The Underground Railroad: A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, &c., Narrating the Hardships, Hair-Breadth Escapes and Death Struggles of the Slaves in Their Efforts for Freedom, As Related by Themselves and Others, or Witnessed by the Author.Still, William
History
The Underground Railroad: A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, &c., Narrating the Hardships, Hair-Breadth Escapes and Death Struggles of the Slaves in Their Efforts for Freedom, As Related by Themselves and Others, or Witnessed by the Author.
Still, William
Abolitionists -- United States -- Biography; Antislavery movements -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Fugitive slaves -- United States -- Biography; Fugitive slaves -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Underground Railroad
We have telegraphed to different points, to try to get some
information concerning them, but failed. The last information is
published in the _Times_ of yesterday, though quite incorrect in
the particulars of the case. Inclosed is the slip containing it.
I fear all is over in regard to the freedom of the slaves. If
the last account be true, we have some hope that Concklin will
escape from those bloody tyrants. I cannot describe my feelings
on hearing this sad intelligence. I feel ashamed to own my
country. Oh! what shall I say. Surely a God of justice will
avenge the wrongs of the oppressed.
Thine for the poor slave,
LEVI COFFIN.
N.B.--If thou hast any information, please write me forthwith.
CINCINNATI, 5TH MO., 11TH, 1851.
WM. STILL:--_Dear Friend_--Thy letter of 1st inst., came duly to
hand, but not being able to give any further information
concerning our friend, Concklin, I thought best to wait a little
before I wrote, still hoping to learn something more definite
concerning him.
We that became acquainted with Seth Concklin and his hazardous
enterprises (here at Cincinnati), who were very few, have felt
intense and inexpressible anxiety about them. And particularly
about poor Seth, since we heard of his falling into the hands of
the tyrants. I fear that he has fallen a victim to their inhuman
thirst for blood.
I seriously doubt the rumor, that he had made his escape. I fear
that he was sacrificed.
Language would fail to express my feelings; the intense and deep
anxiety I felt about them for weeks before I heard of their
capture in Indiana, and then it seemed too much to bear. O! my
heart almost bleeds when I think of it. The hopes of the dear
family all blasted by the wretched blood-hounds in human shape.
And poor Seth, after all his toil, and dangerous, shrewd and
wise management, and almost unheard of adventures, the many
narrow and almost miraculous escapes. Then to be given up to
Indianians, to these fiendish tyrants, to be sacrificed. O!
Shame, Shame!!
My heart aches, my eyes fill with tears, I cannot write more. I
cannot dwell longer on this painful subject now. If you get any
intelligence, please inform me. Friend N.R. Johnston, who took
so much interest in them, and saw them just before they were
taken, has just returned to the city. He is a minister of the
Covenanter order. He is truly a lovely man, and his heart is
full of the milk of humanity; one of our best Anti-Slavery
spirits. I spent last evening with him. He related the whole
story to me as he had it from friend Concklin and the mother and
children, and then the story of their capture. We wept together.
He found thy letter when he got here.
He said he would write the whole history to thee in a few days,
as far as he could. He can tell it much better than I can.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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