Boston, September 24, 1856.
My Dear Sir, — In reply
to yours I will say that all money sent to the treasurer of the New England
Emigrant Aid Company (myself) will be appropriated as you request. This company
has never sent arms nor ammunition. Any supplies of this sort were sent by
private individuals. . . . This company is now forwarding clothing, which is
very much wanted to enable the settlers, who have been harassed all summer, and
have lost their crops partially or wholly, to remain during the winter. Few
have money to spare to lay in a stock of new clothes, and they must buy them at
a high price, if at all. We have a depository for all this in Iowa, and it will
be used only as it is wanted. Shoes. What can Lynn people do so useful
as collect all the unsalable shoes, if there are such things, and send them
out. They must have them packed in barrels, or you may pack them and mark them Lynn.
A dozen or two such boxes would revive their weary soles. Send to T. H.
Webb, Emigrant Aid Rooms, 3 Winter Street, Boston. Now is the time. All
merchandise must go out at once. In many towns the ladies are having “Bees” to
sew for Kansas. In some houses (my own for one) they have packed up everything
not in use, and will buy a new stock for themselves. Remember that there are
thirty thousand Free State men, women, and children there. Take off your coat,
my dear friend, and put on your best one: and take your overcoat and
pantaloons; save only one suit for Sunday and week days, and pack up the rest.
That will stir up your neighbors to do the same. They will be warmer without
them because their hearts will keep them warm all winter, and inside heat is
the best and lasts the longest.
Yours very truly,
A. A. L.
SOURCE: William
Lawrence, Life of Amos A. Lawrence: With Extracts from His Diary and
Correspondence, p. 108
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