Abolitionist and lead crusader of the Pottowatomie massacre signs a handwritten letter of receipt for his brokerage business with Simon Perkins in 1846. Autograph letter signed: "Perkins & Brown", ¼p, 7¼x12¼. Springfield, Massachusetts, 1846 July 11. To Henry J. Kirtland Esqr. In full: "Your splendid lot of wool has been received, & opened, together with the lots of Montgomery & Brown, John Livingston, Charles Long, & D. Summer. The prospects of sale are good notwithstanding there is some panic just now about the Tarriff (sic)." Integral address leaf addressed by Brown to: "Henry J. Kirtland Esqr/Poland/Trumbull Co./Ohio". "From/Old Ossawatomie" (sic) written in pencil at upper left (unknown hand). In an attempt to provide for his large family, JOHN BROWN, who was raising sheep after several previous business endeavors had failed, entered into a partnership with SIMON PERKINS. Their Springfield, Massachusetts brokerage for wool growers also ended in failure, resulting in a $60,000 break of contract suit. Brown then turned his attention full-time to abolitionist affairs. While in Springfield, he had organized the League of Gileadites to help Blacks protect themselves and to assist fugitive slaves.