, and all concerned,
give you and that gentleman sincere thanks for what you have
done. May the blessings of Him, who cares for the poor, be on
your heads.

The especial object of this, is to inform you that there is a
half dozen or so of packages here, _pressing for
transportation_; twice or thrice that number are also pressing,
but less so than the others. Their aggregate means will average,
say, $10 each; besides these, we know of a few, say three or
four, _able and smart_, but utterly destitute, and kept so
purposely by their oppressors. For all these, we feel deeply
interested; $10 each would not be enough for the "powder boy."
Is there any fund from which a pittance could be spared to help
these poor creatures? I don't doubt but that they would honestly
repay a small loan as soon as they could earn it. I know full
well, that if you begin with such cases, there is no boundary at
which you can stop. For years, one half at least, of my friend's
time here has been gratuitously given to cases of distress among
this class. He never expects or desires to do less; he literally
has the _poor always with him_. He knows that it is so with you
also, therefore, he only states the case, being especially
anxious for at least those to whom I have referred.

[Illustration: MARIA WEEMS ESCAPING IN MALE ATTIRE]

I think a small lot of hard coal might always be sold here _from
the vessel_ at a profit. Would not a like lot of Cumberland coal
always sell in Philadelphia?

My friend would be very glad to see the powder boy here again,
and if he brings coal, there are those here, who would try to
help him sell.

Reply to your regular correspondent as usual.

WM. PENN.

By the presence of the Dr., confidence having been reassured that all
would be right, as well as by the "inner light," William Penn
experienced a great sense of relief. Everything having been duly
arranged, the doctor's horse and carriage stood waiting before the White
House (William Penn preferred this place as a starting point, rather
than before his own office door). It being understood that "Joe" was to
act as coachman in passing out of Washington, at this moment he was
called for, and in the most polite and natural manner, with the
fleetness of a young deer, he jumped into the carriage, took the reins
and whip, whilst the doctor and Willi