Historical voices

They are professedly a custom established by the benevolence of the slaveholders; but I undertake to say, it is the result of selfishness, and one of the grossest frauds committed upon the down-trodden slave.

The holidays are part and parcel of the gross fraud, wrong, and inhumanity of slavery.

I warn him that, in such an event, a spirit will go forth in their midst, more to be dreaded than the most appalling earthquake.

But for these, the slave would be forced up to the wildest desperation; and woe betide the slaveholder, the day he ventures to remove or hinder the operation of those conductors!

These holidays serve as conductors, or safety-valves, to carry off the rebellious spirit of enslaved humanity.

Were the slaveholders at once to abandon this practice, I have not the slightest doubt it would lead to an immediate insurrection among the slaves.

From what I know of the effect of these holidays upon the slave, I believe them to be among the most effective means in the hands of the slaveholder in keeping down the spirit of insurrection.

I did not hesitate to let it be known of me, that the white man who expected to succeed in whipping, must also succeed in killing me.

My long-crushed spirit rose, cowardice departed, bold defiance took its place; and I now resolved that, however long I might remain a slave in form, the day had passed forever when I could be a slave in fact.

It was a glorious resurrection, from the tomb of slavery, to the heaven of freedom.

He only can understand the deep satisfaction which I experienced, who has himself repelled by force the bloody arm of slavery.

The gratification afforded by the triumph was a full compensation for whatever else might follow, even death itself.

It recalled the departed self-confidence, and inspired me again with a determination to be free.

It rekindled the few expiring embers of freedom, and revived within me a sense of my own manhood.

Covey was the turning-point in my career as a slave.

I considered him as getting entirely the worst end of the bargain; for he had drawn no blood from me, but I had from him.

The truth was, that he had not whipped me at all.

I told him I did, come what might; that he had used me like a brute for six months, and that I was determined to be used so no longer.

At this moment I resolved, for the first time, to go to my master, enter a complaint, and ask his protection.

You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man.

It may be that my misery in slavery will only increase my happiness when I get free.

Let but the first opportunity offer, and, come what will, I am off.

When I get there, I shall not be required to have a pass; I can travel without being disturbed.

This very bay shall yet bear me into freedom.