The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-11-08
SENATOR MASON ON THE HARPER'S
FERRY OUTBREAK.

1t is right and due to truth, that the material
facts attending the late incendiary attack on the
town of Harper's Ferry should he correctly under
stood.
There was no resurrection, in any form whatso-
ever on the part of any of the inhabitants resi-
dents of that town or its vicinity There is little
doubt that such insurrection fully expected by
the leader of the armed mscreants whe came from
the adjoining State clandestinely, and under cover
of night into the town-an expectation In which
they were wofully Disappointed as fully admitted
by themselves. The fact is undoubted that not a
man, black or prhite, joined them after they came
into Virginia or gave them aid assistance in any
form.
1t is true that after their capture their leader
Brown stated that he had reason to expect such
assistance and had been disappointed But this
is fully discredited by the following facts: First
that he had undsputed possession of the town from
about midnight on Sunday until after midday on
Monday, when the people of the adjoining country,
learning the state of things, got together III armed
bands and made descent upon the town. Second,
that during this period they seized and held in Gus
tody besides the slaves of Mr. Washington and
Mr. AllStadt taken in the nei ghborhood, some five
or six other slaves belonging to residents at Har-
pers Ferry, and found in the streets 1t is stated
that they put spears or ances in the hands of two
or three of these negroes and compelled them to
stand in the character of sentines at the door OF
the engine-house, occupied by the incendiaries,
but at the first assault made by the citizens the
slaves threw away their pixies and escaped to their
homes for refuge Third, they had IN confinement,
in addition, thirty or forty other persons, who
were found unarmed in the streets in the early
hours of the morning, but adherent sympa-
thizer turned up amongst them. In addition to
all this, after careful inquiry and investigation on
the spot, could not learn that any man of any
color (save one, hereafter to be notced) sus-
pected of being in any way accessory or prlvy to
the plot. The exception man named Cook,
who came to Harper's Ferry year or two since in
the character of aschoolmaster, married there, and
who after the event. it appeared, emissary
of Browns and had been associated with him in
Kansas. Cook impaired the plans of Brown to
none in Virginia, so far as is known, or if he did,
it is certain that none acted on them. He accom-
panied the party to Mr. Washington's which seized
him and his negroes and brought them off in the
night but none of the latter evinced any purpose
follow his fortunes. On the contrary those that
he carried off the same night into Maryland
capped from him there and returned
I think am warranted, on the foregoing facts,
in the belief that no engagements or promises OF
aid from any, Of any race were given to Brown in
viting his descent. On the part OF the negroes, it
is certain that the only emotion evinced by them
was of alarm and terror, and thor only refuge
sought at their masters homes.
Of the conspiracy, outside of this State, enough
has transpired or been obtained from papers taken
with Browns effects, to show that he acted from
impressions made upon him by the abolition tracts,
and orators in the circles he frequent
ed in the non-slaveholding States. Those impress
sons were that it required only to put arms within
immediate reach to bring about immediate insur-
rection in the slaveholding Staes-a doctrine open
ly inculcated is known, by the abolition leaders
Thus impressed, he embarked on this desperate
enterprise with but nineteen men; but he had
arms and weapons secreted in the mountains and
thnly- populated country on the Maryland side of
the river, and within four or five miles Of the Nir-
ginia line at Harper's Ferry, with abundant ammu-
milton, to have placed effective weapon in the
hands of each of at least fifteen hundred or two
thousand men. The exact number of these
can never be ascertained, as they carried off
in great numbers when first discovered or brought
in by the citizens, and companies of volunteers who
came from distance, and before possession OF them
was taken by the regular military authorities.
Amongst them were one thousand pixies or lanccs,
composed of steel blade sharpened at the point
and at both edges, some six or eight inches long,
and tapering from inch or inch and half to
the point strongly and securely fixed Oh uniform
wooden handles five six feet in length-a most
effective arm for hands unskilIed in military weap
ons-leaving no doubt for whom they were des-
tined.
The whole military equipment possessed by
Brown, and seized after bis capture, could not have
cost less than $4,000, consisting, among other
things, of some 200 Sharpes rifles, with like
number of six-shooter pistols, contained an the
manufacturers LoreS, and not yet used, proper
tionate supply Of fixed ammunition for the rifles,
with caps &c. i'll the original boxes, hospital stores
pck-axes and shoyels, unstained with use, and
large box containing ten kegs Of powder.
A grave inquiry remains, which will be diligent-
ly and trust successfully prosecuted to ascertain
whence the funds were derived for this military
expedition Of outlaws against a State OF the Cnon;
and who they were aiding with money to furnish
arms to such leader for such purpose.
1t remains only to add that SO far as can be dis
covered not one Of the pinetcen escaped l could
not correctly ascertain the number killed-some
in attempting to escape the river, and their
bodies not recovered; five only captured alive,
amongst them their leader, Brown; two of the five
are negroes; one mulatto, reports that he came
from Ohio to join this expedition; the other
black, says that he came from Harrisburg Pa, with
the like purpose, both allege that they were de-
ceivcd by Brown to the objects Of the expedition
Not slave escaped or attempted to escape du-
ring the tunlut. OF the few carried off by Cook
across the river, all escaped from him, and came
safely back but one, who it appears was drowned
whilst crossing the river homcward bound.
Very respectfully yours,
. .. ]. N. MASON.