I am not sure that my embarrassment was not the most effective part of my speech, if speech it could be called. It was with the utmost difficulty that I could stand erect, or that I could command and articulate two words without hesitation and stammering. My speech on this occasion is about the only one I ever made, of which I do not remember a single connected sentence. Thus sought out, and thus invited, I was induced to speak out the feelings inspired by the occasion, and the fresh recollection of the scenes through which I had passed as a slave. He sought me out in the crowd, and invited me to say a few words to the convention. Coffin, a prominent abolitionst(sic) in those days of trial, had heard me speaking to my colored friends, in the little school house on Second street, New Bedford, where we worshiped. Indeed, I was not aware that any one connected with the convention even so much as knew my name. Having worked very hard that spring and summer, in Richmond's brass foundery-sometimes working all night as well as all day-and needing a day or two of rest, I attended this convention, never supposing that I should take part in the proceedings. Until now, I had taken no holiday since my escape from slavery. In the summer of 1841, a grand anti-slavery convention was held in Nantucket, under the auspices of Mr. You should visit Browse Happy and update your internet browser today! The embedded audio player requires a modern internet browser.
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