When I asked him, not long after, to tell me more of what he had learned at school, he said that his mother had forbidden him to do so any more, as her father had a slave, who was instructed in reading and writing, and on that account proved very troublesome.  He could, they said, imitate the hand-writing of the neighboring planters, and used to write passes and certificates of freedom for the slaves, and finally wrote one for himself, and went off to Philadelphia, from whence her father received from him a saucy letter, thanking him for his education.

The early years of my life went by pleasantly.  The bitterness of my lot I had not yet realized.  Comfortably clothed and fed, kindly treated by my old master and mistress and the young ladies, and the playmate and confidant of my young master, I did not dream of the dark reality of evil before me.

When he was fourteen years of age, master George went to his uncle Brockenbrough’s at Charlottesville, as a student of the University.  After his return from College, he went to Paris and other parts of Europe, and spent three or four years in study and travelling.  In the mean time I was a waiter in the house, dining-room servant, &c.  My old master visited and received visits from a great number of the principal families in Virginia.  Each summer, with his family, he visited the Sulphur Springs and the mountains.  While George was absent, I went with him to New-Orleans, in the winter season, on account of his failing health.  We spent three days in Charleston, at Mr. McDuffie’s, with whom my master was on intimate terms.  Mr. McDuffie spent several days on one occasion at Mt.  Pleasant.  He took a fancy to me, and offered my master the servant whom he brought with him and $500 beside, for me.  My master considered it almost an insult, and said after he was gone, that Mr. McDuffie needed money to say the least, as much as he did.

He had a fine house in Richmond, and used to spend his winters there with his family, taking me with him.  He was not there much at other times, except when the Convention of 1829 for amending the State Constitution, was held in that city.  He had a quarrel with Mr. Neal of Richmond Co., in consequence of some remarks upon the subject of Slavery.  It came near terminating in a duel.  I recollect that during the sitting of the Convention, my master asked me before several other gentlemen, if I wished to be free and go back to my own country.  I looked at him with surprise, and inquired what country?

“Africa, to be sure,” said he, laughing.

I told him that was not my country—­that I was born in Virginia.

“Oh yes,” said he, “but your father was born in Africa.”  He then said that there was a place on the African coast called Liberia where a great many free blacks were going; and asked me to tell him honestly, whether I would prefer to be set free on condition of going to Africa, or live with him and remain a slave.  I replied that I had rather be as I was.