The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-01-02
LEXINGTON, Oct. 18th, 1914.

Rev Harry F Leayitt: Dearly Be-
loved Pastor - II is with feelings more
easily imagined than described that
now take up my pen to address you
/ ! he present moment is with me mo-
ment ofthTIling interest am not now
as ! have been for the last thirteen
months, principal ofthe Lexington Acad-
envy. l am not now engaged in the ca
pacity ofteacher, that most pleasing and
delightful ofalI empIoyments. But, sir,
| nm, believe me, i@m prisoner Yes,
sir: your daughter Della is at this awfu!
moment within the confines of the ctr
jail. For aohat" methinks you eager
Iy inquire. All this for aoian For no
thing, reply Then Why lyon Ask
"A lady, an unprotected and defenceless
female in distant cline, twelve hundred
miles from home from friends from an
aged and doa:ing father-irom a beloved
mother fond sisters-lrom an only broth
err from all her heart holds dear; sur
rounded alone by STRANGERS; why shut
up in close confinement within thos hea-
Wy locks, iron bars and prison wals;und
this too in an enlightened country in
a land OF gospel light and liberty1 I'm
possible
All! My Rev. SRI am cruelty sus-
pected of being t5nc!nred with the Jul
blot of adoI5Ltopism. Do you ask if
hare changed my sentlments1 No. sir,
| rare mt; and thought my reputation
too we'll established, - my character too
well known to admit Of SUSPICION
Have often frankly declared my seni-
ments in this community. It is we'll
known that favor colonization. 1t has
been known ever since | came here.
have had no dis position TO conceal it
But have oIlen told this people that
thought our arm beiOreA Nc10 EagianG
enjoyed IA more emineut degree of pieta,
aud was far happier in every respect
then the South, and believe it still, and
still / vii! declare it, and these CRATES
and bars and prison walls, shall rcver
berate my sentiments; and if am pun
i-hed Tor beIcvln what do, and must
believe, or for not believing what cam
not believe, | will suffer But, Thauk
God though the liberty Of these feeble,
defenceless limbs be rrammelIed, my
conscience is free.
On one occasion, perhaps when over
excIted,) | remarked in company that if
all the black popuIat ion could be Danish
ed from our loved country,I would cheer.
fully go my myself to the wild and desert
shores of Africa to teach them tn at they
have immortal souls This was, per-
haps, an imprudent remark Ifso, par
don me. 1t is the only one am guilty
Of At the time | felt it, and even now
| know not that AIN prepared to recall
it.
But to the point. 1t is not for colo
nization principles | am imprisoned.
am imagined TO be an abolition agent,
sent on here by the New England Abo.
lltion societies, for the express purpose
of rendering the black population urea
sy and disconnected and for aiding and
assisting them in every possible way to
elope from bondage. Now, sir, ! plo,
test my innocence. But that does not
satisfy them. They place no confidence
in my word, but require proof Of every
thing say.
What renders the case more agcrava.
ting, was the circumstances attending
my arrest;- would give you full detail
had | time; will do it in a future eplstIe.
Suffice it to say, that a Methodist cler
gyman, named Fairbank, a friend Of
mine ir IN New York was in this coun-
ty on business; such as to render it inn
portant for him to see other ministers &
members of the Conferences; and fire.
que ntly TO ride into other counties. BvI
request of MIS- Glass, our landIady. L
invited him what time he spent in the
city TO make home with us, which in.
vItatlon was accepted; not, however,
without his paying in advance for his
board. When the Sabbath came, after
church bell rang. he was invited TO
preach in the first Presbyterian church