Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-09-20
From the Emancipator.
TOrFoy'S Letter to MARYLAND,

ne IOIOWlng Ietter OF CnarleS l.. lOfrey, 10
the people of Maryland, was published (as an adj |
vertisement) in the Baltimore Sun, of August 80
the paper having the largest circulation in that
city. Considering the position of Mr.. Torrey, as
prisoner in slaveholding State, about to be tr-
ed for the alleged crime Gin the estimation of slave
holders the highest crime that can be commtted)
Of nveighlInS away slaves, and then looking at
the spirit, the comprehensive views, the manly and
unsubduable maintenance of RIGHT, the -prepa-
ration for all that may come, and the solemn sum
mons by this prisoner, to two sovereign States to
trial before the tribunal of the word--it is one of
the most extraordinary documents of the year
ll944 1t will be read with the most intense inter
est in Europe; it will be read in the year 944 all
over America; it is part Of the history and prom
inent mark of the progress Ok the abolition cause.
To THE PUBTIc,-The undersigned, prisoner
in the city Jail, in Baltimore, asks your attention
| to the following statements: If was as widely
known to the good people of this State as am to
the citizens Of New England, New York, and sew
eral of the western States, it would be of very lit
! lie importance to me that class Of persons, such
as traders in slaves, professional fugitive hunters
and subordinate officials, with few shareholders
Of the violent yfanaticGL class, should employ the
venom of tongues reckless of TRUTH to assaiI my
| character, and endeavOr to make Christian men
deem me fit associate for feIons, or men of their
own grade in socety.-But to all, save few col
leglate classmates and a few others whose ac-
nave III lflOSC cases recently formed
am stranger | am imprisoned on charges that
render me obnoxious to the displeasure of that
class of the peOpe-1Ot very numerous, it is true
who deem their interests involved in the per-
petuaton Of slavery and the slave-trade.
i Let me be distinctly understood, do not ask for
any mans sympathy. Did desire it, statement
of real facts respecting the charges against land
the reclllessness of my prosecutors would secure
it. But my demand is not for the sympathy due
even to the most obscure and guilty of race.
but for JUSTICE. The verdicts Of the courts OF
law and equity, some of which, in my case, will
not be given, in all likelihood, before February
1916, will, if they are what confidently expect
render me but tardy justice. Meanwhile, | have
an appeal to make to the men of intelligence of all
parties, who are for the good name and the pros
: perity of Maryland, and of our whole country,
First, have to state few facts relative to my
} personal history. | do this with reluctance, and
solely because certain persons, to whom auslOr
has already been made, have employed base
means to convey an impression to the religious
public, far different from truth.
, It is not, then, matter Of Boosting, but of sim
pie Justice, for me to state, that my family educa
ton, station, employments, and character, have
ever placed me in the highest and purest class OF
o society. Deprived IF both parents before was
four years Of age, was educated by my mothers
father, the late Hon Charles Turner, Of Scituate
e Plymouth county, Mass, who will be remember
GU ny lue Ola pOlllClauS OF tnlS Dtalc, as one o
: the few republican members Of Congress in 1912
5 IA, who dared to hold fast their integrity, in thu
u face OF a froWnng constituency, and vote for
> declaration of war. From him-a soldier unde
: Washington when Boston was occupied by tn
E British learned to hate slavery in all its forms
u To all who have known me in the thoughtess year
of childhood or when Il student in Phillips (Exe
= ter, N. H. Academy; classmate in Yale Col
lege, with Robbins, Kerr, Mcclellan, ant
:, Others from this State; member of AndOverSem
1t mary; pastor of churches in Providence, K. l.
Il and Salem Mass; agent of benevolent societies
1t contributor to- or editor of public papers; or an
l. walk in life, in public and private; to the tens @
thousands in the States named, IN all classes OF SO
N cety, and to all with whom a brief residence i
the South has introduced me, confidently appea
l., Let them say that am chargeabc with one AZ
III that is unbecoming the character of educated
), Christian gentleman one act that shall ever cans
my children to honor their father less than natur
and affection would bid them. | make this appei
with distinct recollection ofthe past, that durin
T. the last seven years in public life, have ofte
lg come in collision with the views, the prejudice
in the angry passions of religious and POLITICAL pal
e. tiZans OF almost every class; and at times, hay
st been assailed and assailed others, with tempe
er that even the excitement of partlzanshp poor
a. justfes. But am Willing 10 be judged by ing ef
nd emieS, so far they themselves belong to the r.
o. putabe portion of society-savetrader and the
ell made to stamp ignominy on an unsullied nam
v In January, 1912, by the advice and request
IT. several gentlemen among the most prominent VIII
nd and democratic members Of Congress, attended
hit public convention-open to all the word-n tt
I'd, city of Annapolis, called to perpetuate the cur:
nd and crime of slavery in this State. ! was an e
ry tire stranger in Maryland, having previously spe
se but eleven hours in it, seven of which were spec
We in passing through it. BY the malicious acts
c. certain members of the gambling fraternity, who
IS, had offended by exposing their characters, lay
ely less and drunken mob was excited against me, al
nd | was thrust into Jail. No c0mptaSn! was mad
J." no oath taken, violation of law, actual pos
lc- BILE, was ever limited att to excuse such Violate
IN of The laws, constitution and hospitality OF Il
ar State In all the week of subsequent nYestig
ON ton, not a shadow Of preteXt for my detent
it appeared; yet certain underlngs of the pres
Z" from that hour, have sought to connect my nai
ght with the class of feIons who figure in the loaf
rs, some police reports. The wrong done me by t
of citizens and the authorities of Maryland at til
Zen time, remains urredreSsed; how much to their
TX her honor, the world will Judge.
rs Four months since came to this city, to ma
'he it my permanent iesidence. Within week fire
the my coming, II noted savetrader commenced II
series of Vaccinations that resulted in my ARE
&C. Whether that arrest in its results, will bring he
his or shame to the individuals and states who t
nail made parties to it, Of one thing am sure; 1t
tile never destroy my good name, IN the eyes OF a
,m- considerable portion of the Christian and homo
or's bic part of mankind. This leads me to my $
al ond object.
al. wish, while would carefully avoid a
the statement that can be deemed prGadgment