Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-10-29
Conversation with Capt. Brown.

Conversation with Capt. Brown,
Several Of The Reporters who visited
Harper's Ferry last " Eek ava,Ied them
selves of an opportunity to be present al
an interview whicl. Mr.. Senator Mason,
Of Virginia, and tie Hon. Mr.. Faulkner,
also of Virginia, and MIR. ValIandigham,
of OHIO, had with Capt. Blown and Capt.
Slevens,tW two Of the conspiraIors no were
wounded and taken prisoners. The con.
versalon is thus reported:
Mr.. Mason. Can ydu tell Us who fur
nished money for your Expedition!
Mr.. Brown. | furnished most of il
myself. cannot implIcale others. |
could have escaped.
Mr.. Mason. You mean if you had es.
capped Immediately ?
Mr.. Brown. No; | had the means to
make myself secure without any escape,
but | allowed myself 10 be surrounded by
force by being too sardy,
Mr.. Mason. Ifyou would tell US who
sent YOU here-whO provided the means
that would be information Of some val
ne.
Mr.. Brown. | will ans wer freely and
faithfully about what conc erns myself. |
will answer anything ctn with honor,
but not about others.
Mr.. Vallandighdm. Did You get up
the expedition yourself (!
Mr.. Brown. did.
Mr.. VaIlandigham. Rid you get up
this document that is'callfd constitution!
Mr.. Brown. did. they are a con.
sGtUtIon and ordinance o my own conlrl-
wing and getting up.
Mr.. Vallanjicham. How long have
you been engaged in ,hi is business
Mr.. Brown. From he breaking out o.!
the difficulties in Kansas. Four Of my
sons had gone there to settle, and they in
duced me TO 90. did not 90 there 10
settle, bnt because Of tile difficulties.
Mr.. Mason. H0w many are engaged
with y on III this move nent ask these
questions for vour ow n safety.
Mr.. Brown. Any questions that can
honorabIy answer | tiIl, not Otherwise,
So far as am myself concerned | have
told erylhlng trull4ully. l value my
word, sir
Mr.. Mason. How do you justify yonr
acts
Brown. | think, n y friend, you are
guilty Of a great wrong against God and
humanity. say lha without wishing TO
be offensive. 1t woul d be perfectly right
for any one to inter(eI e with you, so far
as to free those You wIilfulIy and wickedly
hold in bondage. | do not say tbs insult
ingy.
Mr.. Mason. understand that.
Brown. | think |! did right, and that
others will do right V ho interfere with
YOU at any time, ard Vail times. hold
that the golden rule, do unto Others as
you would that others DO unto YOU, ap-
plies 10 all who would bel p others 10 gain
their liberty.
Mr.. Vallsndigham. Where did your
men come from Did some Of them
come from Ohio =!
Brown. Some OF the IN.
Mr.. V. From The Western Reserve
Of course none from Southern Ohio!
Brown. Oh yes believe one came
from StubenvIlIe, down not far from
Wheeling.
Mr.. V. Have you been in Ohio thl:
summer!
Brown. Yes, sir.
Mr.. V. How lately
Brown. l passed through Pittsburgh
on my way in June.
Mr.. Y. Were you at any county Of
State fair there
Brown. was not there since June.
MIR. Mason. Did you consider this ;
military organization in this paper? SHOW
ing copy of The so-called constitution
and ordinance. | have not read ii.
: Brown. | did in some measure. Iwisl
! you would give thai paper your close at
tenllOn.
/ Mr.. NJ. You considered yourself lh'
: mmander.in-chtl Of This provisional
military force !
r Brown. | was chosen, agreeably Il