Judge Martin F. Conway to George L. Stearns, June 17, 1860

[Baltimore, June 17, 1860.]

Your kind favor of the 15th is at hand. I have no business requiring my presence in Boston at this time; so that if I visit it, I must do so at your account . This, I shall, of course, be glad to do, as much for the pleasure it will afford me personally, as for the accommodation it may be to you.

Should Douglas be nominated by the convention now in session in this city the South will bolt, and Lincoln be elected President; in which case I do not think a movement to prevent his inauguration at all improbable. What would become of Kansas in the confusion which would follow such a proceeding, God only knows. Should Douglas not be nominated, but if the convention unites in some other candidate, Guthrie for example, then Lincoln would not probably be elected, but the Democratic candidate instead. The result of this would be that the present application for Kansas' admission would be discarded, and new proceedings instituted for another state organization founded on Democratic principles.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 228-9

George L. Stearns to Mary Hall Stearns, May 17, 1860

[May 17, 1860.]

I have to-day two letters from you and one from Frank — your letter, May 9 and Frank's May 12, and have telegraphed that I am here and will leave for Philadelphia to-night.

I found on arrival at Lawrence some earnest men, who are desirous to use active measures if they could have the means. Among them a Mr. Stewart, who tells me he formerly lived with Mr. Henry A. Page. S. has several colored people on his farm, one a good-looking young girl who, when her master tried to take improper liberties with her, knocked him down and ran off.

He, with others I saw, assured me that it was the wish of the majority of the people of Kansas to make it a “free state” for blacks as well as whites, and they would do so if the means could be procured to effect an organization.

If I had returned home my work would only have been half developed, and of course half done. I now feel confident that we can make the whole of Kansas a place of rest for the “panting fugitive,” and that done, Missouri, Arkansas, and the Indian Territory can be cleared of slaves.

Montgomery is a splendid man. I will tell you lots of stories about him when I get home.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 225-6

George L. Stearns to Mary Hall Stearns, May 8, 1860

[May 8, 1860.]

Yesterday a black man was kidnapped from this place, which set the people in some commotion, but the real abolitionists are the exception. Have seen most of the latter class. They are a sturdy race.

Ames, the United States marshal who was shot at Topeka, was the same who previously tried to arrest Montgomery and there has been no second attempt, as I supposed, to arrest him. All is quiet here, and I do not think there will be any trouble in this territory this year. It is generally understood that it was an attempt on the part of the marshal to get some money, instead of which he got a ball.

Conway is here, but will leave with us for Chicago to attend the convention. I never saw him in so good health as at present. I am glad I came out here, and hope some time to come again with you. I think in another year we can accomplish it. They are having a fearful drought here. It has hardly rained at all since last September. Their winter wheat all dried up, and the corn does not even swell in the ground. If it continues there will be a famine here.

Of course all is dust, but it is not troublesome to me, at least as it would be to you. I send you samples of it in this paper, which was clean when I began to write.

May 9. So busy last night that I forgot to put this in the mail. My visit has been eminently successful, but not exactly as I supposed. I stay here to-day to get letters from home. Hope to get one from you.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 224-5

George L. Stearns to Mary Hall Stearns, May 1, 1860

[May 1, 1860.]

I had no time to write last evening, and so you will not get this until Thursday. My first move yesterday was for Peter and Susie Leslie. He has gone to Broad Mountain and will not be home until Friday, but Susie was delighted with my offer to take him with me; thought he would go, if his engagements will permit. If Howe and Bird both fail me, I will try to get him or some one else here to go on. Have no doubt of success.

Later. Frank Bird has just arrived. Dr. Howe too sick to travel, and we leave here to-night or to-morrow noon, probably to-night. To-day I have spent the morning with J. Miller McKim. He approves of my plans, and thinks after the elections are over that national aid can be obtained here for them. Approves of aid to M—— and operations in that quarter at once.

