Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/565

 The Sharps Rifle Episode in Kansas History 555 Aid Company, and is worthy of implicit confidence. We cheerfully recommend Mr. J. B. Abbott to the public. C. H. Br.'^nscomb, Secretary pro teiii. Boston, August 11, 1855.' Dear Sir : Request Mr. Palmer to have one hundred Sharps rifles packed in casks, like hardware, and to retain them subject to my order. Also to send the bill to me by mail. I will pay it either with my note, according to the terms agreed on between him and Dr. Webb, or in cash less interest at seven per cent, per annum. Yours truly, Amos A. L.awrence. Mr. J. B. Abbott, care of A. Rogers, Hartford, Conn. A second letter to Abbott is as follows : Boston, August 20, 1855." My Dear Sir: This installment of carbines is far from being enough, and I hope the measures you are taking will be followed up until every organized company of trusty men in the Territory shall be supplied. Dr. Cabot will give me the names of any gentlemen here who subscribe money, and the amount — of which I shall keep a memorandum, and promise them that it shall be repaid either in cash, or in rifles, when- eer it is settled that Kansas shall not be a province of Missouri. There- fore, keep them in capital order, and above all. take good care that they do not fall into the hands of the Missourians after you once get them into use. You must dispose of these where they will do the most good, and for this purpose you should advise with Dr. Robinson and Mr. Pomeroy. Yours truly, Amos A. L.vwrence. Mr. James B. Abbott, care of A. Rogers, Hartford. Among the Lawrence papers can still be found the identical memorandum above mentioned giving a full list of these subscribers ; the memorandum is indorsed in the handwriting of Mr. Lawrence as follows : Money received from various persons to make up the sum expended by me for rifles for the defense of the Kansas settlers. $2,670 or there- alaouts. Aug. 24, 1855. The list of subscribers, in the writing of Dr, Cabot, is as follows : Dr. Cabot .240 Henry Lee 50 Cunningham Bro. Wendell Phillips J. M. Forbes J. Bertram G. Howland Shaw Sam A. Eliot Theo Lyman ' Ibid, 223. ■' Ibid. 240 Henrv Lee 100 P. S.'Crowell 100 Gerrit Smith 300 W. R. Lawrence 100 Calvin Hall 100 L B. Russell 100 E. R. Hoar 100 Sam Hoar A. A. Lawrence