Will you recollect, hereafter, that in any of my future letters,
in which I may use [] whatever words may be within the brackets
are intended to have no signification whatever to you, only to
blind the eyes of the uninitiated. You will find an example at
the close of my letter.
Up to this time the chances seemed favorable of procuring the ready
services of either of the above mentioned captains who visited Lawyer
Bigelow for the removal of the merchandize to Philadelphia, providing
the shipping master could have it in readiness to suit their
convenience. But as these captains had a number of engagements at
Richmond, Petersburg, &c., it was not deemed altogether safe to rely
upon either of them, consequently in order to be prepared in case of an
emergency, the matter was laid before two professional gentlemen who
were each occupying chairs in one of the medical colleges of
Philadelphia. They were known to be true friends of the slave, and had
possessed withal some experience in Underground Rail Road matters.
Either of these professors was willing to undertake the operation,
provided arrangements could be completed in time to be carried out
during the vacation. In this hopeful, although painfully indefinite
position the matter remained for more than a year; but the
correspondence and anxiety increased, and with them disappointments and
difficulties multiplied. The hope of Freedom, however, buoyed up the
heart of the young slave girl during the long months of anxious waiting
and daily expectation for the hour of deliverance to come. Equally true
and faithful also did Mr. Bigelow prove to the last; but at times he had
some painfully dark seasons to encounter, as may be seen from the
subjoined letter:
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,