The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-06-13
secret History of John Browns Raid.

secret History of John Browns Raid
Brown and Eve of his men arrived in
Detroit with fourteen slaves from Mis-
sotiri, in tho summer of 1850. One Of
the slaves gave birth to male child on
the way, The boy was named John
Brown, and now lives in Windsor. BY
q strange coincidence Fred Douglass hap
pened to be lecturing in this city the
same evening that Brown arrived. AZ
.fef tho lecture tho leaders of the iusur-
rectiohary thoyemeutgot together in the
hoasc of William Webb, on Congress
street. and arranged the plan for tho raid
on the South, which broke out prema-
turely at Harpcf's Ferry.
Mr.. Webb was for many years mana
ger of the plug tobacco factory on JEFF
ferson avenue. He is now dead. The
leading colored people of Detroit and
Chatham we're also present at the meet
ing. Douglass objected to Browns plan
which originally was to make raids on
single plantations until be had collected
force of about ono thousand slaves, and
then swoop down on tho larger towns
a La. q
and cities, collecting force and material
as he progressed. Brown grew wtathy,
and asked Douglass if he was coward,
and referred to bis success in Kansas as
an augury Of the Virginia campaign.
Douglass repliud that ho was not cow
ard, and woald give material aid to the
plan if he did not approve Of it, or did
not go himself. $50
George Dc Baptists also approved Of
tho plan, but proposed a agunpowder plot,
by which some fifteen Of the largest
churches in tho South would be blown up
on fixed Sunday. Brown objected to
the plan Oh the score Of humanity, assert
ing that by his plan not bundled lives
would be lost, his intention being not to
shed blood unless it became absolutely
necessary. Do Baptiste still urged rad.
ical measures, declaring that Browns
plan would foil, and perhaps cause the
loss of million Of lives before tue troub-
les likely to cnsue would be ended. He
cited in support Of his position, the fao'
that the Ma. Turner insurrection in 1881
by which ffty-three white lives were lost
had had the effect Of causing the mex
Virginia legislature to consider bill
for tho gradual emancipation of the
slaves, which bill was lost by only two
votes.
Ossawasamio's counsel finally prevailed
and tho only favor. beside money aid
advice; that lie asked Of his Detroit
friends was 10 furnish one mani which
they did at Chathamite. Tbs nexs Of
the disturbance at IIarper's Ferry, which
took tho nation with SO much surprise,
was perfectly well understood by the col.
ored men Of this city They were an
tirlpatiug the event, since one Foster
had divulged In Washington tho plans
Of Brown, who, in consequence, was
obliged to,abandon bis enterprise or pre-
l;i 'lc;iip;.sate matters, even at fearful odds:
Ho chose the latter alternative
The sequel is sufficiently Vel known.
These facts, however. have been kept
with sworn secrecy, until lately, by tho
colored men Of Detroit. The partiou.
lars have never been published. 1t may
be only necessary to add that subsequent
10 the meeting at Webb's house, on Con.
gross street, meeting was held in Chat
ham; ut which the "cap shcaf" tsus put
on the plan.-rctroit Post.