Osawatomie, Kansas Territory,
20th February, 1856.
Hon. Joshua R. Giddings,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I write to say that a number of the United States soldiers
are quartered in this vicinity, for the ostensible purpose of removing
intruders from certain Indian lands. It is, however, believed that the
administration has no thought of removing the Missourians from the Indian
lands, but that the real object is to have the men in readiness to act in
enforcement of the hellish enactments of the (so-called) Kansas Legislature;
absolutely abominated by a great majority of the inhabitants of the territory
and spurned by them up to this time. I confidently believe that the next
movement on the part of the administration and its proslavery masters will be
either to drive the people here to submit to those infernal enactments or to
assume what will be termed treasonable grounds, by shooting down the poor
soldiers of the country, with whom they have no quarrel whatever. I ask in the name
of Almighty God; I ask in the name of our venerated forefathers; I ask in the
name of all that good or true men ever held dear, will Congress suffer us to be
driven to such “dire extremities”? Will anything be done? Please send me a few
lines at this place. Long acquaintance with your public life and a slight personal
acquaintance incline and embolden me to make this appeal to yourself.
Everything is still on the surface just now. Circumstances are, however, of a
most suspicious character.
Very Respectfully
Yours,
John Brown.
SOURCE: Walter Buell, Joshua R. Giddings: A Sketch, p. 200-1
