The Underground Railroad In America
The book consisted mostly of firsthand accounts of slaves escaping to freedom. These accounts were organized by state. In addition to the firsthand accounts, the author also wrote various types of information in the beginning of each section. Some of these were things such as what the feelings were towards slaves in that state, general information about the Underground Railroad in that state, and well-known abolitionists from that state or region. The book contained many narratives of slaves escaping north. Some of the most popular narratives were John Brown, Eliza Harris, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Solomon Northup. In addition to the narratives of escaped slaves, the book also had information about Underground Railroad routes,
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For example, many slaves first stop on the Underground Railroad was a meeting with the Vigilance Committee in that area. Slaves would tell these committees information about themselves and their escape so that the committee could make sure they weren’t an imposter trying to expose the Underground Railroad operations. I had always assumed that all African-Americans were on the same side-against slavery, but learned that slaves weren’t supposed to trust anyone in new cities. Some African-Americans in free states would report fugitive slaves to slave catchers for the reward. The Underground Railroad was very careful to avoid detection; members had the system mastered with signals and code words. Station masters of the railroad often housed slaves in secret rooms of their house so that they were extremely unnoticeable. Levi Coffin, whose home is often referred to as “The Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad” said the following in his narrative, “Our house was large and well adapted for secreting fugitives. Very often slaves would lie concealed in upper chambers for weeks without the boarders or frequent visitors at the house knowing anything about it” (page 186). The book also talked about how there were whole communities that were opposed to slavery. These communities openly accepted fugitive slaves, some even had signs telling fugitive slaves they were safe and welcome there. Slave catchers had a difficult time capturing slaves in these communities because none of the slaves would give up the location where the slaves were
For example, many slaves first stop on the Underground Railroad was a meeting with the Vigilance Committee in that area. Slaves would tell these committees information about themselves and their escape so that the committee could make sure they weren’t an imposter trying to expose the Underground Railroad operations. I had always assumed that all African-Americans were on the same side-against slavery, but learned that slaves weren’t supposed to trust anyone in new cities. Some African-Americans in free states would report fugitive slaves to slave catchers for the reward. The Underground Railroad was very careful to avoid detection; members had the system mastered with signals and code words. Station masters of the railroad often housed slaves in secret rooms of their house so that they were extremely unnoticeable. Levi Coffin, whose home is often referred to as “The Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad” said the following in his narrative, “Our house was large and well adapted for secreting fugitives. Very often slaves would lie concealed in upper chambers for weeks without the boarders or frequent visitors at the house knowing anything about it” (page 186). The book also talked about how there were whole communities that were opposed to slavery. These communities openly accepted fugitive slaves, some even had signs telling fugitive slaves they were safe and welcome there. Slave catchers had a difficult time capturing slaves in these communities because none of the slaves would give up the location where the slaves were