WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:15.000 The University of North Carolina presents American Adventure, a study of man in the new world, his values and his characteristics, who he is, what he believes, what he lives by. 00:15.000 --> 00:38.000 Written by John Ely, directed by John Clayton, American Adventure is produced and recorded by the University of North Carolina Communication Center, Earl Wynn, director. 00:38.000 --> 00:50.000 Tonight's story takes place in the south of slavery days and is based on fact. It is the story of a planter, of one night in his life and of the next morning. 00:50.000 --> 01:00.000 We cannot help but wonder what he would think if he were to have realized as he lived this experience that decades later a national radio audience would consider it. 01:00.000 --> 01:08.000 Living on a small island in one of North Carolina's many sounds, he was isolated from most of his own state, much less the nation. 01:08.000 --> 01:20.000 But if he had known, his decision would have been the same, we feel. His actions perhaps even more heroic. 01:20.000 --> 01:29.000 His name was John Williams. We are on his island as the night rain beats down. We are with him in the kitchen of his plantation house. 01:29.000 --> 01:32.000 Oh Williams, there you are. What are you doing in the kitchen? 01:32.000 --> 01:36.000 Getting rum. Come in, Blake. Here, hold this cup. 01:36.000 --> 01:37.000 Yes, indeed. 01:37.000 --> 01:41.000 Mr. Blake, what will be done with the runaway slaves once they're caught? 01:41.000 --> 01:47.000 Oh, I suppose the sheriff will lock them up again and punish them. They've committed a rather serious offense. 01:47.000 --> 01:49.000 Yes, breaking out of Beaufort jail. 01:49.000 --> 01:51.000 You sound critical. 01:51.000 --> 01:54.000 I've heard of Beaufort jail. Are you coming to bear dear? 01:54.000 --> 02:00.000 Shortly. Be as quick as you can. All this frightens me. Good night. 02:00.000 --> 02:02.000 Good night Mrs. Williams. 02:02.000 --> 02:03.000 Here's your drink, Blake. 02:03.000 --> 02:05.000 Yes, thank you. 02:05.000 --> 02:07.000 To your health, sir. 02:07.000 --> 02:10.000 And the success of the sheriff's mission. 02:10.000 --> 02:13.000 Ah, good brandy. 02:13.000 --> 02:15.000 What was that? 02:15.000 --> 02:19.000 Sounded like someone at the kitchen door. Yes, it is. 02:19.000 --> 02:25.000 But who at this time of night? Excuse me? 02:25.000 --> 02:27.000 Yes? 02:27.000 --> 02:28.000 I say there. 02:28.000 --> 02:29.000 What is it, Williams? 02:29.000 --> 02:32.000 Why, um, it was nothing. 02:32.000 --> 02:35.000 Nothing? I heard the knocks. 02:35.000 --> 02:39.000 So did I. But when I opened the door, nothing. 02:39.000 --> 02:40.000 Nobody there at all? 02:40.000 --> 02:42.000 Nobody. 02:42.000 --> 02:44.000 Let me take a look. 02:44.000 --> 02:48.000 Hello out there. Hello. 02:48.000 --> 02:49.000 Who's there? 02:49.000 --> 02:51.000 Do you see anyone? 02:51.000 --> 02:54.000 No one at all. 02:54.000 --> 02:56.000 Now, isn't that unusual? 02:56.000 --> 02:58.000 I heard the knocks clear enough. 02:58.000 --> 02:59.000 And you spoke to someone. 02:59.000 --> 03:00.000 Did I? 03:00.000 --> 03:02.000 Yes. 03:02.000 --> 03:05.000 Well, no matter. Surely there's no danger. 03:05.000 --> 03:07.000 Shall we go ask the sheriff about it? 03:07.000 --> 03:08.000 If you wish. 03:08.000 --> 03:11.000 He'll tell us about ghosts on the sound shore, no doubt. 03:11.000 --> 03:16.000 You go on ahead. I'll pour him a drink and bring you another. 03:16.000 --> 03:35.000 Pour me a tall one, Williams. I may need courage before morning with ghosts knocking at the doors. 03:35.000 --> 03:36.000 Matthew. 