Syracuse, N. Y., Thursday, Aug. 11, 1859.
Friend J. Henrie,
— Day before yesterday I reached Rochester. Found our Rochester friend1
absent at Niagara Falls. Yesterday he returned, and I spent remainder of day
and evening with him and Mr. E. Morton, with whom friend Isaac2 is
acquainted. The friend at Rochester will set out to make you a visit in a few
days. He will be accompanied by that “other young man,” and also, if it can be
brought around, by the woman1 that the Syracuse friend could tell me
of. The son will probably remain back for awhile. I gave “Fred’k”1
twenty-two dollars to defray expenses. If alive and well, you will see him ere
long. I found him in rather low spirits; left him in high. Accidentally met at
Rochester Mr. E. Morton. He was much pleased to hear from you; was anxious for
a copy of that letter of instructions to show our friend at “Pr.”,3
who, Mr. M. says, has his whole soul absorbed in this matter. I have just made
him a copy and mailed him at R., where he expects to be for two or three weeks.
He wished me to say to you that he had reliable information that a certain
noted colonel, whose name you are all acquainted with, is now in Italy. By the
way, the impression prevails generally that a certain acquaintance of ours
headed the party that visited St. J. in Missouri lately. Of course I don't try
to deny that which bears such earmarks. Came on here this morning. Found
Loguen gone to Boston, Mass., and also said woman. As T. does not know
personally those persons in Canada to whom it is necessary to have letters of
introduction, he thinks I had better get him to go with me there. I have made
up my mind, notwithstanding the extra expense, to go on to Boston. Loguen is
expecting to visit Canada soon, anyway, and his wife thinks would contrive to
go immediately. I think for other reasons, also, I had better go on to Boston.
Morton says our particular friend Mr. Sanborn, in that city, is especially
anxious to hear from you; has his heart and hand both engaged in the cause.
Shall try and find him. Our Rochester friend thinks the woman whom I shall see
in Boston, “whose services might prove invaluable,” had better be helped on. I
leave this evening on the 11.35 train from here; shall return as soon as
possible to make my visit at Chatham. Will write you often. So far, all is
well. Keep me advised as far as consistent.
Fraternally yours,
John Smith.
_______________
1 F. Douglass. The “woman” spoken of was Harriet
Tubman, a Maryland Deborah. “Fred’k” is also Douglass.
2 John Brown.
3 Petersboro’.
“Our friend at Pr.” was Gerrit Smith, in whose family, it will he
remembered, Edwin Morton was living; but he happened then to be visiting in
Rochester.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of
John Brown, p. 536-7
No comments:
Post a Comment