passed through many exciting and dangerous scenes, but discretion and promptness of action carried him safely through the perils even of Scylla and Charybdis, where, epecially in later times, the Fugitive-slave Law on one side, and close pursuit on the other, required skilful piloting. At one time after moving to Chester county, he had occasion to drive to Belle Ayer in Maryland. He overtook a young man near the Brick Meeting-house, and inquired of him the way. The man said he was going near there, and if not encroaching on his kindness he would be glad to ride. The doctor took him in. On the way the subject of slavery was alluded to. The young man said "it was a nuisance and that slaveholders were better off without their slaves," in which opinion the doctor heartily concurred. He said it was only recently that the last of theirs ran away; they did not pursue them; they were satisfied to let them go. It happened to be the very lot the doctor had helped a short time before.

A colored man in the western portion of Chester county was in the practice of going into Maryland to sell salves. While there he obtained from slaveholders a description of all their runaway slaves. On his return, if he saw persons along the northern routes corresponding to the descriptions given, he informed the owners, who sent a constable, had them taken legally and sold to go South. He followed this for a number of years. Finally his treachery was discovered, and a number of colored people assembled and gave him a terrible beating, from the effects of which he never fully recovered. His last illness was supposed to have been the result of this severe punishment.

After the Christiana riot three men who had been engaged in it came to Dr. Eshleman's place, were kept in the barn until next night, and then sent further on.

A whole family came in a four-horse wagon just after the battle of Gettysburg. They had formerly been slaves, but at that time owned a farm between York and Gettysburg. They were very much frightened, and thought if they remained at home they might be killed, or if the rebels gained Pennsylvania they might all be made slaves again. They proceeded as far as Norristown; and hearing there that the rebels had been repulsed, they returned.

After Dr. Eshleman moved to Chester county, Thomas Whitson moved to near Christiana, and their former visits were continued.

His house was ever open to the Burleighs and all other lecturers on anti-slavery and temperance.

CHAPTER V.

THOMAS WHITSON.-Member of First National Anti-Slavery Convention. Incidents.-JACOB BUSHONG.-Incidents.-JEREMIAH Moore.

-Incidents.

THOMAS WHITSON.

(Born Seventh mo. 2d, 1796-Died Eleventh mo. 24th, 1864.)

Thomas Whitson, of Bart, Lancaster county, was one of the most prominent and respected champions of the anti-slavery cause. His connection with the Underground Railroad began about, or prior to, 1841. Although he passed great numbers of slaves, it was quietly done, and but few reminiscences are to be gleaned of his work in that direction. His greatest labors were accomplished above ground. A minister once said, speaking of the life of Jesus Christ, "It can be given in a few words 'He went about doing good." The life of Thomas Whitson might be condensed in a similar

manner.

He attended and spoke at anti-slavery meetings throughout the country; was eloquent and cogent in thought, sound in logic, wise in counsel, and his broad and advanced humanitarian views commanded for him the respect of all, and placed him in the foremost rank of the earnest and able opponents of negro slavery. He was decidedly original, witty, jocose, one of the most apposite in thought and expression, and had a great faculty for "splitting hairs" in a close argument. When he and Lindley Coates, who was also remarkable for