"Again Rev. Sir, I assure you that in writing you this letter, I only do that which is the result of mature deliberation. "I shall wait anxiously your reply, "THOS. K. KNOWLAND." "P. S.--As Messrs. Reed, Brothers, and Co., are the nearest reference to whom I refer, I enclose you a letter from them." * * * * * The two letters immediately following were received by Miss K. just before she left Pennsylvania for New York. Many other letters were also received by both of us, which are not given in this book, but we can assure the writers thereof that they have our hearts' gratitude:-- "Fulton, March 27th, 1853. "My dear and brave Sister:-- "For two weeks past we have been stopping with Mr. B. Yesterday we received four letters--two from my good brother B., and two from Pennsylvania, yours and Jane's. Right glad were we to receive those welcome favors--those little _epistolary_ angels, telling us of your safety, (for safety has of late become quite a consideration) of your affection, of your anxiety, and a hundred things more than what were written. "Mary, I judge from your letters and notes--from the tone of them--that there are feelings and emotions in your heart utterly beyond the power of words to express. You are resolved, and you are happy in your resolve, and strong in the providential certainty of its success. Yet you tremble for probabilities, or rather for _possibilities_. "What feelings, dear Mary, you must have in the hour of your departure from this country. Through the windows of imagination I can catch a glimpse of it all. Your flight is a flight for freedom, and I can almost call you _Eliza_. To you this land will become a land of memory. And, oh! what memories! But we will talk of this hereafter. "The remembrance of _friendship unbroken here_,--oh, Mary, let it not vanish as the blue hills of your father-land will dim away in the distance, while you glide eastward upon the 'free waters.' But let that bright remembrance be embodied in _spirit_-form, for ever attending you, and pointing back to those still here who hold you high in affection and in honor. * * * * * "Mary, I must close. Be firm--strong--brave--unflinching--_just like_ Mary King. "Yours in the bonds of love, "JOHN C. PORTER." "Fulton, March 27th, 1853. "My dear Sister Mary:--