Digital History>eXplorations>John Brown: Hero or Terrorist?> Planning the Raid>Thomas Higginson to John Brown

Thomas Wentworth Higginson to John Brown, May 7, 1858

Source: Higginson Papers, Boston Public Library.

Sanborn writes an alarming letter of a certain H[ugh]. F[orbes]. who wishes to veto our veteran friends project entirely. Who the man is I have no conception but I utterly protest against any postponement. 1 f the thing is postponed, it is postponed for ever for H. F. can do as much harm next year as this. His malice. must be in some way put down or outwitted & after the move is once begun, his plots will be of little importance. I believe that we have gone too far to go back without certain failure, & I believe our friend the veteran will think so too.