PRINCETON, Gibson COUNTY, INDIANA, Feb. 18, 1851.
To WM. STILL: — The plan is to go to Canada, on the Wabash,
opposite Detroit. There are four routes to Canada. One through Illinois,
commencing above and below Alton; one through to North Indiana, and the
Cincinnati route, being the largest route in the United States.
I intended to have gone through Pennsylvania, but the risk
going up the Ohio river has caused me to go to Canada. Steamboat traveling is
universally condemned; though many go in boats, consequently many get lost.
Going in a skiff is new, and is approved of in my case. After I arrive at the
mouth of the Tennessee river, I will go up the Ohio seventy-five miles, to the
mouth of the Wabash, then up the Wabash, forty-four miles to New Harmony, where
I shall go ashore by night, and go thirteen miles east, to Charles Grier, a
farmer, (colored man), who will entertain us, and next night convey us sixteen
miles to David Stormon, near Princeton, who will take the command, and I be
released.
David Stormon estimates the expenses from his house to
Canada, at forty dollars, without Which, no sure protection will be given. They
might be instructed concerning the course, and beg their way through without money.
If you wish to do what should be done, you will send me fifty dollars, in a
letter, to Princeton, Gibson county, Inda., so as to arrive there by the 8th of
March. Eight days should be estimated for a letter to arrive from Philadelphia.
The money to be State Bank of Ohio, or State Bank, or
Northern Bank of Kentucky, or any other Eastern bank. Send no notes larger than
twenty dollars.
Levi Coffin had no money for me. I paid twenty dollars for
the skiff. No money to get back to Philadelphia. It was not understood that I
would have to be at any expense seeking aid.
One half of my time has been used in trying to find persons
to assist, when I may arrive on the Ohio river, in which I have failed, except
Stormon.
Having no letter of introduction to Stormon from any source,
on which I could fully rely, I traveled two hundred miles around, to find out
his stability. I have found many Abolitionists, nearly all who have made
propositions, which themselves would not comply with, and nobody else would.
Already I have traveled over three thousand miles. Two thousand and four
hundred by steamboat, two hundred by railroad, one hundred by stage, four
hundred on foot, forty-eight in a skiff.
I have yet five hundred miles to go to the plantation, to
commence operations. I have been two weeks on the decks of steamboats, three
nights out, two of which I got perfectly wet. If I had had paper money, as
McKim desired, it would have been destroyed. I have not been entertained gratis
at any place except Stormon’s. I had one hundred and twenty-six dollars when I
left Philadelphia, one hundred from you, twenty-six mine.
Telegraphed to station at Evansville, thirty-three miles
from Stormon’s, and at Vinclure’s, twenty-five miles from Stormon’s. The Wabash
route is considered the safest route. No one has ever been lost from Stormon's
to Canada. Some have been lost between Stormon's and the Ohio. The wolves have
never suspected Stormon. Your asking aid in money for a case properly belonging
east of Ohio, is detested. If you have sent money to Cincinnati, you should
recall it. I will have no opportunity to use it.
SETH CONCKLIN,
Princeton, Gibson county, Ind.
P. S. First of April, will be about the time Peter’s family
will arrive opposite Detroit. You should inform yourself how to find them
there. I may have no opportunity.
I will look promptly for your letter at Princeton, till the
10th of March, and longer if there should have been any delay by the mails.
SOURCE: William Still, The Underground Railroad: A
Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters &c., p. 28-9
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