13. "Zeke is Free"
By REV. WILLIAM M. MITCHELL (1850)
SOME years ago slavery existed in Delaware, and running away was then as much practised as it is now; many of the fugitives got
to Philadelphia. A certain Godwin was in the habit of buying these runaway slaves "running "—that is, he paid the master a small sum,
and took the chance of catching—them; of course, if he did not find them, he lost his money; but if he did get them the slaves were his
and he could sell them at a large profit. In this way Godwin once
purchased a slave named Ezekiel, commonly called Zeke.
Godwin came to Philadelphia and had the coolness to call on Isaac T. Hopper, a strong Quaker Abolitionist, for information as to the
whereabouts of Zeke. While talking with Mr. Hopper, up came a black man, who paid close attention to the conversation. "How do you
do, Mr. Godwin,"said he; "don't you know me ? Don't you remember a man that lived near your neighbor, Mr. Wilson? "continued
he. "I am that man and I am Zeke's brother."The speculator inquired if he knew where his brother was.
"Oh, yes, Mr. Godwin, but I am sorry you have bought Zeke; you'll never make anything of him."
"Why, what is the matter with Zeke?"
"When such fellows as my brother come to Philadelphia, they get into bad company; they are afraid to be seen about in the day, and
they go prowling about at night. I'm sorry you have bought Zeke; he is just such a character, though he is my brother."
Godwin, thinking it was rather a bad case, said, Suppose you buy
Zeke?"
I should have to take care of him if I did,"replied the black man. "Suppose, however, I should
think of buying him, what would you take for him?"
The trader asked one hundred and fifty dollars, which the black man most decidedly refused to give. When the trader came down to
sixty dollars the black man went out and soon returned with the money.
Mr. Hopper drew up the deed of purchase, and when duly signed the
black man said, "Zeke is free!"
"Yes,"said Mr. Godwin.
Not quite believing the trader, the man turned to Mr. Hopper saying,
"Zeke is free, nobody can take him, can they, Mr. Hopper?"
Mr. Hopper replied, "Wherever Zeke is, I assure thee, he is free."
Thus assured, the negro made a low bow towards the ground, and with a droll expression of countenance, said, "I hope you are
well, Mr. Godwin; I am happy to see you, sir. I am Zeke!"
The trader seized Zeke by the collar, and began to threaten and abuse
him, whereupon the purchaser said quickly: "If you don't let
go, Mr. Godwin, I'll knock you down; I am a free citizen of these United States, and won't be insulted in this way by anybody."
Zeke Was taken before a magistrate, who listened to the particulars
and said to Godwin, "Zeke is as free as any one in this room, and
you have been outwitted."
