Letter to Justin Butterfield, 18 March 1843
-
Source Note
JS, Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to , [, Cook Co., IL], 18 Mar. 1843; handwriting of ; docket in handwriting of ; two pages; JS Collection, CHL.

March 18th. 1843
Esqr—
Dr Sir.—
Your letter of the 3d ultimo was received after the rapid Journey of one month, I. E. it has just arrived. The information it containd is satisfactory but a new subject having recently arisen. I purpose to dispatch a messenger to you on the morrow, with this, the mails are so tardy.— , (who you well know, has been reported as the author of the outrage on — last year, & myself as instigator) was taken on the 6th inst and lodged in jail at Missisour— and the next day— took his departure for , according to the letter of . Esqr of — Dated; March 7. Just receved, in this — stating that had called him for council, & he had advised according to the nature of the case & the information in his possession, that he had written to the , demanding protection of the Laws for , agist against personal violence &c.— & proposing in his letter to promise a change of venue from to some adjoining county, & waiting for instruction from his friends &c.— has been informed that it is wished by s friend that he should take such measures as will secure the personal safety of the prisoner and defer trial until such time as preperation can be made by the collection of affidavits & the presence of the — for the Discrt District of , or of Gen , of — (one or both.) are present, of is in possession of some important testimony sufficient, he said, to destroy s [John C. Bennett’s] testimony in relation to will be .— in defense of necessary to be joined with what can be obtained here— possible— shall endeavre to have him attend the trial with yourself— for I wish you to defend friend , & I will be responsible for your compensation.— is innocent, & must be defended.—
Having the facts before you in my case, you [p. [1]]
View entire transcript |
Cite this page