Antislavery movements -- United States; Slavery -- United States
By this time thoughts of what was best to be done about getting Madison
to Canada, began to trouble Mr. Listwell; for the laws of Ohio were
very stringent against any one who should aid, or who were found aiding
a slave to escape through that State. A citizen, for the simple act
of taking a fugitive slave in his carriage, had just been stripped of
all his property, and thrown penniless upon the world. Notwithstanding
this, Mr. Listwell was determined to see Madison safely on his way to
Canada. “Give yourself no uneasiness,” said he to Madison, “for if it
cost my farm, I shall see you safely out of the States, and on your way
to a land of liberty. Thank God that there is _such_ a land so near us!
You will spend to-morrow with us, and to-morrow night I will take you
in my carriage to the Lake. Once upon that, and you are safe.”
“Thank you! thank you,” said the fugitive; “I will commit myself to
your care.”
For the _first_ time during _five_ years, Madison enjoyed the luxury of
resting his limbs on a comfortable bed, and inside a human habitation.
Looking at the white sheets, he said to Mr. Listwell, “What, sir! you
don’t mean that I shall sleep in that bed?”
“Oh yes, oh yes.”
After Mr. Listwell left the room, Madison said he really hesitated
whether or not he should lie on the floor; for that was _far_ more
comfortable and inviting than any bed to which he had been used.
* * * * *
We pass over the thoughts and feelings, the hopes and fears, the plans
and purposes, that revolved in the mind of Madison during the day
that he was secreted at the house of Mr. Listwell. The reader will be
content to know that nothing occurred to endanger his liberty, or to
excite alarm. Many were the little attentions bestowed upon him in his
quiet retreat and hiding-place. In the evening, Mr. Listwell, after
treating Madison to a new suit of winter clothes, and replenishing
his exhausted purse with five dollars, all in silver, brought out his
two-horse wagon, well provided with buffaloes, and silently started
off with him to Cleveland. They arrived there without interruption, a
few minutes before sunrise the next morning. Fortunately the steamer
Admiral lay at the wharf, and was to start for Canada at nine o’clock.
Here the last anticipated danger was surmounted. It was feared that
just at this point the hunters of men might be on the look-out, and,
possibly, pounce upon their victim. Mr. Listwell saw the captain of the
boat; cautiously sounded him on the matter of carrying liberty-loving
passengers, before he introduced his precious charge. This done,
Madison was conducted on board. With usual generosity this true
subject of the emancipating queen welcomed Madison, and assured him
that he should be safely landed in Canada, free of charge. Madison now
felt himself no more a piece of merchandise, but a passenger, and, like
any other passenger, going about his business, carrying with him what
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