Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-08-21
Extracts from Miss WebSter's Narrative

damnatl0n.'
Extracts from Miss Webster'S Narrative.
Instead of Kentucky read Barbayj and who has human
heart would not out shame! Yet land law
lberty-a Christian land! Tell not to the Hotenos lisp
not in New Zeand-[Worcester Gaz.
The reyiling, swearing, and threats continu-
ed, mingled with heavy blows and the cries and
groans and prayers of the bleeding victim |
advanced coolly but rcsolutely 70 the window
and felt that was facing an enemy on the field
of battle. Oh the horrors of that moment--
Poor Israel (the hackman,) was kneeng on the
pavement pleading for his life. He was an old
man, true and faithful servant, an humble
Christian, and had spent his life in unrequited
toll; and now they told him he must die, unless
he would admit that he himself had carried of
the slaves. He begged for his life Again and
again he protested his innocence; and in the
most touching appeals, called on heaven to
witness the injustice of his punishment.
lie was ordered, with loud voice to take off
his shirt; and with every breath, almost this Or
der was repeated, ana each time accompanied
with violent lash over his head or face with a
cowhde. Still he dared not take off his shirt.
Poor man! He knew too well his skin would
come off next. AT length his master standing
by, seeing the relentless tyranny, and high toned
fury of the whpPer, seemed slightly moved with
pity; and speaking in moderate tone, said,
why don't you take off your shirt" AT this he
instantly obeyed, and the regular whipping CON-
menced.
resolved to count the blows, knowing that
the extent Of the law did not exceed the inllic-
ton Of thirty nine lasheS, even if the man were
actually guilty of the crime alleged against him
The whipper said, the boy must have lied to him;
adding that it was impossible for the slaves to
escape without assistance; at the same time de-
claring, with solemn oath, that unless Israel
would tell the truth and admit carrying off said
negroes, at least the boy Lewis, he would tear his
body in pieces and scatter it over the pavement.
Israel begged for mercy; sometimes crying aloud
to be delivered from the torurnlg lash; at others,
his powers of utterance seemed gone; ard deep
and stlhed sobs alone were heard. But enough
The reality mocks my feeble effort to describe,
and my heart recoilS and sickens at the recol-
lection.
Q! not for perfect bliss where God angels dwell
Seraphs must like this while devils blush
None but eye witnesses to these deeds of
darkness can realize the depth of cold-booded
oppression, With purpose fixed, gazed in ST.
lence on the spectacle before me. NY heart
was riven, but my cheek was dry. This was no
time for tears, Fifty lashe, scored the old mans
back; and all was darkness-I saw no MORE
My trembling limbs refused their weight, and l
should have sunk to the floor, but raising my
hands grasped the iron bars and kept from
falling. This motion drew the attention of some
below, and they hastily cried out, Stop Stop
Miss Webster is looking on Take him out of
sight: take him to the barn" The order was
obeyed, and all was once more quiet The jaI
or (Thna d M-so"un,J now entered-angrily
closed the window, and withdrew without speak
ing. Presently a crowded. gentlemen came in,
bringing with them my trunks, which they re-
quested me to open. Iproirered them the keys,
which they refused. No one among them ap-
peared willing to take the responsibility of the
search placed the keys on one ofthe trunks,
and retired to my chair. At this, the jailor per-
emptory told me to unlock my trunks; which
did, leaving the lids down. They then inquired
if had letters in my trunks; | answered in the
affirmative, and told them which trunk they were
in. was then requested to open it, but an
i swered that it was not locked. They however
, did not seem satisfied, and | raised tho ids
But even this was not enough; and they asked
me to take out every thing in them. This, how
ever, left for them to do. l pointed out to
them my letter box, at the same time question
ing their authority to examine its contents Sew
era, however, surrounded it and began perusng
the letters with a greediness truly amusing.
The search continued long time Every
box was opened, and every scrap of paper, how
ever small carefully examined by all who chose
to read them
All this was done without even limiting to me,
the object ofthe search When the trunks were
exhausted, and their contents scattered over the
room, not having found any thing las they said)
to serve their purpose, they next inquired fthese
were all the papers in my possession5 Being
answered they were "not hundredth part of
them" they requested the key ofmy room, which
| gave them They devoted some time to the
: examination of papers in my room-had finished
and were about leaving, after an unsuccessful
! search, as was informed, when Mrs Glass en-
: tered, and placed in thu hands of the Rev. Mr.
Coombs, methodist minister, some papers which
t the commonwealth attempted to introduce on my
Y trial; but which, at my request, we're examined
by the Court, who excluded them, pronouncing
that they had "no bearing on the case"
e Before noon Israel was brought back from tho
e barn, and placed in the dungeon and his perye.