William Goodnow wrote from a settlement outside Manhattan, Kansas Territory, to his wife Harriet in New England. Goodnow refuted claims that Kansas was "a poor place", defended the New England Emigrant Aid Company against the complaints of "disappointed, unstable, and homesick" emigrants. He also reported on the frequent passing of Government trains from Fort Riley, in anticipation of war. Isaac Goodnow added a note to Harriet, proclaiming Kansas' destiny as a free state.