‘Yes,’ said I, ’let me talk to your women of a mother’s right to herself and her offspring, and then see how many of them you would find willing to remain in bondage!’

“After various pros and cons, we concluded a bargain, subject of course to the parties being willing to leave the ’patriarchal institution.’  Three thousand five hundred dollars were to be paid, and both of us together were to have an opportunity of conversing with Sam and his wife.  The master probably felt so confident that his slave would not leave him, that he had not patience to wait the promised interview; for he popped the delicate question to him alone.  Sam had been informed of the whole progress of the affair, from the time of G. Smith’s first letter; and he answered promptly that he would go so that before I met him, that difficult part of the business had ’ended in smoke.’

“S.  Worthington’s disappointment was the greater because I had told him that I had felt like one of old:  ’If the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this;’ that I could go back with a quiet mind; and that the consciences of my friends in Peterboro’ would doubtless be satisfied, having given Harriet and her family the liberty of choice, and thus made all the reparation in their power for having ever held her in slavery.

“The large price paid for the redemption of this family may surprise thee, especially if thou hast not forgotten that passage in Worthington’s letter where he says, ’I am, to some extent, opposed to slavery; nor do I object to the efforts of abolitionists when done in a good spirit.’  It is, however, but justice to say that the description he gave of the family is strictly correct ’They are all sprightly, remarkable for good character, and of course most valuable for house servants.’  He said he had repeatedly been offered two thousand dollars for Sam, and he believed he would command that sum any day from those who knew his worth; that his old master prised him very highly, particularly for his moral excellence; and, speaking of his conduct, described him as a ‘gentleman.’  Yet he talked as if he were certain that Sam and his family would be reduced to beggary if left to themselves at the North!  The children, it is true, have had little preparation in slavery for self reliance; for the most favored of them cannot spell their own names.

“S.  Worthington said many had inquired of him what business brought me there; and being informed of the object of my mission, they advised him to have nothing to do with me.  ‘But,’ said he, ’though I am certain the condition of Sam and his wife cannot be bettered, I do not think the same with regard to their children; and as Mr. Smith seems disposed to do a kind action, I cannot, in conscience, attempt to frustrate it.  If I were to send you home without this family, I should have a troubled