Formerly CIP. Uk

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Machine generated contents note: TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE -- Editor's Preface -- Chapter I -- Introductory -- Ancestry -- The Northup Family -- Birth and Parentage -- Mintus Northup -- Marriage with Anne Hampton -- Good Resolutions -- Champlain Canal -- Rafting Excursion to Canada -- Farming -- The Violin -- Cooking -- Removal to Saratoga -- Parker and Perry -- Slaves and Slavery -- The Children -- The Beginning of Sorrow -- Chapter II -- The two Strangers -- The Circus Company -- Departure from Saratoga -- Ventriloquism and Legerdemain -- Journey to New-York -- Free Papers -- Brown and Hamilton -- The haste to reach the Circus -- Arrival in Washington -- Funeral of Harrison -- The Sudden Sickness -- The Torment of Thirst -- The Receding Light -- Insensibility -- Chains and Darkness -- Chapter III -- Painful Meditations -- James H. Burch -- Williams' Slave Pen in Washington -- The Lackey, Radburn -- Assert my Freedom -- The Anger of the Trader -- The Paddle and Cat-o'-ninetails --

Contents note continued: The Whipping -- New Acquaintances -- Ray, Williams, and Randall -- Arrival of Little Emily and her Mother in the Pen -- Maternal Sorrows -- The Story of Eliza -- Chapter IV -- Eliza's Sorrows -- Preparation to Embark -- Driven Through the Streets of Washington -- Hail, Columbia -- The Tomb of Washington -- Clem Ray -- The Breakfast on the Steamer -- The happy Birds -- Aquia Creek -- Fredericksburgh -- Arrival in Richmond -- Goodin and his Slave Pen -- Robert, of Cincinnati -- David and his Wife -- Mary and Lethe -- Clem's Return -- His subsequent Escape to Canada -- The Brig Orleans -- James H. Burch -- Chapter V -- Arrival at Norfolk -- Frederick and Maria -- Arthur, the Freeman -- Appointed Steward -- Jim, Cuffee, and Jenny -- The Storm -- Bahama Banks -- The Calm -- The Conspiracy -- The Long-Boat -- The Small-Pox -- Death of Robert -- Manning, the Sailor -- The Meeting in the Forecastle -- The Letter -- Arrival at New-Orleans -- Arthur's Rescue --

Contents note continued: Theophilus Freeman, the Consignee -- Platt -- First Night in the New-Orleans Slave Pen -- Chapter VI -- Freeman's Industry -- Cleanliness and Clothes -- Exercising in the Show Room -- The Dance -- Bob, the Fiddler -- Arrival of Customers -- Slaves Examined -- The Old Gentleman of New-Orleans -- Sale of David, Caroline and Lethe -- Parting of Randall and Eliza -- Small-Pox -- The Hospital -- Recovery and Return to Freeman's Slave Pen -- The Purchaser of Eliza, Harry, and Platt -- Eliza's Agony on Parting from Little Emily -- Chapter VII -- The Steamboat Rodolph -- Departure from New-Orleans -- William Ford -- Arrival at Alexandria, on Red River -- Resolutions -- The Great Pine Woods -- Wild Cattle -- Martin's Summer Residence -- The Texas Road -- Arrival at Master Ford's -- Rose -- Mistress Ford -- Sally, and her Children -- John, the Cook -- Walter, Sam, and Antony -- The Mills on Indian Creek -- Sabbath Days -- Sam's Conversion --

Contents note continued: The Profit of Kindness -- Rafting -- Adam Taydem, the Little White Man -- Cascalla and his Tribe -- The Indian Ball -- John M. Tibeats -- The Storm approaching -- Chapter VIII -- Ford's Embarrassments -- The Sale to Tibeats -- The Chattel Mortgage -- Mistress Ford's Plantation on Bayou Bœuf -- Description of the Latter -- Ford's Brother-in-law, Peter Tanner -- Meeting with Eliza -- She still Mourns for her Children -- Ford's Overseer, Chapin -- Tibeats' Abuse -- The Keg of Nails -- The First Fight with Tibeats -- His Discomfiture and Castigation -- The attempt to Hang me -- Chapin's Interference and Speech -- Unhappy Reflections -- Abrupt Departure of Tibeats, Cook and Ramsay -- Lawson and the Brown Mule -- Message to the Pine Woods -- Chapter IX -- The Hot Sun -- Yet bound -- The Cords sink into my Flesh -- Chapin's Uneasiness -- Speculation -- Rachel, and her Cup of Water -- Suffering increases -- The Happiness of Slavery -- Arrival of Ford --

