Delaware Pardons Man who Guided Slaves to Freedom--Rebecca Brandt 4th Period

Governor of Delaware, Jack Markell, is prepared to pardon Samuel D. Burris, a free black man and underground railroad conductor, who was convicted of helping slaves escape to freedom in the 1840s. Ocea Thomas, ancestor of Burris, wrote many letters to Jack Markell convincing him to pardon Burris. Burris, just as Martin Luther King Jr. wrote over a century later, wrote a powerful letter against racial injustice from Dover jail. It was published in the 1848 edition of "The Liberator". Burris is considered a hero. He risked his life to save and free many black slaves. When he was discovered of aiding slaves, he was sold into slavery for 14 years. Coincidentally, or maybe not, he was purchased by a white abolitionist who posed as a slaveholder. The abolitionist sent Burris back to his family in Philadelphia. He then returned to Delaware and continued to conduct the underground railroad. Governor Markell said pardons usually are very rare and this is a special ocassion. Burris was a hero who risked his life for others.

It is amazing to hear about influential people like Burris. I don't think he has gotten enough recognition. Everyone in America pretty much knows who Martin Luther King Jr. is. Even if they have not learned about him, they still know in general. I, however, have never heard of Samuel Burris. The fact that he went back to the underground railroad after being convicted and sold into slavery just shows how much he cares about other people. He has been a huge influence on the world and slavery and I really think that he should be talked about more in America.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/30/us/underground-railroad-burris-delaware-governor-pardon/index.html