Showing posts with label Indian Lands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indian Lands. Show all posts

Sunday, November 9, 2014

John Brown to Congressman Joshua R. Giddings, February 20, 1856

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