STILL'S
UNDERGROUND RAIL ROAD RECORDS,
REVISED EDITION.
(Previously Published in 1879 with title: The Underground Railroad)
WITH A LIFE OF THE AUTHOR.
NARRATING
THE HARDSHIPS, HAIRBREADTH ESCAPES AND DEATH STRUGGLES
OF THE
SLAVES
IN THEIR EFFORTS FOR FREEDOM.
TOGETHER WITH
SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE EMINENT FRIENDS OF FREEDOM, AND
MOST LIBERAL AIDERS AND ADVISERS OF THE ROAD
BY
WILLIAM STILL,
For many years connected with the Anti-Slavery Office in Philadelphia, and Chairman of the Acting
Vigilant Committee of the Philadelphia Branch of the Underground Rail Road.

Illustrated with 70 Fine Engravings by Bensell, Schell and Others,
and Portraits from Photographs from Life.

Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant that has escaped from his master unto thee. - Deut. xxiii 16.

SOLD ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION.

PHILADELPHIA:
WILLIAM STILL, PUBLISHER
244 SOUTH TWELFTH STREET.
1886

pp. 593 - 612

PAMPHLET, AND LETTERS
FROM MRS. ANNA H. RICHARDSON, OF NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND

    TO THE FRIENDS OF THE SLAVE.

     DEAR FRIENDS - For some months past my dear husband and I have wished very gratefully to thank you for having so kindly assisted us in various Anti-Slavery efforts, and we now think it quite time to give an account of our stewardship, and also to lay before you several items of interesting intelligence received from different parts of the United States.  We will thank you to look upon this intelligence as private, and must request you to guard against any portion of it being reprinted.
     WILLIAM S. BAILEY.—We have had great pleasure in forwarding £222 to our valued correspondent, William S. Bailey, of Newport, Kentucky; £160 of this sum in response to a circular issued at Newcastle in the summer of last year, and received by our friend, David Oliver, who acted as treasurer, and the remainder chiefly collected by our dear young friends in England and Ireland, after reading the account of his little daughter, “Laura.”  This money has been very thankfully acknowledged, with the exception of the last remittance just now on the road.
     Most of our readers will be aware that W. S. Bailey’s printing-office and premises were again ruthlessly attacked after the Harper’s Ferry outbreak, on the unfounded assumption that he was meditating a similar proceeding, and that it was unsafe for a free press to be any longer tolerated in Kentucky.  His forms and type were accordingly dragged through the streets of Newport, and a considerable portion of them flung by a mob (of “gentle men”) into the Ohio River.  A few extracts from his own letters will pretty fully explain both his past and present position.  The subscription list on his behalf is still open, and any further assistance for this heroic man and his noble-hearted family will be very gratefully received and forwarded.

     “From my letter of the 7th inst. you will have learned the sad intelligence that my printing-office has been destroyed by a brutal mob of Pro Slavery men.  Through the money I received from you and other friends in this country I was moving the cause of freedom in all parts of Kentucky.  The people seemed to grasp our platform with eagerness, and the slave holders became alarmed to see their wish to read and discuss its simple truths.  Hence they plotted together to devise a stratagem by which they could destroy The Free South, and in the meantime the Harper’s Ferry difficulty, by Mr. Brown, was seized upon to excite the people against me, and the most extravagant lies were told about me, as trying to excite slaves to

[Page 594]
rebellion; intending to seize the United States barracks at this place, arm the negroes, and commence war upon slave-holders.  All these lies were told as profound secrets to the people by the tools of the slave-power.  But these lies have already exploded, and the people are resuming their common sense again.
     “ I tried your plan of non-resistance with all my power. I pleaded with all the earnestness of my soul, and so did my wife and daughters, but though I am certain many were moved in conscience against the savage outrage, and did their work with a stinging heart, yet they felt that they must stick to their party, and complete the destruction.  Slavery, indeed, makes the most hardened savages the world ever knew.  The savage war-whoop of the Indian never equalled their dastardly cry of ‘shoot him,’ ‘cut his throat,’ ‘stab him,’ and suchlike words most maliciously spoken.”    *     *   “ Slavery is the cause of this devilish spirit in men; but this outrage has gained me many friends, and will do much towards putting down Slavery in the state.  It will also add many thousand votes to the republican presidential candidate in 1860.  God grant it may work out a great good l”   *     *     *     *     "I want to get started again as soon as I possibly can.  As soon as I can raise 1,000 dollars, I can make a beginning, and soon after you will see The Free South again, and I trust a much handsomer sheet than it was before."

