, the writer is unable to say.
It is possible that this narrative may reveal to the mother and her
offspring (if they are still living), the first ray of light concerning
the missing one. Indeed it is not unreasonable to suppose, that
thousands of anxious wives, husbands and children, who have been
scattered in every direction by Slavery, will never be able to learn as
much of their lost ones as is contained in this brief account of Henry
Stewart.

Arrival No. 3, brought William Nelson, his wife, Susan, and son, William
Thomas, together with Louisa Bell, and Elias Jasper. These travelers
availed themselves of the schooner of Captain B. who allowed them to
embark at Norfolk, despite the search laws of Virginia. It hardly need
be said, however, that it was no trifling matter in those days, to evade
the law. Captains and captives, in order to succeed, found that it
required more than ordinary intelligence and courage, shrewdness and
determination, and at the same time, a very ardent appreciation of
liberty, without which, there could be no success. The simple
announcement then, that a party of this number had arrived from Norfolk,
or Richmond, or Petersburg, gave the Committee unusual satisfaction. It
made them quite sure that there was pluck and brain somewhere.

These individuals, in a particularly marked degree, possessed the
qualities that greatly encouraged the efforts of the Committee. William
Nelson, was a man of a dark chestnut color, medium size, with more than
an ordinary degree of what might be termed "mother wit." Apparently,
William possessed well settled convictions, touching the questions of
morals and religion, despite the overflowing tide of corruption and
spurious religious teachings consequent on the existing pro-slavery
usages all around him. He was a member of the Methodist Church, under
the charge of the Rev. Mr. Jones. For twenty years, William had served
in the capacity of a "packer" under Messrs. Turner and White, who held a
deed for William as their legal property. While he declared that he had
been very "tightly worked" he nevertheless admitted that he had been
dealt with in a mild manner in some respects.

For his board and clothing, William had been allowed $1.50 per week.
Truly a small sum for a hard-working man with a family--yet this was far
more than many slaves received from their masters. In view of receiving
this small pittance, he had toiled hard--doing over-work in order to
make