Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-12-16

Truly yours.
Ca.tLEsrowN. 81. D 10. ls59

Truly yours. J. N. FITCH
caAnLrsrowN. Va, Dee 10, 1863.
Nv DRAh BHornsR Il now take my pen to
write you few lines to let you know how !
am, and in answer to your kind letter Of the 9th
instant. Dear brother, am, itis true, SO stu
ated at present, as scsrcely to know how 70
commence writing not that my mind is filed
with fear or that il has become shattered IN
view Of my near spproach TO death. Not that
am terrified by the gsllows which see s'arii .
me in the face, and upon which am so soon to
stand and suffer death for doing what George
Washington, the so-called father OF this great
but slayery.Cursed country, was made a hero
for doiug, while he lived, and when dead his
name was ilnmortalized and his great and noble
deeds in behalf of freedom taught by parents TO
their children. And now, brother, for having
lent my aid to a General no less brave, end en-
gagged in a cause no less honorable and glorious,
/ am to suffer death. Washington entered the
field to fight for the freedom of the American
people-no. for the white man alone, but for
both black and white. Nor were they white
men alone who fought for the freedom OF this
country The blood of black men flowed as
freely as that of white men. Yes, the Uery best
blood that was split was that Of a negro. It
was the blood of that heroic man, Though black
he was,) Cyrus Attuck And some iof the 5cry
last blood shed was that of black men, To
the truth OF THE, history, though prtj1diced, is
compelled to attest. 1t is true that black men
did an equal share Of the fighting for American
Independence, and they were assured by the
whites that they should share equal benefits for
so doing But after having performed their
part honorably, they were by the whites most
ireacherously deceived they refusing to fulfill
their part of the contract. But this you know
as well as do and l will therefore say no more
in reference to the claims which we, as coloTed
men, have on the American people
1t was a sCnse of the wrongs which we have
| suffered that prompted the noble but unfortu-
nate Captain Brown, and his associates, 10 at
tempt 10 give freedom TO a all number, at
least, OF those who are now held by cruel and
unjust laws, and by no less cruel and unjust
men. To this freedom they were entitled by
every known principle Of justice and humanity,
and for the enjoyment OF it God created them
And now, dear brother could die in a more
noble cause! Could /, brother, die in a manner
and for a cause which would induce true and
honest men more TO honor me, and the angels
more readily TO receive me to their happy home
OF oieyerlssting JOY aboSe. imagine that hear
You and all OF you, mother, father, sisters and
brothers, ssy-"No, there is not { cause for
which VIC, with less sorrow, could see you die
Believe me when 1 tell you. that though shut
up in prison and under sentence of death, that l
have spent some very happy hours here. And
were it not that know that the hearts of those
I f,, vvk knun | attnphaI tV ha g
most eudearing ties OF blood reationship-yea,
by the closest and strongest ties that God has
instiuted-wili be filled with sorrow | would
almost as lief die now as at any time, for feel
that l am now prepared to meet my Maker
Dear brother, want you, and all Of you, to
meet me in Heaven. Prepare your souls for
death. Be ready to meet your God at any
moment, and then. though we meet no more on
earth, we shall meet in Heaven, where parting
is no more. Dear William aud Fred, be good
boys mind your mother and fatheT-loye and
honor them-grow up to be good men, and
fear the Lord thy God Now, l want you,
dear brothers. to take this advice and follow it.
remember it comts from your ow brother, aud
is written under most peculiar circumstances.
Remember is it my dying advice to you, and
hope you will, from the love you have for me,
receive it,
You NAV think have been treated very
haTshly since have heen here, but it is not 30.
have been treated exceedingly we'll far better
than | expected to be. My jailoT is most kind
hearted man, and has done all he could consist
ent with duty TO make me and the rest Of the
prisoners comfort able. Capt. John Avis is q
gentleman who has heart in his bosom as
brave as any other. He met US at the Ferry and
fought US as Q brave man would do. But since
we have been in his power he has projected Us
} from insult and abuse which towards would
have heapcd upon US. He has done as brave
man and gentleman only would do. Also one
of his aids, MIR. John Sheats, has been very
kind to us and has done all he could to serve
us. And now, Henry, if fortune should ever
throw either of them in your way and you can
confer the least favor on them, do it for my
sake. Give my love to all my frends. And
now my dear brothers, one and all, pray God
We may meet in Heaven.
Good bye. / am now and shall remain, ,youl
siIsotonate brother,
JOHN A. COPELAND.