grieving spirit must have a heart of stone. So must anyone who feels no unspeakable hatred of slavery and all who support it. The same is true of anyone not moved to seek the immediate destruction of that hateful system. Such readers must also tremble for this country's fate in the hands of a just God. He is always on the side of the oppressed, and his arm still has the power to save. Anyone unmoved by all this is fit to trade “in slaves and the souls of men.” I am confident that all its statements are essentially true. Nothing was written out of malice, nothing exaggerated, and nothing invented. It falls short of the reality rather than overstating a single fact about slavery as it is. Frederick Douglass's experience as a slave was not unusual. His fate was not especially harsh. His case may be considered a fair example of how slaves were treated in Maryland. It is acknowledged that slaves there are better fed and treated less cruelly than in Georgia, Alabama, or Louisiana. Many have suffered incomparably more than he did. Very few on the plantations have suffered less. Yet how miserable his situation was! What terrible punishments were inflicted on his body! What still more shocking violations were committed against his mind! Despite his noble abilities and lofty hopes, he was treated like an animal! Even people claiming to share the mind of Christ Jesus treated him this way! What dreadful dangers he constantly faced! How completely he lacked friendly advice and help, even in his greatest need! How deep was the darkness of suffering that blotted out his last ray of hope! It filled his future with terror and gloom! What longings for freedom seized his heart! How his misery increased as he became more thoughtful and knowledgeable! This shows that a happy slave is a person whose inner life has been extinguished! How he thought, reasoned, and felt under the slave driver's whip, with chains on his limbs! What dangers he faced in trying to escape his horrible fate! And how remarkable his rescue and survival have been, amid a nation of merciless enemies!

This Narrative contains many affecting incidents, many passages of great eloquence and power; but I think the most thrilling one of them all is the description Douglass gives of his feelings, as he stood soliloquizing respecting his fate, and the chances of his one day being a freeman, on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay—viewing the receding vessels as they flew with their white wings before the breeze, and apostrophizing them as animated by the living spirit of freedom. Who can read that passage, and be insensible to its pathos and sublimity? Compressed into it is a whole Alexandrian library of thought, feeling, and sentiment—all that can, all that need be urged, in the form of expostulation, entreaty, rebuke, against that crime of crimes,—making man the property of his fellow-man! O, how accursed is that system, which entombs the godlike mind of man, defaces the divine image, reduces those who by creation were crowned with glory and honor to a level with four-footed beasts, and exalts the dealer in human flesh above all that is called God! Why should its existence be prolonged one hour? Is it not evil, only evil, and that continually? What does its presence imply but the absence of all fear of God, all regard for man, on the part of the people of the United States? Heaven speed its eternal overthrow!

This Narrative contains many moving incidents and many passages of great eloquence and power. But I think the most stirring is Douglass’s description of his feelings as he stood beside the Chesapeake Bay. He spoke to himself about his fate and his chances of one day becoming a free man. He watched the ships sail away, their white wings flying before the breeze. He spoke to them as though the living spirit of freedom gave them life. Who can read that passage without feeling its sorrow and grandeur? It holds a whole Library of Alexandria’s worth of thought, feeling, and emotion. It contains everything that can or needs to be said in protest, pleading, and condemnation against the greatest of crimes. That crime is making one human being the property of another! Oh, how cursed is the system that buries the godlike human mind and disfigures the image of God! It reduces people, crowned at creation with glory and honor, to the level of four-footed beasts. It raises the trader in human flesh above everything called God! Why should this system exist for even one more hour? Is it not evil, only evil, all the time? What does its presence show about the people of the United States? Nothing but a complete absence of reverence for God and concern for humanity. May heaven hasten its destruction forever!

