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| ESCAPE OF A CHILD FOURTEEN MONTHS OLD. 155 THE ESCAPE OF A CHILD FOURTEEN MONTHS OLD. There is found the following brief memorandum on the Records of the Underground Rail Road Book, dated July, 1857 : " A little child of fourteen months old was conveyed to its mother, who had been compelled to flee without it nearly nine months ago." While the circumstances connected with the coming of this slave child were deeply interesting, no further particulars than the simple notice above were at that time recorded. Fortunately, however, letters from the good friends, who plucked this infant from the jaws of Slavery, have been preserved to throw light on this little one, and to show how true-hearted sympathizers with the Slave labored amid dangers and difficulties to save the helpless bondman from oppression. It will be observed, that both these friends wrote from Washington, D. C., the seat of Government, where, if Slavery was not seen in its worst aspects, the Government in its support of Slavery appeared in a most revolting light. LETTER FROM " J. B." WASHINGTON, D. C., July 12, 1857. DEAK SIR :—Some of our citizens, I am told, lately left here for Philadelphia, three of whom were arrested and brought back. I beg you will inform me whether two others—(I., whose wife is in Philadelphia, was one of them), ever reached your city. To-morrow morning Mrs. Weems, with her baby, will start for Philadelphia and see you probably over night. Yours Truly, J. B. " J. B." was not only a trusty and capable conductor of the Underground Rail Road in Washington, but was also a practical lawyer, at the same time. His lawyer-like letter, in view of the critical nature of the case, contained but few words, and those few naturally enough were susceptible of more than one construction. Doubtless those styled " our citizens,"—" three of whom were arrested and brought back,"—were causing great anxiety to this correspondent, not knowing how soon he might find himself implicated in the " running off," etc. So, while he felt it to be his duty, to still aid the child, he was determined, if the enemy intercepted his letter, he should not find much comfort or information. The cause was safe in such careful hands. The following letters, bearing on the same case, are also from another good conductor, who was then living in Washington. LETTERS FROM E. L. STEVENS. WASHINGTON, D. C., July 8,1857. MY DEAR SIR :—I write you now to let you know that the children of E. are yet well, and that Mrs. Arrah Weems will start with one of them for Philadelphia to-morrow or next day. She will be with you probably in the day train. She goes for the purpose of |