03:36.000 --> 03:37.000 Yes, Mr. Williams? 03:37.000 --> 03:38.000 Get out of bed and come into the kitchen. 03:38.000 --> 03:42.000 Yes, sir. 03:42.000 --> 03:44.000 Yes, sir. You heard? 03:44.000 --> 03:46.000 No, sir. I heard nothing. 03:46.000 --> 03:50.000 I just opened the kitchen door to find two runaway slaves here. 03:50.000 --> 03:51.000 Yes, sir. 03:51.000 --> 03:55.000 Well, why? Why did they come to the kitchen door? 03:55.000 --> 03:58.000 Why not to the slave quarters if they wanted help? 03:58.000 --> 04:00.000 Is it because you've made your room a haven for them? 04:00.000 --> 04:01.000 No, sir. 04:01.000 --> 04:05.000 Indeed? At any rate, I have suspected that. 04:05.000 --> 04:06.000 But, sir. 04:06.000 --> 04:08.000 Let's say no more about it. Please. 04:08.000 --> 04:11.000 Did you recognize the two runaways, sir? 04:11.000 --> 04:15.000 They're probably the ones that escaped this afternoon from Beaufort jail. 04:15.000 --> 04:16.000 I did not know of that. 04:16.000 --> 04:21.000 And in my house tonight are two men, the sheriff and Mr. Blake, who have come from Beaufort to look for them. 04:21.000 --> 04:23.000 And I am implicated. 04:23.000 --> 04:31.000 I should have reported them on the spot, but I let them run away and then lied to Blake, said no one was there. 04:31.000 --> 04:33.000 Why do I do things like that? 04:33.000 --> 04:35.000 Why, sir, I don't know. 04:35.000 --> 04:41.000 My wife said she hoped they'd get away and I just let them go. 04:41.000 --> 04:42.000 Mr. Williams, sir. 04:42.000 --> 04:43.000 Yes. 04:43.000 --> 04:45.000 In Beaufort jail a man is fed very little. 04:45.000 --> 04:49.000 So I've heard. So much the better reason to avoid breaking laws. 04:49.000 --> 04:53.000 Mr. Williams, it is cold tonight and they are tired and wet from crossing the sun. 04:53.000 --> 04:55.000 Are you suggesting, Matthew, that I... 04:55.000 --> 04:57.000 Don't you know the penalty for aiding runaways? 04:57.000 --> 04:58.000 Yes, sir. 04:58.000 --> 05:03.000 It's easy enough for you to talk. But if you were in my place, Matthew, you would speak differently. 05:03.000 --> 05:04.000 Yes, sir. 05:04.000 --> 05:06.000 No, I will not take part in this. 05:06.000 --> 05:10.000 I only thought, sir, that you would not want to let them die. 05:10.000 --> 05:19.000 If there's any danger of that, then I'll tell the sheriff and perhaps they can be caught and treated in Beaufort. 05:19.000 --> 05:20.000 Sir, in Beaufort they will also... 05:20.000 --> 05:24.000 No, look here, Matthew. What am I to do about all this? 05:24.000 --> 05:30.000 I have washed my hands of the whole affair. 05:30.000 --> 05:35.000 I will not report it and I will not aid them. 05:35.000 --> 05:41.000 I am now leaving the kitchen area for the night and I will not return. 05:41.000 --> 05:46.000 You lock up and see that all matters are attended to. 05:46.000 --> 05:47.000 Yes, sir. 05:47.000 --> 06:10.000 But take care, Matthew. I did not like the faces of those two. 06:10.000 --> 06:13.000 Here we are. Here we are. I brought the whole bottle. 06:13.000 --> 06:14.000 Fine. 06:14.000 --> 06:17.000 Did you tell the sheriff about the incident, Blake? 06:17.000 --> 06:18.000 Yes, I did. 06:18.000 --> 06:20.000 You say no one was there. 06:20.000 --> 06:21.000 No one, sheriff. 06:21.000 --> 06:23.000 Well, then, who knocked? 06:23.000 --> 06:24.000 How should I know? 06:24.000 --> 06:25.000 Somebody had to knock. 06:25.000 --> 06:29.000 Yes, but that's the story, don't you see? Somebody had to, but no one was there. 06:29.000 --> 06:33.000 Nonsense. Don't tell me you have ghosts on this island now. 06:33.000 --> 06:34.000 No, I think not. 06:34.000 --> 06:36.000 Well, you can't tell me that nobody knocked. 