L. H. C, a Friend in Syracuse to John Brown, November 24, 1859

Syracuse, N. Y., Nov. 26.

Captain John Brown, thou Friend of God and Man: Will you allow a line from me to mingle with the thousands of expressions of sympathy that reach you in your prison house? But my words are feeble things, when God is so manifestly with you. His presence and the consolations of His grace are richer and far better than all I possess, or can impart. I have long loved you for your works' sake; for you have shown yourself a man. Be of good courage, and our Father in Heaven will sustain you and make you conqueror "through Him who loveth us and gave Himself for us."

I am the possessor of a single hair from the head of the immortal Clarkson, presented me, some years ago, by your friend and mine, Mrs. Geritt Smith. I value it very highly. My desire is, that you may send me by mail, accompanying your own handwriting, a lock from your own head, and I will make many of your friends partners in its possession.

The Lord make His face to shine The Lord lift up His countenance

"The Lord keep thee and bless thee. upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. upon thee, and give thee peace," is the daily prayer of

Your sincere friend and brother,

L. H. C.

SOURCE: James Redpath, Editor, Echoes of Harper’s Ferry, p. 397-8

William Preston Smith to Andrew Hunter, October 25,1859

Baltimore, Oct. 25, 1859.

A. Hunter, Esq.:

        Attorney-at-Law, &c.,
                Charlestown, Va.

Sir:—At the request of Governor Wise, of Virginia, President Garrett, of this Company, directed me to secure and send to you, for use in the prosecution of the rioters taken at Harper's Ferry, such letters and other papers as could be found in this city bearing upon the case.

I accordingly enclose herewith three letters, obtained from the "Clipper" newspaper office—viz.: a letter (without signature) dated at Akron, May 2d, 1859; a letter dated Philadelphia, June 6, '59, addressed to Alonzo G. Bradley, R. T. Stieffer; and another, dated at Hallowell, April 28th, 1858, addressed to "My Dear Brother," and signed “Lizzie.”. Upon inquiry at the offices of the “American,” “Exchange" and "Sun" newspapers, I was informed that they did not have any letters or papers bearing upon the case, and that those they published were borrowed for that purpose from the office of the "Clipper."

We have secured for you the use for a few days of the following named papers from Mr. F. W. Kerchner, a lieutenant of one of our military companies. These were taken from Brown's house by himself, and he allows us the use of them, only on condition, that they will be safely returned to him, which we have promised, and which, we hope, you will enable us to faithfully carry out by returning them to this office as soon as you may have done with them. It may be proper to state that these papers were secured together by Kerchner, with a view to their preservation—they consist of—

Four pages of the life of “Old Brown."
A printed circular—"The duty of the Soldier, No. 1.”
Letter signed O. S., to “Brother and Sister,” dated at Chambersburg
Receipt from Charles Blair to John Brown for $150-on account.
Letter to J. H. Kagi-dated Aug. 16th, 1858.
Letter to John Brown from Gerritt Smith, June 8, 1859.
Receipt to E. A. Adams from Orion Phelps for $700.
A printed blank officer's commission.
A letter from A. Wattles, dated Moneka, K. T., March 29, '59.
A letter to John Brown from J. R. Giddings, May 26, 1856.
A letter to Brown from Fred. Douglass.
Receipt to J. Brown from W. & L. E. Gurley for a compass, June 7, 1859.
A letter to Brown from Charles Blair.

Your particular attention to the preservation and safe return to me of the above enumerated papers will much oblige,

Yours, very respectfully, &c.,

W. P. SMITH,        

M. of T.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 31-2