NARRATIVE
IRS, PRINCE.

The
WILLIAM L.
CLEMENTS
LIBRARY
The University of Michigan
BLACK Wonen
Can

75BINDE

BIMDEE



NARRATIVE
OF THE
LIFE AND TRAVELS
OF
MRS. NANCY PRINCE.
WRITTEN BY HERSELF.
SECOND EDITION.
BOSTON:
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.
1853.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850,
BY NANCY PRINCE,
In the Clerk's office of the District Court of Massachusetts.
WM. A. KALL, PRINTER, 22 SCHOOL ST., BOSTON.

Ꮲ Ꭱ E F A C Ꭼ .
By divine aid, I attempt a second edition
of my narrative, with the additions suggest-
ed to me by my friends. My object is not a
vain desire to appear before the public; but,
by the sale, I hope to obtain the means to
supply my necessities. There are many
benevolent societies for the support of
Widows, but I am desirous not to avail
myself of them, so long as I can support
myself by my own endeavors. Infirmities
are coming upon me, which induce me to
solicit the patronage of my friends and the
public, in the sale of this work. Not wish-
ing to throw myself on them, I take this
method to help myself, as health and
strength are gone.

CONTENTS.
.....26
A Sketch of the Early Life of Nancy Prince,......5
Marriage, and Voyage to Russia, ..........
Mr. Prince,.......
..........
Manners and Customs of the Russians,.........
The Events that took place during Nine Years'
residence in St. Petersburg, .
Her Voyage Home, ........
.. ......40
Her Voyage and Business to the West Indies,....44
Her Errand Home, and Success,................55
Her Return Back, and State of Things at that
Time,..
.........57
Description of the Country,........ .........64
Embarkment again Home, and Deception of the
Captain, .......
Cast away at Key West, ... ...........75
Arrival at New Orleans, - Scenes witnessed
while there, .....
...........76
Departure from New Orleans, and arrival at New
York,........
..........79
....74

NARRATIVE.
I was born in Newburyport, September the
15th, 1799. My mother was born in Gloucester,
Massachusetts — the daughter of Tobias Worn-
ton, or Backus, so called. He was stolen from
Africa, when a lad, and was a slave of Captain
Winthrop Sargent; but, although a slave, he
fought for liberty. He was in the Revolutionary
army, and at the battle of Bunker Hill. He
often used to tell us, when little children, the
evils of Slavery, and how he was stolen from his
native land. My grandmother was an Indian of
this country; she became a captive to the Eng-
glish, or their descendants. She served as a
domestic in the Parsons family. My father,
Thomas Gardner, was born in Nantucket; his
parents were of African descent. He died in
Newburyport, when I was three months old. My
mother was thus a second time left a widow, with

NARRATIVE OF
her two children, and she returned to Gloucester
to her father. My mother married her third hus-
father was stolen from Africa, and while the
vessel was at anchor in one of our Eastern ports,
he succeeded in making his escape from his cap-
tors, by swimming ashore. I have often heard
him tell the tale. Having some knowledge of
the English language, he found no trouble to
pass. There were two of them, and they found,
from observation, that they were in a free State.
I have heard my father describe the beautiful
moon-light night when they two launched their
bodies into the deep, for liberty. When they got
sea-plant that grew under water, they had to re-
treat, and, at last they reached the shore. When
day began to break, they laid down under a fence,
as naked as they were born — soon they heard a
rattling sound, and trembling, they looked to see
what it meant. In a few minutes, a man with a
broad-brimed hat on, looked over the fence and
cried out, “ Halloo boys! you are from that ship
at anchor?” Trembling, we answered, yes. He
kindly took us by the hand, and told us not to fear,
for we were safe. "Jump, boys,” said he, “in-
to my cart,” which we readily did. He turned
about, and soon entered a large yard — we were

MRS. PRINCE.
taken to his house and carried to an apartment,
where he brought us clothes and food, and cheer-
ed us with every kindness. No search was made
for us; it was supposed we were drowned, as
many had jumped over-board on the voyage,
thinking they could get home to Africa again. I
have often heard my step-father boast how brave
they were, and say they stood like men and saw
the ship set sail with less than half they stole
from Africa. He was selling his bamboo baskets,
when he was seized by white men, and put in a
boat, and taken on board the ship that lay off ;
many such ships there were! He was called
66 Money Vose," and his name may be found on
the Custom House books in Gloucester. His last
voyage was with Captain Elias Davis, in the brig
Romulus, belonging to Captain Fitz William Sar-
gent, in whose employ he had been twelve years.
During the war, the brig was taken by a British
privateer, and he was pressed into their service.
He was sick with the dropsy a long while, and
died oppressed, in the English dominions. My
mother was again left a widow, with an infant
six weeks old, and seven other children. When
she heard of her husband's death, she exclaimed,
“I thought it; what shall I do with these children?"
She was young, inexperienced, with no hope in God,
and without the knowledge of her Saviour. Her

NARRATIVE OF
grief, poverty, and responsibilities, were too much
for her; she never again was the mother that
she had been before. I was, at this time, in
Captain F. W. Sargent's family. I shall never
forget the feelings I experienced, on hearing of
the decease of my father-in-law, although he was
not kind to me or my sister; but, by industry a
humble home was provided, for my mother and
her younger children. Death had twice visited
our family, in less than three months. My grand-
father died before my father-in-law sailed. I
thought I would go home a little while, and try
and comfort my mother. The three oldest chil-
dren were put into families.
My brother and myself stayed at home that
Summer. We gathered berries and sold them in
Gloucester; strawberries, raspberries, blackber-
ries and whortleberries, were in abundance, in
the stony environs, growing spontaneously. With
the sale of these fruits, my brother and myself
nearly supported my mother and her children, that
Summer. My brother George, young as he was,
caught fish and sold them, and run of errands,
and was always watching for something to do,
that he might help his mother. At one time he
was missing ; we expected he was drowned ; a
search was made for him in the water; the neigh-
bors were all on the alert. Poor mother return-

MRS. PRINCE.
ing from a hard day's work, supposing the boy
was lost, was like a lunatic. The lad was sup-
posed to have fallen from the wharf, where he
was fishing. Our friends had all given up the
search — it was then eleven o'clock at night.
Mother and I locked up the children and went
round to the harbor, to one Captain Warner, who
traded to the Eastward. Mrs. Warner informed
us that my brother came there in the morning,
with his bundle, and they supposed he was sent,
as the Captain wished to take him with him. He
went on board, and the vessel sailed that after-
noon. In three weeks, he came home, to the
comfort of his mother and all of us. He brought
back, for his pay, four feet of wood and three
dollars.
We stayed with our mother until every re-
source was exhausted; we then heard of a place
eight miles out of town, where a boy and girl
were wanted. We both went and were engaged.
We often went home with our wages, and all the
comforts we could get ; but we could not ap-
proach our mother as we wished. God in mercy
took one little boy of seven years, who had been
in a consumption one year.
My oldest sister, Silvia, was seventy miles in
the country, with the family that brought her up;
so we were scattered all about. Soon as the war
1*

10
NARRATIVE OF
was over, I determined to get more for my labor.
I left Essex and went to Salem, in the month of
April, 1814, without a friend, without a guide.
I first went to Gloucester, to bid my mother and
the family adieu. George, my brother, I left
with a promise to send for him when I should be
settled. When I reached the Cove, about five
miles from Gloucester, I stopped at a friend's,
who urged me not to go, holding up obstacles. It
rained and snowed, but I travelled along, follow-
ing the guide-posts, until I reached Beverly bridge.
I crossed it when the clock struck four, in the
afternoon. I now wished to find a friend in
Becket Street, Salem, but was afraid of the peo-
ple that I met near the Bridge, they were so
covered with rags and dirt. I kept on until I
reached the Common; I then asked a woman who
was neatly dressed, for the lady I wished to find.
She did not know. I asked for another person,
that I knew was not very good; she took me
there, but I soon found my friend that I wished,
and stopped there two weeks, and then went to
live with a respectable colored family. My
mother was not satisfied, and came after me. I
would not go to Gloucester. She left me at a
friend's, and this woman had a daughter, who
came home from service, sick. I took her place,
and thought myself fortunate to be with religious

MRS. PRINCE.
people, as I had enjoyed the happy privilege of
religious instruction. My dear grandfather was a
member of a Congregational Church, and a good
man; he always attended meeting in the morning,
and took his children with him. In the afternoon
he took care of the smaller children, while my
mother attended with her little group. He thought
it was wrong for us to go to school where the
teacher was not devoted to God. Thus I early
knew the difference between right and wrong.
There were seven in the family, one sick with
a fever, and another in a consumption; and of
course, the work must have been very severe,
especially the washings. Sabbath evening I had
to prepare for the wash; soap the clothes and put
them into the steamer, set the kettle of water to
boiling, and then close in the steam, and let the
pipe from the boiler into the steam box that held
the clothes. At two o'clock, on the morning of
Monday, the bell was rung for me to get up; but,
that was not all, they said I was too slow, and the
washing was not done well ; I had to leave the
tub to tend the door and wait on the family, and
was not spoken kind to, at that,
Hard labor and unkindness was too much for
me; in three months, my health and strength were
gone. I often looked at my employers, and
thought to myself, is this your religion? I did

NARRATIVE OF
not wonder that the girl who had lived there pre-
vious to myself, went home to die. They had
family prayers, morning and evening. Oh! yes,
they were sanctimonious! I was a poor stranger,
but fourteen years of age, imposed upon by these
good people ; but I must leave them. In the
year 1814, they sent me to Gloucester in their
chaise. I found my poor mother in bad health,
and I was sick also; but, by the mercy of God,
and the attention and skill of Dr. Dale, and the
kindness of friends, I was restored, so that in a
few months, I was able again to go to work,
although my side afflicted me, which I attributed
to overworking myself.
In the Spring of 1815, I returned to Salem,
accompanied by my eldest sister, and we obtained
good places. She took it into her head to go to
Boston, as a nursery girl, where she lived a few
months and was then deluded away. February
7th, 1816, a friend came to Salem and informed
me of it. To have heard of her death, would
not have been so painful to me, as we loved each
other very much, and more particularly, as our
step-father was not very kind to us. When little
girls, she used to cry about it, and we used to
say, when we were large enough we would go
away.
It was very cold; but notwithstanding, I was so

MRS. PRINCE.
13
distressed about my sister that I started the next
morning for Boston, on foot. A friend was with
me. At Lynn Hotel we refreshed ourselves, and
all seemed much interested about me; two wo-
men took me aside, and inquired how it was that I
was with that woman. I told my reason; she
was well known all about; she lived as a cook
in Boston, she came after her son, a little child
whom she held in her arms. By the time we
were seven miles from Salem, cold and fatigued,
I could walk no farther, and we hired a horse
and sleigh, and a man to drive us to Boston,
where we arrived at seven o'clock in the even-
ing. The house where we stopped was in Green
street, the lady kindly invited me to stop; I refus-
ed; I was suspicious the house was not good; the
woman I came with took me to Belknap street,
where I found an old friend; I would not stop,
they went with me to Bedford street, where I in-
tended to put up. The inmates received me very
kindly; my feet, hands and ears were all frost-
bitten. I needed all the hospitality that was ex-
tended to me. I was young and inexperienced,
but God knew that my object was good. “In
wisdom he chooses the weak things of the earth.”
Without his aid, how could I ever have rescued
my lost sister? Mr. Brown, when he learned my
errand, kindly offered to assist me. He found
where my sister resided, and taking with him a

