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| CAPTAIN F. ARRIVES WITH FOURTEEN PRIME ARTICLES. 327 take the lives of her children and then her own. Notwithstanding her bold and decided stand^ the report went out that she was to be sold, and that all the slaves -were still to be held in bondage. Rebecca's sympathizers and friends advised her, as they thought for the best, to get a friend or gentleman to purchase her for herself. To this she replied: " Not three cents would 1 give, nor do I want any of my friends to buy me, not if they conld get me for three cents. It would be of no use," she contended, " as she waa folly bent on dying, rather than remain a slave." The slave-holders evidently understood her, and were in no hurry about bringing Ler case to an issue—they rather gave her time to become calm. But Rebecca was inflexible. Six years before her arrival, her husband had escaped, in company with the noted fugitive, "Shadrach." For a time after he fled, she frequently received letters from him, but for a long while he had ceased to write, and of late she had heard nothing from him. In escaping stowed away in the boat, she suffered terribly, but faithfully endured to the end, and was only too happy when the agony was over. After resting and getting thoroughly refreshed in Philadelphia, she, with others, was forwarded to Boston, for her heart was there. Several letters were received from h'er, respecting her prospects, etc., from which it appears that she had gained some knowledge of her husband, although not of a satisfactory nature. At any rate she decided that she could not receive hiru back again. The following letter lias reference to her prospects, going to California, her husband, etc.: PARKER HOUSE, School street, Boston, Oct. 18th, '56. MY DEAR SIR:—I can hardly express the pleasure I feel at the receipt of your kind letter; but allow me to thank you for the same. And now I will tell you my reasons (or going to California. Mrs. Tarrol, a coasin of my husband, has sent for me. Sh» says I c»n do much better there than in Boston. And aa I have my children's welfare to look to, 1 have concluded to go. Of course I shall be just as likely to hear from home there as here. Please tell Mr. Bagnale I shall expect one letter from him before I leave here. I should like to hear from my brothers and sisters once more, and let me hear every particular. You never can know how anxious I am to hear from them ; do please impress this upon their minds. I have written two letters to Dr. Lundy and never received an answer. I heard Mrs. Lundy was dead, and thought that might possibly be the reason he had not replied to me. Please tell the Doctor I should take it as a great favor if he would write me ft few lines. I suppose you think I am going to live with my husband again. Let me assure you 'tis no such thing. My mind is as firm as ever. And believe me, in going away from Boston, I am going away from him, for I have beard he is living somewhere near. He has beon making mauiries about me, but that can mate no difference in my feelings to him. I hope that youreelf. wife and family are all quite well. Please remember me to them all. Do me the favor to give my love to all inquiring friends. I should be most happy to have any letters of introduction you may think me worthy of, and I trust I shall ever remain Yours faithfully, REBECCA JOKES. |