, Letter, , to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 25 Apr. 1844; handwriting of ; dockets in handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw and unidentified scribes; seven pages; JS Collection, CHL.
redress the wrongs which we have suffered, and we now ask the government to protect us while raising our volunteers, and when we get into we will protect ourselvs, and all others who wish our protection: And after subduing a new country, encountering all its difficu[l]ties and hardships, and sustaining the just claims of our nation to its soil, we believe that the generosity of our government towards us, will be equal to our enterprize and patriotism; and that they will allow us a grant or territory of land which will be both honorable in them and satisfactory to us. This, he says, is all very just and reasonable. But still he thinks that congress will take no step in relation to , from the fact that his resolution requesting the of the to give notice to the British government for the abolition of the treaty of joint occupation, was voted down; and while that treaty is in force, the <our government> dare do nothing in relation to that country. This resolution was introduced by to pave the way for the passage of those bills in relation to a territorial government in .
All our members join in the acknowledgment that you now have an undoubted right to go to with all the emigrants you can raise. They say the existing laws protect you as much as law can protect you; and should congress pass an additional law it would not prevent wicked men from shooting you down as they did in . All the men in congress would be glad you <we> would go to that country and settle it. [p. 4]