Contents note continued: He cuts the Cords which bind me, and takes the Rope from my Neck -- Misery -- The gathering of the Slaves in Eliza's Cabin -- Their Kindness -- Rachel Repeats the Occurrences of the Day -- Lawson entertains his Companions with an Account of his Ride -- Chapin's apprehensions of Tibeats -- Hired to Peter Tanner -- Peter expounds the Scriptures -- Description of the Stocks -- Chapter X -- Return to Tibeats -- Impossibility of pleasing him -- He attacks me with a Hatchet -- The Struggle over the Broad-Axe -- The Temptation to Murder him -- Escape across the Plantation -- Observations from the Fence -- Tibeats approaches, followed by the Hounds -- They take my Track -- Their loud Yells -- They almost overtake me -- I reach the Water -- The Hounds confused -- Moccasin Snakes -- Alligators -- Night in the "Great Pacoudrie Swamp" -- The Sounds of Life -- North-West Course -- Emerge into the Pine Woods -- The Slave and his Young Master -- Arrival at Ford's --

Contents note continued: Food and Rest -- Chapter XI -- The Mistress' Garden -- The Crimson and Golden Fruit -- Orange and Pomegranate Trees -- Return to Bayou Bœuf -- Master Ford's Remarks on the way -- The Meeting with Tibeats -- His Account of the Chase -- Ford censures his Brutality -- Arrival at the Plantation -- Astonishment of the Slaves on seeing me -- The anticipated Flogging -- Kentucky John -- Mr. Eldret, the Planter -- Eldret's Sam -- Trip to the "Big Cane Brake" -- The Tradition of "Sutton's Field" -- Forest Trees -- Gnats and Mosquitoes -- The Arrival of Black Women in the Big Cane -- Lumber Women -- Sudden Appearance of Tibeats -- His Provoking Treatment -- Visit to Bayou Bœuf -- The Slave Pass -- Southern Hospitality -- The Last of Eliza -- Sale to Edwin Epps -- Chapter XII -- Personal Appearance of Epps -- Epps, Drunk and Sober -- A Glimpse of his History -- Cotton Growing -- The Mode of Ploughing and Preparing Ground -- Of Planting --

Contents note continued: Of Hoeing, of Picking, of Treating Raw Hands -- The difference in Cotton Pickers -- Patsey a remarkable one -- Tasked according to Ability -- Beauty of a Cotton Field -- The Slave's Labors -- Fear on Approaching the Gin-House -- Weighing -- "Chores" -- Cabin Life -- The Corn Mill -- The Uses of the Gourd -- Fear of Oversleeping -- Fear continually -- Mode of Cultivating Corn -- Sweet Potatoes -- Fertility of the Soil -- Fattening Hogs -- Preserving Bacon -- Raising Cattle -- Shooting Matches -- Garden Products -- Flowers and Verdure -- Chapter XIII -- The Curious Axe-Helve -- Symptoms of approaching Illness -- Continue to decline -- The Whip ineffectual -- Confined to the Cabin -- Visit by Dr. Wines -- Partial Recovery -- Failure at Cotton Picking -- What may be heard on Epps' Plantation -- Lashes Graduated -- Epps in a Whipping Mood -- Epps in a Dancing Mood -- Description of the Dance -- Loss of Rest no Excuse -- Epps' Characteristics -- Jim Burns --

