Joseph Bryant to John Brown, June 25, 1857

Yours of the 22d was duly received by me on yesterday, and I, according to your request, called on the colonel. I learned that he intends to leave here to join you in about ten days (certainly, barring accidents). I learned, too, that he had drawn the money, and I think it is pretty well used up by this time. I did not say anything about his refunding, as he assured me, in the most positive way he could, that he would set out as soon as he got his book finished, which would be done in about a week. He says he is as anxious as you are to do everything that can be done; but he still thinks that there will be no need of action before winter. Yet he admitted it was best to be ready; and he thinks his book of extracts is all-important, — a part of the necessary tools to work with. He has given up the idea of getting his family over to this country, and is about sending his daughter back to her mother. She will leave in a few days. He sent his family (I understood from himself) about one hundred and twenty dollars some time ago of the money he drew, and I suppose it will take some hundred dollars for his daughter to go home on; yet I think the colonel is acting in good faith, and is an honorable man.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 390

Joseph Bryant to John Brown, June 16, 1857

I called on the colonel last night; found him well, except very anxious about getting his family to this country. He is not ready to join you; thinks nothing will be needed out West before winter, — not till Congress have met and acted in favor of the constitution about being framed; so he thinks. He is getting along, he tells me, as fast as possible with his book; will have it ready in about ten days; has as yet raised no funds to pay the passage of his family. Thinks they will have to come in the third class passage, which grieves him very much, as his wife is not in good health. I had promised what money was in my hands to defray the expenses of publishing his book; this I promised him on account of your introduction to me of him.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 390

Joseph Bryant to John Brown, June 1, 1857

I this day saw your friend Colonel Forbes; he is trying to raise funds to get his family brought to this country, but I fear he will not succeed very well. I will have, when collected, some six dollars only in my hands; this I intend passing into his hands. I may get a few dollars more, but the prospects are not very good here at present to raise money. The colonel says he is getting along well in getting his printing done (and is losing no time).

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 390

John Brown to Colonel Hugh Forbes, June 22, 1857

22d of June, 1857

[Colonel H. Forbes, New York City, New York.]

sir, — If you have drawn on W. H. D. Callender, Esq., cashier at Hartford, Conn., for six hundred dollars, or any part of that amount, and are not prepared to come on and join me at once, you will please pay over to Joseph Bryant. Esq., who is my agent, six hundred dollars, or whatever amount you have so drawn.

[Endorsement:]

I did not present this to the colonel, as I presumed it would be of no use; and then he is, I am persuaded, acting on good faith.

Joseph Bryant.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 389