2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
John Brown Jr., son of the famous Abolitionist "John Brown of Osawatomie" and his right-hand man throughout those fiery Kansas years, writes an extraordinary 12 page letter to F. B. Sanborn, biographer of his father and who also fought with them in Kansas. From his home on Lake Erie in Ohio Dec. 27, 1884. Beautifully penned entirely in his hand, with full signature, defending his father's reputation against two men who were his supporters in Kansas and then turned against him. Discusses Sanborn's defense of John Brown in letters to Boston newspaper "…and reply to Ames Lawrence's attack on John Brown…read them to [brother] Owen. We thank you more then words can express for your complete answer to Lawrence…covering all the ground in a most conclusive way. Has he taken up the cudgels since...[about] Lawrence's statement about Charles Robinson's that he 'never bore arms.' [Brown mentions sending]…a small but revealing paper showing that in 1855 Robinson figured in Kansas as a military character" and more about proof of same…and mentioned receiving a Kansas newspaper with a history of Robinson's "…early business operations in Kansas which showed him to be anything but an honest man…" (Robinson later governor and senator of Kansas.) Applauds Sanborn for writing "…a masterly statement of the actual condition of affairs in Kansas at the time…a clear and thoughtful picture of Father's inner self." After writing about family conditions of his brother Jason and other members, he discusses letter just received from sister Sarah in which she mentioned having things of their recently deceased mother, including "the medal presented to mother by the French republic" stored in a bank vault and she wishes to send on or sell. Sarah wrote: "…THERE ARE A GOOD MANY LETTERS AND PAPERS OF FATHER'S which I want to divide, but I suppose that you all have letters from him so you would not care for these…if there are any particular ones let me know and I'll send them. THERE IS A PILLOW-CASE WITH BLOOD STAINS on it which Father rolled up in a silk handkerchief and gave Mother when she visited him in prison and he told her to keep it. I don't know what to do with it now unless some of you would keep it or advise to send it to some Society ? And there are some articles of clothing, a vest and some shirts…I have dreaded to disturb and separate things as mother has kept them together so long." J.B., Jr. further writes: "…we all dreaded the responsibility of safekeeping [the medal] and thought that if some established, responsible Society, say the Kansas Historical Society could be induced to keep the medal in trust for the family, perhaps it might possibly be the best way of caring for it…" and further discussion of the medal and its future ownership, asking Sanborn for suggestions as to its disposition. Very fine condition; normal aging; small waterstain on last page in bottom blank margin only, not affecting any words or autograph signature. A remarkable letter with very historic content
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