Posted on 08/06/2019 7:09:55 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
Bleeding Kansas, Dred Scott, Lincoln-Douglas, Harper’s Ferry, the election of 1860, secession – all the events leading up to the Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts
First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.
Posting history, in reverse order
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.
I wonder if Harper’s got a boost in circulation from serializing Dickens’ “Tale of Two Cities”. I did notice a summer reading recommendation is George Eliot’s “Adam Bede” published in 1859.
Wrote J. Henrie.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 520
If you ever wondered how Americans could be so foolish as to think Civil War would end quickly, here is just one example they looked at -- 80 days.
Wrote same; also wife and children that friends had arrived, and about wintering stock. Date altered to August 11.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 520
SYRACUSE, N. Y., Thursday, Aug. 11, 1859.
FRIEND J. HENRIE, — Day before yesterday I reached Rochester. Found our Rochester friend1 absent at Niagara Falls. Yesterday he returned, and I spent remainder of day and evening with him and Mr. E. Morton, with whom friend Isaac2 is acquainted. The friend at Rochester will set out to make you a visit in a few days. He will be accompanied by that “other young man,” and also, if it can be brought around, by the woman1 that the Syracuse friend could tell me of. The son will probably remain back for awhile. I gave “Fred’k”1 twenty-two dollars to defray expenses. If alive and well, you will see him ere long. I found him in rather low spirits; left him in high. Accidentally met at Rochester Mr. E. Morton. He was much pleased to hear from you; was anxious for a copy of that letter of instructions to show our friend at “Pr.”,3 who, Mr. M. says, has his whole soul absorbed in this matter. I have just made him a copy and mailed him at R., where he expects to be for two or three weeks. He wished me to say to you that he had reliable information that a certain noted colonel, whose name you are all acquainted with, is now in Italy. By the way, the impression prevails generally that a certain acquaintance of ours headed the party that visited St. J. in Missouri lately. Of course I don't try to deny that which bears such earmarks. Came on here this morning. Found Loguen gone to Boston, Mass., and also said woman. As T. does not know personally those persons in Canada to whom it is necessary to have letters of introduction, he thinks I had better get him to go with me there. I have made up my mind, notwithstanding the extra expense, to go on to Boston. Loguen is expecting to visit Canada soon, anyway, and his wife thinks would contrive to go immediately. I think for other reasons, also, I had better go on to Boston. Morton says our particular friend Mr. Sanborn, in that city, is especially anxious to hear from you; has his heart and hand both engaged in the cause. Shall try and find him. Our Rochester friend thinks the woman whom I shall see in Boston, “whose services might prove invaluable,” had better be helped on. I leave this evening on the 11.35 train from here; shall return as soon as possible to make my visit at Chatham. Will write you often. So far, all is well. Keep me advised as far as consistent.
1 F. Douglass. The “woman” spoken of was Harriet Tubman, a Maryland Deborah. “Fred’k” is also Douglass.
2 John Brown.
3 Petersboro’. “Our friend at Pr.” was Gerrit Smith, in whose family, it will he remembered, Edwin Morton was living; but he happened then to be visiting in Rochester.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 536-7
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas
“Peace in our time.”
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