* * * * *

"Oh, Mary, how little can we imagine the sufferings of the oppressed,
while we float along on the popular current. I thank God from the depths
of my soul, that we have launched our barks upon the ocean. Frail they
are, yet, having right for our beacon, and humanity for our compass, I
know we shall not be wrecked or go down among the raging elements.

* * * * *

"Now, dear Sister, farewell, and as you depart from this boasted 'land
of liberty and equal rights,' and go among strangers, that you may,
indeed, enjoy liberty, be not despondent, but cheerful, ever remembering
the message of your angel mother.

* * * * *

Again, dear sister, farewell,--you know how much we love you, and that
our deepest sympathies are with you wherever you may be.

"Affectionately yours,
"SARAH D. PORTER."

I subjoin an extract of a letter which I received from Miss K. a few
days before our marriage:--

"Dolington, Pennsylvania
"March 21st, 1853.

"Professor Allen,--
"Dearest and best-loved Friend:--

"I have just received your letter of March 13th, and hasten to reply.

"You ask me if I can go with you in four weeks or thereabouts. In reply,
I say yes; gladly and joyfully will I hasten with you to a land where
unmolested, we can be happy in the consciousness of the love which we
cherish for each other. While so far from you, I am sad, lonely, and
unhappy; for I feel that I have no home but in the heart of him whom I
love, and no country until I reach one where the cruel and crushing hand
of Republican America can no longer tear me from you.

* * * * *

"Professor,--I sometimes tremble when I think of the strong effort that
would be put forth to keep me from you, should my brothers know our
arrangements. But my determination is taken and my decision fixed; and
should the public or my friends ever see fit to lay their commands upon
me again, they will find that although they have but a weak, defenceless
woman to contend with, still, that woman is one who will never passively
yield her rights. _They may mob me; yea, they may kill me; but they
shall never crush me._

"Heaven's blessings upon all who sympathised with us. I am not
discouraged. God