Project Gutenberg's The Journal of Negro History, Volume 3, 1918, by Various This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: The Journal of Negro History, Volume 3, 1918 Author: Various Release Date: March 26, 2007 [EBook #20906] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NEGRO HISTORY *** Produced by Curtis Weyant, Richard J. Shiffer, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Transcriber's Note: Everyefforthasbeenmadetorepilcatethistextasfaithfullyaspossible,includingobsoleteand variantspelilngsandotherinconsistencies.Textthathasbeenchangedtocorrectanobviouserroris noted at theendnts.onteofClbeeaTdhtdaedrberiscantreth,oslA.koobesiofht THEJOURNAL OF NEGROHISTORY VOLUMEIII 1918 CONTENTS VOLIII—JANUARY, 1918—NO. 1 The Story of Josiah HensonW. B. HARTGROVE EilzabethBarrettBrowningandtheNegroBENJAMINBRAWLEY Palmares: The Negro NumantiaCHARLESE. CHAPMAN SlaveryinCalfiorniaDE IL LAHL. BEASLEY Documents CailforniaFreedomPapers ThomasJefferson'sThoughtsontheNegro SomeUndisitnguishedNegroes Book Reviews Notes VOLII—IAPRIL, 1918—NO. 2 Benjamin BannekerHENRYE. BAKER George Liele and Andrew BryanJOHNW. DAVIS Fifty Years of Howard University - Part IDWIGHTO. W. HOLMES Historical Errors of James Ford RhodesJOHNR. LYNCH Documents LettersofGovernorEdwardColes SomeUndisitnguishedNegroes Book Reviews Notes VOLI—JIIULY, 1918—NO. 3 Slavery in KentuckyIVANE. MCDOUGLE Book Reviews Notes VOL III —OCTOBER, 1918—NO. 4 Beginnings of Miscegenation of Whites and BlacksCARTERG. WOODSON GerrtiSmith'sEfforitnBehalfofNegroesZITADYSON TheBuxtonSetltementinCanadaFREDLANDON FiftyYearsofHowardUniverstiy-PatrIIDWIGHTO. W. HOLMES Documents WhattheFramersoftheFederalConsttiuiton Thought of the Negro Some Undistinguished Negroes Book Reviews Notes THEJOURNAL OF NEGROHISTORY VOL. III—JANUARY, 1918—NO. 1 THE STORY OF JOSIAH HENSON[1] NooneeverutteredamoreforcefultruththanFrederikaBremerwhenshesaidinspeakingtoAmericans: "The fate of the Negro is the romance of your history." The sketches of heroes showing the life of those once exploitedbyChristianmenmusteverbeinterestingtothosewhowouldknowtheoirginandthedevelopment ofacivilizationdistincltyAmeircan.InnocaseisthismorestirkingthaninthatofJosiahHenson,themanwho probablywaspresenttoHariretBeecherStowe'smindwhenshegraphicallyportrayedslaveryinwirting "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Josiah Henson was born June 15, 1789, on a farm in Charles County, Maryland, where his mother was hired out.Hisparentshadsixchlidren.Theonlyrecollectionhehadofhisfatherwasthatofseeinghisirghtearcut off,hisheadgashedandhisbacklacerated,asaresutlofthecruelpunishmentinfilcteduponhimbecause hehaddaredtobeattheoverseeroftheplantationforbrutallyassaulitngtheslave'swife.Becauseof becomingmorose,disobedientandintractablethereatfe,rHenson'sfatherwassoldtoaplanterinAlabama and his relatives never heard of him again. His mother was then brought back to the estate of her owner, a Doctor McPherson, who was much kinder to his slaves. Dr. McPherson gave the youth his own name, Josiah, andthefamliynameHensonatferDr.McPherson'suncle,whoservedintheRevoluitonaryWa.rJosiah showedsignsofmentalandreligiousdevelopmentunderthepiouscareofhisChirstianmotherandforthat reasonbecamehismaster'sfavoirte. Upon the death of Doctor McPherson, however, it became necessary to sell the estate and slaves to divide hispropertyamonghisheirs.TheHensonfamilywasthenscatteredthroughoutthecountryandworstofall Josiahwasseparatedfromhismothe,rnotwithstandinghismother'searnestentreatythathernewmaste,r IsaacRliey,shouldalsopurchaseherbaby.Insteadoflisteningtotheappealofthisafflictedwomancilnging tohishands,hedisengagedhimselffromherwithviolentblows.ShewasthentakentoRliey'sfarmin Montgomery County. Josiah was purchased by a man named Robb, a tavern keeper living near Montgomery Court-House.Bothmasterswereunusuallycrue,linkeepingwiththetyrannicalmethodsemployedby plantersofthatitme.Becauseoflilhealthresutlingfromthelackofpropercare,Josiahbecameverysickly. Hewasthenprovidenitallyrestoredtohismothe,rhavingbeenofferedtoherownerbyRobbforasmallsum, for the reason that it was thought that he would die. Histhirdmasterwas"vulgarinhishabits,unpirncipledandcruelinhisgeneraldeportmentandespecially addictedtotheviceoflicenitousness."[2]leutby,fidanrsadevrob-retawysaanllshianplnOosneesnitatHno aifeldhand,experiencingtheusualhardshipoftheslave.Heatetwiceadayofcornmealandsatlherirng, withaillttebuttermilkandafewvegetablesoccasionally.Hisdresswasifrstasinglegarment,somethingilke alongshirtreachingtotheankles,laterapairoftrousersandashirtwiththeaddiitonofawoolenhatoncein two or three years and a round jacket or overcoat in the winter time. He slept with ten or a dozen persons in a loghutofasinglesmallroom,withnootherfloorthanthetroddenearth,andwithoutbedsorfurniture.Inspite ofthis,howeve,rHensongrewtobearobustlad,whoattheageofiftfeencoulddoaman'swork.Havingtoo morementalcapacitythanmostslaves,hewasregardedasasmartfellow.Heairngremarksilkethisabout himsel,fHensonbecameiflledwithambitionandpirde,andaspiredtoapositionofinfluenceamonghis fellows. AtitmesHensonwouldtoliandinducehisfellowslavestoworkmuchharderandlongerthanrequiredto obtainfromtheirmasterakindwordorac,tbuttheseeffortsusuallyproducednomorefromtheirownerthan acoldcalculationofthevalueofJosiahtohim.When,howeve,rthewhiteoverseerofthisplantaitonwas dischargedforsteailngfromhisemploye,rJosiahhadshownhimselfsocapablethathewasmademanager oftheplantation.Inthisposiitonhishonestmanagementoftheestatemadehimindispensabletohismaster also as a salesman of produce in the markets of Georgetown and Washington. He had during these years comeundertheinlfuenceofananti-slaverywhitemanofGeorgetownandhadbecomeadevoutChristian with considerable influence as a preacher among the slaves. Aboutthisitme,Josiahwasservinghismasterinanothercapacity,whichbroughtuponhimoneofthe