     "Yours of 12mo. 17th, 1860, is received, containing a draft for £50, and another of the ‘Little Laura’ books, which, thank God, is doing some good in Newport and Covington, in the hands of two Christian friends.  The renewed obligations under which the good people of England, through your instrumentality, place me and my abused people, call for expressions of gratitude from both me and them beyond my ability to pen.  But you can imagine how we ought to feel in our trials and wants to such kind friends as you.  Neither I nor my Anti-Slavery friends here can express our thankfulness in the elegant language your better educated countrymen may feel we should use, but, by the Omnipotent Judge of all hearts, I trust our feeble effort will be accepted, and you and yours be blessed and protected now and for ever.  Such encouragement strengthens me in the belief that the Spirit of God is abroad in the hearts of the people, moving them to sympathize with the poor, subjected slave.” *     *     *     *     “I have the promise of abler pens to aid me when I get started again; and I am glad to see that a poor working-man and his family have been the means of calling the attention of men of letters to assist in raising from the dust a crushed race of men; and although the red clouds of war hover thick around us, and vengeance lurks in secret places, I trust, through the guidance of an All-wise Director, to steer safely through the angry tide that now so often ebbs and f lows around me; but should I fall, I trust, dear lady, that my dear wife and family may be remembered by the good and true.”

[Page 595]

[Page 596]
They avowedly held Anti-slavery sentiments, but this was the beginning and end of their offending.  They possessed a farm and saw-mill, etc., and had established a flourishing school.  These good people were quietly following their usual employments, when, in the early part of last winter, sixty-two armed Kentuckians rode upon horseback to their cottage doors, and summarily informed them that they must leave the State in ten days' time, or would be expelled from it forcibly.  All pleading was hopeless, and any attempt at self-defence out of the question.  They bowed before the storm, and hastily gathering up their garments, in three days’ time were on their road to Ohio.   Their three Christian pastors took the same course.  One of the latter has since returned to Kentucky, to bury his youngest little boy, in a grave - yard attached to one of the churches there.  He was enabled to preach to the people who assembled on the occasion, but was not allowed to remain in his native State.
     Another of the exiles ventured to go back to Berea, but this immediately led to an outbreak of popular feeling, for his saw-mill was set on fire by the mob, and presently destroyed.  The exiles are consequently still in Ohio, or wandering about in search of employment.  We have been privileged in receiving two letters respecting them, from one of their excellent pastors, John G. Fee.  This gentleman is himself, the son of a slave-holder, but gave up his earthly patrimony many years since for conscience’ sake, and has since made it the business of his life to proclaim the gospel in its purity, and to use every available means for directing all to Christ.
     When speaking of Berea, Mr. Fee remarks: “The land was poor, but the situation beautiful, with good water, and a favorable location, in some respects.  We could have had locations more fertile and more easy of access but more exposed to the slave-power.  It was five miles from a turnpike road, with quite a population around it for a slave State.”
     In one of Mr. Fee’s letters he introduces a subject which we wish especially to bring before our friends, feeling almost sure that many of them will respond to its importance:
     “You ask, he says, if there are not noble-hearted young people in slave holding families?  There is one whom I desire to commend to your special prayer and regard, Elizabeth Rawlings, daughter of John H. Rawlings, of Madison county, Kentucky.  He was once a slave-holder, but has twice been a delegate to our Free-soil National Conventions, and is a strong friend of freedom.  His daughter has had small opportunities for acquiring know ledge, but was in our school at Berea, and making rapid progress.  Our school was not only Anti-slavery, but avowedly Anti-caste.  This made it the more odious.  When Mr. Rogers and others were about to be driven away, she announced that she would continue the school on the same principles.  Accordingly she went into the school-room after a few days, with a little band of small scholars, and has perseveringly kept it up.  This noble

[Page 597]
and brave-hearted young woman is about twenty-two years of age; has a very vigorous mind; acquires knowledge very rapidly; is very modest; and is, I trust, a true believer in Christ.  I desire to see her fitted for the post of teacher.  One year’s study would greatly benefit her.  She has not gone beyond grammar and arithmetic.  I have not means or would at once give her those advantages she needs.  I once had a small patrimony, but expended it in freedom’s cause, and now live on the small salary of a [Home] Missionary.  I have a daughter of fifteen, as far advanced as Miss Rawlings.  I want to train and educate them both for teaching, and had thought to educate the latter, and suggest to some one to educate the other.  I do not urge, but simply suggest.  This might be another cord binding the two continents.  Lewis Tappan, of New York, would receive to transmit, and I would report.”
     Now if we may lay before you, dear friends, our hearts’ inquiry, it is this: “Cannot we in England, raise £50 or £60 for one year’s schooling for these two dear girls, Elizabeth Rawlings and J. G. Fee’s daughter?”  It seems to us, that the one deserves it from her noble daring, the other as a little tribute to her father’s virtues.   How delightful it would be if these two young people could become able teachers of our own rearing, and in days to come, he looked to as maintaining schools of an elevated character upon their native soil!  We have laid the case before a few kind friends, and already had the pleasure of forwarding £8 to Mr. Fee’s (are, on behalf of his valued young friend, Elizabeth Rawlings.

     CORNELIA WILLIAMS. - The next person to be referred to is Cornelia Williams, a bright young niece of our friend, Henry H. Garnet's, whom many of our friends kindly assisted to redeem from Slavery, in North Carolina, about three yeas since.  We rejoice to say this dear girl is going on very satisfactorily.  She has been diligently pursuing her studies in a school at Nantucket, and appears to be much esteemed by all who know her.  She kindly sends us a little letter now and then, again returning her glowing thanks to all who assisted in procuring her freedom.  Her mother, Dinah Williams (also a slave a few years since, and redeemed in part by the surplus of 'the Weims Ransom Fund),' has married an estimable Baptist minister within the last year, and Cornelia resides under their roof.

