Year: 1859

vet: and that once he had him in his power,
he would not spare him one drop of blood
in existence He said that this doctor had
dishonored his marriage bed, but chat he
did not care for, as he cared nothing for his
wife, as she was Southern fool; that The
position her property gave him, and the
oower to effect his end was all he asked for q
but that this doctor had interfered with
him in other ways, for which he would yet
have his hearts blood. | warned him not
to be SO blood thirsty, and in all he did not
to spill blood, unless in self-defense, or in
fighting for freedom. He said that though
born in North Carolina, he had from
child hated slavery, and that in spending
number OF years at the North he haG learn
ed to appreciate the philanthrouic motives
of our friends, and that he had pledged
himself to work faithfully to that end ever
since He said he had great influence over
most of the slaves in bis part of Tennessee,
and that be often met them on the roads
and by places and had long talks with them,
and that he always found them ripe for the
cause. Mr. p then returned to the hotel
with me, and in the evening introduced me
to several merchants and others in Memphis,
who are with us heart and hand.


From my interview with Mr. Palmer, |
judge him to be shrewd man, and through
his position and influence we'll calculated to
become one of our principle leaders in the
South. He seems to thoroughly understand
the railroad business. would scarcely ex-
pect to find in Southern city, situated as
Memphis is, in the midst of a cotton-grow-
ing country, so large number of whites
ready to aid us, and strike when necessary
for our cause.


Mr.. Palmer says you must write to bin
every week and keep him posted as to our
plans and he will act in concert with US, in
everything you may dire,t.


| think be is brave and Conscientious
man, and you need not fear him. He has
no doubt been severely abused where he
lives, and his wrongs have made him des-
perate. have been through large por-
ton Of Arkansas, and have found we have
but few friends among the whites in that
State, as most of them are blood thirsty
Shareholders but the slaves are all willing
and ready, and so far ontnumber the whites
that bold stroke Of ope day will overthrow
the whole State. leave Memphis to mor
row, by way Of Clarksyile, for Mammoth
Cave, where ] wish to be tol Il number Of
days before anything comes off there. Will
lam Horner has just arrived from New Or
leans on his way to Harper's Ferry. Nothing
could have happened better for me. guess
| must be in streak of good luck. |
feared to write particulars to you by mail
for the dangers Of juterception But as
William is here write to You in full aud
trust it co his care.


He swears to me that he will deliver it to
you in person, or die trying. He is good
boy, aud may be depended upon. Now,
| say, be cautious, and let us have strike
soou' 1t cannot come too quick, for be-
lieve from what have seen that the whole
South is ready for it. have to be very
careful here, us the people are very suspi
cious Of Northern men. / sometimes regis
ter one name and then another. Sometimes
| pass for travelling preacher, and at others
as u New Orleans merchant, looking at the
crops and taking Of specuations in cotton,
etc. Southern people are easily gullcd- If
there will be any failure at the uarpers
Ferry strike, let me know in time. You
shall bear from me soon.


Yours faithfully,


LAWRENCE THATCHER.


?. S. Mr.. Palmer says you must address
your letters to him as follows:


Dir. w Russell Palmer, Green Bottom,
Shelby county, Tenn.