George Lewis had more years than any of his companions, being about forty years of age.  He had been kept in as low a state of ignorance as the ingenuity of a slave-holder of Delaware could keep one possessed of as much mother-wit as he was, for he was not quite so ignorant as the interests of the system required.  His physical make and mental capacity were good.  He was decidedly averse to the peculiar institution in every particular.  He stated, that a man named Samuel Laws had held him in bondage—­that this “Laws was a man of no business—­just sat about the house and went about from store to store and sat; that he was an old man, pretty grey, very long hair.  He was a member of a church in the neighborhood, which was called Radical.”  Of this church and its members he could give but little account, either of their peculiarities or creed; he said, however, that they worshipped a good deal like the Methodists, and allowed their members to swear heartily for slavery.

“Something told” George that he had worked long enough as a slave, and that he should be man enough to take the Underground Rail Road and go off to a free country.  Accordingly George set out.  When he arrived at the station he was so highly delighted with his success and the prospect before him, that he felt very sorry that he hadn’t started ten years sooner.  He said that he would have done so, but he was afraid, as slave-holders were always making the slaves believe that if they should ever escape they would catch them and bring them back and sell them down South, certain; that they always did catch every one who ran off, but never brought them home, but sold them right off where they could never run away any more, or get to see their relatives again.  This threat, George said, was continually rung in the ears of the slaves, and with the more timid it was very effective.

Jacob Blockson, after reaching Canada, true to the pledge that he made to his bosom companion, wrote back as follows: 

    SAINT CATHARINES.  Cannda West, Dec. 26th, 1858.

DEAR WIFE:—­I now infom you I am in Canada and am well and hope you are the same, and would wish you to be here next august, you come to suspension bridge and from there to St. Catharines, write and let me know.  I am doing well working for a Butcher this winter, and will get good wages in the spring I now get $2,50 a week.

I Jacob Blockson, George Lewis, George Alligood and James Alligood are all in St. Catharines, and met George Ross from Lewis Wright’s, Jim Blockson is in Canada West, and Jim Delany, Plunnoth Connon.  I expect you my wife Lea Ann Blockson, my son Alexander & Lewis and Ames will all be here and Isabella also, if you cant bring all bring Alexander surely, write when you will come and I will meet you in Albany.  Love to you all, from your loving Husband,

    JACOB BLOCKSON.

    fare through $12,30 to here.

    MR. STILL:  SIR:—­you will please Envelope this and send it to
    John Sheppard Bridgeville P office in Sussex county Delaware,
    seal it in black and oblige me, write to her to come to you.