Every exertion for Mary’s relief having thus failed; and being fully convinced from a twelvemonth’s observation of her conduct, that she was really a well-disposed and respectable woman; I engaged her, in December 1829, as a domestic servant in my own family.  In this capacity she has remained ever since; and I am thus enabled to speak of her conduct and character with a degree of confidence I could not have otherwise done.  The importance of this circumstance will appear in the sequel.

From the time of Mr. Wood’s departure to Antigua, in 1829, till June or July last, no farther effort was attempted for Mary’s relief.  Some faint hope was still cherished that this unconscionable man would at length relent, and “in his own time and way,” grant the prayer of the exiled negro woman.  After waiting, however, nearly twelve months longer, and seeing the poor woman’s spirits daily sinking under the sickening influence of hope deferred, I resolved on a final attempt in her behalf, through the intervention of the Moravian Missionaries, and of the Governor of Antigua.  At my request, Mr. Edward Moore, agent of the Moravian Brethren in London, wrote to the Rev. Joseph Newby, their Missionary in that island, empowering him to negotiate in his own name with Mr. Wood for Mary’s manumission, and to procure his consent, if possible, upon terms of ample pecuniary compensation.  At the same time the excellent and benevolent William Allen, of the Society of Friends, wrote to Sir Patrick Ross, the Governor of the Colony, with whom he was on terms of friendship, soliciting him to use his influence in persuading Mr. Wood to consent:  and I confess I was sanguine enough to flatter myself that we should thus at length prevail.  The result proved, however, that I had not yet fully appreciated the character of the man we had to deal with.

Mr. Newby’s answer arrived early in November last, mentioning that he had done all in his power to accomplish our purpose, but in vain; and that if Mary’s manumission could not be obtained without Mr. Wood’s consent, he believed there was no prospect of its ever being effected.

A few weeks afterwards I was informed by Mr. Allen, that he had received a letter from Sir Patrick Ross, stating that he also had used his best endeavours in the affair, but equally without effect.  Sir Patrick at the same time inclosed a letter, addressed by Mr. Wood to his Secretary, Mr. Taylor, assigning his reasons for persisting in this extraordinary course.  This letter requires our special attention.  Its tenor is as follows:—­

     “My dear Sir,

“In reply to your note relative to the woman Molly, I beg you will have the kindness to oblige me by assuring his Excellency that I regret exceedingly my inability to comply with his request, which under other circumstances would afford me very great pleasure.

“There are many and powerful reasons for inducing me to refuse my sanction