Essay assignment

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

Boston, Massachusetts, circa December, 1859.

Broadside, 1 page.

ADDRESS OF JOHN BROWN

To the Virginia Court, when about to receive the

SENTENCE OF DEATH,

For his heroic attempt at Harper’s Ferry, to

Give deliverance to the captives, and to let the oppressed go free.

____________________________________________________ [MR. BROWN, upon inquiry whether he had anything to say why sentences should not be pronounced upon him, in a clear, distinct voice, replied:]

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 Slaves, without the snapping of a gun on either

side, moving them through the country, and finally leaving them in Canada. I desired to have

done the same thing again, on a much larger scale. That was all I intended. I never did intend

murder, or treason, or the 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 been fairly proved, – for I admire the

truthfulness and candor of the greater portion of the witnesses who have testified in this case, –

had I so interfered in behalf of the Rich, the Powerful, the Intelligent, the so–called Great, or in

behalf of any of their friends, either father, mother, brother, sister, wife, or children, or any of

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 a

punishment.

This Court acknowledges too, as I suppose, the validity of the LAW OF GOD. I saw a

book kissed, which I suppose to be the BIBLE, or at least the NEW TESTAMENT, which

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teaches me that, "All things whatsoever I would that men should do to me, I should do even so to

them." It teaches me further, to "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them." I

endeavored to act up to that instruction. I say I am yet too young to understand that GOD is any

respecter of persons. I believe that to have interfered as I have done, as I have always freely

admitted I have done, in behalf of his despised poor, I have done no wrong, but RIGHT.

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 this Slave country, whose rights are disregarded by wicked,

cruel, and unjust enactments, – I say; LET IT BE DONE.

Let me say one word further: I feel entirely satisfied with the treatment I have received on

my trial. Considering all the circumstances, it has been more generous than I expected; but I feel

no consciousness of guilt. I have stated from the first what was my intention, and what was not.

I never had any design against the liberty of any person, nor any disposition to commit treason,

or excite Slaves to rebel, or make any general insurrection. I never encouraged any man to do

so, but always discouraged any idea of that kind.

Let me say something, also, in regard to the statements made by some of those who were

connected with me. I hear that it has been stated by some of them, that I have induced them to

join me; but the contrary is true. I do not say this to injure them, but as regarding their weakness.

Not one but joined me of his own accord, and the greater part at their own expense. A number of

them I never saw and never had a word of conversation with, till the day they came to me, and

that was for the purpose I have stated. Now I have done. –

John Brown

Notes: Printed by C.C. Mead.

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