Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-03-16
THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE.
The Fugitive Son Of a Virginia Ex-Governor.


II Ex- Gov. Nrsson, the father Of the fugi-
tive alluded to in the following letter, is now
member fthc U, S. Senate, and the man So
leeted by Mr.. Calhoun to read his great speech.
Ed. Bagle.
.....- WADswoRTn, Fob'y 20, 1850.
FR1rSD JOHNSON There has been existing in
our town for few days past quite an Anti Sla-
very excitement, got up byno less parsonage
than a fugitive slave, purporting to be, to the
best Of his knowledge, son Of Hon. John Ma
son, formerly Governor Of the State Of Virginia;
and, taking into consideration the circumstan-
ces of his birth and cducation-bcing nearly 80
years of age before learning his alphabct-his
talents do not dishonor his ilustrious parcntagc,
though doubtless the old gentleman could point
out sphere where they could be employed
more to his satisfaction and advantage.
Our friend Joseph, however, seems to turn q
deaf car to the counscls of age and wisdom, and
to be inclined to choose and pursue his own
course of action, though it may not do great
credit to the name Of his worthy ancestor.
10 has seen Slavery in all its phases, while
acting until his nineteenth year as house SER
want in his parental mansion, and then as body
servant for his young master, or half brother,
who chose the honorable profession Of horsc-ra-
Ger and gambler, until the end Of six years,
when, owing to decline in his fortunes, Jo was
seized and sold, at st. Louis, No., upon the
auction .block, to an old, dried-up hcathcn,
whom he honors with the uppellation Of Spin
dc, from his near resemblance to that useful
instrument, and upon whose soul and body 10
confidently asscrts old Satan himself held q
mortgage, which assertion, if true description
of character is given, does not seem at all inn
probable. r.
After acting as field hand, also in the cnpaci.
ty Of target for the kicks, cuffs, curses and
blows of this worthy old shadow for four years
Jo concluded, as return for all his kindness
and for one act in particular, which consisted ir
wearing out three stout hickory whips on hi
bare back, to rid the poor old fellow of tho re.
sponsibility of his further care; 50 he sought
refuge from the protection Of the Peculiar In
stitution which exists in free and republican
missouri, Dcncatn tnc crown OF ucspOtlc Dlltalh
which refuge he found, and for twelve years hoi
been a free man, now pleading the cause Of hi'
race with the people, who listen evening after
evening with intense interest to his iniInitable
thrilling, yet truthful representations of the
workings of the aecursed system which held
him-a man in every sense of the word-r
chattel for 2s years, and considers him so yet
for while speaking in the western part of oul
town, news came from the North that
"Thc hounds were bayins on his track"
Five hundred dollars were offered in hardbil
\ Tor his apprehension and delivery, dead o
alive, into the hands of his claimants.
| This announcement, however, created N
great fear for his safety, for he was very prompt
! ly given 10 understand that no was amonl
| friends, where it would be difficult 10 catcl
him oven with $500 bait. Oh
Some opinions were also expressed, intima
| ting that in case Of old Spindle himself bcini
the pursuer, the time of his arrival here nigh
be favorable one for the closing of the mort
gage before spoken of.
.h .' Yours, J. l.. ID.