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John Brown ALS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
John Brown ALS
“Winners will be notified after the auction ends and once all bids have been processed to determine the winner for each lot”
Historically important autograph letter signed by John Brown, written to Gerrit Smith, one of the key financial backers of Brown's attempt to seize the U.S. Arsenal at Harper's Ferry. Dated 15 May 1857 from Peterborough, New Hampshire, Brown asks Smith to coordinate the transfer of money. In part: ''When you have received for me the $1,000…from Boston, please deduct from the amount of what is then due you on Franklin P. and Saml. B. Thompson's land contract; together with One Hundred and ten Dollars…for which you hold on my note; also $150…advanced by me to said Thom[p]sons; which $150…please retain for me; and at once advise said Thompsons at North Elba, Essex Co., N.Y., by letter, of the receipt of the money by you; and also remit to them the balance on receipt of their contract assigned to me. When you have received money and Contract as above: please give Warrantee Deed to Mrs Ruth Thompson (of North Elba; my Daughter) of the south half of the lot sold by you to the Thompsons.'' In the late 1850's, both John Brown and Gerrit Smith were impatient with the slow progress of abolitionism, prompting Smith to contribute $16,000 to purchase guns in Kansas for Brown's infamous raid at Harper's Ferry in 1859. After the raid failed, Smith denied his connections to Brown and burned many of their incriminating documents, making this a rare example of an extant letter from Brown to co-conspirator Smith specifically discussing money transfers. Single page measures 7.75'' x 12.75''. Penciled notations in the lower margin appear to be those of Smith and contain figures mentioned in Brown's letter. In very good condition with fold separations professionally repaired.