Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-12-02


large portion of the North to attempt of Old
Brown and the other condemned insurgents, the Rich
mond Enquirer gives extracts from letters received by
Governor Wise from reliable persons. From these let
tiers it has omitted all portions that could lead to the
discovery OF the authors names. The Enquirer says:
Let it be remembered that these letters are from
liable persons qch attached and that they speak
of what they know and have seen They bring no idle
and irresponsible rumor but relate facts that cannot but
convince the most ncreduous that there those the
Northern States who have been planning the of
John Brown. The presence of large military force
would it hoped, arrest this organization, convince
its leaders of their folly and show the country that Vr
ginia will enforce the judgment of her courts"
These are but selections from hundreds from anony-
and reliable sources, which have been received
1hre may be foundation for the rumor and sim
cerey hope there is not but cannot read the letters
received by the Executive without feeling convinced that
the of Old Brown is being actively planned by
we'll provided organization.
"1he excited condition of the public mind around
Charesown caused by these rumors, and the acts of
ncendarsm that have destroyed the property of the
jurors would justify augmentation of the forces, if
for other purpose to prevent outraged people from
seeking vengeance upon the authors of their wrongs
The following are the extracts referred to:
Extract from Letter from iewsbug Union county, Pa,
AS friend to the constitution and the Union feel
it my duty to apprise you of sworn secret and awess
band OF anatca aboltioniss and black republicans now
forming in this we'll several other counties in this
State The principal organization is n this village, and
auxiliary societies exist in the neighbOrng towns. They
call themselves The Noble Sons of Liberty and as far
can learn number about five hundred in all and are
led by Capt Smelly, alias Timber JIM, ultra abol
zionist of this village They armed with pair of Colts
revolvers each, and design dropping into Charlesown
and the adjacent places by ones and wOs so as to avoid
suspicion and when all collected at Charestown at
a certain signal pounce upon the jail and demand the
release of that old william John Brown now prisoner
in the hands of the judiciary of your State The reason
for using revovers that they be carried about the
person without attracting attention exciting susp
con The exact time for collecting the forces of the
brigands above mentioned could not ascertain, but
| they will go to Charlestown in disguise and mostly by
night which, believe, is plan adopted by their ring
! leader.
to the existence and object of their association and to
avoid suspicion the part of all outsiders here they
will leave gradually that their motives will not be
suspected until day two previous to the execution
OF Brown. l was ushered into a large room,
where, to my astOnishment found about seventyfve
persons congregated all seemingly conversng upon
topic which they wished kept secret. X x
While was In the room several persons were initiated
and took the oath of membership.
Extract of letter from Enon Clark county, Ohio
"Although we are, personally entirely strangers to
each other, take the liberty of dressing few lines
to you whether they will be of any benefit to you or
not, know not. Since the break out of trouble at
Harpers Ferry there has been and still continues to be
suit and my object in addressing you is let you know
that it is the opinion OF number of our citizens that
there will be desperate effort made to the notori
Brown from being executed, and that may be done
by sudden and tremendous rush on the ground.
/" [ will not dictate, but think you will need heavy
and Efficient guard, and we'll arranged and we'll posted
otherwise should be fearful of the eusion of blood il
reports be true you may prepare tor struggle. 1t is
reasonable to suppose that Brown, having rendered eff
Gent service for the republican party in Kansas and
it. \ If our anticpatiOns are correct with re
gard to your having trouble the day of execution
land it might be rush on the prison previous to the
day of execution we would expect to see your towns
villages and hotels crowded with strangers few days
before the day of execution all secretly armed
EXTRACT from Letter from New York Nov. al
"My object in addressing you, is to inform you O
the existence of organization in this city, extending
to city of Boston and the interior of the State which
has for its object the of John Brown the insur
rectonist the day and in the of the execution
This organization is composed exclusively of crazy abo
tonists and runaway negroes and yet their plans arr
very extensive and apparently practicable and If car
RED 0 we'll calculated to insure the accomplishment
the object. L. however, they should fail in the attemp
to release Brown they propose to wredk their vengeance
upon those who have been instrumental in securing tina
justice for the criminal which he richly deserves NJ,
Informant is of character, and believe of stric
integrity who Is Identified in manner with the or
ganzation himself though have endeavored to dissuad
him from engaging in such perous enterprise. Al
mat nave learned 10 relation 10 this affair
ted to me IN confluence, but irresistible sense of dng
# and the hope that the whole affair may be frustrated
(if such object really conemplated) consrans M
q to acquaint you with the facts"
~ Extract of letter from Harrisburg.1
81 VIII reveal TO you conversation between mvsel
and man from this town, who has Travelled recently
- through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois,
= His statement is this He conversed with man il
81 Ohio who told him that you knew the North too wei
not to reprleVe those men under sentence and that
you did not repreve them they would certainly rescue
them He was then told there, by man who was ia
vorabe to the South that there was certainly move
ment on foot to rescue the ugtves under sentence
He was also told by the person that there was
company of men, numbering 25O who had left that Stat
under pretence OF going out hunting excursion blu
the statement false, their intention was to com
to Virginia and skuk around until the day of the exc
cutOn OF the prisoners, and then to rescue them wit
= aid from New Yo~k."
# He says the New York people are decidedly in ia
y vor of rescuing him (Brown) Consequently think
would be right aud proper to be we'll fortified in case
\ an emergency. think it would be well to have cor
siderable force at Charestown preceding the day of tn
- execution
Extract from Letter from Columbia Tenn.1
! " have received letter from friend in the Nortf
telling that it is the intention of the aboltionists
rescue old Brown and his party. am northern mar
but have no sympathy with these scoundres who woul
murder innocent women and children. The writer
d the letter supposed would keep secret everything
Ii wrote, but he is egregiously Mistaken
e. ARREST AND E1TRADIT1oN OF W1rNEssEs-In vie,
OF the tact that Stevens the cOnsprator has been d
cred to the United States authorities for trial beOr
the District Court at Staunton Virginia the friends
some OF the parties who alleged be implicated
\ the Harper's Ferry raid beginning to consde
whether the arrest and eXradition of any of them
3s witnesses will really be attempted The following Cor