Year: 1878

could, as we thought, be used to his disadvantage
number of my fathers letters to me, written
chiefly during the year 1853 were in the hurry
overlooked. and among them was the letter of Feb
ruary 20, the copy of which is herewith sent yOu


PLANS WHICH MR.. SMITH DID NOT KNOW


So much as to my fathers plans of which Mr..
Smith did know ard in furtherance of which he
aided. Now as to those of them which in all pro-
liability he did not know ! am confident that he
did not know that Haype,'s Ferry was to be attacked
did not know this myself. My brother Owen in
forms that he did not know that his father en-
tertained this purpose until after he had been some
time at the Kennedy Farm" He says that it
was while on a reconnoitring trip in the vicinity
of the Ferry that his father first informed him OF
that plan-that this plan was vehemently opposed
by all of his men except Kagi and the colored men,
the latter of whom at the time knew little OF
the locality; and that opposition continued.
threatening to become Serious until about one
month before the time of the attack" 1 do not
know how long this plan may have been cherished
by my father; possibly for years, and it may have
been in reference to this secretly cherished purpose.
that he told Frederick Douglass that he had not
told Gerrit Smith. offer this as possible expana
ton of what seems contradiction. If Mr.. Smith
was ignorant of that particular purpose, which /
believe he was, he could truthfully say that he
had not aided had he countenanced that attempt.
l do not know to what extent Mr.. Smith did
declare his ignorance of my fathers plans Posi-
bly, he has not denied SO much l have supposed.
His ignorance of the plan to attack Harpe,'s Ferry
furnished solid basis of fact and upon this, IN the
hour of overwhelming trouble, he MAY have raised
a superstructure Of fiction, to shelter him from the
impending storm. If sO who is there who can say
in regard to himself, 81 have not given way
much under less pressurep


For period of twenty years I have maintained
strcest silence. have felt that nothing less than
legal compusion, regard for strict justice toward
Others, should ever induce me to break that long
silence. How could voluntarily say aught that
could in the least discredit "my friend,
and my father, friend !" Since Mr. Smith can no
longer answer for himself this feeling has been


greatly intensified. have felt that his grave should
shield his memory from all that could harm
For this reason l did not answer a letter
received from Mr.. rockingham about one year ago,
asking for the facts in my possession, in ORDER as he
said 81 that in his proposed biography of Mr. Smith
he should say nothing but the truth touching this
matter" At first was inclined to leave your letter
IN like manner unanswered but now it seems to me
that the best vindicatOn of Mr. Smith is to be IOund
not in Withholding, but in stating the facts, " the
truth the whole truth, and nothing but the truth"
To this end, would respectfully request that this
letter be published.


That it may eeryo to dispcl unpleasant doubts
and that 1t may increase surer because truer re-
gard for our noble friend, the heartfelt desire Of
Very sincerely yours, JOHN BROWN, jr.