s, as you are a stranger to me and I must be to you. In
your next if you will tell me the intention of your
inquiries, I will give you a full history of the whole case.

I have a boy in your county by the name of King, a large man
and very black; if you are acquainted with him, give him my
compliments, and tell him I am well, and all of his friends.
W.H. Bibb is acquainted with him.

I wait your answer.

Your most obedient,
W.H. GATEWOOD.

_March 17, 1845_.

* * * * *

[No. 6.] BEDFORD, KENTUCKY, _April 6th, 1845_.
MR. CHARLES H. STEWART.

SIR:--Yours of the 1st March is before me, inquiring if one
Walton Bibb, a colored man, escaped from me at Louisville,
Ky., in the Spring of 1839. To that inquiry I answer, he
did. The particulars are these: He ran off from William
Gatewood some time in 1838 I think, and was heard of in
Cincinnati. Myself and some others went there and took him,
and took him to Louisville for sale, by the directions of
his master. While there he made his escape and was gone some
time, I think about one year or longer. He came back it was
said, to get his wife and child, so report says. He was
again taken by his owner; he together with his wife and
child was taken to Louisville and sold to a man who traded
in negroes, and was taken by him to New Orleans and sold
with his wife and child to some man up Red River, so I was
informed by the man who sold him. He then ran off and left
his wife and child and got back, it seems, to your country.
I can say for Gatewood he was a good master, and treated him
well. Gatewood bought him from a Mr. Sibly, who was going
to send him down the river. Walton, to my knowledge,
influenced Gatewood to buy him, and promised if he would,
never to disobey him or run off. Who he belongs to now, I do
not know. I know Gatewood sold his wife and child at a great
sacrifice, to satisfy him. If any other information is
necessary I will give it, if required. You will please write
me again what he is trying to do in your country, or what he
wishes the inquiry from me for.

Yours, truly,
DANIE