PRELIMINARIES TO INSURRECTION--WHAT MAY BE TOLD AND WHAT NOT--JOHN
BROWN’S FIRST VISIT TO CHATHAM--SOME OF THE SECRETS FROM THE
“CARPET-BAG.”
To go into particulars, and to detail reports current more than a year
before the outbreak, among the many in the United States and Canada
who had an inkling of some “practical work” to be done by “Osawattomie
Brown,” when there should be nothing to do in Kansas,--to give facts
in that connection, would only forestall future action, without
really benefitting the slave, or winning over to that sort of work
the anti-slavery men who do not favor physical resistance to slavery.
Slaveholders alone might reap benefits; and for one, I shall throw none
in their way, by any indiscreet avowals; they already enjoy more than
their share; but to a clear understanding of all the facts to be here
published, it may be well to say, that preliminary arrangements were
made in a number of places,--plans proposed, discussed and decided
upon, numbers invited to participate in the movement, and the list of
adherents increased. Nine insurrections is the number given by some
as the true list of outbreaks since slavery was planted in America;
whether correct or not, it is certain that preliminaries to each
are unquestionable. Gabriel, Vesey, Nat Turner, all had conference
meetings; all had their plans; but they differ from the Harper’s
Ferry insurrection in the fact that neither leader nor men, in the
latter, divulged ours, when in the most trying of situations. Hark
and another met Nat Turner in secret places, after the fatigues of a
toilsome day were ended; Gabriel promulged his treason in the silence
of the dense forest; but John Brown reasoned of liberty and equality in
broad daylight, in a modernized building, in conventions with closed
doors, in meetings governed by the elaborate regulations laid down by
Jefferson, and used as their guides by Congresses and Legislatures; or
he made known the weighty theme, and his comprehensive plans resulting
from it, by the cosy fireside, at familiar social gatherings of chosen
ones, or better, in the carefully arranged junto of earnest, practical
men. Vague hints, careful blinds, are Nat Turner’s entire make-up
to save detection; the telegraph, the post-office, the railway, all
were made to aid the new outbreak. By this, it will be seen that
Insurrection has its progressive side, and has been elevated by John
Brown from the skulking, fearing cabal, when in the hands of a brave
but despairing few, to the highly organized, formidable, and to very
many, indispensable institution for the security of freedom, when
guided by intelligence.
So much as relates to prior movements may safely be said above; but who
met--when they met--where they met--how many yet await the propitious
moment--upon whom the mantle of John Brown has fallen to lead on the
future army--the certain, terribly certain, many who must follow up the
work, forgetting not to gather up the blood of the hero and his slain,
to the humble bondman there offered--these may not, must not be told!
Of the many meetings in various places, before the work commenced, I
shall speak just here of the one, the minutes of which were dragged
forth by marauding Virginians from the “archives” at Kennedy Farm; not
forgetting, however, for their comfort, that the Convention was one
of a series at Chatham, some of which were of equally great, if not
greater, importance.
The first visit of John Brown to Chatham was in April, 1858. Wherever
he went around, although an entire stranger, he made a profound
impression upon those who saw or became acquainted with him. Some
supposed him to be a staid but modernized Quaker; others, a solid
business man, from “somewhere,” and without question a philanthropist.
His long white beard, thoughtful and reverent brow and physiognomy, his
sturdy, measured tread, as he circulated about with hands, as portrayed
in the best lithograph, under the pendant coat-skirt of plain brown
Tweed, with other garments to match, revived to those honored with his
acquaintance and knowing to his history, the memory of a Puritan of the
most exalted type.
After some important business, preparatory to the Convention, was
finished, Mr. Brown went West, and returned with his men, who had been
spending the winter in Iowa. The party, including the old gentleman,
numbered twelve,--as brave, intelligent and earnest a company as could
have been associated in one party. There were John H. Kagi, Aaron D.
Stevens, Owen Brown, Richard Realf, George B. Gill, C. W. Moffitt, Wm.
