Speech to the Court; Letter to Mrs. George L. Stearns, November 29, 1859
The most militant abolitionist in American history, John Brown (1800–1859) had campaigned against slavery and racism for decades before his historic raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown himself claimed to have hated slavery since the age of twelve. As an adult, Brown helped fugitive slaves, promoted schools for free blacks, and lived for a time in a predominantly black settlement in the Adirondacks. During the fighting in Kansas in 1856 he participated in the murder of five proslavery settlers and later led a free-state militia against proslavery guerillas. In October 1859 he led twenty-one men on a raid that was meant to spark a massive slave insurrection, but resulted instead in death for most of his men, heightened sectional tensions, and his own execution. Brown delivered his “Last Speech” at his sentencing on November 2, which, like the letter written from jail three days before his execution on December 2, contributed to his legendary status—at least among antislavery activists—as a martyr to the cause.
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Speech to the Court
I HAVE, may it please the Court, a few words to say. In the first place, I deny everything but what I have all along admitted, of a design on my part to free slaves. I intended certainly to have made a clean thing of that matter, as I did last winter when I went into Missouri, and there took slaves without the snapping of a gun on either side, moving them through the country, and finally leaving them in Canada. I designed to have done the same thing again on a larger scale. That was all I intended to do. I never did intend murder or treason, or the destruction of property, or to excite or incite the slaves to rebellion, or to make insurrection. I have another objection, and that is that it is unjust that I should suffer such a penalty. Had I interfered in the manner which I admit, and which I admit has been fairly proved—for I admire the truthfulness and candor of the greater portion of the witnesses who have testified in this case—had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great, or in behalf of any of their friends, either father, mother, brother, sister, wife, or children, or any of that class, and suffered and sacrificed what I have in this interference, it would have been all right, and every man in this Court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment. This Court acknowledges, too, as I suppose, the validity of the law of God. I see a book kissed, which I suppose to be the Bible, or at least the New Testament, which teaches me that all things whatsoever I would that men should do to me, I should do even so to them. It teaches me further to remember them that are in bonds as bound with them. I endeavored to act up to that instruction. I say I am yet too young to understand that God is any respecter of persons. I believe that to have interfered as I have done, as I have always freely admitted I have done in behalf of His despised poor, is no wrong, but right. Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of my children and with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel and unjust enactments, I say let it be done. Let me say one word further. I feel entirely satisfied with the treatment I have received on my trial. Considering all the circumstances, it has been more generous than I expected. But I feel no consciousness of guilt. I have stated from the first what was my intention, and what was not. I never had any design against the liberty of any person, nor any disposition to commit treason or excite slaves to rebel or make any general insurrection. I never encouraged any man to do so, but always discouraged any idea of that kind. Let me say also in regard to the statements made by some of those who were connected with me, I fear it has been stated by some of them that I have induced them to join me, but the contrary is true. I do not say this to injure them, but as regretting their weakness. Not one but joined me of his own accord, and the greater part at their own expense. A number of them I never saw, and never had a word of conversation with till the day they came to me, and that was for the purpose I have stated. Now, I am done.
(November 2, 1859)
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Letter to Mrs. George L. Stearns
29.th Nov. 1859.
Charlestown, Jefferson Co Va.
Mrs George L Stearns
Boston
Mass
My Dear Friend
No letter I have received since my imprisonment here, has given me more satisfaction, or comfort; than yours of the 8th inst. I am quite cheerful: & was never more happy. Have only time write you a word. May God forever reward you & all yours My love to All who love their neighbours. I have asked to be spared from having any mock; or hypocritical prayers made over me, when I am publicly murdered: & that my only religious attendants be poor little, dirty, ragged, bare headed, & barefooted Slave Boys; & Girls; led by some old grey headed Slave Mother. Farewell. Farewell.
Your Friend
John Brown