ased and made heavier and heavier, until I was pressed beyond
what I could bear." Under this pressure no hope, present, or future,
could be discerned, except by escaping on the Underground Rail Road.

Joseph was also one of the chattels belonging to the Misses Portlock. A
more active and wide-awake young man of twenty years of age, could not
easily be found among the enslaved; he seemed to comprehend Slavery in
all its bearings. From a small boy he had been hired out, making money
for the "pious ladies" who owned him. His experience under these
protectors had been similar to that of Edward given above. Joseph was of
a light brown color, (some of his friends may be able to decide by this
simple fact whether he is a relative, etc.).

Tom, a full-faced, good-natured-looking young man, was also of this
party. He was about twenty-seven years of age, and was said to be the
slave of John Hatten, Esq., Cashier of the Virginia Bank of Portsmouth.
Tom admitted that he was treated very well by Mr. Hatten and his family,
except that he was not allowed his freedom; besides he felt a little
tired of having to pay twelve dollars a month for his hire, as he hired
his time of his master. Of course he was not insensible to the fact also
that he was liable to be sold any day.

In pondering over these slight drawbacks, Tom concluded that Slavery was
no place for a man who valued his freedom, it mattered not how kind
masters or mistresses might be. Under these considerations he made up
his mind that he would have to let the cashier look out for himself, and
he would do the same. In this state of mind he joined the party for
Canada.

James was another associate passenger, and the best-looking "article" in
the party; few slaves showed a greater degree of intelligence and
shrewdness. He had acquired the art of reading and writing very well,
and was also a very ready talker. He was owned by Mrs. Maria Hansford of
New York. When he was quite small he remembered seeing his mistress, but
not since. He was raised with her sister, who resided in Norfolk, the
place of James' servitude.

James confessed that he had been treated very kindly, and had been
taught to read by members of the family. This was an exceptional case,
worthy of especial note.

Notwithstanding all the kindness that James had received, he hated
Slavery, and took a deep interest in the Underground Rail Road, and used
his intelligence and shrewdness to good purpose