H. Leeman, John E. Cook, Stewart Taylor, Richard Richardson, Charles
P. Tidd and J. S. Parsons--all white except Richard Richardson, who
was a slave in Missouri until helped to his liberty by Captain Brown.
At a meeting held to prepare for the Convention and to examine the
Constitution, Dr. M. R. Delany was Chairman, and John H. Kagi and
myself were the Secretaries.
When the Convention assembled, the minutes of which were seized by
the slaveholding “cravens” at the Farm, and which, as they have been
identified, I shall append to this chapter, Mr. Brown unfolded his
plans and purpose. He regarded slavery as a state of perpetual war
against the slave, and was fully impressed with the idea that himself
and his friends had the right to take liberty, and to use arms in
defending the same. Being a devout Bible Christian, he sustained
his views and shaped his plans in conformity to the Bible; and when
setting them forth, he quoted freely from the Scripture to sustain his
position. He realized and enforced the doctrine of destroying the tree
that bringeth forth corrupt fruit. Slavery was to him the corrupt tree,
and the duty of every Christian man was to strike down slavery, and to
commit its fragments to the flames. He was listened to with profound
attention, his views were adopted, and the men whose names form a part
of the minutes of that in many respects extraordinary meeting, aided
yet further in completing the work.
MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION.
CHATHAM, (Canada West,) }
Saturday, May 8, 1858--10, A. M. }
Convention met in pursuance to a call of John Brown and others, and
was called to order by Mr. Jackson, on whose motion, Mr. William C.
Munroe was chosen President; when, on motion of Mr. Brown, Mr. J. H.
Kagi was elected Secretary.
On motion of Mr. Delany, Mr. Brown then proceeded to state the object
of the Convention at length, and then to explain the general features
of the plan of action in the execution of the project in view by the
Convention. Mr. Delany and others spoke in favor of the project and
the plan, and both were agreed to by general consent.
Mr. Brown then presented a plan of organization, entitled “Provisional
Constitution and Ordinances for the People of the United States,” and
moved the reading of the same.
Mr. Kinnard objected to the reading until an oath of secrecy was
taken by each member of the Convention; whereupon Mr. Delany moved
that the following parole of honor be taken by all the members of the
Convention--“I solemnly affirm that I will not in any way divulge any
of the secrets of this Convention, except to persons entitled to know
the same, on the pain of forfeiting the respect and protection of this
organization;” which motion was carried.
The President then proceeded to administer the obligation, after
which the question was taken on the reading of the plan proposed by
Mr. Brown, and the same carried.
The plan was then read by the Secretary, after which, on motion of
Mr. Whipple, it was ordered that it be now read by articles for
consideration.
The articles from one to forty-five, inclusive, were then read and
adopted. On the reading of the forty-sixth, Mr. Reynolds moved to
strike out the same. Reynolds spoke in favor, and Brown, Munroe, Owen
Brown, Delany, Realf, Kinnard and Kagi against. The question was then
taken and lost, there being but one vote in the affirmative. The
article was then adopted.
The forty-seventh and forty-eighth articles, with the schedule, were
then adopted in the same manner. It was then moved by Mr. Delany that
the title and preamble stand as read. Carried.
On motion of Mr. Kagi, the Constitution, as a whole, was then
unanimously adopted.
The Convention then, at half-past one o’clock, P. M., adjourned, on
motion of Mr. Jackson, till three o’clock.
* * * * *
THREE O’CLOCK, P. M. Journal read and approved.
On motion of Mr. Delany, it was then ordered that those approving of
the Constitution as adopted sign the same; whereupon the names of all
the members were appended.
After congratulatory remarks by Messrs. Kinnard and Delany, the
Convention, on motion of Mr. Whipple, adjourned at three and
three-quarters o’clock.
J. H. KAGI, _Secretary of the Convention_.
The above is a journal of the Provisional Constitutional Convention
held at Chatham, Canada West, May 8, 1858, as herein stated.
* * * * *
CHATHAM, (Canada West,) Saturday, May 8, 1858.
