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,
WM. PENN.
P.S. I ought to say,
that I have no doubt but there were good
reasons for the P. Boy’s
going to Richmond instead of W.; but
what can they be?