Seward House

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Friday, October 24, 1851

Dear Mrss Seward,

By God’s grace, I can finally say I am no longer a fugitive. I have much on my mind and much to attend to today, but I have found a moment to send you a few brief lines. I am writing with the happy news that we arrived last morning in Ontario, with much gratitude for your aid in helping me and my acquaintance in the final leg of our journey through New York. I would be pleased if you pass our profound thanks to your family as well. I will write to you about my journey now as a free man, living as God intended.

I am fortunate to be staying with a lawyer in town who has helped many fugitives before me by offering shelter and helping them locate their families who have crossed prior. He kindly offered to post this letter to you. I anticipate I will not have the chance to write again for many days.

Until then, may God bless you. 

Most obediently,
John

…

Thursday, October 30th, 1851

Dear John,

I received your letter notifying me that you arrived in Canada on Monday. How happy I was to hear this news. I have prayed that you would have no more troubles on the perilous journey through New York. How was the lake crossing? Did you chance to find the port I suggested, or did you have to find another way across? I am certain it was a cold and frightening journey, and I am thanking God that you have made it to the other side. You now stand on the ground of a nation that sees all men as God does: free and equal. I anxiously await word that you have made contact with your family. Please do write if you believe we could help in locating them – Mr. Seward has many connections across the border and a great number of friends.

Fanny is feeling quite well today and asked when we might have guests stay in the old kitchen again. Just yesterday she asked after you and the others as well – I was glad to share your happy news with her. She seemed to enjoy reading to you in the evening and bringing you vegetables from the kitchen upstairs. I was joyed to see her so active during your stay.

I am happy that you were able to move through Auburn safely despite the heightened agitation around the rescue of a man called Jerry from jail in Syracuse. We are all awaiting the news on the trial over which Judge Conkling will preside. I have no great confidence in the Judge and it is said that the prosecution is holding firm. Still, I pray the Judge treats the defendants favorably.

May God protect you today and always.

Respectfully,
Frances

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Thursday, November 20th, 1851

Dear Mrss Seward,

I was happy to receive a letter from you early last week. My work with the lawyer has kept me busy as we continue to search for my family. I am grateful for your continued interest in my cause, and I received your letter with profound joy. Your warm hearth and gentle spirit were a bright moment in the dark and treacherous months of my flight.

Having lived seven years as a free man in New York City, it still troubles me to think I may have been stolen back into slavery with the passing of the Fugitive Slave Act. For the colored population of America, it seems that freedom is still a dream, never to be realized. I cannot understand why a nation built under the grace of God can continue to operate with the Devil’s hand, and not recognize the humanity in the wretched Man upon whose backs and with whose hands this nation was most certainly built. I am very invested in the case of the rescue of the man Jerry from jail. What news of the trial? It is hard for me to imagine that in an abolitionist state like New York they might still deny this man’s right to Freedom. God save Queen Victoria, on whose soil I now stand free and unafraid.
I have many friends who plan to leave New York as it becomes more and more dangerous for the colored man in the north. It is thanks to gentle folks like you that they have a chance at making it to Freedom. I will write again when I have more news of my family. Please keep us in your prayers, and may God bless you.

Most obediently,
John