there, whom I would trust with an important suit.  I think it is now some four or five weeks since, that some packages left this vicinity, said to be from fifteen to twenty in number, and as I suppose, went through your hands.  It was at a time of uncommon vigilance here, and to me it was a matter of extreme wonder, how and through whom, such a work was accomplished.  Can you tell me?  It is needful that I should know!  Not for curiosity merely, but for the good of others.  An enclosed slip contains the marks of one of the packages, which you will read and then immediately burn.

If you can give me any light that will benefit others, I am sure you will do so.

A traveler here, very reliable, and who knows his business, has determined not to leave home again till spring, at least not without extraordinary temptations.

I think, however, he or others, might be tempted to travel in Virginia.

Yours,

WM. P.

LETTER FROM MISS THEODOCIA GILBERT.

    SKANEATELES (GLEN HAVEN) CHUY., 1851.

    WILLIAM STILL:—­Dear Friend and Brother—­A thousand thanks for
    your good, generous letter!

It was so kind of you to have in mind my intense interest and anxiety in the success and fate of poor Concklin!  That he desired and intended to hazard an attempt of the kind, I well understood; but what particular one, or that he had actually embarked in the enterprise, I had not been able to learn.

His memory will ever be among the sacredly cherished with me.  He certainly displayed more real disinterestedness, more earnest, unassuming devotedness, than those who claim to be the sincerest friends of the slave can often boast.  What more Saviour-like than the willing sacrifice he has rendered!

Never shall I forget that night of our extremest peril (as we supposed), when he came and so heartily proffered his services at the hazard of his liberty, of life even, in behalf of William L. Chaplin.

Such generosity! at such a moment!  The emotions it awakened no words can bespeak!  They are to be sought but in the inner chambers of one’s own soul!  He as earnestly devised the means, as calmly counted the cost, and as unshrinkingly turned him to the task, as if it were his own freedom he would have won.

    Through his homely features, and humble garb, the intrepidity of
    soul came out in all its lustre!  Heroism, in its native majesty,
    commanded one’s admiration and love!

Most truly can I enter into your sorrows, and painfully appreciate the pang of disappointment which must have followed this sad intelligence.  But so inadequate are words to the consoling of such griefs, it were almost cruel to attempt to syllable one’s sympathies.

    I cannot bear to believe, that Concklin has been actually
    murdered, and yet I hardly dare hope it is otherwise.