Now I have only time to say that I hope you got safe and comfortably home. My enterprise looks well to-day, and that keeps up my spirit.

Your loving husband,

George L. Stearns.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 223

George L. Stearns to Senator Charles Sumner, March 22, 1860

[March 22, 1860]

dear Sir:

Please accept my thanks for the check, which came to hand yesterday, and also for the Globe. I will try to have your Speech published in our Republican papers.

It is the only one that hit the mark. Hale hit Fessenden, but overshot the question; all the rest are Republican and Democratic talk. In the meantime public opinion is slowly taking the right direction, one of the Judges of the S. J. C. declaring openly that the Senate is wrong, and another that the court would like to hear an argument on it, especially before any decision has been had elsewhere. They will be sure to have the opportunity.

Truly your friend,

George L. Stearns.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 215

Senator Charles Sumner to George L. Stearns, March 16, 1860

Here are the wages of your testimony!

I am obliged for your suggestion. Have faith. I believe when in active health, I have never done less than was expected of me. I hope not to fall short hereafter.

I have twice visited Hyatt in jail. He is serene and tranquil, determined to stay there at least five years, if before then he is not discharged.

Half of our Republicans need conversion to first principles. Lawyers are strong in defending a point, already occupied. They will find any required number of reasons for their cause. But they are not leaders where great principles are in question. Ask Mr. Sewall if I am not right.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 214

Senator Charles Sumner to George L. Stearns, March 2, 1860

Senate Chamber, 2d March, ’60.

My Dear Sir:

With mortification I confess that I have lost your bill with your receipt.

On receiving it I placed it carefully in one of my drawers, and remember afterwards taking it out and folding; but I have not seen it since; nor can I find it. I suppose it must have been destroyed with other papers of less value.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

I congratulate you upon your successful visit to this Slave-pen.

Ever faithfully yours,

Charles Sumner.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 214

George L. Stearns to Samuel Gridley Howe, February 27, 1860

[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1860]

[Dr. S. G. Howe.]

I am so far on my return from Washington, where I had a good time. The Com. were civil and did not press me at all. I answered freely and they took all I said in good faith.

On reading my testimony, which took an hour and a half, I did not want to change a word, but made some additions; such as, “I have since changed my opinion,” etc. I was before them three hours, from eleven until two.

I saw a good deal of Sumner; he made me free of his room at all hours and was of great use to me. He is preparing a speech and will do justice to this affair, including the Senate Com. He said: I feel now perfectly easy with regard to slavery: it has received its death blow. This is not a quotation, but the spirit of his remarks.

Saw Adams, Burlingame, Wilson; nothing said worth reporting.

Washington, as it is to-day, is the meanest hole in creation, and Congress the meanest part of Washington. The members of both parties are split up into petty cliques, each intent on grinding its own little axe and trying to prevent all the others from using the grindstone. If they are our representatives, we are indeed of a low type.

Ever yours,

George L. Stearns.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 213

John A. Andrew to George L. Stearns, Monday [October 24, 1859]

My Dear Sir:

I went over the subject last evening, canvassing the books and cases with great care, occupying some four hours. Enclosed is my conclusion. I see no possible way in which any one can have done anything in Massachusetts for which he can be carried to any other state. I know nothing for which you could be tried even here.

Yours very truly,

J. A. Andrew.

SOURCES: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 462; Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 187-8

George Luther Stearns to John Brown, May 15, 1858

May 15, 1858

dear Sir:

I wrote to you yesterday informing you that a member of the M. S. K. Com. would visit you at Chatham to confer about the delivery of the arms you hold.

As I can find no one who can spare the time, I have to request that you will meet me in New York City some time next week. A letter to me directed to Care of John Hopper, 110 Broadway, N. Y., will be in season. Come as early as you can. Our Committee will pay your expenses.

Truly yours,

Geo. L. Stearns.

SOURCE: Frank Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 170

George L. Stearns to John Brown, May 14, 1858

May 14, 1858.

