Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-03-22
Conceived THOMPSON"

YORK prison, on Monday morning. The fol-
lowing is his letter to his wife -
Wife of my soul, divinity of my affections,
my patient, enduring, gentle, and affection
ale Mary, ere this meets your eye, | trust
That eternal repose will have settled upon
your unappy husband Were this new
charge my only trouble, could certainly
overcome it. or all the complaints made to
my prejudice, it could be the most easily de.
1eated,, for at the very lime half.past seven
o'ciock, when Gates swears he saw me in
New York, | was in Dr.. Rice's store, as he
recollects, and previous thereto, for an hour,
you and Others knew me TO have been in
Brooklin. But, my Mary, am sick of life,
SO much so that am incapable, Of longer
continuing it, have lost all hope Of being
benefit TO YOU and our little ones-a hope
that alone has sustained years of wretched
existence, and made me capable of meeting
and defeating more than most men, similarly
circumstanced, could have done. | know,
dearest Molly, that you will suffer for time
by my loss. Not only sweet one, through
your affection for me, but upon you will de-
Volve the care of Our family:
Cheer up--waste no time mourning for one
who is unworthy of you. To yon, it was
a hard fate that joined our fortunes. Once
away, and kind friends will protect you.-
Your reputation has never been assailed, and
no woman has ever possessed purer or bet
ter nature, as all who know You will bear
witness. Do not increase your suflerings by
supposng my las. moments 10 be peculiarly
miserable. | am almost restrained, sweet
wife, from giving words to my affection, and
disposed to write codlv, for fear of TOO power
fully affecting you. have more regard for
your tears than for my own blood and if |
could, would welcome an eternity of torture,
if by so doing could secure your happiness.
Again, | say, death for me, apart from con-
siderations of you and onr childIen, has no
terror. have no fear of it and hereafter
leave 10 the Divine Mystery that created
me, and 10 whom | can owe no responsible
ty. My destiny is fulfilled, and the Great
Creator cannot mistake the purpose of his
mechanism.
On my breast, nearest the heart that had
beat for you alone, place a lock of your
hair, with the one | preserved of my IA
theirs, together with our chldren's, so
that with my dust may assmilate a portion
of the dust TO those whom have loved so
well.
should like TO he buried in New Jersey
in the burial ground Of my uncle, but do not
care-spend no means unnecessarily on my
body-ior remember all places are alike in
different 10 it. But | am getting foolishly
prolix upon a subject that must be painful to
you.
Sweet wife, recollect that the duration of a
human life is but small dIop in the bucket
of eternity. a few years, and all now living
will cease TO be-your dearest self inclnded
Then spend no time in useless repining, live
for your children and The children of such
mother will be blessing 10 her.
My last act my appear selfish-to leave
you alone to fight youf way through rude
wofd but il is not so Il know and feel that
ultimately ii will be TO your advantage. Love
Is strength, and the power of kindness most
efficient. With thrust for cut have fought
the world, and been loser, even when vic.
torious. My judgement has been at ianlf,
and my philosophy erroneous. 1t was the
fault of my organization and education; your
nature is fortunately dif'ereni-it is mild and
affeclionate. YOn conciliate and make friends
of all who approach yon, and when the drag
on rs out of The way, friends will not fear 10
prove themselves 50.
The little of happiness that have known,
/ owe TO you. In your presence alone have
found life endurable. My offences against
you will moi ask you to forgive or forget
you have done so.
Our children, my boys, hear the words and
heed the advice of dying falher-be care
fol Of your mother; obey and be directed by
her. My sweet Rebecca, make your mother
your model. My children all, remember
that have used every effort TO instl into
your minds love of truth-that, no matter
how the world estimates me, yon know me
TO be an aficclionaie and careful father To
you have never uttered an untruth, and il
you prove worthy OF the care have bestow-
ed upon you, have not lived in vain. Love
one another. | never allowed you TO tell
tales of each other, for It engenders hatred
and i'll will when disposed TO be ugly OF
quarrelsome, let remembrance of me recall
you 10 Yourself The world will for time
peTsecute you on my account but care not
endure it patiently, prove that you are hon
est and truthful, and all good men will sus
tain you, recollect that know every depart
ure from the viruous and correct to be aten
ded with punishment--in some way it il
sure-eilher by encouraging injurious habit
wrong thinking, or by bringing upon you tht
condemnation of your fellow beings all thi
| have frequently Explained to you, if yOr
love me, prove that you have not forgotten
it. With you and your m other is my las