This was my first appearance in print over my own signature, and while I was shocked, my husband was delighted, even though he knew a libel suit was threatened.

I soon went to Pittsburg, saw William Elder and John A.Wills, the only anti-slavery lawyers in the city.

They said the article was actionable, for it had brought those men into contempt.

Elder added: "They are badly hurt, or they would not cry out so loud." Both tendered their gratuitous services for my defense.

In a civil suit we could prove the truth of the charge, and they could get nothing, for my husband owned no property--everything belonged to his mother--and my trustees could not be held for my misdeeds.