06:36.000 --> 06:40.000 Well, it was nothing at any rate. So let's forget it. 06:40.000 --> 06:45.000 Of course, the fact that you saw no one at the door doesn't mean nobody was there. 06:45.000 --> 06:47.000 And now who's talking of ghosts, Joe? 06:47.000 --> 06:51.000 Maybe one of them knocked and ran back into the shadows until he saw who answered. 06:51.000 --> 06:54.000 Oh, I see. You give them too much credit. 06:54.000 --> 06:58.000 Well, I don't underestimate them. That's true. 06:58.000 --> 07:01.000 Mr. Blake, I feel those two runaways are around this house this minute. 07:01.000 --> 07:05.000 Well, then, tomorrow morning you'll find them for sure. They won't go far. 07:05.000 --> 07:07.000 Not tomorrow morning. Tonight. 07:07.000 --> 07:09.000 Sheriff, it's quite dark out there. 07:09.000 --> 07:11.000 Are you accompanying me, Mr. Blake? 07:11.000 --> 07:12.000 Well, if you like. 07:12.000 --> 07:14.000 You, Mr. Williams? 07:14.000 --> 07:16.000 Not if you will excuse me. 07:16.000 --> 07:21.000 Of course. No need for guns, not at night. You have a pistol, Mr. Blake? 07:21.000 --> 07:22.000 Right here, yes. 07:22.000 --> 07:26.000 That'll do. Suppose we start our search at the kitchen door. 07:26.000 --> 07:30.000 Matthew, did the sheriff and Blake come in your room? 07:30.000 --> 07:31.000 No, sir. 07:31.000 --> 07:34.000 Well, they've decided those two runaways are around here somewhere. 07:34.000 --> 07:36.000 We've got to get them out of the house. 07:36.000 --> 07:37.000 Yes, sir. Where can we send them? 07:37.000 --> 07:39.000 I don't care where you send them. 07:39.000 --> 07:41.000 The sheriff and Mr. Blake are going through the barns now. 07:41.000 --> 07:43.000 Then they'll go to the slave quarters. 07:43.000 --> 07:44.000 I'll go with you. 07:44.000 --> 07:45.000 I'll go with you. 07:45.000 --> 07:46.000 I'll go with you. 07:46.000 --> 07:47.000 I'll go with you. 07:47.000 --> 07:48.000 I'll go with you. 07:48.000 --> 07:49.000 I'll go with you. 07:49.000 --> 07:50.000 I'll go with you. 07:50.000 --> 07:51.000 I'll go with you. 07:51.000 --> 07:52.000 I'll go with you. 07:52.000 --> 07:53.000 I'll go with you. 07:53.000 --> 07:54.000 I'll go with you. 07:54.000 --> 07:56.000 Then they'll go to the slave quarters. 07:56.000 --> 07:57.000 Where are the runaways? 07:57.000 --> 07:59.000 They're in my room, sir. 07:59.000 --> 08:01.000 If you take them out the front way, perhaps they won't be seen. 08:01.000 --> 08:03.000 But hurry them. 08:03.000 --> 08:04.000 Mr. Williams, sir. 08:04.000 --> 08:05.000 Yes. 08:05.000 --> 08:06.000 It is raining and they are ill. 08:06.000 --> 08:08.000 Well, well, what am I to do about that? 08:08.000 --> 08:10.000 Am I a physician? 08:10.000 --> 08:12.000 Can't you understand the problem here? 08:12.000 --> 08:14.000 Yes, sir, but would you tell them? 08:14.000 --> 08:15.000 I cannot. 08:15.000 --> 08:18.000 Confounded, Matthew. 08:18.000 --> 08:19.000 Let me see them then. 08:19.000 --> 08:24.000 We have no time for hesitation. 08:24.000 --> 08:26.000 Well, hold the lantern high. 08:26.000 --> 08:27.000 Yes, sir. 08:27.000 --> 08:30.000 Why do they pull back as if afraid? 08:30.000 --> 08:34.000 What miserable specimens of humanity they appear to be. 08:34.000 --> 08:38.000 It is no easy matter to cross the sound servant to come up through the marshes. 08:38.000 --> 08:40.000 Do they speak English? 08:40.000 --> 08:41.000 Yes, sir. 08:41.000 --> 08:43.000 Well, then, now listen here. 08:43.000 --> 08:48.000 I'm not going to hurt you, but there are some other men around who will. 08:48.000 --> 08:53.000 So take my advice and, and why do they look so frightened? 