2 Weeks provisions for Men & Horses Fund for Horse hire & feed, loss & damage of same 8. IO. IO. 6. 18. 6. 150. 500. $1774. D JOHN BROWN'S PEACE AGREEMENT Peace Agreement drafted by John Brown and presented to the meeting at Sugar Mound, Linn County, Kansas, by Captain Montgomery for John Brown.- From the Lawrence Republican, December 16, 1858. Agreement. The citizens of Linn County, assembled in mass meeting at Mound City, being greatly desirous of securing a permanent peace to the people of the Territory generally, and to those along the border of Missouri in particular, have this day entered into the following agreement and understanding, for our future guidance and action, viz: Article 1. All criminal processes, against any and all Free-State men, for any action of theirs previous to this date, growing out of difficulties heretofore existing between the Free-State and ProSlavery parties, shall be forever discontinued and quashed. Art. 2. All Free-State men held in confinement for any charges against them, on account of former difficulties, between the Free State and Pro-Slavery parties, to be immediately released and discharged. Art. 3. All Pro-Slavery men, known to have been actively and criminally engaged in the former political difficulties of the Territory, and who have been forcibly expelled, shall be compelled to remain away, as a punishment for their oft repeated and aggravated crimes. Art. 4. No troops, marshal or other officers of the General Government, shall be either sent or called in to enforce or serve criminal processes against any Free-State man or men, on account of troubles heretofore existing, for any act prior to this date. Art. 5. All parties shall hereafter in good faith discontinue, and thoroughly discountenance acts of robbery, theft or violence against others, on account of their political differences. The following recommendation was unanimously agreed to by the meeting: "That we earnestly recommend that all those who have recently taken money or other property from peaceable citizens within this county, immediately restore the same to their property owners." The meeting then adjourned peaceably. A variation of this agreement less offensive to the Pro-Slavery men than Articles 2 and 3 of the above form is also preserved; it was drawn late in December in order to obtain the signatures of men of all parties. It begins: "We the citizens of Kansas and Missouri," and bears date of January 1. This will be found in William Hutchinson's letter in the New York Times of January 18, 1859, from Mapleton, Kansas, January 3. E SHUBEL MORGAN'S COMPANY Articles of Agreement of Shubel Morgan's Company, drawn up in July, 1858, in Kagi's writing.-Original in Kansas Historical Society. We the undersigned, members of Shubel Morgan's Company, hereby agree to be governed by the following Rules: 1. A gentlemanly and respectful deportment shall at all times and places be maintained toward all persons; and all profane or indecent language shall be avoided in all cases. II. No intoxicating drinks shall be used as a beverage by any member, or be suffered in camp for such purpose. III. No member shall leave camp without leave of the commander. IV. All property captured in any manner shall be subjected to an equal distribution among the members. v. All acts of petty or other thefts shall be promptly and properly punished, and restitution made as far as possible. VI. All members shall, so far as able, contribute equally to all necessary labor in or out of camp. VII. All prisoners who shall properly demean themselves shall be treated with kindness and respect, and shall be punished for crime only after trial and conviction, being allowed a hearing in defence. VIII. Implicit obedience shall be yielded to all proper orders of the commander or other superior officers. IX. All arms, ammunition, etc., not strictly private property, shall ever be held subject to, and delivered up on, the order of the commander. While in the hospitable home of Judge Thomas Russell, near Boston, on April 13, 1858, John Brown signed a will, that he might duly protect those who had placed funds and other property in his possession for particular purposes. It is still preserved in the G. L. Stearns papers, and reads thus: "I, John Brown of North Elba, New York, intending to visit Kansas, and knowing the uncertainty of life, make my last will as follows: I give and bequeath all trust funds and personal property for the aid of the Free-State cause in Kansas now in my hands or in the hands of W. H. D. Callender of Hartford, Conn. to George L. Stearns of Medford, Mass., Samuel Cabot, Jr. of Boston, Mass. and William H Russell of New Haven, Conn., to them and the survivor or survivors, and their assigns forever, in trust that they will administer said funds and other property including