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  Letter from Horace Greeley to William Henry Linow Barnes, September 21, 1855

  Horace Greeley

  Horace Greeley (1811-1872), noted editor of the New York Tribune, briefly responds to Barnes request to speak at the Springfield Lyceum. W. H. L. Barnes (1836-1902) graduated from Yale in 1855 and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He first practiced law in New York City and then enlisted in the Civil War and was eventually promoted to sergeant. He moved to San Francisco in 1863 and became influential in California politics.

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  Letter from James G. Blunt to Salmon P. Chase, August 9, 1859

  James G. Blunt

  In 1856, abolitionist James G. Blunt (1826-1881) moved to Kansas to get involved in the conflict over slavery. He joined a militia with John Brown and was a delegate to the Wyandotte constitutional convention that composed the Kansas state constitution in 1859. In this letter, Blunt writes to Salmon Chase about the Wyandotte convention, ratification of the Kansas constitution, and Chase’s possible presidential nomination.

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  Letter from Jason Brown to Franklin Benjamin Sanborn, August 18, 1886

  Jason Brown

  Jason Brown (1823-1912) was the second son born to abolitionist John and Dianthe Brown. He married Ellen Sherbondy in 1847. In February 1855, Jason, along with 4 brothers, moved to the Kansas Territory to homestead in an effort to help defeat slavery. John Brown joined his sons in October. Angered about the sacking of Lawrence, Kansas by pro-slavery forces, John Brown led a raid on May 24 & May 25, 1856 resulting in the brutal deaths of five settlers. Jason’s only role in this massacre was to sharpen the swords used in this battle. Proslavery forces retaliated, burning their home to the ground and severely beating both Jason and a brother. Jason moved back to Ohio and did not further participate in his father’s military assaults. For a brief time Jason, along with his brother Owen, lived in Pasadena, California. His wife remained in Akron and worked diligently to pay off the family's many debts. This letter is written thanking his family’s benefactor, Franklin Benjamin Sanborn (1831-1917). Sanborn, an ardent abolitionist, was a part of the “Secret Six” who funded the militant activities of Brown. After Brown’s death, he assisted in supporting his widow and children throughout their lives.

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  Letter from John Brown Jr. to Franklin Benjamin Sanborn, April 18, 1885

  John Brown Jr

  Franklin Benjamin Sanborn (1831-1917), ardent abolitionist, was a part of the “Secret Six” who funded the militant abolitionist, John Brown. Sanborn was a staunch supporter of Brown, and assisted in supporting his widow and children throughout their lives. In this letter, John Brown Jr. (1821-1895), eldest son of John Brown, makes corrections to Sanborn’s draft of his book, The Life and Letters of John Brown. His wife, Wealthy, helped him recollect details about the death and burial of his nephew. He also seeks Sanborn’s advice about a gold medal from the French government given to his mother.