Chapter Fifty: Chip Jefferson's Journal

January 7, 1863, at sea.

I am really happy to have a secret place to write down my thoughts about what is going on around me. My Papa always told me that literacy was what separated the classes in a democratic society, and so I was taught at an early age to read and to write. I was taught, even though we were slaves, because our masters were much different than most of the owners in the South. Mrs. Sims was always reading to me and teaching me how to read and sound out the words. It's kind of a magic way of seeing the world through symbols, and now that we will journey to our "new world," I will no longer be looked at as strange because I can read and write. Some of the men aboard the Monitor were nice to me, and I would often read them letters from home, and I was even paid to write love letters, although the quartermaster got angry when his lady friend severed their relationship after getting one of my epistles. However, many of them thought I was very strange, and even called me names, just because I could read and write! They said "our people" should not have this skill because we would never do anything except the low-class jobs.

As the youngest aboard this ship, I am given the duties of a cabin boy, but Captains Ericsson and Sinclair have promised me that once we land on Easter Island I will be free to establish my own livelihood, and I will no longer be considered a subordinate. Even at home I did not feel totally free, as my parents, even though they loved me, were also quite a burden.

My friends in the Navy, on the contrary, were very supportive of our race's fight for independence, and now I can finally establish a new life on my own.

I no longer distrust Captains Ericsson and Sinclair, or Lieutenant Greene, as they have told me that they were never slave traders. In fact, as they now tell me, we shall never allow slavery or any type of indentured servitude at our new city-state on Easter Island. Just last night, at dinner, Captain Ericsson showed us all his written constitution, and, sure enough, there was an amendment that said, "No slavery or any type of racial servitude will be permitted at Ericssonville." Captain Sinclair laughed at the name our good leader had given the new city, but we all agreed, since it had been Captain Ericsson's idea in the first place, then the least we could do was to allow our city to be named after him. Perhaps one day, if I can become as intelligent and productive as these gentlemen, then I, too, will have a place on Easter Island named for me. Until then, I will continue reading and studying the books Captain Ericsson and Lieutenant Greene have given me, and work hard to earn their respect. Papa always told me that we had to perform much better than the white folks, because we would never be considered equal to begin with. I am hoping, with my complete being, that things will be different on our new island.

Captain Sinclair and his wife are not as friendly as the others. I suppose it's because they are English, and many of the English have taken sides with the Rebels in the South. Mister Sinclair never teaches me anything about being a sailor. Captains Worden and Greene, and even Captain Ericsson will always point out something for me to learn on board ship, but this Sinclair always tells me he's too busy, and he often just laughs in my face, as if he finds it much too absurd that I should be asking him such questions. I shall endeavor to stay away from him in the future, and I will try not to get in his way on the island. In the meantime, the others will help me learn. I still love the sea, and our voyage is quite exciting. Captain Ericsson says we shall stop at Pitcairn Island before we finish our journey to Easter Island. This is where the mutinous crew of the H.M.S. Bounty, led by Fletcher Christian, was able to establish another home, free from the hangman's noose. We, too, would most likely be hanged or sent to prison if we stayed in America. This is our only refuge and our only solace. I owe my life to these men, and I will experience my new one thanks to their kindness.