Year: 1859

the newspapers. John Browns insanity
means simply John Browns failure.


HIS RECENT LETTERS TO MRS. BROWN.


may mention that saw last evening
a letter from Captain Brown to his wife,
dated November 8, and brought away by
the lady who visited him at Charlestown.
This letter is too private, and, might
almost say, too sacred, to be exposed in
print to every eye. Mrs. Brown is un-
willing that it should be made public,
both for her own sake and her husband S.
But | violate no confidence in saying
that this letter, written in prison, is no
less remarkable than the memorable
speech delivered in Court. 1t breathes
the same heroic spirit; it is marked by
the same simplicity of style; itexpresses it
the same conscientious conviction of the
rightfulness of his undertaking it ex-
hibits throughout the same unwavering
courage, and the same strong faith in
God. To the many overf1owing express
sions of sympathy for his wife and child
ren, given in this letter, l do not feel at
liberty to allude, further than to say that
they were as warm, as tender, and as del
icate as ever were written by a husband
to wife. They prove that his delicacy
is equal to his courage, and that his heart
is not only as brave as hero's, but as
tender as child's.


During the evening another letter came
direct from the prison, dated November
10. This fresh message was briefer than
the other, but of the same character and
in the same spirit.


A BOX FOR CAPTAIN BROWN.


For several days past, until last even
ing. Mrs. Brown had been actively en-
gagged, aided by some female friends, in
preparing articles of clothing to be sent
to her husband. A sewing machine had
been busy at work from morning till
night for two days. Last evening the
box was packed, and this morning sent to
the cars, containing shirts, stockings,
pocket -handkerchiefs, pair of easy slip
pers, some writing materials, two or three
favorite books. and some preserved fruits
and other delicacies. A great number of
friends crowded around it, each anxious
to add something to the old mans COM
fort, before the cover was nailed on
From this scene Mrs. Brown retired, Sob
bing, to another part of the room, and
and for few moments was unable to
control her emotion, exclaiming, GO Poor
man he will not need them long ~


But perhaps the troubled Governor of
Virginia, and his Sheriff, who is making
ready for the I'd of December, may find,
I before the time shall roll around, some
other victim to keep up the honor Of the
fatal Friday, and may be glad. after all,
not to hang the brave old man.


THE VISIT TO CAPT. BROWN IN PRISON.


The lady whose visit to Charlestown
has been already mentioned, went there
chiefly to assist Mrs. Lydia Maria Child,
she expected to meet in the prison but
as Capt. Brown had meanwhile written to
Mrs. Child not 10 come, the new volun
teer nurse found herself an entire strang-
er (except TO her son. who accompanied
her) in a community not over-disposed
to be hospitable to strangers. She ar
rived at Charlestown shortly after Capt
Browns speech in court. She spent more
than two days in vain entreaties with the
Sheriff to secure admission to the jail
Hearing that Capt. Brown, whom she
had informed of her arrival, was anxious
to see her. and not being willing to take
the sheriff short answer after her long
journey, she solicited Mr. Sennott's aid,
who at last persuaded the Judge to grant
permit Of entrance.


She refers to the visit in the jail as one
of touching interest. She Obtained two
interviews, the first of an hour, and the
other for shorter period.


She describes the prison as large
brick building that seemed to have been
formerly used as dwelling house. Capt
Brown was occupying. with his fellow
prisoner Stephens, a room on the ground
floor, about sixteen feet square, opening
with single door into long gallery,
and lighted through single small win
dow, grimly defended by heavy double
bars.


Mrs. -, on entering, found Capt.
Brown lying on a cot, and Stephens on a
large bed. Capt. Brown arose from his
bed to receive his guests, and stood a
few moments leaning against the bed
stead, Immediately lying down again from
weakness. His visitors were struck with
the cheerfulness of his expression, and
the calmness of his manner. He SEEM
ed not only passively resigned to his fate,
but cheerful under it, and more than will
ing to meet it.


My friend said to him.


:" expected Mrs. Child would be here
to introduce me am sorry not TO find
her, for her presence would make this
room brighter for you y


He smiled and replied:


Il have written to her the reasons
why she should not come but she was
very kind-very kind !"


Some questions were then asked as to
the treatment and care he had received ;
to which he said


81 wish it to be understood by every
body that have been very kindly at
tended for if had been under the care
of father or brother, l could not have
been better treated than by Capt. Avis
and his family -