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Governor John Pierce St. John to Rev. Henry Smith - Page

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Governor John Pierce St. John to Rev. Henry Smith

Governor John P. St. John wrote this letter in response to Rev. Smith's letter dated May 7, 1879. St. John informed Smith that the only problem with Southern blacks' emigrating into Kansas stemmed from the fact that many emigrants were destitute and in need of financial support. According to St. John, black settlers enjoy the same rights and privileges of white settlers. However, he also warned Smith that, while Kansas has a great deal to offer, the benefits of emigration were sometimes exaggerated. He encouraged Smith to be aware of these misrepresentations. St. John, in addition to his duties as governor, served on the board of the Kansas Freedmen's Relief Association.

Creator: St. John, John Pierce, 1833-1916
Date: May 13, 1879

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Curriculum Notes

This letter demonstrates how aid workers did not want to overstate the case for emigration, and they subtly (or not so subtly) encouraged emigrants to be financial solvent before locating to Kansas. This works with other letters regarding emigration to Kansas, but would work best when paired with Smith's letter dated May 7, 1879, which has also been selected for this standard.

KS:7th:3.5:Exodusters (2005)

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About this item

Item Number: 210548
Call Number: Governor's Records, St. John, Letterpress Book, Box 5, No. 15
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 210548

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