Up to that time, I was, according to your rule and claim, your slave.

Till the age of seven years, I was, of course, of little or no service to you.

At that age, however, you hired me out, and for three years I earned my support; at the age of ten years, you took me to your place again, and in a short time after you put me to work at the blacksmith's trade, at which, together with the carpentering trade, &c, I served you peaceably until the day I left you, with exception of the short time you had sold me to S---- H----, Esq., for seven hundred dollars.

It is important for me to say to you, that I have no consciousness of having done you any wrong.

I called you master when I was with you from the mere force of circumstances; but I never regarded you as my master.