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When Brown was in court on trial, there were always faces burning with hatred hanging over him, fiercely watching every movement that he made.
In the event of an attempt to rescue, which has been the great fear all along, the jailers have been instructed to shoot him. The populace are resolute in their determination that their victims shall never be taken from them, and it does not seem that this determination is to be shaken by any expedient.
Brown's own ideas on the subject are characteristic.
He tranquilly says, “I do not know that I ought to encourage any attempt to save my life.
I am not sure that it would not be better for me to die at this time.
I am not incapable of error, and I may be wrong; but I think that perhaps my object would be nearer fulfilment if I should die. I must give it some thought.”
There is no insincerity about this, you may be sure.
Brown does not value his life; or, at least, is wholly unmoved at the prospect of losing it. He was never more firm than at this moment.
The only compunctions he expresses are in relation to his management at Harper's Ferry, by which he lost not only himself, but sacrificed his associates.
He sometimes says that if he had pursued his original plan of immediate escape to the mountains, he could never have been taken, for he and his men had studied the vicinity thoroughly, and knew it a hundred times better than any of the inhabitants.
It was, he says, his weakness in yielding to the entreaties of his prisoners, and delaying his departure, that ruined him. “ It was the first time,” are his own words, “ that I ever lost command of myself, and now I am punished for it.”
The reason Brown has given for asking his wife to remain away, is also characteristic.
He knows it would cause great suffering, and will, possibly, shatter his composure in a manner which he is resolved against, lest his captors should esteem it an evidence of regret for what he has done.
The despatch which I told you was sent to Mrs. Brown did not reach her, and to-day another was received, announcing that she was about to leave Philadelphia for this town.
Brown will still make another effort to check her. Nothing seems to give Brown greater annoyance than hearing of those threatening anonymous letters that are continually sent to Governor Wise, and to the authorities of Charlestown, respecting his fate.
He protests against them, and feels unwilling to believe that they proceed from his own friends.
A pro-slavery reporter of the New York Herald visited
John Brown on the same days, and thus records the results of the interview :
I have just seen “ Old Captain Brown.”
I inquired after his health and condition; he replied that his recent wounds had caused some inflammation in an old one, received, doubtless, in some of his “Kansas work;” with that exception he was easy in mind and body, and thought he had done his duty to God and man. If it was decreed that he should suffer for it, very well; it was of but small consequence to him. He cared but little, any way. I asked him if he had no regret for the valuable lives he had destroyed.
The old sinner replied he had not intended that.
In answer to the query, (If
