New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-21
THE HARr%R'S FERRY INVESTIGATING
COMMITTEE

he-e given.
THE HARr%R'S FERRY INVESTIGATING
COMMITTEE.
Correspondence e:The N. Y. Tribune
WAsnIsGvoS, Feb. 10, 1880.
TIE examination of Augustus Wat,les was CON
cluoed on Saturday. lie testified that John Brown
and his oldef sons came to Kansas the Fall of 1854.
They took claims and commenced improvements.
They spens he following Winter m Missouri, mostly
az westpc-t on tho border of the State. They here
learned the plans of the ProSs~oy party to 90 into
K2nsas n the ensuing Spring Ct 1885, and VOTE elect
the members Of the Legislature, pass slave code,
and enforce its observance. gh the Spring Of 1856
they returned 10 Kansas where they were Joined by
the wives and children of the young men, the old
man aiding them in building houses, preparing grounds
for crops and putting out valuable nursery. Soon
after this the two younger arrived frsm Southern
Illinois with valuable drove of booded rattle belong
ing 90 John Brown r, asld two stations of tho Nor
gan stock, belonging 20 Jason Brown. The old man
told Wattes that he came TO Kansas TO aid his in
making permanent Rome, but that he expected to
return to his family ct North Elba, n. Y. He had
intention of fighting only to defend his rights In the
Fall of 1856 he and his sous were driven of Kan
sns by the u. S. 6ragoons. In their journey from
Ossawatamie to Nesraska, they stopped withWa.les
Of property they he'd left, and selling it.
Brown returned 10 Kansas in the Summer Of 1853,
IN mediateIy after the Mariss Des CygBes murders
when Hamilton sDd other Miasouriaps killed AMI
wounded twelve FroeS.te mem, and volunteered his
services TO guard the frontier against further inroais
from Missouri. Re raised company, who all signed
an agreement with himself go into Missouri IN
der any circumstances modest any persons in Kan
Gas for their political opinions This company remained
upon the border anti all danger had passed away, and
| then broke up. By exposure and hardship ne and
some Of his men were taken down by fever and agae,
when Wattes again took them into his house, until
they recovered. Capt. Brown then took claim for
| bis son Jason, end commenced improving it. he pat
| mp some bay-yyl;ch be moved on Government land,
and aiterward sold to supply himself with money.
| Mr.. Mason here interrupted, and wanted to know
what that had do with his invasion Of Slave STATES
MJ. Wattles aeped that, far as he could see, the
Browns acted ike other settlers in their efforts make
themselves homes. And be did not believe that Capt
Brown contemplated any invasion of the Slave States
till after he wasiIiyeD from Kansas and then only as
measure of defense to Kansas. he had no funds,
and every man who approved his doctrine went with
him, which was 10; over a half dozen from Kansas.
As. Wsites preented letters from Brown written in
1851, SO, and 80; these were read and explained.
Ore of them requested bin to see Mr.. Phillips and
others and invite them TO meet him Brown ut Tabor,
Iowa. on very important business. He showed the
letter 10 Mr. Phillips and asked him what the meeting
was for. Philippe reI.iied that Re did pet know but
he could net attend; mentioned in the letter
went to that meeting lie also had letters from other
persons who furnished lin with money and clothing
for the poor people Of Kansas who had been robbed
end driven from the Territory in the Summer Of 1856.
He bad never received arms and ammunition from any
quarter, nor supplied them TO any oae The only al
fusion which Brown ever made in regard TO his inya-
sion of VirgiD;a when he was leaving Kansas for
The last time. Watles being sick, Brown called to
zee him, when Wattles expressed his regret tia: he
Brown had been into Missouri end taken slaves
and especially condemned the killing Of Cruise
Brown replied that he was stopping q. house
Little Usage, when the went down 70 Fort Scott
10 hbeIate Ben Rice IL Glanced that d poor coored
msn came along looking for some one to help him TO
get his wife and ohildien out Of Slavery in Missouri
Brown told him to 90 home aud prepare, and he would
for him. Brown sad be went and brought
eleven human beings out Of bondage, without firing
gun or swapping cap. He was then told thu.
another company went to another place and brought
away four and in doing 30, had killed one man to save
their own hyes. Brown replied that he regretted it
exceedingly; the taking of human life was terrible
thing; "but," he continued, " have considered the
i" matter well; you will have no more inroads from
Missouri. The poor people Of Kansas have suffered
enough; my heart bleeds for them; now rec i, 10
be my duty to draw the of the excitement 10
some other part of the country. You may never rec
q" me again. FaIewell-God bless you" and no de-
parted.
THE HON. II. II. CLARK IN REPLY TO p. G.
SHERMAN AND OTHERS.
To he Editor Of The ~ L. Tribune
SIR: have noticed in your paper of the 10Th instant
IsfeI ring 10 stAfeneni I'D de by Porter G. Sherman