thirteen hundred and eighty dollars. I had previously to that lived in
Raleigh, a slave, the property of Mr. Sherwood Haywood, and had purchased
my freedom by paying the sum of one thousand dollars. But being driven
away, no longer permitted to live in this city, to raise the balance of
the money due on my family, my last resort was to call upon the friends of
humanity in other places, to assist me.

I went to the city of Boston, and there I related the story of my
persecutions here, the same as I have now stated to you. The people gave
ear to my statements; and one of them, Rev. Mr. Neale, wrote back, unknown
to me, to Mr. Smith, inquiring of him whether the statements made by me
were correct. After Mr. Neale received the answer he sent for me, informed
me of his having written, and read to me the reply. The letter fully
satisfied Mr. Neale and his friends. He placed it in my hands, remarking
that it would, in a great measure, do away the necessity of using the
other documents in my possession. I then with that letter in my hands went
out from house to house, from place of business to place of business, and
from church to church, relating (where I could gain an ear) the same
heart-rending and soul-trying story which I am now repeating to you. In
pursuing that course, the people, first one and then another contributed,
until I had succeeded in raising the amount alluded to, namely, thirteen
hundred and eighty dollars. I may have had contributions from
abolitionists; but I did not stop to ask those who assisted me whether
they were anti-slavery or pro-slavery, for I considered that the money
coming from either, would accomplish the object I had in view. These are
the facts; and now, sir, it remains for you to say, whether I have been
giving abolition lectures or not.

In the course of my remarks I presented the letter of Mr. Smith to Mr.
Neale, showing that I had acted the open part while in Massachusetts; also