greatestmisfortunesofhislife.Thiswasaccompanyinghismastertotownforprotecitonanddeliverance whentheownersofhisorderindulgedinexcessivedirnkingandbrawlsintaverns.Someitmesinremoving his master from the midst of a fracas, he would have to handle his owner's opponent rather roughly. On one occasionwhenRlieybecameinvolvedinaquarrelwithhisbrothe'rsoversee,rHensonpushedtheoverseer down;andfallingwhileintoxicatedtheoverseersufferedsomeinjury.Theoverseerdecidedtowreak vengeance on Henson for this. Finding Henson on the way home one day the overseer assisted by three Negroesattackedhim,beatinghimunmercifullyandlefthimonthegroundalmostsenselesswithhishead badlybruisedandcutandwithhisirghtarmandbothshoulderbladesbroken.Beingonafarmwhereno physicianorsurgeonwasusuallycalled,Hensonrecoveredwithdiiffcutlyunderthekindtreatmentofhis maste'rssister;butwasneverablethereatfertoraisehishandstohishead.Theculpritdidnotsufferforthis offense,asthecourtacquittedhimonthegroundsofself-defense. InthecourseofitmeHenson'smaste,rIsaacRliey,livedsoextravaganltythathebecameinvolvedindebtand lawsuits which heralded his ruin. Seeing his estate would be seized, he intrusted to Henson in 1825 the tremendoustaskoftakinghis18slavestohisbrother,AmosRliey,inKentucky.Hensonboughtaone-horse wagontocarryprovisionsandtoreilevethewomenandchildrenfromitmetoitme.Themenwerecompelled towalkaltogether.TravelingthroughAlexandira,Culpeppe,rFauquie,rHarper'sFerryandCumberland,they metonthewaydrovesofNegroespassinginchainsunderthesystemoftheinternalslavetrade,whliethose whomHensonwasconductingweremovingfreelywithoutrestriciton.OnarirvingatWheeling,hesoldthe horseandwagonandboughtaboatofsufifcientsizetotakethewholepartydowntheirve.rAtCincinnati somefreeNegroescameouttogreetthemandurgedthemtoavalithemselvesoftheopportunitytobecome free. Few of the slaves except Henson could appreciate this boon offered them, but he had thought of obtainingitonlybypurchase.Hensonsaid:"Undertheinlfuenceoftheseimpressions,andseeingthatthe allurementsofthecrowdwereproducingamanifesteffec,tIsternlyassumedthecaptain,andorderedthe boattobepushedofifntothestream.Ashowerofcursesfollowedmefromtheshore;buttheNegroesunder me,accustomedtoobey,and,alas!toodegradedandignorantoftheadvantagesofilbertytoknowwhatthey wereforfeiting,offerednoresistancetomycommand.""Otfensincethatday,"sayshe,"hasmysoulbeen piercedwithbitteranguishatthethoughtofhavingbeenthusinstrumentalinconsigningtotheinfernal bondageofslaverysomanyofmyfellow-beings.IhavewrestledinprayerwithGodforforgiveness.Having expeirencedmyseflthesweetnessofliberty,andknowingtoowetllheatfermiseryofagreatmajorityofthem, my infatuation has seemed to me an unpardonable sin. But I console myself with the thought that I acted accordingtomybestilghtt,houghthelightthatwasinmewasdarkness."[3] Hensonfinallyarirvedwiththeseslavesatthefarmofhismaster'sbrother,ifvemilessouthoftheOhioand iffteenmilesabovetheYellowBanks,ontheBigBlackfords'CreekinDaviesCounty,Kentucky,Aprli,1825. Herethesituaitonastofood,shetlerandgeneralcomfortswasaillttebetterthaninMaryland.Heservedon thisplantationassupeirntendentandhavinghereamongmoreilberalwhitepeopletheopportunityfor reilgiousinstruction,hedevelopedintoasuccessfulpreache,rrecognizedbytheConferenceoftheMethodist Episcopal Church. There he remained waiting for his master three years. Unable to persuade his wife to move to Kentucky, however, his master decided to abandon the idea and sent an agent to bring upon those slaves another heartrendingsceneoftheaucitonblock,thoughHensonhimselfwasexempted.Hensonsawwithdeepest gireftheagonywhichherecollectedinhisownmotherandwhichhenowunfortunatelysaidinthepersons withwhomhehadlongbeenassociated.Hecouldno,ttherefore,refrainfromexpeirencingthebitterest feeling of hatred of the system and its promoters. He furthermore lamented as never before his agency in bringingthepoorcreatureshither,ifsuchhadtobetheendoftheexpedition.Freedomthenbecamethea-ll absorbingpurposethatflliedhissou.lHesaidthathestoodreadytopray,toil,dissemble,plotilkeafoxand fightilkeatige.r AnewilghtdawneduponthedarkpathwayofJosiahHenson,howeve,rin1828.AMethodistpreache,ran anti-slaverywhiteman,talkedwithHensononedayconfidentiallyaboutsecuirngfreedom.Hethereupon suggested to Henson to obtain his employer's consent to visit his old master in Maryland that he might connect with friends in Ohio along the way and obtain the sum necessary to purchase himself. His employer readilyconsentedandwiththerequiredpassandaletterofrecommendaitonfromhisMethodistfriendtoa preacher in Cincinnati, Henson obtained contributions to the amount of one hundred and sixty dollars on arirvinginthatcity,wherehepreachedtoseveralcongregations.HethenproceededtoChililcothewherethe annual Methodist Conference was in session, his kind friend accompanying him. With the aid of the influence and exertions of his coworker Henson was again successful. He then purchased a suit of comfortable clothes andanexcellenthorse,withwhichhetraveledleisurelyfromtowntotown,preachingandsoliciitngashe wen.tHesucceededsowellthatwhenhearirvedathisoldhomeinMaryland,hewasmuchbetterequipped thanhismaste.rThisstrikingdifferenceandthedelayofHensonalongthewayfromSeptembertoChristmas caused his master to be somewhat angry. Moreover, as his master had lost most of his slaves and other propertyinMaryland,hewasanxioustohaveHensonasafaithfulworkertoretirevehislosses;butthis changed man would hardly subserve such a purpose. Thecondiitonswhichheobservedaroundhimweresomuchworsethanwhathehadforsometimebeen accustomedtoandsochangedwastheenvironmentbecauseofthedepartureordeathoffirendsand relatives during his absence that Henson resolved to become free. He then consulted the brother of his maste'rswife,thenabusinessmaninWashington,whomhehadoftenbefriendedyearsbeforeandwhowas