08:53.000 --> 08:55.000 I told them I wasn't going to hurt them. 08:55.000 --> 08:56.000 Yes, sir. 08:56.000 --> 08:57.000 Why are they afraid of me? 08:57.000 --> 08:59.000 Sir, because you were white. 08:59.000 --> 09:02.000 But I've never beaten a slave, no mistreated one in my life. 09:02.000 --> 09:07.000 I know, but they could not understand that. 09:07.000 --> 09:10.000 I see. 09:10.000 --> 09:12.000 What did you feed them, Matthew? 09:12.000 --> 09:15.000 I gave them meat and bread. 09:15.000 --> 09:18.000 On the dresser in my room is a box of balsam salve. 09:18.000 --> 09:20.000 Get it and treat the cuts on their skin. 09:20.000 --> 09:22.000 Give them some hot tea and keep them warm. 09:22.000 --> 09:23.000 Give them such clothing as you can spare. 09:23.000 --> 09:24.000 Yes, sir. 09:24.000 --> 09:27.000 I can't turn them out of this house looking so frightened and ill. 09:27.000 --> 09:30.000 And I can't turn them over to that sheriff. 09:30.000 --> 09:32.000 And I shouldn't help them. 09:32.000 --> 09:38.000 But they must learn that they can expect some kindness from a, a white man. 09:38.000 --> 09:40.000 Now, I'll return to the kitchen and wait for the sheriff. 09:40.000 --> 09:42.000 Sir, what if he wants to come in here? 09:42.000 --> 09:43.000 I don't think he will. 09:43.000 --> 09:45.000 To search my house is an insult probably beyond him. 09:45.000 --> 09:47.000 There's no way out of this room, sir. 09:47.000 --> 09:49.000 If you should try, the windows open only a little way. 09:49.000 --> 09:50.000 Never mind. 09:50.000 --> 09:52.000 I will, I will think of something. 09:52.000 --> 09:55.000 Just tend to their wounds for now. 09:55.000 --> 10:15.000 Music 10:15.000 --> 10:30.000 The mud around your place sticks too readily to one's boots. 10:30.000 --> 10:31.000 Well, I grow rice. 10:31.000 --> 10:33.000 That, that requires damp soil. 10:33.000 --> 10:36.000 Come on in and close the door, Mr. Blake. 10:36.000 --> 10:37.000 Yes. 10:37.000 --> 10:40.000 We found no slaves, Williams, except your own. 10:40.000 --> 10:41.000 Well, tomorrow you can look again. 10:41.000 --> 10:42.000 Of course. 10:42.000 --> 10:44.000 Shall we go into the parlor? 10:44.000 --> 10:47.000 I'd rather sit here in the kitchen. 10:47.000 --> 10:48.000 Hurts warm, if I may. 10:48.000 --> 10:49.000 As you wish. 10:49.000 --> 10:52.000 Yes. 10:52.000 --> 10:55.000 We did pick up a clue, though, didn't we, Mr. Blake? 10:55.000 --> 10:56.000 A smart one. 10:56.000 --> 11:00.000 Two pair of footprints, clearly marked under the eaves outside the door. 11:00.000 --> 11:02.000 No shoes on the feet, clearly marked. 11:02.000 --> 11:04.000 Could be almost any one. 11:04.000 --> 11:08.000 They approach the door, stop, and they run off in the opposite direction. 11:08.000 --> 11:12.000 Well, perhaps they were the two slaves. 11:12.000 --> 11:16.000 Perhaps they came to the door as you conjectured, then ran away. 11:16.000 --> 11:19.000 Yes, but I didn't quite conjecture it like that. 11:19.000 --> 11:21.000 Why, what do you mean, Sheriff? 11:21.000 --> 11:24.000 Why would two of them come to the door to knock? 11:24.000 --> 11:28.000 Why wouldn't one of them remain in the shadows and let the other one knock and then hurry back to it? 11:28.000 --> 11:31.000 Well, perhaps you can ask them when you find them. 11:31.000 --> 11:34.000 Can I get you some more brandy, gentlemen? 11:34.000 --> 11:37.000 Tell me first, do you spend much time in the kitchen? 11:37.000 --> 11:38.000 None at all. 11:38.000 --> 11:40.000 Are you ever back here? 11:40.000 --> 11:41.000 Occasionally. 11:41.000 --> 11:42.000 At night? 