Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-05-25
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT BUCHANAN TO
GOV. WISE.
tPrvate.l

LETTER FROM PRESIDENT BUCHANAN TO
! GOV. WISE.
tPhvaiel
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 1859.
Ny DEAR SIR: On yesterday Afternoon
q gentleman called to see me, and presented
his card, of which the following is copy:
Col James Patton, patentee of ,Patton's 8
sell. balancing sash raiser and lock combin-
ed, Post Office Box No. 65l, Troy, N. Y.
Residence, No. 50, Seventh ST., Troy N.
T." He came with another gentleman
They remained few minutes during the
hour Of reception and went away. After
he had lett he returned and said he felt il
his duty to make an important communica-
ton to me, and told him to speak on.
lie said he knew company of men had
been formed in Trey to rescue JOHN Brown,
and he had no doubt they wsuld make the
attempt. / cross-examined him closely,
but he could give no satisfactory explana-
ton on the subject, but still expressed bis
conviction that such company existed.
l did not regard it Of any consequence at
the moment, nor do now look upon it in q
different light. Still, upon reflection, l
deem it best to state the circumstances to
you. II it should do no good, it can GER
tainly do no harm. have no doubt your
aoti'o ViBhauco VIII prevent ING uaukeT vi
any rescue.
am, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Hon. HENRY A. WISE.
LETTER FROM FERNANDO WOOD TO Gov
ERNoR WISE.
New YORK, Nov. 2, 1859.
MY DEAR Sir: Read this letter over
carefully, aud, whether concurring or not
in its view, believe it emanates from your
friend, man who has a thorough knowl-
edge Of the pulse of the people of the free
States.
Your proceedings and conduct thus far,
in the matter of the conspiracy at Harper's
Ferry, meets with general approval and
elicits commendation from your enemies -
The firmness and moderation which has
characterized your course cannot be too
highly applauded, and to-day you stand
higher than any ether man in the Unien.
Now, my friend, dare yeu do bold thing
and temper justice with mercy" Have
you nerve enough to send Brown to States
Prison for life instead of hanging him? Or
rather should ask whether such course
would be consistent with your own sense of
duty, for know that that is the sole con-
troller Of your official conduct. Brown is
loOkou upOH nsTe aS Tue uleTe crazy OT IOOl-
hardy emissary of other men. Circumstan-
ces create sympathy for him even with
the most ultra friends of the South. | am
of this latter class as by recent speeches you
may have observed.
No Southern man could 90 further than
myself in behalf of Southern rights, but yet
were l the Governor of Virginia, Brown
should not be hung, though Seward should
be if could catch him; and in such a course
my conduct would be governed by sound
policy. The South will gain by showing
that it can be magnanimsus to fanatic in
its power. We who fight its battles can
gain largely by pointing to such an instance
of "chivalry." You can judge of Southern
sentiment better than myself; can judge
OF Northern sentiment better than you. If
the South will sustain such an act, the
whole North will rise up en- masse to ap.
plaud it.
l have thus briefly and frankly discharged
my duty as your friend, to give advice un-
der trying circumstances.
Very truly, yours,