Thompson, Dauphin Adolphus, 1838-1859 to his brother and sister
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06471 Author/Creator: Thompson, Dauphin Adolphus, 1838-1859 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 September 1859 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20 x 16.3 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses preparations for the raid on Harper's Ferry. Never mentions a raid, or any specific plans, but states "we have not got ready to begin operations yet." Also does not reveal his location, saying he is writing from "parts unknown." Discusses a religious meeting of the anti-slavery "winebenarians" (Winbrennians). Worries that "we have to be very careful how we act in everything we have one colored man in our company who has been seen by a woman but she thinks he is a fugitive slave and that we are trying to help him onto his freedom," and thinks she will not report them. Also in preparation "I have been over into Virginia several times" and found plantations with many slaves. Of his family and those at North Elba says "I suppose the folks think we are a set of fools but they will find out that we know what we are about." The raid on Harpers Ferry would occur just over a month later.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.