A Visit To The United States In 1841 | Page 7

of which
the instance above related is an example.
The life of this ever-memorable man was a pattern of apostolic
Christianity -- pure, patient, self-denying, meek. Love was the element
he breathed. His heart not only yearned towards the oppressed of the
human family, but his compassion extended to the brute creation, under

whose sufferings in the service of man, to use his own expression,
"creation at this day doth loudly groan." Though dependent on his own
labor for a livelihood, he was careful in a most exemplary degree, "not
to entangle himself with affairs of this life, that he might please Him
who had called him to be a soldier;" and the reader of his life will find
that this unworldly man took similar pains to avoid wealth, which
others do to acquire it. Perhaps I may be excused for dwelling a
moment on this theme, when I state that one of the latest public acts of
my beloved and lamented father-in-law, James Cropper, was to cause
John Woolman's auto-biography and writings to be re-edited, and a
large and cheap edition to be struck off, which has appeared since his
decease.[A] This work is well known to the Society of Friends, but
should any other reader be induced by these desultory remarks to
peruse it, he will find himself richly repaid. In the picturesque
simplicity of its style, refined literary taste has found an inimitable
charm,[B] but the spiritually minded reader will discover beauties of a
far higher order.
[Footnote A: A Journal of the Life, Gospel Labors, and Christian
Experience, &c. &c. of John Woolman. Warrington, Thomas Hurst.]
[Footnote B: See Charles Lamb's Works.]
Taking leave for the present of our venerable friends at Oxmead and
Burlington, we proceeded on the 12th to Philadelphia, where we
remained several days, at the Union Hotel. During this brief stay, we
received visits from a large number of the friends of the anti-slavery
cause, and made some calls in return. Among others, I had the pleasure
of seeing James Forten, an aged and opulent man of color, whose long
career has been marked by the display of capacity and energy of no
common kind. The history of his life is interesting and instructive,
affording a practical demonstration of the absurdity, as well as injustice,
of that prejudice which would stamp the mark of intellectual inferiority
on his complexion and race.
I returned to New York on the 15th, in company with several
anti-slavery friends. One of these, Dr. Bartholomew Fussell, resided on
the borders of the State of Maryland, and had afforded relief and aid to

many negroes escaping from slavery. He had kept no account of the
number thus assisted till last year, when there were thirty-four, being
fewer he thought than the average of several years preceding. The same
individual related some interesting particulars of the late Elisha Tyson,
of Baltimore, an abolitionist of the old school, who had rescued many
negroes from illegal bondage. Dr. Fussell was an eye witness of the
following occurrence: A poor woman had been seized by the agents of
Woolfolk, the notorious Maryland slave dealer, and was carried along
the street in which Elisha Tyson lived. When they arrived opposite his
house, she demanded to see "Father Tyson." A crowd collected about
the party, and she so far moved their pity, that they insisted that her
wish should be complied with. One of the men hereupon went to
inform his employer, who galloped off, pistol in hand, and found Elisha
Tyson standing at his own door. Woolfolk with an oath declared he
would "send him to hell for interfering with his property." Elisha Tyson
coolly exposed his breast, telling him that he dared not shoot, and that
he (Woolfolk) "was in hell already, though he did not know it." An
investigation followed; the poor woman was proved to be illegally
detained, and was set at liberty.[A] It is generally allowed that so bold
and uncompromising an advocate of the negroes' right as Elisha Tyson
does not now remain in the slave States.
[Footnote A: See Appendix D for a brief account of this ancient
philanthropist.]
As the old school of abolitionists has been mentioned, and will
occasionally be referred to hereafter, the following historical statement
of its rise and decline, and of the commencement of the present
abolition movement, will probably be interesting to the anti-slavery
reader on this side of the Atlantic. It is from the pen of my valued
coadjutor John G. Whittier.
"The old Anti-Slavery Societies, established about the period of the
American Revolution, and of which the late Judge Jay, Benjamin
Franklin, Dr. Rush, and other distinguished statesmen were members,
were composed mainly of the Religious Society of Friends. These
societies were for many years active and energetic in their labors