I can speak of slavery only so far as it came under my own observation - only so far as I have known and experienced it in my own person.

Life is dear to every living thing; the worm that crawls upon the ground will struggle for it.

It has been suggested that an account of my life and fortunes would not be uninteresting to the public.

They are deceived who flatter themselves that the ignorant and debased slave has no conception of the magnitude of his wrongs. They are deceived who imagine that he arises from his knees with back lacerated and bleeding, cherishing only a spirit of meekness and forgiveness. A day may come - it will, if his prayer is heard. A terrible day of vengeance when the master in his turn will cry in vain for mercy.

At such times, the heart of man turns instictively towards his Maker. In prosperity, and whenever there is nothing to injure or make him afraid, he remembers Him not, and is ready to defy Him; but place him in the midst of dangers, cut him off from human aid, let the grave open before him, then it is, in the time of his tribulation, that the scoffer and unbelieving man turns to God for help, feeling there is no other hope, or refuge, or safety, save in his protecting arm.

Is everything right because the law allows it?

Really, it was difficult to determine which I had most reason to fear—dogs, alligators or men!