Congressman Joshua R. Giddings to John Brown, March 17, 1856

Hall Of Representatives, U. S.,

March 17, 1856.

My Dear Sir, — We shall do all we can, but we are in a minority, and are dependent on the "Know Nothings"¹ for aid to effect anything, and they are in a very doubtful position; we know not how they will act. All I can say is, we shall try to relieve you. In the mean time you need have no fear of the troops. The President never will dare employ the troops of the United States to shoot the citizens of Kansas. The death of the first man by the troops will involve every free State in your own fate. It will light up the fires of civil war throughout the North, and we shall stand or fall with you. Such an act will also bring the President so deep in infamy that the hand of political resurrection will never reach him. Your safety depends on the supply of men and arms and money which will move forward to your relief as soon as the spring opens. I am confident there will be as many people in Kansas next winter as can be supplied with provisions. I may be mistaken, but I feel confident there will be no war in Kansas.

Very respectfully,

J. R. Giddings.

John Brown, Esq.

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¹ A political party (the “Native Americans”) so designated.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 224