The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-10-20


: to the ground he looked at it for an instant and
then remarked to a comrade that ''they will have
to cut my pegs off before they stop me- They are
wasting ammunition in cutting off my coat tail"
Mr. Ball, one of the imprisoned citizens, was so
dlsheartened during Monday night that he desired
some one OF the insurgents to kill him and end his
misery Capt. Brown requested him to wait until
morning. when it was probable he would be graft
fed. In the morning Mr.. Ball was more hopeful
and did not remind Capt. Brown of the wish he had
expressed during the night, and when the engine
mouse was taken be manifested his thanks and graf
ltude to his deliverers by taking a marine with
each hand and clasping third to his breast Mr.
Ball is an estimable citizen and a warm hearted
man.
negro boy belonging to Mr.. Washington, who
was taken by the insurgents at the time his master
was, when he reached the Ferry was offered pike
which he refused, when one of the insurgents told
him that he was free and should fight the whites
Ihe boy replied, 81 don't know anything about
being free; was free enough before you took me-
and Pm not going to fight until | see Massa Lewis
fighting. and then fight for him." This boy was
among the prisoners in the engine-house.
THE ANONYMOUS LETTER.
The following is the letter addressed to the Sec
retary of War, warning him of the outbreak at
Harper's Ferry
CGNCINNATI, August 20.
Sir Il have lately received informal On of
movement of so great Importance that feel it to
be my duty to impart it to you without delay
nave discovered the existence of a secret as
sociaton, having for its object the liberation of the
slaves OF the South by general insurrecton. The
leader of the movement is "Old John Broton" 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 to
assist the slaves. They have one of their leading
men Ia white man) in an armory in Maryland;
where it is situated | am not enabled to learn.
As soon as everything is ready. those of their
number who are in the Northern States and Cana
da are to come in small companies to their rendez-
vous, which is in the mountains of Virginia They
will pass down through Pennsylvania and Mary
land, and enter Virginia at Harper's Ferry
Brown left the North about three or four weeks
ago, and will arm the negroes and strike blow in
a few weeks, that whatever is done must be
done at once. They have large quantity of arms
at their rendezvous, and probably distributing
them already. | am not fully in their confidence
This is all the information can give YOU dare
not sign my name to this, but trust that you will
not disregard this warning on this account.
CAPTAIN BROWN.
-Capt John Brown, or "0ssawatome Brown"
who figured as leader of the recent rebellion at
Harper's Ferry, emigrated to Kansas from Central
New Y Ork in 1855, and settled at 0ssawatomie He
had with him seven sons, the youngest of when
was old enough to work for his living. He is now
sixty three years of age, about medium height
slim, muscular, and possessing iron constitution.
lie had blue eyes, sharp features and long gray
hair, wearing full beard.
In December, 1855, during the "Shannon war;
Brown frs made his appearance among the free
State men at Lawrence. His entrance into the
place at attracted the attention of the people
towards him. lie brought a wagon load of cavalry
sabres, and was accompanied by twelve men, seven
OF whom were his own sons. He first exhibited his
qualities at the time the free State and pro-saverv
parties, under the lead of Governor Robinson on
one side, and Governor Shannon on the other, met
to make a treaty of peace. After Governor Robin
son had stated to the people who were gathered
around the hotel, the terms of the peace Brown
took the stand, uninvited, and opposed the terms
of the treaty.
he was in favor of ignoring all treaties and such
leading men Robinson, Lane and Lowry and
AGAINST ruf in
vaders, drive them from the soil or hang them if
taken. ten. Lowry, who Chairman of the
Committee OF Safety, and also commander of the
Tree State troops, ordered Brown under arrest.
The latter made no physical resistance but it was
soon discovered that he was altogether too com
bustble person to retain as prisoner, and a
compromise was made with him by the free State
men, and he was released. He was informed by
the leaders of that party that his remarks were in
tended to undo what they were irving to accom-
plish by of the treaty; that he was stranger
in Lawrence and Kansas, and ought not BY his rash
remarks to compromise the people of Lawrence
until he had known them longer and knew them
better.
One of his sons, who had been elected to the
Legislature in 1856, died from rough usage received
at the hands of the pro-slavery party. Another
son was shot by party of Missourians. These
bereavemens caused Brown to swear eternal en-
NIFTY to the proslavery party, and, it was thought,
made him a mOnomaniac on the subject.
