Friday, June 3, 2011

The slave who mailed himself to freedom

The story is told of of Henry "Box" Brown who used mail in a most unique manner.

In 1849, the 33-year old Virginia slave decided to mail himself to freedom.

He convinced a shopkeeper to seal him in a  3' x 2' box and mail the package to an abolitionist in Philidephia.

It was a long 27 hours. He was jostled, thrown and shaken all along the way from wagon, to railroad, to steamboat, to wagon , to railroad, to ferry and back tot he wagon.

He didn't lose his sense of manner. When abolitionists pried open the delivery and Brown emerged from the box, his first words were allegedly, “How do you do, gentlemen?”

What do you think? Comment here.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Obviously, there were NO weight restrictions back then!! Was that in a Flat Rate Box?

Anonymous said...

If it fits, it ships! :) I can only imagine their repsonse.

Anonymous said...

If one is succeed, you must think outside the box. In this case, he had a lot to think about while he was in the box. Can't imagine what was running through his mind while he was inside....not knowing if anyone would discover him. No sneezing, coughing, and probably didn't eat or drink. But the postal service came through!!

Anonymous said...

KUDOS TO MR. BROWN. IT JUST PROVES THAT PEOPLE WILL DO "ANYTHING" AND FIND "INGENIOUS" WAYS TO ACHIEVE .... FREEDOM!!!