14
NARRATIVE OF
large cane, he accompanied me to the house, on
Sabbath evening. My sister I found seated with
a number of others round a fire, the mother of
harlots at the head. My sister did not see me
until I clasped her round the neck. The old
woman flew at me, and bid me take my hands
off of her; she opened a door that led down
into a cellar kitchen, and told me to come
down, she attempted to take my hands off of
my sister. Mr. Brown defended me with his
cane; there were many men and girls there,
and all was confusion. When my sister came to
herself, she looked upon me and said: “Nancy,
O Nancy, I am ruined !” I said, “Silvia, my
dear sister, what are you here for? Will you
not go with me?” She seemed thankful to get
away; the enraged old woman cried out,“ she
owes me, she cannot go.” Silvia replied, “ I will
go.” The old woman seized her to drag her
down into the kitchen; I held on to her, while
Mr. Brown at my side, used his great cane ; he
threatened her so that she was obliged to let my
sister go, who, after collecting her things, ac-
companied Mr. Brown and myself.
Now while I write, I am near the spot that
that was then the hold of all foul and unclean things:
“ The lips of a strange woman drop as an honey
comb, and her mouth is smoother than oil; there
she has slain her thousands; her end is bitter as

MRS. PRINCE.
15
wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword, and lieth
in wait at every corner, with an impudent face,
saying, I have peace offerings, I have payed my
vows. With her much fair speeeh, she flattereth:
she hath cast down many wounded, yea, many
strong have been slain by her; her house is the
way to hell going down to the chambers of death."
Even now, I cannot refrain my feelings, although
death has long separated us; but her soul is pre-
cious; she was very dear to me; she was five
years older than myself, and often protected me
from the blows of an unkind step-father. She
often said she was not fit to live, nor fit to die.
The next day, after breakfast, one of Mrs.
Brown's daughters accompanied us to the stage
office; we expected Mr. Low, the driver of the
Gloucester stage, who knew us as his towns-peo-
ple, would let us take passage with him without
any difficulty ; but he refused unless we would
ride upon the top. It was very cold ; I had sent
my mother my wages the week before, and what
money I had, I had taken in advance, of my em-
ployers. We were greatly embarrassed, when a
colored man, unknown to us, penetrated our diffi-
culty, and asked us if we had two dollars; we
told him we had ; he very kindly took us to the
stage office, and we bargained for a horse and
sleigh to carry us to Salem, where we arrived

16
NARRATIVE OF
safely in about two hours and a half; and we
gave up our conveyance to the same owners, with
ten thousand thanks to our colored friend, and to
our Heavenly Father; had we attempted to walk,
we must have frozen by the way. The horse
and sleigh belonged to the stage-office, so we had
no more care for that. The man who let it to
us was very humane, although a stranger. The
price was two dollars, of which he not only gave
us back fifty cents to pay our toll, but went with
us as far as to Charlestown bridge.
I often thought of the contrast between our
townsman, Mr. Low, and the stranger who was
so kind to us. The lady I lived with, Mrs. John
Deland, received us very kindly, and permitted
my sister to remain with me awhile; then she
returned to Gloucester, to the family who brought
her up, and I thought we had gained a great vic-
tory.
My brother George and myself were very de-
sirous to make our mother comfortable: he went
to sea for that purpose; the next April, I came
to Boston to get a higher price for my labor; for
we had agreed to support my mother, and hoped
she would take home our little brother and take
care of him, who was supported by the town.
George came home, and sailed again in the same
employ, leaving mother a draw bill for half his
wages. My sister returned to Boston to find me,

MRS. PRINCE
17.
and wished to procure a place to work out. I
had just changed my place for one more retired,
and engaged my sister with me as a chamber
maid; she tried me much. I thought it a needy
time, for I had not yielded my heart to the will
of God, though I had many impressions, and
formed many resolutions; but the situations that
I had been placed in, (having left my mother's
house at the age of eight,) had not permitted me
to do as I wished, although the kind counsels of
my dear grandfather and pious teachers followed
me wherever I went. Care after care oppressed
me — my mother wandered about like a Jew -
the young children who were in families were
dissatisfied; all hope but in God was lost. I re-
solved, in my mind, to seek an interest in my
Savior, and put my trust in Him; and never shall
I forget the place or time when God spake to my
troubled conscience. Justified by faith I found
peace with God, the forgiveness of sin through
Jesus Christ my Lord. After living sixteen years
without hope, and without a guide, May 6th, 1819,
the Rev. Thomas Paul, baptized myself, and seven
others, in obedience to the great command.
We, on him our anchor cast-
Poor and needy, lean on him,
He will bring us through at last.
The same day, we received the right hand of

18
NARRATIVE OF
fellowship from our then beloved pastor. After
the absence of nine years, I had the happy privi-
lege of meeting with two of the number, who were
unshaken in the faith ; they have since gone to
join the spirits in glory. I had the happy privi-
lege of attending them in sickness.
I now turn to the scenes of youth. George
again returned home, and we again provided a
home for mother and the little ones. He shipped
in the same vessel again, and affairs now seemed
to promise comfort and respectability ; but moth-
er chose to marry again; this was like death to
us all. George returned home, but was so dis-
appointed that he shipped again to return no
more. Although a boy of sixteen, he was as
steady as most men at twenty. My cares were
consequently increased, having no one to share
them with me. My next brother, who lived
in South Essex, came to Salem to his mother's,
but was driven away by her husband, and came
to me; I carried him to Gloucester and left him
in the hands of the town; he stayed but three
weeks, and returned to me again ; I then board-
ed him out for one dollar a week, until I could
procure suitable employment for him. When
winter came, poor mother's health was declining.
Little Samuel could do but little ; my father-in-
law was verv cross, his disappointment was very

MRS. PRINCE
great, for he expected to be supported by my
brother George and myself. I could not see my
mother suffer, therefore I left my place and went
to Salem to watch over her and Samuel, and lived
in the Rev. Dr. Bolle's family. In the Spring, I
returned to Boston, and took my brother Samuel
with me ; soon after, my sister Lucy left her
place and went to her mother, but was not
permitted to stay; my mother wrote to me, re-
questing me to take care of her. I then deter-
mined, in my mind, to bring her to Boston, and
if possible, procure a place for her ; I then had
Samuel and John on my hands; Lucy was not
nine, and very small of her age, I could not easi-
ly get her a place, but fortunately obtained board
for her and Samuel for one dollar a week. My
brother John, whom I had boarded, at last got a
place where he had wages. Soon the Lord op-
ened the way for little Samuel ; Dr. Phelps took
him to bring up: so that I was left with one
only to sustain ; soon my hopes were blasted.
John left his place, and was several months on my
hands again ; finally, he made up his mind to go
to sea; I was so thankful that he had concluded
to do something, that I took two months' wages
in advance to fit him out for Liverpool, in five
months he returned without a single thing but the
clothes he had on. The ship brought passengers

20
NARRATIVE OF
from Ireland. As soon as the vessel arrived, he
came to seek me; I went with him for his things ;
but passengers and all were gone. His wages
were small, not enough to make him comfortable :
and, had not a friend given him a home, he would
again have been dependent on my exertions ;
another friend took Lucy, with whom she stayed
eleven months. She lived in different families
until she was about twelve years old ; I then put
her in the Rev. Mr. Mann's family, at Westmin-
ster, for a certain time, thinking it would be best
for her; and John I left to fight his own battles.
My sister Silvia, was one of my greatest trials.
Knowing she was in Boston, my mother, in one
of her spells of insanity, got away from her
home and travelled to Boston after her; she
came where I lived, my employers were very
kind to her, she tarried a few days, when I hired
a horse and chaise and took them both back to
Salem, and returned to my place in 1822, with a
determination to do something for myself; I left
my place after three months, and went to learn a
trade ; and after seven years of anxiety and toil,
I made up my mind to leave my country. Sep-
tember Ist, 1823, Mr. Prince arrived from Rus-
sia. Februrary 15th, 1824, we were married.
April 14th, we embarked on board the Romulus,
captain Epes Sargent commander, bound for

MRS. PRINCE
21
Russia. May 24th, arrived at Elsinore, left the
same day for Copenhagen, where we remained
twelve days. We visited the king's palace, and
several other extensive and beautiful buildings.
We attended a number of entertainments, among
the Danes and English, who were religious; ob-
served that their manners and customs were
similar ; they are attentive to strangers; the
Sabbath is very strictly observed; the principal
religion is Lutheran and Calvinistic, but all per-
suasions are tolerated. The languages are Dutch,
French and English. The Danes are very mod-
est and kind, but like all other nations, they know
how to take the advantage. We left Copenha-
gen the 7th of June, and arrived at Cronstadt on
the 19th ; left there the 21st for St. Petersburg,
and in a few hours, were happy to find ourselves
at our place of destination, through the blessing
of God, in good health, and soon made welcome
from all quarters. We took lodgings with a Mrs.
Robinson, a native of our country, who was Pa-
tience Mott, of Providence, who left here in the
year 1813, in the family of Alexander Gabriel,
the man who was taken for Mr. Prince. There
I spent six weeks very pleasantly, visiting and re-
ceiving friends, in the manner of the country.
While there I attended two of their parties; there
were various amusements in which I did not par-
2*

22
NARRATIVE OF
take, which caused them much disappointment.
I told them my religion did not allow of dancing
or dice playing, which formed part of the amuse-
ments. As they were very strict in their relig-
ion, they indulged me in the same privilege. By
the help of God I was ever enabled to preserve
my stand.
Mr. Prince was born in Marlborough, and lived
in families in this city. In 1810 he went to
Gloucester, and sailed with captain Theodore
Stanwood, for Russia. He returned with him,
and remained in his family, and at this time
visited at my mother's. He sailed with cap-
tain Stanwood in 1812, for the last time. The
Captain took with him his son Theodore, in order
to place him in School in St. Petersburg. When the
Captain sailed for home, Mr. Prince went to serve
the Princess Purtossof, one of the noble ladies of
the Court. The palace where the imperial fam-
ily reside is called the court, or the seat of Gov-
ernment. This magnificent building is adorned
with all the ornaments that possibly can be ex-
plained ; there are hundreds of people that inhabit
it, besides the soldiers that guard it. There are
several of these splendid edifices in the city and
vicinity. The one that I was presented in, was
in a village, three miles from the city. After
leaving the carriage, we entered the first ward;

MRS. PRINCE
23
where the usual salutation by the guards was per-
formed. As we passed through the beautiful
hall, a door was opened by two colored men in
official dress. The Emperor Alexander, stood on
his throne, in his royal apparel. The throne is
circular, elevated two steps from the floor, and
covered with scarlet velvet, tasseled with gold ;
as I entered, the Emperor stepped forward with
great politeness and condescension, and wel-
comed me, and asked several questions ; he then
accompanied us to the Empress Elizabeth ; she
stood in her dignity, and received me in the same
manner the Emperor had. They presented me
with a watch, &c. It was customary in those
days, when any one married, belonging to the
court, to present them with gifts, according to
their standard; there was no prejudice against
color ; there were there all casts, and the people
of all nations, each in their place.
The number of colored men that filled this
station was twenty; when one dies, the number
is immediately made up. Mr. Prince filled the
place of one that had died. They serve in turns,
four at a time, except on some great occasions,
when all are employed. Provision is made for
the families within or without the palace. Those
without go to court at 8 o'clock in the morning ;
after breakfasting, they take their station in the

24
NARRATIVE OF
halls, for the purpose of opening the doors, at
signal given, when the Emperor and Empress
pass.
First of August, we visited the burying-ground
where the people meet, as they say, to pay re-
spect to their dead. It is a great holiday; they
drink and feast on the grave stones, or as near
the grave as they can come ; some groan and
pray, and some have music and dancing. At a
funeral no one attends except the invited ; after
the friends arrive, a dish of rice, boiled hard, with
raisins, is handed round; all are to take a spoon-
ful, with the same spoon, and out of the same
dish ; in the meanwhile the priest, with his clerk,
performs the ceremony, perfuming the room with
incense. The lid is not put on to the coffin, the
corpse being laid out in his or her best dress.
The torch-men (who are dressed in black gar-
ments, made to slope down to their feet, with
broad brimmed hats that cover their shoulders,)
form a procession, with lighted torches in their
hands, bowing their heads as they pass along very
gravely; then comes one more with the lid on
his head ; then the hearse with the corpse drawn
by four horses, covered with black gowns down
to their feet; they all move along with great
solemnity. Before entering the grave-yard, the
procession goes to an adjoining church, where

MRS. PRINCE
25
there are many ladies, placed on benches, side
by side, according to their ages; the ladies
dressed as if they were going to a ball-room, dis-
playing a most dreadful appearance. Each one
has her hands crossed, and holding in one of
them a pass to give to Peter, that they may enter
into Heaven. At this place they light their can-
dles, and receive their rice in the manner be-
fore mentioned. The top is then put on to the
coffin, and the procession forms and repairs to
the grave ; the priest sanctifies the grave, then
casts in dust, and the coffin is consigned to its
narrow-house; then commence the yells; they
drink, eat cake, black bread, and finish their
rice, when the party return back to dinner, where
every thing has been prepared during their ab-
sence. This is the Greek mode of burying their
dead. On the birth of a child, the babe is not
dressed until it is baptized; it is immersed all over
in water; a stand with an oval basin, is brought
for the purpose by the clerk. The mother is pre-
sented with gifts, which are placed under her
pillow. Should the babe die before this rite is
performed, it is not placed with the others; but
should it die having been baptized, although not
more than two hours old, it is dressed and placed
on the bench at church with the rest. In this
manner, the common people bury their dead.

