December 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Broadside

Title: Address of John Brown to the Virginia Court, when about to receive the sentence of death, for his heroic attempt at Harper's Ferry...

Small broadside with lithograph signature of Brown produced by the Liberator, reprinting his address to the Virginia Court before sentencing. Brown denies wanting to murder or cause an uprising. He argues that his raid on Harper's Ferry was just and aligned with the teachings of the Bible.

GLC05508.051

January 26, 1860

Virginia General Assembly

Pamphlet

Title: Report of the Joint Committee of the General Assembly of Virginia on the Harpers Ferry Outrages

Discusses Brown's attack at Harpers Ferry and the Abolitionist activity and legislation in northern states which encouraged him. The report quickly reviews the facts regarding Brown and then turns to larger issues. It reviews the history of legislated emancipation after the Revolution, the conflicts in Congress and then reviews northern legislation. It finds that the North's "statute books are filled with enactments conceived in a spirit of hostility to the institutions of the South, at war with the true intent and meaning of the federal compact, and adopted for the avowed purpose of…

GLC05644

18 June 1855

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Thompson re: relocation to North Elba, N.Y.

Written on blue stationery of "J. R. Brown, Wool, Butter and Cheese" which has been crossed out. Docketed.

GLC07589

11 November 1859

Raymond, Henry J. (Henry Jarvis), 1820-1869

Newspaper

Title: New York times [Vol. IX, no. 2541 (11 November 1859)]

News regarding John Brown's raid. Reports on conviction of Brown's fellow raiders, Gerrit Smith going insane, Brown's time in Kansas, his charitable deeds. Also an article urging reconciliation between North and South, and urging Brown be pardoned in an attempt to quell sectionalism. Despite urging a pardon, the paper strongly opposes Brown and his actions.

GLC08771

19 October 1859

Irish, Hugh C., 1832-1862

Newspaper

Title: Paterson Daily Guardian [Vol. VI, no. 905 (19 October 1859)]

Attempting to clarify news of the raid on Harpers Ferry. States the previous days news was unclear as to the specifics of the events, and gives new details available. John Brown, "the hero of numberless border skirmishes in Kansas," attacked Harpers Ferry as revenge against Pro-Slavery forces. His band comprised twelve white men and a "considerable number of negroes" who had been "pressed into service." Written two days after the end of the Harpers Ferry Raid.

GLC08827

1860

United States. Congress

Book

Title: Invasion at Harper's Ferry

Congressional report on John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. Report investigated the plans and motives of the raiders, and concluded no legislation should be made to try prevent similar occurrences in the future. Includes a "Journal" of the Committee's meetings on the subject, a dissenting opinion, numerous documents by or about John Brown and the raid, and testimony regarding the subject. Same as GLC08581.04.

GLC00267.206

1860

Andrew, John A. (John Albion), 1818-1867

Pamphlet

Title: Speeches of John A. Andrew at Hingham and Boston, together with his testimony before the Harper's Ferry Committee of the Senate, in relation to John Brown.

Campaign pamphlet for John A. Andrew while running as Republican for Governor of Massachusetts. Contains campaign speeches, the party platform, transcript of Andrew's testimony before the Senate regarding John Brown, and a defense of an attack on Brown. Andrew was called before Congress to explain how and why he helped find lawyers to represent John Brown at his trial in Virginia. Also explains that those who claim Andrew funded Brown's raid are mistaken, and clarifies his support of Brown.

GLC00267.207

1860

Miller, Charles D., 1818-1896

Pamphlet

Title: Gerrit Smith and the Vigilant Association of the City of New-York

Reprinting of the correspondence of a dispute between Gerrit Smith and the Vigilant Association of the City of New-York. Miller attacks the Association for implying in its "Manifesto" that Smith supported the violence at Harpers Ferry. Says that Smith would never condone violence, even to free enslaved people. Insists Smith had no prior knowledge of the Harpers Ferry plan, or any plan for violence. Miller says he is writing because Smith is too sick to write himself. Correspondence is with Royal Phelps and Samuel L. M. Barlow. Text taken "From the Syracuse Journal." An appendix…

GLC00267.208

1859

Lincoln, Levi, 1782-1868

Pamphlet

Title: Boston Courier report of the Union Meeting in Faneuil Hall

Speeches and letters condemning John Brown and his raid, and preaching an end to sectionalism. Prints speeches given by Massachusetts governor Levi Lincoln, Edward Everett and Caleb Cushing during a meeting in Boston. Also contains related letters by "Ex-President Pierce, Judge Curtis, Ex Govs. Morton and Clifford, Profs. Felton and Pierce, Erasmus D. Beach, and Others." All disapprove of Brown's actions. Also printed is a list of those who attended the meeting. "Published by Clark, Fellows & Company, Office of the Boston Courier."

GLC00267.209

1860

Redpath, James, 1833-1891

Book

Title: Public life of Capt. John Brown, by James Redpath, with an auto-biography of his childhood and youth.

Tells John Brown's life in heroic terms, praising him as a hero and a martyr. Same book as GLC08581.05.

GLC00267.212

1880

Brown, George Washington, 1820-1915

Pamphlet

Title: Reminiscences of Old John Brown

An account of John Brown's time in Kansas, based largely on George W. Brown's recollections. Title page states "The Truth at Last. History Corrected...Thrilling Incidents of Border Life in Kansas." Attempts to be fair, "neither am i laboring to make my hero a monster of iniquity or a saint." Also includes some correspondence regarding John Brown. The back cover is lost. George W. Brown was the editor of the Kansas free state newspaper Herald of Freedom, which was the organ of the New England Emigrant Aid Company.

