This advice to the woman was made in the hearing of a number of persons present, white and colored; and one elderly white gentleman of genteel address, who seemed to take much interest in what was going on, remarked that they would have the same chance for their freedom in New Jersey and New York as they then had—­seeming to sympathize with the woman, etc.

During the few moments in which the above remarks were made, the slaveholder frequently interrupted—­said she understood all about the laws making her free, and her right to leave if she wanted to; but contended that she did not want to leave—­that she was on a visit to New York to see her friends—­afterward wished to return to her three children whom she left in Virginia, from whom it would be HARD to separate her.  Furthermore, he diligently tried to constrain her to say that she did not want to be interfered with—­that she wanted to go with him—­that she was on a visit to New York—­had children in the South, etc.; but the woman’s desire to be free was altogether too strong to allow her to make a single acknowledgment favorable to his wishes in the matter.  On the contrary, she repeatedly said, distinctly and firmly, “I am not free, but I want my freedom—­ALWAYS wanted to be free!! but he holds me.”

While the slaveholder claimed that she belonged to him, he said that she was free!  Again he said that he was going to give her her freedom, etc.  When his eyes would be off of hers, such eagerness as her looks expressed, indicative of her entreaty that we would not forsake her and her little ones in their weakness, it had never been my lot to witness before, under any circumstances.

The last bell tolled!  The last moment for further delay passed!  The arm of the woman being slightly touched, accompanied with the word, “Come!” she instantly arose.  “Go along—­go along!” said some, who sympathized, to the boys, at the same time taking hold of their arms.  By this time the parties were fairly moving toward the stairway leading to the deck below.  Instantly on their starting, the slave-holder rushed at the woman and her children, to prevent their leaving; and, if I am not mistaken, he simultaneously took hold of the woman and Mr. Williamson, which resistance on his part caused Mr. W. to take hold of him and set him aside quickly.

The passengers were looking on all around, but none interfered in behalf of the slaveholder except one man, whom I took to be another slaveholder.  He said harshly, “Let them alone; they are his property!’” The youngest boy, about 7 years of age—­too young to know what these things meant—­cried “Massa John!  Massa John!” The elder boy, 11 years of age, took the matter more dispassionately, and the mother quite calmly.  The mother and her sympathizers all moved down the stairs together