11:42.000 --> 11:43.000 Almost never. 11:43.000 --> 11:45.000 Is your wife ever back here? 11:45.000 --> 11:46.000 No, not at night. 11:46.000 --> 11:49.000 The servants do the work. Why? 11:49.000 --> 11:54.000 Well, I have a perfect theory, except for one fact. 11:54.000 --> 11:56.000 Just one. 11:56.000 --> 11:58.000 What is that? 11:58.000 --> 12:02.000 They were not at the door when you opened it. 12:02.000 --> 12:06.000 Now, by my theory, they would be at the door when you opened it. 12:06.000 --> 12:09.000 And they'd be very much surprised to find a white man there. 12:09.000 --> 12:12.000 I see. 12:12.000 --> 12:13.000 Suppose we go to bed. 12:13.000 --> 12:16.000 Oh, let's hear the theory, Williams. I find it very interesting. 12:16.000 --> 12:17.000 I find it dull. 12:17.000 --> 12:21.000 Oh, but it's so perfect a theory, sir. 12:21.000 --> 12:24.000 Now, here we have an isolated plantation. 12:24.000 --> 12:28.000 We have the possibility of slaves in this area knowing that when they come to this house, 12:28.000 --> 12:30.000 they'll be cared for and given supplies. 12:30.000 --> 12:35.000 We know somebody in this area does that for runaway slaves. 12:35.000 --> 12:38.000 So they came here tonight and they knocked. 12:38.000 --> 12:42.000 But the door was answered by a white man, not a Negro. So then they turned and fled. 12:42.000 --> 12:47.000 I do not care for the inference that lies buried in that massive conjecture either. 12:47.000 --> 12:49.000 Listen to me, Sheriff. I've heard quite enough. 12:49.000 --> 12:51.000 Then, sir, answer me one question more. 12:51.000 --> 12:53.000 One dozen questions more mean nothing to me. 12:53.000 --> 12:55.000 Just one. 12:55.000 --> 13:00.000 There are Negro slaves who sleeps in this house and who usually answers the kitchen door at night. 13:00.000 --> 13:03.000 Yes, my boy Matthew. 13:03.000 --> 13:04.000 May I look in his room? 13:04.000 --> 13:05.000 No. 13:05.000 --> 13:06.000 I insist. 13:06.000 --> 13:08.000 Insist or you please. The answer is no. 13:08.000 --> 13:09.000 Sir, I must look. 13:09.000 --> 13:12.000 Sheriff, this is my house. Take care of what you do. You have no warrant. 13:12.000 --> 13:16.000 Nonsense. If you have two escaped slaves in here, we both at best find it out now. 13:16.000 --> 13:18.000 Sheriff! 13:18.000 --> 13:36.000 Mr. Blake, when you fetch some rope, we'll have to tie up the three of them. 13:49.000 --> 13:52.000 I do not want Matthew questioned any further. 13:52.000 --> 13:56.000 But, Williams, it would seem to me that you'd be interested in finding out the truth. 13:56.000 --> 13:59.000 Here under your own roof is a person hiding runaways. 13:59.000 --> 14:00.000 I know that, but I don't... 14:00.000 --> 14:03.000 But nothing. Let the sheriff proceed. 14:03.000 --> 14:06.000 Matthew, where do you send the slaves when they leave here? 14:06.000 --> 14:07.000 Nowhere. 14:07.000 --> 14:08.000 They do come here then? 14:08.000 --> 14:09.000 No. 14:09.000 --> 14:10.000 You send them north or to the Indies? 14:10.000 --> 14:11.000 I send them nowhere. 14:11.000 --> 14:12.000 You send who nowhere? 14:12.000 --> 14:13.000 I send no one. 14:13.000 --> 14:18.000 I tell you, Sheriff, I do not like this questioning. 14:18.000 --> 14:20.000 Mr. Williams? 14:20.000 --> 14:22.000 Yes. What is it, dear? 14:22.000 --> 14:24.000 When are you coming to bed? 14:24.000 --> 14:27.000 Directly. Go on. I'll be up. 14:27.000 --> 14:31.000 It's nothing, ma'am. We just found the two runaways. 14:31.000 --> 14:33.000 Found them? Where? 