So profoundly ignorant of the nature of slavery are many persons, that they are stubbornly incredulous whenever they read or listen to any recital of the cruelties which are daily inflicted on its victims. They do not deny that the slaves are held as property; but that terrible fact seems to convey to their minds no idea of injustice, exposure to outrage, or savage barbarity. Tell them of cruel scourgings, of mutilations and brandings, of scenes of pollution and blood, of the banishment of all light and knowledge, and they affect to be greatly indignant at such enormous exaggerations, such wholesale misstatements, such abominable libels on the character of the southern planters! As if all these direful outrages were not the natural results of slavery! As if it were less cruel to reduce a human being to the condition of a thing, than to give him a severe flagellation, or to deprive him of necessary food and clothing! As if whips, chains, thumb-screws, paddles, blood-hounds, overseers, drivers, patrols, were not all indispensable to keep the slaves down, and to give protection to their ruthless oppressors! As if, when the marriage institution is abolished, concubinage, adultery, and incest, must not necessarily abound; when all the rights of humanity are annihilated, any barrier remains to protect the victim from the fury of the spoiler; when absolute power is assumed over life and liberty, it will not be wielded with destructive sway! Skeptics of this character abound in society. In some few instances, their incredulity arises from a want of reflection; but, generally, it indicates a hatred of the light, a desire to shield slavery from the assaults of its foes, a contempt of the colored race, whether bond or free. Such will try to discredit the shocking tales of slaveholding cruelty which are recorded in this truthful Narrative; but they will labor in vain. Mr. Douglass has frankly disclosed the place of his birth, the names of those who claimed ownership in his body and soul, and the names also of those who committed the crimes which he has alleged against them. His statements, therefore, may easily be disproved, if they are untrue.

Many people understand so little about slavery that they stubbornly refuse to believe accounts of its daily cruelties. They do not deny that enslaved people are held as property. Yet that terrible fact suggests to them no injustice, vulnerability to abuse, or savage brutality. Tell them about cruel whippings, mutilations, branding, sexual violations, bloodshed, and the denial of all learning and knowledge. They pretend to be outraged by such enormous exaggerations, such sweeping falsehoods, such hateful slanders against southern slaveholders! As if all these terrible abuses were not the natural results of slavery! As if reducing a human being to a thing were less cruel than severely whipping him! As if it were less cruel than denying him necessary food and clothing! As if whips, chains, thumbscrews, paddles, bloodhounds, overseers, slave drivers, and patrols were not all essential to keeping enslaved people down! As if they were not all essential to protecting their ruthless oppressors! As if abolishing marriage would not inevitably lead to widespread concubinage, adultery, and incest! As if any barrier could protect victims from their abusers’ fury once all human rights were destroyed! As if absolute power over life and liberty would not be used destructively! Such skeptics are everywhere in society. In a few cases, their disbelief comes from a failure to think. Usually, though, it reveals hatred of the truth and a desire to defend slavery against its opponents. It also reveals contempt for Black people, whether enslaved or free. Such people will try to discredit the shocking accounts of slaveholders’ cruelty recorded in this truthful Narrative. But their efforts will fail. Mr. Douglass has openly named his birthplace and those who claimed ownership of his body and soul. He has also named those who committed the crimes he accuses them of. His statements can therefore be easily disproved if they are untrue.

In the course of his Narrative, he relates two instances of murderous cruelty,—in one of which a planter deliberately shot a slave belonging to a neighboring plantation, who had unintentionally gotten within his lordly domain in quest of fish; and in the other, an overseer blew out the brains of a slave who had fled to a stream of water to escape a bloody scourging. Mr. Douglass states that in neither of these instances was any thing done by way of legal arrest or judicial investigation. The Baltimore American, of March 17, 1845, relates a similar case of atrocity, perpetrated with similar impunity—as follows:—“Shooting a slave.—We learn, upon the authority of a letter from Charles county, Maryland, received by a gentleman of this city, that a young man, named Matthews, a nephew of General Matthews, and whose father, it is believed, holds an office at Washington, killed one of the slaves upon his father’s farm by shooting him. The letter states that young Matthews had been left in charge of the farm; that he gave an order to the servant, which was disobeyed, when he proceeded to the house, obtained a gun, and, returning, shot the servant. He immediately, the letter continues, fled to his father’s residence, where he still remains unmolested.”—Let it never be forgotten, that no slaveholder or overseer can be convicted of any outrage perpetrated on the person of a slave, however diabolical it may be, on the testimony of colored witnesses, whether bond or free. By the slave code, they are adjudged to be as incompetent to testify against a white man, as though they were indeed a part of the brute creation. Hence, there is no legal protection in fact, whatever there may be in form, for the slave population; and any amount of cruelty may be inflicted on them with impunity. Is it possible for the human mind to conceive of a more horrible state of society?

