In this you will recognize the hand of your friend and mistress.  Having heard that you had gone with a family to Europe, I have waited to hear of your return to write to you.  I should have answered the letter you wrote to me long since, but as I could not then act independently of my father, I knew there could be nothing done satisfactory to you.  There were persons here who were willing to buy you and run the risk of getting you.  To this I would not consent.  I have always been attached to you, and would not like to see you the slave of another, or have unkind treatment.  I am married now, and can protect you.  My husband expects to move to Virginia this spring, where we think of settling.  I am very anxious that you should come and live with me.  If you are not willing to come, you may purchase yourself; but I should prefer having you live with me.  If you come, you may, if you like, spend a month with your grandmother and friends, then come to me in Norfolk, Virginia.  Think this over, and write as soon as possible, and let me know the conclusion.  Hoping that your children are well, I remain your friend and mistress.

Of course I did not write to return thanks for this cordial invitation.  I felt insulted to be thought stupid enough to be caught by such professions.

   “Come up into my parlor,” said the spider to the fly;
   “Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy.”

It was plain that Dr. Flint’s family were apprised of my movements, since they knew of my voyage to Europe.  I expected to have further trouble from them; but having eluded them thus far, I hoped to be as successful in future.  The money I had earned, I was desirous to devote to the education of my children, and to secure a home for them.  It seemed not only hard, but unjust, to pay for myself.  I could not possibly regard myself as a piece of property.  Moreover, I had worked many years without wages, and during that time had been obliged to depend on my grandmother for many comforts in food and clothing.  My children certainly belonged to me; but though Dr. Flint had incurred no expense for their support, he had received a large sum of money for them.  I knew the law would decide that I was his property, and would probably still give his daughter a claim to my children; but I regarded such laws as the regulations of robbers, who had no rights that I was bound to respect.

The Fugitive Slave Law had not then passed.  The judges of Massachusetts had not then stooped under chains to enter her courts of justice, so called.  I knew my old master was rather skittish of Massachusetts.  I relied on her love of freedom, and felt safe on her soil.  I am now aware that I honored the old Commonwealth beyond her deserts.

XXXIX.  The Confession.