     FREDERICK DOUGLASS.  - It is known that our much-valued friend, Frederick Douglass, left this country suddenly for America last spring, chiefly on account of the  decease of a most beloved little girl.  Till quite recently he was intending to return to England very soon, but this is for the present delayed, on account of increasing and pressing engagements in the United States.  We take the liberty of quoting an extract from one of his letters:

[Page 598]

     "You hold up before me the glorious promises contained in the sacred Scriptures.  These are needed by none more than by those who have presumed to put themselves to the work of accomplishing the abolition of Slavery in this country.  There is scarcely one single interest, social, moral, religious, or physical, which is not in some way connected with this stupendous evil.  On the side of the oppressor there is power, now as in the earlier days of the world.  I find much comfort in the thought that I am but a passenger on board of this ship of life.  I have not the management committed to me.  I am to obey orders, and leave the rest to the great Captain whose wisdom is able to direct.  I have only to go on in His fear and in His spirit, uttering with pen and tongue the whole truth against Slavery, leaving to Him the honor and the glory of destroying this mighty work of the devil.  I long for the end of my people's bondage, and would give all I possess to witness the great jubilee; but God can wait, and surely I may.  If He, whose pure eyes cannot look upon sin with allowance, can permit the day of freedom to be deferred, I certainly can work and wait.  The times are just now a little brighter; but I will walk by faith, not by sight, for all grounds of hope founded on external appearance, have thus far signally failed and broken down under me.  Twenty years ago, Slavery did really seem to be rapidly hastening to its fall, but ten years ago, the Fugitive Slave Bill, and the efforts to enforce it, changed the whole appearance of the struggle.  Anti-slavery in an abolition sense, has been ever since battling against heavy odds, both in Church and State.  Nevertheless, God reigns, and we need not despair, and I for one do not.  I know, at any rate, no better work for me during the brief period I am to stay on the earth, than is found in pleading the cause of the down-trodden and the dumb.
     “Since I reached home I have had the satisfaction of passing nearly a score on to Canada, only two women among them all.  The constant meeting with these whip-scarred brothers will not allow me to become forgetful of the four millions still in bonds.”

     Our friends may, perhaps, remember that the cost of Frederick Douglass’ paper is but five shillings per annum (with the exception of a penny per month at the door for postage.)  It is a very interesting publication, and amply repays the trifling outlay.  F. D. would be glad to increase the number of his British readers.  He also continues gratefully to receive any aid from this country for the assistance of the fugitives who are so often taking refuge under his roof.  Another letter of his remarks, when speaking of them: “They usually tarry with us only during the night, and are forwarded to Canada by the morning train.  We give them supper, lodging, and breakfast; pay their expenses, and give them a half dollar over.”

[Page 599]

     FUGITIVE SLAVES. - We next turn to the communication of another warm friend to the fugitives in the State of _____.  The following is an extract from a recent letter of his:

     "We have had within the last week just nineteen Underground passengers.  Fifteen, came last Saturday, between the hours of six in the morning and eleven at night.  Three only were females, wives of men in the parties, the rest were all able-bodied young men.  That they were all likely-looking it needed no southern eye to decide, and that their hearts burned within them for freedom was apparent in every look of their countenances.  But it is only of one arrival that my time will allow me to speak on the present occasion.
     This consisted of two married couples, and two single young men.  They had been a week on the way.  To accomplish the desired object they could see no way so feasible as to cross the _____ Bay.  By inquiry they gained instructions as to the direction they should steer to strike for the lighthouse on the opposite shore.  Consequently they invested six dollars in a little boat, and at once prepared themselves for this most fearful adventure.  To the water and their little bark they stealthily repaired, and off they started.  For some distance they rowed not far from the shore.  Being in sight of land, they were spied by the ever-watchful slave-holder or some one not favorable to their escape.  Hence a small boat, containing four white men, soon put out after the fugitives.  On overhauling them, stern orders were given to surrender.  The boat the runaways were in was claimed, if not the party themselves.  With determined words the fugitives declared that the boat was their own property, and that they would not give it up; they said they would die before they would do so.  At this sign of resistance one of the white men, with an oar, struck the head of one of the fugitives, which knocked him down.  At the same moment another white man seized the chain of their boat, and the struggle became fearful in the extreme for a few moments.  However, the same spirit that prompted the effort to be free, moved one of the heroic black bondmen to apply the our to the head of one of their pursuers, which straightway laid him prostrate.  The whites, like old Apollyon in the Pilgrim’s Progress, at this decided indication that their precious lives might not be spared if they did not avail themselves of an immediate retreat, suddenly parted from their antagonists.  Not being con tented, however, thus to give up the struggle, after getting some yards off, they fired a loaded gun in the midst of the fugitives, peppering two of them considerably about the head and face, and one about the arms.  As the shot was light they were not much damaged, however, at any rate not discouraged.  Not forgetting which way to steer across the bay, in the direction of the lighthouse, they rowed for that point with all possible speed, but their bark being light, and the wind and rough water by no means manageable,

