Charlestown, Jefferson County, Va., Nov. 27, 1859.
Thaddeus Hyatt, Esq.
My Dear Sir, —
Your very acceptable letter of the 24th instant has just been handed to me. I
am certainly most obliged to you for it, and for all your efforts in behalf of
my family and myself. I can form no idea of the objections to your mode of
operating in their behalf, to which my friend Dr. Webb refers; and I suppose it
is now too late for any explanations from him that would enlighten me. It (your
effort) at any rate takes from my mind the greatest burden I have felt since my
imprisonment, — to feel assured that in some way my shattered and
broken-hearted wife and children would be so far relieved as to save them from
great physical suffering. Others may have devised a better way of doing it. I
had no advice in regard to it, and felt very grateful to know, while I was yet
living, of almost any active measure being taken. I hope no offence is taken at
yourself or me in the matter. I am beginning to familiarize my mind with new
and very different scenes. Am very cheerful.
Farewell, my friend.
John Brown.
SOURCES: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters
of John Brown, p. 606
