JS, Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to , [, Hancock Co., IL], 17 June 1844; handwriting of ; signature of JS; dockets in handwriting of and possibly James Ure; two pages; JS Collection, CHL.
Dear Sir:— The brethren from arrived here this morning, We were glad to see them and to hear that you were all alive in the midst of the ragings of an infatuated and blood thirsty mob. I write these few lines to inform you that we feel determined in this place not to be dismayed if hell boils over all as at once. We feel to hope for the best, and determined to prepare for the worse. And we want this to be your motto in common with us, “that we will never ground our arms untill we give them up by death”— “FreetradeandSailorsrights, protectionofpersonsandproperty, wivesandfamilies”. If a mob annoy you, defend yourselves to the very last, and if they fall upon you with a superior force, and if you think you are not able to compete with them, retreat to . But we hope for better things, but remember if your enemies do fall upon you be sure and take the best and most efficient measures the emergency of the case may require. Remember the front and the rear of your enemies, because if they should come to to attack unlawfully, and by mob force, a little annoyance upon the rear with some bold fellows would be a very good thing to weaken the ranks of an enemy It is impossible to give you correct information what to do beforehand, but act according to the emmergency of the case [p. [1]]