Great was the anxiety felt in Washington. It is certainly not too much
to say, that an equal amount of anxiety existed in Philadelphia
respecting the safety of the merchandise. At this juncture Mr. Bigelow
had come to the conclusion that it was no longer safe to write over his
own name, but that he would do well to henceforth adopt the name of the
renowned Quaker, Wm. Penn, (he was worthy of it) as in the case of the
following letter.
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 10th, 1855.
DEAR SIR:--Doctor T. presented my card last night about half
past eight which I instantly recognized. I, however, soon became
suspicious, and afterwards confounded, to find the doctor using
your name and the well known names of Mr. McK. and Mr. W. and
yet, neither he nor I, could conjecture the object of his visit.
The doctor is agreeable and sensible, and doubtless a
true-hearted man. He seemed to see the whole matter as I did,
and was embarrassed. He had nothing to propose, no information
to give of the "P. Boy," or of any substitute, and seemed to
want no particular information from me concerning my anxieties
and perils, though I stated them to him, but found him as
powerless as myself to give me relief. I had an agreeable
interview with the doctor till after ten, when he left,
intending to take the cars at six, as I suppose he did do, this
morning.
This morning after eight, I got your letter of the 9th, but it
gives me but little enlightenment or satisfaction. You simply
say that the doctor is a _true man_, which I cannot doubt, that
you thought it best we should have an interview, and that you
supposed I would meet the expenses. You informed me also that
the "P. Boy" left for Richmond, on Friday, the 2d, to be gone
_the length of time named in your last_, I must infer that to be
_ten days_ though in your last _you assured me_ that the "P.
Boy" would certainly start for _this place_ (not Richmond) in
two or three days, though the difficulty about freight might
cause delay, and the whole enterprise might not be accomplished
under ten days, &c., &c. That time having elapsed and I having
agreed to an extra fifty dollars to ensure promptness. I have
scarcely left my office since, except for my hasty meals,
awaiting his arrival. You now inform me he has gone to Richmond,
to be gone ten days, which will expire tomorrow, but you do not
say he will return here or to Phila, or where, at the expiration
of that time, and Dr. T. could tell me nothing whatever about
him. Had he been able to tell me that this _best plan_, which I
have so long rested upon, would fail, or was abandoned, I could
then understand it, but he says no such thing, and you say, as
you have twice before said, "ten days more."
Now, my dear sir, after this recapitulation, can you not see
that I have reason for great embarrassment? I have given
assurances, both here and in New York, founded on your
assurances to me, and caused my friends in the latter place
great anxiety, so much that I have had no way to explain my own
letters but by sending your last two to Mr. Tappan.
I cannot doubt, I do not, but that you wish to help me, and the
cause too, for which both of us have made many and large
sacrifices with no hope of reward in this world. If in this case
I have been very urgent since September Dr. T. can give you some
of my reasons, they have not been selfish.
The whole matter is in a nutshell. Can I, in your opinion,
depend on the "P. Boy," and when?
If he promises to come here next trip, will he come, or go to
Richmond? This I think is the best way. Can I depend on it?
Dr. T. promised to write me some explanation and give some
advice, and at first I thought to await his letter, but on
second thought concluded to tell you how I feel, as I have done.
Will you answer my questions with some explicitness, and without
delay?
I forgot to inquire of Dr. T. who is the head of your Vigilance
Committee, whom I may address concerning other and further
operations?
Yours very truly,