Aug. 16, 1856.
The prospect now appears so favorable for us that it does
seem as though I had better not try to meet you just now. The prospect is that
there will be either a writ of habeas corpus issued, or a change of venue,
which will in either case take us into the States for trial. Have sent you
several letters lately by persons going to Topeka, and I enclose one which I
wrote on the 13th.1 The bearer of it, not seeing you there, has
returned it. I was in hearing of the attack on Colonel Titus this morning. A
messenger has just come in, stating that he (Titus) and several others were
taken prisoners; Titus wounded. He also reports that a Free-State man was
either killed yesterday or last night, as he was found at Titus's stiff and
cold. I saw the fire of Titus's house. Well, it seems that Heaven is smiling on
our arms. The case may be that within a few days I shall think it altogether
best to try to meet you. A very few days will determine. All well. May God
bless you! Good-by.
I should be very glad to see you, if you think it prudent to
visit me. There is nothing here, that I know of, in the way. If you come just
at edge of evening, no one need know it is you; but don't risk yourself if you
are aware of danger. There are spies around. In view of present
prospects, the prisoners think best that no attempt should be made at present
to release them. We are all well treated here. Captain Sackett is a noble man.
Should be very glad to know where I could communicate with you from time to
time.
J. B., Jr., in
prison.
Indorsed by John Brown.
_______________
1 Not extant.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of
John Brown, p. 310-1
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