[Page 600]
ere they reached the desired shore they were carried a considerable distance off their course, in the immediate vicinity of a small island.  Leaving their boat they went upon the island, the women sick, and there reposed without food, utterly ignorant of where they were for one whole day and night, with out being able to conjecture when or where they should find free land for which they had so long and fervently prayed.  However, after, thus resting, feeling compelled to start on again, they set off on foot.  They had not walked a mile ere, providentially, they fell in with an oyster man and a little boy  waiting for the tide.  With him they ventured to converse, and soon felt that he might be trusted with, at least, a hint of their condition.  Accordingly they made him acquainted in part with their piteous story, and he agreed to bring them within fifteen miles of _____ for twenty-five dollars, all the capital they had.  Being as good as his word, he did not leave them fifteen miles off the city, but brought them directly to it.”     *     *    *     *     “ How happy they were at finding themselves in the hands of friends, and  surrounded with flattering prospects of soon reaching Canada you may imagine, but I could not describe.”*
     Thanks to the benevolent bounty of several kind donors, we had lately the pleasure of sending a few pounds to the writer of the foregoing letter.  We omit his name and residence.  He belongs, like Douglass, to the proscribed race.  Who would not help these generous-hearted men, who are devoting their whole energies to the well-being of the crushed and down trodden?  We are the more encouraged to send out this little sheet, made up of thanks and requisitions, because occasional inquiries are reaching us of “What can we do for the slave?  We are hearing but little about him, and do not know how to work on his behalf.”  Allow us to say to one and all, who may be thus circumstanced, that we do not look for great things, but that if they can levy a shilling a year from all who feel for the injured bondman, these little sums would soon mount up and prove of incalculable service to those who are struggling for freedom.  As to the special destiny of these shillings or half-crowns, let the subscribers choose for themselves, and their kind aid will be sure to be truly welcome to the party receiving it.  We do not ask for such contributions to be forwarded through Newcastle un less this be a matter of convenience to those concerned.  If there be other modes of sending to the United States within the reach of the friends, who receive this paper, let them by all means he used.  We are always happy to receive aid for the fugitives or for any other-Anti-slavery cause, and consider it no trouble at all to send it on, but do not wish to be monopolizing.  As far as Kentucky is concerned, that State being distant, and mob-law ram-

------------------------
     * In those days the writer in giving information enjoined the utmost secresy, considering that the cause might be sadly damaged simply by being inadvertently exposed even by friends, thousands of miles away.  The Pro-slavery-mob spirit at that time was also very rampant in Philadelphia and other northern cities, threatening abolitionists and all concerned in the work of aiding the slave.

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pant there, we shall continue gratefully to receive assistance on its behalf and to avail ourselves of the accustomed mode of reaching it, this having been proved to be both safe and easy.

     FREE LABOR PRODUCE. - And lastly, as to the long-prized principle, to our minds are very alphabet of Anti-Slavery action, the importance of encouraging the growth and consumption of Free produce rather than that encouraging the growth and consumption of Free produce rather than that raised by the sweat and blood of the bondman.  Our convictions of the righteousness of this course are as strong as they ever were; but perhaps we hoped too much, relied too fondly on the conscientiousness of the British Anti Slavery public, in supposing that a sufficient number of individuals could be found prepared to make a slight sacrifice for humanity’s sake, and to keep the oppressed continually in mind by a little untiring pains-taking.  We hardly supposed that the most strenuous efforts in this direction would be enough to affect the British market; but we did believe, and believe still, that not only is there a. consistency in a preference for free produce, but that this preference is encouraging to the free laborer, and that humanly speaking nothing is more calculated to nerve his hand and heart for vigorous effort.  The principle of abstinence from slave produce may he smiled at, but we are quite sure it is an honest one, and, as a good old proverb observes, “It takes a great many bushels full of earth to bury a truth.”
     But while this self-denying protest has been going on in a few limited circles, how great is the advance that free labor has been making within the last two years!  Who is to say whether some of those quiet testimonies may not have contributed to erect that mighty machinery that is now adding to its wheels and springs from day to day, and which bids fair at no distant period to supersede slave labor and its long train of sorrow and oppression?
     Earnest lectures have just been delivered in Newcastle by our colored friend, Dr. M. R. Delany, lately engaged in a tour of observation in West Africa, where he longs to establish a flourishing colony of his people, whose express object shall be to put down the abominable Slave-trade and to cultivate free cotton and other tropical produce.  We wish this brave man every encouragement in his noble enterprise.  He has secured the confidence of “The African Aid Society,” in London, one of whose earliest measures has been to assist him with funds.  The present Secretary of the society is Frederick W. Fitzgerald, 7 Adam Street, Strand, London.
     And who need speak of the Zambesi and Dr. Livingston, or of Central or Eastern Africa; of India, or Australia, or of the prolific West India Islands?
     As we prepare this little sheet, a kind letter has come in from Stephen Bourne, for many years a stipendiary magistrate in Jamaica, and now the ardent promoter of a cotton-growing company of that island.  He says to us, when writing from London, on the 19th inst., “ Our scheme embraces more than meets the eye, and to illustrate this, I send a map (with prospectus) of the proposed estate, by which you will see that we reckon on