angrywithHenson'smasterbecausethelatterhaddefraudedhimoutofcertainproperty.Thisfriend, therefore,gladlytookupwithHenson'smasterthequesitonofgivingtheslaveanopportunitytopurchase himsel.fHecarefullyexplainedtothemasterthatHensonhadsomemoneyandcouldpurchasehimselfand thatif,inconsideraitonofthevaluableserviceshehadrendered,themasterrefusedtodoso,Hensonwould become free by escaping to Canada. The master agreed then to give him his manumission papers for four hundredandiftfydollars,ofwhichthreehundredandfitfydollarswastobeincashandtheremainderin Henson's note. Henson's money and horse enabled him to pay the cash at once. But his master was to work atirckonhim.HedidnotreceivehismanumissionpapersuntilMarch3,1827,andwhenHensonstartedfor Kentucky his master induced him to let him send his manumission papers to his brother in Kentucky where Hensonwasreturning,telilnghimthatsomerufifanmighttakethedocumentfromhimontheway.Inreturning toKentuckyHensonwasarrestedseveraltimesasafugitive,butuponalwaysinsisitngonbeingcarired beforeamagistratehewasreleased.HehadnotroubleatferreachingWheeilng,fromwhichheproceeded on a boat to Davies County, Kentucky. ArirvingattheKentuckyhome,hewasinformedthatthemasterhadmisrepresentedthefactsastohis purchase.HehadwirttenhisbrotherthatHensonhadagreedtopayonethousanddollarsforhimsefl,the balance-of the six hundred and fifty dollars to be paid in Kentucky. As the only evidence he had, had been senttohismaster'sbrothe,ritwasimpossibleforhimtomakeacaseagainsthimincour.tThingswentonin uncertaintyforaboutayea.rThencameacomplaintfromhismasterinMaryland,sayingthathewanted moneyandexpressingthehopethatHensonwouldsoonpaythenextinstallment. SoonthereafterHensonreceivedorderstogowithAmosRlieycarryingacargotoNewOlreans.This suggestionwasenough.Hecontirvedtohavehismanumissionpaperssewedupinhisclothingpirortohis departureontheflatboatforNewOlreans.Heknewwhatawaitedhimandhismindrapidlydevelopedintoa sortofsmolderingvolcanoofpent-upfeeilngwhichatoneitmeallbutimpelledhimtomurderhiswhite betrayers.Bilndedbypassionandstungbymadness,Hensonresolvedtokllihisfourcompanions,totake what money they had, then to scuttle the craft and escape to the North. One dark night within a few days' sail ofNewOlreansitseemedthattheopportunehourhadcome.HensonwasaloneonthedeckandRlieyand the hands were asleep. He crept down noiselessly, secured an ax, entered the cabin, and looking by aid of thedimlight,hiseyefellifrstonRiley.Hensonfeltthebladeoftheaxandraisedittostirketheifrstblowwhen suddenlythethoughtcametohim,"What!Commitmurde,randyouaChristian?"Hisreligiousfeeilngand beilefinthewonderfulprovidenceofGodpreventedhim. Rileytalkedlaterofgettinghimagoodmasterandthelikebutdidnotdisguisetheefforttosellhim. Fortunately, however, Amos Riley was suddenly taken sick and becoming more dependent on Henson then, thanHensonhadbeenonhim,heimmediatelyorderedHensontosellthelfatboatandfindpassageforhim home in a sick cabin at once. Henson did this and succeeded by careful nursing to get Amos back to his homeinKentuckyalive.Atlhoughheconfessedtha,tifhehadsoldHenson,hewouldhavedied,thefamily showedonlyareailzaitonofanincreasedvalueinHensonratherthananappreciationofhisvaluable services. He, therefore, decided to escape to Canada. His wife, fearing the dangers, would not at first agree to go, but upon being told that he would take all of the childrenbuttheyounges,tsheifnallyagreedtosetoutwithhim.Knowingofthehardshipsthattheymusthave to experience, Henson practised beforehand the carrying of the children on his back. They crossed the river intoIndianaandproceededtowardCincinnati,ifndingitdifficulttopurchasefoodinthatState,sointensely didthepeoplehatetheNegrothere.Atfertwoweeksofhardship,exhaustedtheyreachedCincinnati.There theywererefreshedandcarired30milesonthewayinawagon.Theydirectedthemselvesthentowardthe Scioto,wheretheyweretoldtheywouldstrikethemilitaryroadofGeneralHul,lopenedwhenhewas operatingagainstDetroi.t Theysetout,notknowingthatthewaylaythroughawildernessofhowilngwolvesand,nottakingsufifcient food,theydidnotpasshomesfromwhichtheycouldpurchasesuppilesontheway.Theydidnotgofar before his wife fainted, but she was soon resuscitated. Finally, they saw in the distance persons whose presenceseemedtobethedarkforebodingofdisaste,rbutthefugiitvespressedon.Theyprovedtobe Indians, who, when they saw the blacks, ran away yelping. This excited the fugitives, as they thought the Indianswereyellingtosecurethecooperaitonofalargernumbertomassacrethem.Fartherontheysaw otherIndiansstandingbehindtreeshiding.Afterpassingthroughsuchtiralsastheseforsometimethey cametoanIndianvillage,thedwellersofwhich,aftersomefearandhesitaiton,welcomedthem,supplied their wants and gave them a comfortable wigwam for the night. They were then informed that they were about twenty-fivemliesfromthelakes.Atferexpeirencingsomedifficutlyinfordingadangerousstreamand spendinganothernighitnthewoodstheysawthehousesontheoutskirts;ofSandusky. Usinggoodjudgment,however,Hensondidnotgointothevillageatonce.Whenaboutamliefromthelake, Hehidhisfamliyinthewoodsandthenproceededtoapproachthetown.Soonheobservedontheletfside of the town a house from which a number of men were taking something to a vessel. Approaching them immediatelyhewasaskedwhetherornothedesiredtowork.Heprompltyrepliedintheafifrmaitveandit wasnotlongbeforehewasassisitngtheminloadingcorn.Hesooncontrivedtogetinlinenexttotheonly Negro there engaged and communicated to him his plans[.4] Hetoldthecaptain,whocalledHensonasideandagreedtoassisthimingettingtoBuffalo,theboat's desitnaiton,wherethefugiitveswouldifndfirends.tIwasagreedthatthevesselshouldleavethelandingand thatasmallboatshouldtakethefugitivesaboardatnight,astherewereKentuckyspiesinSanduskythat might apprehend them. Henson said he watched the vessel leave the landing and then lower a boat for the shoreandinafewminuteshisblackfriendandtwosaliorslandedandwentwithhimtogethisfamily. Thinking that he had been captured his wife had grown despondent and had moved from the spot where he lefther.Withalitltedifficutly,hefoundher,butwhenshesawhimapproachingwiththosemen,shewasstlli morefirghtened.Shewasreassured,howeve,randsoontheywerereceivedonboardinthemidstofhearty cheers.TheyarirvedatBuffalothenexteveningtoolatetocrosstheirver.Thefollowingmorningtheywere broughttoBurnhamandwentontheferryboattoWatelroo.ThegoodCaptainBurnhampaidthepassage moneyandgaveHensonadollarbeside.TheyarirvedinCanadaonthe28thdayofOctobe,r1830. DescribinghisexutlaitonHensonsaid:"Ithrewmyseflontheground,rolledinthesand,seizedhandfulsofit andkissedthem,anddancedrounditll,intheeyesofseveralwhowerepresent,Ipassedforamadman. 