CHARLES SUMNER. STATUE OF HORACE MANN. LETTER TO DR. SAMUEL G. HOWE, MARCH 5, 1860. From the public papers of the time. SENATE CHAMBER, March 5, 1860. MY DEAR HOWE,--I am glad to know that you are moving in earnest for a public statue to Horace Mann. Absence, and not indifference, is my excuse for not associating myself at first with this purpose. Though tardily, I do it now most sincerely, and with my whole heart. I send you for it one hundred dollars; but you will please not to measure my interest in this tribute to a public benefactor by the sum which I contribute. Were I able, it would be ten times as large. If each person in Massachusetts who has been benefited by the vast and generous labors of Horace Mann,--each person who hates Intemperance, and who hates Slavery,--each person who loves Education, and who loves humane efforts for the prisoner, the poor, and the insane,--should contribute a mite only, then his statue would be of gold. Why not at once appeal to good men, and insist upon organization throughout the Commonwealth, reaching into every School District, so that all may have an opportunity to contribute? Pray do this, and if I can serve you any way about it, command me, and believe me, Always yours, CHARLES SUMNER. P. S.--Mr. Seward, who is not a Massachusetts man, asks me to put his name down for fifty dollars. I enclose his subscription. USURPATION OF THE SENATE IN IMPRISONING A CITIZEN. TWO SPEECHES, ON THE IMPRISONMENT OF THADDEUS HYATT FOR REFUSING TO TESTIFY IN THE HARPER’S FERRY INVESTIGATION, IN THE SENATE, MARCH 12 AND JUNE 15, 1860. On his return to the Senate, at the opening of Congress, December 5, 1859, Mr. Sumner encountered the agitation arising from the famous attempt of John Brown at Harper’s Ferry. Though warned to enter slowly into the full responsibilities of his position, he was constantly moved by incidents arising from this agitation. * * * * * On the first day of the session, Mr. Mason, of Virginia, moved the appointment of a committee “to inquire into the facts attending the late invasion and seizure of the armory and arsenal of the United States at Harper’s Ferry, in Virginia, by a band of armed men,” and the long resolution concluded with “power to send for persons and papers.” The Committee was appointed, with Mr. Mason as chairman, and, in the course of its duties, summoned John Brown, Jr., of Kansas, and F. B. Sanborn and James Redpath, of Massachusetts, who severally failed to appear. Thaddeus Hyatt, of New York, appeared, but refused to testify. Thereupon Mr. Mason reported from his committee the following resolution.