The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-07-28

THE CASE OF MRs. DOUGLASS. Mrs.
Margaret Douglas, The lad who was recen,-
imprisoned for one month in the common
Jail at Norwalk, Va, Tor teaching free color.
ed children 10 read, has published Per.
sonal Naualive' on The subject, compris.
Ing sixty three pages. The story is re:
markable one, and Possesses extraordinary
interest. MIS-. ID. isa native Of the Sou'h,
having been born in The city of Washing.
ION. She is no abolilionis,, and hence the
pecnliari,y Of her case. She states that
in ls45, she removed to Norwalk, where
with an only daughter she led quiet I'M.
obrusive life, until December 1853. She
supported herself aud child by yes, making
and at last was induced by The force OF
circumstances, 10 engage in the moral and
religious instruction Of few colored free
children. Her first pupils were three girls
and two bows, the children OF a barber all of
whose family were free. The circums,an.
ces Of the arres, are thus sla,ed:- - ...
All was going on rs peaceably as usual
aud had taken my seal to commence my
daily toll when loud knock was made at
my from, door. answered myself, when
The face of an officer presented itself, who
enqured who lived up stairs. replied that
alone occupied The house. He then ask
ed il Mrs. Douglass lived there. | told him
,ba, was Mrs. Douglass. He said, You
keep SCHOOL, "Yes, sir,' was my reply.
(" A school for colored children !' answer.
ed, dyes" "I must see those Children"
said he. | then demanded what business
he had with them, or with anything in my
house. He replied, iha, he had been sen,
by the Mayor. "Very good, sir" said l.,
"walk in, ard you shall see them )" and,
without giving my daughter or the children
any notice, | invited him up stairs into the
school room. Never will forget tie fright.
ened state Of those children, and the coun.
,enance OF their young teacher. My daugh.
ter sat paralyzed, covering her face with
her hands; and j, was some time before |
could restore order in The ROOM Some were
Cry ing, some cxclaiming /" Oh my oh
my!n and some clinging around me in their
terror bu, during this excitement, never
tosi my presence Of mind.
As soon rs had restored quiet in the
school.room, | inquired Of Mr.. Cherry, tn c
City Constable, what he wanted with those
children. He replied, that he must take
them before the Mayor. every well, SIR
said I, "my daughter and myself will ac-
coin npany them" To my aslonishmeni he
went 10 The head OF the stairs, aud gave a
loud rap with his club, when'anolher Off.
Ger made his appearance, entering from
my back door. For the moment thought
that my house was surrounded with officers,
who perhaps fanced that they had found u
nest OF iheiyes. They then noted down The
names OF all the children, as well as those
of their parents. When they had finished,
politely informed Mr.. Cherry that they
were all free children. and all, or nearly all,
members of The Chris's Church Sunday
School. at makes uo difference, madam
he replied, ''i, is a violation Of the law
10 leach any person Of color 10 read or write,
slave or free, and all &C, punishable by i'm.
prisonmen, in The penilen,iarv." every
well, ~ replied, il they send me 10 the
penilen:iary, j, will be in good cause,
and not d.sgfaceful one." Even this
information, which was the most profound
news TO ne, did no, unnerve me at all for
remembered that our Saviour was perse-
culed for doing good, and why should not
be. This thought Strengthened me 10
bear my own prosecutions for ten long
months afterwards. ...... p.