M-038: Gordon, John Brown [General]

LETTER ONE

St. Louis 21^st Nov. 1818

Rev. Dr. Brooks –

            My Dear Sir:

            I have made to ineffectual efforts to see Mr. Gibson since our meeting at Mr. Bredell’s. Will you kindly see him & such other gentlemen as you think might be induced to aid this important Enterprise and know of them what amount of stock they will take? I feel quite confident Mr. Gibson will take a few shares of the stock & I therefore enclose a certificate of stock which can be filled with the number of shares he may counseul to take. If he declines please return the certificate to me at Atlanta. If he couseuls, ask him to send me a check for the amount to Atlanta.

            Let me know if any others will subscribe & I will for’d the certificates immediately – Amoung those who are now stockholders in the city – are Mr. Ed Bredell, Gov Pock, Mr. Markham, Mr. J.S. McCure, Col. Broodhede(?), Mr. January, Mr. Shryock, & and others.

            The Enterprise is of vast importance to us as a people & to meet the demand we must sell our stock – It would be difficult to find a safer or better investment. Present these considerations & do me the favour to write me at Atlanta, Ga.

                                                                                                Hastily truly yours,

                                                                                                           J.B. Gordon [General Gordon]

The co. is managed by directions &c, just as any other stock company – it is well & economically managed - the personal liability of stockholders is only for the unpaid portion of their stock – when that is paid there is no more liability – see 2^nd vol. N.Y. Revised Statutes Head Corporations for publishing books – Use the Educational Record I enclose – from page 20 forward

LETTER TWO

St. Louis Nov 21^st 1818

Mr. Cha’s Gibson

            Dear Sir:

            Pardon me for the liberty I take of addressing you by letter on subject of the Enterprise, in which I feel such an interest. I think you comprehend the magnitude of its importance to us as a people & hope it will command itself to your judgement as I know it must to your profoundest support of this. I desired to know before leaving hat amount of stock, if any you w’d take in it – Presuming that you w’d feel a sufficient interest to take some I have left with Dr. Brooks a certificate of stock, which can be filled with the no. of shares that you counseul to take away. If not it will be returned to me at Atlanta GA.

            I hope you will join us in our efforts to give these most valuable books to the Country. I do not believe you can find a safer or more profitable investment & certainly the object is our worthy support of every patriotic man. Among the stockholders now in the City are Gov Polk, Mr. Bredell, Mr McCure, Mr. Shryock, Mess B & J Farmer, Col. Broadhead, Mr. C Hunt &c &c &c –

            A stamp of 25c must be put on the certificate & you can cancel. – May I hope that you will interest yourself in behalf of The Company ?

            Sh’d you take your shares you can send check to Atlanta Ga to my address.

                                                                                                Very Respecfully Yours,

                                                                                                                        J.B. Gordon

            Personal liability of stockholders is only for unpaid portion of stock – when they pay up their subscriptions, liability ceases – Company is economically & prudently managed – Mr. Richardson, the president, having all his means in it. I hope you will encourage the Enterprise by a handsome subscription of stock.