26
NARRATIVE OF
When any of the imperial family dies, they
are laid in state forty days, and every thing
accordingly. There is a building built expressly
for the imperial families, where their remains are
deposited. In the front part of it, the criminals
that have rebelled against the imperial family are
placed in cells, thus combining the prison and the
tomb; and in sailing by, these miserable crea-
tures are exposed to the careless gaze of unfeel-
ing observers.
St. Petersburg was inundated October 9th, 1824.
The water rose sixteen feet in most parts of the
city ; many of the inhabitants were drowned.
An island between the city and Cronstadt, con-
taining five hundred inhabitants, was inundated,
and all were drowned, and great damage was
done at Cronstadt. The morning of this day was
fair ; there was a high wind. Mr. Prince went
early to the palace, as it was his turn to serve;
our children boarders were gone to school ; our
servant had gone of an errand. I heard a cry,
and to my astonishment, when I looked out to
see what was the matter, the waters covered the
earth. I had not then learned the language, but
I beckoned to the people to come in. The waters
continued to rise until 10 o'clock, A. M. The
waters were then within two inches of my win-
dow, when they ebbed and went out as fast as

MRS. PRINCE.
27
they had come in, leaving to our view a dreadful
sight. The people who came into my house for
their safety retired, and I was left alone. At
four o'clock in the afternoon, there was darkness
that might be felt, such as I had never experi-
enced before. My situation was the more painful,
being alone, and not being able to speak. I
waited until ten in the evening ; I then took a
lantern, and started to go to a neighbor's, whose
children went to the same school with my board-
ers. I made my way through a long yard, over
the bodies of men and beasts, and when opposite
their gate I sunk; I made one grasp, and the
earth gave away; I grasped again, and fortu-
nately got hold of the leg of a horse, that had
been drowned. I drew myself up, covered with
mire, and made my way a little further, when I
was knocked down by striking against a boat,
that had been washed up and left by the retiring
waters; and as I had lost my lantern, I was
obliged to grope my way as I could, and feeling
along the walk, I at last found the door that I
aimed at. My family were safe and they accom-
panied me home. At 12 o'clock, Mr. Prince
came home, as no one was permitted to leave the
palace, till his majesty had viewed the city. In
the morning the children and the girl returned,
and I went to view the pit into which I had sunk.

28
NARRATIVE OF
It was large enough to hold a dozen like myself,
where the earth had caved in. Had not the horse
been there, I should never again have seen the
light of day, and no one would have known my
fate. Thus through the providence of God, I.
escaped from the flood and the pit.
My helper, God, I bless thy name;
The game thy power, thy grace the same;
I'midst ten thousand dangers stand,
Supported by thy guardian hand.”
Should I attempt to give an account of all the
holidays, it would fill volumes. The next to
notice is Christmas and New Year. The first
day of January a grand masquerade is given by
his majesty, at the winter palace; forty thousand
tickets are distributed; every thing is done in
order ; every gentleman wears a mask and cloak,
and carries a lady with him. They are formed
in a procession, and enter at the west gate; as
they pass through, all the golden vessels and or-
naments are displayed; these were back of a
counter, which extends two hundred feet; there
the company receive a cup of hot chocolate, and
a paper of comfits, and a bun; a great many
are in attendance, as a vast many persons are
permitted to pass in and view the palace, and
go out at the east gate.
The 6th of January is a still greater day, for
then the water is christened; a church is built on

MRS. PRINCE.
29
the ice, ornamented with gold and evergreens,
and a row of spruce trees, extending from the
door of the palace to the church. At this time
all the nobles, of different nations, make their
appearance in their native costume. The Pa-
triarch, Archbishops, and other dignitaries of the
court, have a service; then they pass through
and christen the water, and make it holy; then
there is a great rush of the people for this holy
water. On the plain an ice hill is built, eighty
feet high, where the emperor and his court exer-
cise themselves.
Februrary 10th is another holiday. Buildings
are constructed on the plain for the occasion.
All kinds of amusements may be found here, and
all kinds of animals seen; much time and money
are spent. The buildings are built in rotation.
All the children of the different seminaries and
institutions of education, are driven round in
gilded carriages to witness the performances.
After this is the great Fast, previous to the cru-
cifixion of our Saviour. Then Christ is repre-
sented as riding into Jerusalem ; branches of
trees are placed on the ice, and strewed through
the streets, and every performance is carried
out. The Saviour is made of white marble; he
is crucified and buried, and on the third day he
rises, according to the Scriptures ; then the can-

30
NARRATIVE OF
nons are fired. At the close of this forty day's
Fast, they have a great feast and fair ; all busi-
ness is suspended, and the festivity and frolic
continue for one week.
The first day of May is another great holiday.
The merchant's daughters are arranged on each
side of a long mall, in the beautiful gardens, and
arrayed in their best clothes, under the care of
an old woman known in their families; the gen-
tlemen walk round and observe them, and if they
see one they fancy, they speak to the old woman;
she takes him to the parents and introduces him ;
if the parties agree, they prepare for the be-
trothal. It is their custom to marry one of their
own station. All these holidays are accounted
sacred. The first year I noted them all, as I
was accustomed to attend them.
May, 1825. I spent some time visiting the
different towns in the vicinity of St. Petersburg.
In the fall of the same year, the Emperor retired
to a warmer climate for the health of the Empress
Elizabeth. January, 1826, the corpse of Alex-
ander was brought in state, and was met three
miles from the city by the nobles of the court ;
and they formed a procession, and the body was
brought in state into the building where the
imperial family were deposited. March, of the
same year, the corpse of Elizabeth was brought

MRS. PRINCE.
31
in the same manner. Constantine was then king
of Poland, he was next heir to the throne, and was,
unanimously voted by the people, but refused
and resigned the crown in favor of his brother
Nicholas. The day appointed the people were
ordered to assemble as usual, at the ringing of the
bells; they rejected Nicholas; a sign was given
by the leaders that was well understood, and the
people great and small rushed to the square and
cried with one voice for Constantine. The em-
peror with his prime minister, and city governor,
rode into the midst of them, entreating them to
retire, without avail; they were obliged to order
the cannons fired upon the mob; it was not known
when they discharged them that the emperor
and his ministers were in the crowd. He was
wonderfully preserved, while both his friends and
their horses were killed. There was a general
seizing of all classes, who were taken into cus-
tody. The scene cannot be described; the bod-
ies of the killed and mangled were cast into
the river, and the snow and ice were stained
with the blood of human victims; as they were
obliged to drive the cannon to and fro in the
midst of the crowd, the bones of those wounded,
whomight have been cured, were crushed. The
cannon are very large, drawn by eight horses,
trained for the purpose. The scene was awful ;

32
NARRATIVE OF
all business was stopped. This deep plot origi-
nated in 1814, in Germany, with the Russian
nobility and German, under the pretence of a Free
Mason's Lodge. When they returned home they
increased their numbers and presented their chart
to the emperor for permission, which was grant-
ed. In the year 1822, the emperor being suspi-
cious that all was not right, took their chart from
them. They carried it on in small parties, rap-
idly increasing, believing they would soon be
able to destroy all the imperial branches, and
have a republican government. Had not this
taken place, undoubtedly they would at last have
succeeded. So deep was the foundation of this
plot laid, both males and females were engaged
in it. The prison-houses were filled, and thirty
of the leading men were put in solitary confine-
ment, and twenty-six of the number died, four
were burned. A stage was erected and faggots
were placed underneath, each prisoner was se-
cured by iron chains, presenting a most appalling
sight to an eye-witness. A priest was in attend.
ance to cheer their last dying moments, then fire
was set to the faggots, and those brave men were
consumed. Others received the knout, and even
the princesses and ladies of rank were imprisoned
and flogged in their own habitations. Those that
survived their punishment were banished to Sibe-

MRS. PRINCE.
33
ria. The mode of banishment is very imposing
and very heart-rending, severing them from all
dear relatives and friends, for they are never per-
mitted to take their children. When they arrive
at the gate of the city, their first sight is a guard
of soldiers, then wagons with provisions, then the
noblemen in their banished apparel guarded, then
each side, conveyances for the females, then la-
dies in order, guarded by soldiers.
Preparations were now being made for the
coronation of the new Emperor and Empress.
This took place September, 1826, in Moscow,
555 miles south-east from St. Petersburg. All
persons engaged in the court were sent before-
hand, in order to prepare for the coming event.
After his majesty's laws were read, as usual on
such occasions, those who wished to remain in
his service did so, and those who did not were
discharged.
After the coronation, the Emperor and his
court returned to St. Petersburg. June, 1827, war
was declared between Russia and Turkey. They
had several battles, with varied success. The Rus-
sians surrounded and laid siege to Constantinople.
The Sultan of Turkey sued for peace, and a
treaty was at last signed, and peace was pro-
claimed in 1829. In March, of the same year,
war was declared with Poland. 1831. The chol-
3*

34
NARRATIVE OF
era, that malignant disease, made its appearance
in Austria, from thence to little Russia, making
great ravages, thousands of people falling a prey.
It then began to rage in St. Petersburg, carrying
off 9255. This disease first appeared in Mada-
gascar, 1814, where most of the inhabitants died.
It is called the plague, that God sent among the
people of Israel and other nations, for centuries
back. Much might be said of this dreadful dis-
ease and others that are but little known in this
country. God often visits nations, families, and
persons, with judgments as well as mercies.
The present Emperor and Empress are cour-
teous and affable. The Empress would often
send for the ladies of the court at 8 oclock in the
evening to sup with her: when they arrive at the
court they form a procession and she takes the
lead. On entering the hall, the band strikes up ;
there are two long tables on each side, and in the
midst circular tables for the Imperial family. The
tables are spread apparently with every variety
of eatables and desserts, but everything is artificial,
presenting a novel appearance. When the com-
pany are seated, the Emperor and Empress walk
around the tables and shake hands with each in-
dividual, as they pass. The prisoners of war who
are nobles, are seated by themselves with their
faces veiled. There is a tender or waiter to each

MRS. PRINCE.
35
person, with two plates, one with soup and the
other with something else. After a variety of
courses, in one hour they are dismissed by the
band. They then retire to another part of the
palace to attend a ball or theatrical amusements.
At the Empress command they are dismissed.
She carries power and dignity in her countenance,
and is well adapted to her station. And after her
late amusements at night, she would be out at an
early hour in the morning, visiting the abodes of
the distressed, dressed in as common apparel as
any one here, either walking, or riding in a com-
mon sleigh. At her return she would call for her
children, to take them in her arms and talk to
them. “She riseth while it is yet night and giv-
eth meat to her household and a portion to her
maidens, she stretcheth out her hands to the poor,
yea, she reacheth out her hands to the needy ;
she is not afraid of the snow, for all her house-
hold are clothed in scarlet.” Then she would go
to the cabinet of his Majesty ; there she would
write and advise with him.
The Russian ladies follow the fashions of the
French and English. Their religion is after the
Greek Church. There are no seats in their
churches; they stand, bow, and kneel, during the
service. The principal church is on the Main
street. There are the statues of the great com-

