NARRATIVE
OF THE
LIFE AND ADVENTURES
OF
HENRY BIBB,
AN AMERICAN SLAVE,
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.
WITH
AN INTRODUCTION
BY LUCIUS C. MATLACK.
NEW YORK:
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR; 5 SPRUCE STREET.
1849
FROM the most obnoxious substances we often see spring forth,beautiful and fragrant, flowers of every hue, to regale the eye, andperfume the air. Thus, frequently, are results originated which arewholly unlike the cause that gave them birth. An illustration of thistruth is afforded by the history of American Slavery.
Naturally and necessarily, the enemy of literature, it has become theprolific theme of much that is profound in argument, sublime inpoetry, and thrilling in narrative. From the soil of slavery itselfhave sprung forth some of the most brilliant productions, whoselogical levers will ultimately upheave and overthrow the system.Gushing fountains of poetic thought, have started from beneath the rodof violence, that will long continue to slake the feverish thirst ofhumanity outraged, until swelling to a flood it shall rush withwasting violence over the ill-gotten heritage of the oppressor.Startling incidents authenticated, far excelling fiction in theirtouching pathos, from the pen of self-emancipated slaves, do nowexhibit slavery in such revolting aspects, as to secure theexecrations of all good men, and become a monument more enduring thanmarble, in testimony strong as sacred writ against it.
Of the class last named, is the narrative of the life of Henry Bibb,which is equally distinguished as a revolting portrait of the hideousslave system, a thrilling narrative of individual suffering, and atriumphant vindication of the slave's manhood and mental dignity. Andall this is associated with unmistakable traces of originality andtruthfulness.
To many, the elevated style, purity of diction, and easy flow oflanguage, frequently exhibited, will appear unaccountable andcontradictory, in view of his want of early mental culture. But to thethousands who have listened with delight to his speeches onanniversary and other occasions, these same traits will be noted asunequivocal evidence of originality. Very few men present in theirwritten composition, so perfect a transcript of their style as isexhibited by Mr. Bibb.
Moreover, the writer of this introduction is well acquainted[pg 2]with hishandwriting and style. The entire manuscript I have examined andprepared for the press. Many of the closing pages of it were writtenby Mr. Bibb in my office. And the whole is preserved for inspectionnow. An examination of it will show that no alteration of sentiment,language or style, was necessary to make it what it now is, in thehands of the reader. The work of preparation for the press was that oforthography and punctuation merely, an arrangement of the chapters,and a table of contents—little more than falls to the lot ofpublishers generally.
The fidelity of the narrative is sustained by the most satisfactoryand ample testimony. Time has proved its claims to truth. Thoroughinvestigation has sifted and analysed every essential fact alleged,and demonstrated clearly that this thrilling and eloquent narrative,though stranger than fiction, is undoubtedly true.
It is only necessary to present the following documents to the reader,to sustain this declaration. For c