Kansas MemoryKansas Memory

Kansas Historical SocietyKansas Historical Society

J. Henry Muzzy to Eli Thayer - Page
Text Version

To order images and/or obtain permission to use them commercially, please contact the KSHS Reference Desk at KSHS.reference@ks.gov or 785-272-8681, ext. 117.


For more information see the Copyright and Permission FAQ.

J. Henry Muzzy wrote from Lawrence, Kansas Territory to Eli Thayer in Worcester, Massachusetts. Muzzy informed Thayer that free state supporters in Kansas were not, as Thayer had predicted, discouraged by James Buchanan's election as president in November 1856. He observed that the territory had been quiet during the winter of 1856-1857, but warned that the "ruffians" likely would engage in efforts during the spring of 1857 to discourage eastern emigration to Kansas. Muzzy also commented on the dilemma that free staters faced in deciding whether to pay the taxes levied by the proslavery "bogus legislature." He and his fellow free state supporters were not inclined to pay taxes imposed by a "foreign power," but they also realized that if Governor Geary called in U.S. troops to enforce the law they would have no choice but to pay. Muzzy concluded by stating that he was thankful for the end of the "reign of Frank Pierce," contending that "any change at Washington can hardly be for the worse."

Creator: Muzzy, J. Henry
Date: March 3, 1857

Bookbag Text Version Share Print

J. Henry Muzzy to Eli Thayer - p. 1J. Henry Muzzy to Eli Thayer - p. 2J. Henry Muzzy to Eli Thayer - p. 3J. Henry Muzzy to Eli Thayer - p. 4

J. Henry Muzzy to Eli Thayer - p. 1

Item Number: 3572
Call Number: Eli Thayer Coll. #519 Box 1 Folder 1
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 3572

Collections - Manuscript - Thayer, Eli
Date - 1854-1860 - 1857
Government and Politics - Elections
Government and Politics - Federal Government - Federal agencies and programs - Policies and programs - Taxation
Government and Politics - Federal Government - Presidents - Buchanan, James
Government and Politics - Federal Government - Presidents - Pierce, Franklin
Government and Politics - Political Parties - Free Soil
Government and Politics - Reform and Protest - Antislavery
Government and Politics - Reform and Protest - Pro-Slavery
Government and Politics - Territorial Government - Constitution Making - Lecompton Constitution
Government and Politics - Territorial Government - Elections
Government and Politics - Territorial Government - Governors - Geary, John White
Government and Politics - Territorial Government - Legislatures
Government and Politics - Territorial Government - Political parties - Free State
Government and Politics - Territorial Government - Political parties - Proslavery
Home and Family - Daily life - Settlement
Military - Wars - Bleeding Kansas
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Letter
People - Notable People - Buchanan, James, 1791-1868
People - Notable People - Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869
People - Notable People - Thayer, Eli, 1819-1899
Places - Cities and towns - Lawrence
Places - Counties - Douglas
Thematic Time Period - Bleeding Kansas, 1854 - 1861
Thematic Time Period - Immigration and Settlement, 1854 - 1890
Type of Material - Unpublished documents - Letters

Copyright © 2007-2023 - Kansas Historical Society - Contact Us
This website was developed in part with funding provided by the Information Network of Kansas.