36
NARRATIVE OF
manders that have conquered in battle. They
are clad in brass, with flags in their hands, and
all their ancient implements of war are deposited
there. The altar is surrounded by statues of the
Virgin Mary and the twelve apostles. When
Russia is at war, and her armies are about to
engage in battle, it is here that the Emperor and
his family and court, come to pray for victory
over the enemy. The day they engaged in bat-
tle against the Poles, the Empress Dowager took
her death ; she was embalmed and laid in state
six weeks in the hall of the winter palace. I
went a number of times to see her, and the peo-
ple pay her homage, and kiss the hands of that
lump of clay. All religion is tolerated, but the
native Russians are subject to the Greek Church.
There are a number of institutions in St. Peters-
burg where children of all classes have the privi-
lege of instruction. The sailors' and soldiers'
boys enter the corps at the age of seven, and are
educated for that purpose. The girls remain in
the barracks with their parents, or go to some
institution where they are instructed in all the
branches of female education. There are other
establishments, where the higher classes, send
their children.
There is another spacious building called the
Market, half a mile square, where all kinds of

MRS. PRINCE.
37
articles may be bought. Between the Market
and the church there is a block of buildings where
silver articles of all kinds are to be purchased.
These stores present a very superb appearance
and are visited by every foreigner that comes
into the place. Besides these buildings, Main
Street is lined with elegant buildings with pro-
jecting windows, to the extent of twelve miles.
Nearly at the termination of the street there is a
spacious building of stone which encloses the
Taberisey Garden, so called from its having every
kind of tree, shrub, flower and fruit, of the known
world, which flourish alike in winter as in sum-
mer. There is an extensive Frozen Market
which forms a square as large as Boston Com-
mon. This space of ground is covered with
counters, on which may be purchased every vari-
ety of eatable, such as frozen fish, fowl, and meats
of every description, besides every other article
of commerce which will bear the extreme cold
of a St. Petersburg winter. This city was found-
ed by Peter the Great, and built upon a bog which
was occupied by a few fishermen's huts, and be-
longed to the Finns. It is situated at the extrem-
ity of the Gulf of Finland, and is built partly on
the main land and partly on several small islands.
The foundation of the city is extremely marshy,
which subjects it to frequent inundations. For

38
NARRATIVE OF
this reason there are canals which are cut through
the streets, very beautifully laid out, faced with
granite, railed with iron chains nubbed with brass,
with bridges to cross from one street to the other.
The city houses are built of stone and brick, and
twice the thickness of American houses. They
are heated by Peaches, of similar construction to
our furnaces; the outside of which is faced with
China tiles, presenting a very beautiful appear-
ance. The village houses are built of logs corked
with oakum, where the peasants reside. This
class of people till the land, most of them are
slaves and are very degraded. The rich own the
poor, but they are not suffered to separate fami-
lies or sell them off the soil. All are subject to
the Emperor, and no nobleman can leave without
his permission. The mode of travelling is prin.
cipally by stages which are built something like
our omnibusses, with settees upon the top railed
and guarded by soldiers, for the purpose of pro-
tecting the travellers from the attacks of wild
beasts. The common language is a mixture of
Sclavonian and Polish. The nobility make use
of the modern Greek, French and English. I
learned the languages in six months, so as to be
able to attend to my business, and also made some
proficiency in the French. My time was taken
up in domestic affairs; I took two children to

MRS. PRINCE
39
board, the third week after commencing house-
keeping, and increased their numbers. The
baby linen making and childrens' garments were
in great demand. I started a business in these
articles and took a journeywoman and apprenti-
ces. The present Empress is a very active one,
and inquired of me respecting my business, and
gave me much encouragement by purchasing of
me garments for herself and children, handsome-
ly wrought in French and English styles, and
many of the nobility also followed her example.
It was to me a great blessing that we had the
means of grace afforded us. The Rev. Richard
Kenell, was the Protestant pastor. We had ser-
vice twice every Sabbath, and evening prayer
meetings, also a female society, so that I was
occupied at all times.
At the time of the inundation, the Bibles and
other books belonging to the society were injured.
But Mr. Kenell took the liberty to purchase at
full price and sell at an advance. In order that
the poor might have them, we all agreed to labor
for that purpose. I often visited the matron of
the Empress' children, and encouraged by her I
took some to the Palace, and by this means dis-
posed of many at head quarters. Other friends
without the court continued to labor until hun-
dreds and thousands were disposed of. The old

40
NARRATIVE OF
Bishop finding his religion was in danger sent a
petition to the Emperor that all who were found
distributing Bibles and Tracts should be punished
severely. Many were taken and imprisoned,
two devoted young men were banished ; thus the
righteous were punished, while evil practices
were not forbidden, for there the sin of licentious-
ness is very common.
I have mentioned that the climate did not agree
with me; in winter my lungs were much affected.
It was the advice of the best physicians that I had
better not remain in Russia during another cold
season. However painful it was to me to return
without my husband, yet life seemed desirable,
and he flattered me and himself that he should
soon follow. It is difficult for any one in the
Emperor's employment to leave when they
please. Mr. Prince thought it best for me to re-
turn to my native country, while he remained
two years longer to accumulate a little property,
and then return — but death took him away. I
left St. Petersburg, August 14th, 1833, having
been absent about nine years and six months.
On the 17th, I sailed from Cronstadt, for New
York. Arrived at Elsinore the 25th. Tuesday,
29, left. September the 2d, laid to in a gale.
September 18th, made Plymouth, Old England,
19th sailed. Arrived in New York, Oct. 10th.

MRS. PRINCE.
41
Left there Tuesday 18th, arrived in Boston the
23d. Sabbath, Nov. 9th, I had the privilege of
attending service in the old place of worship.
On this day I also had the pleasure of meeting
with an old friend of my grandfather, nearly one
hundred years of age. I found things much
changed; my mother and sister Silvia died in
1827, (that I was aware of.) The Rev. T. Paul
was dead, and many of my old friends were gone
to their long home. The old church and society
was in much confusion ; I attempted to worship
with them but it was in vain. The voyage was
of great benefit to me. By the advice of friends
I applied to a Mrs. Mott, a female physician in
the city, that helped me much. I am indebted
to God for his great goodness in guiding my
youthful steps; my mind was directed to my
fellow brethren whose circumstances were simi-
lar to my own. I found many a poor little orphan
destitute and afflicted, and on account of color
shut out from all the asylums for poor children.
At this my heart was moved, and I proposed to
my friends the necessity of a home for such,
where they might be sheltered from the contami-
nating evils that beset their path. For this
purpose I called a meeting of the people and
laid before them my plan: as I had had the
privilege of assisting in forming an Asylum for

42
NARRATIVE OF
such a purpose in St. Petersburg, I thought it
would be well to establish one on the same princi-
ples, not knowing that any person had had a
thought of anything of the kind. We commenc-
ed with eight children. I gave three months of
my time. A board was formed of seven females,
with a committee of twelve gentlemen of stand-
ing, to superintend. At the end of three months
the committee was dispensed with, and for want
of funds our society soon fell through.
I passed my time in different occupations and
making arrangements for the return of my hus-
band, but death took him from me. I made my
home at the Rev. J. W. Holman's, a Free Will
Baptist, until I sailed for Jamaica. There had
been an Anti-Slavery Society established by W.
L. Garrison, Knapp, and other philanthropists of
the day. Their design was the amelioration of
the nominally free colored people of these States,
and the emancipation of the slaves in other States.
These meetings I attended with much pleasure,
until a contention broke out among themselves;
there has been a great change in some things,
but much remains to be done ; possibly I may
not see so clearly as some, for the weight of
prejudice has again oppressed me, and were it
not for the promises of God, one's heart would
fail, for He made man in his own image, in the

MRS. PRINCE.
43
image of God, created he him, male and female,
that they should have dominion over the fish of
the sea, the fowl of the air, and the beast of the
field, &c. This power did God give man, that
thus far should he go and no farther; but man
has disobeyed his Maker, and become vain in his
imagination, and their foolish hearts are darkened.
We gather from this, that God has in all ages of
the world punished every nation and people for
their sins. The sins of my beloved country are
not hid from his notice ; his all seeing eye sees
and knows the secrets of all hearts; the angels
that kept not their first estate but left their own
habitations, he hath reserved in everlasting chains
unto the great day.
My mind, after the emancipation in the West
Indies, was bent upon going to Jamaica. A field
of usefulness seemed spread out before me.
While I was thinking about it, the Rev. Mr. In-
graham, who had spent seven years there, ar-
rived in the city. He lectured in the city at the
Marlboro' Chapel, on the results arising from the
emancipation at the British Islands. He knew
much about them, he had a station at a moun-
tain near Kingston, and was very desirous to have
persons go there to labor. He wished some one
to go with him to his station. He called on
me with the Rev. Mr. William Collier, to per-

44
NARRATIVE OF
suade me to go. I told him it was my intention
to go if I could make myself useful, but that I
was sensible that I was very limited in education.
He told me that the moral condition of the peo-
ple was very bad, and needed labor aside from
any thing else.
I left America, November 16th, 1840, in the
ship Scion, Captain Mansfield, bound for Jamaica,
freighted with ice and machinery for the silk fac-
tory. There were on board a number of handi-
craftsmen and other passengers. We sailed on
Monday afternoon, from Charlestown, Massachu-
setts. It rained continually until Saturday. Sun-
day, the 231, was a fine day. Mr. De Grass, a
young colored clergyman, was invited to perform
divine service, which he did with much propriety.
He spoke of the dangers we had escaped and the
importance of being prepared to meet our God,
(he died of fever about three weeks after arriv-
ing at Jamaica,) some who were able to attend
came on deck, and listened to him with respect,
while others seemed to look on in derision ; these
spent the afternoon and evening in card-playing.
Monday were in great peril; the storm continued
until Friday, the 27th. On that day a sail was
seen at some distance making towards us, the
captain judging her to be a piratical vessel, or-

MRS. PRINCE.
45
dered the women and children below, and the
men to prepare for action. The pirates were
not inclined to hazard an engagement; when
they saw the deck filled with armed men they
left us. Thus were we preserved from the storm
and from the enemy. Sabbath, 29th, divine ser-
vice, our attention was directed to the goodness
of God, in sparing us.
Monday, and we mortals are still alive. Tues-
day, thus far the Lord has led us on Wednes-
day, thus far his power prolongs our days.
Thursday, December 3d, to-day made 'Turks
Island. Friday, this day had a view of Hayti,
its lofty mountains presented a sublime prospect.
Saturday, we had a glance at Cuba. Sunday,
December 6th, at six o'clock in the evening,
dropped anchor at St. Ann Harbor, Jamaica.
We blessed the Lord for his goodness in sparing
us to see the place of our destination ; and here
I will mention my object in visiting Jamaica. I
hoped that I might aid, in some small degree, to
raise up and encourage the emancipated inhabi-
tants, and teach the young children to read and
work, to fear God, and put their trust in the
Saviour. Mr. Whilmarsh and his friend came on
board and welcomed us. On Tuesday we went
on shore to see the place and the people; my in-
tention had been to go directly to Kingston, but
4*