SIX, P. M. In accordance with, and obedience to, the provisions of the
schedule to the Constitution for the proscribed and oppressed people
“of the United States of America,” to-day adopted at this place, a
Convention was called by the President of the Convention framing
that instrument, and met at the above-named hour, for the purpose of
electing officers to fill the offices specially established and named
by said Constitution.
The Convention was called to order by Mr. M. R. Delany, upon whose
nomination, Mr. Wm. C. Munroe was chosen President, and Mr. J. H.
Kagi, Secretary.
A Committee, consisting of Messrs. Whipple, Kagi, Bell, Cook and
Munroe, was then chosen to select candidates for the various offices
to be filled, for the consideration of the Convention.
On reporting progress, and asking leave to sit again, the request was
refused, and Committee discharged.
On motion of Mr. Bell, the Convention then went into the election of
officers, in the following manner and order:--
Mr. Whipple nominated John Brown for Commander-in-Chief, who, on the
seconding of Mr. Delany, was elected by acclamation.
Mr. Realf nominated J. H. Kagi for Secretary of War, who was elected
in the same manner.
On motion of Mr. Brown, the Convention then adjourned to 9, A. M., on
Monday, the 10th.
* * * * *
MONDAY, May 10, 1858--9, A. M. The proceedings of the Convention on
Saturday were read and approved.
The President announced that the business before the Convention was
the further election of officers.
Mr. Whipple nominated Thomas M. Kinnard for President. In a speech of
some length, Mr. Kinnard declined.
Mr. Anderson nominated J. W. Loguen for the same office. The
nomination was afterwards withdrawn, Mr. Loguen not being present, and
it being announced that he would not serve if elected.
Mr. Brown then moved to postpone the election of President for the
present. Carried.
The Convention then went into the election of members of Congress.
Messrs. A. M. Ellsworth and Osborn Anderson were elected.
After which, the Convention went into the election of Secretary of
State, to which office Richard Realf was chosen.
Whereupon the Convention adjourned to half-past two, P. M.
2 1-2, P. M. Convention again assembled, and went into a balloting for
the election of Treasurer and Secretary of the Treasury. Owen Brown
was elected as the former, and George B. Gill as the latter.
The following resolution was then introduced by Mr. Brown, and
unanimously passed:--
_Resolved_, That John Brown, J. H. Kagi, Richard Realf, L. F. Parsons,
C. P. Todd, C. Whipple, C. W. Moffit, John E. Cook, Owen Brown,
Stewart Taylor, Osborn Anderson, A. M. Ellsworth, Richard Richardson,
W. H. Leeman and John Lawrence be and are hereby appointed a Committee
to whom is delegated the power of the Convention to fill by election
all the offices specially named in the Provisional Constitution which
may be vacant after the adjournment of this Convention.
The Convention then adjourned, _sine die_.
J. H. KAGI, _Secretary of the Convention_.
NAMES OF MEMBERS OF THE CONVENTION, WRITTEN BY EACH PERSON.
William Charles Munroe, President of the Convention; G. J. Reynolds,
J. C. Grant, A. J. Smith, James M. Jones, George B. Gill, M. F.
Bailey, William Lambert, S. Hunton, C. W. Moffit, John J. Jackson,
J. Anderson, Alfred Whipple, James M. Buel, W. H. Leeman, Alfred M.
Ellsworth, John E. Cook, Stewart Taylor, James W. Purnell, George
Aiken, Stephen Dettin, Thomas Hickerson, John Caunel, Robinson
Alexander, Richard Realf, Thomas F. Cary, Richard Richardson, L. F.
Parsons, Thomas M. Kinnard, M. H. Delany, Robert Vanvanken, Thomas M,
Stringer, Charles P. Tidd, John A. Thomas, C. Whipple, I. D. Shadd,
Robert Newman, Owen Brown, John Brown, J. H. Harris, Charles Smith,
Simon Fislin, Isaac Holler, James Smith, J. H. Kagi, Secretary of the
Convention.