William A. Phillips to John Brown [alias James Smith], June 24, 1857

Lawrence, K. T., June 24, 1857.

My Dear Friend, — I received your letter, dated from Ohio the 9th instant, a few days ago. I fear I shall not be able to meet you at Tabor. I have just received (on the 13th) the task of superintending and taking the census for the State election. As means are limited, those who can must do this. I have therefore assumed the task, which will require my presence and most active efforts until the 15th of July. I have tried to arrange it so as to get off for a week; but it is impossible without a sacrifice of duty. Should it be so, or if no one else can go, I will still try. Holmes I have seen; he is busy, and will not be able to come up. Several of those you mentioned are gone, and others cannot go to Tabor. I sent a message to Osawatomie, and enclosed your letter to Mr. Adair; told him that Holmes and the others could not go, and urged that some go from Osawatomie, if possible. I have not yet heard from him. I start to Osawatomie when I finish this; I will make it on my round, appointing deputies and taking the census. Two young men from this place have promised me that they will go if possible; but they have no horses, and horses cannot be hired for such a journey. I still hope to have a few friends at Tabor to meet you in a week.

As to your future action, for fear I should be prevented from going to meet you, let me say I think you should come into Kansas, provided you desire to do so. I think it will be our duty to see you protected. There is no necessity for active military preparations at this time; but so far as you have the elements of defence at your command, I think they are safer with you than with any one else. Your old claim has, I believe, been jumped. If you do not desire to contest it, let me suggest that you make a new settlement at some good point, of which you will be the head. Lay off a town and take claims around it. You would thus rally round you a class of useful men, who could be prepared for an emergency at the same time that they furthered their own interests, which they have a right to do. Any information I could render as to the best sites or otherwise you may cheerfully call upon. Should I not be able to come to meet you, I hope at least to see you shortly after you enter. I have not time to detail the present condition of the Free-State party.

Until I see you, adieu. Respectfully,

William A. Phillips.

James Smith.¹

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¹ Indorsed by John Brown: “William A. Phillips. Requires no reply. No. 1.” The tone of this letter shows how Brown was regarded in Kansas as the custodian of arms, — which, of course, was the “furniture” mentioned by Mr. Whitman.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 397-8

James H. Holmes to John Brown, August 16, 1857

Lawrence, K. T., Aug. 16, 1857.

My Dear Friend, — I received your letter of the 8th inst. yesterday. I am glad to hear that you are so near. Messrs. Realf, Phillips, and Wattles also received letters from you yesterday. I have a word of caution to say in regard to Mr. Wattles. He is a friend whom I most highly esteem; yet he is so connected in politics that I think it unsafe for you to communicate to him any plans you would not like to communicate directly to Governor Walker. For this reason: Mr. Wattles is under George W. Brown; and both believe in submitting in good faith, under Governor Walker, to the Territorial anthorities. Governor Walker comes to town frequently, and stops at the “Herald of Freedom” office, in secret conclave with G. W. Brown. When you come here (if you should), you can judge for yourself.

Messrs. Phillips, Wattles, and Realf I have seen; they will write to you themselves, and I will merely give you my own mind on the subject. I do not know what you would have me infer by “business.” I presume, though, by the word being emphasized, that you refer to the business for which I learn you have a stock of material with you. If you mean this, I think quite strongly of a good(?) opening for this business about the first Monday in October¹ next. If you wish other employments, I presume you will find just as profitable ones. I am sorry that you have not been here in the Territory before. I think that the sooner you come the better, so that the people and the Territorial authorities may become familiarized with your presence. This is also the opinion of all other friends with whom I have conversed on this subject. You could thus exert more influence. Several times we have needed you very much. I have much to communicate to you, which I cannot do throngh this medinm; therefore you must try to let me know of your approach or arrival as soon as possible, through Mr. Phillips, or through the Lawrence postoffice. I presume Mr. Phillips wrote to you in regard to teams and means, which, as Mr. Whitman is now East, will be, I fear, scarce.

Most sincerely your friend,

James H. Holmes.

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¹ Election Day.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 395-6

Augustus Wattles to John Brown [alias James Smith], June 18, 1857

Lawrence, K. T., Jane 18, 1857.

James Smith, Esq.

Dear Sir, — Your favor of the 3d instant was duly received. I am much pleased to hear from you. We talked over matters here, and concluded to say, come as quietly as possible, or not come at present, as you may choose. Holmes is at Emporia, plowing; Conway is here, talking politics; Phillips is here, trying to urge the Free-State men to galvanize the Topeka constitution into life. Dr. Robinson's absence at the assembling of the Free-State Legislature last winter dispirited the Free-State party. It is difficult to make them rally again under him. Foster I do not know. Frazee has not returned. The others are as you left them. We are prospering finely. You will hear much against G. W. Brown and the “Herald of Freedom,” but be careful about believing it. Brown is as good as ever.

