for him to send them on to me immediately, as
I am in great need of them. I would like to have them put in a
small box, and the overcoat I left at your house to be put in
the box with them, to be sent to the care of my friend, Hiram
Wilson. On receipt of this letter, I desire you to write a few
lines to my wife, Mary Atkins, in the care of my friend, Henry
Lowey, stating that I am well and hearty and hoping that she is
the same. Please tell her to remember my love to her mother and
her cousin, Emelin, and her husband, and Thomas Hunter; also to
my father and mother. Please request her to write to me
immediately, for her to be of good courage, that I love her
better than ever. I would like her to come on as soon as she
can, but for her to write and let me know when she is going to
start.

Affectionately Yours,

JOHN ATKINS.

W.H. ATKINSON, Fugitive, Oct., 1854.

* * * * *

WILLIAM BUTCHER, ALIAS WILLIAM T. MITCHELL.

"HE WAS ABUSEFUL."

This passenger reported himself from Massey's Cross-Roads, near
Georgetown, Maryland. William gave as his reason for being found
destitute, and under the necessity of asking aid, that a man by the name
of William Boyer, who followed farming, had deprived him of his hard
earnings, and also claimed him as his property; and withal that he had
abused him for years, and recently had "threatened to sell" him. This
threat made his yoke too intolerable to be borne.

He here began to think and plan for the future as he had never done
before. Fortunately he was possessed with more than an average amount of
mother wit, and he soon comprehended the requirements of the Underground
Rail Road. He saw exactly that he must have resolution and
self-dependence, very decided, in order to gain the victory over Boyer.
In his hour of trial his wife, Phillis, and child, John Wesley, who were
free, caused him much anxiety; but his reason taught him that it was his
duty to throw off the yoke at all hazards, and he acted accordingly. Of
course he left behind his wife and child. The interview which the
Committee held with William was quite satisfactory, and he was duly
aided and regularly despatched by the name of William T. Mitchell. He
was about twenty-eight years of age, of medium size, and of quite a dark
hue.

"WHITE ENOUGH TO PASS."

John Wesley Gibson represented himself to be not o