H[enry] Williams, Jr., to Frederick Douglass, March 24, 1857

FOR FREDERICK DOUGLASS' PAPER.

JOTTINGS BY THE WAYSIDE.

DEAR DOUGLASS:—In the prosecution of my labors as a minister of a free Gospel, I took passage at Gallipolis, O., on board a steamer Rosalie, bound to Nashville, Tenn., which was well freighted with passengers.—the Northerner, and the Southerner, the Easterner, and the Westerner, black and white, on the bosom of the La Belle, and borne along on its beautiful current, walled in by Freedom and Slavery, on the right and on the left. But more. Freedom and Slavery had on board their respective representatives, for five slaves were conveyed by the steamer, as goods chattles, from one part to another of this Republican, Christian Union. I was drawn into conversation with one who claimed ownership in the express image of God. Such monstrous sentiments as he uttered in defense of his fiendish system, I never wish to hear again. It was in perfect consonance, however, with my cruel surroundings; to see the treatment of the slaves, to hear the talk, the low vulgar slang about "free and slave niggers;" the treatment of colored passengers, charged a high price, though denied state rooms, excluded from the cabin if not by express order, by insults, and frowns, upturned noses, and cut-throat looks, put to bed on the floor, compelled to eat after "the white folks," whether escaped convicts or otherwise—all this kindled more intensely upon the altar of my heart, an enmity to slavery, and its right hand supporter, the popular clergy and fashionable religion of America.

Let any one go from the head to the mouth of the Ohio, with his or her heart open to conviction, and he will see a great contrast between its northern and southern banks; the northern presents a scene of enlightened civilization; the southern, a picture of barbaric cruelty. Such is the case, more or less, through the county, even down to the Gulf of Mexico. But I grow sick of the picture, and must turn my thoughts to the contemplation of brighter things.

The friends of Freedom in this city still hold fast their Anti-Slavery integrity. May they all remain firm unto the end! I have seen your friend, JOHN I. GAINES. He looks fresh and vigorous, and is still engaged in the battles of Freedom. He lately fought a battle in which he was the victor. Revivals are in progress in colored and white churches here. I trust that such as reformation will be the consequence, that no more MARGARET GARNERS will have to murder their little babes to save them from the clutches of slavery. Not only is the blood of CHARLES SUMNER on the Senate floor, but I fear the blood of little MARY GARNER is upon the altar of many churches in this city, as a condemning witness of

their prostitution to slavery, and crying unto God to avenge her untimely death, caused by our National Government. Unless a speedy reformation is effected in Church and State, neither can be acquitted in the day of the final Judgement.

H. WILLIAMS, JR.

CINCINNATI, March 24th, 1857.