flesh and fish, and two large streets leading down to it which were both regular and elegant. It carried on the greatest trade of any town in the province, except Boston. It is said that the two ports cleared out a thousand vessels annually, for foreign trade, exclusive of a vast

number of coasters. Such is the end of human labor, wisdom and industry, and such the effects and fatal fruits of civil dissention and discord! The work of a day will ruin the labor of ages, and lay riches, grandeur, magnificence and splendour in ruins."

[MRS. MARY A. BROWN AND HENRY A. WISE.]

When the celebrated John Brown was under sentence of death in Virginia, his wife wrote the following remarkable letter to Henry A. Wise, Governor of that State. The response of the governor, written by his own hand, is characteristic of the kindness of heart of that gentleman, and the tenderness of his feelings whilst performing a sad official duty:

Philadelphia, Nov. 21, 1859.
To the Hon. H. A. WISE,
Governor of Virginia,
Sir:

I am made bold to address you by my trust in your feelings as a man, and by reports that have come to me of the respectful words in which you have spoken. of my husband, now under sentence of death in your State.

I ask for myself and my children that when all shall be over, the mortal remains of my husband and his sons may be delivered to me for decent and tender interment among their kindred.

I do not ask you for his life, dear as it is to us, and right worthy and honorable as I knew him to be. I am perfectly aware that if public considerations cannot avert his doom, private feelings, however agonized, will not be allowed the slightest weight.

In the letters which I have received from him, there is not a word expressing a desire that I should petition for his life. But he tells me that if, after he shall be no more, I think fit to come to Virginia "to gather up the bones of our sons and of my husband, "it will be well."

I ask, sir, for the exertion of your authority and personal influence in furthering this, my earnest desire.

Little as it is that I ask, if you will grant my request, your humanity in this particular shall have the sincerest thanks of his wife and children.

Mary. D. Brown

In confirmation of what I have said about my husband's wishes, I take the liberty of enclosing you a copy of one of his late letters.

Governor Wise responded as follows:
Richmond, Va.,
Nov. 26, 1857.

To Mrs. MARY A. BROWN,
(Now in Phila.)

Madam,

Yours of the 21st inst., addressed to me from Philadelphia, came to hand this morning.

Believe me, madam, that I sadly thank you for your "trust in my feelings as a man." Your situation touches those feelings deeply. Sympathising as I do with your affliction, you shall have the "exertion of my authority and personal influence" to assist you in "gathering up the bones of your sons and your husband" in Virginia, "for decent and tender interment among their kindred."

I am happy, madam, that you seem to have the wisdom and virtue to appreciate my position of duty. Would to God that "public considerations could avert his doom," for the Omniscient knows that I take not the slightest pleasure in the execution of any whom the laws condemn. May

Mrs. Brown went to Harper's Ferry, and there received and brought away the bodies of her hus band and sons. She was accompanied on her melancholy mission by General Hector Tyndale, of Philadelphia, and another gentleman, whose name is unknown to the writer.

John Brown was born at Torrington, Conn., on the 9th of May, 1800. His grandfather was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and perished in battle. His father was one of the early settlers in Ohio. John there worked at the trade of a tanner and currier, and was afterwards a dealer in wool. In the course of business he visited Europe. Emigrating to Kansas in 1855, he became involved in the political turmoils in that region, growing out of the contest for the possession of that land, between slave-holders and their opponents.

Το

Richmond, Nov. 26, 1859.

Major-General Wm. B. TALIAFERRO,

Sir,

In command at Charleston, Va.

When John Brown is executed on Friday, the 2nd proximo, you will place his mortal remains under strict guard, and protect them from all mutilation; place them in a plain, decent coffin and have them taken to Harper's Ferry, there to await the orders and agent of Mrs. Mary A. Brown, who has a duplicate of this order. You will also allow the bodies of her sons, who fell at Harper's Ferry, to be disinterred, and taken by her or her agent or order.

