On letterhead from attorneys "Christian & Lane," James H. Lane writes M. W. Delahay a "Strictly confidential" letter of Lane's plan to help John Speer, Lawrence editor and "faithful friend," take control of the "Republican," a newspaper in Lawrence, Kansas Territory. To do so, Lane needs to raise $500, but he believes the political payoff would be worth the effort. Lane feels abolitionist control of the "Republican," "Times" [Leavenworth] and "Record" [Topeka] newspapers would lead to success for the free state cause.