Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-06-24
From The Liberty Gazette.
Letter from II. H. Garnel"~LHke Cham
plaiu~Preiudice on board the Steamer
Souanoc

L
SardnaC.
Mr. EDlroR This morning l arrived III
Whitehall at o'clock, on my way to the state
Convention of the Liberty Party, OF the Green
Mountain State-Our passage to Whitehall was
nleasaut our company was small and agreeable,
and every body was "well fed" and all found
places to rest. The Capt. and officers of the
St. Nicholas we're gentlcmanIy and kind, and |
shared their hospitality in common with other
passengers, notwithstanding my black face
The moment our boat touched the dock, we
were assaed by a swarm Of runners" crying
"Slltus-Saranac--fr carriage" &c. With
out stopping to make choice OF evils, ! stepped
into the first carriage, and was soon on board the
Slranac, commanded by Capt Davis The boat
quickly unmoored and walked away upon the
bright waters of the Lake. Although the wealth
er was cold, yet all that saw was highly inter-
eStng to me, for it was the first time that ever
passed over that Sheet of water | had heard of
it, and read Of it, The history of Ticondcroga,
came fresh to my mind as | beheld the gray old
ruins, where bold hearts, and immortal spirits
once stood mighty breastwork in Freedoms
sacred cause. In my youth | had often spent
long nights in listening to the stories of the wars
from an old colored soldier, who was proud per-
haps too proud, to tell that on Champlain he and
other black men bled for their country Their
gore dyed those waters to crimson hue that
now bear on their bosom, nothing but happy
hearts, peace and plenty, and that portion of
misery to which man is subject
We passed on, without meeting anything to
interrupt my peace, the bell rang for breakfast,
and after the first table was seated, bought
ticket paying the usual price, intending to take
the second table, did not attempt to sit down
at the first, which was composed Of the arsto-
cracy--thc handles and the religious part of the
passengers, the ministers and drunkards; setting
upno extra claims, only deeming myself man,
and new Testament Democrat, | made up my
mind to breakfast with the plebians, Therefore
when the second bell rang, went down and took
a humble seat at a remote end of the table where
thought should be out of harms way, if there
should perchance be any very nice people near
me, who would be offended if my bLack dust
should come in contact with their pate clay OF
course began to eat, and that was what | sat
down for; a little boy gave me some coffee and
was about to seize and appropriate, when felt
a tap on my shoulder, turned around expecting
that some gentleman was going to help me to a
piece of beefseak from the other part of the
table, but behold it was the steward, who sud vc-
ny politely, "You will please get up, and wait
till after these get done, and will set you Ia
bic by yourself"
"Why sir, is not this the second table," l
replied.
eyes, but get up, and you shall have yours
by and by" continued the steward
told him that Mr.. Baxter had sold me the
ticket, and that thought that would entite me
to the second table.
lie said that's all right, you must get up OF
course retired, rather than have any ado, on the
old line.
In about three quarters of an hour after, a boy
come to the deck and told me that my table was
ready, told him thought that | should wait
till arrived at Burlington, and that inasmuch as
1t was paid for he need not trouble himself far
Their.
Just before we reached this place the steward
stated to me that as had not taken my breakfast
he wished to refund my money. [ declined
the offer, and told him that | wished to keep the
ticket as a remembrance of barbarism lie
remarkad that the whole affair was unpleasant to
him, but that he had received strict OrdcrS to d0
SO, Mr.. Editor, if you can, please inform the
public, who gave the steward such orders. Was
it the Captain, or the Board of Directors of the
old line. 1t certainly cannot be the latter, fo1
| know some of them, and have ever found them
in the srictest sense, christians and gentlemen
1t becomes me to say, that many passengers
spoke to me on the subject, and,eycry one con.
demned the whole affair. These petty officers
go farther than majority of the travelling pub
lie ask them.
Are we free in Vermont? Have we not some
thing to do with slavery? Now, friend Briggs,
farewell hope to meet you at the Convention
tomorrow, and join you in battle ag oinst slavery
and injustice.
Yours truly
HENRY II. GARNET