The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-10-09

} their hands in the warm blood of the noble
Lovejoy.
The facts connected with, and the cir
cumsances leading to- this most disgrace
fol transaction, will now give, with
some minuteness, though may border, at
times, llttIe on the ludlcrous.
In the first place, our passengers were
made up of nearly all sorts of people, from
different countries, of the most opposite
modes of thinking on all subjects. We
had nearly all sorts of parties in morals,
religion, and politics, as well as trades,
calIings, and professions. The doctor and
the lawyer, the soldier and the sailor,
were there. The scheming Connecticut
wooden clock maker, the large, surIy,
New York Iion-lamer, the solemn Ro-
man Catholic bishop, aud the Orthodox
Quaker were there. A minister of the
Free Church of Scotland, and minister
Of the Church OF EngIand-the establish
ed Christian and the wandering Jew, the
Wing and the Democrat, the white and
the biack-were there There was the
dark Visaged Spaniard, and the Iight.vis-
aged Engishman-the man from Mon
trea aud the man from Mexico There
were Shareholders from Cuba, and slaves
holders from Georgia We had pro-
slavery grombling; and at the same time
that Governor Hammond's Letters were
being read, my Narrative was being cir
Gu lated.
In the midst of the debate going on,
there spracg up quite desire, on the
part of a number on board, to have me
lecture to them on slavery. [ was first
requested 10 do so by one of the passen>
gers, who had become quite Interested
|, of course, declined, well knowing that
that was a privilege which the captain
alone had right 10 give, and minated
as much to the friend who invited me.
told him should not feel at liberty to lee.
lure, unless the captain should personally
invite me to speak. Things went on as
usual ill between five and six o'clock in
the afternoon of Wedn esday, when re>
ceved an invitation from The captain 10
deliver an address upon the saloon deck.
| signided my willingness 10 do so, and he
at once ordered the bell to be rung and
the meeting to be cried. This was the
signal for general excitement. Some
swore | should not speak, others said |
should. Bloody threats were being made
against me, if attempted il. Al the hour
appointed, | went upon the saloon deck,
where was expected to speak. There
was much noise going on among the pas,
|sengers, evidently intended to make it i'm
possible for ME TO proceed. AT length.
our Hutchinson friends broke forth in one
of their unriyaIled songs, which, like Inc
angel OF old, closed The lions mouths, so
that. for time, silence prevailed. The
captain, taking advantage of this silence,
now introduced me, and expressed the
hope that the audience would hear me
with attention. then commenced speak
ing ; and, after expressing my gratitude TO
Il kind Providence that had brought US
safely across the sea, proceeded 10 por,
tray the condition Of my brethren in bonds.
had not uttered five words, when Mr.
Hazard, from Connecticut, called out, 10
a loud voice, That's lie i went on,
taking no notice of him, though he was
murmuring nearly all The while, backed
up by man from New.Jersey. con-
tinued till said something which seemed
TO cut TO the quick when out bawed Haz-
gard, That's lie! and appeared anx-
ious to strike me. then said TO the au-
dience that would explain TO them the
reason of Hazards conduct The color
ed man, in our country, was treated as
being without rights. That's lie !
said Hazard. then told the audience
that as almost every thing said was pro.
nounced lies, would endeavor 10 subsan.
tate them by reading few extracts from
slave laws. The sIavocrats. 6nding they
were now to be fully exposed, rushed up
about me, with hands clenched, and swore
should not speak. They were ashamed
to have American laws read before an
English audience. Silence was restored
by the interference of the captain, who
took noble stand in regard TO my speak.
ing. He said he had tried 10 please all
his passengers---an part of them had
expressed 10 him desire TO hear me lee
ture TO them, and in obedience to their
wishes he had invited me to speak and
those who did not wish to hear, might 60
TO some other part of the ship. He then
turned, and requested me to proceed. |
again commenced, but was again inter
upted--more violently than before One
from Cuba shook his fist in
my face, and said, 90. | wish | had you
in Cuba! 'Ah" said another, q wish
[ had him in Savannah We would use
him up' Said another, 6 will be one
of a number to throw him overheard 7
We were now divided into two distinct
in favor of my speaking,
and those agaiost me. A nobIe'spirited
Irish gentleman assured the man who pro
posed to throw me overheard, that two
could play at that game, and that, in the