The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1859-10-29
Brown-I was there in June last.

Brown-No; | was there about the Tune
of the sitting of the court to try the Ober-
lin rescuers. 1 spoke there publicly on
that subject. spoke on the fugitive slave
law and my own rescue. OF course, so far
as l had any influence at all, was dispos-
ed to Justify the Oberlin people for rescu-
ing the slave, because i have myself forci-
bly, taken slaves from bondage. l was
concerned in taking eleven slaves from
Missouri to Canada last winter. / think l
spoke in Cleveland before the convention.
l do not know that I had any CONVEX
sation with any of the Oberlin rescuers. l
was sick part of the time l was in Ohio
with the ague. I was part of the time in
Ashtabula county.
Mr.. Valandigham-Did you see anything
of Joshua R. Giddings there?
Brown did meet him.
Mr.. Vallandigham-Did you converse
with him2
Brown did. would not tell you, of
course, anything that would implicate Mr..
Giddings; but certainly met with him,
and had conversations with him.
Mr.. Neutrality-suspicious. that rescue
case?
Brownies, l did; / heard him ex-
press his opinions upon it very freely and
frankly.
Mr. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. itf
Brownies, sir. do not compromise
him certainly in saying that.
A Bystander-Did you go out to Kansas
under the auspices of the Emigrant Aid
Society
Brown-No, sir; 1 went out under the
auspices of John Brown, and robody
else2
Mr.. Vallandigham-Will you ans wer
this: Did you talk with Giddings about
your expedition here2
Brown-No, I won't answer that, be-
cause a denial of it would not make, and
to make any affirmation of it should be a
great Ounce.
Mr.. Vallandigham-Have you had any
correspondence with parties at the North on
the subject of this movement
Brown have had correspondence.
A Bystander-Do you consider this as a
religious movement?
Brown-It is, in my opinion, the great
est service man can render to God.
Bystander-Dy you consider yourself an
instrument in the hands of Godl
Brown do.
Bystander -Upon what principle do you
justify your acts I
Brown-Upon the golden rule. [ pity
the poor in bondage that have none to help
them. That is why am here-not to
crafty any personal animosity, revenge
or vindictive spirit. 1t is my sympathy
with the oppressed and the wronged, that
are as good as you, and as precious in the
sight of God.
Bystander--Certainly; but why take the
slaves against their will2
Brown never did
Bystander-Y on did in one instance, at
least
Stephens, the other wounded prisoner
here said, in firm, clear voice-"You are
right. In one case l know the negro want
ed to g 60 back s.,---.sssse,- YOU come
from 7
Stephens lived in Ashtabula county
Ohio.
Mr.. Vallandigham-How recently did
you leave Ashtabula county?
Stephens-Some months ago. l never
resided there any length of time; have been
through there.
Mr.. Vallandigham-How far did you
live from Jefferson?
Brownie cautious, Stephens, about
any answers that would commit any friend
l would not answer that.
Stephens turned partially over with "a
groan of pain, and was silent.
Mr.. Vallandigham Ito Brown WHO
are your advisers in this movement?
Brown cannot answer that. / have
numerous sympathizer throughout the en-
tire North.
Mr. Vallandigham Northern Ohio ?
Brown-Not more there than anywhere
else; in all the free States.
Mr. Vallandigham-Bu you are not
personally acquainted in Southern Ohio?
Brown-Not very much.
Mr.. Vallandigham Ito Stephens Were
you at the convention last June?
Stephens was.
Mr.. Vallandigham Ito Brown You
made speech there2
Brown did, sir
A Bystander-Did you ever live in
Washington City,
Brown did not. | want you to I'M
derstand, gentlemen-and Ito the reporter)
you may report that want you to un.
derstand that respect the rights of the
poorest and weakest of colored people OPP
pressed by the slave system, just as much
as do those of the most wealthy and pow
erful. That is the idea that has moved
me, and that alone We expected no re-
ward except the satisfaction of endeavor-
ing to do for those in distress and greatly
oppressed as we would be done by. The
cry of distress by the oppressed is my rea=
son, and the only thing that prompted me
to come here.
A Bystander-Why did you do it Sc
cretly2
Brown-Because / thought that necessa-
sary to success-no other reason.
Bystander-And you think that honora-
ble3 Have you read Gerrit Smiths last
letter.