 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
||||
|
||||
| £80 THE UNDERGROUND BAIL&OAD. George Thompson, the distinguished abolitionist of England, and speaks for itself. The other quotation is from the pea of a highly respectable and intelligent lady, belonging to the Society of Friends, or Quakers, and a most devoted friend of the slave, whose statement obviously is literally true. From Mr. McKiu to GEORGE THOMPSOX, 1851. " The accompanying parcel of extracts will give you a full account of the different slave cases tried in thia city, under the new Fugitive Slave Law up to this time. Full and accurate as these reports are, they will afford you. but a faint idea of the anguish and confusion that have been produced in this part of the country by this infamous statute. It has turned Southeastern Pennsylvania into another Guinea Coast, and caused a large portion of the inhabitants to feel as insecure from the brutal violence and diabolical acts of the kidnapper, as are the unhappy creatures who people the shores of Africa. Ruffians from the other side of the Slave-line, aided by professional kidnappers on our own soil, a class of men whose ' occupation ' until lately, had been ' gone,' are continually prowling through the community, and every now and then seizing and carrying away tlieir prey. As a specimen of the boldness, though fortunately, not of the success always with which these wretches prosecute their nefarious trade, read the enclosed article, which I cut from the Freeman, of January 2d, and bear in mind that in no respect are the facts here mentioned over-stated. This affair occurred in Chester county, one of tbe most orderly and intelligent counties in the State, a county settled principally by Quakers. A •week or two after this occurrence, and not far from the same place, a farmhouse was entered by a band of armed ruffians, in the evening, and at a time when all the able-bodied occupants, save one, were known to be absent. This was a colored man, who was seated by the kitchen fire, and in the act of taking off his shoes. He was instantly knocked down and gagged; but, still resisting, he was beaten most unmercifully. There was a woman, and also a feeble old man, in the house, who were attracted to the spot by the scuffle; but they could neither render any assistance, nor (the light being put ou|), could they recognize the parties engaged in it. The unhappy victim being fairly overcome, was dragged like a slain beast to a wagon, which ^as about a hundred yards distant, waiting to receive him. In this he waaj>laced, and conveyed across the line, which was about twenty miles furtherjBouth; and that was the last, so far as I know, that has ever been beard cjf him. The alarm was given, of course, as soon as possible, and the neighbors were quickly in pursuit; but the kidnappers had got the start of them. The next morning the trail between the hoase, and tbe place \vhere the wagon stood, was distinctly visible, and deeply marked with blood. |