WASHINGTON, D.C., June 27, 1854.
MR. WM. STILL--_Dear Sir_:--I have to thank you for the prompt
answer you had the kindness to give to my note of 22d inst.
Having found a correspondence so quick and easy, and withal so
very flattering, I address you again more fully.
The liberal appropriation for _transportation_ has been made
chiefly on account of a female child of ten or eleven years old,
for whose purchase I have been authorized to offer $700
(refused), and for whose sister I have paid $1,600, and some
$1,000 for their mother, &c.
This child sleeps in the same apartment with its master and
mistress, which adds to the difficulty of removal. She is some
ten or twelve miles from the city, so that really the chief
hazard will be in bringing her safely to town, and in secreting
her until a few days of _storm_ shall have abated. All this, I
think, is now provided for with entire safety.
The child has two cousins in the immediate vicinity; a young man
of some twenty-two years of age, and his sister, of perhaps
seventeen--_both Slaves_, but bright and clear-headed as
anybody. The young man I have seen often--the services of _both_
seem indispensable to the main object suggested; but having once
rendered the service, they cannot, and ought not return to
Slavery. They look for _freedom_ as the reward of what they
shall now do.
Out of the $300, cheerfully offered for the whole enterprise, I
must pay some reasonable sum for transportation to the city and
sustenance while here. It cannot be much; for the balance, I
shall give a draft, which will be _promptly paid_ on their
arrival in New York.
If I have been understood to offer the whole $300, _it shall be
paid_, though I have meant as above stated. Among the various
ways that have been suggested, has been that of taking _all of
them_ into the cars here; that, I think, will be found
impracticable. I find so much vigilance at the depot, that I
would not deem it safe, though, in any kind of carriage they
might leave in safety at any time.
All the rest I leave to the experience and sagacity of the
gentleman who maps out the enterprise.
Now I will thank you to reply to this and let me know that it
reaches you in safety, and is not put in a careless place,
whereby I may be endangered; and state also, whether all my
propositions are understood and acceptable, and whether, (pretty
quickly after I shall inform you that _all things are ready_),
the gentleman will make his appearance?
I live alone. My office and bed-room, &c., are at the corner of
E. and 7th streets, opposite the east end of the General Post
Office, where any one may call upon me.
It would, of course, be imprudent, that this letter, or any
other _written_ particulars, be in his pockets for fear of
accident.
Yours very respectfully,