Richmond, Va., November 25, 1859.
To His Excellency, James Buchanan, President of the United
States:
Sir — I have information from various quarters, upon which I
rely, that a conspiracy, of formidable extent in means and numbers, is formed
in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and other States, to rescue John Brown and his
associates, prisoners at Charlestown, Va. The information is specific enough to
be reliable. It convinces me that an attempt will be made to rescue the
prisoners, and, if that fails, then to seize citizens of this State as hostages
and victims in case of execution. The execution will take place next Friday as
certainly as that Virginia can and will enforce her laws. I have been obliged
to call out one thousand men, who are now under arms, and, if necessary, shall
call out the whole available force of the State to carry into effect the
sentence of our laws on the 2d and 16th proximo. Places in Maryland, Ohio and
Pennsylvania have been occupied as depots and rendezvous by these desperadoes,
unobstructed by guards or otherwise, to invade this State, and we are kept in
continual apprehension of outrages from fire and rapine on our borders. I
apprise you of these facts in order that you may take steps to preserve peace
between the States. I protest that my purpose is peaceful, and that I disclaim
all threats when I say, with all the might of meaning, that if another invasion
assails this State or its citizens from any quarter, I will pursue the invaders
wherever they may go into any territory, and punish them wherever arms can
reach them.
I shall send copies of this to the Governors of Maryland,
Ohio and Pennsylvania.
With due respect and consideration,
Yours truly,
HENRY A. WISE
SOURCE: George Edward Reed, Editor, Pennsylvania Archives, Fourth Series, Volume 8, Papers of the
Governors, 1858-1871, p. 197-8
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