WILMINGTON, 12th mo., 19th,
1855.
DEAR FRIEND, WILLIAM STILL:— The bearer of this is one of
the twenty-one that I thought had all gone North; he left home on Christmas
day, one year since, wandered about the forests of North Carolina for about ten
months, and then came here with those forwarded to New Bedford, where he is
anxious to go. I have furnished him with a pretty good pair of boots, and gave
him money to pay his passage to Philadelphia. He has been at work in the country
near here for some three weeks, till taken sick; he is, by no means well, but
thinks he had better try to get further North, which I hope his friends in
Philadelphia will aid him to do. I handed this morning Captain Lambson's* wife
twenty dollars to help fee a lawyer to defend him. She leaves this morning,
with her child, for Norfolk, to be at the trial before the Commissioner on the
24th instant. Passmore Williamson agreed to raise fifty dollars for him. As
none came to hand, and a good chance to send it by his wife, I thought best to
advance that much.
Thy friend,
THOS. GARRETT.
_______________
* Captain Lambson had been suspected of having aided in the
escape of slaves from the neighborhood of Norfolk, and was in prison awaiting
his trial.
SOURCE: William Still, The Underground Railroad: A
Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters &c., p. 131
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