The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-08-18

The CASE OF MAs. DoUcLAss.--"The Per-
sonal Narrative Of Mrs. Margaret Douglass. I"
| This, it will be remembered, is the lady who
was imprisoned for one month in the common
Jail at Norfolk, for teaching free colored chill
dfen to read. The story Is a remarkable one,
and possesses extraordinary interest. Mrs.
ID. is native ofthe South, having been born
in the city of Washington. She is no aboli-
zionist, and hence the peculiarty Of her case
She states that in lS45, she removed to Nor
folk, where, with IN only daughter. she led
quiet and unobtrusive life, until December,
1853, She supported herself and child by
vest-makihg and at last was induced, by the
force of crcums tances, to engage in the reli-
gious and moral instruction of n few coored
free children. Her first pupils were three
girls and two boys, the daughters and sons Of
barber, all of whose family were free. The
circumstances Of the arrest are thus stated:
All was going on as peaceable as usual, and
had taken my seat to commence my daily
toll, when loud knock was made at my from t
door. ! answered it myself, when the face of
an officer presented itself, who inquired who
lived up stairs. l replied that alone occu-
pied the house. He then asked if Mrs. Doug.
lass lived there told him that was Mrs.
Douglass.-He said, "You keep school,"
"fes, sir" was my reply. "a school for COL
ored children!" I answered, "yes.' 81
must see those children" said he. then de-
manded what he had with them, or with any,
thing in my house. He replied, that he had
been sent by the Mayor. "Very good, sir"
said I, "walk in, and you shall see them"
and without giving my daughter or the chill
dren any notice, invited him up stairs into
the school room. Never will forget the
frightened state of those children, and the
countenance Of their young teacher. My
daughter seemed parayzed, covering her face
with her hands, and it was some time before
| could restore order in the room. Some
were crying some exclaiming "Oh my! oh
my" and some clinging around me in their
terror; but during the excitement never lost
my presence of mind.
AS soon as had restored quiet in the room,
inquired of Mr.. Cherry, the City Constable,
what he wanted with those children. He re-
plied,.t he must take them before the Nay
or. "Very we'll sir" said I, "my daughter
and myself will accompany them" To my
astonishment he went to the head Of the
stairs, and gave lond rap with his club, when
arother officer made his appearance, entering
from my back door. For the same moment
l thought that my house was surrounded with
officers who prI haps fanciedthat they had
found nest of thieves. They then noted
down the names of all the children, as well
as those of the parents. When they had
finished, politely informed Mr.. Cherry that
they were all free children, aud all, or nearly
all, members of the C!hrist's Church Sunday
school. at makes no difference, madam" he
replied, sit is violation o: the lay to teach
any person of color to read or write, slave or
free, and an act punishable by Imprisonment
in the penitentiary. "Very WELL" replied.
"ifthcy send me to the penitentiary it will be
in good cause. and not disgraceful one."
Even this information, which was the most
profound news to me, did not unnerve me at
all; for remembered that our Saviour was
prosecuted for doing good, and why should not
| be. This thought strengthened me to bear
my own prosecutions for ten long months /
afterwards.