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One morning, towards the latter part of the month of March, 1841, having at that time
no particular business to engage my attention, I was walking about the village of Saratoga
Springs, thinking to myself where I might obtain some present employment, until the
busy season should arrive. Anne, as was her usual custom, had gone over to Sandy Hill,
a distance of some twenty miles, to take charge of the Culinary department at Sherrill's Coffee
House, during the session of the court. Elizabeth, I think, had accompanied her. Margaret and
Alonzo were with their aunt at Saratoga. On the corner of Congress street and Broadway
near the tavern, then, and for aught I know to the contrary, still kept by Mr. Moon, I
was met by two gentlemen of respectable appearance, both of whom were entirely unknown to me.
I have the impression that they were introduced to me by some one of my acquaintances, but
who, I have in vain endeavored to recall, with the remark that I was an expert player
on the violin. At any rate, they immediately entered into
conversation on that subject, making numerous inquiries touching my proficiency in that
respect. My responses being to all appearances satisfactory, they proposed to engage my services
for a short period, stating, at the same time, I was just such a person as their business
required. Their names, as they afterwards gave them to me, were Merrill Brown and Abram
Hamilton, though whether these were their true appellations, I have strong reasons to
doubt. The former was a man apparently forty years of age, somewhat short and thick-set,
with a countenance indicating shrewdness and intelligence. He wore a black frock coat and
black hat, and said he resided either at Rochester or at Syracuse. The latter was a young man
of fair complexion and light eyes, and, I should judge, had not passed the age of twenty-five.
He was tall and slender, dressed in a snuff-colored coat, with glossy hat, and vest of elegant
pattern. His whole apparel was in the extreme of fashion. His appearance was somewhat effeminate,
but prepossessing and there was about him an easy air, that showed he had mingled with
the world. They were connected, as they informed me, with a circus company, then in the city
of Washington; that they were on their way thither to rejoin it, having left it for a
short time to make an excursion northward, for the purpose of seeing the country, and
were paying their expenses by an occasional exhibition. They also remarked that they had
found much difficulty in procuring music for their entertainments, and that if I would
accompany them as far as New-York, they would give me one dollar for each day's services,
and three dollars in addition for every night I played at their performances, besides sufficient
to pay the expenses of my return from New-York to Saratoga.
I at once accepted the tempting offer, both for the reward it promised, and from a desire
to visit the metropolis. They were anxious to leave immediately. Thinking my absence
would be brief, I did not deem it necessary to write to Anne whither I had gone; in fact
supposing that my return, perhaps, would be as soon as hers. So taking a change of linen
and my violin, I was ready to depart. The carriage was brought round—a covered one,
drawn by a pair of noble bays, altogether forming an elegant establishment. Their baggage,
consisting of three large trunks, was fastened on the rack, and mounting to the driver's
seat, while they took their places in the rear, I drove away from Saratoga on the road
to Albany, elated with my new position, and happy as I had ever been, on any day in all
my life. We passed through Ballston, and striking the
ridge road, as it is called, if my memory correctly serves me, followed it direct to
Albany. We reached that city before dark, and stopped at a hotel southward from the
Museum. This night I had an opportunity of witnessing one of their performances—the
only one, during the whole period I was with them. Hamilton was stationed at the door;
I formed the orchestra, while Brown provided the entertainment. It consisted in throwing
balls, dancing on the rope, frying pancakes in a hat, causing invisible pigs to squeal,
and other like feats of ventriloquism and legerdemain. The audience was extraordinarily
sparse, and not of the selectest character at that, and Hamilton's report of the proceeds
but a "beggarly account of empty boxes." Early next morning we renewed our journey.
The burden of their conversation now was the expression of an anxiety to reach the circus
without delay. They hurried forward, without again stopping to exhibit, and in due course
of time, we reached New-York, taking lodgings at a house on the west side of the city, in
a street running from Broadway to the river. I supposed my journey was at an end, and expected
in a day or two at least, to return to my friends and family at Saratoga. Brown and
Hamilton, however, began to importune me to continue with them to Washington. They alleged
that immediately on their arrival, now that the summer season was approaching, the circus
would set out for the north. They promised me a situation and high wages if I would accompany
them. Largely did they expatiate on the advantages that would result to me, and such were the
flattering representations they made, that I finally concluded to accept the offer.
