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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."

Health and business both well, but notes nearly daily fights "in this new country." Recounts efforts to capture several fugitive slaves from Missouri hiding in a nearby thicket of willows. "Four or five pro-slavery men, without any authority from their owners or the law went to take them, for the sake of the reward that would be offered for them & the premium which the laws of Mo allow to the persons who perform such services." Describes pursuing them on foot and fighting, leading to the death of Mr. Myers, injuries to both sides, and the capture of one fugitive who was shot in the arm. Other fugitives escaped by taking their pursuers' horses and evading a party of twenty who followed them to the "Otoe Indian nation where they lost track of them. They suppose the Indians secreted them." Notes mob attempts to lynch the captured fugitive being held in prison, "I think they will let him have a trial. His master has since come in from Mo, who will try & have him acquitted so that he may take him back to Mo & keep in slavery. His arm has since been amputated. The negroes swore that they would die before they would be taken." Enclosing a town share in Pleasantville (not included), describing the growing number of amenities, and advising George to pursue surveying.

Paying McDowell $1 for attending to a Black child and providing medical services. Includes certification signed by Nath[aniel] P. Saunders, the Police Judge of Shepherdsville.

Glad that the Linonian Society at Yale College approved of his work, but its publication has been suspended due to financial reasons. Will only proceed with publishing if he secures enough subscribers, currently numbering 170. Sent circulars to members of Congress and notes some subscribing to the work. Has been communicating with Professor Thatcher at Yale on providing lectures on the topic of "Slavery in the United States. Its national recognition & relations, from the Establishment of the Confederacy to the present time." Would lecture "without any sectional bias, or partisan references or aims," but if the subject is "too sensitive, I might develop the principle & theory of… National, State, & Territorial Sovereignty, in the United States." N.B. In 1858, Sherman published Slavery in the United States of America; Its National Recognition and Relations, from the Establishment of the Confederacy, to the Present Time. A Word to the North and the South (Hartford: J. O. Hurlburt, 1858).

Receipt for the sale of a 20-year-old Black man named Bill for $1,000 to James Standish, accompanied by a framed portrait of a Confederate soldier beleived to be James Standish. James Standish, a descendant of Myles Standish (1584-1656) who served as a military leader, the assistant governor, and the treasurer of the Massachusetts colony. N.B.: These items were acquired on December 30, 1980, by William Dorkin from Harry O’Neill, a childhood friend from Bridgeport, Connecticut whose mother was part of the Standish family. Dorkin passed the items onto his son, Fred Dorkin, on December 28, 1988.

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.

Account of payments made by Anthony Smith during his guardianship of Amanda W. Nunn to reimburse for the hire of enslaved workers. One payment calculated as a share of the 1851 cotton crop. Payments provided to her husband Joseph A. Cook in 1852, but all receipts have been mislaid.

Does not belong to any secret societies and has a strong dislike of them. Burgess has a good reputation; relates a brief story about a man who traded an enslaved man for hogs.