DEAR SIR:--I address you to-day chiefly at the suggestion of the
Lady who will hand you my letter, and who is a resident of your
city.
After stating to you, that the case about which I have
previously written, remains just as it was when I wrote
last--full of difficulty--I thought I would call your attention
to another enterprise; it is this: to find a man with a large
heart for doing good to the oppressed, who will come to
Washington to live, and who will _walk out to Penn'a., or a part
of the way there, once or twice a week_. He will find parties
who will _pay him for doing so_. Parties of say, two, three,
five or so, who will pay him _at least_ $5 each, for the
privilege of following him, but _will never speak to him_; but
will keep just in sight of him and obey any sign he may give;
say, he takes off his hat and scratches his head as a sign for
them to go to some barn or wood to rest, &c. No living being
shall be found to say he ever spoke to them. A white man would
be best, and then even parties led out by him could not, if they
would, testify to any _understanding_ or anything else against a
white man. I think he might make a good living at it. Can it not
be done?
If one or two safe stopping-places could be found on the
way--such as a barn or shed, they could walk quite safely all
night and then sleep all day--about two, or _easily_ three
nights would convey them to a place of safety. The traveler
might be a peddler or huckster, with an old horse and cart, and
bring us in eggs and butter if he pleases.
Let him once plan out his route, and he might then take ten or a
dozen at a time, and they are often able and willing to pay $10
a piece.
I have a hard case now on hand; a brother and sister 23 to 25
years old, whose mother lives in your city. They are cruelly
treated; they want to go, they _ought_ to go; but they are
utterly destitute. Can nothing be done for such cases? If you
can think of anything let me know it. I suppose you know me?
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 3, 1856.
DEAR SIR:--I sent you the recent law of Virginia, under which
all vessels are to be searched for fugitives within the waters
of that State.
It was long ago suggested by a sagacious friend, that the
"powder boy" might find a better port in the Chesapeake bay, or
in the Patuxent river to communicate with this vicinity, than by
entering the Potomac river, even were there no such law.
Suppose he opens a trade with some place south-west of
Annapolis, 25 or 30 miles from here, or less. He might carry
wood, oysters, &c., and all his customers from this vicinity
might travel in _that direction_ without any of the suspicions
that might attend their journeyings _towards this city_. In this
way, doubtless, a good business might be carried on without
interruption or competition, and provided the plan was conducted
without affecting the inhabitants along that shore, no suspicion
would arise as to the manner or magnitude of his business
operations. How does this strike you? What does the "powder boy"
think of it?
I heretofore intimated a _pressing necessity_ on the part of
several females--they are variously situated--two have children,
say a couple each; some have none--of the latter, one can raise
$50, another, say 30 or 40 dollars--another who was gazetted
last August (a copy sent you), can raise, through her friends,
20 or 30 dollars, &c., &c. None of these can walk so far or so
fast as scores of _men_ that are constantly leaving. I cannot
shake off my anxiety for these poor creatures. Can you think of
anything for any of these? Address your other correspondent in
answer to this at your leisure.
Yours,