his wife and children were ever present in his mind.  He felt as a husband should towards his “wife Betsy,” and likewise loved his “children, Walter and Mary;” but these belonged to another man, who lived some distance in the country, where he had permission to see them only once a week.  This had its pleasure, it also had its painful influence.  The weekly partings were a never-failing source of unhappiness.  So when James’ mind was fully made up to escape from Slavery, he decided that it would not be best to break the secret to his poor wife and children, but to get off to Canada, and afterwards to try and see what he could do for their deliverance.  The hour fixed to leave Virginia arrived, and he started and succeeded in reaching Philadelphia, and the Committee.  On arriving he needed medicine, clothing, food, and a carriage for his accommodation, all which were furnished freely by the Committee, and he was duly forwarded to Canada.  From Canada, with his name changed, he wrote as follows: 

    TORONTO, March 28th, 1854.

SIR, MR. STILL—­It does me pleasure to forward you this letter hopeing when this comes to hand it may find your family well, as they leaves me at present.  I will also say that the friends are well.  Allow me to say to you that I arrived in this place on Friday last safe and sound, and feeles well under my safe arrival.  Its true that I have not been employed as yet but I lives hopes to be at work very shortly.  I likes this city very well, and I am in hopes that there a living here for me as much so as there for any one else.  You will be please to write.  I am bording at Mr. Phillip’s Centre Street.

    I have nothing more at present.  Yours most respectfull.

    W. BOURAL.

DANIEL WIGGINS, alias DANIEL ROBINSON.  Daniel fled from Norfolk, Va., where he had been owned by the late Richard Scott.  Only a few days before Daniel escaped, his so-called owner was summoned to his last account.  While ill, just before the close of his career, he often promised D. his freedom and also promised, if restored, that he would make amends for the past, by changing his ways of living.  His son, who was very reckless, he would frequently allude to and declared, “that he,” the son, “should not have his ‘property.’” These dying sentiments filled Daniel with great hopes that the day of his enslavement was nearly at an end.  Unfortunately, however, death visited the old master, ere he had made provision for his slaves.  At all events, no will was found.  That he might not fall a prey to the reckless son, he felt, that he must nerve himself for a desperate struggle to obtain his freedom in some other way, by traveling on the Underground Rail Road.  While he had always been debarred from book learning, he was, nevertheless, a man of some intelligence, and by trade was a practical Corker.

He was called upon in this trying hour to leave his wife with three children, but they were, fortunately, free.  Coming to the Committee in want, they cheerfully aided him, and forwarded him on to Canada.  Thence, immediately on his arrival, he returned the following grateful letter: