Identifier: undergroundrailr00lcstil (find matches)
Title: The underground rail road. A record of facts, authentic narratives, letters, &c., narrating the hardships, hairbreadth escapes and death struggles of the slaves in their efforts for freedom
Year: 1872 (1870s)
Authors: Still, William, 1821-1902
Subjects: Underground Railroad Fugitive slaves -- United States Antislavery movements -- United States
Publisher: Philadelphia, Porter & Coates
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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e first words to the mother were: Are you traveling? Yes, was theprompt answer. With whom? She nodded her head toward the ill-favoredman, signifying with him. Fidgeting on his seat, he said something, exactlywliat I do not now recollect. In reply I remarked : Do they belong toyou, Sir? Yes, they are in my charge, was his answer. Turning fromhim to the mother and her sons, in substance, and word for word, as near asI can remember, the following remarks were earnestly though calmly ad-dressed by the individuals who rejoiced to meet them on free soil, and whofelt unmistakably assured that they were justified by the laws of Pennsylvaniaas well as the T^aw of God, in informing them of their rights : You are entitled to your freedom according to the laws of Pennsylvania,having been brought into the State by your owner. If you prefer freedom toslavery, as we suppose everybody does, you have the chance to accej)t it now.Act calmly—dont be frightened by your master—you are as much entitled
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fl TRIAL OF THE EMANCIPATORS. 89 to your freedom as we are, or as he is—be determined and you need have nofears but that you will be protected by the law. Judges have time and againdecided cases in this city and State similar to yours in favor of freedom!Of course, if you want to remain a slave with your master, we cannot forceyou to leave; we only want to make you sensible of your rights. Rememberjif you lose this chance you may never get such another, etc. This advice to the woman was made in the hearing of a number of per-sons present, white and colored; and one elderly white gentleman of genteeladdress, who seemed to take much interest in what was going on, remarkedthat they would have the same chance for their freedom in New Jersey andNew York as tiiey then had—seeming to sympathize with the woman, etc. During the few moments in which the above remarks were made, the slave-holder frequently interrupted—said she understood all about the laws makingher free, and her right to

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