Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-26
Col. Lewis w. Washington's Statement.

Col. Lewis w. Washington gives the follow
ing account of his connection with the affair
Between one and two o'clock on Sunday
night was in my bed at my house, two OF
six miles from llarper's Ferry; WAS awak
ened by hearing my name called in the hall
| supposed 1t was some friends arrived, who,
being acquainted with the house, had come
in through the kitchen without making any
noise; got up and opened the door into the
hall, and before ME stood four men, three
armed with Sharp's rifles, levelled and cock.
ed, and the fourth-this man Steveus-with
Il revolver in his right hand, and in his left
lighted hambeau, made of pine WRITINGS;
aS opened the door one Of the men said
lis your name Washington" Said |, THAT
is my name" Perhaps Cook, who was OF
the crowd, also identified me, as he told me
afterwards he was taken there for that pur-
pose was then told that was Il prisoner
and one of them said Don't be frightened
| replied, do you see anything that looks
like fright about me-" No" he said, Il
only want to say that if you surrender and
come with US freely, you are safe" | told
them | understood that sufficiently, and
there was no necessity for further explana-
ton: but was struck with the number of
men sent against ME, and akcd what need
there was OF 50 many, * there was no dan
ger Of an unarmei man in his night shirt
resisting an armed force. | was told 10 put
on my clothes, and OF course complied
Perhaps" said !, while am dressing you
will be 50 good rs to tell me what all this
means?' inquired what the weather was
outside, and one of them advised me IL put
on an oyercoat, rs it WAS rather chilly
Another said they wanted my arms, and
opened the gun closet for them to keep them
selves. They then explained their mission,
which they represented to be purely philan-
thropic-to wit The emancipation Of Ill the
slaves in the country. After | was dressed
Stephens said to me, 'Ilave you got any mo-
ney?" replied Il wish had great deal"
BE careful sir, said he. told him if |
had any money knew how to take care
of it, and he could not get it, Said he.
Have you watch" Ny reply was, 81
have, but you cannot have it. You have
set yourselves up Is great moralists aud
! liberators of slaves; now it apearS you are
robbers as we'll" "Be careful sir" said he
again. | told them was dressed and ready
to 20. They bade me wait short time, and
my carriage would be ut the door. They
had ordered my carriage for me, and pried
open the stable door to get it out. They had
harnesSed the horses on the wrong side of
each other, and | tried to induce them to
correct the mistake which they did after
driving short distance; but still being har-
messed wrong, and rather spirited animals
they would not work we'll
My servant, whom they had forced along.
was driving, | suspected they were only
robbers, and was expecting all along that
they would turn Oft at some point, but they
drove directly to the Armory. Brown came
out and invited me in, saying there was u
comfortable fire, and shortly afterwards
met with Mr. Allstadt, whom they had ar
rested on the way. and brought along in my
| buggy wagon. While coming along, the
horses being FESTIVE, otout and walked up
| hill with one Of the nen, who took occasion
I to ask my views on the subject Of slavery in
( the abstract. | declined an argument on
the subject. but he still pressed it upon me,
and was obliged 10 refuse the second time.
I Brown told MS to make ourselves comforta-
ble and added "By and by shall require
each Of YOU, gentlemen, to write to some of
your friends to send stout negro man in
your places" This was By way Of ransom
lie told us lie must see the letter before it was
sent. and he thought after this was effected
they could make AN arrangement by which we
could return home. determined not to
make the requisitiUn but he never made APP
plication for il, having other matters before
the day expired attracting his attention.
My sword, which had been presented by
Frederick the Great to General Washington
was taken from, my house. with other arms
! This man Cook had been ut my house some
time before and seen the arms and ut that
time | beat him at shooting, and he told me
was the best shot he hade met. On tho way
To- llarper's Ferry he asked me if | had shot
any since that time. and he said he owed me
III apology Tor being with this party after be-
ing 50 well treated BY me. | told him that
it was of no consequence about the apology,
but would ask one favor Of him, which was
to use his influence to have returned to me
the old sword and an old pistol which, in
the present improved state of arms, were on
" valuable in consideration Of their history.
He promised to attend toit, and shortly after
reaching the Armory found this sword in
old Browns hands Said Brown, 81 will take
especial care of it, and shall cndeavor 10 re
turn II to You after You are released lie
carried the sword in his hands all day on
Monday, until after the arrival Of the military.
Upon the first announcement of the arr-
val of the militia, Brown came into the room
and picked out ten Of rs, whom he supposed
to be the most prominent men. lie told us
we might be- assured Of good treatment, be
cause, in ease he got the worst q. it in this
fight the possession of W would be of ser
vice in procuring good terms: we could ex-
erci-e great influence with our felow-citi-
zrus. and rs for me, he knew if was cut !
should 10 my duty and in my position rs
aid 10 the Governor should be Il most dan
gcrou. foe. Then We were taken into the
engine house and closely confined. Two Of
oar number went backwards and forwards
repeatedly 10 confer with citizens during the
various negotiations, and finally remained
out altogether, leaving the eight who were
inside when the bulIlin. was finally assault
ted and captured by the marines. During
Monday various terms Of capltulatlon were
proposed and refused. and ut night we re-
qucstrl our friends TO cease firm. during
the night, a> if the place should DO stormed
in the dark, friends and foes would have 10
share alike. In the morning, Col Shrver,
If Frederick, announced the arrival Of the
United States marines. During the night
he had brought in Dr. Taylor. Of Frederick,
10 look Al the wound. Of old Browns son.
The surgeon looked NJ the man and pro-