In the first place, I deny everything but what I have all
along admitted, — the design on my part to free the slaves. I intended
certainly to have made a clean thing of that matter, as I did last winter, when
I went into Missouri and there took slaves without the snapping of a gun on
either side, moved them through the country, and finally left them in Canada. I
designed to have done the same thing again, on a larger scale.1 That
was all I intended. I never did intend murder, or treason, or the destruction
of property, or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion, or to make
insurrection.
I have another objection: and that is, it is unjust that I
should suffer such a penalty. Had I interfered in the manner which I admit, and
which I admit has been fairly proved (for I admire the truthfulness and candor
of the greater portion of the witnesses who have testified in this case), — had
I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the
so-called great, or in behalf of any of their friends, — either father, mother,
brother, sister, wife, or children, or any of that class, — and suffered and
sacrificed what I have in this interference, it would have been all right; and
every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather
than punishment.
This court acknowledges, as I suppose, the validity of the
law of God. I see a book kissed here which I suppose to be the Bible, or at
least the New Testament. That teaches me that all things whatsoever I would
that men should do to me, I should do even so to them. It teaches me, further,
to “remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them.” I endeavored to act
up to that instruction. I say, I am yet too young to understand that God is any
respecter of persons. I believe that to have interfered as I have done — as I
have always freely admitted I have done — in behalf of His despised poor, was
not wrong, but right. Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my
life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further
with the blood of my children and with the blood of millions in this slave
country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments, —
I submit; so let it be done!
Let me say one word further.
I feel entirely satisfied with the treatment I have received
on my trial. Considering all the circumstances, it has been more generous than
I expected. But I feel no consciousness of guilt. I have stated from the first
what was my intention, and what was not. I never had any design against the
life of any person, nor any disposition to commit treason, or excite slaves to
rebel, or make any general insurrection. I never encouraged any man to do so,
but always discouraged any idea of that kind.
Let me say, also, a word in regard to the statements made by
some of those connected with me. I hear it has been stated by some of them that
I have induced them to join me. But the contrary is true. I do not say this to
injure them, but as regretting their weakness. There is not one of them but
joined me of his own accord, and the greater part of them at their own expense.
A number of them I never saw, and never had a word of conversation with, till
the day they came to me; and that was for the purpose I have stated.
Now I have done.
_______________
1 In explanation of this passage, Brown three
weeks afterward handed to Mr. Hunter this letter:
SOURCES: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters
of John Brown, p. 584-5
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