man of some intelligence, and can readily
determine the precise estimate which I entertain of your character. I
may therefore indulge in language which may seem to others indirect and
ambiguous, and yet be quite well understood by yourself.

I have selected this day on which to address you, because it is the
anniversary of my emancipation; and knowing no better way, I am led to
this as the best mode of celebrating that truly important events. Just
ten years ago this beautiful September morning, yon bright sun beheld me
a slave--a poor degraded chattel--trembling at the sound of your voice,
lamenting that I was a man, and wishing myself a brute. The hopes which
I had treasured up for weeks of a safe and successful escape from your
grasp, were powerfully confronted at this last hour by dark clouds of
doubt and fear, making my person shake and my bosom to heave with the
heavy contest between hope and fear. I have no words to describe to you
the deep agony of soul which I experienced on that never-to-be-forgotten
morning--for I left by daylight. I was making a leap in the dark. The
probabilities, so far as I could by reason determine them, were stoutly
against the undertaking. The preliminaries and precautions I had adopted
previously, all worked badly. I was like one going to war without
weapons--ten chances of defeat to one of victory. One in whom I had
confided, and one who had promised me assistance, appalled by fear at
the trial hour, deserted me, thus leaving the responsibility of success
or failure solely with myself. You, sir, can never know my feelings. As
I look back to them, I can scarcely realize that I have passed through
a scene so trying. Trying, however, as they were, and gloomy as was
the prospect, thanks be to the Most High, who is ever the God of the
oppressed, at the moment which was to determine my whole earthly career,
His grace was sufficient; my mind was made up. I embraced the golden
opportunity, took the morning tide at the flood, and a free man, young,
active, and strong, is the result.

I have often thought I should like to explain to you the grounds upon
which I have justified myself in running away from you. I am almost
ashamed to do so now, for by this time you may have discovered them
yourself. I will, however, glance at them. When yet but a child about
six years old, I imbibed the determination to run away. The very first
mental{332} effort that I now remember on my part, was an attempt to