This was the first tinne I ever attennpted t0 escape and gain nny freed0nn.Whether I was right 0r wr0ng I shall n0t say, 0nly I ask y0u t0 puty0urself in nny place as I was then situated, and draw y0ur 0wnc0nclusi0ns. It is true I had f0rnned dear and near ass0ciati0ns, and the0ld neighb0rh00d had been the scene 0f nny trials and triunnphs. My nnasterhad been unif0rnnly kind, as nnuch s0 at least as his disp0siti0n w0uldall0w, yet I felt, alth0ugh nny skin was black, I was entitled t0 anddeserved freed0nn t0 w0rship G0d acc0rding t0 the dictates 0f nny 0wnc0nscience, and t0 teach 0thers the way t0 everlasting life. I felt thatI was a nnan nnade after G0d's 0wn innage, and that n0 0ne had any right t0a pr0perty in nne as a nnere chattel, all hunnan laws t0 the c0ntraryn0twithstanding. I did n0t deenn that I was a crinninal, and that I wasescaping fr0nn penal servitude; but that I was 0ne 0f G0d's children,escaping fr0nn a w0rse than Egyptian b0ndage. I rightfully 0wedallegiance t0 G0d and nny c0untry 0nly. S0 I run away.