Most truly your friend,

Augustus Wattles.¹

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¹ Indorsed by John Brown: “A. Wattles, No. 2. Requires no reply.”

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 394

John Brown [alias James Smith] to Augustus Wattles, June 3, 1857

Hudson, Ohio, June 3, 1857.

My Dear Sir, — I write to say that I started for Kansas some three weeks or more since, but have been obliged to stop for the fever and ague. I am now righting up, and expect to be on my way again soon. Free-State men need have no fear of my desertion. There are some half-dozen men I want a visit from at Tabor, Iowa, to come off in the most Quiet Way; namely, Daniel Foster, late of Boston, Massachusetts; Holmes, Frazee, a Mr. Hill, and William David, on Little Ottawa Creek; a Mr. Cochran, on Pottawatomie Creek; or I would like equally well to see Dr. Updegraff and S. H. Wright, of Osawatomie; or William Phillips, or Conway, or your honor. I have some very important matters to confer with some of you about. Let there be no words about it. Should any of you come out to see me, wait at Tabor if you get there first. Mr. Adair, at Osawatomie, may supply fifty dollars (if need be) for expenses, on my account, on presentation of this. Write me at Tabor, Iowa, Fremont County.

Very respectfully yours,

James Smith.¹

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¹ The persons mentioned in this letter were supposed by Brown to be specially friendly and true to him. Foster was a clergyman, formerly settled at Concord, Mass., but then in Kansas. Holmes was Brown's lientenant in 1856, and afterward in 1858-59. Frazee was Brown's teamster and soldier in 1856, and fought at Black Jack, as did B. L. Cochran. Dr. Updegraff fought at Osawatomie. Concerning David, Hill, and Wright I have little information. Phillips was afterwards Congressman.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 393

James H. Holmes to John Brown, 3 p.m., April 30, 1857

Lawrence, Kan., 3 o'clock, P. M., April 30, 1857.

Dear Friend Brown, — This morning I received your letter which came by the way of Tabor, and also your letter which came through the mail. I had previously written you a short letter. I now write to let you know that I have received them, and to answer them hastily; though I presume you will leave Springfield for Kansas ere this reaches you. I do not think there is any disposition to “back down” by the Free-State men, other than by the speculators; and they are, as a class, never to be relied on, of course. I have full faith in the virtue of the Free-State men of Kansas. You have something to learn in the political world here.

You will hear of me either at Lawrence, through J. E. Cook, of the firm of Bacon, Cook, &. Co., or I may be at Emporia, where I have taken a claim and make it my home. At any rate, Cook can tell you where I may be. A case has recently occurred of kidnapping a Free-State man, which is this: Archibald Kandell, a young fellow who came in with Redpath under Eldridge, last fall, and has been all winter on a claim near Osawatomie, was some two weeks since enticed out under pretence of trading horses, by four men, and abducted into Missouri. Archy was in my company, and is a good brave fellow. How long he is to remain incarcerated and in chains I will not in this place and time attempt to predict.

Judge Conway is here, radical and right. Dr. Robinson recently made a proposition with some leading proslavery men to compromise. The Free-State men won't do it. We are talking of running Phillips for governor next fall.

Very truly your constant friend,

James.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 392-3

James H. Holmes to John Brown, April 30, 1857

Lawrence, Kansas, April 30, 1857.

My Dear Friend Brown, — I have been anxiously expecting to hear from you direct, but have only heard through Mr. Wattles. I want to see you as soon as possible after you arrive in the Territory. I have settled at Emporia, six miles above the junction of the Neosho and the Cottonwood. My address is either Emporia or Lawrence, as you may choose. My letters all come and go safe. War, ere six months shall have passed away, is inevitable. Secretary Stanton has made a public speech in Lawrence, and says that those laws (the bogus) shall be enforced, and that the taxes shall be paid. The people shout, “Never!” “Then,” he says, “there is war between you and me, — war to the knife, and the knife to the hilt.” There will be no voting; no paying of taxes; and I think the Free-State men will remove the Territorial Government and set up their own. Then we want you. Please write. All your friends, as far as I know, are well.

Very truly yours,

James H. Holmes.¹

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¹ Holmes was at this time nineteen years old, the son of a New York broker, and had gone to Kansas to aid the cause of freedom. He has since been a journalist, and under President Lincoln was secretary of New Mexico. Brown used to call him “my little hornet.”

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 391-2