[John Brown, Chatham, Canada West.]

dear Sir:

Enclosed please find a copy of a letter from Hon. Henry Wilson. You will recollect that you have the custody of the arms alluded to, to be used for the defence of Kansas, as agent of the Massachusetts State Kansas Committee. In consequence of the information thus communicated to me, it becomes my duty to warn you not to use them for any other purpose, and to hold them subject to my order as Chairman of said Committee. A member of our Committee will be at Chatham early in the coming week to confer with you as to the best mode of disposing of them.

Truly your friend,

George L. Stearns.

SOURCE: Frank Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 169;
Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 461

Senator Henry Wilson to George L. Stearns, May 9, 1858

dear Sir:

I write you to say that you had better talk with some few of our friends who contributed money to aid old Brown to organize and arm some force in Kansas for defence, about the policy of getting those arms out of his hands and putting them in the hands of some reliable men in that territory.

If they should be used for other purposes, as rumor says they may be, it might be of disadvantage to the men who were induced to contribute to that very foolish movement. If it can be done, get the arms out of his control and keep clear of him at least for the present. This is in confidence.

Henry Wilson.*

_______________

* Sanborn’s, “John Brown.”

SOURCE: Frank Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 168; Gregory Toledo, The Hanging of Old Brown: A Story of Slaves, Statesmen, and Redemption, p. 154, n. 42 for the date of this letter.

Franklin B. Sanborn to George L. Stearns, March 1858

dear Friend:

It will not be convenient for me to attend the meeting to-morrow, nor do I see what we can do as a committee in the present state of affairs. If 75,000 people who have sworn to resist the Lecompton fraud cannot do so successfully, we as a committee cannot help them. They will yield to the administration or there will be a fight — in either case our present committee could not assist them much. I think the administration will give in — because I believe they must. Still, any measures which the majority of the committee should adopt would have my entire cooperation, I have no doubt.

Yours ever,

F. B. Sanborn.

SOURCE: Frank Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 166-7

George L. Stearns to John Brown, February 12, 1858

dear Sir:

Your last letter is at hand. I have seen Mr. Sanborn and we have agreed to write to you to come to Boston and meet us here. If it is not convenient for you to meet the expense of the journey we will repay it to you here, or send the money as you may direct.

Truly your friend,

George L. Stearns.

SOURCE: Frank Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 163

George L. Stearns to John Brown, February 4, 1858

My Dear friend:

Your letter of the 11th inst. was received from Boston to-day. The $500 was furnished you by Whitman at my request. It was done because I thought you needed money for the winter, not because I felt myself under obligation to you, for I had made up my mind then, and still continue to believe that our friends need no aid in defending themselves from all marauders, and that their true course now is to meet the enemy at the ballot-box, and vote them down on every occasion. With the Territorial Legislature in their hands, they can defend themselves against every oppression, and they should do so. If I am correct in my conclusions, the contingency for which I gave you my pledge having ceased to exist, I am no longer bound by it, and it should be returned to me without conditions.¹ From your last letter to me I supposed you would return it as early as convenient to you.

If am in error I shall be glad to be enlightened by you, and hope to receive on my return to Boston an early reply to this.

I am not, however, indifferent to your request, believing your advice and encouragement to our friends to be of great importance.

If you can go to Boston you will have a much better chance of success, and I will aid you as far as it is proper that I should do so.

Colonel Forbes has written several abusive letters to Charles Sumner, and Sanborn, claiming that you had made a positive contract to pay him money, based on promises made to you by the New England men. Is it so?

Truly yours,

Geo. L. Stearns.

_______________

¹ This may refer to the draft for $7000.

SOURCE: Frank Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 162; Edward J. Jr. Renehan, Secret Six: The True Tale of the Men Who Conspired with John Brown, p. 130 for the date of the letter.

