The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-07-26
Teaching Colored Children at the South

Teaching Colored Children at the South
Our readers will perhaps remember
the case of Mrs. Doug glass, who, with her
daughter, was arrested aud imprisoned
at Norfolk for the heinous offence of
teaching colored children to road and
write. She has recently issued IL little
volume giving narrative Of her life and
Of the circumstances connected with her
Imprisonment The PhilaaelpLia IN
q"ircr says tho story is remarkable
one, and possesses extraordinary interest
Mrs. Douglass is native of the South,
having been bora in the city of Washing.
ton. She is no abolitionist, and hence
the regularity of her case. She states
that in lel5 sho removed to Norfolk,
where with an only daughter she led a
quiet aud unobtrusiye life, until Deccm-
Der, 1858. She supported herself and
child by vest making, and at last was
induced, by the force Of circumstances
to engage in tie religious and moral in
struction of few colored free children.
Her first pupils were three girls and two
boys, the children of barber, all of
whose family were free. The circum-
stances of the arrest are thus stated
Al was going on as poaceably as
usual, and | had taken my seat to com,
meucc my daily toll, when loud knock
was made at my front door. | answer
ed it myself, when the face of an officer
presented itself, who inquired who lived
up stairs. | replied that l alone occu-
pied the house. lie then asked if Mrs
Dougl lass lived there | told him that |
was Mrs. Douglass. He said You keep
a school" I" Yes, sir" was my reply.
a school for colored children ~ | an
swered "yes." 4" | must sec those child
rem" said lie. then demanded what
business he had with them or anything
in my house. He replied, that he had
been sent by the Mayor. Very good
, sir said |, walk in, and 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 the frightened state of those
children, aud the countensnce of their
young teacher. My daughter sat para
lyzed. covering her face with hOr hands
and it was some time before | could
restore order in the room. Some we're
crying, some exclaiming oh my oh
my !" and some elinging around Inc in
their terror but during the excitement,
never lost MY presence Of mind
As soon as restored quiet in the
room, | inquired Of Mr.. Cherry, the
/ City Constable, what he wanted with
those children. lie replied that he must
take them before the Mayor "Nery
well, sir" said l, my daughter aud my
self will accompany them" TO my as
tonishment, lie went to the head of the
stairs, and gave loud rap with his club
when another officer made his appearance
entering from my back door For the
moment | though that my house wa:
surrounded with officers, who perhaps
fancied that they had found nest o
thieves. They then noted down the
names of all the children. as well al
those of their parents. When they had
finished, [ politely Informed Mr. Cherry
that they we're all free children, and all
or nearly all, mOmbers of the Christie
Church Sunday school. at makes M
difference, madam" be replied, "i. is q
violation Of the law to teach any persor
Of color TO read CT write, slave or free
and an act punishable by imprisonment
in the penitontiary." Very WELL"
replied, " if they send me to the peniteu
tiary, it will be in good cause, and no
disgraceful one Even this informa
ticn, which was tho most profound now
to Ine, did not unnerve me at all for
remembered that our Saviour was per
secuted for doing good, and why shouic
. not be This thought s,renethed M
to bear my own prosecutions for tel
long months afterwards
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