Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-02-10

Dr Howe when he appeared before the
Senate Committee, declined to TESTIFY unie''
ba could he allowed to enter protest 10 tne
roor;s;t;on This was allowed him. HIS
mr. otest was as follows:
The undersigned having been summonea u
rnear and testify before your coininr'.Go'
and being unable to resist the power oil tne
Senate. obeys the summons, but enters n,'
protest against the proceedings upon the ioi-
lowing grounds .oa = co
First. Because the tribunal createu Is %
cret and inquisitorial.
Second. Because it is created ior purpoS-
es beyond the legitimate scope OF legislative
inquiry. No
Third. Because it usurps power no
where clearly delegated by the Federal con.
stitution to Congress, or to either prahch
thereof
Fourth. Because it is dangerous as prec-
edent and liable to abuse in the opportunity
il gives for the pe1version of the great power
of the Union to the qualification Oh VlndictNe
marty nassion in various ways, to the peril oil
private right and personal liberty as py
DRAGGING citizens from their homes IN any
secu of the country, and rendering no hdh
Ere in his own home.
tioi fth. Because, waving all other opJec-
TINS. 1t is unnecessary lnasmuch as LOT al
dee purposes of Investigation, testimony by
a position, under the jurisdiction and WITHIN
the limits of the respective States, Is 1uly
dequate. HOWE
(Signed) D u no " L.
His testimony was in substance as fol-
lows:
He said he had known John Brown dur
| ing the troubles in Kansas, and had sent MN
| money and arms. They were raised by con-
| tributions made for the aid OF the lnhaoltan's
| of Kansas; that he expected Brown woulu re-
pel armed invasion by armed resistance; that
| he was a man of tried honesty ana courage
| That after the troubles had ceased IN hahSas
| Brown continued to devote himself 10 au-
vance the cause of practical antrslaVery )
| that in 1858, Forbes wrote to DIT. Howe
claiming money Tor past services, anu INFORM
! inc him that Brown had arms, Gc., pSioh?
ING to the committee, and intended hoSllIt
demonstration in some slave State, ana Una
| he was incompetent TO 1t; that unless Vil'
| management of affairs was taken from bro"i
and gwen to him (Forbes) he would expose
| il: DR.. Howe had never known Forbes ina
| Senator Wilson about the same time wrott
to DR.. Howe, stating that he had been told
that Brown intended using arms and means
belonging - the committee for unlawful pur
poses, warning Howe against Brown, ah'
ADVISING that the arms be taken from him
that in consequence Of such information, OF
ders were sent to Brown to take the arm
and property OF the committee, then storeC
in Iowa, into Kansas, and to be used only II
defence of freedom there.
DR.. Howe had no means OF knowing
whether the arms were the same taken a
Harper's Ferry but supposed they were
Witness could procure copies OF the record
and of the orders sent to Brown, and woul'
do so. DR.. Howe knew nothing OF the Con
vention in Canada He was not privy to tn
plan of attack on Harper's Ferry. Wltnei
gave much other evidence, but none mplI
eating leading Republicans. lie recog
nized several papers found in .the carpet
bag to be in his handwriting. lie did no
know Of any organization or society IN ana d
Browns plans. He believed Brown to be
. conscientious and honest man, determined o
practical anti-slavery, but opposed to exclt
ing Instruction or shedding of blood, excep
: in selt-deiense He had given him and an
. comfort as such Witness being pressed {
state what he meant by spreading practlca
anti-slavery doctrines, Tor which purpose col
tributions were made, illustrated by compal
ison with efforts made to spread the Sosp'
7 among heather, &c.