14:33.000 --> 14:38.000 In Matthew's room. It's a terrible thing, ma'am. It'll go hard with him. 14:38.000 --> 14:42.000 After all the education and help Mr. Williams has given you. 14:42.000 --> 14:43.000 Yes, ma'am. 14:43.000 --> 14:50.000 Dear, please go to bed and let me handle this. 14:50.000 --> 14:54.000 Well, Matthew, you've heard your mistress. What do you say? 14:54.000 --> 14:57.000 Sir, sir, I don't know. I... 14:57.000 --> 14:59.000 Your punishment will be severe, you know that. 14:59.000 --> 15:02.000 Flogging's not good enough for this. 15:02.000 --> 15:07.000 Tell me, Matthew, have you ever seen Beaufort jail? 15:07.000 --> 15:09.000 Yes, sir. I have seen it from the outside. 15:09.000 --> 15:10.000 It's cool in there. 15:10.000 --> 15:11.000 Yes, sir. 15:11.000 --> 15:12.000 And damp. 15:12.000 --> 15:13.000 Yes, sir. 15:13.000 --> 15:15.000 And you'll be there unless you're executed. 15:15.000 --> 15:18.000 Sheriff, listen to me. This evening I talked to Matthew here. 15:18.000 --> 15:21.000 I am the man you want. I told him to take in the slaves. 15:21.000 --> 15:24.000 Williams, that's entirely out of reason. 15:24.000 --> 15:25.000 Matthew, what do you say? 15:25.000 --> 15:26.000 It is not true. 15:26.000 --> 15:27.000 Matthew. 15:27.000 --> 15:28.000 It is not true. 15:28.000 --> 15:31.000 You see there, Williams? Your offer to protect your slave goes to no avail. 15:31.000 --> 15:32.000 But I am liable, not he. 15:32.000 --> 15:33.000 Nonsense. 15:33.000 --> 15:34.000 It is not nonsense. 15:34.000 --> 15:35.000 But, sir, it is. 15:35.000 --> 15:37.000 Look, Matthew, plead as I say. 15:37.000 --> 15:41.000 No, sir. It was me. 15:41.000 --> 15:46.000 Very well. We'll bind you and tomorrow you'll go with these two runaways to Beaufort jail. 15:46.000 --> 15:47.000 Yes, sir. 15:47.000 --> 15:48.000 One moment here. 15:48.000 --> 15:50.000 Oh, Williams, please. There's nothing you or anyone can do. 15:50.000 --> 15:54.000 I said one moment, sir, and I will speak my piece though we spend the night at it. 15:54.000 --> 15:57.000 Matthew, go to your room and untie the two runaway slaves. 15:57.000 --> 15:58.000 What? 15:58.000 --> 16:00.000 My words were in simple English, Sheriff. 16:00.000 --> 16:02.000 Mr. Williams, I have arrested these three men. 16:02.000 --> 16:05.000 My house is not your jail, sir. Cut the ropes, Matthew. 16:05.000 --> 16:06.000 Go on. 16:06.000 --> 16:07.000 Yes, sir. 16:07.000 --> 16:09.000 Now, now, see here, Williams. You go too far. Even you can't... 16:09.000 --> 16:12.000 Mr. Williams, tomorrow I'm taking these three men to Beaufort. 16:12.000 --> 16:14.000 Then I will go there with them. 16:14.000 --> 16:17.000 And if you indict Matthew there, you had best indict me. 16:17.000 --> 16:21.000 But in either case, I will retain such attorneys as money will provide. 16:21.000 --> 16:24.000 Mr. Williams, you astound me, sir. 16:24.000 --> 16:25.000 Then you are easily astounded. 16:25.000 --> 16:26.000 I represent the law. 16:26.000 --> 16:29.000 I represent my house and those who are in it under my protection. 16:29.000 --> 16:31.000 Sir, the law does not stop at your doorway. 16:31.000 --> 16:33.000 The law stops where it can go no further. 16:33.000 --> 16:37.000 Williams, you're subject to the law, same as another, that you're wealthy or that you're... 16:37.000 --> 16:40.000 I am also subject to my conscience. 16:40.000 --> 16:41.000 But the law says... 16:41.000 --> 16:45.000 Confound the law when it hurts my conscience. 16:45.000 --> 16:49.000 I take it you intend to protect all three of these criminals? 16:49.000 --> 16:53.000 Yes. I will not contribute to their death. 16:53.000 --> 16:55.000 Those are strong words. 16:55.000 --> 16:58.000 I've heard that you're different and difficult. 16:58.000 --> 16:59.000 But tonight... 