Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-11-17
A Sleepy Secretary of War.

Last August the Secretary of War received the
following letter, yet did nothing to avert the muir
aerous blow it said would be struck at Harper's
Ferry, and which was struck:
CINCINNATI, Aug. 20, 1859.
SIR;-l have lately received information of a
movement of so GRE AT IMPORTANCE that
Leei IL 10 be my duty to impart il to you without
| delay have discovered the existence of a Sc
cTet ASSOCIATION, having for IFS object THE LIB
GRAFTON OFTHE SLAVES ATTHE SOUTH
BY A GENERAL RESURRECTION. The
leader OF The movement is OLD JOHN BROWN
late of Kansas. He has been in Canada during
the winter, drilling the negroes there, and they
are only waiting his word TO start for the South
10 assist the slaves. They have one of the lead
ing men, white man, in all armory IN MARYLAND;
where 1t Is situated have not been able TO learn
As soon everything is ready those of their num-
Der who are IN the Northern States and Canada
are 10 come in small companies 10 their rendez-
vous, which is In the mountains in Virginia.
They will pass down through Pennsylvania and
Maryland, and enter Virginia al Harper's Ferry
Brown left the North about three or four weeks
ago, and will ARM THE NEGROES and strike
the BLOW in few weeks, and so that whatever is
done must be done at once. They have q large
quantity of arms at their rendezvous, and probuby
are distributing them already. As am not fully
in their confidence, this is all the information |
can give you. dare not sigH my name to this,
but trust you will not disregard the warning on
that account"
contemporary commenting on this letter, says
.Od John BrowI of Kansas is named as the
leader The United States '.Armory'' and 'sHar-
per's Ferry are indicated the theatre Of oper
ations. The negroes were 10 be ''armed" and the
'.blow struck in few weeks"
Could information be more specific, or ''warn-
ing'' more emphatic?
Harper,s Ferry is but few miles from Wash
ington. Had the Secretary Of War sent single
man there 10 find and identify sold John Bro,,n,"
the ''iEsurrection" would have been ''nipped III
the bud.'' But perhaps that was not deemed eX-
pedient? II may be that the Administration chose
10 nurse the insuTection Cromwell did the
Papish PLOT that ii might be turned 20 pohti-
cal account.
Be that as 1t may, we have here the evidence
that the Administration was ''warned' in season;
that time and place. the objects of the movement.
and the name OF sold John Brown of Kansas"
were distinctly set forth in a letter TO Secretary
Floyd. II was, therefore, simple question with
the Administration whether 10 stife or cherish an
instruction. They chose 10 cherish it, thinking.
OF course. that they could make out of 0reTt
than iuciDicHi treason and murder.
One word from one man, who had all the rcqul-
site information, would have blown mad Browns
plot SKY high" But that word was not spoken.
The Administration ''preseryed mastery mac
tviiy" until seventeen white men and five negroes
seize the United States Armory; and then the ar
mics OF Maryland, Virginia and the United States
were uarshaed and marched 10 HarpeF's Ferry"
LIVE SToCK ~ MADIsoN.-Messre. c. & ].
Campbell weighed 10 Messrs. Chenauit Il Co.,
last week, 2Jn hogs, that averaged 43i pounds;
and Elias Mobely, Esq, weighed TO the same
party % hogs that averaged iOI po mts. These
farmers have n superior breed Of hogs, and they
pay great attention 10 their proper treatment
Generally they get premium price for their lots,
but tins year they receive only the prevailing rate
ST per hundred, gross.
Chernault y Co. have made large purchases o.
ho@s in this county, but we do not know tie pre-
else number.
COUNTY CoVET DAy.-Last MONDAY was
busy time IN The street of Richmond with AUG
tionesrs and traders. Several suctioneerS were
selling stock, ETC., all day long. from whom We
have received only the general report that mule
colts sold from 500 TO $50, and yearlung mules
from $50 20 $40 per head. Capt. J. II. Berry
reports the sale Of thirty small yearug mules
al -. ~; Ten small yearllHg mules, $40; twenty
one small y-arling mules Sos; two sucking mule
colts, SIS; one iennet, 500; one yoke oxen, $50;
one COW, S2I p.
lie also sold good many horses and mules
SIHgiy, at prices ranging from 500 10 500.
Col. {. Il. Estii, of this county, sold few
days ago tc Harrison Thompson, ESQ.,, Of Clark
county, lot Of ~ yearhng mules at the price OF
SlI3 per head Richmond (Ky.) Messenger.