New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-11-25
yOHS BHOwN,s INSANITY.

II seems that By the law Of Virginia, even after
trial and conviction, upon suggestion made Of IN
sanity, prisoner may have that point tired by
jury. To give the counsel Of John Brown an OPP
portunity to have such an issue framed and tried an
application has been made to Gov. Wise to post
pone the execution Of the sentence; and as basis
for his action in the premises collection OF afiida-
vits taken in Ohio among the relatives and early
acquaintances Of Brown has been submitted TO him.
We have had an opportunity Of examining these
afidayits. II appears from them that Brown had
re,ded the greater part of his life in Hudson, Sum-
nit County, Ohio, Of which bis father was one Of
the original settlers. Brown was absent many
years since, for few years, in Pennsylvania but
returned again TO Ohio, whence he removed some
four or FIVE years ago 10 Essex County, New-York.
1t is abundantly shown by these afhdayits that
on the mothers side Brown belonged to family IN
which insanity was hereditary. His maternal
grandmother was insane for SIX years and died IN
sane. Three Of her children, a brother and two
sisters Of Browns mother, suffered from the same
disorder, an another brother who himself escaped,
had free insane children, cousins of John Brown.
The only sister OF John Brown was also liable to
attacks of insanity as we're child of hers, and two
children of John Brown himself
A brother of John Browns first wife states that
at the time of her death some twenty-four or five
years ago, the conversation and conduct of Brown
strongly impressed his relatives with the idea of
insanity on his part and il s the opinion Of this
brother-ir Jaw that ever since at intervals, the
mind of Brown has been more or less dis ordered.
An uncle of Browns, who might be supposed to
have some knowledge of the symptoms of insanity,
as his own mother and three of his children were
the victims Of that disorder, states that he has
regarded Brown, for twenty years, as subject to
periods of insanity, not of very marked type but
of the character of monomania. Similar
testimony is given by several persons who describe
themselves as acquainted with John Brown
from early childhood. A physician of Hudson,
who has known Brown since 1872 has esteemed
him subject TO attacks of insanity aud has at times
been fully convinced that such was his condition.
A lawyer whom Brown in the habit of con-
sulting about his business affairs considered him of
VERY excitabe temperament and as constitutiOnaIy
predisposed TO insanity Several of his old acquain
state that there was something in his manner and
and especially, the idea with which he
seemed to be impressed and of which he often spoke
that he was an instrument, in the hand of God for
the overthrow Of Slavery, which strongly impressed
them with the idea that his mind was disOrdered.
The whole history Of John Brown for the last
two years, so far as il has come to light and all the
incidents Of his famous foray upon Harper's Ferry
have never appeared to US, from the first, as con-
ssteut with soundness of mind. We have no doubt
that if the issue could be tried, very strong case
might be made out. 1t would, however, be too
Notifying to the pride of the Virginians to admit
that they had been so frightened by a crazy man.
and Gov. Wise VIII no doubt dispose Of this apph-
cation as summary as the Court of Appeals did of
the application for new trial.