New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-03-24
STORY OF THE FU'GITIVES-PERILS OF
PASSING OYER JORDAN
r,om tn. sondu,Ev TO-, csmmn,cia, Register.

From The Sonduskv (O) Comm, eial Register.
Some weeks since a company of ten fugtves-eigh
men, one boy and a woman-passed through here en-
route for Canada. Navigation being closed, and the
owner of the constitutional chates being close at hand
it determined to put the troupe through by the
Uver-co post; consequently double sleigh was prop
erly equipped and the journey commenced. The perls
and privGtions Of that hegra thus reeounted By
The C2ereidnd Leader which has the facts from gen.
ileman from Windsor, Canada. where the fugtiyes
finally made a landing.
After crossing Sandusky Bay, they made directly for
the Islands, where they arrived before dusk. Here
they partook of refreshments, and allowed their
jsded horses to rest. Shortly after midnight they
sumed their perilous journey; but after proceeding
few miles, they were beset with furious snow-sOrm
and lost their way About o'clock next morning
they found themselves land which they at first
took to be Canada, but, close inspection, they dis
covered that they the spot from which they
had started the previous night. The driver had
some difficulty in persuading the fugtves 10 land, and
some of them insisted on starting for Canada on foot
Finally their fears were overcome, and they consented
to land. succession OF snow-storms continued
throughout the day, and it was not till nearly midnight
that the party could again set out for the land where
no Fugitive Law is in force
After proceeding about fifteen miles, they beset
with another snow Storm and if TO add 10 their d
culties they to opening in the ice, varying
from five to eight feet in width. They followed u
several miles westward and found that IL became
wider then they retraced their course and continued
eastward with no better success. The driver said II
useless 10 attempt TO cross with the team and
proposed that the ugitves should leap the barrier and
pursue the remainder of their hazardous journey alone
One of the chatteLs, with presence Of mind which
would entitle Whte man to the highest praise sug
gesed that bridge might be formed Of the sleigh. It
accordingly taken to pieces, passage constructed
the opening, and the horses With difficulty forced
over it. Several hours wasted in the operation.
and a succession Of storms following each otbef,
the party did not arrive at their goal till long after
nightfa. As they touched the Canadian shore
they oil knet down and returned thanks TO the Being
who had preserved them through their remarkable
pers. Our children will speak Of this adventure as
Of the most singular record but we, who are 20
much more enlightened than future generations, know
that it would be absurd 10 attach any importance TO
the love which black people have Tor freedom.
Such tales will have wonder enough for future gene
rations; and they viii also bring strange reflections IN
the minds Of all which will not be fattering 10 the
humanity Of the age. The coming fiction writer Will
have, in the mutations of slave life almost daily
TRANSPORTING material of the strangest and most exciting
character plantation life and degrading service,
slaves concerning together for escape, the escape and
its perils the capture aud shipment for q market,
and death in the rice swamps lone and dank; or the
more revolving picture Of planters owning and selling
their own flesh and bood-of which the pens OF this
day either dare not will not write. Such field
never since the captivity of the Jews opened for
the potraiture Of tie pens Of the historian and romance
writer alas that it should be on American soil tlat
heir scenes must be laid