GLC00267.213

1910

Villard, Oswald G., 1872-1949

Book

Title: John Brown 1800-1859: A biography fifty years after

Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, the Riverside Press Cambridge, Massachusetts.

GLC00267.214

1906

Avey, Elijah, fl. 1906

Book

Title: The Capture and execution of John Brown: A tale of martyrdom

Avey gives an eye witness account. Printed by the Brethren Publishing House, Elgin, Illinois.

GLC00267.215

February 5, 1857

Brown, John Jr., 1821-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to T. S. Whitney

Wishes to know if he will be put on trial in Kansas, since the time set for his treason trial is approaching, and he must return if a trial takes place. Conviction of another free state man, despite little evidence. Hears there is a warrant for him, and worries if he returns he may be unfairly convicted on new charges, so he may not come regardless. Promises that if there is a trial and he does not attend, he will send money to help Whitney.

GLC02228

5 December 1855

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Brown

Brown discusses the free state struggle, and reports there are rumors of a free state man being murdered, and that it may lead to more violence. Says "We feel more, & more certain that Kansas will be a Free State." Also discusses family affairs, health, and his plan to stay in Kansas at least until spring. Bottom of the page and all of the second page are written by Samuel and Florilla Adair, with the end of their letter missing. They recount how the murder of the free state man happened, state that it is leading to war, and discuss the buildup of armed forces. The man murdered was…

GLC02454

circa 1910

Jenkins, James H., 1841-?

Header Record

Title: [Decimalized .01-.03]

GLC02484

16 April 1857

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Brown

Has "been more prospered within a very few days than I had before been," thanks to a $7,000 loan from George L. Stearns to be used towards a free Kansas. Hears "that one of 'Uncle Sam's Hounds was at Cleavland on my track;' and I have been hiding a little so as to let my track get cold." However has "no great fear of being caught" and says "I trust that God will send me back with Irons in rather than uppon my hands." Hopes to return home soon. Brown hid for a week in Boston to avoid the rumored United States Marshall.

GLC02519

22 November 1859

Irish, Hugh C., 1832-1862

Newspaper

Title: Paterson Daily Guardian [Vol. VI, no. 934 (November 22, 1859)]

Anticipating increased sectionalism in politics, partly related to Harpers Ferry. "The late elections having demonstrated that the Opposition of the North are abundantly able to elect a President, we may as well prepare for a stormy session of Congress and a prodigious foaming of slaveholders. To be sure, the people of the country are pretty well used to the raw-head-and-bloody-bone tactics of these gentlemen, but we shall be surprised if they do not outdo all they have ever done in this line, between now and next November. We counsel our readers, in advance, to prepare their minds for such…

GLC08725.06

1860

United States. Congress

Book

Title: Invasion at Harper's Ferry

Congressional report on John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. Report investigated the plans and motives of the raiders, and concluded no legislation should be made to try prevent similar occurrences in the future. Includes a "Journal" of the Committee's meetings on the subject, a dissenting opinion, numerous documents by or about John Brown and the raid, and testimony regarding the subject. Same as GLC00267.206.

GLC08581.04

1860

Redpath, James, 1833-1891

Book

Title: Public life of Capt. John Brown, by James Redpath, with an auto-biography of his childhood and youth.

Tells John Brown's life in heroic terms, praising him as a hero and a martyr. Signed by Alfred Chesebrough. Same book as GLC00267.212.

GLC08581.05

June 10, 1848

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Simon Perkins

In the letter, John Brown discusses his wool business. "Burlington" continues to make excuses for not paying, while at the same time pleading for wool to be sent to him. Burlington Mills Manufacturing Company in Vermont was one of Brown's clients in the wool business.

GLC00106

December 27, 1869

Bride, D.W., 1800-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Strother

Details the life of John Brown. Describes his interactions with Brown as a business partner, their conversations about slavery, and actions of Brown's that he did not witness but only read about. Says Brown discussed his plan for Harper's Ferry with him. Claims Brown was integral to the start of the Civil War. Imprint of a building with "Congress" superscripted in upper left hand corner of each folio. Strother was writing "Life of Jno. Brown and the Harper's Ferry Insurrection" which was never completed or published.

GLC00496.113

May 12, 1857

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Brown

John Brown writes to his wife enclosing a draft for thirty dollars from Gerrit Smith and his wife, Ann Carrol Fitzhugh Smith. Part of the money is to be used on presents, and the rest on expenses. She must try and make the money last, since he does not know how soon he can send more. He advises her to exchange the money for gold, and hopes to ship her foodstuffs. He asks her to keep the house neat, as some of his supporters may pay her a call.

GLC00516

1 November 1874

Whittier, John G., 1807-1892

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: G. L. S.

Poem in memory of George Luther Stearns. This copy was written for his wife, Mary Stearns. Mounted on a piece of letter sized paper. The poem was first published in May 1867 in the "Atlantic Monthly."

GLC00546

14 April 1857

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Appointment of trustees]

Appoints George L. Stearns, Samuel Cabot Jr. and William H. Russell as "trustees to hold all funds and other personal property now in my hands...in my behalf for the aid of the free state cause in Kansas." This is to take effect only if Brown becomes unable to administer these funds himself. Written, witnessed and signed by Thomas Russell. Russell was a judge, and while he supported Brown, he was not as prominent as some of Brown's other supporters, which is why his house was chosen as a hiding place. Written while Brown was hiding in Russell's house. Having heard that a United States…

GLC00502