'He'ssomecrazyfellow',saidaColonelWarren,whohappenedtobethere.'O,no,master!dont'youknow? I'mfree!'Heburstintoashoutoflaughter.'WellIneverknewfreedommakeamanrollinthesandinsucha fashion',SitllIcouldnotcontrolmysel.fIhuggedandkissedmywifeandchlidren,and,untilthefirstexuberant burstoffeelingwasove,rwentonasbefore." He soon found employment there with one Mr. Hibbard, whom he served three years and was lodged in a cabinbetterthanthatinKentucky.Hisfamily,however,hadbeensoexposedthatduringtheifrstwinterthey almost died of sickness, but his employer was kind to him. Mr. Hibbard taught Henson's son Tom, then twelve yearsofage.Tom'sachievementsweresoonsuchthaitnsteadofreadingtheBibletohisfathertoassisthim in preaching he taught his father to read. Henson then entered the service of one Mr. Risely, who had experienced more elevation of mind than Mr. Hibbard. With this advantage Henson not only realized more fullythanevertheignoranceinwhichheilved,butbecameinterestedintheelevaitonofhispeoplethere,who hadbeencontentwiththemeremakingailvelihoodratherthansolvingtheeconomicproblemsoffreedom.A goodmany,thereatfer,agreedtoinvesttheirsavingsinland.InthistheyhadthecooperationofMr.Risely. Hensonsetou,ttherefore,in1834toexplorethecountryandfinallyselectedaplaceforasettlementtothe eastofLakeS.tClairandDetroitirverlatercalledColchester.
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Hensonthereafterdirectedhisattenitontothosewhomhehadleftinbondage.Ifhefeltanycompuncitonof conscienceforhavingconductedthepartyofMarylandslavesthroughafreeStatewithoutmakinganeffortto free them, he made up for that in later years. Addressing an audience of Negroes some years later at Fort Eire,Pennsylvania,hetookoccasiontoremindthemoftheirdutytoassistintheemancipaitonoftheir fellowmenintheSouth.IntheaudiencewasayoungmannamedJamesLightfoo,twhohadfledfroma plantationnearMaysvlile,Kentucky.Seeinghisdutyasneverbefore,heapproachedFatherHensonto arrange for the rescue of his enslaved kinsmen. Knowing the agony in which he was, Henson undertook the peirloustaskofbirngingthemtoCanada.LeavinghisfamliyalonehetraveledonfootthroughNewYork, PennsylvaniaandOhiointoKentucky.HehadilttledifficultyinifndingtheLightfoots.Onpresentingthema smalltokenofthelovedone,who,theyweretold,hadgonetothelandoffreedom,theyexhibitednoilttle excitement.Unfortunately,howeve,rLighftoot'sparentsweresofaradvancedinyearsandhissistershadso manychlidrenthattheycouldnottravel.Astheyoungmen,whocouldhavegone,werenotanxioustobe separatedfromtheirlovedones,alldecilnedtheinvitationtomakethiseffortforfreedomatthattime, promisingtoundertakeitayearthereatfer,ifHensonreturnedforthem. HensonagreedtodosoandinthemeanitmewentfortyorifftymilesintoBourbonCountyintheinteriorof Kentucky in quest of a large party of Negroes who were said to be ready to escape. After a search for about aweekhediscoveredthattherewereaboutthirtyfugiitvescollectedfromvariousStates.Withthemhe startedonthereturntirptoCanada,traveilngbynightandrestingbyday.TheycontirvedtocrosstheOhio riverandreachedCincinnaitinthreedays.TheretheywereassistedanddirectedtoRichmond,Indiana,a settlementofQuakers,whohelpedthemontheirway.Afteradifficutljourneyoftwoweekstheyreached Toledo and took passage for Canada, which they reached in safety. HensonthenremainedonhisfarminCanadasomemonths,butwhentheappointeditmeforthedeliveryof theenslavedkinsmenofJamesLightfootarirved,hesetoutagainforKentucky.Hepassedthrough Lancaster,Ohio,wherethepeoplewereverymuchexcitedoverameteoircshower,thinkingthatthedayof judgmenthadcome.Hensonthoughtsotoo,butbeilevingthathewaspromotingairghteouscause,hekept on. On arriving at Portsmouth on the Ohio, he narrowly escaped being detected by Kentuckians in the town. Heresortedtothestratagemofbindinghisheadwithdriedleavesinaclothandpretendedtobesoseirously aflfictedthathecouldnotspeak.ArrivingatMaysville,hehadlitltediiffcutlyinifndingtheslaveswhomhewas seeking.ThesecondpersonwhomhemetwasJeffersonLightfoot,thebrotherofJamesLighftootforwhom Hensonwasmakingthistirp.Saturdaynigh,tasusual,wassetasthetimefortheexecuitonofthisaffair,for thereasonthattheywouldnotbemissedunlitMondayandwould,therefore,haveadayahead.Theystarted fromMaysvlileinaboat,hopingtoreachCincinnaitbeforedaylight,buttheboatsprangaleakandtheparty narrowly escaped being drowned. They procured another boat, however, and got within ten miles of Cincinnaitbeforedayilght.Toavoidbeingdetected,theyabandonedtheboatandproceededtowalkto Cincinnati,butfacedanotherdiiffcutlywhentheyreachedtheMiami,whichatthatpointwastoodeeptobe forded.Butingoinguptheirverseekingashallowplacetheywereseeminglyledprovidenitallybyacowthat waded across before them. As the weather was cold and they were in a state of perspiration on wading through,theyoungestLighftootwasseizedwithseirouscontracitons,butrecoveredafterreceivingsuch ministraitonsascouldbegivenontheway.TheywereassistedinCincinnatiandthenextdaystartedontheir journeytoCanada.TheyhadnotgonefarbeforetheyoungLighftootbecamesoseirouslylilthathehadtobe cariredonailtte,randthisbecamesoirksomethathehimselfbeggedtobeletfinthewlidernesstodiealone rather than handicap