Contents note continued: Removal from Huff Power to Bayou Bœuf -- Description of Uncle Abram; of Wiley; of Aunt Phebe; of Bob, Henry, and Edward; of Patsey; with a Genealogical Account of each -- Something of their Past History, and Peculiar Characteristics -- Jealousy and Lust -- Patsey, the Victim -- Chapter XIV -- Destruction of the Cotton Crop in 1845 -- Demand for Laborers in St. Mary's Parish -- Sent thither in a Drove -- The Order of the March -- The Grand Coteau -- Hired to Judge Turner on Bayou Salle -- Appointed Driver in his Sugar House -- Sunday Services -- Slave Furniture; how obtained -- The Party at Yarney's in Centreville -- Good Fortune -- The Captain of the Steamer -- His Refusal to Secrete me -- Return to Bayou Bœuf -- Sight of Tibeats -- Patsey's Sorrows -- Tumult and Contention -- Hunting the Coon and Opossum -- The Cunning of the latter -- The Lean Condition of the Slave -- Description of the Fish Trap -- The Murder of the Man from Natchez --

Contents note continued: Epps Challenged by Marshall -- The Influence of Slavery -- The Love of Freedom -- Chapter XV -- Labors on Sugar Plantations -- The Mode of Planting Cane of Hoeing Cane -- Cane Ricks -- Cutting Cane -- Description of the Cane Knife -- Winrowing -- Preparing for Succeeding Crops -- Description of Hawkins' Sugar Mill on Bayou Bœuf -- The Christmas Holidays -- The Carnival Season of the Children of Bondage -- The Christmas Supper -- Red, the Favorite Color -- The Violin, and the Consolation it afforded -- The Christmas Dance -- Lively, the Coquette -- Sam Roberts, and his Rivals -- Slave Songs -- Southern Life as it is -- Three Days in the Year -- The System of Marriage -- Uncle Abram's Contempt of Matrimony -- Chapter XVI -- Overseers -- How they are Armed and Accompanied -- The Homicide -- His Execution at Marksville -- Slave-Drivers -- Appointed Driver on removing to Bayou Bœuf -- Practice makes perfect -- Epps' Attempt to Cut Platt's Throat --

Contents note continued: The Escape from him -- Protected by the Mistress -- Forbids Reading and Writing -- Obtain a Sheet of Paper after Nine Years' Effort -- The Letter -- Armsby, the Mean White -- Partially confide in him -- His Treachery -- Epps' Suspicions -- How they were quieted -- Burning the Letter -- Armsby leaves the Bayou -- Disappointment and Despair -- Chapter XVII -- Wiley disregards the counsels of Aunt Phebe and Uncle Abram, and is caught by the Patrollers -- The Organization and Duties of the latter -- Wiley Runs Away -- Speculations in regard to him -- His Unexpected Return -- His Capture on Red River, and Confinement in Alexandria Jail -- Discovered by Joseph B. Roberts -- Subduing Dogs in anticipation of Escape -- The Fugitives in the Great Pine Woods -- Captured by Adam Taydem and the Indians -- Augustus killed by Dogs -- Nelly, Eldret's Slave Woman -- The Story of Celeste -- The Concerted Movement -- Lew Cheney, the Traitor -- The Idea of Insurrection --

Contents note continued: Chapter XVIII -- O'Niel, the Tanner -- Conversation with Aunt Phebe overheard -- Epps in the Tanning Business -- Stabbing of Uncle Abram -- The Ugly Wound -- Epps is Jealous -- Patsey is Missing -- Her Return from Shaw's -- Harriet, Shaw's Black Wife -- Epps Enraged -- Patsey denies his Charges -- She is Tied Down Naked to Four Stakes -- The Inhuman Flogging -- Flaying of Patsey -- The Beauty of the Day -- The Bucket of Salt Water -- The Dress stiff with Blood -- Patsey grows Melancholy -- Her Idea of God and Eternity -- Of Heaven and Freedom -- The Effect of Slave-Whipping -- Epps' Oldest Son -- "The Child is Father to the Man." -- Chapter XIX -- Avery, of Bayou Rouge -- Peculiarity of Dwellings -- Epps builds a New House -- Bass, the Carpenter -- His Noble Qualities -- His Personal Appearance and Eccentricities -- Bass and Epps discuss the Question of Slavery -- Epps' Opinion of Bass -- I make myself known to him -- Our Conversation -- His Surprise --

