could
freely converse with a native American slaveholder not only with less
risk of giving offence, but that he was more ready to admit the inherent
evils of slavery than the Europeans who had become inured to the
system by residence in the Southern States of America, or than the
American merchants residing in the Northern cities, whose
participation in the commerce of the Slave States had imbued them
with pro-slavery views and feelings. One of them, a French merchant of
New Orleans, went so far as to assure me, that in his opinion it would
be as reasonable to class the negroes with monkeys, as to place them on
an equality with the whites.
On the nights of the 14th and 15th the Aurora Borealis was very
beautiful and vivid, which is said to be, in these latitudes, an indication
of stormy weather. Accordingly on the 16th the weather became less
favorable, with an increased swell in the sea, wind more ahead, and
occasional squalls. On the night of the 18th we encountered one of the
most awful hurricanes ever witnessed by the oldest sailor on board; and
from this date to the 24th inst. we experienced a succession of storms
of indescribable violence and severity, which at some intervals caused
great and I believe very just alarm for the safety of the ship. The
President steamer, coming in the opposite direction, is known to have
encountered the same weather, and was doubtless lost, not having since
been heard of. Our escape, under Divine Providence, must be attributed
to the great strength of the vessel, which had been thoroughly repaired
since her last voyage, and to the skill and indefatigable attention of the
Captain. On the 25th the wind abated, and the greater number of the
floats or propelling boards of the paddle wheels having been carried
away, and our stock of coals very much reduced, the Captain decided to
make for Halifax, Nova Scotia, where we arrived on the evening of the
30th. After a stay of twenty-four hours, for repairs and supplies, we
again left for New York, where we arrived safely on the night of 4th
Month, (April,) 3d.
The following day, being the first of the week, I landed about the time
of the gathering of the different congregations, and inquired my way to
the meeting of the orthodox section of the Society of Friends, and
afterwards took up my abode at the Carlton Hotel. Here I met, for the
first time, my friend J.G. Whittier, whom I had been anxious to
associate with myself in my future movements, and who kindly
consented to be my companion as far as his health would permit. The
next morning, on returning to the vessel to get my luggage passed, a
custom-house officer manifested his disapproval of my character and
objects as an abolitionist, by giving me much unnecessary trouble, and
by being the means of my paying duty on a small machine for copying
letters for my own private use, and other articles which I believe are
usually passed free. Ordinarily at this port, the luggage of respectable
passengers is passed with little examination, on an assurance that it
comprises no merchandise. This was almost the only instance of
discourteous treatment I met with in the United States. We remained in
New York from the 4th to the 10th of this month, which time was
occupied in visiting different friends of the anti-slavery cause, and in
receiving calls at our hotel.
I had much pleasure and satisfaction in my intercourse here with
several individuals distinguished in the anti-slavery cause, some of
whom I had met in 1837, during a short visit to New York on my way
from the West Indies. Among these, ought particularly to be mentioned
the brothers Arthur and Lewis Tappan.
The former was elected president of the American Anti-Slavery Society
on its formation, and remained at its head until the division which took
place last year, when he became president of the American and Foreign
Anti-Slavery Society. His name is not more a byeword of reproach,
than a watchword of alarm throughout the slave states; and the slave
holders have repeatedly set a high price upon his head by advertisement
in the public papers. In the just estimation of the pro-slavery party,
Arthur Tappan is abolition personified; and truly the cause needs not to
be ashamed of its representative, for a more deservedly honored and
estimable character it would be difficult to find. In personal deportment
he is unobtrusive and silent; his sterling qualities are veiled by reserve,
and are in themselves such as make the least show -- clearness and
judgment, prudence and great decision. He is the head of an extensive
mercantile establishment, and the high estimation in which he is held
by
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