46
NARRATIVE OF
the people urged me to stay with them, and I
thought it my duty to comply, and wrote to Mr.
Ingraham to that effect. I went first to see the
minister, Mr. Abbott; I thought as he was out, I
had better wait his return. The people promised
to pay me for my services, or send me to King-
ston. When Mr. Abbott returned he made me
an offer, which I readily accepted. As I lodged
in the house of one of the class-leaders I attended
her class a few times, and when I learned the
method, I stopped. She then commenced her
authority and gave me to understand if I did not
comply I should not have any pay from that so-
ciety. I spoke to her of the necessity of being
born of the spirit of God before we become mem-
bers of the church of Christ, and told her I was
sorry to see the people blinded in such a way.
She was very angry with me and soon accom-
plished her end by complaining of me to the min-
ister; and I soon found I was to be dismissed,
unless I would yield obedience to this class-lead-
er. I told the minister that I did not come there
to be guided by a poor foolish woman. He then
told me that I had spoken something about the
necessity of moral conduct in church members.
I told him I had, and in my opinion, I was sorry
to see it so much neglected. He replied, that he
hoped I would not express myself so except to

MRS. PRINCE.
47
him; they have the gospel, he continued, and
let them into the church. I do not approve of
women societies; they destroy the world's con-
vention; the American women have too many of
them. I talked with him an hour. He paid me
for the time I had been there. I continued with
the same opinion, that something must be done
for the elevation of the children, and it is for that
I labor. I am sorry to say the meeting house is
more like a play house than a place of worship.
The pulpit stands about the middle of the build-
ing, behind are about six hundred children that
belong to the society; there they are placed for
Sabbath School, and there they remain until ser-
vice is over, playing most of the time. The
house is crowded with the aged and the young,
the greater part of them barefooted. Some have
on bonnets, but most of the women wear straw
hats such as our countrymen wear.
I gave several Bibles away, not knowing that
I was hurting the minister's sale, the people buy
them of him at a great advance. I gave up my
school at St. Ann, the 18th of March. I took the
fever and was obliged to remain until the 7th of
April. The people of St. Ann fulfilled their
promise which they made to induce me to stop
with them. On the 11th of April I arrived at
Kingston, and was conducted to the Mico Institu-

48
NARRATIVE OF
tion, where Mr. Ingraham directed me to find
him ; he had lost his pulpit and his school, but
Mr. Venning, the teacher, kindly received me.
I remained there longer than I expected; the
next morning he kindly sent one of the young
men with me to the packet for my baggage. I
then called on the American Consul, he told me
he was very glad to see me for such a purpose
as I had in view in visiting Jamaica, but he said
it was a folly for the Americans to come to the
island to better their condition; he said they
came to him every day praying him to send them
home.
He likewise mentioned to me the great mortal-
ity among the emigrants. The same day I saw
the Rev. J. S. Beadslee, one of our missionaries,
who wished me to accompany him forty miles
into the interior of the country.
On May the 18th, I attended the Baptist Mis-
sionary meeting, in Queen Street Chapel ; the
house was crowded. Several ministers spoke of
the importance of sending the gospel to Africa;
they complimented the congregation on their lib-
erality the last year, having given one hundred
pounds sterling; they hoped this year they would
give five hundred pounds, as there were five
thousand members at the present time. There
was but one colored minister on the platform. It

MRS. PRINCE.
49
is generally the policy of these missionaries to
have the sanction of colored ministers, to all their
assessments and taxes. The colored people give
more readily, and are less suspicious of imposi-
tion, if one from themselves recommends the
measure ; this the missionaries understand very
well, and know how to take advantage of it.
On the 22d and 23d of June, the colored Bap-
tists held their missionary meeting, the number
of ministers, colored and mulattoes, was 18, the
colored magistrates were present. The resolu-
tions that were offered were unanimously accept-
ed, and every thing was done in love and har-
mony. After taking up a contribution, they con-
cluded with song and prayer, and returned home
saying jocosely, “they would turn macroon
hunters.”
Mack is the name of a small coin in circula-
tion at Jamaica. I called, on my return, at the
market, and counted the different stalls. For
vegetables and poultry 196, all numbered and
under cover; beside 70 on the ground ; these
are all attended by colored women. The market
is conveniently arranged, as they can close the
gates and leave all safe. There are nineteen
stalls for fresh fish, eighteen for pork, thirty for
beef, eighteen for turtle. These are all regular
built markets, and are kept by colored men and

50
NARRATIVE OF
women. These are all in one place. Others
also may be found, as with us, all over the city.
Thus it may be hoped they are not the stupid set
of beings they have been called; here surely we
see industry; they are enterprising and quick in
their perceptions, determined to possess them-
selves, and to possess property besides, and quite
able to take care of themselves. They wished
to know why I was so inquisitive about them. I
told them we had heard in America that you are
lazy, and that emancipation has been of no bene-
fit to you ; I wish to inform myself of the truth
respecting you, and give a true account on my
return. Am I right? More than two hundred
people were around me listening to what I said.
They thanked me heartily. I gave them some
tracts, and told them if it so pleased God I would
come back to them and bring them some more
books, and try what could be done with some of
the poor children to make them better. I then
left them, and went to the East Market, where
there are many of all nations. The Jews and
Spanish looked at me very black. The colored
people gathered around me. I gave them little
books and tracts, and told them I hoped to see
them again.
There are in this street upwards of a thousand
young women and children, living in sin of every

MRS. PRINCE
51
kind. From thence I went to the jail, where
there were seventeen men, but no women. There
were in the House of Correction three hundred
culprits; they are taken from there, to work on
plantations. I went to the Admiral's house,
where the emigrants find a shelter until they can
find employment, then they work and pay for
their passage. Many leave their homes and come
to Jamaica under the impression that they are to
have their passage free, and on reaching the
island are to be found, until they can provide for
themselves.
How the mistake originated, I am not able to
say, but on arriving here, strangers poor and un-
acclimated, find the debt for passage money hard
and unexpected. It is remarkable that whether
fresh from Africa, or from other islands, from the
South or from New England, they all feel de-
ceived on this point. I called on many Ameri-
cans and found them poor and discontented, -
rueing the day they left their country, where,
notwithstanding many obstacles, their parents
lived and died,-a country they helped to conquer
with their toil and blood; now shall their children
stray abroad and starve in foreign lands.
There is in Jamaica an institution, established
in 1836, called the Mico Institution. It is named
after its founder, Madame Mico, who left a large

NARRATIVE OF
sum of money to purchase, (or rather to ransom,
the one being a Christian act, the other a sin
against the Holy Ghost, who expressly forbids
such traffic.) Madame Mico left this money to
ransom the English who were in bondage to the
Algerines; if there was any left, it was to be
devoted to the instruction of the colored people in
the British Isles.
Beside the Mico establishment, there are in
Jamaica twenty-seven church missionary schools,
where children are taught gratis. Whole num-
ber taught, 952. London Missionary Society
Schools, sixteen; the number taught not ascer-
tained. National Schools, thirty-eight. There
are also the Wesleyan, Presbyterian and Mora-
vian Schools ; it is supposed there are private
schools, where three or four thousand are edu-
cated in the city of Kingston, and twice the num-
ber in the street without the means of instruction.
All the children and adults taught in the above
named schools, are taxed £1 a year, except the
English Church School, this is the most liberal.
The Rev. Mr. Horton, a Baptist minister in Kings-
ton, told me he had sent ninety children away
from the Baptist school because they did not
bring their money. It is sufficient to say they
had it not to bring !
Most of the people of Jamaica are emancipated

MRS. PRINCE.
53
slaves, many of them are old, worn out and de-
graded. Those who are able to work, have yet
many obstacles to contend with, and very little to
encourage them; every advantage is taken of
their ignorance ; the same spirit of cruelty is op-
posed to them that held them for centuries in bond-
age; even religious teaching is bartered for their
hard earnings, while they are allowed but thirty-
three cents a day, and are told if they will not
work for that they shall not work at all; an ex-
traordinary price is asked of them for every thing
they may wish to purchase, even the Bibles are
sold to them at a large advance on the first pur-
chase. Where are their apologists, if they are
found wanting in the strict morals that Christians
ought to practice? Who kindly says, forgive
them when they err. “ Forgive them, this is the
bitter fruit of slavery.” Who has integrity suffi-
cient to hold the balance when these poor people
are to be weighed? Yet their present state is
blissful, compared with slavery.
Many of the farmers bring their produce twen-
ty or thirty miles. Some have horses or ponys,
but most of them bring their burdens on their
head. As I returned from St. Andrew's Moun-
tain, where I had been sent for by a Mr. Rose, I
was overtaken by a respectable looking man on
horseback; we rode about ten miles in company.

54
NARRATIVE OF
The story he told me of the wrongs he and his
wife had endured while in slavery, are too horrible
to narrate. My heart sickens when I think of it.
He asked me many questions, such as where I
came from? why I came to that Isle ? where
had I lived, &c. I told him I was sent for by
one of the missionaries to help him in his school.
Indeed, said he, our color need the instruction.
I asked him why the colored people did not hire
for themselves? We would be very glad to, he
replied, but our money is taken from us so fast
we cannot. Sometimes they say we must all
bring 11.; to raise this, we have to sell at a loss
or to borrow, so that we have nothing left for
ourselves; the Macroon hunters take all-this is
a nickname they give the missionaries and the
class-leaders-a cutting sarcasm this !
Arrived at a tavern, about a mile from Kings-
ton, I bade the man adieu, and stopped for my
guide. The inn-keeper kindly invited me in;
he asked me several questions, and I asked him
as many. How do the people get along, said I,
since the emancipation ? The negroes, he re-
plied, will have the island in spite of the —
Do not you see how they live, and how much
they can bear? We cannot do so. This man
was an Englishman, with a large family of mu-
latto children. I returned with my mind fully

MRS. PRINCE
55
made up what to do. Spent three weeks at the
Mico establishment, and three with my colored
friends from America. We thought something
ought to be done for the poor girls that were des-
titute; they consulted with their friends, called a
meeting, and formed a society of forty ; each
agreed to pay three dollars a year and collect,
and provide a house, while I came back to Ameri-
ica to raise the money for all needful articles for
the school. Here I met Mr. Ingraham for the
first time; he had come from the mountains, and
his health had rapidly declined. Wishing to get
his family home before the Lord took him away,
he embarked for Baltimore in the Orb, and I sailed
for Philadelphia, July 20th, 1841, twenty-one
days from Jamaica, in good health. I found
there, Fitz W. Sargent's family, from Gloucester,
who I lived with when a little girl ; they received
me very kindly, and gave donations of books and
money for that object.
I met the Anti Slavery Society at Mrs. Lucretia
Motts, who took great interest in the cause. I vis-
ited among the friends, and spent my time very
pleasantly. August 5th, I started for New York ;
arrived safely, and staid with an old friend; as-
certained that Mr. Ingraham's family were at
Newark, at Theodore Wells'. He died four days
after his arrival. I was invited to Mrs. Ingra-

56
NARRATIVE OF
ham's, (his cousin's widow) to spend a week.
There I met with much encouragement to labor
in the cause. Missionaries were coming and go-
ing, and all seemed to be interested in my object.
Saturday evening I went to the bath room, where
I left my neck ribbon: returning after it, I had
the misfortune to fall through an open trap door,
down fifteen feet, on hard coal. I had no light
with me. I dislocated my left shoulder, and
was generally very much bruised ; my screams
brought the girl to my assistance, and by the help
of God she brought me out of the cellar; it was
some time before a surgeon could be procured ; at
last Dr. Josselyn came to my relief, and set my
shoulder. I was obliged to remain at Mrs. Ingra-
ham's three weeks; as soon as I was able, I left
there for Boston. I intended to have gone by
the western boat, but by mistake got on board
Captain Comstock's, and was exposed on deck all
night in a damp east wind, and when I arrived at
the landing I could not assist myself; a sailor,
who saw and pitied my situation, kindly took care
of me and my baggage, and, on my arrival in
Boston, procured a carriage for me. If it had
not been for his kindness, I know not how I should
have got along.
As soon as I was able, I commenced my task
of collecting funds for my Free Labor School in

