Letter from "Brutus" to Governor Wise

“Brutus” to Governor Henry A. Wise, n.d. [ca. November 1859]

Sir

You are very Eloquent in denouncing old Brown, as a Vile traitor
Because he wished to free the Poor Black Save;
But how different you are in speaking of George Washington; the
Chief of the White Rebels, “Consistency thou are a jewel”
Oh how gloriously and God-like to oppose British Slavery
To shoot, murder, hang confiscate, axe any thing to gain

Freedom; Boston then was the Cradle of Liberty. Now the nursery
Of treason;
“How very strange that wrong and right;
“Should all depend on Black and white
If it was right for the whites, Pray inform us how it is wrong for the
Blacks, “Sauce for the goose ought to be sauce for the gander”
George Washington could hang Major Andre, and help to Rob
England of her Proper honest isago
Now Sir we wish to inform you, that this is not the last attempt that will be made to aid the Poor Slaves; you may
For fear, for come it will like a thunderbolt; though one
Two, or ten may fail and suffer, others will arise until
The “Black star is erased from america’s flag

Yours until

Death

Brutus

There as many a wise been a wisecare

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