48/48 No other person in New England except these four was informed by me of the affair, though there were many who knew or suspected Brown's general purpose ... Brown's first request, in 1858, was for a fund of $1000 only; with this in hand he promised to take the field either in April or May. Mr.Stearns acted as treasurer of this fund, and before the 1st of May nearly the whole amount had been paid in or subscribed."-- Frank B.Sanborn, "Atlantic," April, 1875, pp. |