16:59.000 --> 17:04.000 Williams, you're a platter, a member of the House of Commons. 17:04.000 --> 17:06.000 You have a store in Newburn. 17:06.000 --> 17:11.000 You're protecting from the law two runaway slaves who fled their masters and then broke jail. 17:11.000 --> 17:13.000 You claim them as your houseguests. 17:13.000 --> 17:15.000 You stand against the law. 17:15.000 --> 17:16.000 The law? 17:16.000 --> 17:18.000 The law. 17:18.000 --> 17:19.000 Tell me about justice. 17:19.000 --> 17:22.000 Sir, we cannot enforce justice without law. 17:22.000 --> 17:25.000 Now, to protect Matthew is one thing. 17:25.000 --> 17:30.000 But to protect those other two, and in neither case can you safely set yourself against society. 17:30.000 --> 17:33.000 You will lie yourself with convicts. 17:33.000 --> 17:36.000 I suppose there is some truth in that. 17:36.000 --> 17:39.000 But... 17:39.000 --> 17:42.000 Tomorrow morning I return to Beaufort. 17:42.000 --> 18:05.000 I hope by then, sir, you'll have changed your mind. 18:05.000 --> 18:08.000 Mr. Williams, are you in here? 18:08.000 --> 18:09.000 Yes, dear. 18:09.000 --> 18:12.000 Oh, I've looked everywhere. 18:12.000 --> 18:14.000 I woke up as usual and you'd not come to bed. 18:14.000 --> 18:16.000 I know. 18:16.000 --> 18:20.000 I have sat here and listened to the rain and looked at the fire. 18:20.000 --> 18:23.000 But... but that's foolish, isn't it? 18:23.000 --> 18:26.000 The rain has stopped. 18:26.000 --> 18:28.000 It was very heavy. 18:28.000 --> 18:30.000 What's the matter, dear? 18:30.000 --> 18:31.000 What's wrong? 18:31.000 --> 18:34.000 It is that Matthew's guilt is mine. 18:34.000 --> 18:41.000 And for a solid night I've gone through that terrible experience of examining my beliefs. 18:41.000 --> 18:43.000 But two men came to my door. 18:43.000 --> 18:46.000 They were hungry and I fed them. 18:46.000 --> 18:48.000 They were cold and I clothed them. 18:48.000 --> 18:51.000 They were ill and I treated them. 18:51.000 --> 18:54.000 But I am outside the law. 18:54.000 --> 19:17.000 I will not contribute to their death all outside the law. 19:17.000 --> 19:20.000 Williams, what have you decided? 19:20.000 --> 19:22.000 I needn't tell you that I tossed in my bed all night. 19:22.000 --> 19:24.000 I'm sorry about that. 19:24.000 --> 19:30.000 Now, Mr. Williams, when I return to Beaufort, it's my intention to take the two runaways and your boy Matthew. 19:30.000 --> 19:33.000 No, I cannot permit you to do that. 19:33.000 --> 19:35.000 Well, I'll do it by force if necessary. 19:35.000 --> 19:36.000 On whose boat? 19:36.000 --> 19:39.000 It came on your supply boat, sir. I have no other. 19:39.000 --> 19:42.000 I do not give you permission to use it for this purpose. 19:42.000 --> 19:44.000 Then I'll take it. 19:44.000 --> 19:47.000 You break the law with less hesitation than I shall. 19:47.000 --> 19:50.000 In this case, perhaps, and willingly. 19:50.000 --> 19:52.000 And where will you find your navigator? 19:52.000 --> 19:55.000 Or do you know the shoals of bogus sounds? 19:55.000 --> 19:58.000 I'll take a slave who knows them. 19:58.000 --> 20:00.000 My slaves will not go with you. 20:00.000 --> 20:03.000 And if one does, I will order him to run you aground. 20:03.000 --> 20:11.000 Williams, Williams, we're old friends and here you force me to swear that I must report you if you do this thing. 20:11.000 --> 20:14.000 I intend to report my actions myself. 20:14.000 --> 20:16.000 Mr. Williams, I think you're ill. 20:16.000 --> 20:19.000 No, dear. You have a world of confidence. 