JS, Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to , [, Hancock Co., IL], 22 June 1844; handwriting of John McEwan; signature of JS in handwriting of ; docket in handwriting of John McEwan; three pages; JS Collection, CHL.
laws, authorities of the and had threatened the lives of some of its principle officers, and who also made an private matter that the press was established for the express purpose of destroying the and as will be shown by the affidavit of and as they stated to me in their threats.
informs me that reports are in circulation that we have taken property which belongs to Mr Law and others.
There has been no property meddled with to my knowledge belonging to any person, except property we have purchased of the rightful owners, Mr Law turned over some property to a Mr Hicks to pay a debt. This I purchased of Mr Hicks and I am responsible to him for the amount. We have been especially careful to preserve the property of those who are exciting the public against us inasmuch as we knew every means would be used which could be invented to raise excitement and we have appointed the police to watch this property and see that no harm was done to it by any person as they had tried to fire their own building and was detected in the act, the fire was extinguished by the policemen and no property damaged.
There has no prisoners been taken in this neither any persons held as hostage only some residents of this place who had broke the laws. No stranger has been interfered with, nor detained in the , under any circumstances.
In haste I have the honor to remain Dr Sir your Most obedt. Sevt. [p. [3]]