I stopped with a very prominent Colored person, who was a friend
to Freedom stayed here until two white friends told other
friends if I was in the city to tell me to go at once, and stand
not upon the order of going, because they had hard a plot. I
wrot a pass, started for Richmond, Reached Manchester, got off
the Cars walked into Richmond, once more got back into the same
old Den, Stayed here from the 16th of Aug. to 12th Sept. On the
11th of Sept. 8 o'clock P.M. a message came to me that there had
been a State Room taken on the steamer City of Richmond for my
benefit, and I assured the party that it would be occupied if
God be willing. Before 10 o'clock the next morning, on the 12th,
a beautiful Sept. day, I arose early, wrote my pass for Norfolk
left my old Den with a many a good bye, turned out the back way
to 7th St., thence to Main, down Main behind 4 night waich to
old Rockett's and after about 20 minutes of delay I succeed in
Reaching the State Room. My Conductor was very much Excited, but
I felt as Composed as I do at this moment, for I had started
from my Den that morning for Liberty or for Death providing
myself with a Brace of Pistels.

Yours truly

J.H. HILL.

A private berth was procured for him on the steamship City of Richmond,
for the amount of $125, and thus he was brought on safely to
Philadelphia. While in the city, he enjoyed the hospitalities of the
Vigilance Committee, and the greetings of a number of friends, during
the several days of his sojourn. The thought of his wife, and two
children, left in Petersburg, however, naturally caused him much
anxiety. Fortunately, they were free, therefore, he was not without hope
of getting them; moreover, his wife's father (Jack McCraey), was a free
man, well known, and very well to do in the world, and would not be
likely to see his daughter and grandchildren suffer. In this particular,
Hill's lot was of a favorable character, compared with that of most
slaves leaving their wives and children.

FIRST LETTER

ON ARRIVING IN CANADA.

TORONTO, October 4th, 1853.

DEAR SIR:--I take this method of informing you that I am well,
and that I got to this city all safe and sound, though I did not
get here as soon as I expect. I left your city on Saterday and I
was on the way untel the Friday following. I got to New York the
same day that I left