George L. Stearns to John Brown, November 7, 1857

Your most welcome letter of the 16th ulto. came to hand on Saturday. I am very glad to learn that after your hard pilgrimage you are in more comfortable quarters with the means to meet present expenses.

Let me hear from you as often as you can, giving your impressions of passing events in Kansas.

I have written Whitman, to whom I shall enclose this, that in my opinion the Free-state party should wait for the Border-ruffian moves, and checkmate them, as they are developed. Don't attack them, but if they attack you, “Give them Jessie” and Fremont besides. You know how to do it. But I think both in Kansas and in Congress, if we let the Democratic party try to play their game, we shall find they will do themselves more harm than we can do them.

SOURCE: Frank Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 144

John Brown to George L. Stearns, August 10, 1857

I am now waiting further advice from Free-state friends in Kansas, with whom I have speedy private communication lately started. I am at this moment unable to move very much from an injury of my back, but getting better fast. I am in immediate want of from five hundred to one thousand dollars for secret service and no questions asked.

Will you exert yourself to have that amount, or some part of it, placed in your hands subject to my order?

SOURCE: Frank Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 144

George L. Stearns to John Brown, the last of April 1857

dear Sir:

By the enclosed note of the11th inst., we place in your hands one hundred Sharpe's rifles to be sold in conformity therewith, and wish you to make the proceeds for the benefit of the Free-state men in Kansas, taking an account of your doings as far as practicable.

Also a note placing a further sum of five hundred dollars at your disposal, for which you can in need pass your draft on our Treasurer, P. T. Jackson, Esq.

SOURCE: Frank Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 140

George L. Stearns to the National Kansas Committee, May 10, 1857

Since the close of the last year we have confined our operations to aiding those persons in Kansas who were, or intended to become citizens of the territory, — believing that sufficient inducements to immigrate existed in the prosperous state of affairs there; and we now believe that should quiet and prosperity continue there for another year, the large influx of Northern and Eastern men will secure the state for freedom. To insure the present prosperity we propose:—

I. To have our legislature make a grant of one hundred thousand dollars, to be placed in the hands of discreet persons, who shall use it for the relief of those in Kansas who are, or may become, destitute through Border-ruffian outrage. We think it will be done.

II. To organize a secret force, well armed, and under control of the famous John Brown, to repel Border-ruffian outrage and defend the Free-state men from all alleged impositions. This organization is strictly to be a defensive one.

III. To aid by timely donations of money those parties of settlers in the territory who from misfortune are unable to provide for their present wants.

I am personally acquainted with Captain Brown, and have great confidence in his courage, prudence, and good judgment. He has control of the whole affair, including contributions of arms, clothing, etc. His presence in the territory will, we think, give the Free-state men confidence in their cause, and also check the disposition of the Border-ruffians to impose on them. This I believe to be the most important work to be done in Kansas at the present time. Many of the Free-state leaders, being engaged in speculations, are willing to accept peace on any terms. Brown and his friends will hold to the original principle of making Kansas free, without regard to private interests. If you agree with me, I should like to have your money appropriated for the use of Captain John Brown. If not that, the other proposition, to aid parties of settlers now in the territory, will be the next best.

George L. Stearns.

SOURCE: Frank Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 139-40

John Brown to George L. Stearns, August 27, 1857

Tabor, Fremont Co., Iowa,

27, Aug., 1857.

My Dear Friend:

Your most welcome letter of the I4th inst., from Salt Forkes, is received. I cannot express the gratitude I feel to all the kind friends who contributed towards paying for the place at North Elba after I had bought it, as I am thereby relieved from a very great embarrassment, both with Mr. Smith and the young Thompsons; and also comforted with the feeling that my whole-hearted wife and daughters will not be driven either to beg, or become a burden to my poor Boys, who have nothing but their hands to begin life with. I am under special obligations to you for going to look after them, and cheer them in their homely condition. May God reward you all a thousandfold.

Very respectfully your friend,

N. H. (JOHN Brown).

SOURCE: Frank Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 137