.

Mr. H. BIBB.

DEAR SIR:--After my respects to you and yours &c, I received
a small book which you sent to me that I peroseed and found
it was sent by H. Bibb I am a stranger in Detroit and know
no man there without it is Walton H. Bibb if this be the man
please to write to me and tell me all about that place and
the people I will tell you the news here as well as I can
your mother is still living here and she is well the people
are generally well in this cuntry times are dull and produce
low give my compliments to King, Jack, and all my friends in
that cuntry I read that book you sent me and think it will
do very well--George is sold, I do not know any thing about
him I have nothing more at present, but remain yours &c

W.H. GATEWOOD.

February 9th, 1844.
P.S. You will please to answer this letter.

Never was I more surprised than at the reception of this letter, it
came so unexpected to me. There had just been a State Convention held
in Detroit, by the free people of color, the proceedings of which were
published in pamphlet form. I forwarded several of them to
distinguished slaveholders in Kentucky--one among others was Mr.
Gatewood, and gave him to understand who sent it. After showing this
letter to several of my anti-slavery friends, and asking their
opinions about the propriety of my answering it, I was advised to do
it, as Mr. Gatewood had no claim on me as a slave, for he had sold
and got the money for me and my family. So I wrote him an answer, as
near as I can recollect, in the following language:

DEAR SIR:--I am happy to inform you that you are not
mistaken in the man whom you sold as property, and received
pay for as such. But I thank God that I am not property now,
but am regarded as a man like yourself, and although I live
far north, I am enjoying a comfortable living by my own
industry. If you should ever chance to be traveling this
way, and will call on me, I will use you better than you did
me while you held me as a slave. Think not that I have any
malice against you, for the cruel treatment which you
inflicted on me while I was in your power. As it was the
custom of your country, to treat your fellow man as you did
me and my little family, I can freely forgive you.

I wish to be remembered in love to my aged mot