Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-10-25

what was going on.
THE CONVERSATION.
Senator Mason-How'd do you justify you
acts! sa E---
Brown think my friend you are guilt,
OF great wrong against God and humanity
L say that without wishing TO be offensive
1t would be perfectly right for any one to in
terfere with yOu so far as to free those yOu
wilfully and wickedly hold in bonds. / d,
not say this insultin9ly.
Mr.. MasOn-I understand that.
Brown think | did right, and the other
Will do right who interfere with you at an,
time and all times. | hold that the colder
rule; Do unto others as you would that 9th
ers should do unto you, applies to all VIII,
would help others to gain their liberty.
Lieut.. Stuart-But you don't believe in tn,
Bible.
Brown-Certainly do.
Mr.. MasOH-Did you consider this a mil
itary organization on this paper showing {
copy of the sO-called constitution and ordi
nance-I have not yet read it,
b did in some measure. / wish YOU
would give that paper your close attention.
Mr.. M,-You consider yourself the Com
mander-in-Chief of that force?
B.--l was chosen, agreeably to the ordi
nance OF certain document. COMMANDMENT.
Chief OF this provisional military force!
Mr.. M.-What wages did you offer?
B.-None.
Lieut.. Sluart.-The wages of sin is death.
B.-l would not have made such IA remark
to yon if you had been prisoner. and
wound d, in my hands.
Mr.. V.-Have you ever been in Portage
county, Ohio
b was there in June last.
Mr.. WHEN in Cleveland, did YOU at
tend the Fugitive Slave Law Convention.
B.-No: was there about the time of the
setting of the Court to try the Oberiin res
cuers; spoke there publicly on that subject;
| spoke on the Fugitive Slave Law, and nv
own rescue, of course, so far as | had any re-
ference at all, | was disposed to justify the
Oberlin people for rcscuing slave, because
| have myself fOrcibly taken slaves from
bondage; | was concerned in taking eleven
slaves from Missouri to Canada last winter:
/ think l spoke in Cleveland before the Con
vention; do not know that ] had any con-
yersatiOn with any of the Oberlin rescuers;
was sick part of the time was in Ohio; had
the ague, was part Of the time in Ashtabuia
co kty.
Mr.. V.-Did you see anything of Joshua
r. Giddings thereS
b did meet him.
Mr.. V.-Did you consult with him?
B.-f | did, / would not tell you, OF
course, anything that would implicate Mr.
Giddings, but certainly saw him and had a
conversation with him.
Mr.. V.-About that rescue case?
B.-Yes, did hear him express his opin-
ion on il very freely and frankly.
Mr.. V.-Justifying it?
B.-Ies sir; / do not compromise him in
saying that.
Mr.. V.-Will yOu answer this? Did you
talk with Giddiugs about your expedition
here?
B-No sir, won't answer that. because o
denial of it would not make. and to make
an affirmation OF it should be a great Ounce.
Mr.. B.-Havc you had any correspondence
with parties at the North on he subject of
this movement?
b have had correspondence.
Bystander.-Do you consider it religious
movement?
Bit is in my opinion the greatest service
man can render TO God.
Bystander.-Do you consider yourself an
instrument in the hands of Providence?
B.-I do.
DECENTRALIZATION what principle do you
Justify your acts ?
B. BY the golden rule. / pity the poor
in bondage. That is why am here. 1t is
not to CRAFTY any personal luminosity, or feel
ing of revenge or of vindicive spirit. 1t
is my sympathy with the oppressed and
precious in the sight of God.
Bystander--Crtainly. but why take the
slaves against their will?
B.-Warmly-I never did. s
Mr.. V. 30 Brown-Who were your advis-
ers in this movement.
B.-I have numerous sympathizers through
out the entire North.
Mr.. YIN Northern Ohio,
B.--No; no more there than anywhere else
In the free States.
Mr.. v.-But you are not personally &C
quaInted in Southern Ohio?
B.-Not very much.
Mr.. V.-Were you at the convention last
June.
B.-I was. / want you to understand,
gentlemen. that respect the rights OF the
poorest and weakest of the colored people,
oppressed by the slave system, just as much
as do those of the most wealthy and power
full; that is the idea that has moved me, and
that alone. We expected no reward. We
expected the satisfaction of endeavoring 10
do for them in distress-the greatly Cypress
ed-as we would be done by. The cry Of
distress, and of the distressed, is my reason
and the only one that impelled me.
Bystander-Why did you do it secretly!
B.-Because thought il necessary to sue
cess. For no other reason.
Mr.. V.--Did you expect general rising o.
the slaves, in case of your success!
B.-No SIR, nor did wish il; expected Il
gather strength from time to time, then
could set them free.
Mr.. Y.-Did You expect to hold possession
here until thenf
FB.-Well Probably had quite different
idea; ! do not know that / ought TO reve al my
plans; am here a prisoner, and wounded
because / fooiishly allowed myself 10 be so
You oyerrate Your strength. when you sup
pose that | could have bven taken, II | ha6
not allowed IT, vas too tardy, after com
meucing the open attack. in delaying my
movements through Monday night. and up &C
ihe time l WAS attacked by the Government
troops. IL was all ocessioned By nay desir'
to spare the feelings OF my prisoners, ana
their families. aud of the community.
Thirteen questions were now put In by
almost every body la the room as follows:
Where did you get arms.
B.--I bought them.
In what state!
That be would not tell.
How many guns,
B.--Two hundred Sharpe's rides and tive
hundred resolyers, what is called the Aassa
ehusclts arms--Compaaies' resolyers, . it'll.
under The Navy size.
Brown here made statement intended tor
the reporters - follows "a
IL you do not want 60 converse any more
] will remark 10 these reporting gentiemen
that claim % be here In carrying out 9
measure believe 90 be perfectly iasiihabse
and not to act . part AZ all inoendlAry o.
rufianly hat on the contrary. To aid thoes