Respectfully yours,

HENRY A. WISE.

So early as 1839, Mr. Brown had conceived the idea of becoming a liberator of the slaves in this country. That idea took firm possession of his mind, and, of course, he was a vehement opposer of the slaveholders' party in his new home. He was a devout member of the Congregational Church. His moral character was above reproach, and his unflinching courage was well attested.

He became a leader among the anti-slavery inhabitants of Kansas, and led a force victoriously at Ossawatamie, against invaders from Missouri. In May, 1859, he held a secret convention, with others, at Chatham, in Canada, where an expedition was organized for the invasion of Virginia, for the purpose of liberating the slaves. Brown drew up a constitution with his own hand, for the provisional government of the State, when it should be in the possession of the invaders. Afterwards he rented a farm-house about six miles from Harper's Ferry, where he collected arms and ammunition; and on the night of the 16th of October, 1859, he, with about twenty men, among them three of his sons, surprised Harper's Ferry, seized the arsenal and armory, and took forty persons prisoners. The Virginia militia attacked the invaders, and over. powered them. Two of Brown's sons were killed, and he was captured. Tried on charges of conspiracy, treason and murder, he was found guilty, and was executed on the 2d day of December, 1859.-[ED.]

[JOHN NICHOLSON.']

[From the collection of Mr. E. H. Goss.] On the 29th of Nov., 1793, the acct. of Ephraim Douglas, Esq., Prothonotary

1 John Nicholson was the comptroller-general of the State of Pennsylvania from 1782 to 1796. He became a very extensive land speculator, and was charged with being guilty of using the public funds

of the County of Fayette for licenses from 22d Nov., 1792, to 15th Aug', 1793, was settled, amounting to Sixty two dollars and 40 cents, which sum was paid to The Treasurer of the State in full on 2d Sept., 1793 as per his Rec' filed in this

office.

porumotion Compugandr of time Dur. 21st 4793

[DEBORAH GANNETT.']

EDITOR AM. HIS. RECORD.--- It may be of interest to the readers of the RECORD to see a copy of a letter written by Deborah Gannett (known as Deborah Sampson), the teminine soldier of the revolution, to Capt. George Webb, of Holden, Max, in whose company she served.

for his own benent Robert Morris, the great Revoluchomary financier, was engaged with him in these pulations and booth were volod and rutaed, The delas ten by Nicholson, wppyid at the tuve of his death in 1800, are said to have amoaated to tw.lv million dollus, a large sun for one ide volud bowe in those days, and Mores, one of the abgoves of the Decla ation of lace seadence, who rabad millions of money for the case da ing

the Revolution, and who founded the Bank & North Amer, WA VM AVVNN the above Fund speculations with Nicholson, movesciatod piss tour or the later years e to the

I take the liberty of writing to you, not for mere compliments, but real esteem.

I hope sincerely that these may find you and every branch of your Family enjoying Health and happiness. I should be extremely happy to see you all again. I hope I shall have the gratification before many months. I present my love and acknowledge my gratitude to all my friends in this place. Dear Sir-I flatter myself that should I live I shall see better days than ever I have done heretofore. I hope to be able to sattisfy every Demand against me; it is my real wish never to injure any one, neither in name or property. will you be so kind as to tell your two Nephews that I feel myself under the greatest obligation to them. I will make

She

Sir,

ber, 1700. She was a descendant of Govern William Bradford, of the Plymouth colony. Lising her parents at an early age, she was al pted by an elderly maiden lady, nimed Fuller. Her msbered three years afterwar k with different persons until her yang we when she was remarkable to her inte seng and attainments, especially hcore and philosophy. At the age of 18 the events the revo In stimmed har

an intense desire to serve her o arty.

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my remittances to them as soon as I possibly can, but must beg their patience a while longer.

Sally, I believe you have forgot me or you would have wrote me long before now:

To

Capt. GEORGE WEBB, Holden.

