The Underground Railroad eBook

William Still
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,446 pages of information about The Underground Railroad.

The Underground Railroad eBook

William Still
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,446 pages of information about The Underground Railroad.
DEAR FRIEND:—­I am truly rejoiced and thankful that the right has triumphed.  But stranger had it been otherwise, in your intelligent community, where it must be apparent to all who inquire into it, that you had done nothing but what was deserving of high commendation, instead of blame and punishment; and shame on the jury who would bring in the two men guilty of assault and battery.  They ought to have another trial; perhaps another jury would be more just.  It is well for the credit of Philadelphia, that there is one upright judge, as Kelley seems to be, and his sentence will be a light one it is presumed, showing he considered the charge a mere pretence.
I hope and trust, that neither thyself nor the other men will have much if any of the expense to bear; your lawyers will not charge anything I suppose, and the good citizens will pay all else.  It seems there are hopes entertained that Passmore Williamson will soon be set at liberty.  It must be a great comfort to him and wife, in their trials, that it will conduce to the furtherance of the good cause.
If Philadelphians are not aroused now after this great stretch of power, to consider their safety, they must be a stupid set of people, but it must certainly do good. * * * You will take good care of Jane Johnson, I hope, and not let her get kidnapped back to Slavery.  Is it safe for her to remain in your city or anywhere else in our “free land?” I have some doubts and fears for her; do try to impress her with the necessity of being very cautious and careful against deceivers, pretended friends.  She had better be off to Canada pretty soon.
Thy wife must not sit up washing and ironing all night again.  She ought to have help in her sympathy and labors for the poor fugitives, and, I should think there are many there who would willingly assist her.

    I intended to be careful of trespassing upon thy time, as thee
    must have enough to do; the fugitives are still coming I expect. 
    With kind regards, also to thy wife, your friend,

    A. GOODWIN.

In another letter, she suggests the idea of getting up a committee of women to provide clothing for fugitive females; on this point she wrote thus: 

    “SALEM, 8th mo., 1st.

“Would it not be well to get up a committee of women, to provide clothes for fugitive females—­a dozen women sewing a day, or even half a day of each week, might keep a supply always ready, they might, I should think, get the merchants or some of them, to give cheap materials—­mention it to thy wife, and see if she cannot get up a society.  I will do what I can here for it.  I enclose five dollars for the use of fugitives.  It was a good while that I heard nothing of your rail road concerns; I expected thee had gone to Canada, or has the journey not been made, or is it yet to be accomplished, or given up?  I was
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The Underground Railroad from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.