even the whipping-post, at which they were constantly enduring the lash.  While we were lying there by the jail, two vessels came from Eastern Shore, Virginia, laden with cattle and colored people.  The cattle were lowing for their calves, and the men and women were crying for their husbands, wives, or children.  The cries and groans were terrible, notwithstanding there was a whipper on board each vessel, trying to compel the poor creatures to keep silence.  These vessels lay close to ours.  I had been a long time away from such scenes; the sight affected me very much, and added greatly to my fears.

One day I saw a boat coming from the shore with white men in it.  I thought they were officers coming to take me; and such was my horror of slavery, that I twice ran to the ship’s waist to jump overboard into the strong ebb tide then running, to drown myself; but a strong impression on my mind restrained me each time.

Once more we got under way for New York; but, meeting again with head winds, we ran into Maurice’s River, in Delaware Bay.  New Jersey, in which that place lies, is not a slave state.  So I said to the captain, ’Let me have a boat, and set me on the free land once more; then I will travel home over land; for I will not run the risk of going back to Virginia any more.  The captain said there was no danger, but I exclaimed, ’No, no! captain, I will not try it; put my feet on free land once again, and I shall be safe.’  When I once more touched the free land, the burden of my mind was removed; if two ton weight had been taken off me, the relief would not have seemed so great.

From Maurice’s Creek I travelled to Philadelphia, and at that place had a letter written to my wife, at Boston, thanking God that I was on free land again.  On arriving at Boston, I borrowed $150 of a friend, and, going to New York, I obtained the help of Mr. John Williams to send the $450 to Norfolk; thus, at length, I bought my son’s freedom.  I met him at New York, and brought him on to Boston.

Six other of my children, three boys and three girls, were sold to New Orleans.  Two of these daughters have bought their own freedom.  The eldest of them, Catherine, was sold three times after she was taken away from Virginia; the first time was by auction.  Her last master but one was a Frenchman; she worked in his sugar-cane and cotton fields.  Another Frenchman inquired for a girl, on whom he could depend, to wait on his wife, who was in a consumption.  Her master offered him my daughter; they went into the field to see her, and the bargain was struck.  Her new master gave her up to his sick wife, on whom she waited till her death.  As she had waited exceedingly well on his wife, her master offered her a chance of buying her freedom.  She objected to his terms as too high; for he required her to pay him $4 a week out of her earnings, and $1,200 for her freedom.  He said he could get more for her, and told her she might get plenty of washing, at a dollar