[Page 602]
obtaining cotton by free labor and by mechanical agency from Jamaica, at a price so far below that at which it can be produced by slave labor, that if we succeed, we shall put an end to the whole system, as no one will be able to afford to carry it on in competition with free labor.”     *     *     *     “Jamaica is much nearer and easier of access for fugitives from Cuba and Porto Rico, than Canada is to Georgia, Virginia, or Louisiana.  If, therefore, we can offer them an asylum and profitable employment on the estate, we shall open up a new Underground Rail Road, or rather enable the slaves to escape from Cuba by getting into a boat, and in one night finding their way to freedom.”     *     *     *     “ here is no doubt they could do this at much less risk than slaves now incur, in order to obtain liberty in America.”
     The proposed estate in Jamaica consists of about one thousand acres, and the shares in this company are £10 each, £1 only to be called up immediately, the rest by instalments.  The liability is limited.  Full information may be obtained by addressing Stephen Bourne, Esq., 55 Charing Cross, London, or the Secretary of the “Jamaica Cotton-growing Company," C. W. Streatfield, Esq.  We rejoice to see that this new company is being sup ported not only by benevolent philanthropists and capitalists in London, but by experienced Manchester manufacturers; among the rest by the excellent Thomas Clegg, so well known for his persevering efforts in West Africa, and by Thomas Bazley, M. P. for Manchester, and a most extensive cotton spinner.  Their mills would alone, consume the cotton grown on three such estates as that which it is proposed to cultivate.  There is abundant room, therefore, for cultivation of cotton by the emancipated freeholders.
     Communications have also reached us from Demerara.  Charles Rattray, a valuable Scotch missionary in that colony, was in England last spring, and went back to his adopted country with his mind full fraught with the importance of cotton growing within its borders.  He happened to have small samples of Demerara cotton with him.  These were shown to cotton-brokers and manufacturers in Liverpool and Manchester, and were pronounced to be most excellent - so much so, that specimen gins and a supply of cot-ten-seed were kindly presented to him at the latter place, before he left England.  Mr. Rattray is now bringing the subject before his people, and is also intending to plant with cotton some ground belonging to the Mission station.
     But we will not further enlarge.  Commending our cause to Him, who has promised never to forget the poor and needy, and that in His own good time He will arise for their deliverance and “break every yoke.”
          I remain, sincerely and respectfully, your friend,
                                                                              ANNA H. RICHARDSON.

    54 Westmoreland Terrace,
          Newcastle-on-tyne, 9 mo., 22, 1860.

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     P. S.  Since writing the above, we have seen it stated in the Principia, a New York paper, that William S. Bailey has been arrested on a charge of Publishing an incendiary paper, anad that to bail in the sum of $1,000, to appear before the Circuit Court, in November next.  It is further stated that one of the two magistrates by whom W. S. Bailey was examined, and held to bail on this charge, was the chosen leader of the mob that destroyed his type and printing press.
     We have yet to see what will be the end of this cruel conflict.  Let us not desert our suffering friend and his noble-hearted family.

LETTERS TO THE WRITER.

WESTMORELAND TERRACE, December 28, 1860.              

     MY ESTEEMED FRIEND: - I received thy touching letter of the 10th inst. a fw days since, and hasten to assure three of our heart-felt sympathy, and most lively interest in the present tremendous state of things around you.  At the same time, I cannot tell thee how glad and thankful we feel, that with God's help thou art determined to persevere and not in any way flinch in this day of sore trial.  "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."  "Be strong, fear not."  "In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge."  One thing, too, is sure, "that all things will work together for the good" of those who love their Lord, that He will never, never forsake them whatever their outward trials may be.
     I think, dear friend, thou shouldst be careful not to be about alone, particularly in the evening.  We heard from W. S. Bailey the other day, and he spoke of the advantage of several kind friends sticking close to him under recent circumstances at Alexandria, when he was exposed to the spite and rage of slave-holding bullies.  Would it not be well to make a habit, in the evening in particular, of you, who are marked men, going about in little companies?  Wicked men are generally cowards; and I think would hesitate more to do a bad act in the presence of observers.  I think thou wouldst receive a little letter from me a day or two after thine was written, through our friend Saml. Rhoads, enclosing £7 for the fugitives, £5 for thy own use, and £2 for the Vigilance Committee.  This letter of mine was sent off about the 24th ult., but I conclude was not delivered till just after thine was written.  It is well to keep us fully informed of your circumstances, whether favorable or more appalling.  I do not intend to put anything of a private character into print; but private confidence is the creed in England, and thou needst not fear my abusing it.  I enclose the only paper that we have printed that thou mayest see there was nothing to fear.  Thou wilt observe there is no reference either to thy own name or to Philadelphia, and people here are not very familiar with American topography.  I am sending W. S. Bailey one of the same papers by to-day’s mail.  We have merely a limited

