Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1835-10-15
REv. nR. ELY A SHAREHOLDERS.

adelnhian ri last week, " VIII De seen tnat tie
Rev. Dr.. Ely. who has recently removed to
Missouri, has become slave-hOlder!
Not long since lady rode up 10 the door
of my present residences in Marion county,
and brought behind her, on her horse, a fs-
male slave, who bore in her arms her young
est child. She had carried the large babe ia
her arms far many miles, seeking her hus-
hand. and then seeking me. "l've brought
poor creature here to yOu," said the lady.
T" as her last resort" that she may appeal To
your compassion. Her husband is n slave.
and has been sold that he may he taken down
the river aud sold again; and If you wont
help him, there is no help for her.
The story was told. Ambrose, stout feI-
low, had been transferred to a slave dealer
without his knowledge, and then, lest be could
make any resistance, was suddenly caught al
his plow and put in irons. In handouts ne
had been held fortnight, while drove for
the south was preparing; but in happy mo-
ment for him, in the presence Of MS driver,
he fed in the bushes and could not be found.
While he was running at large IN his iron
wristbands. and when he had been pursued
and advertised, with the promise Of $50 re-
ward, his purchaser was willing to take the
same which he had given for him. 10 this
juncture his trembling, half dead wife. be-
sought me to buy him /; for il he should once
be found. no price would redeem him, and al
dow him to live still with his wife aud children.
was just mounting my horse, when thus
besought, to fulfil previous engagement
"Poor Ambrose" ~ we all said, we hope he
will not be found: but nothing can be done
for him to-day" The heart Of his wife SEEM
ed to die within her, as we reluctantly rode off
to transact urgent business. 90 our return
we were told that the negro man had been
caught. "Then it's all over with him now !"
Under this reflection my sleep during the night
was disquiet, and unsound.
Passing next morning by the rendezvous of
the Shareholder, was as complaisant as my
feelings would suffer me to be and hailing at
the door, asked, 81 have you found Ambrose 7"
/" Not yet" was responded; and SO Ialighted
and entered the house. ats pity to sepa-
children for am told they live very happi-
w." "That's true" said the slave merchant.
" and ever since bought him he's been so
continually moaning about his wife and chill
dren, that I'm willing to sell him for what I
gave for him." 80
Under these circumstances agreed to give,
and before night paid the sum Of 500, for
my frsf, and perhaps my only slave. I felt
that 10 so doing. was doing as I would be
done by. I could not have Obeyed the Saw
tours golden rule, had not redeemed him.
After that slept soundly for several nights !;
and resolved that whether the slave ever came
tn me or not. it would not grieve me in the
last day that had lost his price. Another,
and another day passed, and no news came
concerning the fugitive. At length, however,
some brother slave found him and told him
the good news, that he might return in safe
~ to his family. IL
:. On Friday evening iirst saw my slaue, and
he his new master. well, Ambrose said
l. shaking hands with him. I" are you willing
to be my servant while you live?'' 20 yes,
Sir" he exclaimed, {" not only willing but
glad to be your servant for life, hut am ten
thousand times obliged to you for buying me-"
tie is said to be the strongest man in Ma
r'on county. and can easily cut and cleave 500
rails IN day; when, to fell the trees, and
make 1850 Of them is regarded as good DAYS
work for man. Once, in picked timber, he
made 600 rails in day. ''And so you are a
STAKEHOLDER ~
Let the terms be well considered. .Accor-
ding to the laws Of the land. Ambrose is ma
slave. but in truth he is my hired man. /
nave opened an account with hinS-have char.
geo him with the purchase money--will charge
him with all the expense he causes me, and
wili credit him, as were he any other hired
man. with the work he performs Cor me.-
When be has claimed himself by his labor, I
nave told him that will sell him to himself
or take him to Illinois, and give him certif.
cate of manumission.
10 this way | think myself free from IN.
righteousness in enslaving fellow man. In
THIS way, thousands, who hate slavery. could
Tree men from slavery. And in this way. n
nominal slave holder may be no oppressor OF
brother in the human family. Most hearti. |
" DO wish that our land had never known !
slavery but since it exists here, let us miti- !
gate ITS evils until it can be wholly abolished.
most horrible attempt at Suicide and Muir |
aer' occurred 10 the lower part Of the cjty, at |
tne residence ola highly respectable and weal. |
tny master mechanic, on Tuesday evening |
'ast: The particulars were communicated to |
us oy an individual present. under a strict |
piedge that the names Of the parties Interest," |
ca should in no case be made public through |
our columns; though AZ nearly 90 persons
were present at the time 0fRhe occurrence,
the whole affair must by this time be exten- |
:'vely known. 1t appears" that On the evening |
90 question. the family Of the individual above
referred TO. entertained select party Of init
Wa.e friends. among them were two Young
ssIuemen; who for some months past had
.Sa L.S contested and dubious rivalry 10
:L. SI ~ :. .ne second Of tbs three daughters
=. MeI nos'-an accomplished and a,niable |
49, "s 'a"y' 'n ner twentieth year. One of |
.usso - .osem"n OF ner father. and Is rcpre. !
sen'e@ as young man every way worthy Of |
her choice the other 10 student ~ 49,. -. -
the liberal professions, person Of som" -
emf, personal advantages and prospective ma.
perry. but withal OF q very passionate ana
reckless temperament. It also appears tAss
mn kha e1NkAE ms Gsl