Year: 1859

might have been convinced. Still / might have G
worn wig and my face might have been little
powder-smoked; and if your argument should fail a
10 convince Gov Wise, you have my full consent Q
20 amend your pleadings in these particulars.-
The height must be nearly correct, and as to the
fund of general information, I own up with plea
sure. Besides, have no principles which would c
have prevented my presence on that occasion, for
have long maintained the right Of the slave to .
secure his freedom, though he should march to it
over the graves Of thousands Of his oppressors.-
feel little delicate about answering questions
out OF Court, us to my whereabouts on the 10th.
18th and 18th days of October. 1859. but when
Virginia court shall put me to the proof, hope
to be abo to show that | was at my post, and do
ing good service in the cause of freedom


No person engaged in ths heroic strike for free
dom was at all mistaken in the character Of the
Virginians. Had it not been well understood that
slavery made them towards. twenty men would
not have dreamed of defying the whole power Of
the State. The event proves that Brown and his
men had perfectly JUS. estimate OF Virginia
character.


Your argument to prov that slaves cannot be
combined to fight for freedom. is beied BY the
TlRnt throughput Tue eutTo SUutu
at this moment. The yirginians now rush to the
towns to sleep night, fer fear of such combi-
nations; and as | belive, few years will demon
strate to you practically the truth that the slaves
can and will combine and achieve their freedom.
leave this part Of your letter to be answered by


coming events which have already east their
shadows before


You return again to the proof that l was pres
ent with Brown, and smack your lips exultantly
over the though: that l am to be hung, and you to
act as chaplain. 1t would be rather o good ar.
rangement for disposing Of your opponent in the
Philadelphia debate, and quite consistent with the
general history Of tyrants and man-stealers, who
when foiled in argument, always resort to the
au-to-da-fe and the gallows. But in the argument
of the dramatis-persona which you portray as ac-
ting on that occaeion of SO much personal inter-
est to me, you assume the wrong place. You have
quito mistaken your CALI While you have not


one characteristic to fit you for chaplain, you


have undoubted genius for hangman, and by


putting the clerical coat, you have robbed Jack
Ketch OF an able assistant, and wandered widely
from your natural vocation.


As for myself, l think that could bear 5eng
hung in so good cause as that Of human freedom
with fair share Of Christian courage and resigna
zion. BIT though Virginians are very cruel wher
Enlightened / trust that DO court who knows you
would be so fepdish as to add to the comparative


mild sentence of being hung. that most terrible


stretch of barbarism, Of compelling me to listen


TO the Consultations Of your style Of gospel No


no! hang if you can fairly make out case
against me; but in the name of heavenly compass
sion, save me from Wise's lectures and your


prayers.


Thus have 1 answered your letter. If the an


swers are not quite satisfactory; if the informa-
ton you sought is not definitely obtained, you can
try again. Experience is necessary to success in
all trades. The parasites, pmps and inloImers,


who always revolve around tyrapts,are not an ex-


ception to this law. Titus Oates did not attain to


his great celebrity as hunter of heresy and trea-


son all at once. lie was compelled to roll up his


eyes toward heaven and cry 'Auh, Laird" many


times before he could make brutal court believe


his protestatons. You can take courage from his
illustrious example Should Gov. Wise fail to be


convinced By your argument to prove that was ct


Harper's Ferry, he will probably pay you the


guerdon of sly al d iIf,rmei-lor there is a
field just being opened by the current events on


American history, where such men as you will be


needed. Harper's Ferry may provo great q


God send to you, as did the Star Chamber tc


that swarm of treason hunters. and government
informers, who crawled out Of the cellars of Lon


don to sun themselves a,oInd the court of Charles
So. sharpen your wits and cultivate your power o
scent, for the marke, is opening for creatures o


your instincts.


You speak Of my sending you a challenge t.


renew our debate on Slavery. You are mistaken
| sent you note enquirng whether you was read.
, to fulfill your original challenge to debate :b
question in a tour through the North. You SO.
, you are yet unable to speak. Very WELL | nov


propose a written discussion. to be published il


your paper, and also in some northern paper o
, equal circulation. This plan will free you fror
the necessity of any vocal exertion. Should
, meet your views write me as to details. Direc


your reply to me at Rochester, New York.
A. PRYNE.