New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-07-01
The Workings of slavery.

We find in the Green Mountain Freeman letter
from Rev. J. c. Aspcnwa who has lately visited
the settlements Of the runaway slaves IN Canada.
Some of his statements are curious enough and fur
nish most significant illustration OF the workings
Of the peculiar institution. Among the Canada
furtves Is Mr. Daniel CHM who is both broiherinlaw
and ia,herinsw Of Hon Richard NJ. Johnson OF Ken
lucky. That H. Col Johnson married Mr Chnns sister
Julia Ann one Of his own slaves. by whom ne had two
daughters TIA, he recognized and educated his chill
drcn Mrs Johnson died Of the cholera when that dis
ease first made its appearance in the United States and
respectable men from Kentucky testify that Col Johnson
has since lived with one Of Mr.. Chnns daughters,
though she was his wife. This according % common
calculations would make Mr. CHM father nlaw Of the
venerable ex-vce President Of our great republican ma
ton It appears that Col Johnson took Mr. Chinns old
est son Msrceus his first eeconeerns tour for the
Vice Presidency; and that the boy eft him New York
Johnson tired % obtain information respecting the boy
whereabouts Of Lewis Tsppan ESQ., who offered to brns
him forward on condition that bis free papers should
first be made out and signed This. the Col refused 70
DO On his second eeconeerng tour he took with him
his body servant the elder Mr. Chnn, in whom he placed
anbounded confidence But, Ike Ms son, he too chose
to be man. and left Johnson at Detroit, crossed over
into Canada. and has resided there ever since. The
Col mas written him letters urging him 70 return to
MS service one of which contained rather severe
threats if he did not Ludwick Davess one Of John
sons slavehoding companions has also visited him al
London and used his best cndeavOrs 10 persuade him
TO return.
Much credit, says Mr. AspenwsI has been given 70
the Col for hs generous conduct to this family but ne
conduct in becoming the father Of children BY three ws
men the sisters of Mir Chinn- wife, who s in fact both
his broiherinlaw and fatherinlaw. and then selling
them all both the women and his children, 70 James
Peak 10 be carried of in slavery Mr.. Chnn states
that he did, may not be quite 80 highly commended,
though in point Of morality II will vel compare with
his other conduct.
Strenuous efforts are frequently made by masters 70
recover their lost slaves and not unfTcquenty are iug
ives tempted by the offer Of freedom 20 themselves or
their relatives 10 beiray their fellow iusliiye- Mr. A.
pcnwall furnishes example OF this. Mr. Chnn the
slave Of Col Johnson above alluded TO- was written TO by
Mr. Newton Craig the keeper Of the Kentucky Peniien'
ary and told that if he would betray slave oil the
after who supposed 10 be in Canada his son Dan.ci
should be set free and Col Johnson, his former master
would also send HIM free papers for himself The letter
Of Mr. Craig cunningly wordcd and offers Inducements
which must have had great force with man situated
ike Mr. Chnn but to his honor be it recorded the temp
alton was strong for his manly virtue and n'es
rty No selfish desire secure the freedom OF darling
.on or to render his situation more free from dan
,cr could induce him beiray companion in trouble
No man Of sound principle read the letter OF Craig
knowing AT the time what answer was gwen TO It
by the fugitive without feeling contempt for the former
and admiration for the noble conduct Of the latter The
| lave was certainly most OF a man
This system OF slavery may well be called aPfc"idr
Institution for in lis principles and workings II has no
parallel in heaven above or in the earth beneath That
will be glorious day for our Country which shall wit
| ness its peaceful overthrow.