Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-11-17
Very respectfully yours,


CLBvELAND, Nov. IS, 1859.
J. F. KEELRR ESQ ;-DRAR SR.--I have just
received your note making inquiries of me as to
the compensation l received of Mr.. Brown for
defending him at Charlestown. As am in
formed others have some curiosity on that sub.
ject, very cheerfully make the following plain
statement Of the facts in the case"
went to Charlestown on the strength Of a
letter from Mr. Brown, in which he stated that
he had money and property--not then, how
ever, in his possession but that if he could
obtain it he would pay one literally for going
there and assisting in his trial, and that of the
young men with him. One Court being then
in session here, and another about to commence,
in which had business that must suffer from
my absence, and having other business requr-
ing my attention, it was difficult for me to
leave, and with much reluctance that went.
knc1o that what received for going does not
compensate me for the neglect of my business,
professional and private, here. But | went
and did what could for him in his case, and
also defended Coppoc, one of the young men
referred to in his letter. also went to Wash
Ing to confer with other counsel in the case
there. With considerable difficulty obtained
from the Pay-master at Harpers Ferry the
money he had in his possession of Brown, and
by Browns direction retained $3.50.
there may be those who think that an un-
reasonable sum. am sure no Lawyer of re-
spectacle attainments does, nor any business
man who transacts business with Lawyers of
II 4 81,
On the contrary, he urged me to remain, obtain
possession of his property, worth between
$4,000 and $4,000, dispose OF it, and from the
proceeds compensate myself as he desired to
compensate me.
1t may be that my dealings with Mr. Brown
have been the subject of comment in ,nse-
quence of letter of his to Mrs Child, in which
he refers to his family as needing assistance.
That letter was written before he had any
knowledge that his friends in Boston and its
vicinity were movingin his behalf and raising
money TO procure counsel and provide for his
family. When be settled with me he was at
ease on that subject. His friends were doing
all that was needed in paying and pledging
money for these purposes MIR. Chiffon, of
Washington, my associate and Messrs Sennolt
and Hoyt of Boston, had been employed, and
other counsel at Washington and Richmond
have since been employed, and reliable pledges
had beenIgiven that all the money needed would
be forthcoming for the purposes and objects l
have indicated, some of which he had received.
Such being the case, did notsuppose then, nor
do now, that by arranging with him to r"tain
$3.50 of the money l should collect of the
Pay-master, was depriviDg him or his family
of anything essential to their comfort, or that
there was anything unprofessiOnal in the trans.
action, or evincing on my part want of
proper sympathy for him and them
Those who claim to be of different opinion
can easily manifest their sincerity by cOntribu-
ting much less sum than | sacrificed, beyond
what l received, by neglecting my business
here.
Permit me to say further that it seems a lit
tie singular that The Tribune correspondent
should single me out as the object of his
spleen, and have not a word to say of
the other Attorneys in the case. Mr. Chiffon
for instance has received or is TO receive 1000
of the funds collected, as l have stated, which
would otherwise go to Mr. Browns family, be,
ing four times as much as l received, though
he performed no more services than did in de.
Tending Brown, took no part in the trial otClp
poe, did not spend hall the time did, nor travel
half as far. And each Of the other Attorneys,
know, expect to receive more than did. Why,
then, am l thus singled out for remark by the
tribune correspondent anu every ldcI WlJuuelu
essential to the formation of a correct opinion
upon the subject to which he refers, do not
know, unless, because, as have heard it sug-
gested, used none of the money received, to
purchase the favor of the writer.
1t is with reluctance that in this statement /
refer to matters not designed for newspaper
notoriety. But as my dealings with Mr.. Brown
have been made the subject of illnatured com.
ments in the papers, it seems right that should
avail myself of the same medium to disclose all
the circumstances connected with the traneac.
ton to which exception has been taken And
/ trust this statement will fully disabuse any
here who have found, as they have supposed,
in the Tribune article, cause for censure or re.
gret
For the kindness which dictated your inqui.
lies, be pleased to receive my thanks.
! am very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,