the whole party with such good prospects for freedom. With considerable reluctance, theyaccededtohisreques,tandsadindeedwastheparitng.Butbeforetheyhadgonemorethantwomiles ontheirjourneyoneofthebrothersofthesickmansuddenlydecidedtoreturn,ashecouldnotsuffertohave his brother die thus in the wilderness, and be devoured by wolves. They returned and found the young man seemingly in a dying condition. They at once decided to resume their journey and had not gone far before they saw a Quaker whosetheeandthouwsatehrifirned.Theythentoldelehtotmelbveiehathetreithmhidstory,whichwassuiffcient.Heimmediatelyreturnedhome,takingthemwithhim.Thefugitivesremainedthere forthenightandarrangedfortheboytoremainwiththeQuakerunitlheshouldrecove.rTheywerethen provided with a sack of biscuit and a supply of meat, with which they set out again for Canada. After proceedingailttlefurthertheymetawhiteman,whobecamehelpfultotheminescapingtheslavehunters whowerethenontheirtra.liThismanwhileworkingforanemployerwhoundertooktopunishhimhadused violenceandhadtorunof.fTheparty,knowingtheincreasingdangerofcapture,walkedallnight,tryingto coverthedistanceoffortymlies.AtdaybreaktheyreachedawaysidetavernnearLakeErieandordered breakfast.Whliethemealwasinpreparaitontheyquicklyfellasleep.Justasthebreakfastwasready, however,Hensonhadthepecuilarpresenitmentthatsomedangerwasnearandthatheshouldatonceleave thehouse.Atferexperiencingsomedifficultyinpersuadingthefugiitvestoleavethetavernquicklythey agreed to follow his orders. They had hardly left the tavern when they heard the tramping of the horses of the slavehunters.Theyhidthemselvesinsomebushesnearbywhichoverlookedtheroad.TheLighftootsquickly recognizedtheslavehuntersandwhisperedtheirnamestoHensonastheypassedby.Thiswastheciritcal momentoftheirilves.Hadtheyremainedinthehouseafewminuteslongertheywouldhavebeen apprehended. Their white friend proceeded to the door in advance of the landlord and when asked as to whether he had seen any slaves said that he had, that there were six of them and that they had gone toward Detroit.Theslave-huntersatoncesetoutinthatdireciton.Thefugitivesreturnedtothehouse,devouredtheir breakfast immediately and secured the assistance of the landlord, who hearing their piteous story agreed to taketheminhisboattoCanada.InthelanguageofHenson,"Theirbosomswereswellingwithinexpressible joyastheymountedtheseatsoftheboat,ready,eage,rtospirngforward,thattheymighttouchthesoilofthe freeman. And when they reached the shore, they danced and wept for joy and kissed the earth on which they first stepped, no longerslavesbutfreemen."[5] Within a short time thereafter the boy whom they had left in dying condition on the way reached them on the freesoliofCanadaingoodhealth.AndFrankTaylo,rthemasterofthesefugiitves,onrecoveringfroman attackoifnsanitywhichapparenltyresultedfromthelossoftheseslaveswaspersuadedbyhisfirendstofree theremainingmembersoftheLighftootfamliy,anactwhichheifnallyperformed,enabilngthemafterafew years to join their loved ones beyond the borders of the land of the slave. In this way Henson became instrumental in effecting the escape of as many as one hundred and eighteen slaves.[6] ThenextimportantworkwastheestabilshmentoftheBiritshAmeircanManualLaborInsittuteinconnection withReverendHiramWlison.Atferworkingoutatentativeplan,WilsonwroteJamesO.Fuller,residinginthe StateofNewYork,andinterestedhiminthefreeNegroesofCanadaWest.OnatriptoEnglandMr.Fuller raised$1,500forthispurpose.AconventionoftheleadingrefugeesinCanadaWestwasthencalledto decideexactlyhowthismoneyshouldbespent.Hensonurgedthatitbeappropriatedtotheestabilshmentof amanuallaborschool,wherechlidrencouldbetaughttheelementsofknowledgewhichareusuallythe coursesofagrammarschool;andwheretheboyscouldbegiven,inaddition,thepracitceofsomemechanic artandthegilrscouldbeinstructedinthosedomesticartswhicharetheproperoccupaitonsoftheirsex. Such a school he though would so equip the Negro youth as to enable him to take over much of the work then beingdonebywhiteteachers.Thiswasthennecessary,owingtotheprejudiceairsingagainstthe coeducaitonofthewhitesandblacksandthesitgmaattachedtoteachersofNegroes.Forthispurposetwo hundredacresoflandwereboughtontheirverSydenham.In1842theschoolwasestabilshedatDawn,to whichHensonmovedwithhisfamliy.HensontraveledinNewYork,Connecitcu,tMassachusettsandMainein theinterestoftheinstituitonandobtainedmanygitfs,especiallyfromBoston,theliberalpeopleofwhichgave him sufficient funds to maintain it some time. Inconnecitonwiththisschooltherewasestablishedasaw-mill,thebuildingandtheequipmentofwhichwas securedbyHensonalsofromphilanthropistsinBoston.ThesegenltemenwereRev.EphraimPeabody, AmosLawrence,H.IngersollBowditch,andSamuelElilot.Hensonthenproceededtohavewalnutsawedin CanadaandshippedtoBoston.HesoldhisifrsteightythousandfeettoJonasChickering,atforty-ifvedollars athousand.ThesecondcargowasshippedtoBostonviatheS.tLawrenceandbroughtHensonahandsome proift.Thisbusinessnotonlybecameprofitabletothepersonsdirectlyinterestedinitbutprovedtobean asset of the whole section. Inthecourseofitme,however,theinsittuitonbecameheavilyindebtedandsomemeansofreilefhadtobe found.Atameeitngofthetrusteesitwasdecidedtoseparatethemanagementofthemillfromthatofthe school.Itwaseasytofindsomeonetotakeovertheschoo,lbutfewdaredtothinkofassumingthe managementofthemli,lwhichwasindebtedtotheamountofseventhousandifvehundreddollars.Henson acceptedthemanagementofthelatteronthecondiitonthatPeterB.Smithwouldassumeanequalshareof theresponsibliity.HensonthenproceededtoEnglandtoraisefundstopaythedebtsotfhemil.lWellsuppiled withlettersofrecommendationfromsomeofthemostprominentmenintheUnitedStates,heeasily connected with men of the same class in England. But before he could raise more than seventeen hundred dollars,anenemy,jealousofhissuccess,circulatedthroughthepressthereportthathewasanimposterand