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,[A] as
your time proposed was out two or three days ago.
[Footnote A: Mr. Bigelow's correspondent had been on a visit to
the fugitives to Canada.]
I hope if the whole particulars of Jane Johnson's case[B] are
printed, you will send me the copy as proposed.
[Footnote B: Jane Johnson of the Passmore Williamson Slave
Case.]
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_."
Tuesday, 11th September. The attempt was made on Sunday to
forward the merchandize, but failed through no fault of any of
the parties that I now know of. It will be repeated soon, and
you shall know the result.
"Whorra for Judge Kane." I feel so indignant at the man, that it
is not easy to write the foregoing sentence, and yet who is
helping our cause like Kane and Douglas, not forgetting
Stringfellow. I hope soon to know that this reaches you in
safety.
It often happens that light freight would be offered to Captain
B., but the owners cannot by possibility _advance_ the amount of
freight. I wish it were possible in some such extreme cases,
that after advancing _all they have_, some public fund should be
found to pay the balance or at least lend it.
[I wish here to caution you against the supposition that I would
do any act, or say a word towards helping servants to escape.
Although I hate slavery so much, I keep my hands clear of any
such wicked or illegal act.]
Yours, very truly,