After remaining there several years at hard labour,--my father being in a situation of considerable trust, they were again taken back to Virginia; and by this means became entitled by the laws of that state to their freedom.

Before justice, however, could take its course, their old master in Maryland, as if intent to doom them for ever to bondage, repurchased them; and in order to defeat a similar law in Maryland, by which they would have been entitled to liberty, he obtained from the General Assembly of that state the following special act.

This will show not only something of his character as a slaveholder, but also his political influence in the state.

It is often urged in the behalf of slaveholders, that the law interposes an obstacle in the way of emancipating their slaves when they wish to do so, but here is an instance which lays open the real philosophy of the whole case.

They make the law themselves, and when they find the laws operate more in favour of the slaves than themselves, they can easily evade or change it.