George Washington to New Hampshire, 29 December 1777 (Detail, GLC03706) North American Slavery in Comparative Perspective: Address of John Brown to the Virginia Court by Michael A. Vieira Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, MA Gilder Lehrman Document GLC 05508.051 http://www.gilderlehrman.org/search/display_results.php?id=GLC05508.051 On October 16, 1859, John Brown led a party of approximately 21 men into Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. Encountering no resistance, Brown’s men seized the federal arsenal, an armory, and a rifle works. Brown then sent out several detachments to round up hostages and liberate slaves. As news of the raid spread, angry townspeople and local militia companies cut off Brown’s escape routes and trapped his men in the armory. Two days later, U.S. Marines led by Colonel Robert E. Lee arrived at Harper's Ferry. The marines stormed the arsenal. Five of Brown’s party escaped, ten were killed, and seven, including Brown, were taken as prisoner. A week later, Brown was put on trial in Virginia court, even though his attack had occurred on federal property. He was found guilty of treason, conspiracy, and murder, and was sentenced to die on the gallows. The trial's high point came at the end when Brown was allowed to make a five-minute speech, which helped convince many Northerners that Brown was a martyr to the cause of freedom. I have, may it please the Court, a few words to say. In the first place, I deny every thing but what I have already admitted, of a design on my part to free Slaves. I intended certainly, to have made a clean thing of that matter, as I did last winter, when I went into Missouri, and there took Salves, without the snapping of a gun on either side, moving then through the country, and finally leaving them in Canada. I was desired to have dome the same thing again, on a much larger scale. That was all I intended. I never did intend murder, or treason, or destruction of property, or to excite or incite Slaves to rebellion, or to make insurrection. I have another objection, and that is, that it is unjust that I should suffer such a penalty. Had I interfered in the manner, and which I admit has fairly proved, for I admire the truthfulness and candor of the greater portion of the witnesses who have testified in this case – had I interfered in behalf of the Rich, the Powerful, the Intelligent, the so-called Great, or in behalf of any friends, either father, mother, brother, sister, wife, or children, or any that class, and suffered and sacrificed what I have in this interference, it would have been all right. Every man in this Court would have deemed it an act worthy a reward, rather than punishment. Now if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice and MINGLE MY BLOOD FURTHER WITH THE BLOOD OF MY CHILDREN, and with the blood of millions in slave country whose rights are disregarded By the wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments – I summit; so LET IT BE DONE. 1. Describe the tone of John Brown’s Address to the Virginia Court. 2. What does Brown admit to? What does he deny? 3. Why was he tried in a Virginia Court and not a federal court? 4. Are Brown’s actions at Harper’s Ferry justified? Explain your viewpoint. 5. Was Brown a martyr to the cause of freedom or a domestic terrorist? Explain your view.