wasnotauthorizedtosoilcitfundsforanysuchpurpose[.7]This, of course, frustrated his plans, but the Engilshpeoplewerekindtohim.Theysentanagent,JohnScobe,lltoCanadatoinquireintothematte,r Hensonaccompanyinghim.Athoroughinvesitgationoftheaffairsoftheinsittuitonwasmadeandthe charges were repudiated. The person who circulated them even denied that he had done so. Upon returning to England Mr. Scobell informed Henson that should he ever desire to return to England, he would find in the handsofAmosLawrence,ofBoston,adratftocoverhisexpenses.Hensondidreturnin1851andraised sufficientmoneytocanceltheenitreindebtednessoftheinsittuiton.HewascompelledtoreturntoCanada soonafterhisarrival,however,onaccountofthefatallilnessofhiswife,whopassedawayin1852. HowFatherHensonclaimedtobetheoirginalUncleTomofMrs.Stowe'simmortalstoryismorethan interesting.Laboirngintheanti-slaverycause,HensontraveledinCanadaandNewEngland,wherehewas welcomedtothepulpitsofministersofalldenominaitons.OncewhenhewasinthevicinityofAndover, Massachusetts,Mrs.Stowesentforhimandhistravelingcompanion,M.rGeorgeClarke,awhitegenlteman promotingtheaboilitonofslaverybysingingatanti-slaverymeeitngs.Mrs.Stowebecamedeeplyinterested inHenson'sstoryandhadhimnarrateindetailthemanyvariedexpeirencesofhiseventfullife.Hetoldhe,r moreover,aboutthelifeoftheslaveinseveralsectionsandthepeculiairtiesofmanyslaveholders.Soon thereatferappeared"UncleTom'sCabin."Hensonsaidthatthewhiteslaves,GeorgeandElizaHarirs,were hisparitcularfriends.Harris'srealnamewasLewisClark,whotraveledandlecturedwithHensoninNew England.ClarkandhiswifeilvedinCanadaandifnallymovedtoOberlintoeducatetheirchlidren. Furthermore,Hensonsaystherewasonhisplantaitonaclear-minded,sharpNegrogilr,Dinah,whowas almostlikeMrs.Stowe'sTopsyandthatagentlemanM.rS.tClairlivedinhisneighborhood.BryceLitton,who brokeHenson'sarmsandsomaimedhimforlifethathecouldneverthereatfertouchthetopofhishead,he thought, would well represent Mrs. Stowe's cruel Legree. It has been denied that he was this hero. WhenHensonwasinEnglandhehadthegoodfortunetoexhibitattheWolrd'sFairtheresomeofhis beauitfullypoilshedwalnutlumbe,rwhichMr.JonasChickeirngsentoverforhim.Theonlyexhibitorofcolor, heattractedattenitonfrommany,amongwhomwasQueenVictoria,whoinpassingbywassalutedby Henson,whichsalutaitonwasreturned.Sheinquiredastowhethertheexhibithehadchargeofwashiswork. AtthecloseoftheexhibitionHensonreceivedalargequartoboundvolumedescribingtheexhibitsandilsitng theexhibitors,amongwhomwasfoundJosiahHenson.Inaddiitonhewasawardedabronzemedal,a beautiful picture of the Queen and royal family of life size and several other objects of interest. WhileinEnglandHensonhadthepirvilegeofmeetingsomeofitsmostdisitnguishedcitizens.Heintroduced himself to the thinkers of the country when, upon hearing an eminent man from Pennsylvania tell the Sabbath-SchoolUnionthatallclassesintheUnitedStatesindiscirminatelyenjoyedreilgiousinstruciton.Henson demandedaheairngandsuccessfullyrefutedthemisrepresentation.Havingastandinginvitation,hedined alternatelywithSamuelMorleyandGeorgeHitchcock,Esq,.ofS.tPaul'sChurchYard.UponmeeitngLord Grey, Henson was asked by the gentleman to go to India to introduce the culture of cotton, promising him an appointmenttoanofifcepayingahandsomesalary.ThroughSamuelGuerney,Hensonhadalonginterview withtheArchbishopofCanterbury,whowassoimpressedwithHenson'sbeairngandculturethatheinquired as to the university from which he was graduated. Henson replied, il stening to Henson's experiences for more than an hour he followed him to the door and begged him to come to see him again. He then attended a large picnic of Sabbath-School teachers on the grounds of Lord John Russell, thenPirmeMinisterofEngland.Siittngdowntodinner,Hensonwasgiventheseatofhonorattheheadofthe tablewithsuchguestsasReverendWlliiamBrock,HonorableSamuelM.PetoandMr.Bess. NeartheendofhiscareerHensonhadmanythingstotroublehim.ThedividedmanagementoftheBiritsh American Manual Labor Institute and the saw-mill proved a failure. The trustees who got control of it promised tomakesomethingnewoiftbutdidnotadministertheaffairssuccessfullyandtheywereinvolvedinlawsuits therewiththeNegroes,whoendeavoredtoobtaincontrolofi.ttIifnallyfailed,despitethefactthatthecourtof chanceryappointedanewboardoftrusteesandgrantedabliltoincorporatetheinsittuitonasWilberforce University, which existed a few years. HensonshowedhispatiroitsminservingascaptaintothesecondEssexcompanyofcoloredvolunteersin the Canadian Rebellion, going to the aid of the government which gave them asylum from slavery. His companyheldFortMaidenfromChristmasuntlithefollowingMayandalsotooktheschoonerAnnwith three hundredarmsandtwocannons,musketryandprovisionsfortherebeltroops.Theyheldthefortunitlthey werereilevedbythecolonelofthe44thregimenftromEngland.ThencametheCivilWar.Hensonwastooold togo,buthisrelaitvesenilsted.Hewaschargedwithhavingviolatedtheforeignenlistmentactandwas arrestedandacquittedatfersomeharrowingexperiences. HensonmadeathirdtriptoEnglandnearthecloseofhiscareer.Manyofhisfirendshadpassedaway,but hemethisoldsupporter,SamuelMolrey.HemadetheacquaintancealsoofSirThomasFowellBuxtonHar,t R. C. L. Bevan, and Professor Fowler. But he was then the hero of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The English people hadreadofhim.Theythenwantedtoseehim.HespokeattheVictoiraParkTabernacleandheldinLondon afarewellmeeitnginSpurgeon'sTabernacle.Thebuildingswerethrongedtotheirutmostcapacityandeager crowdsontheoutsidemadedesperateeffortstoseehim.HewasthencalledtoScoltandthatthepeople farther north might also see this hero. Just as Henson reached Edinburgh the crowning honor of his life was to come.HereceivedatelegramfromQueenVictoirainvitinghimtovisitherthefollowingday.Atferaddressing anunusuallylargeaudience,HensonproceededimmediatelytoLondon.Thenextdayheandhiswifewere dinedbyagroupofdisitnguishedgentlemenandwerethentakentoWindsorCastle,wheretheywere