John Brown, last words in a written note given to his jailer, Dec. 2, 1859 Browse All Authors Famous Quotes by John Brown, last words in a written note given to his jailer, Dec. 2, 1859 I, John Brown, am now 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. John Brown, last words in a written note given to his jailer, Dec. 2, 1859