Marcus J. Parrott wrote from the Shawnee Methodist Mission in Kansas Territory to his brother, Edwin A. Parrott, in Dayton, Ohio. Marcus reported to Edwin that he was in need of money, and told him of his plan to borrow some from their father to invest. He expressed his support for the free state cause, but disagreed with recent violent acts that had occurred on the part of a free state man. Marcus also referred to the Territorial Legislature, which would convene at Pawnee, and anticipated "a grand row and smash up as a result".