Correspondence (incoming): Brown, J. E. (owner/editor of San Francisco Vindicator), 1893

Office of the SAN FRANCISCO VINDICATOR 622 Clay Street J. E. BROWN, Editor and Proprietor. San Francisco, July 1893

Mrs Jane L Stanford Honored Madame

It is with reluctance that I again call your attention to my claim at the present time, my excuse being that I do not know what circumstances may stand in the way of my prosecuting it as fully at some future time. My difficulty has hitherto been my inability to bring the matter to the attention of the late Senator, his time having been so much occupied during his brief stays in the City for the past three years.

As, of course it could not be expected that you, with the many calls upon your time and attention, should keep in memory such an insignificant business matter as mine, I trust you will excuse me for recapitulating my case, and presenting it as clearly and fully as I can.

I have been for the past ten years publisher and proprietor of the "San Francisco Vindicator", the recognized organ of the colored race upon this coast. Ever since the late Senator's first candidacy for the United States Senatorship in 1885, eight years ago, I have been mailing him my paper without compensation. Further than this, I have always been his staunch friend and adherent

during campaign times, and during his last candidacy was the means of securing him the endorsement of my race, in the matter of sending to the Legislature many of the delegates who elected him. The accompanying extracts from the "Vindicator" (cut out and attached for your perusal) will sufficiently prove this. I would also particularly call your attention to the fact that many of my most important articles in his behalf were copied by the most prominent Washington papers - among them the "National View."

Unfortunately, as I said before, I found it impossible to approach him during his brief stays in this City, and accordingly had recourse to your intercession in my behalf - more particularly as I labor under the infirmity of being partially paralyzed in my lower limbs, which makes locomotion laborious and painful.

Under these circumstances I feel myself warranted in again calling your attention to these facts, more especially as in your last letter (dated Palo Alto, January 27th, 1893) you were so kind as to say that my letter to you - which was handed in by my friend Mr. Dunne, approaching you upon this subject - had been mislaid, but that if I would rewrite the contents of the same you would give it attention. This I did on February 6th, and forwarded it to you but as yet have had no response. Accordingly, I am sure you will pardon me for again presenting you with the data of the case as appended hereto.

I must here disclaim any intention of advancing a claim for any specified amount against the late Senator, as my services were not of a nature to be estimated by any set figures. The value of these services I would most certainly have left to the known generosity of the Senator and his appreciation of their political importance, but as this is now impossible I prefer to abide by what you may be disposed to think it right to give, having perfect confidence in your sense of equity and good judgment, and thus help along my newspaper work in the interest of the moral, industrial and intellectual advancement of my race.

I have the honor, to remain Your obedient servant, J. E. Brown

Office of the SAN FRANCISCO VINDICATOR 622 Clay Street J. E. BROWN, Editor and Proprietor San Francisco, Febr'y 6, 1893

Mrs Leland Stanford Honored Madame

I took the liberty of calling upon you on Saturday and sending in my card by the butler relative to the letters which were handed you nearly two weeks ago by my friend Mr. Dunne. The butler returned answer that you were busily engaged at the time, and referring me to Mr. Nash. I beg leave to recall to you that my very object in addressing you upon the matter referred to in my letter, was to solicit your mediation, as all my efforts to see the Senator through Mr. Nash have been unavailing. Mr. Dunne, who was the bearer of my letter to you the Wednesday before last, said that you were kind enough to say that you would bring the matter to the notice of the Senator; also that you would notify me of the result the following Friday. As ten days have elapsed since then, I am apprehensive that, owing to the many calls upon your sympathy, my own application may have escaped your memory, and this constitutes my only excuse and apology for addressing you again.

I remain, Your obedient servant J E Brown

San Francisco, January 24th 1892

Mrs Leland Stanford Honored Madame

You will I feel sure, pardon me for addressing you, when you learn the circumstances of the case. I have been for many years past engaged in publishing a Weekly Journal, the SAN FRANCISCO VINDICATOR, which is the recognized organ of the Negro race in this City and State. I am endeavoring to conduct it in such a manner, as to develop the moral, industrial and intellectual condition of my Race. I have always upheld in its columns the unrivaled claims possessed by Senator Stanford upon the citizens of this State of whatever denomination they may be, as the accompanying extracts will attest. I have also been mailing him my paper for years past without return.

My lower limbs are unfortunately paralzed, and it is only with great difficulty that I can make visits to Fourth and Townsend Streets, and whenever I have done so, I have always been unfortunate enough to find the Senator either engaged or out. Under these circumstances, knowing your great goodness of heart, I have ventured to address you, in the hope that you might bring the matter of my unvarying advocacy of his interests before the notice of the Senator, as I despair of being able to approach him in any other way, though I have been trying for the past two years and more to do so.

I feel sure that it is only the fact that the Senator has his time and attention so fully occupied with business that my application passes unregarded. Whatever financial assistance the Senator may see fit to extend towards my paper will be gratefully appreciated, and he can rest assured that my advocacy of his interests with my race and others, will be as consistently strong in the future as it has been in the past. Hoping you will accept my heartfelt apologies for addressing you upon this subject, as I would never, except for the reasons stated have ventured to do.

I have the honor to remain, Your obedient servant J. E. Brown