Tecumseh June 14th 56

Rev’d Sir
The eight prisenors including myself from Potowatamie & Middle creeks arrived here to day & are to have a preliminary examination next week I do not think that they will be able to find enough against us to commit us for trial if they do I have no fears as to the ultimate result Our charge is High treason John’s health is much better than when we left Osawatomie he is very peaceable & quiet now though his mind wanders often we wish to establish the fact of his insanity & for that purpose have summoned Mr Roberts, Gardiner & yourself as witnesses We have employed counsel to see to our cases we have engaged to pay a lawyer $50, to manage John’s case & $10, a piese for the rest We have but little ready money with us consequently we are under the necessity of asking favors of our friends we wish you to raise $110, for us if you can & we will see that it is refunded when we return to Osawatomie Mr Maness wants you to get $20, for him of Mr Finch & if you & Mr Roberts & Gardiner cannot raise the balance it you can get it at Mr Partridges & Dr Gilpatricks We have been well treated all the way so far

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& are in very good quarters at present We write this in haste so as to give you as much time as possible our examination will come off Wednesday probably
Yours for Freedom

H H Williams
Wm Partridge
Jason Brown
S. W. Killbourn
John Brown Jr
S B Morse
J. Benjamin
P D Maness