Anonymous To Governor Wise

Anonymous to Governor Henry A. Wise, 22 November 1859.

Nov 22nd 1859
Gov. H A Wise

Sir

Your chivalry [sic] has received a pretty good concussion. The noble John Brown has given you a blow from his brave arm that you never can survive; he preceeded [sic] you in the taking of Harpers Ferry and the arcenal [sic] as you proposed and the little handful gave your great dominion the delerim tremans and she will never get over it.

He is a hero and will be regarded as such and a marter [sic] in future American
history, and by your own State to Chivelry [sic] indeed! You are but the miserable offspring of ostentatious and piratical Sires; they have handed down their piratical gain to your barbarians of
the present day and you are clinging to it and their habits with all the tenacity of death to his victom [sic].

But you cant hold on much longer, your grasp is growing weaker daily and ere long your hands will fall parolized [sic] at your sides.

The noble John has done a great work he has struck the blow and America will honour and praise him for it; and now he and his little company are your prisoners you can hang them we expect you to do it but they will hardly have grown cold ere vengince [sic] will be visited upon your heads; when you put the rope around his neck you put a danger in your own heart and in those of your state. I tell you the truth, I am not deceaveing [sic] you. You will find it verified, its no play, your days are numbered, your slaves will cost you dear and your gratification [sic] of vengence [sic] dearer still, we are on your track, we will watch every movement and cirtain [sic] ones among you may count yourselves as dead men we sware [sic] upon the head of John Brown and you will find it verified. Your barbarians are howling for their pray it will be a luxurious morsel and a pretious [sic] moment to them when like the Turkos [sic] of the French army they can put their mouths to the throats of their victoms [sic] and drink their blood but it will be a woful [sic] dear drink to them.

In all this matter, you as the Executive have no wisdom, discression [sic], policy or forbareance, [sic] you are like your people howling, reaking, yelling for vengence [sic], but it will come upon your own heads and that right early.

The saying is verified, one shall chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight, and again, the wicked flee when no man persues [sic], A war Mr Wise has commenced that you cannot quench you may prepare for death. I write for Legion, for we are many.

Governor’s Office, Letters Received, Henry A. Wise, Record Group 3, Library of
Virginia