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Office National Kansas Aid Committee,
No. 11 Marine Bank Building,
Corner of Lake and La Salle Streets,

Chicago, 1856.

To

DEAR SIR :

The necessity of organizing your county so as to secure whatever aid in men or money
Kansas may require, is apparent to you, and we need not enlarge upon it.

We would press you therefore, most earnestly, to act promptly on this subject, and to call immediately a County
Convention, so as to appoint a Committee and some proper person or persons to canvass your county, and obtain sub-
scriptions and donations.

The main purposes of our organization and for which we urge the immediate raising of means, are :

First. The retaining of all actual Free State settlers now in Kansas.

Second. To induce all Free State absentees forthwith to return to the Territory, paying, if necessary for this
end, their passage, furnishing them with clothing, &c.

Third. To induce fresh Free State emigrants to go into the Territory as rapidly as possible.

The necessity of a meeting for the more permanent and efficient organization of the counties in the State of Illinois,
must be apparent to every person. We need only to specify one or two objects, which it is essential to accomplish, to
insure success to the free State cause.

First, a thorough concert of action--such a concert as will secure promptness and efficiency in whatever we may do.

Second, the obtaining of county Agents, whose business qualifications and integrity shall command entire confidence;
and to forward immediately to our Secretary all funds collected, and to give the names, and means in the possession of
those persons in your county whom you can recommend, and who desire to emigrate to Kansas, and state what means
they require to aid them.

The necessity of an organization of the counties of our State, is too plain to be urged. Kansas can be saved to
freedom only by a prompt and vigorous action on the part of the free States. Her citizens oppressed and harrassed by
the border men of Missouri, and the ruffians of the south, without the protection of the general government, are well
nigh discouraged. They need food and clothes, and must have money to sustain life and men to encourage them in
their heroic struggle. Let us see that they are properly and fully sustained.

Please report immediately upon your organization, to the undersigned, the names of your offiers and agents, and
forward your contributions as soon as possible.

In behalf of the Illinois Central Kansas Finance Committee,

[signature] W. F. M. Arny [printed] Secretary.