Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-02-23
William and Ellen Craft.

before last, by WIN. W. Brown, and the
Crafts themselves appeared before the audi
ence, exciting, of course, a most lively inter
est by their appearance. The facts Of their
escape were stated by Mr.. Brown IN a letter
to the Libernior a few weeks since, and are
briefly as follows:
"William and Ellen Graft, man and wife,
lived with different masters in the State OF
Georgia. Ellen is so near white, that she
can pass without suspicion for a white wo.
man. Her husband is much darker. He is
a mechanic, and by working nights and Sun.
days. he laid up money enough 10 bring him
self and his wife out OF Slavery. Their plan
was without precedent; and though novel,
was the means Of getting them their freedom.
Ellen dressed in mans clothing. and passed
as the master, while her husband passed as
The %serrani. In this way they travelled from
Georgia to Philadelphia. They are now out
Of the reach of the blood hounds of the South.
On their journey, they put up at the best ho-
tells where they stopped. Neither of them
can read or write. And Ellen, knowing that
she would be called upon to write her name
at the hotels, &c., tied her right hand up as
though il was lame, which proved Of some
service 10 her. as she was called upon sever
al times at hotels to " register" her name
10 Charleston, S. C., they put up at the no.
tel which Governor McDufie and John G..
Calhoun generally make their home, yet
these distinguished advocates Of the ''peculiar
institution" say that the slaves cannot take
care Of themselves. They arrived in Phila-
delphia in four days from the time they start
I'd. Their history, especially that of their
escape, is replete with interest. They will
he at the meeting Of the Massachusetts Anti
Slavery Society, in Boston, in the latter part
Of this month, where | know the history Of
their escape will be listened to with great in.
teresr. They are very intelligent. They are
young, Ellen %, and WIN. 81 years of age.
Ellen is truly a heroine"
At the meeting in Boston Mr.. Brown read
an article from a Newark paper, (tte Daily
Mercury) which we copy as a most interest
ing part Of the story. 1t is as follows:
AN INCIDENT AT THE SOUTH.
One bright starlight night, in the month of
December last, | found myself in the cabin
of the steamer General Clinch, then lying in
The port of Savannah, and bound for Charles
ton. | had gone early on hoard, in order 10
select a good berth, and having got tired Of
reading the papers, amused myself with
watching the appearance of the passengers AS
they dropped in one after another, and | be.
ing a believer in Physiognomy, forming my
own opinion of their characters.
The second hell rang. and as | yawningly
returned my watch TO my pocket, my atten'
ton was attracted by the appearance Of a
young man who entered the cabin, supported
10y his servant, a strapping negro.
The man was bundled up in a capaciou'
overcoai; his fac was bandaged with {
white handkerchief, and its expression entire
~ hid by a pair OF enormous green specta
cles.
There was something so mysterious an,
unusual, about the young man, as he sat rest
lessly ia the corner. that curios ~ led me I,
observe him more closely.
lie appeared anxious to avoid notice, AM
before the steamer had fairly left the wharf
requested ina low womanly voice to be show
To his berth, as he was an invalid and mus
retire carly-his name he gave as Mr.. John
son. His servant was called and he WAS pu
quietly to bed. | paced the deck until Type
light grew dim in the distance and then wer
10 my berth.
awoke in the morning with the sun shi
ming in my ldce-we were then just passin
81. Helena. and soon after were out at sea
1t was a mild, beautiful morning and most G
the passengers were on deck enjoying tn
freshness Of the air and stimulating their az
pelites for breakfast. MIR. Johnson soon mad
his appearance, arrayed the same as on tn
night before, and took his seat quietly on til
guard Of the boat.
From the better opportunity afforded b
daylight, ] found that he was a slight bull
apparently handsome ynung man, with blac
hair and eyes, and nf a darkness of complex
ion that betokened Spanish extraction. An
+ notice from others SCENE painful to him. s
TO satisfy my curiosity | questioned his sci
want who was standing near, and gained tn
follow ing information.
f His master was an invalid he had sulfeI
ed a long time with a complication of dises
ses that had bafled the skill of the best ply
sicians in Genrgia-he was now %sufferin
principally with the - rheumaiism," and wa
scarcely able to walk or help himself in an
way. He came from Atlanta, Georgia, an
was now on his way to Philadelphia, a
which place resided his uncle, a celebrate
, physician. through whose means he hoped
be restored to perfect health.
This information, communicated in a boil
oG-hand manner, enlisted my sympathies fc
the sufferer. although it occurred TO me thu
he walked rather too gingerly for d person ii
, flictPd with so many ailments.
We arrived at Charleston, and ! there loi
: sight of Mr.. Johnson, an acquaintance at m
tlDoW IFhIhlhihS lHdh Ho Ndo Ci'hOi q W'
man or a genius"
This morning | cut from the New YoT
HeraM the accompanying extract. and theI
is no Doubt in my mind hut that William an
Ellen Graf are no other Than my t~ravellin
5 companions, Mr.. Johnson and servant.
) A.
, Here follows Browns letter just pnblishe
in the LiberaiOr. The Crafts are still
Massachusetts and have appeared in sewers
: places, at public meetings. Their notoriet
' perhaps Will be their best safeguard, as
. would be difficult TO carry off persons so We
{ known by stealth, and quite impossible to G,
them out Of Eastern Massachusetts openly
: nevertheless a careful watch may save tro,
; hle-LA. a. Standard