The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-07-04
THE FUGITIVE NEGRO BIACKsMLT

Il man Oh agreeable manners, ana pastor OF large
coored congregation. The history of this person
the Rev. James W. G.. Penniugton-which has been
published in the form of a small volume, is so curl
Gus, that we propose drawing attention to its
tents.
DIR. Pennington was born slave in the State of
Maryland, and for the first twentyone years of his
life he was brought up chiefly on the estate of his
master, who also owned his mother and several
brothers and sisters. While still young, he was
taught the craft of blacksmith, in which occupa-
ton he made himself useful to his proprietor, that
his value, when grown up, at least a thousand
dollars Brought up in total ignorance of letters
of religion, and performing dull round of mechan-
ical drudgeries, James left entirely to the rude
promptings OF Nature. There asln him neverthe-
less, as In Gods creatures spirit, which revolted
against coarse oppression, and made him sigh for
berty-the unchaIIenged possession of his own per-
son. The spectacle of his father ''cow-hided" for
no offence produced commOtlon of feeling that al
most induced him to fy;-and matters were brought
TO crisis by fresh insult. 81 was one day." says
he, ''shoeing horse in the shop yard | had been
STOPPING for some time under the weight of the horse
which was large, and was very tiredsaneanwhile my
master had taken position a little hill just in
front of me, and stood leaning back on his cane,
with his hat drawn over his eyes. | put down the
horses foot, and Strengthened myself up to rest a
moment, and without knowing that he there,
my eye caught his. This threw him into a panic of
rage; he would have it that | was watching him.
"What are you rolling your white eyes at me for,
you lazy rascal?' He came down upon me with
his cane, and laid on my shoulders, arms, and
legs, about a dozen severe blows SO that my limbs
and flesh were for several weeks, and then, af
ter several other offensive epthets he left me. This
affair my mother from her cottage, which was
near; being one of the oldest of my parents,
our family was now mortified to the lowest degree
| had always aimed to be trustworthy; and feeling
high degree of mechanical pride, had aimed to do
my work with despatch and skill; my blacksmith's
pride and taste was one lining that had reconciled
me to become slave. | sought to distinguish my
self in the finer branches of the business by inven-
ton and finish; frequently tried my hand at max
ing guns and pistols, putting blades in penknives,
making fancy hammers, hatchets, sword canes, &c.
Besides used to assist my father at chit in max
ing straw hats and wiow-baskets, by which means
we supplied our family with little articles of food,
clothing and luxury, which slaves in the mdest form
of the system never get from the master; but after
this found that my mechanics pleasure and pride
were gone. [ thought of nothing but the family dis
grace under which we smarting, and how to
get rid of it,
Without counsel or assistance, James determined
to abscond and if possible to reach the free soil of
Pennsylvania One Sunday in November, when all
was quiet he stole away into the woods, but so i'll
provided for fight, that his whole stock of provis-
ions was a morsel of Indian Bread about half a
pound in weight. Pursuing his way, darkness came
on, and his only guide was now the north star,
though when or where he should strike Pennsylvan-
ia, or find friend he knew not Several days at
least would require to be consumed on the journey.
At three O'Clock in the morning the strength of the
fugitive began to fall and he felt the chilling effects
of the dew. ''At this moment gloom and melan-
choly again spread through my whole soul. The
prospect of utter restitution which threatened me
was more than could bear, and my heart began to
melt What substance is there in piece of dry In
dian bread? what nourishment Is there in it to warm
the nerves of one already chilled to the heart p
Will this afford sufficient after the toll of
the night?
But while these thoughts agitating my mind
the day dawned upon me, in the midst of an open
extent of country where the only shelter could fnd
without riskng travel by daylight, was shock,
but few hundred yards from the road, and here
must pass my first day out. The day was an UNI
happy one; my hding-place was extremely preca-
rious. | had to sit in squatng position the whole
day. without the least chance to rest. But besides
this. nv scanty ptance did not afford me that
ishment which my hard nights, travel needed =
Night came again to my relief; and sailed forth to
pursue my Journey. BY this time not crumb of
nv crust remained and | was hungry, and began
to feel the desperation of distress AS travelled,
felt my strength failing, and my spirits wavered; my
mind was deep and melancholy dream. 1t was
cloudy; could not see my star, and had serious
misgiyings about my course In this way the night
passed away, and just at the dawn of day found
few sour apples, and took my shelter under the arch
of a small bridge that crossed the road Here
passed the second day in ambush.
Night came on, and he once more proceeded on
his wearsome journey Frequently he was overcome
with hunger and fatigue, and sat down and slept for
a few minutes At the dawn of day he saw toll
bar and here he ventured to ask the best way to
Philadelphia This information he received, and
set off in the right direction. His taking the open
road was fatal Shortly he was observed by man
who was vigiant in detecting runaway negroes, and
by him he was ordered to give an account OF HIM
self After little parey, James took to his heels
but hue-and-cry being raised, he was speedily
CAPTURED. Led to tavern as prisoner, his tate
appeared to be no longer doubtful. To all question
inss James persisted in saying he was free man !;
but he could produce no papers, and his case was
desperate. Here takes place what the writer calls
moral dilemma. In imminent risk of being sent
back to slavery and punishment, was he justified IN
ryng to escape by telling flsehood' We may
zone that the recording angel will blot out the unlor-
u6ate negros offence against truth on this OCCASION
Jamess fabricated story was ingenious lie had
Hal knan fnIyn 4