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Letter of introduction and recommendation for Peter Still written by the Rev. Samuel J. May, which relates facts concerning Still’s biography; reports that Still is engaged in a quest to free his enslaved family members through purchase; notes that approximately 1,500 dollars of the 3,500 dollars necessary have already been obtained; provides space for subscriptions to be noted (none signed by others are listed); and states, in a postscript dated July 27, 1853, that 110 dollars have been raised on Still’s behalf in Syracuse.

The Rev. Samuel J. May acknowledges the receipt of Peter Still’s recent letter, which contained news that Still’s family will be provided for; indicates that Mrs. Reynolds is sure that her daughter, Mrs. Emily Pickard, would write Still’s narrative; opines that information about Seth Conklin’s life should be included in the volume, even if Dr. Furness publishes his own account of Conklin; suggests a title for the work about the Stills; advises Still to talk with the Rev. Furness about his Conklin essay before coming (to New York state) to confer with Mrs. Pickard; and proposes that Still avoid taking his formerly enslaved children from place to place to show them off, as it would not be good for them.

Letter of introduction for Peter Still, written by the Rev. Samuel J. May, that notes Still's status as a former slave and states that Still has raised almost enough money to free his family members who remain in bondage.

The Rev. Samuel J. May explains to Peter Still the circumstances, as he has been able to ascertain them, of the sale of the copyright and stereotype plates of Still's published narrative (after the bankruptcy of the publisher), which went first to Still’s friend Mr. Parrish and then to a Mr. Jones of London; indicates his resulting conclusion that Mrs. Pickard was not at fault for what happened to the plates, despite Still’s perception; presumes that printing in London is cheaper than in New York, so that for Still to purchase an edition of the book now would likely not be more expensive than formerly; provides advice regarding Still’s dispute with a Mr. Smith over the price of Still's house and land, suggesting that “three good men” be selected to act as arbitrators; and notes in a postscript that he recently visited Catharine [Still], who is unhappy with her situation at the Onondaga Academy, as she “thinks she does not receive as much instruction as she ought to.”

The Rev. Samuel J. May acknowledges the receipt of Peter Still’s letter sent from New Bedford, Mass.; relates that the price of slaves is now such that 5,000 dollars, not 3,000 dollars, likely will be needed to purchase the freedom of Still's family (but encourages Still to continue fundraising nonetheless); states that he has not heard any news from Alabama through either Mr. Birney in Philadelphia or Mrs. Pickard; and notes that he is returning Dr. Furness’ Seth Conklin narrative (via his son, John Edward May, who is traveling to Boston to give it to William Lloyd Garrison).

The Rev. Samuel J. May reports his thoughts on the subject of a publisher for Mrs. Pickard’s book on Peter Still and his family, together with his reasons for suggesting the Syracuse firm of L.W. Hall & Co.; notes that Messrs. Hall & Co. would assume the risk of publishing the book and pay her and Still each fifteen cents per copy sold; urges that certain parts of the book (Dr. Furness’ manuscripts and the images for the plates) be given to the publisher and engraver in advance of her text, to help speed the book’s publication; and notes that if “Uncle Peter” [Peter Still] and his wife came to Syracuse in the next three weeks, he would request that they stay with another of their friends, as his wife is currently ill.

The Rev. Samuel J. May acknowledges the receipt of a letter from William Lloyd Garrison, with a request signed by Peter Still, asking that 200 dollars which May holds of Still's money be forwarded to Parrish, which sum is enclosed as a bank draft [not present], and requests that certain information be conveyed to Still, including the news that May has “some hope of getting the price demanded for the [enslaved Still] family reduced somewhat—perhaps to $4,000.”

The Rev. Samuel J. May acknowledges the receipt of William Still’s letter; requests the names of “Uncle Peter's" [Peter Still's] wife and children, of the place where they live, of their owner, and of any persons near them who would be sympathetic to the cause of freeing them, to have this information ready to furnish to May's kinsman in Boston, if the latter agrees to help; wonders if Peter should (at least publicly) abandon his quest to free them; and notes that he has 200 dollars of Peter Still's money which is earning seven percent interest. This item is an enclosure in William Still’s letter of November 9, 1853, addressed to Peter Still.

The Rev. Samuel J. May reports that he has sent Peter Still's 200 dollars, as requested by William Lloyd Garrison and by the recipient, Joseph Parrish, and requests that if the current attempt to offer $3,000 for the freedom of Peter Still's enslaved family fails, then the writer’s nephew Mr. Hamilton Willis of Boston should be contacted, as the latter individual believes that he can obtain a more favorable price for Still’s family through “gentleman slaveholders whom he had befriended, and who live in Georgia.”