SIR: I was much surprised to see my correspondence with
Governor Wise published in your columns. As I have never given any person a
copy, I presume you must have obtained it from Virginia. My proposal to go and
nurse that brave and generous old man, who so willingly gives his life a
sacrifice for God’s oppressed poor, originated in a very simple and
unmeritorious impulse of kindness; I heard his friends inquiring, “Has he no
wife, or sister, that can go to nurse him? We are trying to ascertain, for he
needs some one.” My niece said she would go at once, if her health were strong
enough to be trusted. I replied that my age and state of health rendered me a.
more suitable person to go, and that I would go most gladly. I accordingly
wrote to Captain Brown, and enclosed the letter to Governor Wise. My intention
was to slip away quietly, without having the affair made public. I packed my
trunk and collected a quantity of old linen for lint, and awaited tidings from
Virginia. When Governor Wise answered, he suggested the “imprudence of trying
any experiment upon the peace of a society already greatly excited,” &c. My
husband and I took counsel together, and we both concluded that, as the noble
old veteran was said to be fast recovering from his wounds, and as my presence
might create a popular excitement unfavorable to such chance as the prisoner
had for a fair trial, I had better wait until I received a reply from Captain
Brown himself. Fearing to do him more harm than good by following my impulse, I
waited for his own sanction. Meanwhile, his wife, said to be a brave-hearted
Roman matron, worthy of such a mate, has gone to him, and I have received the following reply.
Respectfully yours,
L. MARIA CHILD.
BOSTON, Nov. 10, 1859.SOURCE: The American Anti-Slavery Society, Correspondence between Lydia Maria Child and Gov. Wise and Mrs. Mason, of Virginia, p. 13
No comments:
Post a Comment