Page:The Under-Ground Railroad.djvu/99

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places no man was ever put to death by the Slaves. But to the contrary, the authorities positively declare, that emancipation took place in the most peaceable manner.

Sir Lionel Smith, the Governor of Jamaica, in his speech to the Assembly, says, their "conduct proves how well they deserved the boon of freedom." His Majesty once declared from the throne, "that emancipation had taken place without any disturbance of public order or tranquility." I believe in the doctrine, that "our safety consists in doing our duty, both to God and man."

We will return to our subject. In the Slave States it is customary for the free coloured men to marry Slave women. There is no legal marriage, when one party is a Slave, whether the free party be white or coloured. A free coloured man wished to purchase his wife's freedom; not having the money, he agreed with her master to work seven years for her, at the end of which he was to possess her. The man faithfully performed his duty, but at the expiration of the seven years, the master refused to give her up. The oath of a coloured person being invalidated in any case where a white person is a party concerned, the man had no legal redress. The master, nevertheless, gained the confidence of the man by affirming, with all the solemnity of an oath, that he