can interfere with its penalties, while then, as will be seen by the sketches herewith presented, all acts of kindness to the fleeing fugitive, exposed those who aided them to the penalties of the fugitive slave law. The “higher law” has become practically national in its application to the colored people of the country.
The writer of the following sketches is well known throughout the region where the fugitives found their way to the Lakes, and was one of the most self-sacrificing and efficient of the conductors of the U. G. R. R. He is an earnest laborer for Him who “came to preach deliverance to the captive and to set at liberty those who are in bonds.” In every good work for the benefit of humanity he has always borne a part when opportunity has offered.
The thrilling adventures narrrated mostly occurred on his portion of the route, and within his personal knowledge. Many of the active participants in the service of the great line of travel from Slavery to Freedom, have already passed away. The author of these sketches is now in his 78th year, and can look back on a life of usefulness and good will to men far brighter than to the usual lot of mankind. The sketches were first published in serial numbers at the solicitation of the Editors of the Fredonia Censor, with a view to the perpetuation of the personal recollections of a period in our history which, thanks to the Proclamation of our martyred President, can never in the history of this country be repeated. Knowing so well the author, and the entire reliability of the narratives, and the deep interest which was taken in them when they were first given to the public, we have ventured to give them the permanent form in which they are now presented to the reader. They constitute an incomplete, but interesting record of “the times which tried men’s souls.” It was some ten years ago that these sketches were writen. With others they are now presented to the public in a more enduring form, with the hope that the respect for the memory of those engaged in the self sacrificing work of befriending fugitives from slavery, may be more highly cherished. Surely when they shall “rest from their labors,” and “their works shall follow them,” they will be welcomed by Him who said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Fredonia, May, 1879.