In 1856, after the attack on Lawrence he organ
lied company who became the terror of the
Missouri border He took five pro-slavery men
from their cabins at Possawotamie and shot them
without mercy. This aroused the anger of the pro-
slavery men at Westport, Missouri and party of
thirty men under H. Clay Pate went after "Old
Brown" but were all captured bv him and sent
home. He next took part with Capt. Montgome-
ry and pursued the notorious Southern leader
Hamilton, into Missouri, killing several of his men
and liberating a number of slaves. He next under
took to organize an expedition to berate the slaves
IN Kentucky and Tennessee but was dissuaded from
this enterprise. Latery he collected money at the
north to buy himself farm, and with the funds
thus obtained he doubtless organized his late expe-
ditlon. lie is said to be Calvinist in religion
mild and inofensive, except towards Shareholders,
for whom he has deep rooted and incurable an
tipathy.
PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION AND ORDINANCES
FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
The following is the Constitution of the Pro-
visional Government of the United States, of which
number Of printed copies, in pamphlet form, were
found by the Marines at the house of Capt. Brown
PREAMBLE.
Whereas Slavery throughout its entire existence
United States, is none other than most barbarous
provoked and unustfable War of one portion of its
citizens upon another portion; the only conditions of
which perpetual Imprisonment and hopeless servi-
tude absolute determination in utter disregard and
violation of those eternal and seEevdent truths set
forth in our Declaration of Independence Therefore,
We Citizens of the United States and the Oppressed
ple who by recent decision of the Supreme
declared to have no rights which the White Man is
bound to respect together with all other people degrad
ed by the laws thereof do for the time being ordan
establish for ourselves the following Provisional Con-
stution Ordinances, the better protect our Per-
Property, Lives and Liberties; and govern
actions:
ARTICLE Qualifications for Membership.
Alpersons of mature whether Prescribed oppress
ed and enslaVed Citizens, of the Prescribed op
pressed of the United States, who shall agree to
sustain and enforce the Provisional Constitution and
Ordinances of this organization, together with all minor
children of such persons shall be held to be fully entitled
t. protection under the same.
ARTICLE II.-Brdnches Of Government
shall
consist of three branches, viz Legislative Executive
and Judicial.
ARTICLE III.-Legislatiue
The legislative branch shall be Congress House of
than ten members who shall be elected by citizens
OF mature and of sound mind connected with this
organization; and who shall remain in office for three
years. unless removed for misconduct inability
by death majority of such members shall constitute
quorum.
ARTICLE 1v-Frecutipe
The executive branch of this organization shall consist
of President and Vice President who shall be chosen by
the citizens this organization Of
whom shall hold his office for three years. unless
removed by death, or for inability or misconduct.
ARTICLE y-J~dictat
The judicial branch of this organization consist
one Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and of four Asso
Court They shall each be chosen in the
the President, and shall continue in office until their
the citizens Said shall have jurisdiction civil
or criminal causes arising under this constitution
breaches of the Rules of War.
ARTICLE VI ValIdity of Enactments
All enactmeats of the legislative branch shall, to be-
during nrSt three the
baton of the President and of the Chief of
the Army.
ARTICLE I-Coinmdnder-iq in Chief
Commanderin Chief of the army shall be chosen by
the President Vice President majority of the provis-
lonal Congress- and of the Supreme Court and he shall
receive his commission from the President signed by the
Vice President, the Chief Justice Supreme Court
and the Secretary of War and he shall hold his office for
three years unless removed by DEATH or on proof of
capacity msbehavior He shall unless under arrest
land until his place is actually filled provided for by
TINS Consuton) direct all movements Of the army, and
advise with allies He SHALL however, be tried re
moved or punished complaint to the President by at
least three general officers majority OF the House OF
Representatives the Supreme Court which House OF
Representatives 1.-THE President presdng the Vice Pres
dent and the the Supreme Court shall consti
tute court martial for his trial. with power remove
punish may require and to fill his place
above provided
ARTICLE vIII.-Otfcers.
Treasurer Secretary of State, Secretary War and
Secretary of the Treasury shall each be chosen the
first three years, in the same and the Com
manderin Chief subject to trial removal complaint
of the President, Vice President Commander Chief
to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court complaint
Of the majority Of the members Of said Court or Pro-
to try or punish either of those officers and their places
shall be filled as before
ARTICLE lx.-SecretdTy of Var
The Secretary of War shall be under the immediate d
reeton OF the Commander Chief who may temporarily
serve. -
ARTICLE x.-Congress House of Representatives..
The House of Representatives shall make ordinances