Laurence Fishburne reads a former slave's incredible letter to his old master
Summary
TLDRIn this powerful letter from a former slave to his ex-master, the author expresses mixed feelings of relief and apprehension upon receiving an invitation to return. He recounts past mistreatment and the fear of retribution, while also detailing his current, improved circumstances with a stable income and education for his children. The letter concludes with a request for fair compensation for years of unpaid labor, reflecting a poignant struggle for justice and a better life.
Takeaways
- π The letter is a response from a former slave to his old master, reflecting on their past relationship and current circumstances.
- π The former slave expresses relief that his old master was not punished by the Yankees and is still alive.
- π« There is a reference to past violence, with the former slave mentioning being shot at by his master.
- π‘ The former slave expresses a desire to return to his old home and see familiar faces, indicating a sense of nostalgia.
- π° The letter discusses wages and the financial aspect of the former slave's life, showing a shift from a non-compensated laborer to a paid worker.
- π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ The former slave has a family, with children attending school and showing potential for future careers, highlighting the importance of education.
- π There is a request for proof of kindness and justice from the old master, indicating a need for trust and security before considering a return.
- π A detailed calculation of wages owed for years of service is presented, showing a clear expectation of compensation for past labor.
- π« The former slave inquires about the availability of schools for colored children, emphasizing the importance of education for his offspring.
- βοΈ The letter ends with a request for a response that addresses concerns about safety and education, and a plea for the old master to acknowledge past wrongs.
Q & A
Who is the author of the letter?
-The author of the letter is Jordan Anderson, a former slave.
To whom is the letter addressed?
-The letter is addressed to Colonel pH Anderson, Jordan Anderson's old master.
What is the date of the letter?
-The date of the letter is August 7th, 1865.
What does Jordan Anderson express about his old master's safety?
-Jordan Anderson expresses relief and gladness that his old master is still alive and was not punished by the Yankees.
Why does Jordan Anderson mention the 'Yankees'?
-He refers to the 'Yankees' as the Union soldiers who might have punished his old master for harboring slaves and attempting to kill a Union soldier.
What does Jordan Anderson want to know about his potential return to his old master's home?
-He wants to know the specific 'good chance' or opportunities the old master proposes to offer him if he returns.
What is Jordan Anderson's current situation as described in the letter?
-Jordan Anderson is living in Dayton, Ohio, earning $25 a month with food and clothing provided, has a comfortable home, and his family is attending school and church.
What does Jordan Anderson request from his old master to consider returning?
-He requests his old master to send him the wages for the time he served, which he calculates to be $1,680, plus interest, deducting the cost of clothing and medical expenses.
What concerns does Jordan Anderson express about his daughters' safety?
-He is concerned about the safety and potential mistreatment of his daughters, Millie and Jane, if they were to return to Tennessee.
What does Jordan Anderson seek for his children's future?
-He seeks an education for his children and the formation of virtuous habits.
What does Jordan Anderson want to know about the conditions for colored children in his old master's neighborhood?
-He wants to know if there have been any schools open for colored children in the neighborhood.
Outlines
π Letter to Former Master: A Request for Past Wages
The paragraph is a letter written by a former slave to his old master, Colonel p.H. Anderson, expressing gratitude for the master's remembrance and offer to return. The writer recounts past events, including the master's actions during the Civil War and the writer's own escape. He describes his current life, which includes a stable income, a family, and the opportunity for his children to attend school. He inquires about the possibility of returning but requests past wages as a condition for considering the move. The letter also expresses concern for the safety and future of his children, especially his daughters, and asks about educational opportunities for black children in the master's area.
π Concern for Family's Safety and Education
In the second paragraph, the writer continues to express his desire to ensure the safety and well-being of his family, particularly his daughters, should he consider returning to his former master's estate. He recalls past incidents of abuse and exploitation and requests reassurances regarding the safety and educational prospects for his children. The writer also seeks to know if there have been any changes in the local community that would support the education and protection of black children. The paragraph concludes with a personal message to a friend and a reminder of a past violent incident involving the master.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Master
π‘Freedom
π‘Wages
π‘Yankees
π‘Slavery
π‘Colonel
π‘Union soldier
π‘Education
π‘Recompense
π‘Faithful labor
π‘Safety
Highlights
Letter from a former slave to his former master expressing mixed feelings of concern and relief.
Expression of unease regarding the former master's well-being during the Civil War.
