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died of his wound on Wednesday the second, or on Thursday the third day after I was taken.
Dauphin was killed when I was taken, and Anderson, I suppose, also.
I have since been tried, and found guilty of treason, &c., and of murder in the first degree.
I have not yet received my sentence.
No others of the company with whom you were acquainted were, so far as I can learn, either killed or taken.
Under all these terrible calamities, I feel quite cheerful in the assurance that God reigns, and will overrule all for his glory and the best possible good.
I feel no consciousness of guilt in the matter, nor even mortification on account of my imprisonment and iron; and I feel perfectly assured that very soon no member of my family will feel any possible disposition to “blush on my account.”
Already dear friends at a distance, with kindest sympathy, are cheering me with the assurance that posterity at least will do me justice.
I shall commend you all together, with my beloved, but bereaved, daughters-in-law, to their sympathies, which I have no doubt will soon reach you. I also commend you all to Him “whose mercy endureth forever” --to the God of my fathers, “whose I am, and whom I serve.”
“He will never leave you or forsake you” unless you forsake Him. Finally, my dearly beloved, be of good comfort.
Be sure to remember and to follow my advice, and my example too, so far as it has been consistent with the holy religion of Jesus Christ, in which I remain a most firm and humble believer.
Never forget the poor, nor think any thing you bestow on them to be lost to you, even though they may be as black as Ebedmelech, the Ethiopian eunuch, who cared for Jeremiah in the pit of the dungeon, or as black as the one to whom Philip preached Christ.
Be sure to entertain strangers, for thereby some have-“Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them.”
I am in charge of a jailer like the one who took charge of “Paul and Silas;” and you may rest assured that both kind hearts and kind faces are more or less about me, whilst thousands are thirsting for my blood.
“These light afflictions, which are but for a moment, shall work out for us afar more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
I hope to be able to write you again.
My wounds are doing well.
Copy this, and send it to your sorrow-stricken brothers, Ruth, to comfort them.
Write me a few words in regard to the welfare of all. God Almighty bless you all, and make you “joyful in the midst of all your tribulations.”
Write to John Brown, Charlestown, Jefferson Co., Va., care of Captain John Avis.
Your affectionate husband and father. John Brown.
Nov. 3, 1859.
P. S.--Yesterday, Nov. 2, I was sentenced to be hanged on Dec. 2d next.
Do not grieve on my account.
I am still quite cheerful.
God bless you. Yours ever, ,signed>John Brown.
