Meadville Penna Jan. 18, 1857
Dear Dr.
Yours of the 8th inst arrived here on the evening of the 16th. thus making eight days from Topeka – At the same time I rec’d a letter from Lawrence dated & mailed the 10th – thus making six days from Lawrence. This is unprecedented in the history of mail coming from Kansas, I think.
I am much obliged to you for your long and very interesting letter. It is just the kind of a letter I like to receive from Kansas; only not quite enough of it.
The country is barren of news at the present writing – I sent you and Col. Thornton the “very

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latest” the other day on extra Express. It ran the election of Gen. Simon Cameron to the Senate of the United States. I had the pleasure of becoming intimately acquainted with Gen. Cameron during the Campaign and with him worked hard for the election of Col. Fremont. We had both been Democrats hence could sympathize with each other.
I claim a good portion of the credit, if not the chief credit, of Gen. Camerons election; and the result shows that I was more successful in electioneering for Gen. Cameron in Penna, than I was in electioneering for Col. Holliday in Kansas – But better luck next time. And by the by speaking of “better luck next time” reminds me of the fact that Topeka

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should assert her influence in the next nomination for Delegate to Congress. The probability is that the free state men can elect their Delegate. How important then that that Delegate be from Topeka; or one fully committed to Topeka interests – Leavenworth I doubt not would unite with Topeka in this matter, as they, as well as we, are desirous of a grant for R. R. purposes from Leavenworth via Topeka to the South next toward Sante fee, &c. Please keep this matter in view.
Your plan of getting Leavenworth interested in the Topeka Bridge is first rate. H. Miles Moore is a good man, and it is well to encourage him. But there are others in Leavenworth quite as good or better such as Currier, Davis, &c. &c.

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You ought to have written also to St. Louis concerning the Lithograph. I think you would have got cheaper and quite as good there - But it is no matter, only so as we get it. You must try and have it in Topeka in 5 or 6 weeks from now –
I am glad to learn that your son has got well; and earnestly hope he will long continue so.
My impression was that we could pay for our claims with Land Warrants. But as you have disposed of that 80 Acre warrant why it is no matter – Please tell me what you think Award Shares will bring in the Spring – I may be able to sell one of mine here, but perhaps I could sell it to better advantage there. Did they arrest Thornton also? I would like to have seen the “bald headed gentleman with shoes on” follow “Old Horner” to Tecumseh. Tell him I will “head” a “rescue” for his benefit – Write often – Regards to Thornton, Briggs, &c. &c.
Yours as ever C. K. Holliday
We are making our arrangements to leave by the first Boat – 5 or 6 weeks from now.