PENNSYLVA

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF NIA. The stated quarterly meeting of this Society was held at their rooms on the evening of the 10th November, Mr. Horatio Gates Jones, the Vice-President, in the chair.

A report showed that there were at that time, 307 active, and 716 passive members; 108 corresponding members in the State of Pennsylvania, and 279 in other States; and 41 foreign members, making a grand total of 1,541.

The librarian, Mr. Shrigley, reported that since the 12th of May, 349 books had been added to the library, 260 of which were presented. The number of pamphlets received had been 653; the number of magazines 103, and 7 maps.

Many interesting historical relics and valuable manuscripts were presented to the Society.

Henry Armitt Brown reviewed the work of the Committee on the Restoration of Independence Hall, and offered the following resolutions, which were adopted.

Whereas, The committee, appointed by the Mayor of the city of Philadelphia, to effect the restoration, &c., of Independence Hall, has recommended in its report of the 7th of May, 1873, that the building at the southeast corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets, already interesting from its association with the organization of the Government under the Constitution of the United States, must be preserved, and would be appropriately given up to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, to receive its valuable collections, and as

a general hall for its meeting," &c., therefore,

Resolved, That this society heartily approves of the recommendation, and whenever the City Councils are disposed to restore the edifice, as near as may be to the condition in which it was while this city was the seat of Government of the United States, and the building itself occupied by the Senate and House of Representatives of the same in Congress assembled, this society will be ready to cooperate with its suggestions, and, after the building shall have been so restored, to assume under proper conditions the guardianship of it as of a great historical monument perpetually recalling the ancient honors of this city, and its supreme historic dignity in the annals of the Federal Republic.

Resolved, That copies of this preamble. and resolution be transmitted to Frank M. Etting, Esq., chairman of the committee aforesaid, and to his Honor the Mayor of the city, with the request that it be made known to the City Councils.

The following officers were renominated for election, and the society adjourned : President John Wm. Wallace. Vice-Presidents-Benjamin H. Coates, G. Washington Smith, H. Gates Jones, Aubrey H. Smith, and Jaines L. Claghorn. Cor. Secretary-J. Ross Snowden. Librarian-James Shrigley.

Treasurer-J. Edward Carpenter, 627 Walnut street.

Secretary-Townsend Ward.

Recording Secretary-Sam'l L. Smedley.

A CLAIM FOR PRECEDENCE.--Philadelphians claim that the first public movement against the landing of tea in America, one hundred years ago, took place in their city. Col. Frank M. Etting, in his history of the Old State House (which is yet in manuscript), adduces facts in support of that claim. He says that the news of the sailing of the tea-ships reached Philadelphia at the close of September, and produced a great commotion. The newspapers teemed with comments on the subject, and at a public meeting held at the State House on the 16th of October, the following resolutions were adopted:

RESOLVED, That the disposal of their own property is the inherent right of freemen; that there can be no property in that which another can, of right, take from us without our consent; that the claim of Parliament to tax America is, in other words, a claim of right to levy contributions on us at pleasure,

2. That the duty imposed by Parliament upon tea landed in America is a tax on the Americans, or levying contributions on them without their consent.

3. That the express purpose for which the tax is levied on the Americans, namely, for the support of government, administration of justice, and the defence of his Majesty's dominions in America, has a direct tendency to render Assemblies useless, and to introduce arbitrary government and slavery,

4. That a virtuous and steady opposition to this Ministerial plan of governing America is absolutely necessary to preserve even a shadow of liberty, and is a duty which every freeman in America owes to his country, to himself and to his posterity.

5. That the resolution lately entered into by the East India Company to send out their teas to America, subject to the payment of duties on its being landed here, is an open attempt to enforce this Ministerial plan, and a violent attack upon the liberties of America.

6. That it is the duty of every American to oppose this attempt.

7. That whoever shall, directly or indirectly, countenance this attempt, or in any wise aid or abet in unloading, receiving, or vending the tea sent or to be sent out by the East India Company, while it remains subject to the payment of a duty here, is an enemy to his country.

