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| FLEEHTQ GIRL OF FIFTEEN Of MALE ATTIRE. 181 Tnla mcbmiBg after eight, I got your letter of the 9th, but it gives me but little enlightenment or siitisfaction. You simply say that the doctor is a tnte man, which I cannot doubt, that you thought it best we should have an interview, and that you supposed I would meet tfye expenses. You informed me also that the " P. Boy " left for Richmond, on Friday, the 2d, to be gone the length of time named in your last, I must infer that to be ten days though in your last you assured me that the " P. Boy " would certainly start for this place (not Richmond) in two or three days, though the difficulty about freight might cause delay, and the whole enterprise might not be accomplished under ten days, &c., &c. That time having elapsed and I having agreed to an extra fifty dollars to ensure promptness. I have scarcely left my office since, except for my hasty meals, awaiting his arrival. You aow inform me he has gone to Richmond, to be gone ten days, which will expire tomorrow, but you do not say he will return here or to Phila., or where, at the expiration of that time, and Dr. T. could tell me nothing whatever about him. Had he been able to tell me that this best plan, which I have so long rested upon, would fail, or was abandoned, I could then understand it, but he says no such thing, and you say, as you have twice before said, " ten days more." Now, my dear sir, after this recapitulation, can you not see that I have reason for great embarrassment? I have given assurances, both here and in New York, founded ou your assurances to me, and caused my friends in the latter place great anxiety, so much that I have had no way to explain my own letters but by sending your last two to Mr. Tappau. I cannot doubt, I do not, but that you wish to help me, and the cause too, for which both of us have made many atfd large aacrifices with no hope of reward in this world. If in this case I have been very urgent since September Dr. T. can give you some of my reasons, they have not been selfish. The whole matter is in a nutshell. Can I, in your opinion, depend on the " P. Boy," and when ? If he promises to come here next trip, will he come, or go to Richmond? This I think is the best way. Can I depend on it ? Dr. T. promised to write me some explanation and give some advice, and at first I thought to await his letter, but on second thought concluded to tell you how I feel, as I have done. Will you answer my questions with some explicitness, and without delay? I forgot to inquire of Dr. T. who is the head of your Vigilance Committee, whom I may address concerning other and further operations ? Yours very truly, WM. PENN. P. S. I ought to say, that I have no doubt but there were good reasons for the P. Boy's going to Richmond instead of W.; but what can they be f Whilst there are a score of other interesting letters, bearing on tliis case, the above must suffice, to give at least, an idea of the perplexities and dangers attending its early history. Having accomplished this end, a more encouraging and pleasant phase of the transaction may now be introduced. Here the difficulties, at least very many of them, vanish, yet in one respect, the danger became most imminent. The following letter shows that the girl had been successfully rescued from her master, and that a reward of five hundred dollars had been offered for her. WASHINGTON, D. C., October 12, 1855. MB. WM. STILL:—As TOTT PICK UP ALL THE NEWS THAT is srrnRiNO, I CONTRIBUTE A FEW SCRAPS TO YOUR STOCK, GOING TO SHOW THAT THE POOR SLAVE-HOLDERS HAVE THEIR TEODBLES AS WELL A8 OTHER PEOPLE. |