[143]
agreed to make out a bill of sale for one hundred dollars, which was immediately paid.
The first use Samuel Curtis made of the freedom he had purchased was to set off for the South in search of his children.
To protect himself as much as possible from the perils of such an undertaking, he obtained a certificate of good character, signed by the mayor of Philadelphia, and several of the most respectable citizens.
They also gave him ‘a pass’ stating the object of his journey, and commending him to the protecting kindness of those among whom he might find it necessary to travel.
With these he carefully packed his deed of manumission, and set forth on his errand of paternal love.
When he went to take leave of Friend Hopper, he was much agitated.
He clasped his hand fervently, and the tears flowed fast down his weather-beaten cheeks.
‘I know I am going into the midst of danger,’ said he. ‘Perhaps I maybe seized and sold into slavery.
But I am willing to hazard everything, even my own liberty, if I can only secure the freedom of my children.
I have been a slave myself, and I know what slaves suffer.
Farewell! Farewell, my good friend.
May God bless you, and may he restore to me my children.
Then I shall be a happy man.’
He started on his journey, and went directly to his former master to obtain information.
He did not at first recognize his old servant.
But when he became
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