The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-11-21
Letters of John G. Colt, written In the
New York Prison.

PRIsoN Housx, Oct.2, 1912.
ID not believe the thousand false statements you see he
ralded from day day in the papers.-Let them blow
their bllst All that you hear passon-passion
II true there is great deal TO excite bat at the
time, they use me very unjusty Onehaf that is said is
for purpose OF extotng black maiat least with some
prints Pay the honest conductors of some papers
this city and they would turn the current public
opinion far to passion subside and set the
reader to thinking and calm reflection They will hear
nothing in my favor receive statements from
my friends unless they paid tonod the charge OF an
dvertsement--consequenty they have all their
way.Since things So my friends have advised me
keep COOL and bear all their horrd and unmerciiu nc
tons. The tables may be day turned and those
who glut their appetite in feeding upon my
misfortune may yet feel the scorpion lash of the pen
their souls safety, DBL. f4tt ..t % f.'f..tr
The man that meets with misfortune now days, be-
the victim oa certain portion of the press
If he poor his friends brought in for share as mine
have been aud placed upon the rack and tortured till
money Is forthcoming But in this they will spill
their ink purpose for it is not only my misfortune
but that OF my friends, KNOW to be without any
very extensive means.
will write you again at large when in the mood
for scribbling cannot close without renewing again
my heartfelt gratitude for the kindness proered by you
and friends but let there be to the effect you have
proposed, as assure you is entirely unnecessary
Your unfortunate friend
To H R., Baltimore
PRrsos HOUSE, Oct. Sd, ls4l.
know and pity the motives in which by far too many
of the severes attacks made and would assure you
if in my power award to every writer in the country
much gold he could wish, and say to them hence
FORTH prey not the calames Of the unfortunate"
Do not believe that the statements made Affect
understand we'll the motives that prompt to abuse It
only far they hurt the feelings OF my friends that
they cause pain
Remember me to H and s.. and all the dear little
ends wen Ihave much more to say but unto fortunately
havec0me to the end OF my sheet. me More anon co,r
Toll G.. Boston, Mass. se ~
~ Pnlsos HOUSE. Oct. Is, Isal.
Yours ofthe 18th instant duly received Many Of
your inquiries cannot now answer, although should
be glad After my trial shall feel liberty write
more freely. know little as you what will be the de-
fence My lawyers are acquainted with all the facts
They say | must leave all to them. The best way Of
managing would be for the facts seal and
hand the court and after the testimony Is taken 10
open and read it, Should my be sustained in
analy sis by the evidence il would justice in The mind
every reasonable being amount to an entire acqutta Of
the charge.
public press has excited the passions Of the people
to alarming degree But assure you would best ac
cord with my feelings The idea Of going forth in the
world suspected murderer infinitely than much
suffering III throw myself upon my peers they will be
likely to believe me; but il prove an al bi they will let
go, but always wrongiully suspect desired TO kill my
antagonist. Were west south, could with perfect
safety throw myself upon the country and with the evil
dence Of Wells and Wheeler if they will but state the
truth be certain Of acquitta But in this city am
little known is to be feared that passion and not evidence
Wells stated TO my friends in some their first
views that adams left him in vexed mood passion,
and that had doubt but that he went to my office and
nsuled me-" In later interviews he DESTROYS
modifying his anguageor making different statement.
He very timid man, and has fear been cowed from
telling the truth. t
My keepers tell me that the prosecuting counsel is 60
ing to Congress my hanging and am told this is pub
icy spoken Of Very pleasant ali! II he be an unprinci
Piled ambitious man. there is doubt but that he will do
ything win his case and would certainly be quite
feather in lawyers cap to get an innocent man hung
There a time however, when men acquired popuari-
ty by defending the unfortunate, but nowadays would
trampling upon the unfortunate. One thing very
the prosecuting counsel gave utterance to such
sentiments himself have doubt however, rs he is q
TO convict me.
yours ''nno'"''ji' e. COLT.
c. H, Philadelphia.