Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/564

 554 ^^'- H. hely armament probably explains why the free-state bands, though usu- ally outnumbered, were invariably victorious in all open fighting. Several other letters have been found in reference to this first shipment of arms, but give little additional information. The fol- lowing extract from a letter written July 15, 1855, by Amos A. Lawrence, treasurer of the Emigrant Aid Company, to Franklin Pierce, however, shows how thoroughly this rich Boston merchant had entered into the Kansas struggle. He boldly tells the President that since the government had given no protection to the settlers in Kansas and since " they must defend themselves; and therefore many persons here who refused at first (myself included) have ren- dered them assistance, by furnishing them the means of defense." ^ But Robinson was not satisfied with one hundred rifles, and stirred up his kinsman, Lawrence, who on July 20, 1855, writes to the secretary, Thomas H. Webb: " When farmers turn soldiers they must have arms. Write to Hartford and get their terms for one hundred more of the Sharps rifles at once." - Here is the beginning of the second installment of rifles. About the same time James B. Abbott was sent from the territory on a mission similar to the one which carried Deitzler to Boston. These letters tell the story ■? Lawrence, July 26, 1855. Mr. Thayer — Dear Sir: The bearer, J. B. Abbott, is a resident of this district, on the Wakarusa, about four miles from Lawrence. There is a military company formed in his neighborhood, and they are anxious to procure arms. Mr. Abbott is a gentleman in whom you can place implicit confidence, and is true as steel to the cause of freedom in Kansas. In my judgment the rifles in Lawrence have had a very good effect, and I think the same kind of instruments in other places would do more to save Kansas than almost anything else. Anything you can do for Mr. Abbott will be gratefully appreciated by the people of Kansas. We are in the midst of a revolution, as you will see by the papers. How we shall come out of the furnace, God only knows. That we have got to enter it, some of us, there is no doubt ; but we are ready to be offered. In haste, very respectfully yours, for freedom for a world, C. ROBINSOX. LTpon the above letter appear the following two indorsements, which tell their own story : Office of the New Engl. d Emigrant Aid Company, No. 3 Winter street, Boston, Aug. 10, 1855. Dr. Charles Robinson, within mentioned, is an agent of the Emigrant 'William Lawrence, Life of Amos A. Laurence (Boston, iSSS), p. 95. 'Ibid., 96. ' Traiisactions of the Kansas Stale Historical Societv, vol. I.-II. (Topeka, 1881), p. 222.