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[57]
arms tied behind him with a rope, to which another rope was appended, for his master to hold.
While they were fastening his fetters, he spoke a few affectionate words to his weeping wife.
‘Take good care of the children,’ said he; ‘and don't let them forget their poor father.
If you are industrious and frugal, I hope you will be enabled to keep them at school, till they are old enough to be placed at service in respectable families.
Never allow them to be idle; for that will lead them into bad ways.
And now don't forget my advice; for it is most likely you will never see me again.’
Then addressing his children, he said, ‘You will have no father to take care of you now. Mind what your mother tells you, and be very careful not to do anything to grieve her. Be industrious and faithful in whatever you are set about; and never play in the streets with naughty children.’
They all wept bitterly while he thus talked to them; but he restrained his sobs, though it was evident his heart was well nigh breaking.
Isaac T. Hopper was present at this distressing scene, and suffered almost as acutely as the poor slave himself.
In the midst of his parting words, his master seized the rope, mounted his horse, snapped his whip, and set off, driving poor John before him. This was done in a Christian country, and there was no law to protect the victim.
Boston, J. P. Jewett and Company; Cleveland, Ohio: Jewett, Proctor and Worthington; London; Low and Company, 1854.
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