The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-11-08

ter than mine, and will kindly give them
to me, you will indeed assist me more
than words can express. BY saying you
will will inquire Of the doctor how | can
obtain them, and so write your direction
when | acknowledge the receipt of your
kind favor. e.
TO this pathetic and grateful letter the
prisoner 'E' received no answer, for the
very good reason tina! his liberal patron
was dead. lie therefore sent Il second
referring to the first.
This drew letter from member of
the deceased's family, to the DIR. II. H..
Prince of Williamsburg, requesting in
formation concerning e. The Doctor
lost no time in replying as follows. The
hand writing of this despatch is entirely
different from that of e, and resembles
a females.
WILLIAMSBURG, Jan. 27, 1914.
Dear Sir--Iours of the 25th inst. is
at hand aud contents noted. With res
pect to the young man confined in prison
l know little. He evidently has received
a good education, and, from his manners
and address, shond say he was the son
of respectable parents. The name he
gave on his arrest was certainly an as
sumed one. He has acknowledged as
much to me. Temptation at an unguar-
ded moment has most likely placed. him
where he is now, for really think he is
not willing oliender.-His time is near
ly out, about four month; but can find
out the exact day by looking at the com
mltment. lie is young man whom |
take much interest in; think him truly
penlent for the crime forgery which
consigned him to prison; and | proud
~ hope he may yet be an ornament to
society. His every wish is not to be
known, and cannot with honor betrav
HIM, even to those may know his friends
III the slight information may have col
lected concerning him, which is slight in.
deed.
None but one friend, (your deceased
father, | presume,) knew of his whcrea-
bouts, who, from one circumstance alone,
as nc (the prisoner) informed me, has as
sisted and promised him the most sacred
secrecy; and should suppose, by your
surprise at his letters, has been most sa-
credly fulfilled. He has told me often
that he would sooner remain in prison for
life than that his father and friends should
know that he was prisoner to offended
laws, and | am sure he would fell bad
enough should any one meet him tha,
knew him formerly.
'The jailor has orders to allow him any
little comforts consistent with his safe
keeping; and hitherto, through some kind
friend, he has been able constantly to oh.
tain them; but for some time past he has
been out of funds. You ask me if he is
worthy your assistance. To those any
way interested in HIM, | unhesilatingly
say yes.
About three weeks ago he told me he
was about to write to kind friend for a
little assistance, and requested if he might
have an answer directed to my care. /
gave him permission, and next time
saw him he handed mn letter directed
10 gentleman named Blake, residing in
Boston, saying he expected an answer in
Tour days, and seemed very much de-
pressed and anxious when day after day
none arrived. He wrote second to the
same direction, which presume brought
your reply.
Now sir, although am under bonds
to maintain the rules and regulations of
The prison, Zone Of which rules strictly
prohibits me being a medium of commu-
nicaion between prisoner and those out
side,) still in this instance feel | can
oversiep the limits prescribed by law and
be dong an act of justice and kindness to
fellow being .--I'rusling so, and hoping
10 hear from you again, am, very res
pectfully, THOS. II. PRINCE, NJ. ID.
N. B.-1ou will oblige by consider.
ing this confidential. | shall feel happy
10 hear from you again, and if il is your
wish will converse with the prisoner on
The subject OF our correspondence; yet
eel in honor bound to act toward him in
all justice.
%, respecting some clothes. have lit
lie doubt but that they would be very ac-
'ep'abe, as | must say he would make
oul rather shabby appearance if liberia
led.-Should you think proper to send
any, do so by one of the Boston and New
York line of packets, directed for me
ana by saying so when you write, and
naming the vessel. | can get them for
him. He is about feet s inches.