Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, an American Slave, Written by Himself | Page 4

a mile and bid
him "God speed." He has never been here since. Woodson and Clark
saw him at Detroit two years ago.
Yours truly, WILLIAM BIRNEY.
* * * * *
[No. 4.] LOUISVILLE, _March 14, 1845_.
MR. STEWART.--Yours of the 1st came to hand on the 13th inst. You
wished me to inform you what became of a boy that was in the
work-house in the fall of '39. The boy you allude to went by the name
of Walton; he had ran away from Kentucky some time before, and
returned for his wife--was caught and sold to Garrison; he was taken to
Louisiana, I think--he was sold on Red River to a planter. As Garrison
is absent in the City of New Orleans at this time, I cannot inform you
who he was sold to. Garrison will be in Louisville some time this
Spring; if you wish me, I will inquire of Garrison and inform you to
whom he was sold, and where his master lives at this time.
Yours, W. PORTER.
* * * * *
[No. 5.] BEDFORD, TRIMBLE COUNTY, KY. C.H. STEWART,
ESQ.,
SIR.--I received your note on the 16th inst., and in accordance with it I
write you these lines. You stated that you would wish to know
something about Walton H. Bibb, and whether he had a wife and child,
and whether they were sold to New Orleans. Sir, before I answer these
inquiries, I should like to know who Charles H. Stewart is, and why
you should make these inquiries of me, and how you knew who I was,
as you are a stranger to me and I must be to you. In your next if you
will tell me the intention of your inquiries, I will give you a full history
of the whole case.
I have a boy in your county by the name of King, a large man and very
black; if you are acquainted with him, give him my compliments, and
tell him I am well, and all of his friends. W.H. Bibb is acquainted with
him.

I wait your answer.
Your most obedient, W.H. GATEWOOD.
_March 17, 1845_.
* * * * *
[No. 6.] BEDFORD, KENTUCKY, _April 6th, 1845_. MR.
CHARLES H. STEWART.
SIR:--Yours of the 1st March is before me, inquiring if one Walton
Bibb, a colored man, escaped from me at Louisville, Ky., in the Spring
of 1839. To that inquiry I answer, he did. The particulars are these: He
ran off from William Gatewood some time in 1838 I think, and was
heard of in Cincinnati. Myself and some others went there and took
him, and took him to Louisville for sale, by the directions of his master.
While there he made his escape and was gone some time, I think about
one year or longer. He came back it was said, to get his wife and child,
so report says. He was again taken by his owner; he together with his
wife and child was taken to Louisville and sold to a man who traded in
negroes, and was taken by him to New Orleans and sold with his wife
and child to some man up Red River, so I was informed by the man
who sold him. He then ran off and left his wife and child and got back,
it seems, to your country. I can say for Gatewood he was a good master,
and treated him well. Gatewood bought him from a Mr. Sibly, who was
going to send him down the river. Walton, to my knowledge,
influenced Gatewood to buy him, and promised if he would, never to
disobey him or run off. Who he belongs to now, I do not know. I know
Gatewood sold his wife and child at a great sacrifice, to satisfy him. If
any other information is necessary I will give it, if required. You will
please write me again what he is trying to do in your country, or what
he wishes the inquiry from me for.
Yours, truly, DANIEL S. LANE.
* * * * *
These letters need little comment. Their testimony combined is most
harmonious and conclusive. Look at the points established.
1. Hiram Wilson gives the testimony of reputable men now in Canada,
who knew Henry Bibb as a slave in Kentucky.
2. Silas Gatewood, with a peculiar relish, fills three pages of foolscap,
"being anxious to give his rascally conduct in full," as he says. But he
vaults over the saddle and lands on the other side. His testimony is

invaluable as an endorsement of Mr. Bibb's truthfulness. He illustrates
all the essential facts of this narrative. He also labors to prove him
deceitful and a liar.
Deceit in a slave, is only a slight reflex of the