The Underground Railroad eBook

William Still
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,446 pages of information about The Underground Railroad.

The Underground Railroad eBook

William Still
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,446 pages of information about The Underground Railroad.

    NEWCASTLE, 5th mo., 2,1861.

W. STILL:—­DEAR FRIEND:—­That poor fellow, who was so long secreted, had been often in my thoughts, when laying this case of the fugitives before our friends.  I should like thee to feel at liberty to replace the remainder of the twenty-five dollars from the accompanying ten pounds, which I have much pleasure in forwarding, but think it better to mention, that it may perhaps be the last remittance for some little time from this quarter, as I do not at present see any immediate opening for getting more.  Our worthy friend, W.S.  Bailey, has lately been here, and Dr. Cheever and W.H.  Day, are expected in a week or two.  From London too, there are very earnest appeals to assist the “African Anti-slavery Society.”  Thank thee for the newspapers and thy last kind note.  I think thou rather overrates my little services.  What a crisis is coming!  O, what will the end be?  With our united best wishes, thy sincere friend,

    ANNA H. RICHARDSON.

    L7 of this money is from some personally unknown friend at
    Lancaster; L5 from two nice little children of my acquaintance.

    54 WESTMORELAND TERRACE,

    NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, Oct. 10, 1862.

I have pleasure, dear friend, in sending you L5 for your “contrabands,” in response to your last letter of the 17th ult.  It is not much, but may be a little help.  It will be forwarded by our valued and mutual friend, H.H.  Garnet, to whom I am sending a remittance for his “contrabands,” by the same mail.
We shall be interested in any particulars you may like to send us, of these poor creatures, but at the same time, I dare not hold out any hopes of considerable assistance from England, for our own manufacturing districts are in a starving state, from the absence of the accustomed supply of cotton, and till this has been grown in other quarters, they will continue to have a strong claim on every thoughtful mind.  Some of us would rather work with your colored people in your own cause, than with any one else, for we do not like the war, and do not at all approve of “the American churches” committing themselves to it so fearfully.  If your President had but taken the step at first, he is taking now, what rivers of blood might have been stayed!  It is remarkable, how you, as a people, have been preserved to each other, without having your own hands stained with blood.  But as to expatriation, the very thought of it is foolish.  You have been brought to America, not emigrated to it, and who on earth has any possible right to send you away?  Some of us are almost as much displeased with the North, for talking of this, as with the South for holding you in Slavery.  What can we say to you, but “watch and pray,” “hope and wait,” and surely, in His own good time, the Most High will make you a pathway out of trouble.  We are delighted to hear of the good behaviour of your people, wherever they have a fair chance of acting (on the borders), as upright men and Christians.

    Very sincerely, your friend,

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The Underground Railroad from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.