To Joseph carpenter.
West Newton, August 24, 1851.
There seems to be a lull just now in fugitive slave matters.
What experiment our masters will try next, remains to be shown.
The commercial and moneyed portion of the community will doubtless obey their orders to any extent.
But in the heart of the people I think a better and braver sentiment is gradually being formed.
A friend of mine in Medford sheltered a fugitive a short time ago. When the firemen of the town heard of it, they sent for the man chattel, elected him a member of their company, and promised, at a given signal, to rally for his defence in case he was pursued, and to stand by him to the death, one and all.