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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.

Nicholas County Court. Coleman Ratliff, petitioner and owner of Frank, a 7 year-old slave, wished to sell him. "The Petitioner says he is to be free at the age of 35 years." Ordered that Frank may be sold, will be freed at the age of 35, and may not be removed from the state of Kentucky. Includes a description of Frank.

Regarding John Brown; "a friend of mine . . . says 'Old Brown' is not dead! There are some queer things about the whole affair. He was a tough old hero . . . I think he was a God-fearing man, & a real hero at heart. The transaction with which was connected has deeply moved the heart of the nation."

Concerning the proposed African Territory Act, which has been viewed favorably in Ohio. Smith believed it would be an "act of Mercy and Justice to both Black and White" to create a separate territory for African Americans, arguing that a bill was pending in Ohio to prevent the immigration of free African Americans into the state, and that several other free states had similar laws. Includes text of the proposed act.