Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-01-08

a new trial In doing so, she said, under oath, shat
she knew no one could possibly be procured who
would swear that any negroes went in the hack with
her, or that she knew anything about them, or was in
any way or manner implicated in their escape, unless
they swore falsely" Let US see if you can make good
your CHARGE from this extract, What did | say under
oath? Did [ say the negroes did not go in the hack
with me, or that | did not aid them in their escape?-
Nothing of the kind. I siulely affirmed that l knew
they could not produce any one that would swear to
that effect, unless they swore falsely. Tbs know to
be true for the following reasons:
l. | know that the thing was so managed that there
was no one that they could require to testify, who
knew anything about the matter, except Mr.. Fairbank'
2. | knew that they could net compel a witness to
implicate himself and, moreover, | knew that Fairbank
could not testify against me without such implication,
which, of course, he never would do.
Now, sir, what becomes of your cruel and upright
eous efforts to fasten upon me the crime Of taking a
false oath? | believe your unprecedented readers will
see that it is utterly without foundation.
6. Next, you introduce Mr.. Fairbanks affidavit for
the purpose of co%nvicting me. In reply, [ would say
that | am not responsible for anything Mr.. Fairbanks
has done. His denial is not my denial. You have to
prove that l have denied aiding slaves, not that Far
bank has done it. And as to its appearing in the book
you knew full well, when you made your reference tc
it, that it was forced in there by my father, against my
will, and entirely without my consent; for an explain
alton of that fact was given at Boston, which you heard
As YOU saw fit to refer to this matter, after the explain
alton furnished you at the convention, why did you not
have the candor to give your readers that explanation
also? Did YOU fear that it would not serve your pur-
pose as well?
Z, Again: you remark, "Andt then, to crown all, Mis-;
Webster m home, writes her book, declares, P. 50
that, up to that time, she has "ncver yet read any pub
LEGATION issued by the abolitionists." Now, the above
remark, sir, is true. | had not read any publication
issued by the abolitionists; and for the good reason that
| had been placed in circumstances where | did moi
have access to them when | could find time, consist
emily with other duties, to read them. In my fathers
house there was nothing Of the kind, and every such
publication was perfectly %despised, When at Oberlin
my studies pressed me SO constantly that | had no time
to devote to such reading; and after | went south | had
no opportunity Of gaining access to them. | had heard
a lecture or two upon the subject of slavery, and that
was all the anti slavery light | had received. But
what bearing this fact had upon the question at issue
| am wholly unable to see.
&. Once moro. You refer to my remarks upon the
subject of negro stealing. | did not express my SEN
timents as fully on that point as | wish | had DONE
consequently, my meaning has been Inexperienced
The phraseology | used is unhappy, and merits an a.
pology, as it may leave upon the mind of the reader ar
impression that [ would not wish to carry. At the
time it was written | was confined to my bed by seri.
GUS illness, and was hardly able to move my pen, hav.
ing been Frustrated some twenty days. But as | was
impatient to get the work before the public, and as
it had already been delayed sometime, | concluded il
hastily without weighing my language as | ought, anC
without the same degree of scrutiny and care that
probably should exercise in a state of health. | have
since, however, published o letter in the Green Noun
tam Freeman, where my views are more fully explain
ed. By the term "negro stealing" | referred NOR,
particularly to sowing seeds of discomfort in the minc
of the slave, and melting him to leave his master; tho
did not intend to convey the impression that Ibeliev
ed even that q moral urOng. AT the time it was pen
ned felt that such a course was ineIpedent,lf not dis
honorable. had frequently listened to the stronges
arguments that can be presented on that side Of tn
question by some of the ablest minds in Kentucky
and think it not at all surprising that my mind wa
somewhat IN the dark upon that point. Since, howey
er, | have had time to reflect more maturely, and t
listen to the arguments presented on the other side
the subject by my anti slavery friends at the north,
am fully convinced that it Is, at least, no violation
honor. This ! concede most heartily; and in relate
to its eXpediency, my mind is not wholly settled, b,
is open to light and instruction. But how, Sill, does Il
fact that | said | was opposed to what is termed nj
gro stealing, amount to a denial that | had ~assisto
slaves in their fight to a land of liberty?
Now, my dear sir, | have examined all the refcrc
t ces you have made to my book, for the purpose
t proving your charge of f|alsehood; and I fatter myse
0 that I have shown concusively, that the denial you
, boldly and confidently affirmed I had made, is not
be found there. Were a civil process commenced
, gainst you, sir, for SANDER, | dc not believe ar
jury would give a verdict in your favor. How, sir, ca
you Justify yourself in the course you have taken?-
9 You have not only assailed my character. and thus lie
c the full weight of your influence to prevent my gettir
d employment as a teacher, but you have greatly iniu
t ed me in another point of view and that injury h
" been inflicted under trying circumstances. My pc
~secutions at the south had thrown a debt upon me
" more than one thousand dollars. | have been at Il
expense of getting up my book, not only to give t
o world a sample Of southern jurisprudence, but hopil
e to realize something from the sale of it that might /
lleye me, to some extent at least, from this burden.
But the attack which you, sir, and some other abolti
papers are making upon me, will doubtless prevent t
sale Of the work. Consequently, my time in prepari
it will be lost, and another item Of expense for printi
be thrown upon inc and my friends, to increase,
stead Of diminishing our burden.
:" All this, however, is not as trying to my feelings
We another view of the case. 1t has been, and still is, ]
desire to do some little good in the world while l
tie main in it. This l think l value more than silver
re gold, or any and all things else. But the attack viii