MRS. PRINCE.
57
Jamaica. I collected in Boston and vicinity, in
New York and Philadelphia, but not sufficient to
make up the required sum, and I was obliged to
take fifty dollars from my own purse, thinking
that when I returned to Jamaica, they would re-
fund the money to me. April 15th, embarked
on board the brig Norma, of New York, for Ja-
maica. I arrived at Kingston May 6th, and found
every thing different from what it was when I left;
the people were in a state of agitation, several
were hanged, and the insurrection was so great
that it was found necessary to increase the army
to quell it. Several had been hanged. On the
very day I arrived a man was hanged for shooting
a man as he passed through the street. Such was
the state of things that it was not safe to be there.
A few young people met to celebrate their free-
dom on an open plain, where they hold their mar-
ket; their former masters and mistresses, envious
of their happiness, conspired against them, and
thought to put them down by violence. This only
served to increase their numbers; but the oppres-
sors were powerful, and succeeded in accom-
plishing their revenge, although many of them
were relations. There was a rule among the
slave holders, to take care of the children they
have by their slaves; they select them out and
place them in asylums. Those who lived with
5*

58
NARRATIVE OF
their white fathers were allowed great power over
their slave mothers and her slave children; my
heart was often grieved to see their conduct to
their poor old grand parents. Those over twenty-
one were freed in 1834, all under twenty-one were
to serve their masters till twenty-one. It is well
known that at that time, the children, alike with
others, received twenty-five dollars a head for
their relatives. Were I to tell all my eyes have
seen among that people, it would not be credited.
It is well known that those that were freed, know-
ing their children were still in bondage, were not
satisfied. In the year 1838, general freedom
throughout the British Islands gave the death blow
to the power of the master, and mothers received
with joy their emancipated children; they no
longer looked the picture of despair, fearing to
see their mulatto son or daughter beating or abu-
sing their younger brothers and sisters of a darker
skin. On this occasion there was an outrage com-
mitted by those who were in power. What little
the poor colored people had gathered during their
four years of freedom, was destroyed by violence;
their fences were broken down, and their horses
and hogs taken from them. Most of the mulat-
toes and masters are educated, many of them are
very poor, some are very rich; the property is
left to the oldest daughter, she divides it with her

MRS. PRINCE.
59
brothers and sisters; since slavery ended many
of them have married ; those who are poor, and
mean to live in sin, make for New Orleans and
other slave States ; many of the planters left the
island when slavery was abolished. In June, 1841,
a number of people arrived from Sierra Leone at
Jamaica ; these were Maroons who were banished
from the island. They were some of the original
natives who inhabited the mountains, and were
determined to destroy the whites. These Maroons
would secrete themselves in trees, and arrest the
whites as they passed along; they would pretend
to guide them, when they would beat and abuse
them as the whites did their slaves; the English,
finding themselves defeated in all their plans to
subdue them, proposed to take them by craft.
They made a feast in a large tavern in Kingston,
and invited them to come. After they had eaten,
they were invited on board three ships of war that
were all ready to set sail for Sierra Leone; many
of them were infants in their mother's arms,
they were well taken care of by the English and
instructed ; they were removed about the year
1796—they are bright and intelligent; I saw and
conversed with them ; when they heard of the
abolition of slavery, they sent a petition to Queen
Victoria that they might return to Jamaica, which
was granted. Several of them were very old

60
NARRATIVE OF
when they returned ; they were men and women
when they left the island, they had not forgot the
injuries they had received from the hands of man,
nor the mercies of God to them, nor his judg-
ments to their enemies. Their numbers were few,
but their power was great; they say the island,
of right, belongs to them. Had there been a ves-
sel in readiness, I should have come back imme-
diately, it seemed useless to attempt to establish a
Manual Labor School, as the government was so
unsettled that I could not be protected. Some of
my former friends were gone as teachers to Africa,
and some to other parts of the island. I called
on the American Consul to consult with him, he
ed, yet every thing seemed so unsettled that I
had no courage to proceed. I told him there was
so much excitement that I wished to leave the
island as soon as he could find me a passage, it
seemed useless to spend my time there. As soon
as it was known that I intended to return, a move-
ment was made to induce me to remain. I was
persuaded to try the experiment for three months,
not thinking their motive was bad. Before I left
the United States, I got all that was needed, with-
in fifty dollars. The fifty dollars I got from my
own purse, expecting they would pay me. It cost
me ten dollars for freight, and twenty-five for pas-

MRS. PRINCE.
61
sage money ; these people that I had hoped to
serve, were much taken up with the things I had
brought, they thought that I had money, and I
was continually surrounded; the thought of color
was no where exhibited, much notice was taken
of me. I was invited to breakfast in one place,
and to dine in another, &c. A society was or-
ganized, made up of men and women of authority.
A constitution was drafted by my consent, by
those who were appointed to meet at my rooms.
Between the time of the adjournment they altered
it to suit themselves. At the time appointed we
came together with a spirit apparently becoming
any body of Christians; most of them were mem-
bers of Christian churches. The meeting was
opened with reading the Scriptures and prayer.
Then said the leader, since our dear sister has left
her native land and her friends to come to us, we
welcome her with our hearts and hands. She will
dwell among us, and we will take care of her-
Brethren think of it! after which he sat down, and
the constitution was called for. The Preamble
held out all the flattery that a fool could desire;
after which they commenced the articles, suppo-
sing that they could do as they thought best. The
fourth article unveiled their design. As we have
designed to take care of our sister, we the under-
signed will take charge of all she has brought ;

NARRATIVE OF
the vote was called, every person rose in a mo-
ment except myself: every eye was upon mei
one asked me why I did not vote, I made no an-
swer—they put the vote again and again, I re-
mained seated. Well, said the President, we can
do nothing without her vote; they remained some
time silent, and then broke up the meeting. The
next day the deacon called to see what the state
of my mind was, and some of the women pro-
posed that we should have another meeting. I
told them no, I should do no more for them. As
soon as they found they could not get the things
in the way they intended, they started to plunder
me; but I detected their design, and was on my
guard. I disposed of the articles, and made ready
to leave when an opportunity presented. A more
skilful plan than this, Satan never designed, but the
power of God was above it. It is not surprising
that this people are full of deceit and lies, this is
the fruits of slavery, it makes master and slaves
knaves. It is the rule where slavery exists to
swell the churches with numbers, and hold out
such doctrines as, obedience to tyrants, is a duty
to God. I went with a Baptist woman to the house
of a minister of the Church of England, to have
her grandchild christened before it died ; she told
me if she did not have it christened, it would rise
up in judgment against her. This poor deluded

MRS. PRINCE
63
creature was a class leader in the Baptist Church,
and such is the condition of most of the people :
they seemed blinded to every thing but money.
They are great for trade, and are united in their
determination for procuring property, of which
they have amassed a vast amount. Notwithstand-
ing I had made over various articles to one of the
American missionaries, a Mr. J.S.O. Beadslee, of
Clarendon Mountains, I also gave to others, where
they were needed, which receipts and letters I
have in my possession. Notwithstanding all this,
they made another attempt to rob me, and as a pas-
sage could not be obtained for me to return home,
I was obliged to go to the Mico establishment again
for safety, such was the outrage. Houses were
broken open and robbed every night. I came
very near being shot: there was a certain place
where we placed ourselves the first of the even-
ing. A friend came to bring us some refresh-
ments, I had just left the window when a gun was
fired through it, by one that often sat with us ;
this was common in the time of slavery. Pre-
vious to vessels arriving, passages were engaged.
I disposed of my articles and furniture at a very
small profit. On the 1st of August, Capt. A. Mi-
ner arrived, and advertised for passengers. The
American Consul procured me a passage, and on

64
NARRATIVE OF
the 18th of August, myself and nine other pas-
sengers embarked for New York.
Before giving an account of the voyage from
Jamaica, it may prove interesting to some rea-
ders, to have a brief description of the country.
With her liberty secured to her, may she now
rise in prosperity, morality, and religion, and be-
come a happy people, whose God is the Lord.
WEST INDIES.
A denomination under which is comprehended
a large chain of islands, extending in a curve
from the Florida shore on the northern peninsula
of America, to the Gulf of Venezuela on the
southern. These islands belong to five European
powers, viz: Great Britain, Spain, France, Hol-
land, and Denmark. An inhabitant of New
England can form no idea of the climate and
the productions of these islands. Many of the
particulars that are here mentioned, are peculiar
to them all.
The climate in all the West India Islands is
nearly the same, allowing for those accidental
differences which the several situations and quali-
ties of the lands themselves produce; as they lie
within the tropic of Cancer, and the sun is often
almost at the meridian over their heads, they are
continually subjected to a heat that would be

MRS. PRINCE
65
intolerable but for the trade winds, which are so
refreshing as to enable the inhabitants to attend
to their various occupations, even under a noon-
day sun; as the night advances, a breeze begins
to be perceived, which blows smartly from the
land, as it were from the centre towards the sea,
to all points of the compass at once. The rains
make the only distinction of seasons on these
islands. The trees are green the year round;
they have no cold or frost; our heaviest rains are
but dews comparatively; with them floods of
water are poured from the clouds. About May,
the periodical rains from the South may be
expected. Then the tropical summer, in all its
splendor, makes its appearance. The nights are
calm and serene, the moon shines more brightly
than in New England, as do the planets and the
beautiful galaxy. From the middle of August to
the end of September the heat is most oppressive,
the sea breeze is interrupted, and calms warn the
inhabitants of the periodical rains, which fall in
torrents about the first of October.
The most considerable and valuable of the
British West India Islands, lies between the 75th
and the 79th degrees of west longitude from
London, and between 17 and 18 north latitude ;
it is of an oval figure, 150 miles long from east
to west, and sixty miles broad in the middle,

66
NARRATIVE OF
containing 4,080,000 acres. An elevated ridge,
called the Blue Mountains, runs lengthwise
from east to west, whence numerous rivers
take their rise on both sides. The year is divi-
ded into two seasons, wet and dry. The months
of July, August, and September, are called the
hurricane months. The best houses are gene-
rally built low, on account of the hurricanes and
earthquakes. However pleasant the sun may
rise, in a moment the scene may be changed ; a
violent storm will suddenly arise, attended with
thunder and lightning ; the rain falls in torrents,
and the seas and rivers rise with terrible destruc-
tion. I witnessed this awful scene in June last,
at Kingston, the capital of Jamaica; the founda-
tions of many houses were destroyed; the waters,
as they rushed from the mountains, brought with
them the produce of the earth, large branches
of trees, together with their fruit; many persons
were drowned, endeavoring to reach their homes ;
those who succeeded, were often obliged to travel
many miles out of their usual way. Many young
children, without a parent's care, were at this
time destroyed. A poor old woman, speaking
of these calamities to me, thus expressed
herself: 5 Not so bad now as in the time of
slavery; then God spoke very loud to Bucker,
(the white people,) to let us go. Thank God,

MRS. PRINCE.
67
.
ever since that they give us up, we go pray, and
we have it not so bad like as before." I would
recommend this poor woman's remark to the fair
sons and daughters of America, the land of the
pilgrims.“ Then God spoke very loud.” May
these words be engraved on the post of every
door in this land of New England. God speaks
very loud, and while his judgments are on the
earth, may the inhabitants learn righteousness !
The mountains that intersect this island, seem
composed of rocks, thrown up by frequent earth-
quakes or volcanoes. These rocks, though hay-
ing little soil, are adorned with a great variety
of beautiful trees, growing from the fissues,
which are nourished by frequent rains, and
flourish in perpetual spring. From these moun-
tains flow a vast number of small rivers of pure
water, which sometimes fall in cataracts, from
stupendous heights; these, with the brilliant ver-
dure of the trees, form a most delightful land-
scape. Ridges of smaller mountains are on each
side of this great chain ; on these, coffee grows
in great abundance; the valleys or plains between
these ridges, are level beyond what is usually
found in similar situations. The highest land in
the island is Blue Mountain Peak, 7150 feet above
the sea. The most extensive plain is thirty miles
long and five broad. Black River, in the Parish

