rdent love of liberty, he left
"slave-dom" and moved with his family to Philadelphia. Here his
abhorrence of Slavery was greatly increased, especially after becoming
acquainted with the Anti-slavery Office and the Abolition doctrine.
Under whose auspices or by what influence he was first induced to visit
the South with a view of aiding slaves to escape, the writer does not
recollect; nevertheless, from personal knowledge, prior to 1851, he well
knew that Burris was an accredited agent on the road above alluded to,
and that he had been considered a safe, wise, and useful man in his day
and calling. Probably the simple conviction that he would not otherwise
be doing as he would be done by actuated him in going down South
occasionally to assist some of his suffering friends to get the yokes
off their necks, and with him escape to freedom. A number were thus
aided by Burris. But finally he found himself within the fatal snare;
the slave-holders caught him at last, and Burris was made a prisoner in
Dover jail. His wife and children were thereby left without their
protector and head. The friends of the slave in Philadelphia and
elsewhere deeply sympathized with him in this dreadful hour. Being able
to use the pen, although he could not write without having his letters
inspected, he kept up a constant correspondence with his friends both in
Delaware and Philadelphia. John Hunn and Thomas Garrett were as faithful
to him as brothers. After lying in prison for many months, his trial
came on and Slavery gained the victory. The court decided that he must
be sold in or out of the State to serve for seven years. No change,
pardon or relief, could be expected from the spirit and power that held
sway over Delaware at that time.

The case was one of great interest to Mr. McKim, as indeed to the entire
Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Anti-slavery Society, who felt
constrained to do all they could to save the poor man from his
threatened fate, although they had not advised or encouraged him in the
act for which he was condemned and about to suffer. In viewing his
condition, but a faint ray of hope was entertained from one single
direction. It was this: to raise money privately and have a man at the
auction on the day of sale to purchase him.

John Hunn and Thomas Garrett were too well known as Abolitionists to
undertake this mission. A friend indeed, was desirable, but none other
would do than such an one as would not be suspecte