In publishing this book I hope to do good not only to my own race, but to all who may read it. I am not a book-maker, and make no pretensions to literary attainments; and I have made no efforts to create for myself a place in the literary, book-making ranks. I claim for my book truthfulness and honesty of purpose, and upon that basis it must succeed or fail. The Biography of a Slave is called for by a very large number of my immediate acquaintances, and, I am assured, will meet with such reception as to justify the expense I have incurred in having it printed and bound. To the members of the United Brethren Church, white as well as colored, I look for help in the sale and circulation of my work, yet I am satisfied I will receive commendable patronage from members of all Christian churches everywhere.
The book is written in the narrative style, as being much better suited to the tastes and capacities of my colored readers, and I have used simple and plain English language, discarding the idiomatic and provincial language of the southern slaves and ignorant whites, expecting thereby to help educate the blacks in the use of proper language.
I am indebted to William H. Rhodes, Esq., attorney at law, of Newman, Douglas County, Illinois, for his valuable assistance in the preparation of my manuscript for the printer. He has re-written the whole of it for me, and has otherwise assisted me in the matter of placing the book before the public.
Newman, Illinois, Aug., 1874.
Charles Thompson, born in Atala County, Mississippi—Division ofKirkwood's slaves among his six Children—The writer and his two sistersfall to Mrs. Wilson—The parting between mother and child—Deprived of afond mother forever—Old Uncle Jack—Wilson buys Uncle Ben fromStrucker—Uncle Ben runs away and is hunted with blood-hounds—Twohundred dollars reward.
Not sent to hell by Wilson—Mrs. Wilson protects me, to whom Ibelong—Sent to school with the children—The school-children teach meto read and write—What came of it—Mount that mule or I'll shootyou—I mounted the mule—A start for the railroad to work—I dismountand take to the woods—I owe allegiance to God and my country only.