George L. Stearns to Mary Hall Stearns, June 17, 1861

I wrote you a long letter last night. To-day I have obtained for Collamore an order from the Secretary of War for three Kansas regiments, including all their supplies, to be furnished by the United States. Of one William A. Phillips is to be colonel, and Stewart one of the captains. It will be the crack regiment of that state. I have also laid my plan for sending off the fugitives. F. P. Blair, Sr., approves and will aid the enterprise, remarking it will never do to return them to bondage. I am happy.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 251

Richard Realf to John Brown, July 6, 1857

Tabor, Iowa, July 6, 1857.

John Brown, Esq.

Dear Sir, — I arrived here to-day from Lawrence, bringing $150 minus my expenses up and down. These will amount to about $40, leaving you $110. Mr. Whitman could not, as you will see from his note signed “Edmunds,” spare you more; and the mule team you asked for could not be procured. I am sorry you have not arrived: I should like to have gone back with you. The Governor has instructed the Attorney-General of Kansas to enter a nolle prosequi in the case of the Free-State prisoners; so that you need be under no apprehension of insecurity as to yourself or the munitions you may bring with you. By writing a line to me or Mr. Whitman or Phillips at Lawrence immediately on your arrival here, we will come and meet you by way of Topeka. God speed you!

Truly,

Richard Realf.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 398

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

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