Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

514 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
If a, man loves another for the qualities he himself has not, the
friendship between Reuben A. Chapman and John Brown is explained,
for they were not of kin in any quality of character save the cour-
age of conviction and the root-sentiment of humanity and equal
rights. Mr. Chapman heard Mr. Brown talk about the negro's
wrongs, which he had made his own, collected Brown's wool
bills for him, and acted generally as legal adviser. When John
Brown was finally in the hands of the law in Virginia, his first thought
was of the cool, judicious Reuben Chapman, of Springfield, and he
appealed to him for legal assistance in the following letter, now in
the hands of Mr. Chapman's daughter, Mrs. T. M. Brown, of this
city :
—
Hon. Reuben Chapman, Springfield, Mass. : —
Charlestown, Jefferson County, Va. ,
October 21, '59.
Dear Sir, — I am here a prisoner witli several sabre cuts in my head and bay-
onet stabs in my body. My object in writing you is to obtain able and faitliful
counsel for myself and fellow-prisoners, five in all, as we have the faith of Vir-
ginia pledged through her governor and numerous other prominent citizens
to give us a fair trial. Without we can obtain such counsel from without the
slave States neither tlie facts in our case can come before the world, nor can we
have the benefit of such facts as might be considered mitigating in view of others
upon our trial. I have money in hand here to the amount of $250, and personal
property suflficient to pay a most liberal fee to yourself or to any suitable man
who will undertake our defense if I can have the benefit of said property. Can
you or some other good man come immediately on for the sake of the young
men prisoners at least? My wounds are doing well. Do not send an ultra abo-
litionist. Very respectfully yours,
JOHN BROWN.
This letter was dictated, but is signed by Brown with a firm, plain
hand. Mr. Chapman was about starting on court business, and
could not go to Virginia, but he gave his imprisoned friend what
advice he could by letter.