Narrative of the Life of Moses Grandy, Late a Slave in the United States of America

Narrative of the Life of Moses
Grandy, Late a Slave in the
United States of America

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Grandy, Late
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Title: Narrative of the Life of Moses Grandy, Late a Slave in the United
States of America
Author: Moses Grandy
Release Date: February 13, 2005 [EBook #15036]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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NARRATIVE
OF THE

LIFE OF MOSES GRANDY,
LATE A SLAVE
IN THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
"Slavery is a mass, a system of enormities, which incontrovertibly bids
defiance to every regulation which ingenuity can devise, or power
effect, but a TOTAL EXTINCTION. Why ought slavery to be
abolished? Because it is incurable injustice. Why is injustice to remain
for a single hour?" WILLIAM PITT.
SECOND AMERICAN FROM THE LAST LONDON EDITION.
SOLD FOR THE BENEFIT OF HIS RELATIONS STILL IN
SLAVERY.
BOSTON:
OLIVER JOHNSON, 25 CORNHILL.
1844.

*** It is not improbable that some of the proper names in the following
pages are incorrectly spelled. M.G., through the laws of the slave states,
is perfectly illiterate; his pronunciation being the only guide.

INTRODUCTION.
About a fortnight ago, the subject of the following brief Memoir came
to me, bearing with him a letter from a dear friend and distinguished
abolitionist in the United States, from which the following is an
extract:--'I seize my pen in haste to gratify a most worthy colored friend
of mine, by giving him a letter of introduction to you, as he intends
sailing this week (August 8th, 1842) for Liverpool and London, via
New Orleans. His name is Moses Grandy. He knows what it is to have
been a slave, and what are the tender mercies of the southern
slave-drivers. His history is not only authentic, but most extraordinary,
and full of thrilling interest. Could it be published, it would make a
deep sensation in every quarter. He was compelled to buy his freedom
three times over! He paid for it $1,850. He has since bought his wife,
and one or two of his children; and before going to England will first
go to New Orleans, to purchase some of his other children, if he can
find them, who are still held in captivity. His benevolence, affection,
kindness of heart, and elasticity of spirit, are truly remarkable. He has a

good head, a fine countenance, and a great spirit, notwithstanding his
education has been obtained in the horrible school of slavery. Just get
him to tell you his narrative, and if you happen to have an anti-slavery
meeting, let him tell his tale to a British audience.' In the letter of
another highly esteemed friend, he is spoken of as 'unsurpassed for
faithfulness and perseverance;' in the letter of a third, as a 'worthy and
respectable man.' On examining a book containing a list of the
donations made him by American friends, in aid of his noble design to
rescue from the miseries of slavery his relations, I found the names and
certificates of persons of the highest respectability. It will be amply
sufficient with those who are acquainted with the Abolitionists of the
United States, for me to name General Fessenden, and Nathan Winslow,
Esq., of Portland, Maine; the Rev. A.A. Phelps, Ellis Gray Loring, and
Samuel E. Sewall, Esqs., of Boston, Massachusetts. Being satisfied, by
these indubitable vouchers, of Moses Grandy's title to credit, I listened
to his artless tale with entire confidence, and with a feeling of interest
which all will participate who peruse the following pages. Considering
his Narrative calculated to promote a more extensive knowledge of the
workings of American slavery, and that its sale might contribute to the
object which engages so entirely the mind of Moses, namely, the
redemption of those who are in bonds, belonging to his family, I
resolved to commit it to the press, as nearly as possible in the language
of Moses himself. I have carefully abstained from casting a single
reflection or animadversion of my own. I leave the touching story of
the self-liberated captive to speak for itself, and the wish of my heart
will be gratified, and my humble effort on his behalf be richly rewarded,
if this little book is the means of obtaining for my colored brother the
assistance which he seeks,