Charlestown, Jefferson County, Va., Nov. 17, 1859.
T. B. Musgrave,
Esq.
My Dear Young Friend,
— I have just received your most kind and welcome letter of the 15th inst., but
did not get any other from you. I am under many obligations to you and to your
father for all the kindnesses you have shown me, especially since my disaster.
May God and your own consciousness ever be your rewarders. Tell your father
that 1 am quite cheerful; that I do not feel myself in the least degraded by my
imprisonment, my chains, or the near prospect of the gallows. Men cannot
imprison, or chain, or hang the soul. I go joyfully in behalf of millions that “have
no rights” that this great and glorious, this Christian Republic “is bound to
respect.” Strange change in morals, political as well as Christian, since 1776!
I look forward to other changes to take place in God's good time, fully
believing that “the fashion of this world passeth away.” I am unable now to
tell you where my friend is, that you inquire after. Perhaps my wife, who I
suppose is still with Mrs. Spring, may have some information of him. I think it
quite uncertain, however.
Farewell. May God abundantly bless you all!
Your friend,
John Brown.
_______________
* The father of this gentleman was Mr. Musgrave, the English
manufacturer at Northampton, mentioned in Chapter III.
SOURCES: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters
of John Brown, p. 593
