H. C., a woman of New York, to John Brown, November 24, 1859

Brooklyn, New York, Nov. 24.

Dear Brother: This day is set apart by many of the States as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God for all his mercies to us in the year that is past; and, as a people, we have much to be thankful for, while we hide our faces in shame that one of our fellow-citizens lies in prison this day, under sentence of death, for daring to love freedom and sympathizing with the oppressed. And I am impelled, from deep sympathy with you, to address you these few lines, that I may add to the proofs you already have, that the great Northern Heart beats warmly in your behalf; and, though a Virginia jury pronounce you guilty of Treason and Murder, and a Virginia judge pass sentence of death upon you, you will not die. You will, I trust, be freed from the trials and sorrows of earth, your work being done. But does not the Commonwealth of Virginia foresee that when they have taken your life, and those of your fellow-sufferers, there will rise up twenty John Browns where there was one before, and the ghost of John Brown will haunt them till they let the oppressed go free? Rejoice, then, my brother, that you are accounted worthy to suffer. "The servant is not above his Lord;" and when I heard one of our Brooklyn pastors lead up a congregation of three thousand souls in tender, fervent supplication to Him whose ear is ever open to the cry of His children, in your behalf, and those in prison with you, I felt that you would be sustained to the last. And I thank God this day, as thousands will, for the assurance we have that you are not without His comforting presence and blessing in your bonds, and I believe you are willing to die if thereby the chains of the oppressed may be loosed, that they may go free; and this affair will surely hasten that day. Be of good cheer; "let not your heart be troubled;""neither fear what man can do unto you." The loved ones you leave behind will be abundantly cared for; so do not distress yourself this wise; and my prayer is, and shall be, that your faith and courage may sustain you to the last, and an abundant entrance ministered unto you into your Heavenly Father's House. Farewell.

H. C.

SOURCE: James Redpath, Editor, Echoes of Harper’s Ferry, p. 417-8