ST. CATHERINES, C.W.  July 6th, 1855.

DEAR BR.  STILL:—­I have just received your letters touching U.G.R.R. operations.  All is right.  Jasper and Mrs. Bell got here on Saturday last, and I think I dropt you a line announcing the fact.  I write again thus soon because two more by name of Smith, John and Wm., have arrived the present week and were anxious to have me inform you that they are safely landed and free in this refuge land.  They wish me to communicate their kind regards to you and others who have aided them.  They have found employment and are likely to do well.  The 5 of last week have gone over to Toronto.  I gave them letters to a friend there after furnishing them as well as I could with such clothing as they required.  I am afraid that I am burdening you too much with postage, but can’t help doing so unless I fail to write at all, as my means are not half equal to the expenses to which I am subject.

    Faithfully and truly yours,

    HIRAM WILSON.

Elias Jasper, who was also a fellow-passenger with Wm. Nelson and Co., was noticed thus on the Underground Rail Road:  Age thirty-two years, color dark, features good, and gifted both with his tongue and hands.  He had worked more or less at the following trades:  Rope-making, carpentering, engineering, and photographing.  It was in this latter calling that he was engaged when the Underground Rail Road movement first arrested his attention, and so continued until his departure.

For several years he had been accustomed to hire his time, for which he had been required to pay $10 per month.  In acquiring the above trades he had been at no expense to his master, as he had learned them solely by his own perseverance, endowed as he was with a considerable share of genius.  Occasionally he paid for lessons, the money being earned by his over-work.  His master, Bayham, was a “retired gentleman.”

Elias had been sold once, and had suffered in various other ways, particularly from being flogged.  He left his wife, Mary, but no child.  Of his intention to leave Elias saw not how to impart to his wife, lest she should in some way let the “cat out of the bag.”  She was owned by a Miss Portlock, and had been treated “tolerably well,” having had the privilege of hiring her time.  She had $55 to pay for this favor, which amount she raised by washing, etc.  Elias was a member of the Methodist Church, as were all of his comrades, and well did they remember the oft-repeated lesson, “Servants obey your masters,” etc.  They soon understood this kind of preaching after breathing free air.  The market value of Elias was placed at $1200.