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Comments on the diverse nature of the slavery debate. Argues about slavery and political representation. Discusses the payment to Texas, land acquired during the Mexican War, and the slave interest's opposition. Finds the Kansas-Nebraska Act "entirely uncalled for," especially as it countered the Missouri Compromise and aggravated sectionalism. Considers whether the "Nebraska bill" would apply to territory acquired from Cuba, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Doing away with slavery immediately "would have reduced Carolina & Georgia to a wilderness again." Comments on George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison's decisions to liberate their slaves or not. Supports abolition in theory but opposes abolitionists" who would rob other men of what is theirs." Notes abolitionist violence and obstruction of law, commenting at length, unfavorably, on Horace Greeley. Mentions Harriet Beecher Stowe. Supports African colonization, doubts other states would support the cause, and believes any black republic would revert to barbarism, pointing to Haiti, British West Indies, and "the whole of Africa." Comments briefly on the raising of a child, "I wish the child reared & governed by some discreet white person." Notes Hiatt's railroad nearing completion, along with other railroad news in the South. Discusses poor crops and high costs.

Comments on travels to Quicksburg and [Baconham?], being delayed in Kentucky on account of illness. Symptoms of fever, chills, bloody flux, and using calomel as medicine. Describes Dr. Moore's farm near Harrodsburg, [Kentucky?], his livestock, and how his "family consists of about twenty persons white and black." Notes African American servants' Christmas celebrations. "...having great times in music and dancing and various other sports and jollification together with receiving their christmas gift from their Master and Mistress." Includes recipes for [Jenny?] Lind cake, corn bread, and hair oil.

List of members and rules for an antislavery society; member list includes John G. Palfrey, Horace Mann, Charles Sumner, John G. Whittier, and Charles Sedgwick.

Considering how to handle Sam, a 17-year-old enslaved man hired out to Mr. Bean to thrash rye, who has turned himself in to jail in protest of abuse. Mr. Bean struck Sam with a brush after finding him avoiding work. "...he had previously said no man should whip him this year, if they did he would go to Leesburg & be sold." Has left Sam in jail, hoping "he would come too but you know the Devil is in the whole of Matilda's breed & I expect we will have to sell him, or perhaps loose him as soon as he can find some one who will go with him to Penna." Thoughts on how to handle the other "shareholders" who have invested in Sam. "We own one half of him & I am not disposed to run the risk of loosing him entirely." Notes the popularity of enslaved people turning themselves in to jail, "& I expect in 20 years Loudoun will have no slaves in it this I attribute to the prevailing abolition feeling in the Co." A "negro buyer" suggests Sam is "too bright for the highest market price."

Concerning the attempt to make Kansas a slave state; he has seen 52 emigrants pass through the town on their way to Kansas. He hopes that a large number of southerners can go there, "so enough can be crowded in to make Kansas a slave state."

Regarding purchase of a horse; Douglass is on his way to New Bedford and the "price is higher than I wish . . . I can not allow myself more than two hundred dollars in horse flesh." Pasted onto a sheet also containing, on verso, James Redpath ALS to A. Leffingwell; Boston, [Mass.], August 19, 1863.

Notice of meeting for opponents of slavery; "The Republicans of Standish, and all others opposed to the further extension of Slavery are requested to meet at the Town House . . . for the purpose of nominating a Candidate for Town Representative."

Depredations caused by border ruffians in Kansas; their locality was secured from Kansas' borders but reported that his team had been stopped on six different occasions. One man who was told that "he had but five minutes to live, he however by referring to his children . . . saved his life." He and his friends had also been threatened but noted that their experiences paled in comparison to the"outrages perpetrated upon Free State Men in other parts..."

Anecdote about a speech Sprague wrote on George Washington that was sent to a southern editor that contained a sentence on slavery. The man sent him a furious letter in response to this passage. Sprague wrote to him again, "expressing...regret at having wounded his feelings..." The man responded "as kindly as if I had been a slave-holder all my life."

Inquest on bodies of James Manning and Henry Thompson, the latter a freeman drowned in Rappahannock River. Jurors concluded that in both cases a boat or skiff sunk or capsized on the river.