Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-01-01
Captain DrOytOn.

NfeN'h WI Nho IiNHth Ut ltlt lult
Philadelphia Convention, and gave the fol-
lowing account of his Imprisonment rs re-
ported by the Pennsylvania Freeman.
Capt Drayton being present, at the re-
quest of the Convention gave a simple and
thrilling narrative of his sufferings for the
cause of humanity in the National Capital.
tie said thut he was entirely unaccusiomcd
TO public speaking, ho had never been an
uboliIionist, nor had he been familiar with
their societies or operations; but he had seen
much OF the crueltes of slavery, aud his
symp0ihies were excited for the poor suffer-
ers; I've had desired 10 free ns lnnuy us he
could. IN ono instance, lac bad aided three
boys, aud 10 another, u woman aud five chill
dren 10 gain their liberty; but no suspicion
was excited agninst him. Nor would he
have been suspected IN the case OF the
SchooucT Pearl had not Judas betrayed
him.
have not known the principles of tho
uholitionists, continued Cnpt. d., bat mine
have been, "ln God, trust, and truth aud
righteousness are my law" At the time |
took those seventy-seven slaves on bonrd the
Pearl, knew the pencliy of the law. But
knew among those people n woman with
nine children who had been emancipn,cd by
will, but avaricious heirs had broken the will,
snd the family were to be separated and
sold, and my sympalhies were moved for
them. Others | knew WHO had long been
concealed, awaiting MI opportunity TO escape.
There were old aud young, men aud women,
longing aud praying for freedom. | could
not refuse TO help them. | tried and failed,
and for nearly four and half years | have
suffered Imprisonment for IL. But ia all this
| see the hand Of the Lord. ] believe that,
through my Imprisonment, | have been
made the means of doing more good than IL
] had freed thousand slaves secretly. |
was publicly arrested aud carried to ial. #
was a mercy that was not murdered Oh the
spot slave trader behind me drew lis
dirk aud was about tbrusting il into me,
when some one ntcriered and saved me.
In this, too, see the hand of Col As We
came up the street a mob met me, ready TO
Kill me, but just at that moment carriage
drove along aud the officers hnried me into
it, and drove another way TO the Jail. Hero
ngain was saved by the hand Of mercy.
do not know that am an abolitionist,
but it seems TO the that have done some
Thing for the abolition of Slavery. No abo-
lltionist has ever caused such al excitement
III Congress. II was so great, they had to
adjourn for three days The Anti Slavery
agitation has been increased by my impris-
onment. II has caused people TO think. For
a time my confinement was severe. For fif-
teen months was shut up in a cell eight feet
by ten, aud kept III solitary confinement, with
neither bed nor chair nor table. Two blank
els were thrown into me, and wns told that
j might do what ! chose with them. OF
these made my bed aud covering, and used
my wuter can for n pillow
My keeper during this time wns violent
Il. a Il 4 =.
of the abolitionists, and he found pleasure
in adding to the severities Of my lot. BY
every means in his power he tried to induce
mo to turn States evidence against persons
who were suspected Of being engaged with
me. ! was offered my own liberty and the
bribe Of a thousand dollars, TO do this: aud
when this failed, was subjected TO constant
annoyance and linrdships TO break me down.
aud compel me 10 yield. | was kept in close
confinement and denied privileges of oxer- !
else, granted 10 the mcancst thief When
demonstrated, and asked TO walk in the pas
sage, I was met with fresh insults, nnd vio- !
lent oaihs. But in my suflerings prayed
fer strength and help, and at length, after |
had borne his rough usage for fifteen months,
the keeper was discharged. |
The guards being friendly 10 me, gave me
the privilege Of tile passage, and the new
keeper found me in il and continued tho
permission. But with this privilege came
new nnnoynnces. ] WINS placed in room
with the vilesi and most prohgate criminals, /
and daily compelled 10 listen 10 their proiane
snd impure conversation. ] told my keeper
that should prefer solitary confinement with
n ball and chain 10 companionship with these
Towdies but il was III vain. There ! had
TO remain, until about two years before my
discharge, when wus removed TO more
comfortable part of tho prison away from
such degraded society.
But while I was imprisoned WAS not for
gotten. hnd good friends who did what
they could for my comfort aud reense; my
y,ory was told 10 men whom ] had mover
seen. md friends whom never knew, were
raised up for me. Petitions were sent to the
President in my behalf Pesonul appeals
were made to him. Among those who iiI-
teresied themselves for Ine was Charles
Sumner. lie went TO President Fillmore
and plead my cause with HIM The Presi-
dent promised TO pardon me il lie could he
satisfied of his power to do so. Mr.. sum
.ner hunted up authorities aud decisions aud
wrote out long Argument proving the pow
or, and the Attorney General endorsed it,
nnd Capt SHyers ana mysolf were pardoucd,
after an Imprisonment oi four years aud five
months.
All this ] suffered. For whni? For
Righteousness sake for deeds Of compass
sion and mercy; for loving my ncighbor as
myself Like Paul going 10 jerusalem,
have obeyed the voice Of duty, not knowing
10 what il would bring me. ] have thus far
been protected by many mercics; NY life is
spared, though my health is broken down.
God only knows wha, lie las now in store
for me.
have endeavored to he a friend To the
slave. believe in showing my faith Iy my
works, and this have tiied TO do. We have
different duties, though working for one
causa Somn ncrsons ShoVV their sVmuntlv