The Liberator (newspaper)/September 18, 1857/Another Case of Imposture
Another Case of Imposture.
Windsor Locks, Conn., Sept. 7, 1857.
Mr. Garrison:
Dear Sir,—George Thompson, the fugitive, whom you sent from Boston, Saturday morning, to meet Mr. Seward at Albany, (according to his account,) came to us that evening, You will have heard the particulars of the attempt to arrest him, and his escape, before you receive this. His friends in Springfield judged it best to send him southward, and he was accordingly brought within a few miles of this place, and directed to one of my people and myself. We were at a loss what to do, but concluded, in view of the large reward offered for him, and the consequent probability of considerable effort to track him, and a sharp lookout, especially on the main lines of travel near Springfield, that it would be safest for him to go immediately in the direction of Albany, over the country roads. It being the Sabbath, I was necessarily confined at home by my pulpit duties yesterday, and could not carry him on his way, as I should have been glad to do. He remained with us Saturday night, and started on foot early yesterday morning, being pretty well, though somewhat stiff and sore.
If no misfortune befel him, he reached Rev. ’s, West Hartland, Conn., last evening, by whom he would be cared for. Thence he was directed to go to Mr. , West Winsted, Conn., and remain there till he heard from yourself or Mr. Seward. From West Winsted, it is but a few miles to Canaan on the Housatonic railroad, if you should think it safe for him to proceed in that way.
He lost the money you gave him, through the superabundant kindness of his heart in changing a counterfeit bill for a scoundrel whom he camo across in the cars. He says the conductors were very kind to him. We supplied him with as much money as we thought he would need: between four and five dollars.
I trust he will be kept from the power of his oppressor, and to hear from you of his reaching a place of safety. May God hasten the day when we shall not be obliged to hide the fugitive, to save him from being, forced back into slavery!
Very truly, yours,
SAMUEL H. ALLEN.
☞We know nothing whatever of the colored man, ‘George Thompson,’ referred to in the foregoing letter, and accordingly pronounce him to be an impostor—regretting that our benevolent friend has been so basely deceived. Too much of caution cannot be exercised, on the part of those whose sympathies are warmly enlisted in behalf of the colored population, bond and free, in relation to colored applicants for aid either in their own case, or ostensibly to ransom some relative from bondage. Impostors of this class are travelling in all directions, and will be likely to increase rather than diminish in numbers and boldness. Look well at the documents—require the best anti-slavery testimony—and, as a general rule for safety, give very sparingly of money.—Ed. Lib.