In his Narrative, he describes two cases of murderous cruelty. In one, a plantation owner deliberately shot an enslaved man belonging to a neighboring plantation. The man had accidentally entered the owner’s grand domain while looking for fish. In the other, an overseer blew out the brains of an enslaved man. The man had fled into a stream to escape a bloody whipping. Mr. Douglass states that neither case led to an arrest or a judicial investigation. The Baltimore American of March 17, 1845, reports a similar atrocity that likewise went unpunished: “Shooting an enslaved man. We have learned of this incident through a letter from Charles County, Maryland, received by a gentleman in this city. A young man named Matthews killed an enslaved man on his father’s farm by shooting him. Matthews is a nephew of General Matthews. His father is believed to hold an office in Washington. The letter states that young Matthews had been left in charge of the farm. He gave the servant an order, which the servant disobeyed. He then went to the house, got a gun, and returned and shot the servant. The letter continues that he immediately fled to his father’s residence. He remains there, undisturbed.” Let it never be forgotten that no slaveholder or overseer can be convicted on the testimony of Black witnesses. This applies to any act of violence against an enslaved person, however evil, whether the witnesses are enslaved or free. Under slave law, they are considered unfit to testify against a white man, as if they were animals. Thus, enslaved people have no real legal protection, whatever protection may exist on paper. Any amount of cruelty can be inflicted on them without punishment. Can the human mind imagine a more horrible state of society?

The effect of a religious profession on the conduct of southern masters is vividly described in the following Narrative, and shown to be any thing but salutary. In the nature of the case, it must be in the highest degree pernicious. The testimony of Mr. Douglass, on this point, is sustained by a cloud of witnesses, whose veracity is unimpeachable. “A slaveholder’s profession of Christianity is a palpable imposture. He is a felon of the highest grade. He is a man-stealer. It is of no importance what you put in the other scale.”

The following Narrative vividly describes how professing religion affects the conduct of southern slaveholders. It shows that the effect is anything but beneficial. By its very nature, it must be extremely harmful. The testimony of Mr. Douglass on this point is supported by countless witnesses whose truthfulness is beyond question. “A slaveholder’s claim to be a Christian is an obvious fraud. He is a criminal of the worst kind. He steals human beings. Nothing you weigh against that fact matters.”

Reader! are you with the man-stealers in sympathy and purpose, or on the side of their down-trodden victims? If with the former, then are you the foe of God and man. If with the latter, what are you prepared to do and dare in their behalf? Be faithful, be vigilant, be untiring in your efforts to break every yoke, and let the oppressed go free. Come what may—cost what it may—inscribe on the banner which you unfurl to the breeze, as your religious and political motto—“NO COMPROMISE WITH SLAVERY! NO UNION WITH SLAVEHOLDERS!”

Reader! Do you share the sympathies and aims of those who steal people, or stand with their oppressed victims? If you stand with the first group, you are an enemy of God and humanity. If you stand with the victims, what are you prepared to do and risk for them? Be faithful, be watchful, and never tire in your efforts to break every chain and set the oppressed free. Whatever happens, whatever the cost, write these words on the banner you raise in the wind. Make them your religious and political motto: “NO COMPROMISE WITH SLAVERY! NO UNION WITH SLAVEHOLDERS!”