When the first of our persecuted race were brought to this country it was to teach them to reverence the only true and living God; or such was the answer of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of England, when her subjects desired the liberty to bring from their native land the poor, ignorant African.  “Let them,” said the Queen, “be brought away only by their own consent, otherwise the act will be detestable, and bring down the vengeance of heaven upon us.”  A very different position truly, from the one assumed at the present day by apologists for the traffic in human flesh.  But, to return to myself.

I had determined to make an effort to own myself, and as a preliminary step, I obtained permission of Capt.  Helm to visit some friends living in Canandaigua and Geneva.  This was in the winter of 1814.  I went first to Geneva; from there to Canandaigua.  Between the two villages I met a company of United States’ troops, returning from Buffalo, where they had been to repel an invasion of the British.

The two villages above named, were small but very pretty, having been laid out with taste and great care.  Some wealthy and enterprising gentlemen had come from the East into this great Western country, who were making every improvement in their power.  The dense forest had long since fallen under the stroke of the woodman’s ax, and in that section, flourishing villages were springing up as if by magic, where so lately roamed wild beasts and rude savages, both having fallen back before the march of civilization.

I called on James Moore, as directed by Mr. Cruger, and found he was one of the directors of the “Manumission Society,” as it was then called.  This was an association of humane and intelligent gentlemen whose object it was to aid any one who was illegally held in bondage.  The funds of the society were ample; and able counsel was employed to assist those who needed it.  The late lamented John C. Spencer, one of the most eminent lawyers in Western New York, was then counsel for that society.

I soon got an interview with Mr. Moore, to whom I related the history of my life,—­the story of my wrongs and hardships.  I told him about my having been hired out by Capt.  Helm, which he said was sufficient to insure my freedom!  Oh! how my heart leaped at the thought!  The tears started, my breast heaved with a mighty throb of gratitude, and I could hardly refrain from grasping his hand or falling down at his feet; and perhaps should have made some ludicrous demonstration of my feelings, had not the kind gentleman continued his conversation in another direction.

He said that indispensable business called him to Albany, where he must go immediately, but assured me that he would return in March following; then I must come to him and he would see that I had what justly belonged to me—­my freedom from Slavery.  He advised me to return to Bath and go on with my work as usual until March, but to say nothing of my intentions and prospects.  I returned according to his directions, with a heart so light, that I could not realize that my bonds were not yet broken, nor the yoke removed from off my neck.  I was already free in spirit, and I silently exulted in the bright prospect of liberty.