RK-171

384

Chicago Ill July 25^th 56

My good Friend Bob.

Enclosed I send you an account of "a monster". What do you think of it? - Did you receive the Box from Mr Lapham? - he has been in the south part of this state for two week - -

I hope you will helps us by sending some Natural History copy by "Frank"

The weather has become so warm that I suppose the Nat History. Society has been laid in the shade till fall, I have not been able to hear any thing from it for some time, how would it do to make inquiry in our paper for the lost Natural History - Association of the State of Ill.? - -

In haste as ever Your friend W. F. M. Arny

Tell Charlie I hope he will hurry on his abstract of the Report of the N W Fruit growers association.

[printed or typed] Office National Kansas Aid Committee, No. 11 Marine Bank Building, Corner of Lake and La Salle Streets,

Chicago, 1856.

To

DEAR SIR :

The necessity of organizing your county so as to secure whatever aid in men or money Kansas may require, is apparent to you, and we need not enlarge upon it.

We would press you therefore, most earnestly, to act promptly on this subject, and to call immediately a County Convention, so as to appoint a Committee and some proper person or persons to canvass your county, and obtain subscriptions and donations.

The main purposes of our organization and for which we urge the immediate raising of means, are :

First. The retaining of all actual Free State settlers now in Kansas.

Second. To induce all Free State absentees forthwith to return to the Territory, paying, if necessary for this end, their passage, furnishing them with clothing, &c.

Third. To induce fresh Free State emigrants to go into the Territory as rapidly as possible.

The necessity of a meeting for the more permanent and efficient organization of the counties in the State of Illinois, must be apparent to every person. We need only to specify one or two objects, which it is essential to accomplish, to insure success to the free State cause.

First, a thorough concert of action--such a concert as will secure promptness and efficiency in whatever we may do.

Second, the obtaining of county Agents, whose business qualifications and integrity shall command entire confidence; and to forward immediately to our Secretary all funds collected, and to give the names, and means in the possession of those persons in your county whom you can recommend, and who desire to emigrate to Kansas, and state what means they require to aid them.

The necessity of an organization of the counties of our State, is too plain to be urged. Kansas can be saved to freedom only by a prompt and vigorous action on the part of the free States. Her citizens oppressed and harrassed by the border men of Missouri, and the ruffians of the south, without the protection of the general government, are well nigh discouraged. They need food and clothes, and must have money to sustain life and men to encourage them in their heroic struggle. Let us see that they are properly and fully sustained.

Please report immediately upon your organization, to the undersigned, the names of your offiers and agents, and forward your contributions as soon as possible.

In behalf of the Illinois Central Kansas Finance Committee,

[signature] W. F. M. Arny [printed] Secretary.