MAUMEE CITY, April 5, 1845.

CHAS. H. STEWART, ESQ.

DEAR SIR:—­Your favor of 13th February, addressed to me at Perrysburgh, was not received until yesterday; having removed to this place, the letter was not forwarded as it should have been.  In reply to your inquiry respecting Henry Bibb, I can only say that about the year 1838 I became acquainted with him at Perrysburgh—­employed him to do some work by the job which he performed well, and from his apparent honesty and candor, I became much interested in him.  About that time he went South for the purpose, as was said, of getting his wife, who was there in slavery.  In the spring of 1841, I found him at Portsmouth on the Ohio river, and after much persuasion, employed him to assist my man to drive home some horses and cattle which I was about purchasing near Maysville, Ky.  My confidence in him was such that when about half way home I separated the horses from the cattle, and left him with the latter, with money and instructions to hire what help he wanted to get to Perrysburgh.  This he accomplished to my entire satisfaction.  He worked for me during the summer, and I was unwilling to part with him, but his desire to go to school and mature plans for the liberation of his wife, were so strong that he left for Detroit, where he could enjoy the society of his colored brethren.  I have heard his story and must say that I have not the least reason to suspect it being otherwise than true, and furthermore, I firmly believe, and have for a long time, that he has the foundation to make himself useful.  I shall always afford him all the facilities in my power to assist him, until I hear of something in relation to him to alter my mind.

Yours in the cause of truth,
J.W.  SMITH

When I arrived at Perrysburgh, I went to work for Mr. Smith for several months.  This family I found to be one of the most kind-hearted, and unprejudiced that I ever lived with.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived up to their profession.

I resolved to go to Detroit, that winter, and go to school, in January 1842.  But when I arrived at Detroit I soon found that I was not able to give myself a very thorough education.  I was among strangers, who were not disposed to show me any great favors.  I had every thing to pay for, and clothing to buy, so I graduated within three weeks!  And this was all the schooling that I have ever had in my life.

W.C.  Monroe was my teacher; to him I went about two weeks only.  My occupation varied according to circumstances, as I was not settled in mind about the condition of my bereaved family for several years, and could not settle myself down at any permanent business.  I saw occasionally, fugitives from Kentucky, some of whom I knew, but none of them were my relatives; none could give me the information which I desired most.

CHAPTER XVII.

Letter from W.H.  Gatewood.—­My reply.—­My efforts as a public lecturer.—­Singular incident in Steubenville—­Meeting with a friend of Whitfield in Michigan.—­Outrage on a canal packet.—­Fruitless efforts to find my wife.