Marcus Parrott, a lawyer and free state man, wrote to his father, Thomas Parrott, from the Shawnee Methodist Mission in Kansas Territory. Marcus told his father of his desire to purchase land and build a home in Leavenworth City, for which he asked his father to send money for lumber. He also mentioned business and referred to his role in the defense of Cole McCrea, a free state man who had killed Malcolm Clark in Leavenworth the past April. Marcus also mentioned his prospect of being nominated as Reporter to the Supreme Court, which he saw as good advertising only.