The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-01 00:00:00

Muller's Letter to his Parents,

It is well known that after the condemnation
of Franz Muller he wrote a letter to his parents,
and it has often been affirmed that in this docu-
ment he made no allusion to his guilt or innocence;
but a perusal of the annexed translation of the letter
will show that this assertion, like so many others
made for, by, and concerning him, is very wide of
the truth :

Nonato, London, Nov, 1, 1861.

Dearest Parents, Brothers, and Sisters, Friends, and
Acquaintances—With trembling hand and sorrowfulleart
I take up the pen to give you further particulars of my
misfortune, which, in consequence of my disobedience
towards you, dea-est parents, has followed me, and has
infinitely shortened the days of my life. 1 now plainly
comprehend the sentence which stands written in the
Bible—that whosoever does not honour his father and
mother will bo followed by an early death; but I only see
it now when it is too late. I hope, neverthelosss, you who
were so dear to me will not discard me if all the world re-
pulse me. For hope ushers us into life, Moats arounds the
happy boy, animates youth with its magic light, and will
not b 3 buried with the grey-headed man, for if ho closes
his weary career at the grave, yet at the grave he plants
hope; and on this account I also hope that you will for.
give me with all your hearts. I will now briefly toll you
how it happened that I am overtaken by an unexpected
death, which, nevertheless, I do not deserve, but God often-
times punishes man by judgments which ho does not d e-
serve, and that is now the case with me, in order to punish
mo for my evil deeds towards you, my dearest parents; for
had I listened to you and not proceeded to England this
misfortune would not have befallen me, but it is now too
late, and therefore I will say no more on that subject but
will describe how it came about. I was at work with a per-
son called Louis Wild and became acquainted with his sis-
ter, Grace Mathews, and things proceeded so far that I
meditated marrying her. As I was acquainted with her
brother, John Mathews, it happened he bought a hat for
me. Through the purchase of this hat he brought me to
my unexpected death, as I had given up acquaintanceship
with his sister. On July 9, 1864, a man was murdered in a
railway carriage. From him a watch, chain, and hat were
taken at the same time, and another hat was left in the
carriage, which hat was similar to the one which John
Mathews had bought for me. A reward of 2,000 thalers was
now offered for those who could give information respecting
the murder. I had long previously resolved to go to Ame-
rica, as you yourselves know; and therefore, on Monday,
July 11, 1864, I went towards the office to pay my passage
to America, and on the way a watch end chain were offered
me, and I bought them, and as it afterwards appeared they
were the watch and chain belonging to the gentleman who
was murdered in the railway carriage on July 9, 1864. I
loft London for America on July 14, 1864, and reached New
York on Aug. 24, 1864, and was there arrested because John
Mathews had accused me of the murder, and consequently
I was brought back to London. I could not now bring
forward the man from whom I had bought the watch and
chain, and John Mathews swore that the hat which was
left in the railway carriage was the hat he had bought for
me on October 24, 1863. I was now required to say where
I was on July 9, and also what I did ; yet the people said
they could not remember, which might easily be the case
after so long a time, and on this account I was found guilty

of the murder and sentenced to death ; but God the Al-
mighty knows I am innocent, and therefore I shall die in
peace. I have now said all upon the subject which I can
say, and will therefore end my letter, for I have nothing
more to say. We must now part from one another for this
world, therefore farewell for ever ; nevertheless my fervent
blessing follows you. I shall see you no more in this world
and only in that world where there will be no more separa-
tion. Loving you sincerely here, I await with longing heart
the moment when we shall see one another in that world.
In this hope I will conclude, but I pray, dearest parents,
and brothers and sisters, that you will not be sorrowful, for
I am tranquil and in peace, for what can give greater con-
solation than to be in affliction without guilt, and as it is
also said in the Holy Scripture—Fear not they who can kill
the body, fear rather much more who can destroy body and
soul, and therefore I shall atone for the sins towards you of
which I have been guilty, and then the Lord will also gra.
ciously receive me. Time has been left me till November
14, and therefore I write you some lines and send them as
soon as possible in order that I may have peace, which I can
only receive when you forgive me from your hearts, and
that you will not refuse to me. In the hope that you wil
not let my request bo uncomplied with, I remain, your
loving son and brother, FRANS MULLER, who was sold as
a slave in London by John Mathews for 2,000 thalers."