Contents note continued: The Midnight Meeting on the Bayou Bank -- Bass' Assurances -- Declares War against Slavery -- Why I did not Disclose my History -- Bass writes Letters -- Copy of his Letter to Messrs. Parker and Perry -- The Fever of Suspense -- Disappointments -- Bass endeavors to cheer me -- My Faith in him -- Chapter XX -- Bass faithful to his word -- His Arrival on Christmas Eve -- The Difficulty of Obtaining an Interview -- The Meeting in the Cabin -- Non-arrival of the Letter -- Bass announces his Intention to proceed North -- Christmas -- Conversation between Epps and Bass -- Young Mistress McCoy, the Beauty of Bayou Bœuf -- The "Ne plus ultra" of Dinners -- Music and Dancing -- Presence of the Mistress -- Her Exceeding Beauty -- The Last Slave Dance -- William Pierce -- Oversleep myself -- The Last Whipping -- Despondency -- The Cold Morning -- Epps' Threats -- The Passing Carriage -- Strangers approaching through the Cotton Field -- Last Hour on Bayou Bœuf --

Contents note continued: Chapter XXI -- The Letter reaches Saratoga -- Is forwarded to Anne -- Is laid before Henry B. Northup -- The Statute of May 14, 1840 -- Its Provisions -- Anne's Memorial to the Governor -- The affidavits Accompanying it -- Senator Soule's Letter -- Departure of the Agent appointed by the Governor -- Arrival at Marksville -- The Hon. John P. Waddill -- The Conversation on New-York Politics -- It suggests a Fortunate Idea -- The Meeting with Bass -- The Secret out -- Legal Proceedings instituted -- Departure of Northup and the Sheriff from Marksville for Bayou Bœuf -- Arrangements on the Way -- Reach Epps' Plantation -- Discover his Slaves in the Cotton Field -- The Meeting -- The Farewell -- Chapter XXII -- Arrival in New-Orleans -- Glimpse of Freeman -- Genois, the Recorder -- His Description of Solomon -- Reach Charleston -- Interrupted by Custom House Officers -- Pass through Richmond -- Arrival in Washington -- Burch Arrested -- Shekels and Thorn --

Contents note continued: Their Testimony -- Burch Acquitted -- Arrest of Solomon -- Burch withdraws the Complaint -- The Higher Tribunal -- Departure from Washington -- Arrival at Sandy Hill -- Old Friends and Familiar Scenes -- Proceed to Glens Falls -- Meeting with Anne, Margaret, and Elizabeth -- Solomon Northup Staunton -- Incidents -- Conclusion.

"A harrowing memoir about one of the darkest periods in American historyBorn a free man in New York, Solomon Northup was abducted in Washington, D.C., in 1841 and spent the next twelve years of his life in captivity as a slave on a Louisiana cotton plantation. After his rescue, he published this exceptionally vivid and detailed account of slave life--perhaps the best written of all the slave narratives. It became an immediate bestseller and today is recognized for its unusual insight and eloquence as one of the very few portraits of American slavery produced by someone as educated as Solomon Northup, or by someone with the dual perspective of having been both a free man and a slave"--

"Born a free man in New York State in 1808, Solomon Northup was kidnapped in Washington, D.C., in 1841. He spent the next twelve harrowing years of his life as a slave on a Louisiana cotton plantation. During this time he was frequently abused and often afraid for his life. After regaining his freedom in 1853, Northup decided to publish this gripping autobiographical account of his captivity. As an educated man, Northup was able to present an exceptionally detailed and accurate description of slave life and plantation society. Indeed, this book is probably the fullest, most realistic picture of the "peculiar institution" during the three decades before the Civil War. Moreover, Northup tells his story both from the viewpoint of an outsider, who had experienced thirty years of freedom and dignity in the United States before his capture, and as a slave, reduced to total bondage and submission. Very few personal accounts of American slavery were written by slaves with a similar history. Published in 1853, Northup's book found a ready audience and almost immediately became a bestseller. Aside from its vivid depiction of the detention, transportation, and sale of slaves, TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE is admired for its classic accounts of cotton and sugar production, its uncannily precise recall of people, times, and places, and the compelling details that recreate the daily routine of slaves in the Gulf South"--