New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-02-09
GERRT SMITH NOT A LIAR.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS TESTIFIES.
GENERAL CoCHRANE Defends HIS UNCLE-HoRACE
WHITES EVIDENCE IMPEACHED BY MR.. DOUG

FREDERICK DOUGLASS TESTIFIES.
GENERAL coCHRANE DEFENDS HIS UNcLE-HoRAcE
WHITES EVIDENCE IMPEACHED BY MR.. DOUG
LASS.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: NV criticism of the charge of Gerrit Smiths
priyitv to John Browns attack on Harper's Ferry,
was avowedly restricted to the evidence adduced in
its support by his accuser the Rev. o. b. Frothing-
ham, His quest for additional evidence Is fairly
a confession of the insuficiency of that which he
furnished. serious charge unaccompanied by
evidence to sustain it, surely Is not within the
LOYALTY usually practised by photographers in
presenting their heroes" His disclosure OF
the use of material for the charge, and
his correspondence with its pOssessOrs, are
suggestive at the least, of the failure
of the biographer TO communicate it to the person
who had employed him to write the life OF her
father and with whom he had previously consulted.
When this material is furnished. there will be no
occasion to discuss 1t.
In the meantime the biographer summons
Mr.. Horace White to his assistance. Ar
White appears upon Mr. Frothingham's intro
duction. not mine. The evidence which the
biography asserts that Mr.. White possessed was
characterized by me as "hearsay." when used by
the bographer upon the representation OF Mr.
White. The evidence in the hands of Mr.. White
was not thus characterized. The distinction is
plain and need not have been mistaken. Mr..
White states that he relied upon the testi-
mony of John Brow jr, and Frederick
Douglass taken under oath in suit at law now
discontinued to prove Gerrit Smiths intimate and
perfect knowledge of John Browns plans at or near
IIarper's Ferry, and his association with Brown in
the preparation and promotion Of those plans, as an
adviser and contributor of money thereto-the same
being general instruction of slaves accompanied
by violence and bnodshed, and not mere cOntriy-
once 10 assist slaves To escape from bondage" AS
have 10 controversy with Mr.. White. shall not pre-
SHINE TO trouble him for his evidence. But trust that
shall be pardoned doubt of its supposed character
in view of the following recent letters received from
Frederick Douglass, one of the two witnesses named
by him. JOHN CocHRANE.
Ne,c- York, Feb. s, 1873.
The Hon. JONI CoCnR.NE.
My DEAR SIR am obliged by your note OF yes,
tcrlay. | have not yet seen copy OF the life OF
the Hon. Gerrt Smith. whose memory, IL stu
precious with me. | do not easily see how slr
rockingham could have fallen into the error (ior
error it certainly isl of coupling Mr.. Smith with
full knowledge of the plans and purposes of John
| Brown before he struck ms blow al
ilarprr's Ferry. OF course cannot know
TO what extent Captain Brown stated his plans
and purposes to Mr; Smith, but my convection Is
that he never told Mr.. Saith exactly what he meant
20 do lie left the Impression on Mr. smiths mind
tnat he was going To off slaves from Virginia,
lust as he had been doing IN Western Missouri.
now distinctly remember asking Captain Brown Oh
rectly whether he had explained his plans and pur-
poses fully to Mr.. Smith. Il have not, was his
answer 81 AN afraid" SAID he, that he
would pronounce dangerous man, ana
refuse to aid me-" Now Captain Brown, even after
this conversation might have told Mr. smith just
what he was going TO do; but DO not DelleVe he
did. lie knew that Mr. Smith was radical peace
man a. well rs "A radical ant-slayery man. and that
while he would willingly aid the slave III his Hight
from slavery, he would refuse aid 10 any measure or
scheme for leading the slave to rise III bloody
instruction. | knew John Brown well. lie
was no open-mouthed procalmer Of his
plans and purposes. No man better imam he
knew how to keep his own cOunsels. Not even has
men Mt Harper's Ferry were permitted TO know, un-
Ill the night before the strike, the dangerous work
he had on hand. have It from one of their num-
Der that the announcement caused loud talk OF de-
! sertlng when his plan was announced. But the
best of all evidence this subject Is Mr. smiths
own word. He has told me repeatedly that lie was
Ignorant of John Browns plan. hope the error In
question will be corrected, and the lie by Mr..
rockingham will be published, Very truly yours,
Uashingion, d. e., Feb. A. 1878.
DEAR GENERAL COCnRANE: Thank you for THE
TRIBUNE of yesterday containing "A vindlcation of
the memory of GeI.t Smith as to veraclty. had
not seen yOur letter when penncd mine to you yes
teriay. lou will see that 1t does not contradict
your theory of Mr. Smiths relation to Captain
Brown. You may use my note III any way you may
think il can De made useful III turtherance OF the
truth MY letter to you is all the more conclusive
in that it was written TO support no theory OF yours
/ have read Your excellent letter in TIE TRIBUNE
and share your conclusions. With great respect
yours truly, 49, fKnD h DoOuLAeo,,
United States Marshdps Office, Washington, u. C.,
Feb. 8, 1873.