68
NARRATIVE OF
of St. Elizabeth, is the only one navigable; flat-
boats bring down produce from plantations about
thirty miles up the river. Along the coast, and
on the plains, the weather is very hot; but in the
mountains the air is pure and wholesome; the
longest days in summer are about thirteen hours,
and the shortest in winter about eleven. In the
plains are found several salt fountains, and in the
mountains, not far from Spanish Town, is a hot
bath of great medicinal virtues; this gives relief
in the complaint called the dry-bowels malady,
which, excepting the bilious and yellow fevers, is
one of the most terrible distempers of Jamaica.
The general produce of this island is sugar, rum,
molasses, ginger, cotton, indigo, pimento, cocoa,
coffees, several kinds of woods, and medicinal
drugs. Fruits are in great plenty, as oranges,
lemons, shaddoks, citrons, pomegranates, pine-
apples, melons, pompions, guayas, and many
others. Here are trees whose wood, when dry,
is incorruptible; here is found the wild cinnamon
tree, the mahogany, the cabbage, the palm,
yielding an oil much esteemed for food and
medicine. Here, too, is the soap tree, whose
berries are useful in washing. The plantain is
produced in Jamaica in abundance, and is one
the most agreeable and nutritious vegetables
in the world : it grows about four feet in height,

MRS. PRINCE
69
and the fruit grows in clusters, which is filled
with a luscious sweet pulp. The Banana is very
similar to the plantain, but not so sweet. The
whole island is divided into three counties, Mid-
dlesex, Surry, and Cornwall, and these into six
towns, twenty parishes, and twenty-seven villages.
This island was originally part of the Spanish
Empire in America, but it was taken by the
English in 1656. Cromwell had fitted out a
squadron under Penn and Venables, to reduce
the Spanish Island of Hispaniola ; but there this
squadron was unsuccessful, and the commanders,
of their own accord, to atone for this misfortune,
made a descent on Jamaica, and having arrived
at St. Jago, soon compelled the whole island to
surrender.
Ever since, it has been subject to the English;
and the government, next to that of Ireland, is
the richest in the disposal of the crown. Port
Royal was formerly the capital of Jamaica ; it
stood upon the point of a narrow neck of land,
which, towards the sea, forms part of the border
of a very fine harbor of its own name. The con-
veniences of this harbor, which was fcapable
of containing a thousand sail of large ships, and
of such depth as to allow them to load and unload
with the greatest ease, weighed so much with the
inhabitants, that they chose to build their capital
6*

NARRATIVE OF
on this spot, although the place was a hot, dry
sand, and produced none of the necessaries of
life, not even fresh water. About the beginning
of the year 1692, no place for its size could be
compared to this town for trade, wealth, and an
entire corruption of manners. In the month of
June in this year, an earthquake which shook
the whole island to the foundation, totally over-
whelmed this city, so as to leave, in one quarter,
not even the smallest vestige remaining. In two
minutes the earth opened and swallowed up nine-
tenths of the houses, and two thousand people.
The waters gushed out from the openings of the
earth,and the people lay as it were in heaps : some
of them had the good fortune to catch hold
of beams and rafters of houses, and were after-
wards saved by boats. Several ships were cast
away in the harbor, and the Swan Frigate, which
lay in the Dock, was carried over the tops of
sinking houses, and did not overset, but afforded
a retreat to some hundreds of people, who saved
town at that time, says the earth opened and shut
very quick in some places, and he saw several
people sink down to the middle, and others ap-
peared with their heads just above ground, and
were choked to death. At Savannah above a
thousand acres were sunk, with the houses and

MRS. PRINCE
71
people in them, the place appearing, for some
time, like a lake ; this was afterwards dried up,
but no houses were seen. In some parts moun-
tains were split, and at one place a plantation
was removed to the distance of a mile. The
inhabitants again rebuilt the city, but it was a
second time, ten years after, destroyed by a great
fire. The extraordinary convenience of the har-
bor tempted them to build it once more, and in
1722 it was laid in ruins by a hurricane, the
most terrible on record.
Such repeated calamities seemed to mark out
this spot as a devoted place; the inhabitants,
therefere, resolved to forsake it forever, and to
reside at the opposite bay, where they built
Kingston, which is now the capital of the island.
In going up to Kingston, we pass over a part
of and between Port Royal, leaving the moun-
tains on the left, and a small town on the right.
There are many handsome houses built there, one
story high, with particos, and every convenience
for those who inhabit them. Not far from King-
ston stands Spanish Town, which, though at
present far inferior to Kingston, was once the
capital of Jamaica, and is still the seat of gov-
ernment.
On the 3d of October, 1780, there was a
dreadful hurricane, which overwhelmed the little

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NARRATIVE OF
seaport town of Savannah, in Jamaica, and part
of the adjacent country ; very few houses were
left standing, and a great number of lives were
lost; much damage was done also, and many
lives lost, in other parts of the island.
In January, 1823, a society was formed in
London for mitigating and gradually abolishing
slavery, throughout the British dominions, called
the Anti-Slavery Society. His Royal Highness,
the Duke of Gloucester, was President of the
Society ; in the list of Vice Presidents are the
names of many of the most distinguished phi-
lanthropists of the day, and among them that
of the never to be forgotton Mr. Wilberforce; as
a bold champion, we see him going forward,
pleading the cause of our down-trodden brethren.
In the year 1834, it pleased God to break the
chains from 800,000 human beings, that had
been held in a state of personal slavery; and
this great event was effected through the instru-
mentality of Clarkson, Wilberforce, and other
philanthropists of the day.
The population of Jamaica is nearly 400,000 ;
that of Kingston, the capital, 40,000. There are
many places of worship of various denomina-
tions, namely, Church of England, and of Scot-
land, Wesleyan, the Baptist, and Roman Cath-
olics, besides a Jewish Synagogue. These all

MRS. PRINCE
73
cred can
differ from what I have seen in New England,
and from those I have seen elsewhere. The
Baptist hold what they call class-meetings. They
have men and women deacons and deaconesses
in these churches; these hold separate class-
meetings; some of these can read, and some
cannot. Such are the persons who hold the
office of judges, and go round and urge the
people to come to the class, and after they come
in twice or three times, they are considered can-
didates for baptism. Some pay fifty cents, and
some more, for being baptized; they receive a
ticket as a passport into the church, paying one
mark a quarter, or more, and some less, but
nothing short of ten pence, that is, two English
shillings a year. They must attend their class
once a week, and pay three pence a week, total
twelve English shillings a year, besides the sums
they pay once a month at communion, after
service in the morning. On those occasions the
minister retires, and the deacons examine the
people, to ascertain if each one has brought a
ticket; if not, they cannot commune; after this
the minister returns, and performs the ceremony,
then they give their money and depart. The
churches are very large, holding from four to six
thousand ; many bring wood and other presents
to their class-leader, as a token of their attach-

74
NARRATIVE OF
ment; where there are so many communicants,
these presents, and the money exacted, greatly
enrich these establishments. Communicants are
so ignorant of the ordinance, that they join the
church merely to have a decent burial; for if
they are not members, none will follow them to
the grave, and no prayers will be said over them ;
these are borne through the streets by four men,
the coffin a rough box; not so if they are church
members; as soon as the news is spread that one
is dying, all the class, with their leader, will
assemble at the place, and join in singing hymns;
this, they say, is to help the spirit up to glory ;
this exercise sometimes continues all night, in so
loud a strain, that it is seldom that any of the
people in the neighborhood are lost in sleep.
After leaving Jamaica, the vessel was tacked
to a south-west course. I asked the Captain
what this meant. He said he must take the cur-
rent as there was no wind. Without any cere-
mony, I told him it was not the case, and told the
passengers that he had deceived us. There
were two English men that were born on the
island, that had never been on the water. Before
the third day passed, they asked the Captain
why they had not seen Hayti. He told them
they passed when they were asleep. I told them
it was not true, he was steering south south-west.

MRS. PRINCE.
75
The passengers in the steerage got alarmed, and
everyone was asking the Captain what this
meant. The ninth day we made land. “By
-," said the Captain, “this is Key West ;
come, passengers, let us have a vote to run over
the neck, and I will go ashore and bring aboard
fruit and turtle.” They all agreed but myself.
He soon dropped anchor. The officers from the
shore came on board and congratulated him on
keeping his appointment, thus proving that my
suspicions were well founded. The Captain went
ashore with these men, and soon came back,
called for the passengers, and asked for their
vote for him to remain until the next day, saying
that he could by this delay, make five or six
hundred dollars, as there had been a vessel
wrecked there lately. They all agreed but
myself. The vessel was soon at the side of the
wharf. In an hour there were twenty slaves at
work to unload her; every inducement was made
to persuade me to go ashore, or set my feet on
the wharf. A law had just been passed there that
every free colored person coming there, should
were five colored persons on board ; none dared
to go ashore, however uncomfortable we might
be in the vessel, or however we might desire to
refresh ourselves by a change of scene. We
remained at Key West four days.

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NARRATIVE OF
September 3d, we set sail for New York, at 3
o'clock in the afternoon. At 10 o'clock a gale
took us, that continued thirty-six hours; my
state-room was filled with water, and my baggage
all upset; a woman, with her little boy, and
myself, were seated on a trunk thirty-six hours,
with our feet pressed against a barrel to prevent
falling; the water pouring over us at every brea-
ker. Wednesday, the 9th, the sun shone out so
that the Captain could take an observation. He
found himself in great peril, near the coast of
Texas. All hands were employed in pumping
and bailing. On the eleventh, the New Orleans
steamer came to our assistance; as we passed up
the river, I was made to forget my own condition,
as I looked with pity on the poor slaves, who
were laboring and toiling, on either side, as far
as could be seen with a glass. We soon reached
the dock, and we were there on the old wreck a
spectacle for observation; the whites went on
shore and made themselves comfortable, while
we poor blacks were obliged to remain on that
broken, wet vessel. The people were very busy
about me; one man asked me who I belonged
to, and many other rude questions ; he asked me
where I was born; I told him Newburyport.
6 What were your parents' names ?” I told him
my father's name was Thomas Gardner; his

MRS. PRINCE.
77
countenance changed; said he," I knew him
well ;” and he proved friendly to me. He ap-
peared very kind, and offered to arrange my
affairs so that I might return to New York
through the States. I thought it best to decline
his proposal, knowing my spirit would not suffer
me to pass on, and see my fellow-creatures suffer-
ing without a rebuke. We remained four days
on the wreck; the boxes that contained the sugar
were taken out; the two bottom tiers were washed
out clean. There were a great many people that
came to see the vessel ; they were astonished that
she did not sink; they watched me very closely.
I asked them what they wished. In the mean
time, there came along a drove of colored people,
fettered together in pairs by the wrist; some had
weights, with long chains at their ankles, men and
women, young and old. I asked them what that
meant. They were all ready to answer. Said
they," these negroes have been impudent, and
have stolen ; some of them are free negroes from
the northern ships ; " " and what,” I asked “ are
they there for?” “For being on shore, some of
them at night.” I asked them who made them
Lord over God's inheritance. They told me I was
very foolish; they should think I had suffered
enough to think of myself. I looked pretty bad,
it is true; I was seated on a box, but poorly dress-

