MICHAEL VAUGHN.  Michael was about thirty-one years of age, with superior physical proportions, and no lack of common sense.  His color was without paleness—­dark and unfading, and his manly appearance was quite striking.  Michael belonged to a lady, whom he described as a “very disagreeable woman.”  “For all my life I have belonged to her, but for the last eight years I have hired my time.  I paid my mistress $120 a year; a part of the time I had to find my board and all my clothing.”  This was the direct, and unequivocal testimony that Michael gave of his slave life, which was the foundation for alleging that his mistress was a “very disagreeable woman.”

Michael left a wife and one child in Slavery; but they were not owned by his mistress.  Before escaping, he felt afraid to lead his companion into the secret of his contemplated movements, as he felt, that there was no possible way for him to do anything for her deliverance; on the other hand, any revelation of the matter might prove too exciting for the poor soul;—­her name was Esther.  That he did not lose his affection for her whom he was obliged to leave so unceremoniously, is shown by the appended letter: 

    NEW BEDFORD, August 22d, 1855.

DEAR SIR:—­I send you this to inform you that I expect my wife to come that way.  If she should, you will direct her to me.  When I came through your city last Fall, you took my name in your office, which was then given you, Michael Vaughn; since then my name is William Brown, No. 130 Kempton street.  Please give my wife and child’s name to Dr. Lundy, and tell him to attend to it for me.  Her name is Esther, and the child’s name Louisa.

    Truly yours,

    WILLIAM BROWN.

Michael worked in a foundry.  In church fellowship he was connected with the Methodists—­his mistress with the Baptists.

THOMAS NIXON was about nineteen years of age, of a dark hue, and quite intelligent.  He had not much excuse to make for leaving, except, that he was “tired of staying” with his “owner,” as he “feared he might be sold some day,” so he “thought” that he might as well save him the trouble.  Thomas belonged to a Mr. Bockover, a wholesale grocer, No. 12 Brewer street.  Thomas left behind him his mother and three brothers.  His father was sold away when he was an infant, consequently he never saw him.  Thomas was a member of the Methodist Church; his master was of the same persuasion.

FREDERICK NIXON was about thirty-three years of age, and belonged truly to the wide-awake class of slaves, as his marked physical and mental appearance indicated.  He had a more urgent excuse for escaping than Thomas; he declared that he fled because, his owner wanted “to work him hard without allowing him any chance, and had treated him rough.”  Frederick was also one of Mr. Bockover’s chattels; he left his wife, Elizabeth, with four children in bondage.  They were living in Eatontown, North Carolina.  It had been almost one year since he had seen them.  Had he remained in Norfolk he had not the slightest prospect of being reunited to his wife and children, as he had been already separated from them for about three years.  This painful state of affairs only increased his desire to leave those who were brutal enough to make such havoc in his domestic relations.