Washington, D. C., September 9th, 1855.
MR. WM. STILL, DEAR SIR:— I strongly hope the little matter
of business so long pending and about which I have written you so many times,
will take a move now. I have the promise that the merchandize shall be
delivered in this city to-night. Like so many other promises, this also may
prove a failure, though I have reason to believe that it will not. I shall,
however, know before I mail this note. In case the goods arrive here I shall hope
to see your long-talked of “Professional gentleman” in Washington, as soon as
possible. He will find me by the enclosed card, which shall be a satisfactory
introduction for him. You have never given me his name, nor am I anxious to know
it. But on a pleasant visit made last fall to friend Wm. Wright, in Adams Co.,
I suppose I accidentally learned it to be a certain Dr. H——. Well, let him
come.
I had an interesting call a week ago from two gentlemen,
masters of vessels, and brothers, one of whom, I understand, you know as the “powder
boy.” I had a little light freight for them; but not finding enough other
freight to ballast their craft, they went down the river looking for wheat, and
promising to return soon. I hope to see them often.
I hope this may find you returned from your northern trip,1
as your time proposed was out two or three days ago.
I hope if the whole particulars of Jane Johnson’s case2
are printed, you will send me the copy as proposed.
I forwarded some of her things to Boston a few days ago, and
had I known its importance in court, I could have sent you one or two witnesses
who would prove that her freedom was intended by her before she left
Washington, and that a man was engaged here to go on to Philadelphia the same
day with her to give notice there of her case, though I think he failed to do
so. It was beyond all question her purpose, before leaving Washington and
provable too, that if Wheeler should make her a free woman by taking her to a
free state “to use it rather.”
_______________
1 Mr. Bigelow's correspondent had been on a visit
to the fugitives to Canada.
2 Jane Johnson of the Passmore Williamson Slave
Case.
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. 178-9
