Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-02-29
HARPER's FERRY COMMITTEE.


nd continued the work throughout the
tate. Including August and December
4 that year. they raised s47,0 600. In the
anne wear his wife commenced the forms
ION Of Societies for contributing clothing.
which resulted 10 sending some 500, 900 OF
$50 900 more, in supplies Of various kinds.
10 1857 the work was stopped by sdvice'
rem Kansas that no more contributions
we're needed, except for defense. fit had
not been stopped, the arrangement would
have enabled the collection of 500 600 in
the next six months Soon after the State
Committee convened in 1858, messenger
from Kansas, who came through lows.
flor the Missouri river was closed to all
Free State trayelers,) and asked earnestly
for arms and ammunition for the defense
of the Free State party. The Committee
net next day. and voted to send 200
Sharp's rifles. earbines and ammunition,
which were sent TO the National Kansas
Committee, at Chicago, TO be by them for
varded through Iowa to Kansas. From
some explained cause these arms wers de
layed in Iowa. In November or Decem
Der they sent an agent to Iowa, at our eE
pense, to take them as our property.
Early in January. 1857, John Brown,
of whom we had heard but not seen. came
10 Boston, and was introduced to him.
After repeated conferences with him. be-
ing strongly impressed with his sagseity
and courage and strong integrity, the wit
ness, through 8 vote of the Committee,
made him an agent to receive and hold
these arms aud ammunition for the defense
of Kansas, appropriating $500 to pay his
expenses. subsequently,, in 1857, they
authorized Brown to sell 100 rifles, if ex.
pedient, and voted $500 more to enable
him TO 60 to Kansas with his armament
About this time, on his representing thai
the force to be organized in Kansas ought
to be provided with rsvolvers. witness su
thorized him to purchase 900 from the
Massachusetts Arm Co., when they were
delivered in Iowa. Witness paid for them
in his own funds, $4,000 at the same
time he gave Brown, by letter Of credit, au
thority to draw on him at sight for 81 900.
in sums as might be wanted for the sus =
tenance Of 100 men, provided it should be
necessary at any time to call them into the
field for active service in defense Of Kan.
sas in 1857. As the exigency contempls-
ted did not occur, no money was drawn
for it, aud the letter was " ilhdrawn ia the
summer Of 1857.
Witness contributed with others 81 900
to purchase an addition to the farm then
and now occupied by Browns family al
North Elba; the money was forwarded by
his agent for that purpose. and satisfactory
evidence given Of proper conveyance Of
the land to the family Of Brown witness
subscription 10 that fund was $3.50
Besides these transactions, which were
for specific purposes, witness gave Brown
money from time to time; how much he did
not know. never kept any account Of per
sonai expenses or money given 10 others
it is all charged To has private aceoant-
should think it might amount to 1900 OF
! $4,000.
About May. 1858, witness saw a letter
from Senator Wilson to DR.. Howe, also ONT
or two from Col. Forbes never heard o
Forbes till he saw his letter, which was -
coarse and insulting in language aud 81
incorrect, ascribing to others what witness
had done, that witness concluded that hs
wanted to extort money; but at DR.. HOwei
request witness wrote Brown, dated MAJ
IA, 1858, of which the committee hsve e
copy sent by DR.. Howe.
In addition, raised money, and sent al
agent to Kansas 10 assist the free Stale
party in Lecempton election, and again 10
the election of 1858; did not know Of the
Harper's Ferry raid il he had should no.
approved Of il.
He knew Of Browns purpose 10 Tree
slaves. and supposed he wsuld do at every
chance, from the course he pursue ia Mas
sorri.
Witness did not take an acsive iniersss
in Kansas affairs until the attack on Law
renee and the destruction Of the Eotel and
other private property there the import
ance Of active exertion in behalf Of that
portion Of his fellow citizens who were
thus assailed decided him TO active exer
ton.
The attack on Senator Sumner in the
Senate Chamber, which followed closely
the attack on Lawrence, determined him t.
exert all his energies to make Kansas a
free State. He Immediately went 10 the
Boston Committee for the relief of the suf
ferers IN Kansas and offered his services
He worked with them till June, 1856, and
then being willing to devote all his time
/ the cause.
Here he was stopped by the Investigs
ting Committee, and after soIe debate, the
foreign evidence was ruled out, his motive
not being in question:
Witness--Did not know of any plan of
Browns 10 invade any State; but did
know that it was Browns's plan to free the
slaves, and use force IL necessary.
Saw Brown in Boston several times in
1889. aud gave him several hundred dol
lars. Browns object in going 10 Boston.
was to raise funds. He met him at the u.
s. notel, at DR.. Howes Office. snd once At
Club dinner at the Parker House. Did
not know if Brown dined there. Mr.. Il.
went in after dinner was over and renamed
there about twenty minutes. Saw r. W.
Bird, DR.. Howe. aud others, there. He did
not know them. and cannot now recolls,t-
The Club had no particular name. but veat
under the name Of "Birds Dinner"
The Parker House is the best house in
town for dinner.
In answer 10 Senator Davis, witness
said. he had hot corresponded with him
since May, 1859, and had not seen. and
never corresponded with John Brown. ir.
pA correspondent Of the Holloway Me.