THE ARREST.
Extract of a letter written by Mr. Work.
DEAR BROTHER: “I am a prisoner in a land where to tell a mart born in the image of his Maker that he has a right to freedom, is a crime of the deepest dye. A brother from the institution having been in Missouri, saw some slaves who longed for freedom, and agreed to help them across the Mississippi river. On the twelfth of July, in company- with him and another brother, I started for the place appointed. James and I walked four or five miles back into the country. The first human being that we saw was a woman and her son hoeing tobacco. James spoke to her, and I walked on. He found that she wanted to be free and agreed to help her. We next came to a house. James went in and learned from a slave, the whites being absent, that the slaves he had seen before were in the- field alone. We went to them, it being now sunset. We asked them if they were going; they told us they were, and that one living a mile from them, where they had some clothes to get, was going with them, and that they would come three hours after dark. We were seen by white men while with the slaves. After dark we came and waited, anxiously listening for the signal. After some time we heard a distant whistle, and by answering repeatedly soon came to five slaves, three fourths or four-fifths of a mile from the river, on a bottom prairie. After salutations and professions, we started in a foot path for the river, rejoicing in the prospect of helping the oppressed to liberty and happiness; when suddenly three men arose from the high grass. The slaves having betrayed is, now seized us, bound our hands, and marched us back in triumph to the first house. A company then started, and after two Hours returned with brother George; the slaves singing and shouting, making their song for the occasion. We were soon put on the march for the residence of one of the party, two or three miles distant; each of us being led by a. slave; others following, weaving the past and present circumstances, with our future prospects, into a song, which they made to echo through the woods to the great satisfaction of their masters and friends, who were on horseback. When we arrived at the house, we were marched around and stared at as little less than infernals. The language used I will not attempt to describe. We were finally taken into the house and permitted to lie down. The next morning we were tied together and taken on foot to Palmyra; being led by slaves and escorted by fifteen horsemen. We were taken to the courthouse, a warrant issued against us, witnesses examined, and we committed for stealing slaves. We were not permitted to speak for ourselves, but taken to jail, and the doors closed upon us. Under these trying circumstances, we looked up to Him who came to preach deliverance to the captive, and the opening of the prison doors to them that are bound, and found the promise of God precious to our souls.
Soon after dark the sheriff, jailor, and others came in, and made us fast to a chain fifteen or sixteen feet long. One end of the chain was made fast to the wall. Near the other, an iron was put through: a link and rivited around my ankle. Bro. Burr was placed about two feet from me, and George about two feet further.”