[Footnote A:  He had been engaged at different times in carrying powder in his boat from a powder magazine, and from this circumstance, was familiarly called the “Powder Boy.”]

SECOND LETTER FROM LAWYER BIGELOW.

    WASHINGTON, D.C., September 9th, 1855.

MR. WM. STILL, DEAR SIR:—­I strongly hope the little matter of business so long pending and about which I have written you so many times, will take a move now.  I have the promise that the merchandize shall be delivered in this city to-night.  Like so many other promises, this also may prove a failure, though I have reason to believe that it will not.  I shall, however, know before I mail this note.  In case the goods arrive here I shall hope to see your long-talked of “Professional gentleman” in Washington, as soon as possible.  He will find me by the enclosed card, which shall be a satisfactory introduction for him.  You have never given me his name, nor am I anxious to know it.  But on a pleasant visit made last fall to friend Wm. Wright, in Adams Co., I suppose I accidentally learned it to be a certain Dr. H——.  Well, let him come.

I had an interesting call a week ago from two gentlemen, masters of vessels, and brothers, one of whom, I understand, you know as the “powder boy.”  I had a little light freight for them; but not finding enough other freight to ballast their craft, they went down the river looking for wheat, and promising to return soon.  I hope to see them often.

    I hope this may find you returned from your northern trip,[A] as
    your time proposed was out two or three days ago.

    [Footnote A:  Mr. Bigelow’s correspondent had been on a visit to
    the fugitives to Canada.]

    I hope if the whole particulars of Jane Johnson’s case[B] are
    printed, you will send me the copy as proposed.

    [Footnote B:  Jane Johnson of the Passmore Williamson Slave
    Case.]

I forwarded some of her things to Boston a few days ago, and had I known its importance in court, I could have sent you one or two witnesses who would prove that her freedom was intended by her before she left Washington, and that a man was engaged here to go on to Philadelphia the same day with her to give notice there of her case, though I think he failed to do so.  It was beyond all question her purpose, before leaving Washington and provable too, that if Wheeler should make her a free woman by taking her to a free state “to use it rather.”

Tuesday, 11th September.  The attempt was made on Sunday to forward the merchandize, but failed through no fault of any of the parties that I now know of.  It will be repeated soon, and you shall know the result.

“Whorra for Judge Kane.”  I feel so indignant at the man, that it is not easy to write the foregoing sentence, and yet who is