Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-11-08
[Gousmor Wise's Reply to Mrs.. Child
RICHMOND, VA. I
October % 1859.

October 29, 1859.
Madam Yours of the 18th was received by
me Yesterday, and at my earliest leisure respect
fully reply to it, that will forward the letter for
John Brown, q prisoner under our laws, arraigned
at the bar of the Circuit Court for the county OF
Jefferson, 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 Commemorative
Attorney, with the request that he Will ask the
permission of the Court to hand 1t to the prisoner
Brown, the prisoner, is now in the hands OF the
Judiciary, not of the Executive, OF this Common
wealth. You ask me further to allow you to
perform the mission of mother or sister, to dress
his wounds and speak soothiDgly to him." BY
this, of course, you mean to be allowed 10 visit
him in his cell, and to minister TO him in the Of
fees of humanity. Why should you not be so al
lowed, MADAME Virginia and Massachusetts are
involved in no civil war, and the Constitution
which unites them in one OoDfederacy guaran-
tees to you the privileges and inmunities OF
citizen of the United States 10 the State of Vir-
GINA. That Constitution am sworn to support,
and am. therefore, bound to protect your privi-
leees and immunities as citizen of Massachu.
setts coming into Virginia for any lawful and
DeaC6Iul UuIpOoc. SOmibSS 90 wv PANPNSSt ~
minister to the captive in prison, you will be met,
doubtless, by all our people, not only in chiv-
aIrous but in Christian spirit. You have the
right to visit CharlestowD, Va, Madam, and
your mission, being mercful and humane, will not
only BIO allowed, but be respected ifpot welcomed.
a few. unenlightened and nconsiderate persons,
fanatical in their modes of thought and action to
maintain Justice and right, might modest you, or
be disposed to do so, and this might suggest the
imprudence of risking any experiment upon the
peace of a society very much excited by the
crimes with whose chief author you seem to
sympathize SO much; but, still, repeat your
motives and avowed purpose are lawful and
peaceful, and will, as far as am concerned, do
my duty in protecting your rights IN our limits
Virginia and her authorities would be. weak in
deed-weak in point of folly and weak in point
of power-it her State faith and constitutional
obligations cannot be redeemed in her own lin
its to the letter of morality as well as of law and
if her chivalry cannot courteously receive Ia
dy's visit to a 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 per.
nit an insult even to woman in her walk OF
charity among us, though it be to one who whet-
ted knives OF butchery tor our "mothers, sisters"
daughters and babes. We have no sympathy
with your sentiments of sympathy with Brown,
and are surprised that you were "taken by sur
prise when news came of Captain Browns recent
attempt" Hisattempt was natural consequence
of your sympathy, and the error of that sympa-
thy ought to make you doubt its virtue, from the
effect on his conduct. But it is not OF this
should speak. When you arrive at CharleStown,
if You 60 there, it will be for the Court and its
officers, the Commonwealth Attorney, Sheriff
and Tailor, to say whether you may see and wait
on the prisoner. But, whether you are thus per-
mitted or not land you will be, if my advice can
prevaiD you may rest assured that he will be
humanely, lawfully, and mercifully dealt by, in
prison and on trial. Respectfully.
HENRY a. WISE.
To L. MARIA OHILp,