Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-11-11
[Gov. Wise's Reply to hrs. Chizd.]
RIcHMoND, VA.
October 20. 1859.

Madam Yours Of the Goth was receiv-
ed by me yesterday, and at my earliest leis-
ure I respectfully reply to it, that ] will for
ward the letter for John Brown, prisoner
under our laws, arraigned at the Bar Of the
Circuit Court for the county of j efferson, at
CharlestoWn, Va, for the crimes Of murder
robbery and treason, which you ask me to
transmit to him. will comply with your
request. in the only way which seems to me
proper, by enclosing it to the Common
wealth's Attorney, with the request that he
will ask the permission Of the Court to hand
it to the prisoner Brown, the prisoner, is
row in the hands Of the judiciary, not Of
the Executive, Of this Commonwealth. You
ask me further to allow you to perform the
mission Of .smother or sister, to dress his
wounds and speak soothingly to him" By
this Of course, you mean to be allowed to
visit him in his cell, and to minister to him
in the Offices Of hnmanity' Why should
you not be SO allowed, Madam Virginia
and Massachusetts, ere involved in no civil
war, and the Constitution which unites
them in one Confederacy guarantees to you
the privileges and immunities Of a citizen Of
the United States in the State Of Virginia.
That Constitution am sworn to support,
and am, therefore, bound to protect your
privileges and immunities as a citizen Of
Massachusetts, coming into Virginia for any
lawful and peaceful purpose. Coming, as
you propose, to minister to the captive in
prison, you will be met, doubtless, BY all
our people, not only in chivalrous but in
a Christian spirit. You have the right to
visit Charlestown, Va, Madam, and your
mission, being merciful and humane, will
not only be allowed, bat be respected if not
welcomed. A few, unenHghtened and in
considerate persons, fanatical III their modes
Of thought and action to maintain justice
and right, might modest yod, or be disposed
to do 50, and this might suggest the impru-
dence Of risking any experiment upon the
peace Of society very much excited by the
crimes with whose chief author you seem to
sym pathize so much; but, still, | repeat,
your motives and avowed purpose are lawful
and peaceful. and will, as far as am con-
cerned, do my duty il protecting your rights
in our limits Virginia and her authorities
would be weak indeed-weak IN point Of
folly and weak in point Of power If her
State faith and constitutional obligations
cannot be redeemed in her own limits to
the letter Of morality as well as Of law. and
if her chivalry cannot courteously receive
lady's visit to prisoner. Every arm which
guards Brown from rescue on the one hand
and from lynch law on. the other, will be
ready to guard your person in Virginia. |
could not permit an insult even to woman
in her walk Of charity among us, though it
be to one who whctted knives Of butchery
for our mothers, sisters" daughters and
babes We have no sympathy with your
sentiments Of sympathy with Brown, and
are surprised that yol were "taken by sur
prise when news came Of Captain Browns
recent attempt" His attempt was natu-
raj consequence Of your sympathy, and the
error of that sympathy ought to make you
doubt its virtue, from the effect on his con-
duct. But it is not Of this | should speak.