New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-21
OUT OF JAIL.
TIE BLACK MAN WHO WAS IMPRISONED FOR
READING UNCLE TOMS CABIN.

THE BLACK MAN WHO WAS IMPRISONED Fuk
READING UNCLE TOMS CABIN.
Lam asked to make an appeal for poor mana
criminal, just out Of Jail. He was convicted for
three ofenses: first because black skin covered
his face second because the English alphabet came
and "a: upon his tongue; and third because be had
read the story Of Unce Toms Cabin
For these crimes he was tried and convicted by
Maryland Court in 1857, and sentenced to the Bati'
more Penitentiary for ten years. After wearing
out five years of this long penalty, the gate Of his
cell was opened few weeks ago by the new Gov
ernor of Maryland who told bin that he might quit
the Jail if he would quit also this United States.
He Immediately promised to 90 to Canada and is
now in New-YoIk on bis way thitber.
The cuprts name is Samuel Green. He is GO years
OF sge. though, except for his gray hair, he seems
younger; good-looking, intelligent, and amisble;
showing in his face Gods plain handwriting of a
good character; q man whom a stranger would trust
O. first sight.
He was born slave in Maryland, and wore the
obain for 30 years until his master died bequeahng
him freedom at the end of five years. The slave,
kinded with this hope of becoming man, worked ex
ira hours and earned i. year enough money tObuy
bis service for the remaining four. While slave,
he bad married slsve-woman the property Of a
kind master who, after her husband bad 80 hand
somely worked out bis freedom, cold him bis wife
for % cents Mr.. Green Gays, "My wife was
worth more but was willing to take her for that i"
They had two childreu-son and daughter-both
slaves Of one master. Eigh: nine years ago, the
son. after pray ing long for Freedom, got it a; last
after the manner Of Frederick Douglass who
"prayed with bis legs.' The boy Green started on
o moonlight night. and rsu away to Canada His
MASTER fearing the sister would follow, sold her
s,rsightway TO Missouri breaking her heart by sep
arsting her from her husband and two little children.
About this time, when almost everybody was
Laughing and crying over the pages Of Uncle Tom,
ono morning while Samuel Green going to the
mill blacksmith came out Of his shop at the road
side--himself black man, and since a Methodist
clergymsu-exclaimng
"Sam Green, would you like to see Uncle Toms
Cabin Z"
"Wbar ia it 7" asked Sam, who thought it was
ONE new shanty put up in the neighborhocd.
It's book" replied the blacksmith; "it's the
story of slave, and it goes for Abolition"
Yes. I'd like to read it," said Sam; and he took
home the story, in two volumes, and began to read.
But before he finished, be received letter from the
boy in Canada, saying, Come and bring mother,
and let us all live together here" 1t was good
idea but the old man, before venturDg to take all
his little property 10 foreign country, made hur
ried trip TO Canada 10 what was the prospect Of
earning livelihood in the high latituies. Mean
while. the story Of his absence made noise enough to
reach the attentive ears Of the civil officers On bis
return, Q constable knocked at bis door, and said,
You are suspected of holding correspondence with
the North, and shall search your house."
"Come in Sir" said Mr. Green; cit is small
cottage you can soon search it through; but you
will find nothing for there is nothing to find"
Bot Samuel Green-unsuspectng man found to
bis cos. that be great rogue, and that the proof
Of II was In his own house. The constable found
three guilty things first, Uncle Toms Cabin; sec
opd, map Of Canada; third, picture Of hotel at
Niagara Fslls. These were all, but were they not
euoughf What constable in Maryland would have
asked for more What Court in the State would
<have given lees than ten years in the Staleprson
after such proofs Besides, even ont Of Maryland,
does not Gov. Stanly, and the editor Of The Herald
and other good men, call it crime for black laan
10 know how TO read
But without palliatng Samuel Green's crime, If
tny kind-hearted person can be persuaded d ,bow
SiDaDe's 70 tho criminal, by giving little money