Still, William, Underground Rail Road:
A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, Etc.

Porter & Coales, Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, 1872
Call Number: 1400, MSA L1117

MSA L1117, Image No: 352   Enlarge and print image (51K)

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Still, William, Underground Rail Road:
A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, Etc.

Porter & Coales, Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, 1872
Call Number: 1400, MSA L1117

MSA L1117, Image No: 352   Enlarge and print image (51K)

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330 THE UNDERGROUND RAIL ROAD. Colonel that be did not want any money from him, but simply wanted to convince him of hie error in the recent argument that they had held on the subject. Accordingly the Colonel accompanied him, and found that twenty-two passengers had been on hand within the past twenty-four hours, and at least sixteen or seventeen were then in his presence. It is needless to say, that such a sight admitted of no contradiction—no argument —no doubt. The facts were too self-evident. The Colonel could say but little, so complete was his amazement; but he voluntarily attested the thoroughness of his conversion by pulling out of his pocket and handing to Mr. McK. a twenty dollar gold piece to aid the passengers on to freedom. In these hours of rest and joyful anticipation the necessities of both large and small were administered to according to their needs, before forwarding them still further. The time and attention required for so many left but little opportunity, however, for the Secretary to write their narratives. He had only evening leisure for the work. Ten or twelve of that party had to bo sent off without having their stories recorded. Daniel Rohcrtson •vvas one of this number; his name is simply entered on the •roll, and, but for letters received from him, after he passed on North, no further knowledge would have been obtained. In Petersburg, whence he escaped, he left his wife, for whose deliverance he felt bound to do everything that lay in his power, as the subjoined letters will attest: HAVANA, August 11,1S56, Schuylkill Co., N. Y. ME. WM. STILL—Dear Sir:—I came from Virginia in March, and was at your office the last of March. My object in writing you, is to inquire what I can do, or,what can be done to help my wife to escape from the same bondage that I was in. You will know by your books that I was from Petersburg, Va., and that is where my wife now is. I have received two or three letters from a lady in that place, and the last one says, that my wife's mistress is dead, and that she expects to be sold. I am very anxious to do what I can for her before it is too late, and beg of you to devise Borne means to get her away. Capt. the man that brought me away, knows t!ie colored agent at Petersburg, and knows he will do all he can to forward my wife. The Capt. promised, that when I could raise one hundred dollars for him that ho wonlJ deliver her in Philadelphia. Tell Lim that I can now raise the money, and will forward it to j'ou at any day that he thinks Unit ha can bring ber. Please see the Captain and find when lie will undertake it, and then let me know when to forward the money to you. I am at work for the Hon. Charles Coot, and can send the money anj day. My wife's name is Harriet Kobertson, and the agent at Petersburg knows her. Please direct your answer, with all necessary directions, to N. Corycll, of this village, and he will see that all ia right. Very respectfully, DANIEL ROBEP.TSOS. HAVANA, Aug. 18, 1850. MB. Wu. SriLt—Dear Sir:—Yours of the 18lli, for D. RoberUon, wae duly received. In behalf of Daniel, I thank you kindly for the interest you manifest in him. The letters that have gone from him to his friends in Virginia, have been written by me, and sent in •uch a manner as we thought would best ensure safety. Yet I am well aware of the risk of writing, and have restrained him as far as possible, and the last one I wrote was to be