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number of them printed.  I cannot very well obtain money from my friends, (with numerous home claims constantly pressing on them), without having something to show.  Some fugitives are now beginning to reach England.  A gentleman in London wrote to me, a day or two ago, to know if we could find a berth for a fine fellow, who had just applied to him.  He had arrived by steamer from New York, after residing there for three years.  A police man, in the street, good-naturedly whispered to him his own name, and then that of his masters.  He was sure that peril was at hand, and that, having been branded for escaping before, he should be whipped to death if taken again, so he packed up his little wardrobe and embarked for England immediately.
     Another poor fellow is in this town, recently from Charleston, whence he escaped, among some cotton bales to Greenock.  He is getting fair wages in a saw-yard, and likes England very well, if it were not for the thought of his poor wife and children still in Slavery.  We invited him, the other day to a working-men’s tea party, where I had been asked to make tea for them; and he gave us quite an able account of his travels.  The men kindly invited him to join their “Benefit Club,” and told him they would like to have “a colored brother” amongst them.
     Art then not thinking, dear friend, of asking your people to emigrate to the African Coast, or the West India Islands?  Two gentlemen in London are writing most warmly about this.  I wrote Mr. Fitzgerald’s address on the enclosed paper.  Instead of being colonizationists, in the objectionable sense, he and Mrs. Bowen are burning with love to your people, and are fervently desirous of doing them all the good they can.  I cannot see why little united parties should not promptly emigrate under the wing of these gentlemen.  Assure those who think and feel with thee, dear friend, and are nobly determined to suffer rather than to sin, that according to our very small ability we will not desert them in their hour of trial and danger.  We commend them to Him who can do for them a thousand times more, and better than we can either ask or think.  With our united kindest remembrance, sincerely,                         ANNA H. RICHARDSON.

WESTMORELAND TERRACE, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, March 16, 1860         

     We have lately read the life of thy brother and sister (Peter and Vina Still), dear friend, with the deepest interest.   It is a most touching and beautiful book, and we think should be either reprinted in England or sent over here very largely.   My husband and I are hardly acquainted with a volume more calculated to stir up the British mind on the subject of Slavery.   Great Britain is just now getting really warm on the Anti-slavery subject, and is longing to shake herself from being so dependent as hitherto, on slave produce.  Why, Oh!  why should not be expatriated blacks go to free countries and grow produce for themselves and for everybody who requires

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it?  Why not, in time, become “merchants and princes,” in those countries?  I am told (as a secret) that this subject is likely, ere long, to be taken up in high quarters in England.  We are feeling hopeful, dear friends, about thy crushed and persecuted people, for surely God is working for them by ways and means that we know not.  I have been careful to keep it to private circles, but thy valuable letter of last July, has been read by many with the deepest interest.  A dear young lady from Dublin is by my side, and has but this minute returned it to me.  It is but a little, but I have gathered £4, by its perusal here and there.  I am not able to forward so small a sum in this letter, but some way wish to send £2 of this amount for thy own use, and the other £2 to your Vigilance Committee.  It so happens that we have not anything for the better from our own- Anti-slavery Association this year.  Very sincerely thy friend, my dear husband uniting in kind regards,

ANNA H. RICHARDSON.                  

WOOD HOUSE, near NEWCASTLE, May 3, 1860.              
[An occasional rural residence of ours, five miles from home.]         

     TO WILLIAM STILL: - I have again to thank thee, dear friend, for a kind letter and for the perusal of three letters from thy fugitive friends.  It must be truly cheering to receive such, and their warm and affectionate gratitude must be as rich reward for many anxieties.  I conclude that it is not necessary for those letters to be returned, but should it be so, let me know, and I will be on the lookout for some private opportunity of returning them to Philadelphia.  Such occur now and then.  We like to see such letters.  They assist us to realize the condition of these poor wanderers.  I am sorry for not having explained myself distinctly in my last.  The promised £4 were for the fugitives, being gathered from various Christian friends, who gave it me for their particular use.  But we wished half of that sum to be laid out (as on a previous occasion), at thy own discretion, irrespective of the Vigilance Committee.  I have now another £1 to add to the latter half, and would gladly have enclosed a £5 note in this envelope, but we are rather afraid of sending the actual money in letters, and our London bankers do not like to remit small sums.  I shall continue to watch for the first opportunity of forwarding the above.

ANNA H. RICHARDSON.              

54 WESTMORELAND TERRACE, June 8, 1860.              

     DEAR FRIEND: - WILLIAM STILL: - It is a good plan to send me these interesting communications.  The letter to our coadjutor at Elmira, reached us a few days since.  That depot must not be allowed to go down if it be possible for this to be prevented.  Perhaps J. W. Jones might be

