Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-02-27
gg 0eIegraph.
Reported for the Daily Intelligeneer.
Harper's Ferry InvestIRatIon Case.

w ~ ~
of Boston, was before the Senate Investi-
eating CommiItecto-day. He testified that
he was made Chairman of the State Kan
sas Committee of Massachusetts, who took
the place of the Boston Committee and
continued the work throughout the State.
Including August and December of that
year they raised $4T, 900. In the same
year his wife commenced the formation of
societies for contributing clothing, which
resulted N sending some $4,000 or $780,
900 moro in supplies of various kinds. In
January, 1857, the work was stopped by
advices from Kansas that no more cOntri-
buttons were needed except for defence.
| II it had not been thus stopped, the ar
| rangement would have enabled the collec-
ton of 100000 in the next six months.
Soon after the State Committee commenced
the work in August, 1858, messenger
from Kansas, who came through Iowa (for
the Missouri river was closed to all Free
State traveIersl aud earnestly asked for
arms and ammunition for the defence of the
Free State party. The Committee met next
day and voted to send 200 Sharpe's rifles,
carbines and ammunition, which were sent
to the National Kansas Committee at Chi
cago, to be by them forwarded through
Iowa to Kansas. From some unexplained
cause these arms were delayed in Iowa.
| III NOVtIlDeE VI DeEGulOCI UA
agent to Iowa, at our charge, to take them
as our property. EARLY in January, 1857,
John Brown, of whom we had heard but
had not seen, came to Boston and was
introduced to him. After repeated con-
fercnccs with him, being strongly impressed
with his saeacity and courage and strong
integrity. the witness, through q vote of
the Committee, made him an agent to re-
ceivc and hold these arms and ammuni-
ton for the defence of Kansas, apprOpri-
ating $500 to pay his expenses. Suisse
quently, in 1851, they authorized Brown
to sell 100 rifles, if expedicnt, and voted
$500 to enable him to 20 TO Kansas with
his armament. About this time, on his
representing that the force to be organized
in Kansas ought to be provided with re-
volyers, witness authorized him to pur-
chase 200 from the Massachusetts, Arm Go.
When they were delivered in Iowa witness
paid for them in his own funds ($l3OO).
At the same time he gave Brown, by letter
of credit, authority to draw on him at
sight for $1,000 in sums as might be want
ed for the subsistence of 100 men, proVi-
ded it should be necessary at any time to
call them into the field for active service in
defence of Kansas, in 1857. AS the exi-
gency contemplated did not occur no mon
ey was drawn for it and the letter was
withdrawn. In the Summer of 1857 wit
ness contributed, with others, $1,000 to
purchase an addition to the farm then and
now occupied by Browns family, at 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 to that fund was $3.50, as APP
pears by the subscription paper. 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 personal eX-
penses or money given to others. 1t was
all charged to his private account; should
think it might amount to $500 or $1,000.
About May, 1853, he (witnsSs) saw a letter
from Senator Wilson to DIR. Howe; also
one or two from Col. Forbes; never heard
of Forbes till he saw his letter, which was
SO coarse and insulting in language, and so
incorrect, ascribing to others what witness
had done, that witness concluded that he
wanted to eXtort money, but at DIR. Howes
request witness wrote Brown, dated May
l4th, 1858, of which the Committee have
copy, sent by DIR. Howe; in addition
raised money and sent an agent to Kansas
to assist the Free State party III the Lc-
compton election, and again in the cleo
ton of 1858. Did not know of the llnr-
per's Ferry raid; if lie had should not APP
proved oft. He knew of Browns purpose
to free States, and supposed he would do
so at every chance from the course he pur-
sued in Missouri. Witness did not take
an active interest in Kansas affairs until
the attack on Lawrence and the destruc-
ton of the Hotel and other private prop
crty there. The Importance of active
cxertion in behalf of that portion of his
fcllow-citizens, who were thus assailed,
a. IoI 10 tn
The attack on Senator Sumner, in the
Senate Chamber, which followed closely
the attack on Lawrence, determined him
to exert all his energies to make Kansas II
FREQ State. lie Immediately went to the
Boston Committee for the relief of suffer-
crs in Kansas and offered his services
He worked with them till June 1856, and
then being willing to devote all his time
to the cause, there he was stopped by the
Investigating committee, and after some
debate the foregoing was ruled out; his
motive not being in question.) Witness
did not know of any plan of Browns to
invade anv State, but did know that it was
Browns plan to free States and use force
if necessary Saw Brown in Boston sew
eral times in 1859, and gave him several
hundred dollars. Browns object in going
to Boston was to raise funds. He met him
at the U. s. Hotel, at DIR. Howe's Office and
at club dinner at the Parker House. Did
not know if Brown dined there. Brown
went in after dinner WAS over and remain-
ed there about twenty minutes. Saw F.
w. Bird and DIR. Howe there, also others.
The club had no particular name, but
went under the name of Birds Dinner
The Parker House is the best house in
Boston, for dinners. In answer to Senator
Davis, witness said he had not corrcspon-
ded with him, since May 1859, and had
not seen and never corresponded with
John Brown, ir.