as listened to by the Committee with deep interest and a painful
sense of the situation of slaves under the despotism of such men as Ray.

After being cared for by the Committee he was sent on to Canada. When
there he wrote back to let the Committee know how he was faring, the
narrow escape he had on the way, and likewise to convey the fact, that
one named "Rachel," left behind, shared a large place in his affections.
The subjoined letter is the only correspondence of his preserved:

STANFORD, June 1st, 1855, Niagara districk.

DEAR SIR:--I set down to inform you that I take the liberty to
rite for a frend to inform you that he is injoying good health
and hopes that this will finde you the same he got to this
cuntry very well except that in Albany he was vary neig taking
back to his oald home but escaped and when he came to the
suspention bridg he was so glad that he run for freadums shore
and when he arived it was the last of October and must look for
sum wourk for the winter he choped wood until Feruary times are
good but money is scarce he thinks a great deal of the girl he
left behind him he thinks that there is non like her here non so
hansom as his Rachel right and let him hear from you as soon as
convaniant no more at presant but remain yours,

ALBERT METTER.

"PETE MATTHEWS," ALIAS SAMUEL SPARROWS.

"I MIGHT AS WELL BE IN THE PENITENTIARY, &C."

Up to the age of thirty-five "Pete" had worn the yoke steadily, if not
patiently under William S. Matthews, of Oak Hall, near Temperanceville,
in the State of Virginia. Pete said that his "master was not a hard
man," but the man to whom he "was hired, George Matthews, was a very
cruel man." "I might as well be in the penitentiary as in his hands,"
was his declaration.

One day, a short while before Pete "took out," an ox broke into the
truck patch, and helped himself to choice delicacies, to the full extent
of his capacious stomach, making sad havoc with the vegetables
generally. Peter's attention being directed to the ox, he turned him
out, and gave him what he considered proper chastisement, according to
the mischief he had done. At this liberty taken by Pete, the master
became furious. "He got his gun and threatened to shoot him," "Open your
mouth if you dare, and I will pat the whole load into you," said the
enraged master. "He took out a large dirk-knife, and attempted to stab
me, but I kep