ABSTRACT
Solomon Clarkson was a slave to John Hanson of New-Castle county, in the State of Delaware. At an early age he was sensible of the degradation consequent upon his condition, and determined to obtain his freedom in the best way he could. He was well aware that if he complained of hardship, or manifested much dissatisfaction with the condition of slavery, that his master would soon put it out of his power to seek his liberty in another part of the country, by disposing of him to some speculator, who would transport him to the South. As he increased in years his desire for freedom increased also; and in the year 1803, when he was about nineteen years old, he left his master and made the best of his way to Philadelphia. After being in that city a short time, he hired with Peter Barker; and in the course of a few months he opened his situation to that kind-hearted friend. Knowing he could not be long safe in Philadelphia, Peter applied to me to negotiate with his master for his freedom. Solomon was a fine-looking young man, healthy and well made, and every way calculated for making a valuable slave, and Hanson was by no means disposed to part with him without securing a good price. I addressed a letter to Hanson, informing him that I had been applied to on behalf of Solomon, and wished him to name the lowest terms upon which he would manumit him. After some time had been spent in corresponding on the subject, he agreed to take one hundred pounds, or two hundred and sixty-six dollars, sixty-seven cents. Peter Barker paid this sum, and Solomon agreed to live with him as a servant until the amount advanced should be refunded.
