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Every body who hates oppression, and don’t believe that it is right, under any circumstances, to buy and sell the image of the Great God Almighty; and to all who love Human Liberty well enough to help to break every yoke, that the oppressed may go free——God bless all such!
“I own I am shocked at the _purchase_ of slaves, And fear those that buy them and sell them are knaves; What I hear of their hardships, their tortures and groans, Is almost enough to draw pity from stones.”
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Author’s first interview with Peter—Peter calls on the Author, and begins his story—his birth and residence—is adopted by Mrs. Mather and lives in Mr. Mather’s house—his “_red scarlet coat_“—fishing expedition on Sunday with Hagar when he sees the Devil—a feat of horsemanship—saves the life of master’s oldest son, and is bit in the operation by a wild hog—an encounter with an “old-fashioned cat owl” in the Cedar Swamp—a man killed by wild cats—a short “sarmint” at a Quaker Meeting—“I and John makes a pincushion of a calf’s nose, and got _tuned_ for it, I tell ye”—holyday’s amusements—the marble egg—“I and John great cronies”—Mistress sick—Peter hears something in the night which he thinks a forerunner of her death—_she dies a Christian_—her dying words—Peter’s feelings on her death.
_Author._ “Peter, your history is so remarkable, that I have thought it would make quite an interesting book; and I have a proposal to make you.”
_Peter._ “Well, Sir, I’m always glad to hear the Domine talk; what’s your proposal? I guess you’re contrivin’ to put a spoke in the Abolition wheel, ain’t ye?”
A. “Peter you know I’m a friend to the black man, and try to do him good.”
A. “Well, I was going to say that this question of Slavery is all the talk every where, and as _facts_ are so necessary to help men in coming to correct conclusions in regard to it, I have thought it would be a good thing to write a story of your life and adventures—for you know that every body likes to read such books, and they do a great deal of good in the cause of Freedom.”
P. “I s’pose then you’ve got an idee of makin’ out some sich a book as Charles Ball, and that has done a sight of good. But it seems to me I’ve _suffered_ as much as Charles Ball, and I’ve sartinly _travelled ten times as fur_ as he ever did. But I should look funny enough in print, shouldn’t I? The Life and Adventers of Peter Wheeler—!! ha! ha!! ha!!! And then you see every feller here in town, would be a stickin’ up his nose at the very idee, jist because I’m a “nigger” as they say—or “snow-ball,” or somethin’ else; but never mind, if it’s a goin’ to du any _good_, why I say _let split_, and we’ll go it nose or no nose—snow-ball or no snow-ball.”