![]() But if we are to be forced with a mere form-a trial for execution-you might spare yourselves that trouble. There are mitigating circumstances that I would urge in our favor, if a fair trial is to be allowed us. My health is insufficient, though improving. I know nothing about the feelings of my fellow-prisoners, and am utterly unable to attend in any way to my own defense. I have not been able to advise with anyone. If you seek my blood, you can have it at any moment, without this mockery of a trial. The Governor of the State of Virginia tendered me his assurance that I should have a fair trial but, under no circumstances whatever, will I be able to have a fair trial. Virginians, I did not ask for any quarter at the time I was taken. Opening remarks of John Brown to the Virginia Court, October 27, 1859 John Brown's Other Statements at his Trial 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. There is not one of them but joined me of his own accord, and the greater part of them at their own expense. I do not say this to injure them, but as regretting their weakness. I her it has been stated by some of them that I have induced them to join me. Let me say also a word in regard to the statements made by some of those connected with me. I never encouraged any man to do so, but always discouraged any idea of that kind. ![]() I never had any design against the life of any person, nor any disposition to commit treason, or excite slaves to rebel, or make any general insurrection. I have stated that from the first what was my intention and what was not. Considering all the circumstances it has been more generous than I expected. I feel entirely satisfied with the treatment I have received on my trial. 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 submit so let it be done! ![]() 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 was not wrong, but right. I say I am yet too young to understand that God is any respecter of persons. It teaches me, further, to "remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them." I endeavored to act up to that instruction. That teaches me that all things whatsoever I would that men should do to me, I should do even so to them. I see a book kissed here which I suppose to be the Bible, or at least the New Testament. This court acknowledges, as I suppose, the validity of the law of God. 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. ![]() I have another objection and that is, it is unjust that I should suffer such a penalty. I never did intend murder, or treason, or the destruction of property, or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion, or to make insurrection. I designed to have done the same thing again on a larger scale. 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, moved them through the country, and finally left them in Canada. In the first place, I deny everything but what I have all along admitted - the design on my part to free the slaves. I have, may it please the court, a few words to say. ![]()
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