Oswego, Oct 25th, 1857.
DEAR SIR:—I take this opportunity of writing you these few
lines to inform you that I am well and hope these few lines will find you the
same (and your family you must excuse me for not writing to you before. I would
have written to you before this but I put away the card you gave me and could
not find it until a few days sins. I did not go to Canada for I got work in
Oswego, but times are very dull here at present. I have been out of employ
about five weeks I would like to go to Australia. Do you know of any gentleman
that is going there or any other place, except south that wants a servant to go
there with him to wait on him or do any other work, I have a brother that wants
to come north. I received a letter from him a few days ago. Can you tell me of
any plan that I can fix to get him give my respects to Mrs. Still and all you
family. Please let me know if you hear of any berth of that kind. Nothing more
at present
I remain your
obedient servant,
Oscar D. BALL
But my name is now John Delaney. Direct your letter to John
Delaney Oswego N. Y. care of R. Oliphant.
SOURCE: William Still, The Underground Railroad: A
Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters &c., p. 400
