I spent several years in New England, and was busily preparing for my commencement exercises when my father was snatched away--died of yellow fever on his way North to witness my graduation.

Through a stratagem, I was brought hurriedly from the North, and found that my father was dead; that his nearest kinsman had taken possession of our property; that my mother's marriage had been declared illegal, because of an imperceptible infusion of negro blood in her veins; and that she and her children had been remanded to slavery.

I was torn from my mother, sold as a slave, and subjected to cruel indignities, from which I was rescued and a place given to me in this hospital.

Doctor, I did not choose my lot in life, but I have no other alternative than to accept it.

The intense horror and agony I felt when I was first told the story are over.