as
unmistakable. It gave them (the police) the opportunity to prove to
those they served (slaveholders), that they were the right men in the
right place, guarding their interests. Then again they got the fine for
pocket money, and likewise the still greater pleasure of administering
the flogging. Who would want an office, if no opportunity should turn up
whereby proof could be adduced of adequate qualifications to meet
emergencies? But Charles was too wide awake to be caught without his
pass day or night. Consequently he hung on to it, even after starting on
his voyage to Canada. He, however, willingly surrendered it to a member
of the Committee at his special request.

But in every way Charles was quite a remarkable man. It afforded the
Committee great pleasure to make his acquaintance, and much practical
and useful information was gathered from his story, which was felt to be
truthful.

The Committee feeling assured that this "chattel" must have been the
subject of much inquiry and anxiety from the nature of his former
position, as a prominent piece of property, as a member of the Baptist
church, as taking "first premiums" in making tobacco, and as a paper
carrier in the National American office, felt called upon to note fully
his movements before and after leaving Richmond.

In stature he was medium size, color quite dark, hair long and
bushy--rather of a raw-boned and rugged appearance, modest and
self-possessed; with much more intelligence than would be supposed from
first observation. On his arrival, ere he had "shaken hands with the
(British) Lion's paw," (which he was desirous of doing), or changed the
habiliments in which he escaped, having listened to the recital of his
thrilling tale, and wishing to get it word for word as it flowed
naturally from his brave lips, at a late hour of the night a member of
the Committee remarked to him, with pencil in hand, that he wanted to
take down some account of his life. "Now," said he, "we shall have to be
brief. Please answer as correctly as you can the following questions:"
"How old are you?" "Thirty-two years old the 1st day of last June."
"Were you born a slave?" "Yes." "How have you been treated?" "Badly all
the time for the last twelve years." "What do you mean by being treated
badly?" "Have been whipped, and they never give me anything; some people
give their servants at Christmas a dollar and a half and two dollars,
and some five, but my master would never give