all now collected by me or in my behalf, for the aid of the free-state cause in Kansas, leaving the manner of so doing entirely to their discretion." Another will dated one day later, is also extant, in the papers of Judge Thomas Russell, Jamaica Plain, Mass. This is signed by but one witness, the one above cited having three. While differently phrased, the documents are alike in substance. Another will, written in prison on the day before his execution, was as follows: CHARLESTOWN, Jefferson Co, Va. 1st December 1859 I give to my Son John Brown Jr my Surveyors Compass & other surveyors articles if found also my old Granite Monument now at North Elba, N. Y. to receive upon its Two sides a further inscription as I will hereafter direct. Said Stone monument however to remain at North Elba, so long as any of my children or my wife: may remain there; as residents. I give to my Son Jason Brown my Silver Watch with my name egraved on iner case. I give to my Son Owen Brown my double Spry or opera Glass & my Rifle Gun (if found) presented to me at Worcester Mass It is Globe sighted & new. I give also to the same Son Fifty Dollars in cash to be paid him from the proceeds of my Fathers Estate in consideration of his terible sufferings in Kansas: & his cripled condition from his childhood. I give to my Son Salmon Brown Fifty Dollars in cash to be paid him from my Fathers Estate, as an offset to the first Two cases above named. I give to my Daughter Ruth Thompson my large old Bible containing family record. I give each of my sons and to each of my other daughters in Law; as good a coppy of the Bible as can be purchased at some Book store in New York or Boston at a cost of Five Dollars each; in Cash to be paid out of the proceeds of my Fathers Estate. I give to each of my Grand Children that may be living when my Fathers Estate is settled: as good a copy of the Bible as can be purchased (as above) at a cost of $3, Three Dollars each All the Bibles to be purchased at one and the same time for Cash on best terms. I desire to have $50, Fifty Dollars each paid out of the final proceeds of my Fathers Estate: to the following named persons. To wit to Allen Hammond, Esqr of Rockville Tolland Co, Connecticut, or to George Kellogg Esqr: former Agent of the New England Company at that place: for the use; & benefit of that Company. Also Fifty Dollars to Silas Havens formerly of Irvinsburg, Summit Co, Ohio, if he can be found. Also Fifty Dollars to a man formerly of Stark Co, Ohio, at Canton who sued my Father in his lifetime Through Judge Humphrey & Mr. Upson of Akron to be paid by J. R. Brown to the man in person if can be found His name I cannot remember My father made a compromise with the man by turning out House & Lot at Monroeville. I desire that any remaining balance that may become my due from my Fathers Estate may be paid in equal amounts to my Wife & to each of my Children; & to the Widows of Watson & Oliver Brown by my brother Jeremiah R. Brown of Hudson Ohio JOHN BROWN* Witnes JOHN AVIS Endorsed, "Copy to be sent to Jeremiah R. Brown." THE WILL OF DECEMBER 2, 1859 [Will Book No. 16, Page 143, Jefferson Co. West Virginia Court Records, Charlestown.] John Brown's Will & Codicil I, John Brown, a prisoner now in the prison of Charlestown, Jefferson County, Virginia, do hereby make and ordain this as my true last Will and Testament. I will and direct that all my property, being personal property, which is scattered about in the States of Virginia and Maryland, should be carefully gathered up by my Executor hereinafter appointed and disposed of to the best advantage, and the proceeds thereof paid over to my beloved wife, Mary A. Brown. Many of these articles are not of a war like character, and I trust as to such and all other property that I may be entitled to that my rights and the rights of my family may be respected: And lastly, I hereby appoint Sheriff James W. Campbell, Executor of this my true last Will, hereby revoking all others. Witness my hand and seal this 2nd day of December 1859 JOHN BROWN (Seal) Signed, sealed and declared to be the true last Will of John Brown, in our presence, who attested the same at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other. JOHN AVIS ANDREW HUNTER Codicil. I wish my friends, James W. Campbell, Sheriff, and John Avis, Jailer, as a return for their kindness, each to have a Sharp-rifle of those belonging to me, or if no rifle can be had, then each a pistol. Witness my hand and seal this 2nd day of December 1859 Signed, sealed and declared to be a codicil to the last Will and testament of John Brown, in our presence, who attested the same at his request in his presence, and in the presence of each other. ANDREW HUNTER, JOHN AVIS, JOHN BROWN (Seal) Every word of this, except Avis's signature, in John Brown's own hand. |