James Forman to John Brown, November 26, 1859

Youngsville, Warren Co., Penn., Nov. 26.

. . . I have always held you in grateful remembrance, as the best friend I ever had, and to whom I owe every thing for whatever I am or may be; for which I shall always bear you in mind; and any thing I can do for any of your family hereafter, will be most cheerfully done. . . . My wife sends her best respects to you and yours; believing that your mind is fully made up to put your trust in God, who works all things after the counsel of his own will, and for the best possible good. Yours truly,

JAMES FORMAN.*

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* See reply "Public Life," p. 368.

SOURCE: James Redpath, Editor, Echoes of Harper’s Ferry, p. 398

John Brown to James Forman, December 1, 1859

CHARLESTOWN PRISON, JEFFERSON CO., VA., Dec. 1, 1859.

JAMES FORMAN, ESQ.

My dear Friend: I have only time to say I got your kind letter of the 26th Nov. this evening. Am very grateful for all the good feeling expressed by yourself and wife. May God abundantly bless and save you all. I am very cheerful, in hopes of entering on a better state of existence, in a few hours, through infinite grace in "Christ Jesus, my Lord." Remember the "poor that cry," and "them that are in bonds as bound with them."

Your friend as ever,

JOHN BROWN.

SOURCE: James Redpath, The Public Life of Capt. John Brown, p. 368-9