Mention of the Yankees and their actions against those who harbored slaves.
Recollection of past violence and the master's attempts to harm the former slave.
Desire to return to the old home and see family members, despite past conflicts.
Description of the former slave's current life, including employment and family situation.
Request for information on the proposed wages and conditions for returning to the master's service.
Discussion of the former slave's current financial stability and the value of his labor.
A demand for compensation for years of unpaid labor, calculated with interest.
Emphasis on the importance of education for the former slave's children and their future.
Concern for the safety and well-being of the former slave's daughters in the master's care.
Inquiry about the availability of schools for black children in the master's area.
A plea for the master to acknowledge the wrongs done to the former slave and his ancestors.
The former slave's reflection on the lack of payment for black labor in Tennessee, compared to animals.
A warning about the consequences of not compensating for past labor and the implications for future trust.
A closing remark that conveys a sense of finality and the hope for a better future.
Transcripts
[Applause]
thank
[Applause]
you to my old
Master the letter Dayton Ohio August 7th
1865 to my old Master Colonel pH
Anderson Big Spring Tennessee
sir I got your letter and was glad to
find that you had not forgotten
Jordan and that you wanted me to come
back and live with you
again promising to do better for me than
anyone else
can I have often felt uneasy about
you I thought the Yankees would have
hung you before
this
[Applause]
for harboring RBS that they found at
your house I suppose they never heard
about your going to Colonel Martin to
kill the Union soldier that was left by
his company in their
stable although you shot at me twice
before I left
you I did not want to hear of your being
hurt and am glad that you are still
living it would do me good to go back to
dear old home again and see Miss Mary
and Miss Martha Allan Esther green and
Lee give my love to them all and tell
them I hope we will meet in the better
world if not in
this I would have gone back to see you
all when I was working in the Nashville
hospital but one of the neighbors told
me that Henry intended to shoot me if he
ever got a
chance I want to know know
particularly what the good chance is you
propose to give me I am doing tolerably
well here I get $25 a month with
victuals and clothing have a comfortable
home for Mandy the folks call her Mrs
Anderson and the children Millie Jane
and Grundy go to school and are learning
well the teacher says that Grundy has as
a head for a
preacher they go to Sunday school and
Mandy and me attend church
regularly we are kindly
treated sometimes we overhear others
saying them colored people were slaves
down in Tennessee the children they feel
hurt when they hear such remarks but I
tell them it was no disgrace in
Tennessee to belong to Colonel Anderson
many dokeys would have been proud as I
used to be to call you master
now if you will write and say what wages
you will give
me I will better be able to decide
whether it would be to my advantage to
move back
again as to my
freedom which you say I can
have well there's nothing to be gained
on that score as I got my free papers in
18 64 from the Provost Marshall general
of the Department of
Nashville Mandy says she would be afraid
to go back without some proof that you
were disposed to treat us kindly and
justly and we have concluded to test
your sincerity by asking you to send us
our wages for the time that we served
[Applause]
you this will make us forget and forgive
old
scores and rely on your Justice and
friendship in the
future I served you Faithfully for 32
years and Mandy 20 years at $25 a month
for
me $2 a week for Mandy our earnings
would amount to
$1,680 add this
the interest for the time of our wages
have been kept
back and deduct what you paid for our
clothing and three doctor visits for me
pulling a tooth for Mandy and the
balance will show what we are in Justice
entitled to please send the money by
Adams Express and care of V Winters
Esquire Dayton Ohio if you fail to pay
us for our faithful labors in the past
we can have little faith in your
promises in the
future we trust the good maker has
opened your eyes to the wrongs which you
and your fathers have done to me and my
fathers in making us toil for you for
Generations without
recompense here I draw my wages every
Saturday night but in
Tennessee there was never any Payday for
the Negroes any more than for the horses
and
cows surely there will be a day of
reckoning for those who defraud the
Laborer of his h in answering this
letter please state if there would be
any safety for my Millie and Jane who
are now grown up and both good-looking
girls you know how it was with poor
Matilda and Katherine I would rather
stay here and starve and die if it came
to that than to have my girls brought to
shame and violence by the wickedness of
their young
masters you will also please state if
there have been any schools open for the
colored children in your neighborhood
the Great great desire of my life now is
to give my children an education and
have them form virtuous
habits Say howdy to George Carter and
thank him for taking the pistol from you
when you were shooting at
me your old servant Jordan
Anderson
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