The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-12-01

hl7u 1ri6nOS. ye SfaJ Walt me no longer,
I'll hurry me back from the seas;
For how can tarry when followed
By watchings and prayers such Bs these?
| A Narrative of American Slavery.
| Although the first slaves introduced into The A
mercan colonies from the coast of Africa were me-
groes ofa very dark complexion, with woolly hair,
and it was thought that Slavery would be confined
to the blacks, yet the present slave population of
America is far from being black. This change in
color is attributable solely to The unlimited power
which the slave-o owner exercises over his victim
There being no lawful marriage amongst slaves,
and no encouragement to slave women to be virtu-
Gus and chaste, there seems be no limits to the
system of amaiganlation carried on between mas
ter and slave. This accounts for the fact, that
most persons who go from Europe, or from the
Free States, into Carolina or Virginia, are struck
with tho different shades Of color amongst the
slaves. On plantation employing fly slaves, it
/ IS not uncommon TO see one third of them muat-
toes, and some of these nearly white.
In the year 1884, there resided in the State of
Virginia, sltve who was SO white that no one
YOU'D suppose for moment that a drop of African
blood coursed through his veins HIS skin was
talr, hair soft, straight, fine, and white; his eyes
blue, nose prominent, lips thin; his head well FORM
ed forehead high and prominent; and he was often
taken for white free person by those who did not
know him. This made his condition as slave
still more intlerabe; for white seldom ever
receives fair treatment at the hands of his fellow
slaves; and the whites usually regard such slaves
as persons wbo if not often fogged and otherwise
il-reated, to remind Them of their condition, would
soon "forget" that they were slaves, and s.think
themselves good as white folks During that
year, an insurreeton broke out amongst the slave
population, known IS the onhampton Rebellion,
or the g Nat Turner lnsurreciion." Five or six
hundl ed slaves, believing in the doctrine that all
men are Gre ted equal,' armed with such weapons
as they could get, commenced war for freedom.
Amnngst these was George, the white slave of
whom we have spoken. He had been employed
as house servant, and had heard his master and
visitors speak of the down-trodden and oppressed
Poles; he heard them talk of going to Greece to
fight for Grecian liberty, and against the oppress-
ors Of that ill-fated people. George, fred with the
love OF freedom and zeal for the cause of his en-
slaved countrymen, joined the insurrection. The
result of that struggle for liberty is well known.
The slaves were defeated; and those who were not
taken prisoners took refuge in the Dismal swamp
These were ordered to surrender; but instead of
doing so, they challenged their proud oppressors to
take them, and Immediately renewed the war. A
ferocious struggle commenced between the
parties; but not until the United States troops
were called in, did they succeed in crushing a
handful of men and women who were fighting for
freedom. The negroes were hunted with dogs
and many who were caught were burpt alfve
while, some were hung, and others were fosged
and banished from the State.
Among those who were senterced TO be hanged,
was George. He placed in prison to await
the day of execution, which would give him ten
days to prepare for his doom. George was the son
OF a member of the American Congress, his moth
er being servant in the principal hotel in Wash
ington. where members of Congress usually put up
After the birth of George, his mother was sold to
neg:o trader, and he 10 Virginian, who sent
agents through the county 10 buy up young slaves
to raise for the market. George was only about
nineteen years of age when he unfortunately be-
came connected with the insurrection. Mr..
Green, who owned George, was comparatively
good master, and prided himself treating his
slaves better than most men. This gentleman was
also the owner of girl who was perfectly white,
!, with straight hair and prominent features. This
girl was said TO be the daughter of her own master.
feeling of attachment sprang up between Mary
and George, which proved to be more than mere
friendship, and upon which we base the burden of
this narrative.
: After poor George had been sentenced to death
and cast into prison, Mary begged and obtained
1 leave to visit George, and administer to him the
comforts of religion, as she was member of re-
: lgious body, while George was not. As George
, had been considerable favorite with Mrs Green,
Mary, had no difficulty in obtaining permission to
pay daily visit to him, to whom she had pledged
her heart and hand. At one of these meetings,
and only four DAYS from the time fixed for the exc
cution, while Mary was seated in Georges cell, it
occurred 10 her that she might yet save him from
a felon's DOOM. She revealed to him the secret
r that then occupying her thoughts, viz, that
. George should exchange clothes with her. and thus
attempt the escape in disguise. But he would not
for single moment listen to the proposition. Not
that he feared detection; but he would not consent
to place an Innocent and affoctionate girl in n po-
stion where she tnipht have 10 snfTcr fnr him