8. That a committee be immediately chosen to wait on those gentlemen who, it is reported, are appointed by the East India Company to receive and sell said tea, and request them, from a regard to their own character, and the peace and good order of the city and province, immediately to resign their appointment.

This was more than a fortnight before the "Sons of Liberty," in Boston, summoned the consignees to a public meeting on the subject, under Liberty Tree. The Philadelphians acted on the resolutions with spirit. Even so early as the 27th of September, the self-constituted Tarring and Feathering Committee had issued an admonition to the pilots on the Delaware to look out for the tea-ship Polly. At a meeting in Boston, on the 29th of November, it was resolved that no tea should be landed. Three days afterwards the following card appeared conspicuously in Philadelphia:

A CARD.

THE PUBLIC prefent their compliments to Meffieurs

JAMES AND DRINKER. We are informed that A have this Day received your Commiffion to enflave your Wave Country; and as your frivolous Plea of having received Advice, relative to the fcandalous Part you were to act, in TRA SCHEME, can no longer ferve your purpofe, nor your Attention, we expect and defire you will imme

form the PUBLIC, by a line or two to be lett at the - HOUSE, Whether you will, or will not, renounce all senous to execute that Commiffion?.... THAT WE MAY ON OURSELVES ACCO, I

adelphia, Dece

.Y.

The expected tea-ship did not arrive in the Delaware until Christmas. Meanwhile three tea-ships had arrived at Boston, and on the night of the 16th of December, their cargoes had been cast into the sea.

A statement in a Boston paper in October, seems to indicate that the patriots there followed instead of leading. It says that they "express the same sentiments in regard to the tea expected from London, as the people of New York and Philadelphia, whose conduct they highly approve, and strongly urge their countrymen to imitate. The masters of all their London vessels, too, they expect, like those of New York and Philadelphia, will refuse to bring any tea to America while the duty remains.'

THE EASTERN LUNATIC ASYLUM OF VIRGINIA. The one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, at Williamsburg, Va., was celebrated in the Asylum building on the evening of the 10th of November. The chapel, in which the services were held, was beautifully decorated. The exercises began with chanting of the Anthem "Exalt him all ye People." Governor Walker presided, and Dr. George T. Wilmer delivered a centennial address. He said that to Virginia belongs the honor of having originated the first public asylum for the insane ever established on this continent. The General Assembly of the State in 1769, appointed a board of directors for the purpose, and the asylum building (now the centre part) was constructed by Benjamin Powell. It was completed and placed in the hands of the directors in 1773, who were William Nelson, Thos. Nelson, Robert Carter, Peyton Randolph, Robert C. Nicholas, John Blair, Jr., George Wythe, Dudley Digges, Jr., Thomas Everard and John Tazewell. The first two patients were received on the 12th of October, 1773.

AN INDIAN LEGEND.-The mind of the Indian is full of fancies, and everything mysterious takes the form of the supernatural in his thoughts. Between Fort Erie and the Grand River, in Canada, there is a new Indian agency called Standing Rock, which name is derived from a bowlder which stands alone on a plain, about three miles from the river. A late visitor says it is identified with a curious Indian legend, which makes that stone the person of an ancient Indian Queen. The legend runs thus: A powerful band of red men made that region their stamping grounds. The chief desertea his old wife and took young squaw to his bosom. The old Queen, deeply grieved, went back from the river, and sitting on the ground mourned there for several days. On the ninth day she was turned into this huge bowlder. This story the Indians believe to this day, and the stone is held sacred by them. From time immemorial, the rock has been decorated with gay colored cloths, and a bucket has been kept within a few inches of its base continually filled with water, for the old Queen to drink. It is considered a heinous offence to the Great Spirit to disturb this bucket, or in any way desecrate the bowlder-the petrified Indian Queen.