University of Virginia Library

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5

Preface by the Author.

Reader, be assured this narrative is no fiction. I
am aware that some of my adventures may seem incredible;
but they are, nevertheless, strictly true. I
have not exaggerated the wrongs inflicted by Slavery;
on the contrary, my descriptions fall far short
of the facts. I have concealed the names of places,
and given persons fictitious names. I had no motive
for secrecy on my own account, but I deemed it kind
and considerate towards others to pursue this course.

I wish I were more competent to the task I have
undertaken. But I trust my readers will excuse deficiencies
in consideration of circumstances. I was
born and reared in Slavery; and I remained in a
Slave State twenty-seven years. Since I have been
at the North, it has been necessary for me to work
diligently for my own support, and the education of
my children. This has not left me much leisure to
make up for the loss of early opportunities to improve
myself; and it has compelled me to write these
pages at irregular intervals, whenever I could snatch
an hour from household duties.

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6

When I first arrived in Philadelphia, Bishop Paine
advised me to publish a sketch of my life, but I
told him I was altogether incompetent to such an
undertaking. Though I have improved my mind
somewhat since that time, I still remain of the same
opinion; but I trust my motives will excuse what
might otherwise seem presumptuous. I have not
written my experiences in order to attract attention
to myself; on the contrary, it would have been more
pleasant to me to have been silent about my own
history. Neither do I care to excite sympathy for my
own sufferings. But I do earnestly desire to arouse
the women of the North to a realizing sense of the
condition of two millions of women at the South,
still in bondage, suffering what I suffered, and most
of them far worse. I want to add my testimony to
that of abler pens to convince the people of the Free
States what Slavery really is. Only by experience
can any one realize how deep, and dark, and foul is
that pit of abominations. May the blessing of God
rest on this imperfect effort in behalf of my persecuted
people!