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encouraged by a gift from England, that is, by a little aid from this country, expressly for the fugitives, being put into his hands.  If you think so, I am sure my friends would approve of this, and you can use your own discretion in giving him our gifts in one sum or by detached remittances.  The greatest part of the money on hand, has come in from the private perusal of thy interesting letters, and my friends simply gave my husband and me their money for the fugitives, leaving the exact disposal of it to our own discretion.  It has struck me of late, that if I may be allowed to print occasional extracts from thy letters (with other Anti-slavery information), it would greatly facilitate the obtaining of pecuniary aid.  As it is, I can lend a private letter to a trustworthy friend, but if by any chance, this letter got lost, it would be awkward, and it is also impossible, of course, to lend the original in two quarters at once.  Then, again, the mechanical trouble of making copies of letters, is not convenient; much sedentary employment does not suit my health, and I cannot manage it.  I have been thinking of late, that if my friends in various parts of the country, could be supplied with a small quarto, an occasional printed paper, for private circulation, it would save a great deal of trouble, and probably bring in considerable aid.  My husband and I have long been accustomed to preparing tracts and small periodicals for the press, so that I think we know exactly what ought to be made public and what not.  If thou likest to give me this discretionary power, do so, and I will endeavor to exercise it wisely, and in a way that I feel almost certain would be in accordance with thy wishes.
     The sum now remitted through our friend, Samuel Rhoads, is £8 (eight pounds).  Of this, we should like £3 to be placed at thy own discretion, for the benefit of the fugitives, £3 (if you approve it) in a similar way, to be handed to J. W. Jones, and £2 as formerly, to be handed to the Philadelphia Vigilance Committee.  The latter is not, however, as in past times, from the Newcastle Anti-slavery Society, for, I am sorry to say, it is not a sufficiently pains-taking and executive little body, but more apt to work by fits and starts, but from our private friends, who kindly place their money in our hands as their Anti-slavery stewards.  My friend S. R. will therefore kindly hand for us: £3 for William Still, for fugitives; £3 for J. W. Jones, for fugitives; £2 for Philadelphia Vigilance Committee, for fugitives. Total £8.
     We are very sorry for thee to have to incur so much persecution.  Be of good cheer, the right will eventually triumph, if not in this world, in that day, when all shall be eventually righted on our Lord’s right hand.  Oh, for ability in the meantime, to love Him, trust Him, confide in Him implicitly!
     Many thanks for the “Anti-slavery Standards.”  No one in this town, takes them in, consequently we only see them occasionally.  Do any tidings reach you of our friend, Frederick Douglass?  We heard from him from Portland,‘ but are anxiously looking for another letter.  He always spoke of thee, my

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friend, very kindly, and one day, when some money had been given to him for fugitives, said: “You shall have part of this if you like, for William Still,” but I said, “No, I will try and get some elsewhere for him.”  Douglass left us in April, after losing his little Annie, but wished his visit to be kept private, and hoped to be able to return to England in August.  My husband and I agree with F. D. in political matters.  We are not disunionists, but want to mend your corrupted government.  With kind regards, sincerely thy friend,          A. H. R.

     We are well acquainted with William and Ellen Craft.  They have just sent us their little book.

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 not.  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.              

     £7 of this money is from some personally unknown friend at Lancaster; £5 from two nice little children of my acquaintance.

54 WESTMORELAND TERRACE                        
NEW CASTLE ON TYNE, Oct. 10, 1862.        

     I have pleasure, dear friend, in sending you £5 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 s 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"

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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.

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WOMAN ESCAPING IN A BOX, 1857
SHE WAS SPEECHLESS.

     In the winter of 1857 a young woman, who had just turned her majority, was boxed up in Baltimore by one who stood to her in the relation of a companion, a young man, who had the box conveyed as freight to the depot in Baltimore, consigned to Philadelphia.  Nearly all one night it remained at the depot with the living agony in it, and after being turned upside down more than once, the next day about ten o'clock it reached Philadelphia.  Her companion coming on in advance of the box, arranged with a hackman, George Custus, to attend to having it brought from the depot to a designated house, Mrs. Meyers', 412 S. 7th street, where the resurrection was to take place.
     Custus, without knowing exactly what the box contained, but suspecting from the apparent anxiety and instructions of a young man who engaged him to go after it, that it was of great importance, while the freight car still remained on the street, demanded it of the freight agent, not willing to wait the usual time for the delivery of freight.  At first the freight agent declined delivering under such circumstances.  The hackman insisted by saying that he wished to despatch it in great haste, said it is all right, you know me, I have been coming here for many years every day, and will be responsible for it.  The freight-master told him to take it and go ahead with it."  No sooner said than done.  It was placed in a horse wagon at the instance of Custus, and driven to seventh and Minster streets.

