da Tate Care of Dudley M Pattee Worrenton Farkiear
County Verginia.

LETTER FROM JOHN THOMPSON, A FUGITIVE, TO HIS MOTHER.

MY DEAR MOTHER:--I have imbrace an opportunity of writing you
these few lines (hoping) that they may fine you as they Leave me
quite well I will now inform you how I am geting I am now a free
man Living By the sweet of my own Brow not serving a nother man
& giving him all I Earn But what I make is mine and iff one
Plase do not sute me I am at Liberty to Leave and go some where
elce & can ashore you I think highly of Freedom and would not
exchange it for nothing that is offered me for it I am waiting
in a Hotel I supose you Remember when I was in Jail I told you
the time would Be Better and you see that the time has come when
I Leave you my heart was so full & yours But I new their was a
Better Day a head, & I have Live to see it. I hird when I was on
the Underground R. Road that the Hounds was on my Track but it
was no go I new I was too far out of their Reach where they
would never smell my track when I Leave you I was carred to
Richmond & sold & From their I was taken to North Carolina &
sold & I Ran a way & went Back to Virginna Between Richmond &
home & their I was caught & Put in Jail & their I Remain till
the oner come for me then I was taken & carred Back to Richmond
then I was sold to the man who I now Leave he is nothing But a
But of a Feller Remember me to your Husband & all in quirin
Friends & say to Miss Rosa that I am as Free as she is & more
happier I no I am getting $12 per month for what Little work I
am Doing I hope to here from you a gain I your Son & ever By

JOHN THOMPSON.

LETTER FROM "WM. PENN" (OF THE BAR).

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 9th, 1856.

DEAR SIR:--I was unavoidably prevented yesterday, from replying to yours
of 6th instant, and although I have made inquiries, I am unable
_to-day_, to answer your questions satisfactorily. Although I know some
of the residents of Loudon county, and have often visited there, still I
have not practiced much in the Courts of that county. There are several
of my acquaintances here, who have lived in that county, and _possibly_,
through my assistance, your commissions might be executed. If a better
way shall not suggest itself to you, and you see fit to give me the
_facts_ in the case, I can better judge of my ability to h