presentedtoQueenVictoira.Hermajestyinformedhimthathehadknownofhimeversinceshewasailtlte gir.lSheexpressedhersurpirseatseeinghimlooksodifferentfromwhatshehadimaginedhewould.She birelfydiscussedwithhimthestateofaffairsinCanada,andinbiddinghimandhiswifefarewellexpressed herwishforhiscontinuedprospeirty,gavehimatokenofherrespectandesteem,consisitngofafulllength cabinet photograph of herself in an elegant easel frame of gold. OnhisreturntotheUnitedStatesHensonvisitedtheoldplantationinMontgomeryCountynearRockvlile, Maryland,ifndinghisoldmaster'swifestlililving.HethenproceededtoWashingtontoseeagaintheold haunts which he frequented when serving as the market man of his plantation. While in the National Capital hewenttotheWhiteHousetocallonhisExcellencyPresidentHayes,whochattedwithhimabouthistirp acrosstheseawhileMrs.HayesshowedHenson'swifethroughtheexecuitvemansion.Whenheleftthe Presidentextendedhimacordialinvitaitontocalltoseehimagain.Thiswasthelastthingofnoteinhisilfe. He returned to his home in Canada and resumed the best he could the work he was prosecuting, but old age and sickness overtook him and he passed away in 1881 in the ninety-second year of his life. W. B. HRTAEOVGR FOOTNOTES: [1]Onuoccaniraptgnsihitrae,ovhowaswreprM..WB.aHtrrgtofillhealthsrhioveutnrtohdalc,e unifnishedmanuscripttotheedito,rwhocompletedti.Thestoryisbasedonthe"hJofiaosLefi Henson," "Father Henson's Story of His Own Life" and "feLisHifos'SotyrcnelTmoU."—THE EDITOR. [2]Henson, "fiesiLfohroysStTom'cleUn," p. 15. [3]Henson, "ncUTle'somwnofeSotyrofihsiL," p. 53. [4]Henson gives this interesting conversation: "HowfarisittoCanada?"Hegavemeapecuilarlook,andinaminuteIsawheknewa.ll"Want togotoCanada?Comealongwithus,then.Ourcaptain'saifnefellow.We'regoingtoBuffalo." "Buffalo;howfaristhatfromCanada?""Don'tyouknow,man?Justacrosstheriver."Inow openedmymindfranklytohim,andtoldhimaboutmywfieandchildren."'Illspeaktothe captain," said he. He did so, and in a moment the captain took me aside, and said, "The Doctor saysyouwanttogotoBuffalowithyourfamliy.""Yes,sir.""Wellwhynotgowithme?"washis frankreply."Doctorsaysyou'vegotafamily.""Yes,si.r""Wheredoyoustop?""Aboutamile back.""Howlonghaveyoubeenhere.""Noitme,"Ianswered,afteramomen'tshesitaiton. "Come,mygoodfellow,tellusallabouti.tYour'erunningaway,aint'you?"Hensonsawthathe was a friend, and opened his heart to him. "How long will it take you to get ready?" "Be here in haflanhour,sir.""Wellgoalongandgetthem."OffIstarted;but,beforeIhadruniftfyfee,the calledmeback."Stop,"saidhe;"yougoongettingthegrainin.Whenwegetoff,I'lllaytoover oppostiethatisland,andsendaboatback.There'salotofregularnigger-catchersinthetown below,andtheymightsuspectifyoubroughtyourpartyoutofthebushbydayilgh.t"Iworked awaywtihawill.Soonthetwoorthreehundredbushelsofcornwereaboard,thehatches fasteneddown,theanchorraised,andthesalishoisted.Iwatchedthevesselwithintense interestassheletfhermoorings.Awayshewentbeforethefreebreeze.Alreadysheseemed beyondthespotatwhichthecaptainagreedtolayto,andslitlsheflewalong.Myheartsank within me; so near deliverance, and again to have my hopes blasted, again to be cast on my ownresources.fIeltthattheyhadbeenmakingamockofmymisery.Thesunhadsunktorest, and the purple and gold of the west were fading away into gray. Suddenly, however, as I gazed wtihwearyheartthevesselswungroundintothewind,thesalislfapped,andshestood motionless. A moment more, and a boat was lowered from her stern, and with steady stroke madeforthepointatwhichIstood.Ifetlthatmyhourofreleasehadcome.Onshecame,and intenminutessherodeuphandsomelyonthebeach.Myblackfriendandtwosaliorsjumped ou,tandwestartedonatonceformywfieandchildren.Tomyhorro,rtheyweregonefromthe placewhereIletfthem.Overpoweredwithfear,Isupposedtheyhadbeenfoundandcarried of.fTherewasnotimetolose,andthementoldmeIwouldhavetogoalone.Justatthepoint ofdespari,however,Istumbledononeofthechildren.Mywfieitseemed,alarmedatmylong absence,hadgivenupallforlost,andsupposedIhadfallenintothehandsoftheenemy. When she heard my voice, mingled with those of the others, she thought my captors were leadingmebacktomakemediscovermyfamliy,andintheextremtiyofherterrorshehadtried tohidehersel.fIhadhardworktosatisfyher.Ourlonghabtisofconcealmentandanixetyhad renderedhersuspiciousofeveryone;andheragtiationwassogreatthatforaitmeshewas incapableofunderstandingwhatIsaid,andwentoninasortofparoxysmofdistressandfea.r This,howeve,rwassoonove,randthekindnessofmycompanionsdidmuchtofaciiltatethe matte.r"—FatherHenson'sStoryofhisownLife,p.121. [5]Henson, "yrotfosihefiLncleU'sSTom," p. 162. [6]shuingtiisdathninameltnegdehoughetontLondfthoYesarhtreaetfrewehntakingdinnerwi enjoyingsuchprivliegeswhliehisonlybrotherwasinslaverydawnedsuddenlyandimpressed itselfsoforcefullyuponhimthatheimmediatelyarosefromthetable,unabletoea.tHesoon returnedtoAmericaandatonceproceededtodevisemeanstofreehisbrothe.rMr.William Chaplain,ofNewYork,hadrepeatedlyurgedhimtolfeebywayoftheundergroundraliroad, buthewassodemoralizedandstulifitedbyslaverythathewouldnotmakeaneffor.tM.r Chaplainmadeasecondefforttoinducehimtoescapebuthestlilrefused.Hensonifnally arrangedtosellthenarrativeofhislfietosecurefundsforhisliberaiton.Thebooksoldwellin NewEnglandandtherequisitefourhundreddollarsbeingraisedhisbrotherwasfreedand enabled to join him in Canada.—Father Henson'sStory of his own Life, pp. 209-212. [7]Liberator, April 11, 1851. ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING AND THE NEGRO ElizabethBarrettBrowningwasapoeitcartistwhowasintenselyconcernedwiththelargehumanmovements ofthewolrdandtheageintowhichshewasthrown.Herwholeilfewasonegreatheart-throb.Whilethe conditionofherheatlhandthenatureofherealrytrainingweresuchastoculitvateherratherbookishand romanitctemperament,shefollowedwitheagernessthegreatsocialreformsinEnglandinthereignof WilliamIVandtheearlyyearsofVictoira;andThe Cry of the ChildrenandThe Cry of the Humanindicated whatwastobeoneofherchieflinesofinteres.tInherlateryearsshethrewherseflheartandsoulintothe causeofItailanindependenceandunity,welcomingNapoleonIIIasabenefactor.Herpoilitcaljudgmentwas notalwayssound:herdistinguishedhusbandcouldnotpossiblyfollowherinheradmiraitonforNapoleon, whom he regarded as to some extent at least a charlatan, and Cavour simply represented his countrymen in hisamazementandchagirnatthetermsofthePeaceofVillafranca;neverthelessthegreatheartofEilzabeth BarrettBrowningwasevermovedbythedemandsofliberty,whethertheimmediateimpulsewasachildin thesweatshopsofEngland,antIailanwishingtobefreeofAustria,ortheexiledVictorHugo,andtherewas noexaggeraitoninthetributeplacedonthewallofCasaGuidiatferherdeath: Qui scrisse e mori EilzabettaBarrettBrowning cheincuoredidonnaconciilava scienzadidottoespritiodipoeta efecedelsuoversoaureoanello fraItaliaeInghtlierra pone questa lapide Firenze grata 1861[8] TosuchawomantheNegro,heldinslaveryinagreatfreerepubilc,madeareadyappeal.Thefirstconcrete conneciton,howeve,rwasonedirectlyaffectingthefortunesoftheBarrettfamily.ForsomeyearsM.rBarrett hadmadehishomeatabeauitfulestateinHerefordshireknownasHopeEnd.Hehadinheirtedfromhis maternalgrandfatheralargeestateinJamaica,wherethefamliiesofbothhisparentshadbeenestablished fortwoorthreegenerations.TheaboliitonofslaveryintheBritishcoloniesin1833infilctedgreatifnancial embarrassment upon him, as a result of which he was forced to sell Hope End and to remove his family, first toSidmouthinDevonshire,andsubsequenltytoLondon.ElizabethBarrettforeshadowedthischangeof fortunesinalettertoherfirendMrs.MaritndatedSidmouth,May27,1833: TheWestIndiansarerireparablyruinediftheBlilpasses.Papasaysthatinthecaseoftispassing, nobodyinhissenseswouldthinkofevenattemptingthecutlureofsuga,randthattheyhadbetterhang weightstothesidesoftheislandofJamaicaandsinktiatonce[.9] In September of the same year she wrote from Sidmouth to the same friend as follows: OfcourseyouknowthatthelateBillhasruinedtheWestIndians.Thatissettled.Theconsternaitonhere isverygreat.NeverthelessIamglad,andalwaysshallbet,hattheNegroesare—virtually—free[.10] tIissomeyearsbeforewefindanotherreferencesodefinite.MissBarrettinthemeantimebecameMrs. BrowningandundertheinspiraitonofloveandtIalygaveherselfanewtoherwork.Thefeelingforilbertywas constantly with her, as was to be seen fromCasa Guidi WindowsandPoems before Congress. About 1855, whenshewasonavisittoEngland,throughtheworkofDanielD.Home,anotoriousAmeircanexponentof spirituailsm,Mrs.Browningbecameinterestedinthecurrentfad,andgavetoitvasltymoreseirousattention thanmostotheriniitates.Browninghimsefl,whliepaitent,wasintolerablyirirtatedwiththosewhomhe regarded as imposing on his wife's credulity, and delivered himself on the subject inS.rgdulMhte,e'MediumituaSpir,holism.'nefoicilfar-vew,revewpotasaweenMrs.Browninignietertsbteagnhdnre Ameircanfriend,HarrietBeecherStowe,whomsheentertainedinItaly.Uncle Tom's Cabinmade a profound impressionuponher.In1853thisbookwassitllinthegreatflushofitsifrstsuccess.OnApril12,1853,Mrs. Browning wrote from Florence to Mrs. Jameson as follows: Not read Mrs. Stowe's book!But you must. Her book is quite a sign of the times, and has otherwise and intrinsicallyconsiderablepowe.rFormysel,fIrejoiceinthesuccess,bothasawomanandahumanbeing. Oh,andisitpossiblethatyouthinkawomanhasnobusinesswithquesitonsilkethequestionofslavery? Thenshehadbetteruseapennomore.Shehadbettersubsideintoslaveryandconcubinagehersefl,I think,asinthetimesofold,shutherseflupwtihthePenelopesinthe"women'sapartment,"andtakeno rankamongthinkersandspeakers.Certainlyyouarenotinearnestinthesethings.Adfiifcultquestion —yes!Allvritueisdfiifcutl.Englandfounditdifficutl.Francefoundtidfiifcutl.Butwedidnotmake ourselvesanarmchariofoursins.AsforAmerica,IhonorAmericainmuch;butIwouldnotbeanAmerican for the world while she wears that shameful scar upon her brow. The address of the new presiden[t11] exasperatesme.Observe,Iamanaboilitonis,tnottothefanaitcaldegree,becauseIholdthat compensationshouldbegivenbytheNorthtotheSouth,asinEngland.Thestatesshoulduntieinbuying offthisnaitonaldisgrace.[12] UnderdateFlorence,December11,1854,Mrs.BrowningwrotetoMissMiftordasfollows: I am reading now Mrs. Stowe'sSunny Memoriesh,ucmlnessandsimpliicytofhteobko,ndakilhteanearut insptieoftheprovinciailsmofthetoneofmindandeducaiton,andthereallywretchedwriitng.tI'squite wonderfulthatawomanwhohaswrtitenabooktomaketheworldringshouldwrtiesoabominably.[13] MoreandmoreastheCivliWarapproachedwasMrs.Browningdepressedbythethoughtoftheimpending confilct.BetweenJune7,1860,andJuly25,1861,shecontirbutedtotherecentlyestablishedIndependent elevenpoems,chieflyonsubjectsoftIailanliberty.Someitmes,howeve,respeciallyintheletters accompanyingherpoems,shetouchedonthemessomewhatclosertotheAmeircanpeople.Fortheissueof March 21, 1861, she wrote to the editor as follows: My partiality for frenzies is not so absorbing, believe me, as to exclude very painful consideration on the dissoluitonofyourgreatUnion.Butmyseriousfearhasbeen,andis,notforthedissolutionofthebody butthedeathofthesoul—notofaruptureofstatesandcivliwar,butatreconciilationandpeaceatthe expenseofadeadlycompromiseofprinciple.NothingwilldestroytheRepubilcbutwhatcorruptstis conscienceanddisturbstisfame—forthestainuponthehonormustcomeoffuponthelfagI.f, on the otherhand,theNorthstandsfastonthemoralground,noglorywllibeilkeyourglory....Wahtusprirses meisthattheslavesdont'rise. On this great subject Mrs. Browning found her husband in full sympathy with her. Browning himself declared in alettertoanAmerican,September11,1861: IhavelosttheexplanaitonofAmericanaffairs,butIassureyouofmybeliefinthejusitceandmy confidenceinthetriumphofthegreatcause.FortherighteousnessoftheprincipleIwantnoinformaiton. Godprosperitandtisdefenders[.14]