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     The Secret had been intrusted to Mrs. M. by the young companion of the woman.  A feeling of horror came over the aged woman, who had been thus suddenly entrusted with such responsibility.  A few doors from her lived an old friend of the same religious faith with herself, well known as a brave woman, and a friend of the slave, Mrs. Ash, the undertaker or shrouder, whom every body knew among the colored people.  Mrs. Myers felt that it would not be wise to move in the matter of this resurrection without the presence of the undertaker.  Accordingly, she called Mrs. Ash in.  Even her own family was excluded from witnessing the scene.  The two aged women chose to be alone in that fearful moment, shuddering at the thought that a corpse might meet their gaze instead of a living creature.  However, they mustered courage and pried off the lid.‘ A woman was discovered in the straw but no sign of life was perceptible.  Their fears seemed fulfilled.  “Surely she is dead,” thought the witnesses.
     "Get up, my child," spake one of the women.  With scarcely life enough to move the straw covering, she, nevertheless, did now show signs of life, but to a very faint degree.  She could not speak, but being assisted arose.  She was straightway aided up stairs, not yet uttering a word.  After a short while she said, "I feel so deadly weak."  She was then asked if she would not have some water or nourishment, which she declined.  Before a great while, however, she was prevailed upon to take a cup of tea.  She then went to bed, and there remained all day, speaking but a very little during that time.  The second day she gained strength and was able to talk much better, but not with ease.  The third day she began to come to herself and talk quite freely.  She tried to describe her suffering and fears while in the box, but in vain.  In the midst of her severest agonies her chief fear was, that she would be discovered and carried back to Slavery.  She had a pair of scissors with her, an din order to procure fresh air she had made a hole in the box, but it was very slight.  How she ever managed to breathe and maintain her existence, being in the condition of becoming a mother, it was hard to comprehend.  In this instance the utmost endurance was put to the test.  She was obviously nearer death than Henry Box Brown, or any other box or chest cases that ever came under the notice of the Committee.
     In Baltimore she belonged to a wealthy and fashionable family, an had been a seamstress and ladies' servant generally.  On one occasion when set of an errand for certain articles in order to complete arrangements for the Grand Opening Ball at the Academy of Music, she took occasion not to return, but was among the missing.  Great search was made, and a large reward offered, but all to no purpose.  A free colored woman, who washed for the family, was suspected of knowing something of her going, but they failing to get aught out of her, she was discharged.
     Soon after the arrival of this traveler at Mrs. Myers' the Committee was

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sent for and learned the facts as above stated. After spending some three or four days in Mrs. Myers' family she remained in the writer's family about the same length of time, and was then forwarded to Canada.
     Mrs. Myers was originally from Baltimore, and had frequently been in the habit of receiving Underground Rail Road passengers; she had always found Thomas Shipley, the faithful philanthropist, a present help in time of need.  The young man well knew Mrs. Myers would act with prudence in taking his companion to her house.
     George Custus, the hackman, a colored man, was cool, sensible, and reliable in the discharge of his duty, as were the other parties, therefore every thing was well managed.
     With this interesting case our narratives end, except such facts of a like kind as may be connected with some of the sketches of stockholders.  A large number on the record book must be omitted.  This is partly owing to the fact that during the first few years of our connection with the Underground Rail Road, so little was written out in the way of narratives, that would hardly be of sufficient interest to publish; and partly from the fact that, although there are exceptional cases even among those so omitted, that would be equally as interesting as many which have been inserted, time and space will not admit of further encroachment. If in any way we have erred in the task of furnishing facts and important information touching the Underground Railroad it has not been in overstating the sufferings, trials, perils, and marvellous escapes of those described, but on the contrary.  In many instances after hearing the most painful narratives we had neither time nor inclination to write them out, except in the briefest manner, simply sufficient to identify parties, which we did, not dreaming that the dark cloud of Slavery was so soon to give way to the bright sunlight of Freedom.

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ORGANIZATION OF THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE.

     As has already been intimated, others besides the Committee were deeply interest in The Road; indeed, the little aid actually rendered by the Committee, was comparatively insignificant, compared with the aid rendered by some who were not nominally members.  To this latter class of friends, it seems meet that we should particularly allude.  Before doing so, however, simple justice to all concerned, dictates that we should here copy the official proceedings of the first meeting and organization of the Philadelphia Vigi-

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lance Committee as it existed until the very day that the ever to be remembered Emancipation Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln, rendered the services of the organization and road no longer necessary.  It reads as follows:

     Pursuant to the motion published in last week’s “Freeman,” a meeting was held in the Anti-slavery rooms, on the evening of the 2d inst, for the purpose of organizing a Vigilance Committee.
     On motion Samuel Nickless was appointed chairman, and William Still secretary.  J. M. McKim then stated at some length, the object of the meeting.  He said, that the friends of the fugitive slave had been for some years past, embarrassed, for then want of a properly constructed active, Vigilance Committee; that the old Committee, which used to render effective service in this field of Anti-slavery labor, had become disorganized and scattered, and that for the last two or three years, the duties of this department had been performed by individuals on their own responsibility, and sometimes in a very irregular manner; that this had been the cause of much dissatisfaction and complaint, and that the necessity for a remedy of this state of things was generally felt.  Hence, the call for this meeting. it was intended now to organize a committee, which should be composed of persons of known responsibility, and who could be relied upon to act systematically and promptly, and with the least possible expenditure of money in all cases that might require their attention.
      James Mott and Samuel Nickless, expressed their hearty concurrence in what had been said, as did also B. N. Goines and N. W. Depee.  The opinion was also expressed by one or more of these gentlemen, that the organization to be formed should be of the simplest possible character; with no more machinery or officers than might be necessary to hold it together and keep it in proper working order.  After some discussion, it was agreed first to form a general committee, with a chairman whose business it should be to call meetings when necessity should seem to require it, and to preside at the same; and a treasurer to take charge of the funds; and second, to appoint out of this general committee, an acting committee of four persons, who should have the responsibility of attending to every case that might require their aid, as well as the exclusive authority to raise the funds necessary for their purpose.  It was further agreed that it should be the duty of the chairman of the Acting Committee to keep a record of all their doings, and specially of the money received and expended on behalf of every case claiming their interposition.

     The following persons were appointed on the General Vigilance Committee:

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