I now come to that part of my life during which I planned, and finally succeeded in
making, my escape from slavery. But before narrating any of the peculiar circumstances,
I deem it proper to make known my intention not to state all the facts connected with the
transaction. My reasons for pursuing this course may be understood from the following:
First, were I to give a minute statement of all the facts, it is not only possible, but quite
probable, that others would thereby be involved in the most embarrassing difficulties.
Secondly, such a statement would most undoubtedly induce greater vigilance on the part
of slaveholders than has existed heretofore among them; which would, of course, be the
means of guarding a door whereby some dear brother bondman might escape his galling
chains. I deeply regret the necessity that impels me to suppress any thing of importance
connected with my experience in slavery. It would afford me great pleasure indeed, as
well as materially add to the interest of my narrative, were I at liberty to gratify a
curiosity, which I know exists in the minds of many, by an accurate statement of all the
facts pertaining to my most fortunate escape. But I must deprive myself of this pleasure,
and the curious of the gratification which such a statement would afford. I would allow
myself to suffer under the greatest imputations which evil-minded men might suggest,
rather than exculpate myself, and thereby run the hazard of closing the slightest avenue
by which a brother slave might clear himself of the chains and fetters of slavery.
I have never approved of the very public manner in which some of our western friends
have conducted what they call the underground railroad, but which I think, by their open
declarations, has been made most emphatically the upperground railroad. I honor those
good men and women for their noble daring, and applaud them for willingly subjecting
themselves to bloody persecution, by openly avowing their participation in the escape of
slaves. I, however, can see very little good resulting from such a course, either to
themselves or the slaves escaping; while, upon the other hand, I see and feel assured that
those open declarations are a positive evil to the slaves remaining, who are seeking to
escape. They do nothing towards enlightening the slave, whilst they do much towards
enlightening the master. They stimulate him to greater watchfulness, and enhance his
power to capture his slave. We owe something to the slave south of the line as well as to
those north of it; and in aiding the latter on their way to freedom, we should be careful to
do nothing which would be likely to hinder the former from escaping from slavery. I
would keep the merciless slaveholder profoundly ignorant of the means of flight adopted
by the slave. I would leave him to imagine himself surrounded by myriads of invisible
tormentors, ever ready to snatch from his infernal grasp his trembling prey. Let him be
left to feel his way in the dark; let darkness commensurate with his crime hover over him;
and let him feel that at every step he takes, in pursuit of the flying bondman, he is running
the frightful risk of having his hot brains dashed out by an invisible agency. Let us render
the tyrant no aid; let us not hold the light by which he can trace the footprints of our
flying brother. But enough of this. I will now proceed to the statement of those facts,
connected with my escape, for which I am alone responsible, and for which no one can be
made to suffer but myself.