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NARRATIVE OF
ed; the mate had taken my clothes to a washer-
woman; why he took this care, he was afraid to
send the cook or steward on shore, as they were
colored people. I kept still ; but the other woman
seemed to be in perfect despair, running up and
down the deck, wringing her hands and crying, at
the thought of all her clothes being destroyed;
then her mind dwelt upon other things, and she
seemed as if she were deranged; she took their
attention for a few minutes, as she was white.
Soon the washer-woman came with my clothes;
they spoke to her as if she had been a dog. I
looked at them with as much astonishment as
if I had never heard of such a thing. I
asked them if they believed there was a God.
6. Of course we do,” they replied. “Then why
not obey him ? " 66 We do.” “You do not;
permit me to say there is a God, and a just one,
that will bring you all to account.” “ For what?"
" For suffering these men that have just come in
to be taken out of these vessels, and that awful
sight I see in the streets.” “O that is nothing ;
I should think you would be concerned about
yourself.” “I am sure," I replied, “ the Lord
will take care of me; you cannot harm me.”
66 No; we do not wish to ; we do not want you
here.” Every ship that comes in, the colored
men are dragged to prison. I found it necessary

MRS. PRINCE
to be stern with them; they were very rude; if I
had not been so, I know not what would have been
the consequences. They went off for that day;
the next day some of them came again. “Good
morning," said they ; “ we shall watch you like
the d— until you go away; you must not say
any thing to these negroes whilst you are here.”
" Why, then, do you talk to me, if you do not
want me to say any thing to you? If you will let
me alone, I will you.” “Let me see your pro-
tection,” they replied, “ they say it is under the
Russian government.” I pointed them to the 18th
chapter of Revelations and 15th verse : “ The
merchants of these things which were made rich
by her, shall stand afar off, for the fear of her tor-
ment, weeping and wailing. For strong is the
Lord God who judgeth her.” They made no an-
swer, but asked the Captain how soon he should
get away.
On the 17th, the Captain put eight of us on
board the bark H. W. Tyler, for New York ; we
had about a mile to walk; the Captain was in
honor bound to return us our passage money,
which we had paid him at Jamaica ; he came
without it to see if we were there, and went away
saying he would soon return with it; but we saw
no more of him or our money! Our bark, and a
vessel loaded with slaves, were towed down the

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NARRATIVE OF
river by the same steamer; we dropped anchor at
the bottom of the bay, as a storm was rising. The
18th, on Sabbath, it rained all day. Capt. Tyler
knocked at my door, wishing me to come out; it
rained hard ; the bulwark of the bark was so high
I could not look over it ; he placed something for
me to stand on, that I might see the awful sight,
which was the vessel of slaves laying at the side
of our ship! the deck was full of young men, girls,
and children, bound to Texas for sale! Monday,
the 19th, Capt. Tyler demanded of us to pay him
for our passage. I had but ten dollars, and was
determined not to give it; he was very severe with
all. I told him there were articles enough to pay
him belonging to me. Those who had nothing, were
obliged to go back in the steamer. Tuesday, the
20th, we set sail ; the storm was not over. The
22d the gale took us; we were dismasted, and to
save sinking, sixty casks of molasses were stove
in, and holes cut in the bulwarks to let it off. All
the fowls, pigs, and fresh provisions were lost.
We were carried seventy-five miles up the bay of
Mexico. The Captain was determined not to pay
the steamer for carrying him back to New Orleans,
and made his way the best he could.
The 3d of October we arrived again at Key
West. The Captain got the bark repaired, and
took on board a number of turtles, and a plenty

MRS. PRINCE
81
of brandy. Friday, the 7th, set sail for New York;
the Captain asked me why I did not go ashore
when there in the Comet; “had you,” said he,
46 they intended to beat you. John and Lucy
Davenport, of Salem, laid down the first ten dollars
towards a hundred for that person who should get
you there.” The Florida laws are about the same
as those at New Orelans. He was very talkative :
wished to know if I saw anything of the Creole's
crew while at Jamaica. I told him they were all
safe, a fine set of young men and women; one
dear little girl, that was taken from her mother in
Virginia, I should have taken with me, if I had had
the money. He said his brother owned the Cre-
ole, and some of the slaves were his. “I never
owned any; I have followed the sea all my life,
and can tell every port and town in your State.”
October 19th, 1842, arrived at New York, and
thankful was I to set my feet on land, almost
famished for the want of food ; we lost all of our
provisions ; nothing was left but sailors' beef, and
that was tainted before it was salted. I went at
once to those who professed to be friends, but
found myself mistaken. I hardly knew what was
best. I had put up at Mrs. Rawes’; she did
all she could to raise the twenty-five dollars that I
must pay before I could take my baggage from
the vessel. This seemed hard to obtain ; I travel-

82
NARRATIVE OF
led from one to another for three days; at last I
called at the Second Advent office; Mr. Nath'l
Southard left his business at once, and took me to
Mr. Lewis Tappan, and others; he raised the
money, and went with me to the ship after my
baggage. It was three o'clock on Saturday after-
noon when I called on Mr. Southard ; the vessel
and Captain belonged to Virginia, was all ready
for sea, waiting for a wind; they had ransacked
my things. I took from Jamaica forty dollars'
worth of preserved fruits; part were lost when we
were cast away in the Comet, and some they had
stolen. At 8 o'clock on Saturday evening, I made
out to have my things landed on the wharf; it was
very dark, as it rained hard. My kind friend did
not leave me until they were all safely lodged at
my residence. I boarded there three weeks,
thinking to come home; but it was thought best
for me to wait, and see if Capt. Miner came or
not, hoping that I might recover my loss through
him. I took a room, and went to sewing, and
found the people very kind.
February, 1843, the colored men that went back
to New Orleans, for the want of passage money,
arrived at New York, wearied out. All the white
people remained there. I waited in New York
until the last of July, when I started for Boston.
August 1st, 1843, arrived, poor in health, and

MRS. PRINCE
83
poor in purse, having sacrificed both, hoping to
benefit my fellow creatures. I trust it was accep-
table to God, who in his providence preserved me
in perils by land, and perils by sea.
“God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps on the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
“Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.”
Having lost all, I determined, by the help of
God, to leave the event ; some of my friends in
this city sympathized with me, and others took the
advantage to reproach me. But in the hands of
the Lord there is a cup; the Saviour drank it to
the dregs. They gather themselves together ;
they hide themselves; they mark my steps; they
waited for my soul, but the Lord is my defence,
the Holy one of Israel is my Saviour. I'll trust
him for strength and defence. What things were
gain to me, I counted loss for Christ, for whom I
have suffered all things; and do count them no-
thing, that I may win Christ, and be found in him,
not having mine own righteousness, which is of the
law, but that which is through the faith of Christ,
that which is of God by faith, that I may know

NARRATIVE OF
him, and the power of his resurrection, and the
fellowship of his sufferings, being made conform-
able unto his death, strengthened with all might,
according to his glorious power, unto all patience
and long-suffering, with joyfulness, thinking it not
strange concerning the fiery trials, as though some
strange thing happened ; for saith the apostle, it is
better if the will of God so be that ye suffer for
well doing, than for evil; they think it strange
that ye run not with them to the same excess of
riot, speaking evil of you. If they do these things
in a green tree, what shall be done in a dry !
“I hate to walk, I hate to sit
With men of vanity and lies;
The scoffer and the hypocrite
Are the abhorrence of my eyes.
God knows their impious thoughts are vain,
And they shall feel his power;
His wrath shall pierce their souls with pain,
In some surprising hour.”
The first twenty months after my arrival in the
city, notwithstanding my often infirmities, I labor-
ed with much success, until I hired with and from
those with whom I mostly sympathized, and shared
in common the disadvantages and stigma that is
heaped upon us, in this our professed Christian
land. But my lot was like the man that went
down from Jerusalem, and fell among thieves,

MRS. PRINCE
85
which stripped him of his raiment, and wounding
him, departed, leaving him half dead. What I did
not lose, when cast away, has been taken from
my room where I hired. Three times I had
been broken up in business, embarrassed and
obliged to move, when not able to wait on myself.
This has been my lot. In the midst of my afflic-
tions, sometimes I have thought my case like that
of Paul's, when cast among wild beasts. “Had
not the Lord been on my side, they would have
swallowed me up; but blessed be the Lord who
hath not given me a prey to their teeth.”
In 1848 and '49 the Lord was pleased to lay his
hand upon me. Some of my friends came to my
relief; but the promises of God were neither few
nor small; he knows them that trust and fear him-
No one has greater reason to be grateful than I.
God has preserved me through much suffering the
past winter. I have passed through another furnace
of affliction, and may God's dispensations be sancti-
fied to me. The sufferings of this present life are
not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall
be revealed hereafter. Who shall separate us
from the love of Christ ? Shall tribulation, or dis-
tress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or
peril, or sword ? Nay, in all these things we are
more than conquerors, through him that loved us,
and gave himself for us. Soon he will come ; here

86
NARRATIVE OF
we live by faith ; if any one draw back, my soul
shall have no pleasure in him.
Truly the promises of God are given for our
encouragement; they are yea and amen, in Christ
Jesus; they are a covert from the storm, a shelter
from the heat, a sure retreat for the weary and
way worn traveller.
Many are the trials and temptations to which we
are exposed in this vale of tears, but in heaven
we shall be freed from the bondage of sin. No-
thing can enter there to annoy or molest the re-
deemed ones: the Captain of our salvation was
made perfect through suffering ; he was despised
and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and ac-
quainted with grief; and that he might sanctify the
people with his own blood, suffered without the
gate. Let us go forth, therefore, unto him, bear-
ing his reproach. Here we have no continuing
city nor abiding place.
I have much to be thankful to God for; for the
comforts of this life, and the kind friends who
have so kindly bestowed their favors upon me,
and while they in this life have an abundance,
may they have the presence of God; and when
the King shall come, may they have their lamps
trimmed and burning : then shall he say, " Come
ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the

MRS. PRINCE.
world : for I was an hungered, and ye gave me
meat, I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink, naked,
and ye clothed me, sick, and in prison, and ye
visited me. Then shall the righteous answer, say-
ing: when saw we thee an hungered, and fed
thee, and thirsty, and gave thee drink, naked, and
clothed thee, sick, and in prison, and ministered
unto thee, or a stranger, and took thee in ?” And
the King shall answer and say : “ Inasmuch as
ye have done it unto one of the least of my dis-
ciples, ye have done it unto me. The poorest can
do something for the cause of Christ ; even a cup
of cold water, given with a desire to benefit a fel-
low creature, will be acceptable to God. May the
power of God, and the spirit of Christ rule and
reign in all hearts. He knoweth them that love
and trust in him.
I am a wonder unto many, but the Lord is my
strong refuge, and in him will I trust. I shall fear
no evil, for thou, O Lord, art ever near to shield
and protect thy dependent children. Underneath
him is the everlasting arm of mercy; misfortune
is never mournful for the soul that accepts it, for
such do always see that every cloud is an angel's
face; sorrow connects the soul with the invisible.
age, when the soul has learned that all its sounds
are echoes, all its sights are shadows. But lo! a

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NARRATIVE OF
cloud opens, a face serene and hopeful looks forth
and saith, “Be thou as a little child, and thus
shalt thou become a seraph, and bow thyself in
silent humility and pray, not that afflictions might
not visit, but be willing to be purified through fire,
and accept it meekly."

MRS. PRINCE.
THE HIDING PLACE.
Amid this world's tumultuous noise,
For peace my soul to Jesus flies;
If I've an interest in his grace,
I want no other hiding place.
The world with all its charms is vain,
Its wealth and honors I disdain:
All its extensive aims embrace,
Can ne'er afford a hiding place.
A guilty, sinful heart is mine,
Jesus, unbounded love is thine!
When I behold thy smiling face,
Tis then I see my hiding place.
To save, if once my Lord engage,
The world may laugh, and Satan rage :
My name from God's own hiding place.
I'm in a wilderness below,
Lord, guide me all my journey through,
Plainly let me thy footsteps trace,
Should dangers thick impede my course,
O let my soul sustain no loss;
Help me to run the Christian race,
And enter safe my hiding place.
Then with enlarged powers,
I'll triumph in redeeming love,
Eternal ages will I praise
My Lord for such a hiding place.






June 1984
2004
1853 Prince, Nancy
R
&
Gardener)