20:19.000 --> 20:24.000 Yes, that justice can be recognized by those not blinded by law. 20:24.000 --> 20:29.000 I intend to publish a notice in the newspaper, which will state what I have done, 20:29.000 --> 20:32.000 and ask the owner of these two runaways to come and fetch them. 20:32.000 --> 20:35.000 And indeed, I wish he had them now. 20:35.000 --> 20:39.000 Mr. Williams, you'll be prosecuted to the limit of the law. 20:39.000 --> 20:40.000 Will I? 20:40.000 --> 20:42.000 Ask Mr. Blake here about that. 20:42.000 --> 20:44.000 Ask me what? 20:44.000 --> 20:46.000 No, this will not go to court. 20:46.000 --> 20:51.000 It would cause discussion about a subject many would prefer to leave undisturbed. 20:51.000 --> 20:53.000 Would you like more bacon, Sheriff? 20:53.000 --> 20:54.000 No. 20:54.000 --> 20:56.000 Mr. Blake? 20:56.000 --> 20:58.000 No, I'm quite done. 20:58.000 --> 20:59.000 Please forgive me, Blake. 20:59.000 --> 21:02.000 I've done no more than I think you would have done in my place. 21:02.000 --> 21:07.000 You would be surprised how many beliefs a man may have that he does not really believe. 21:07.000 --> 21:11.000 And under pressure, they desert him. 21:11.000 --> 21:16.000 Now, gentlemen, I will dispatch a boat to carry the two of you to Beaufort. 21:16.000 --> 21:36.000 Court records do not show that any legal action was taken against Robert Williams. 21:36.000 --> 21:43.000 But in the newspaper, the North Carolina Gazette of Newbern, in its issue of January 7, 1774, 21:43.000 --> 21:46.000 there is the following paid announcement. 21:46.000 --> 21:51.000 Taken up and committed to jail at Beaufort in Carteret County, two new Negroes. 21:51.000 --> 21:56.000 They came in a canoe to Bogues Sound, but where from we cannot understand. 21:56.000 --> 22:01.000 By some accident or act of humanity, they got out of jail of a cold evening 22:01.000 --> 22:06.000 and must have inevitably perished before morning and strayed to the subscriber's kitchen, 22:06.000 --> 22:10.000 who wishes the proper owner had them but cannot send them anymore into confinement 22:10.000 --> 22:14.000 to starve and freeze to death according to law. 22:14.000 --> 22:19.000 For the great lawgiver Moses had in command that we should do no murder. 22:19.000 --> 22:37.000 Robert Williams, Carteret County, North Carolina, November 22, 1773. 22:37.000 --> 22:54.000 American Adventure is written by John Ely, directed by John Clayton, 22:54.000 --> 22:58.000 and is produced by the Communications Center of the University of North Carolina. 22:58.000 --> 23:04.000 The series is made possible by grants and aid from the National Association of Educational Broadcasters 23:04.000 --> 23:11.000 and the Educational Television and Radio Center, an agency established by the Ford Foundation. 23:11.000 --> 23:17.000 In our story, Runaway Justice, the part of the planter John Williams was played by John Bonnets. 23:17.000 --> 23:22.000 The sheriff was Charles Caralt, his friend was Joe Young, the wife was Ulysses Lancaster, 23:22.000 --> 23:26.000 and the Negro slave was played by John Ely. 23:26.000 --> 23:30.000 The cast of all American Adventure programs is composed of students, faculty members, 23:30.000 --> 23:34.000 and townspeople of the University of North Carolina community, 23:34.000 --> 23:38.000 and American Adventure is produced and recorded in the studios of the Department of Radio, 23:38.000 --> 23:43.000 Television, and Motion Pictures at Chapel Hill. 23:43.000 --> 23:51.000 Next Thursday night, NBC invites you to hear American Adventure and the story entitled, The Demagogue. 23:51.000 --> 23:57.000 Tonight's program originated for NBC from WPTF, Raleigh. 23:57.000 --> 24:03.000 ***Music*** 24:27.000 --> 24:41.280 This is the NBC Radio Network.