Still, William, letter, Anti Slavery Office, Philadelphia, April 29, 1853, to E. Gray Loring, Esq.

Philadelphia Anti Slavery Office

April 29^th 1853

Dear Sir.

Through the [advice] of W^m I.[?] Bowditch, Esq. of Boston, I take the liberty of addressing you a few lines in relation to my Bro. Peter.

I am exceedingly desirous to learn for the satisfaction of many of Peter's friends as well as my own, how he is succeeding in raising money: the amount he has collected; his propects, plans, etc., etc., would afford us much satisfaction to know something about them.

Please tell Peter to write to me at once, as it may be of much importance to him.

Rev. W^m H. Furness has been kind enough to write out the Narrative of Seth Conklin whose life was sacrificed in striving to secure the liberation of Peter's family. The narrative, of course, [embraces] the particulars connected with the escape & capture of Peter's family – hence it will not do to publish it until P.'s family are redeemed. It is exceedingly thrilling & interesting. Mr J. M. M^cKim embarks for England tomorrow, taking a mss. copy of the narrative

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along with him where it is to be hoped he will be able to do much ^for P. by presenting his case &c.

I will say, briefly, that we are now under the impression that P.'s family can be had for $3000 – instead of $5000 – as demanded by their inhuman owner. The plan is to get a man in the South to purchase them, at their ordinary market price. In this hope we have been quite encourraged, having already succeeded in finding a gentleman, in this City, who has an agent in the very County wherein P.'s family live. This gentleman (Mr. D. B. Birrney, son of James G. Birney) is very sanguine that the object can be very readily accomplished, and without any charge on his part, or his agent all ^that is needed is the money, to purchase them.

Mr. Birney is connected with "Goodridge & Co's Law, [Mercantile], and Collecting Agency's" office in this city; consequently we feel it to be almost providential that we come [across] him.

Please do me the favour to write soon, as I am under an obligation to Mr. M Kim to send him any information that I may receive from you, [touching] my Bro. &e.

Your Obedient Servant

W^m Still