The next morning they suggested that, inasmuch as we were about entering a slave State, it
would be well, before leaving New-York, to procure free papers. The idea struck me as
a prudent one, though I think it would scarcely have occurred to me, had they not proposed
it. We proceeded at once to what I understood to be the Custom House. They made oath to
certain facts showing I was a free man. A paper was drawn up and handed us, with the
direction to take it to the clerk's office. We did so, and the clerk having added something
to it, for which he was paid six shillings, we returned again to the Custom House. Some
further formalities were gone through with before it was completed, when, paying the
officer two dollars, I placed the papers in my pocket, and started with my two friends
to our hotel. I thought at the time I must confess, that the papers were scarcely worth
the cost of obtaining them—the apprehension of danger to my personal safety never having
suggested itself to me in the remotest manner. The clerk, to whom we were directed, I remember,
made a memorandum in a large book, which, I presume, is in the office yet. A reference
to the entries during the latter part of March, or first of April, 1841, I have no doubt will
satisfy the incredulous, at least so far as this particular transaction is concerned.
With the evidence of freedom in my possession, the next day after our arrival in New-York,
we crossed the ferry to Jersey City, and took the road to Philadelphia. Here we remained
one night, continuing our journey towards Baltimore early in the morning. In due time,
we arrived in the latter city, and stopped at a hotel near the railroad depot, either
kept by a Mr. Rathbone, or known as the Rathbone House. All the way from New-York, their anxiety
to reach the circus seemed to grow more and more intense. We left the carriage at Baltimore,
and entering the cars, proceeded to Washington, at which place we arrived just at nightfall,
the evening previous to the funeral of General Harrison, and stopped at Gadsby's Hotel, on
Pennsylvania Avenue. After supper they called me to their apartments,
and paid me forty-three dollars, a sum greater than my wages amounted to, Which act of generosity
was in consequence, they said, of their not having exhibited as often as they had given
me to anticipate, during our trip from Saratoga. They moreover informed me that it had been
the intention of the circus company to leave Washington the next morning, but that on account
of the funeral, they had concluded to remain another day. They were then, as they had been
from the time of our first meeting, extremely kind. No opportunity was omitted of addressing
me in the language of approbation; while, on the other hand, I was certainly much prepossessed
in their favor. I gave them my confidence without reserve, and would freely have trusted
them to almost any extent. Their constant conversation and manner towards me—their
foresight in suggesting the idea of free papers, and a hundred other little acts, unnecessary
to be repeated— all indicated that they were friends indeed, sincerely solicitous
for my welfare. I know not but they were. I know not but they were innocent of the great
wickedness of which I now believe them guilty. Whether they were accessory to my misfortunes—subtle
and inhuman monsters in the shape of men—designedly luring me away from home and family, and liberty,
for the sake of gold—those these read these pages will have the same means of determining
as myself If they were innocent, my sudden disappearance must have been unaccountable
indeed; but revolving in my mind all the attending circumstances, I never yet could indulge,
towards them, so charitable a supposition. After receiving the money from them, of which
they appeared to have an abundance, they advised me not to go into the streets that night,
inasmuch as I was unacquainted with the customs of the city. Promising to remember their advice,
I left them together, and soon after was shown by a colored servant to a sleeping room in
the back part of the hotel, on the ground floor. I laid down to rest, thinking of home
and wife, and children, and the long distance that stretched between us, until I fell asleep.
But no good angel of pity came to my bedside, bidding me to fly—no voice of mercy forewarned
me in my dreams of the trials that were just at hand.
The next day there was a great pageant in Washington. The roar of cannon and the tolling
of bells filled the air, while many houses were shrouded with crape, and the streets
were black with people. As the day advanced, the procession made its appearance, coming
slowly through the Avenue, carriage after carriage, in long succession, while thousands
upon thousands followed on foot—all moving to the sound of melancholy music. They were
bearing the dead body of Harrison to the grave. From early in the morning, I was constantly
in the company of Hamilton and Brown. They were the only persons I knew in Washington.
We stood together as the funeral pomp passed by. I remember distinctly how the window glass
would break and rattle to the ground, after each report of the cannon they were firing
in the burial ground. We went to the Capitol, and walked a long time about the grounds.
