In themselves, as they marched along, they bore testimony against Slavery. Their master had enjoyed the benefit of their services while he lived. For him they toiled. They worked daily, year in and year out; but the sweat of their face was spent for another, and not for themselves. Was this just? Death drew nigh; he felt its approach; and when told he must pass away, he summoned all his energy, as he remembered his slaves, and the various contradictory wills he had made with regard to them, and, also, what they had done for him, and said to the Physician by his side, "Remember, they are free. He would be just to them ere he met his God. He dares not die with the iniquity of human bondage resting upon his soul.

Well—they are free! The boon of mankind is theirs. But are they prepared to enjoy it? Their old master had means enough out of their labor to prepare them all for this step. He could travel in foreign lands; sport and spend freely on the race course; scatter profusely, or hold closely the money made by them, as fitful gleams of generosity, or hard gripings of avarice, seized and controlled him. For self, he would do as whim or caprice directed; but for them, in the way of enlightenment, he did nothing [editor’s note: sources indicate that Randolph took great interest in the educating and care of his slaves]. And it was not till life’s doings were spread out before him, and all of the past was concentrated in the brief hour of death, that he had the courage to declare orally that they should enjoy, untaught and unprepared as they were, what God meant should be common to all his creatures —freedom!