The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-03-21
A REMARKABLE WORK.
Autobiography Of . Female Slave.
From The Kentucky News.

Autobiography Of . Female Slave.
From The Kentucky News
The author of this remarkable work is
Miss MATTE GRIFFITH, Of Kentucky, (the
daughter of deceased slaveholder,) a young
lady of rare personal accomplishments and of
brilliant promise, who, ignorant Of the radi'
cal abolition movement of the North. out of
the depths of her own soul brought ,,2rth thi!
thrilling testimony against the hideous slave
system. Most of the incidents recorded in
this Autobiography came within her own
personal knowledge; many others, still more
heart-rendins. she has purposely suppressed
on account of their shocking character. Ev'
cry effort should be made by the friends Of
the oppressed to give this volume the widest
We make the following extract, describing
one of those terrible cases of slaveholdins
cruelty so inseparable from the relation of
master and slave
Amy stood out from the group to answer
Miss Tildy's summons. shall never forge,
the expression of subdued misery that was
lmned upon her face.
Come in the house and account for those
forks said Miss Tidy. in the most perempto.
ry manner. Amy made no reply to this
but followed the lady into the house. There
she was cOurt-marshased. and, of course
found guilty of igh mislemeanor. Wal,
SAID Mr.. Ptterkin, we'll see if the "post y
can't draw from you whar you've put 'em
Come with me-
With a face the picture of despair,she fol
lowed.
Upon reaching the post she was fastened tt
it by the wrist & ankle fetters; & Mr.. Peter
kin, foamins with rage, dipped his cowhid.
in the strongest brine that could be made
and drawing it up with honrish, let it de
scend upon her uncovered back with lace
rating stroke. Heavens what a shrek sht
gave! Another blow, another and deeper
stripe, and cry after cry came from the hap
less victim
'Whar is the forks p thundered Mr.. Peter
kin tell me. or LII have the worth out of
yer cussed hide
Indeed, indeed, Masser, does not know
You are liar, and another and a severe,
GLOW.
'Whar is they?'
Il give 'em to Miss Jane, Masser, indeed
did
Take that you liar and again he .truck
her, and thus he continued until he had tc
stop from exhaustion. There she stood, par
TALLY naked. bleeding at every wound, ye,
none of us dared go near and offer her even
a glass of cold water.
Has she told where they are q asked Mis-:
Tidy.
NO. she says she give 'em to vou.'
We'll, she tells an infamous lie and
hope you will beat her until pain forces her
to acknowledge what she has done with
them
oh, Ill git it out Of her vet, ard by blood
too
Yes. father, Amy needs good whipping,
said Miss Jane, for she has been sulky ever
since we took her in the house. Two OF
three times I've thought Of asking you to have
her taken 10 the post
Yes, I've noticed that she's give herself a
good many ars. 1t does me rale good to
take 'em out Of her.
Yes, father. you are real negro-break.
er. They don't dare behave badly where
you are
This, Mr.. Peterkin regarded as high
praise for, whenever he related the good
qualities of favorite friend. he invariably
mentioned that he was tight master,' so be
smiled at his daughters compliment.
Yes said Miss Tidy, whenever father
approaches, the darkies should set up the
tune, " See the conquering hero comes."'
Good, frstrate, Tidy replied Miss Jane
Til is a wit
Yes, you are both high-larnt gals, ahead
Of yer pappy.'
'Oh, father, please don't speak in thai
way
'It was the fashion when was educated
Just listen,' they both exclaimed.
Jake called out Mr.. Peterkin. who's,
wrath was getting excited by the criticisms
of his daughters, go and bring Amy here
In a few moments Jake returned, accompa
MED by Amy. The blood was oozing through
the body and sleeves Of the frock that she ha,
hastily thrown on.
.Whar's the forks P thundered out MI
Peterkin.
i give 'em to Miss Tidy
You are liar said Mics Tidy, as sh
dashed up to her, and struck her a sever
blow on the temple with a heated poke,
Amy dared not parry the blow; but, as sh
received it, she fell fainting to the floor. MI
Peterkin ordered Jake to take her out O,
their presence.
She was taken to the cabin, and left lyin
on the floor. When went in to see her.
horrd spectacle met my view There sh
lay stretched upon the floor, blood oozin
from her whole body. washed it off NIGEL
and creased her wounds, as poor Aunt Poll
had once done for me but these attention
had to be rendered in very secret manne,
1t would have been treason, and punished q
such, if had been discovered.
| had scarcely got her cleansed, and he
wounds dressed, before she was sent 70
again.
Now said Miss Tidy, if you will tell m
what you did with the forks, will excus
you; but, if you dare to say you don't know
III beat you to death with this and she he'll
up bunch of brierv switches, that she ha,
tied together. Now only imagine briars dig
eing ard scraping that already lacerate'
flesh, and you will not blame the equivosa
ton TO which the poor wretch was driven.
Where are they ? asked Miss Jane, an,
her face was friehtful as the Medusa's.
i hid 'em under barrel out in the bacl
yard
We'll. go and get them
Stay said Miss Jane. I'll 20 with YOU
ard see if they are there
Accordingly she went off with her, bu