Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-02-27
FRo1T WAsHINGTON

Geo. L. Stearns, Of Boston, was before The
Senate Investigating Committee to-day. Id
testified that he was made chairman Of the
State Kansas Committee Of Mass who took
the place Of the Boston Committee, and con-
tinued the work throughout the State including
August and Dec mber Of that year. He raised
S47, 1000. At the same time bis wife com,
meDced the formation of societies for contrib
uting clothing, which resulted in sending some
$4,000 or $50, 200 more in supplies Of yari
Gus kinds Ia january, 1857, the work was
stopped by adVices from Kansas, that no more
contributions were needed, except for defence.
If it had not been thus stopped the arrange-
ments would have enabled the collection Of
100000 in the next six months, Soon after
the State Committee commenced the work in
August, 1858, a messenger from Kansas, who
came through Iowa, for the Missouri was closed
to all Free State travellers, asked earnestly for
arms and ammunition for the defence Of the
free State party. The COMMITTEES met next day
and voted to send 200 Sharpe's rifles, c-rbines
and ammunition, which were sent TO the Nation
al Kansas Committee at Ohicago. to be by them
forwarded through Iowa to Kansas. From
some unexplained cause these arms were de-
Iayed in Iowa. In November OF December
they sent an agent to Iowa, at our charge, TO
}
1857, John Brown, Of whom we had heard bnt
had not seen, came to Boston, and was intro
dueed to him. After repeated conferences, be-
ing strongly impressed with his sagacity and
courage, and strong integrity, the witness
through vote of the Committee, made him an
agent to receive and hold these arms and am
munition for the defence Of Kansas, apPropn
ating $500 to pay his expenses. Subsequently
in 1857, they authorized Brown to sell 100
rifles if eXpedient, and voted $500 more if
necessary to enable him to 60 to Kansas with
his ammunition About this time, on his rep.
rescnting that the force to be organized in Kan
sas ought to be provided with revolvers, wit
ness authorized him to purchase 200 from the
Massachusetts, Armory Co. When they were
delivered in lows, witness paid for them in his
own funds, 81 300; at the same time he gave
Brown, by letter Of credit, authority to draw
on him at sight for So, 900 in sums as might be
wanted for the subsistence of one hundred
men, provided it should be necessary at any
time to call them into the field for active service
IN defence of Kansas in 1857. As tue exigen-
cy contemplated did not occur, NO money was
drawn for it, and the letter was Withdrawn
In the summer of 1857 witness contributed,
with others, ST 900 to purchase an addition 10
the farm then and now occupied BY Browns
family at North Elba. The money was for
warded to his agen. for that purpose and sat>
isiactory evidence given of proper conveyance
Of the land to the family Of Brown. Witness
subscription to that fund was $780, as appears
by the subscription paper. Besides these trans.
actions, which were Tor specific objects, wit
ness gave Brown money from time to time. How
much he did not know; never kept any account
of personal expenses or money given to others.
It is all charged to his privats account; should
think it might amount to $500 or $1,000
About May, 1853, witness saw q letter from
Senator Wilson to DR.. Howe, also one or two
from Col Forbes. Never heard Of Forbes til |
he saw the letter, which was so coarse and in
sulting 10 language, and 80 incorrect in aserib-
ing to others what witness had done, that wit
ness concluded that he wanted to extort money
but at DR.. HoWe's request witness wrote to
Brown, dated May I4lh, 1858, of which the
Committee have a copy sent by DR.. Howe In
addition witness raised money and sent an
agent to Kansas to assist the free State party in
the Leeompton election, and again in the elec>
/ ton of 1858; did not know of the Harpers
Ferry object, if be had he should not have ap-
| proved it. He knew OF Browns purpose to
free slaves and supposed ne would do so at every
chance from the course he pursued in Missouri
Witness did not take an active Interest In
Kansas affairs until the attack on Lawrence,
and the destruction OF the hotel, and other
private property there The importance of
active exerIiOn in behalf of that portion of
his fellow citizens who were thus assailed,
decided him TO active exertiOn. The attack on
Senator Sumner in the Senate chamber, which
followed closely the attack on Lawrence, de-
termined him to exert all his energies to make
Kansas free State; hs Immediately went to
the Boston Committee for the relief of sufferers
in Kansas, and offered his services he worked
with them till Jane, 1855, and then being will
ing to devote all his time to the cause.
Here he was stopped by the Investigating
Committee, aud after some debate the fOregO-
ing was ruled out, his motive not being in
question. ..-
Witness did not know of any plan of Brown 5
to invade any State but did know it was
Browns plan to free slaves and use force if
necessary; saw Brown in Boston several times
in 1859; gavo Brown several hundred dollars.
Browns object of calling in Boston was to
raise funds; he met him at the U. s Hotel, at
Dr. Howes office, once at a club dinner at the
Parker House; did not know if Brown dined
there's Brown went in after dinner was over
and remained about 20 minutes; saw F. W.
| Bird and DR.. Howe there, and Others did not
know them-canDOt now recOllect; the Club
had no particular name, but went under the
name of "BOrder Dinners;' the Parker House
is the best house in town for dinners.
| In answer to Senator Davis, witness said he
had not eOFresponded with him since May 1853,
and had not seen and never cOrrsspOnded with
John Brown, Jr.
FIRE.
| CPNrva N Y Feb 25