In the afternoon, they strolled towards the President's House, all the time keeping me
near to them, and pointing out various places of interest. As yet, I had seen nothing of
the circus. In fact, I had thought of it but little, if at all, amidst the excitement of
the day. My friends, several times during the afternoon,
entered drinking saloons, and called for liquor. They were by no means in the habit, however,
so far as I knew them, of indulging to excess. On these occasions, after serving themselves,
they would pour out a glass and hand it to me. I did not become intoxicated, as may be
inferred from what subsequently occurred. Towards evening, and soon after partaking
of one of these potations, I began to experience most unpleasant sensations. I felt extremely
ill. My head commenced aching—a dull, heavy pain, inexpressibly disagreeable. At the supper
table, I was without appetite; the sight and flavor of food was nauseous. About dark the
same servant conducted me to the room I had occupied the previous night. Brown and Hamilton
advised me to retire, commiserating me kindly, and expressing hopes that I would be better
in the morning. Divesting myself of coat and boots merely, I threw myself upon the bed.
It was impossible to sleep. The pain in my head continued to increase, until it became
almost unbearable. In a short time I became thirsty. My lips were parched. I could think
of nothing but water—of lakes and flowing rivers, of brooks where I had stooped to drink,
and of the dripping bucket, rising with its cool and overflowing nectar, from the bottom
of the well. Towards midnight, as near as I could judge, I arose, unable longer to bear
such intensity of thirst. I was a stranger in the house, and knew nothing of its apartments.
There was no one up, as I could observe. Groping about at random, I knew not where, I found
the way at last to a kitchen in the basement. Two or three colored servants were moving
through it, one of whom, a woman, gave me two glasses of water. It afforded momentary
relief, but by the time I had reached my room again, the same burning desire of drink, the
same tormenting thirst, had again returned. It was even more torturing than before, as
was also the wild pain in my head, if such a thing could be. I was in sore distress—in
most excruciating agony! I seemed to stand on the brink of madness! The memory of that
night of horrible suffering will follow me to the grave.
In the course of an hour or more after my return from the kitchen, I was conscious of
some one entering my room. There seemed to be several—a mingling of various voices,—but
how many, or who they were, I cannot tell. Whether Brown and Hamilton were among them,
is a mere matter of conjecture. I only remember with any degree of distinctness, that I was
told it was necessary to go to a physician and procure medicine, and that pulling on
my boots, without coat or hat, I followed them through a long passage-way, or alley,
into the open street. It ran out at right angles from Pennsylvania Avenue. On the opposite
side there was a light burning in a window. My impression is there were then three persons
with me, but it is altogether indefinite and vague, and like the memory of a painful dream.
Going towards the light, which I imagined proceeded from a physician's office, and which
seemed to recede as I advanced, is the last glimmering recollection I can now recall.
From that moment I was insensible. How long I remained in that condition— whether only
that night, or many days and nights— I do not know; but when consciousness returned
I found myself alone, in utter darkness, and in chains.
The pain in my head had subsided in a measure, but I was very faint and weak. I was sitting
upon a low bench, made of rough boards, and without coat or hat. I was hand cuffed. Around
my ankles also were a pair of heavy fetters. One end of a chain was fastened to a large
ring in the floor, the other to the fetters on my ankles. I tried in vain to stand upon
my feet. Waking from such a painful trance, it was some time before I could collect my
thoughts. Where was I? What was the meaning of these chains? Where were Brown and Hamilton?
What had I done to deserve imprisonment in such a dungeon? I could not comprehend. There
was a blank of some indefinite period, preceding my awakening in that lonely place, the events
of which the utmost stretch of memory was unable to recall. I listened intently for
some sign or sound of life, but nothing broke the oppressive silence, save the clinking
of my chains, whenever I chanced to move. I spoke aloud, but the sound of my voice startled
me. I felt of my pockets, so far as the fetters would allow—far enough, indeed, to ascertain
that I had not only been robbed of liberty, but that my money and free papers were also
gone! Then did the idea begin to break upon my mind, at first dim and confused, that I
had been kidnapped. But that I thought was incredible.
There must have been some misapprehension—some unfortunate mistake. It could not be that
a free citizen of New-York, who had wronged no man, nor violated any law, should be dealt
with thus inhumanly. The more I contemplated my situation, however, the more I became confirmed
in my suspicions. It was a desolate thought, indeed. I felt there was no trust or mercy
in unfeeling man; and commending myself to the God of the oppressed, bowed my head upon
my fettered hands, and wept most bitterly. End of chapter 2