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Title: From W.L. Marcy to John W. Geary
Description: This telegram was sent from W.L. Marcy in Washington, D.C. to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary on September 27, 1856. Marcy acknowledges receipt of an earlier dispatch from Geary. He informs Geary that “Military law can properly be applied, But you have not power to proclaim Martial law, you must get along without doing so.”
Object Type: Telegram
Date: September 29, 1856

Title: From John Wright to John W. Geary
Description: In this September 20, 1856 letter to Kansas Gov. John W. Geary, John Wright complains that a mob of 15 to 20 armed men raided his house. According to Wright, the mob was led by Capt. Miller of Leavenworth County, Kansas. They broke into his home with revolvers, threatened to kill him, and captured Joseph Wright and John Kissinger. Wright asks Geary to rescue Joseph and John from the mob and “Save their Lives.”
Object Type: Letter
Date: September 20, 1856

Title: From Florella Brown Adair to Samuel Lyle Adair
Description: This letter was written between December 30, 1860 and January 2, 1861 by Florella Brown Adair to her husband Samuel Lyle Adair. Florella says that she is often asked about the situation in Kansas, with people wanting to know if the money and provisions sent from Ohio have been received in the Territory, or by Missourians.
Date: December 30, 1860-January 2, 1861

Title: From Samuel Jones to John W. Geary
Description: Samuel Jones, Sheriff of Douglas County, Kansas, writes a letter to Gov. John W. Geary on November 15, 1856. He informs Geary that he has a warrant to arrest Thomas Addy. He states that he anticipates Addy will resist, and he requests that Geary send troops to aid in the arrest.
Date: November 15, 1856

Title: From W.W. to M.
Description: On June 22, 1856, W.W. writes from Washington to "M." (possibly Matthew Walker). W.W. reports that Gen. Whitfield arrived in Washington with several other men from Kansas, who "maintained a most singular and studied reserve" when they saw him. He adds that "the Abolition members are woefully down in the mouth about the availability of Sharp's rifles in Kansas. Pomeroy, Roberts and Eldridge have arrived, but no Gov. Reeder."
Object Type: Letter
Date: June 22, 1856

Title: From G.B. Danman to Matthew R. Walker
Description: On July 2, 1856, G.B. Danman writes from Hunstville to Matthew R. Walker. Danman asks for news about "the important changes that have taken place" since he left Kansas, including whether the Territory will become a slave or free state.
Date: July 2, 1856

Title: From John W. Ladd to Matthew R. Walker
Description: On July 15, 1860, John W. Ladd writes from Lewis Centre to Matthew R. Walker. Ladd believes "we may expect lively times ahead" with four political parties vying in the presidential election. He discusses national politics briefly, and declares, "the Douglas Popular Sovereignty is about played out and never was anything but a barefaced humbug."
Date: July 15, 1860

Title: From John Brown to Orson Day
Description: This letter, dated February 21, 1856, is from John Brown at his homestead in Osawatomie, Kansas to Orson Day in White Hall, New York. Brown states that he and his family will be ready for Day's arrival in early April. He gives Day instructions and advice on travelling through Kansas City and Westport, Missouri, and assures him that "The Contractors on the route from here to Westport are good Free State men; & Friends."
Object Type: Letter
Date: February 21, 1856

Title: A Defence of Republicanism
Description: This address, titled "A Defense of Republicanism," was delivered by John Johnson, former mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, to the Kansas City Republican Club on September 15, 1860. In the address, Johnson attempts to dispel false beliefs about Republican principles, including the accusations that the party "will destroy your property in negroes should it come into power," and that "the Republican party is a negro stealing party." Johnson also expresses Republican support of the Lincoln-Hamlin ticket.
Object Type: Speech

Title: From John Brown, Jr. to Orson Day
Description: This letter, dated January 23, 1856, is from John Brown, Jr. at his homestead in Osawatomie, Kansas to Orson Day in White Hall, New York. Brown provides instructions on how to safely travel to Kansas by railroad or boat. He advises Day to purchase a cooking stove in St. Louis, and tells him that if he takes a boat from there, he will land in Kansas City, "a small town on the Western border of Mo." before travelling to Osawatomie, Kansas.
Date: January 23, 1856

Title: From John Brown to Orson Day
Description: This letter, dated December 14, 1855, is from John Brown to Orson Day of White Hall, New York. Writing from his homestead in Osawatomie, Kansas, Brown tells Day that he has just returned from the "Kansas War" and that he believes Kansas Territory is now "entirely in the power of the Free State men." He announces that on the following day, Kansas residents will vote on whether to adopt the Free State Constitution. Brown also informs Day that he has secured a piece of land for him in Kansas.
Date: December 14, 1855

Civil War on the Western Border: The Missouri-Kansas Conflict, 1854-1865