John Brown's last note, December 2, 1859

After his capture at Harper's Ferry, John Brown stood trial in Charlestown, Virginia (now West Virginia), for treason and criminal conspiracy to incite a slave insurrection. Before his execution, Brown wrote a prophetic note: "I, John Brown, am quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood. I had as I now think vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed it might be done."

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