Narrative of the Life of Moses Grandy, Late a Slave in the United States of America
Grandy, Moses
English
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NARRATIVE
OF THE
LIFE OF MOSES GRANDY,
LATE A SLAVE
IN THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
"Slavery is a mass, a system of enormities, whichincontrovertibly bids defiance to every regulation whichingenuity can devise, or power effect, but a totalextinction. Why ought slavery to be abolished? Becauseit is incurable injustice. Why is injustice to remain fora single hour?"
William Pitt.
SECOND AMERICAN FROM THE LAST LONDON EDITION.
SOLD FOR THE BENEFIT OF HIS RELATIONS STILL IN
SLAVERY.
BOSTON:
OLIVER JOHNSON, 25 CORNHILL.
1844.
*** It is not improbable that some of the proper names in thefollowing pages are incorrectly spelled. M.G., through the laws of theslave states, is perfectly illiterate; his pronunciation being theonly guide.
INTRODUCTION.
About a fortnight ago, the subject of the following brief Memoir cameto me, bearing with him a letter from a dear friend and distinguishedabolitionist in the United States, from which the following is anextract:—'I seize my pen in haste to gratify a most worthy coloredfriend of mine, by giving him a letter of introduction to you, as heintends sailing this week (August 8th, 1842) for Liverpool and London,via New Orleans. His name is Moses Grandy. He knows what it is tohave been a slave, and what are the tender mercies of the southernslave-drivers. His history is not only authentic, but mostextraordinary, and full of thrilling interest. Could it be published,it would make a deep sensation in every quarter. He was compelled tobuy his freedom three times over! He paid for it $1,850. He hassince bought his wife, and one or two of his children; and beforegoing to England will first go to New Orleans, to purchase some of hisother children, if he can find them, who are still held in captivity.His benevolence, affection, kindness of heart, and elasticity ofspirit, are truly remarkable. He has a good head, a fine countenance,and a great spirit, notwithstanding his education has been obtained inthe horrible school of slavery. Just get him to tell you hisnarrative, and if you happen to have an anti-slavery meeting, let himtell his tale to a British audience.' In the letter of another highlyesteemed friend, he is spoken of as 'unsurpassed for faithfulness andperseverance;' in the letter of a third, as a 'worthy and respectableman.' On examining a book containing a list of the donations made himby American friends, in aid of his noble design to rescue from themiseries of slavery his relations, I found the names and certificatesof persons of the highest respectability. It will be amply sufficientwith those who are acquainted with the Abolitionists of the UnitedStates, for me to name General Fessenden, and Nathan Winslow, Esq., ofPortland, Maine; the Rev. A.A. Phelps, Ellis Gray Loring, and SamuelE. Sewall, Esqs., of Boston, Massachusetts. Being satisfied, by theseindubitable vouchers, of Moses Grandy's title to credit, I listened tohis artless tale with entire confidence, and with a feeling ofinterest which all will participate who peruse the following pages.Considering his Narrative calculated to promote a more extensiveknowledge of the workings of American slavery, and that its sale mightcontribute to the object which engages so entirely the mind of Moses,
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