destined for the New Orleans market, was not among the number of passengers.’  Before the captain had time to reply, the passenger alluded to, who had overheard the question, stepped to the side of the vessel, and recognising Mr. Tyson, asked what business he had with him.  ‘I understand,’ said Mr. Tyson, ’that a colored person,’ describing him, ’now in thy possession, is entitled to his freedom.’  ‘He is my slave,’ said the trader; ’I have purchased him by a fair title, and no man shall interfere between him and me.’

“‘If these documents speak the truth,’ said Mr. Tyson, holding certain papers in his hand, ’however fairly you have purchased him he is not your slave.’  He then proceeded to read the documents.  At the same time a light breeze springing up, the captain ordered all hands to hoist sail and be off.  Mr. Tyson seeing that there was not a minute to be lost, requested the constables to go on board with him for the purpose of rescuing the free man who had been deprived of his rights.  The trader immediately drew a dagger from his belt, (for this sort of men went always armed,) and swore that ’the first man that dared set his foot upon the deck of that ship was a dead man.’  ’Then I will be that man,’ said Mr. Tyson, with a firm voice and intrepid countenance, and sprang upon the deck.  The trader stepped back aghast.  The officers followed, and descended the hold of the ship.  There they soon saw the object of their search.  Without any resistance being made on the part of a single person on board, they led their rescued prisoner along and safely lodged him in the boat below.  Then Mr. Tyson, addressing the trader, said, ’If you have any lawful claim to this man, come along and try your title; if you cannot come, name your agent, and I will see that justice is done to all parties.’  The trader, who seemed dumb with confusion, made no answer; and Mr. Tyson requested his boatmen to row off.  Ere they had proceeded half their distance from the ship, her sails were spread and she began to ride down the stream.  Had Mr. Tyson’s visit been delayed half an hour longer, his benevolent exertions would have been in vain.

    “No one appearing to dispute the right of the colored man to
    freedom, his freedom papers were given him and he was set at
    liberty.

“The whole life of Mr. Tyson was diversified by acts such as we have just described.  Those I have given to the reader may be considered as specimens merely, a few examples out of a vast many, which, if they were all repeated, would satiate by their number and tire by their uniformity.

“The joy manifested by the poor creatures whom he thus rescued from misery, on their deliverance, may be imagined, but cannot well be described.  Sometimes it broke forth in loud and wild demonstrations; sometimes it was deep and inexpressible, or expressed only by mingled tears of gratitude and ecstacy, rolling silently