The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-11-23
THE cHARLEsT0 WN EXCITEMENT

NATURE OF THE LETTERS RECEIVED By Gov WISE u
The Virginia papers continue to be filled with
matter relating to the Charlestown disturbances
and the apprehended rescue of Old Brown The
Richmond Enquirer of yesterday says:
The information and intelligence that induced
Governor Wise to move forward the troops to
Cnarestown so long before the execution, were con-
tained IN dispatches and letters which too plainly
INDICATED settled purpose of rescue In the Opin-
ION OF Governor Wise the presence of large body
OF wel-apponted troops would advise evil disposed
persons of the folly of such attempt and thus be
the means of preserving life To have DELAYED ad-
vancing the troops would have encouraged the Alb
olitonists to prosecute their organization for res
cue, and enabled them to impose on the thought
less by disappearing the danger, and under
rating the number of troops that now guard the
prisoner.
The intelligence which induced Col Davis to
telegraph for five hundred troops was communica-
ted by respectable and responsible citizen of Vir-
GINA just from Ohio, and whose stat ment was
every way entitled to full faith and credit. This
intelligence not communicated to Governor
Wise, but merely the order for five hundred troops
to be Immediately dispatched-whch was promptly
complied with, without inquiry as to the necessity
for them.
The Enquirer then subjoins extracts from letters
received by Governor Wise, which were from re-
sponsible persons, with their names attached. One
from Lewsburg, Pa, dated Nov. 18th, says:
GAS friend to the Constitution and the Union,
feel it my duty to apprise you of sworn, secret
and lawless band of fanatical abolitionists and
Black Republicans now forming in this, as well as
several other counties in this State. The principal
organization is in this village, and auxiliary
societies exist in the neighboring towns They call
themselves 'The Noble Sons of Liberty, and as far
as | can learn, number about five hundred in all,
and are led by Capt. Jas. Smelley alias Timber
JIM an ultra abolitonist of this village. They
are armed with pair of Colts rcvolvers each, and
la-Sr ~.
places by ones and twos to avoid suspicion and
when all are 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 revolvers is, that they can
be carried about the person without attracting at
tention exciting suspicion.
"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 bv night. which, believe is the plan adopt
ed bv their ringleader.
''Thus far they have observed the utmost secresv
as to the existence and object of their association;
and to avoid suspicion the part of all outsiders
here, they will leave gradually so that their mo-
tves will not be suspected until day or two pre-
vious to the execution of Brown. < =
81 was ushered INFO large room, where, to my
astonishmenr, | found about Seventy-fve persons
congregated-all seemingly conversing upon some
topic which they wished kept secret = Il
"While was in the room several persons were
initiated and took the oath of membership"
Letters from Even, Ohio New York, Harris
burg, Columbia, Tennessee, and elsewhere, are o
the same import
The Alexandria Sentinel has the following items
Col. Smith of the Va. Military Institute has Of
fered to go with so cadets and two howitzers tc
Charlestown. Gov. Wise told him to stand still
but keep ready.
When the troops left Richmond, the Knights
Templars and the Sons of Malta offered themselves
and were accepted for patrol duty.
Jesse Bean, formerly Of Norristown, Pa, ha
been run out of Mcdowell Co., Va; cause.-the
people did not like his sentiments.
Two suspicious white men were arrested at Pc
tersburg on Saturday night.
While tn troops were embarking on the cars a
Washington for CharIestown, on Sunday morning
some one approached Gov. Wise, and said that the
people laughing at such great military display
when there actual necessity for it. ''Well,
said the Governor, al would much rather meet
General Ridicule than General Disgrace for such
it would be were the prisoners to be rescued ~
This answer silenced the laughing.
The Wheeling InteUigencer, of Morday, says:
We learn that certain suspicious looking boxes
consigned to the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, have
been detained at Benwood Station. supposed to con
tain blunderbusses "and things" for rescue an(
insurrectionary purposes. Previous to the Harper.
Ferry outbreak, and SINCE number OF cotns
supposed now to have contained arms passed over
the road.
Brown, Jr., son of Ossawattomie Brown came
up the river to Parkersburg Saturday, with the
ultimate intention of visiting his father at Charles
town.