Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-14
one-Eysa Thompsooa's Letter 70 his wlfs.

The coroner's inquest upon Wm H. Thompson, at
New York, rendered a verdict of death by morphine
In addition to letter to the coroner, the following
affecting letter to his wife was read on the inquest
Wife of my soul, divinity of my affections. my pa
tent, enduring gentle and afectionate Mary. ere
this meets your eye, trust that eternal repose will
have settled upon your unhappy husband. Were
this new charge my only trouble, could certainly
overcome it, OF all the complaints made ito my pre-
udice, it could be the most easily defeated for at the
very time. half past o'clock, when Gates he
me in New York. was in DIR. Rices store, as he
recolects and previous thereto for hour you and
others know me to have been in Brooklyn. But, my
Mary, am sick of life, much so that am inca
pable of longer continuing it. | have lost all hope
of being benefit to you and little ones-a hope
that alone has sustained years ofwretched existence
and made me capable of meeting and defeating more
than most men similarly circumstanced could have
done. l 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 devolve the
care of our family. Cheer up-waste no time mourn
ing for who is unworthy of you. To you it was
hard fate that joined our fortunes. Once away,
and kind friends will protect YOU Your reputation
has never been assailed, md woman possess
ed purer and better nature, all who know you
will bear witness Do not increase your sufferings
by supposing my last moments to be peculiarly mis-
cradle | am almost restrained, sweet wife, from
giving words to my affection and disposed to write
cody, for fear of too powerfully affecting you. |
have more regard for your tears than for my own
blood and if | could, would welcome eternity of
torture if by so doing could secure your happiness.
Again say death for me- apart from considerations
of you and our children. has no terror. have no
fear of it and hereafter leave to the Divine Mys-
terry that created me- and to whom can owe no re-
sponsbilty. My destiny is fulfilled, and the Great
Creator cannot mistake the purposes of his mechan-
ism.
On my breast, nearest my heart that has beat for
you alone, place lock of your hair with the one
preserved of my fathers. together with my chill
dren's so that with my dust may assimilate por-
ton of the dust of those whom | loved so we'll.
] should like to be buried in New Jersey, in the
burial ground of my uncle, but do not care-spend
no means unnecessarily on my body--for remember
that all places are alike Indifferent to it. But am
getting foolishly prolix upon subject that must be
painful to you.
Sweet wife, recollect that the duration of human
life is but small drop in the bucket of eternity
few years and all now living will cease to be-youl
dearest self included Then spend no time in useless
repining live for your children-and the children
of such mother will be blessing to her.
My last act may appear selfsh-to leave you alone
to fight your battle through rude world, but it is
not sol know and feel that ultimately it 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 victo
rious My Judgment has been at fault and my phi
losophy has been erroneous. 1t was the fault of my
organization and education your nature is fortunate
ly different--it is mild and affecionate. You
ciliate and make friends of all who approach you
and when the dragon is out of the way, friends will
not fear to prove themselves So
The little of happiness that have known, owe
to you. In your presence alone have found life
durable. My offence against you will not ask you
to forgive or forget-you have done so.
the advice of dying father-be careful of your
mother obey and be directed by her. My sweet
Rebecca, make your mother your model My chill
dren all, remember that l have used every effort to
inst into your minds love of truth-that, no mat
ter how the world estimates me, you know me to be
an afectionate and careful father. To you have
never uttered an untruth and if you prove worthy
of the care l have bestowed upon you, have not
lived in vain. Love one another. | never allowed
you to tell tales of each other for it engenders ha
tired and ill-will when disposed to be ugly quar-
relsome let remembrance of me recall you to your
self The world will, for time, persecute you on
my account but care no-endure it patiently ;proVe
that you are honest and faithful and all good men
will sustain you recollect that know every depar-
ture from the virtuous and correct to be attended
with punishment--in some way it is sure.elther by
encoura ging injurious habits wrong thinking or by
bringing upon you the condemnation of your fellow
beings all this have frequently explained to you
if you love me- prove that you have not forgotten it
With you and your mother is my last breath
Anxiety on your accounts is the only bitterness
feel. Good-by, my Richard Billy, sweet Rebecca,
and my brave little Josey. God help and protect
you.
Sweet Wife-As wrote, passing whim made me
speak of Jersey. | entreat you. as you love me, tC
heed it not-dispose of my body in the most econo.
mical way. You, the living. require all the little
means you may possess nothing. Sweet partner
! ood-by--fare you we'll. Think of me little az
possible with the effort you can do it. Occupy your
mind with other subjects.
1--WE omit few lines containing memorandum
| of few sums, amounting to less than hundred
dollars due him mostly for pamphlets, SIC. After
I mentioning the names of several Brooklyn friends
the letter continues y
For you entreat their friendship; and one othel
act of kindness to me--that they will forgive ont
whose folly has not been from bad heart, but from
| an unbalanced brain. VIM. H. THOMPSON.
| Note to Mr.. Oliver, keeper of the Prison.
! Dear Sir Oblige met is the last request of
dying man--send messenger to my wife, and breal
to her the tidings of my death in humane and gen
tie manner. (Signed) VIM. H. THOMPSON.
4 Interesting o the Ladies.
), The following advertisement is from a New Yorl
paper. 1t appears to be genuL We don't admir-
the mode, but this is age of progress
"WANTED-By gentleman (who has neither tn
time nor inclination for the idle terms and ceremo
MES of courtship) wife, He is of middle age, me
dunn size, dark eyes and complexion good education
polite, easy address, character and reputation unex
ceptionable habits strictly temperate and possessed
and over He is DESTROYS of forming union with
lady of thirty to thirtyfve years old, of unexcepon
able character and standing in society good health
and kind, cheerful disposition and if widow, with
out children and if possessed of property whateve
she has will be settled upon herself He proposes t
visit the Worlds Fair in London next May, an,
thence extend his tour through the greater part 0