RARE/UNIQUE.

This is a copy of the U.S. Senate Select Commitee's report on John Brown's abortive Harper's Ferry raid. INSCRIBED on front free endpaper from "Hon. C. Sumner" -- that is, Senator Charles Sumner [1811-1874], Republican of Massachusetts, victim of the famed 1856 caning by Rep. Preston Brooks [Democrat-South Carolina] and a leading figure in the Civil War and Reconstruction Senate -- to "F. B. Sanborn" -- that is, Franklin B. Sanborn [1831-1917], one of the now-notorious "Secret Six" abolitionist conspirators who helped to finance Brown's proposed mission to trigger a vast slave revolt throughout the American South. Later, Sanborn became a noted editor and journalist. The book itself is in no better than Good/Good+ condition, with the spine covered with gray duct tape; the fragments of the original spine are laid in between the front endpapers. The book is bound in the usual dark brown/black blindstamped cloth used for government documents and congressional reports in the mid-19th century. Contents show foxing/browning; binding is sturdy and tight. Accompanying the book are writer's copies of three letters written by Sanborn to his friend, the noted abolitionist and journalist Thomas Wentworth Higginson [1823-1911] in November and December 1859 concerning the progress of the Senate's investigation and Sanborn's intentions about whether he would testify or not. The letters are all written in a very neat hand [we believe it to be Sanborn's hand]. Scans available upon request. Pricing is tentative. Inquiries welcomed. Transcripts of the letters follow:
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I. Copies (very valuable)
Return to F. B. Sanborn
Concord
Mass.

Letter from F. B. S. to
T. W. Higginson (at Worcester)

Concord, Nov. 10, 1859.

Dear Friend,
Yours of yesterday and of Monday have been received, and in answer to the last I would say, that I have no intention of going to Canada to avoid arrest as a criminal, nor for any cause, if I felt reasonably sure of being protected here. If I am summoned as a witness I shall refuse to attend - if then they issue a capios [capias], and I am likely to be taken out of the State as a witness, I shall disappear rather than go; for I fear Massachusetts would not protect you or me taken for such an object as that. If she will, or if there is a reasonable chance

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that she will, I am willing to give her the opportunity - but if she evidently will not, why allow her to be again insulted by the failure to protect us? My personal safety is of little account to me, but an annoying legal process would be vexatious to the last degree, and though I should hate to leave Mass. because I could not be safe here, I should do so sooner than have a six month's or year's fruitless imprisonment.

But be assured I shall not elope at present, nor ever without sufficient cause. I am sorry Mrs. Brown is not to see her husband, and don't exactly see why she should not. I know nothing of Stephens' wife, but suppose we can find out from J_____ B_____ Jr. about it. I will write him. I have not seen Hoyt or Russell, but shall be in Boston Saturday and mean to see R______. In case you should be there, I will be at Dr. Howe's office

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from 1 to 1 ∏ P M and shall probably dine with Geo. Higginson at 22 Chauncey St.

Is this true about G. Smith's insanity? I think not but I have no private advices from him nor from Morton, and so am in the dark.

Yours ever
F. B. Sanborn
II.

F. B. S. to T. W. H. then absent from home.

Worcester Nov 24 [1859?] 4 P. M.

Dear Friend,

I have just come from Boston and go to Concord tonight. Ridpath must go to Ohio - that is our only chance of rescuing Brown, and I have written him to do so, not being able to see him today in Boston. I saw Dr. Webb, however, who will see him and send him on -

[Letter breaks off here without closing or signature]

III.

[This letter has no specified addressee. It is written on a folded sheet; page break indicated below]

Hampton Falls (N.H.) Dec. 25 [1859?]

Dear Friend,

You are not allowed to withhold evidence which criminates yourself in your examination before the Senate Committee. This is an important fact, before I knew it I determined to go to Washington, now I shall not if I can help it. You are liable to a year's imprisonment and a fine of $1000, if you refuse to answer any question the committee see fit to put. I don't believe it is wise for those who know anything of consequence to go before the committee, especially if Realf appears there. Did you see he has brought you out in his statement, and Mr. Parker too?

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I talked with Wilson on Saturday at Dr. Howe's office; he is behaving very badly, and no help can be expected from him. I don't suppose the committee will grant our request to be examined in Mass., but I think it a strong point before the people.

I am sir here for the Sunday only and go to Concord tomorrow.

A special act passed in 1857 takes away the right to refuse testimony before a committee of investigation.

Yours ever

F. B. Sanborn

I hope you burn all my letters about these things.
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