WASHINGTON, D. C.,
October 6th, 1855.
MR. STILL, DEAR SIR:— I regret exceedingly to learn by your
favor of 4th instant, that all things are not ready. Although I cannot speak of
any immediate and positive danger. [Yet it is well known that the city is full
of incendiaries]
Perhaps you are aware that any colored citizen is liable at
any hour of day or night without any show of authority to have his house
ransacked by constables, and if others do it and commit the most outrageous
depredations none but white witnesses can convict them. Such outrages are
always common here, and no kind of property exposed to colored protection only,
can be considered safe. [I don’t say that much liberty should not be given to
constables on account of numerous runaways, but it don’t always work for good]
Before advertising they go round and offer rewards to sharp colored men of
perhaps one or two hundred dollars, to betray runaways, and having discovered
their hiding-place, seize them and then cheat their informers out of the money.
[Although'a law-abiding man,] I am anxious in this case of
innocence to raise no conflict or suspicion. [Be sure that the manumission is
full and legal] And as I am powerless without your aid, I pray you don't lose a
moment in giving me relief. The idea of waiting yet for weeks seems dreadful;
do reduce it to days if possible, and give me notice of the earliest possible
time.
The property is not yet advertised, but will be, [and if we
delay too long, may be sold and lost.]
It was a great misunderstanding, though not your fault, that
so much delay would be necessary. [I repeat again that I must have the thing
done legally, therefore, please get a good lawyer to draw up the deed of manumission.]
Yours Truly,
J. BIGELOW.
SOURCES: The Daily Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia,
Monday, July 27, 1857, p. 4; William Still, The Underground Railroad: A
Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters &c., p. 180
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