Milford beacon., 1854-04-07


ed to the Governmtnt at h,ns, but. since
that time / have never noticed any effort
to that effect.
About three months before the death of
my wife, we had removed from Matanzas
to coffee estate II miles in the interior,
but belonging TO the parish of Matanzis.
There my wife died, A few days before
her death, she requested that her body
might not be left in that horrible ground,
but, if possible, be taken home, to rest be-
side her departed loved ones. This, with
out hesitation, promised should be done
and by the mercy of God, was enabled
to accomplish it; but through much tribu-
lation and at great risk. At the end of
six weeks after her death, my sacred prom
ise was fulfilled. Immediately after her
death | had the body enclosed in metal
lie coffin, and that packed in suitable box
and then, through the American Con-
sui, (an excellent man, | made applica-
tion for permit to remove the body, Of
fering to pay to the Church five times the
fees allowed by law; but all conditions
were retused-except that | must first
bring the body to the town, and bury it
in the usual way. Then | must employ
lawyer to draw up petitions to the Bishop
at Havane, the Governor-General of the
Island, and to some three or four minor
authorities When all these had agreed
to it, and l had paid all charges, would
be allowed to remove the body. These
charges, they told me, would amout to
some $500 or $1,000, and the time re-
quired to get through the whole matter
would be month or six weeks. Of course
VIC demonstrated, and argued the case in
every possible way-all the influence of
the American Consul (since deceascd) be-
ing used in my favor without avail. The
party to whom we applied, and who, we
were told, had the power to grant permis-
sion for removal, was, believe, the Sec
rotary of the Governor of that district
Finding all arguments fail, the Consul
kindly tried to dissuade me, saying, s'What
possible difference can it make where the
poor dust shall lie I" But in addition to
my promise, the idea of associuting the
last of my beloved one with that horrible
place was too revolving to be borne; and
/ resolved to accomplish it at all hazards.
The Consul himself warned me against
undertaking the course which the authori-
ties had pointed out, saying there was but
one object in it, which was 10 wiring from
me all the money possible; and that if
should pay the $1,000 or $4,000 named,
the object would not be accomplished, and
other impcdiments would be thrown in my
way as long as they tboughtI could raise
a dollar, or my friends for me.
then told the Consul, that in that case,
] should take it away toithout duthority.
He told me the consequences would be
tremendous, if found out. The penalty
would be $4,000 fine, and imprisonment
for FIVE years, at the option Of the Church /;
and moreover, if found on board vessel,
the risk also of her confscation, and no
redress from the civil authorities, as it
would be violation of the Ecclesiastical
Code, and the civil authorities would not
interfere. 1t was then found on inqui-
ry, that to bury in the woods, on the es-
tate, or in fact anywhere, ercept an that
disgusting spot, should incur penalty
of $4,000. Under these crual and en-
barrassing circumstances, endcavored to
keep the box containing the body above
ground, until l could find captain bold
enough to take it on board. l hid il in an
old building on the estate, after having
packed it myself, and driven, in fact. the
nails in my own wife's coffin, not daring
to trust the secret to others. But iu n
few days the Spanish oyerseer of the place
found it out, and ordered its removal to
town, threatening to report, if not done.
Here was painful dilemma: but as Provi-
dence willed it, the overseer was called the
same day to distant place, aud during
his absence, with the hel p of some negroes,
/ had the box taken mile from the house,
and "stole O grave" in thicket of plan
tain trees. BY dint of bribery, and threat
ening the negroes, | induced them to keep
the secret from the overseer, although for
the six ensuing weeks | was in constant
dread of betrayed. l had one friend in the
| town, an American, who was in the secret F;
and for me ne boarded every vessel that
arrived, to find one that would receive the
box on board at night, and convey it to
any part of the United States, no nlitter
to me where. None would take the risk
at any price could offer, until providen-
tally an old acquaintance arrived, who
said he had formely received favors from
me, and he at once volunteered to take the
box, provided ! would have it tput on boird,
and guarantee his owners against seizure
of the vessel. M ists
To this agreed, ind proceeded at once
to find boatmcn who would undertake to
place it alongside the vessel. was drec-
ted to two Spaninrds, with whom ] bar
gained, and at the time agreed on they
came TO the place--purchased Of theover-
seer load of fruit, 10 blind 'his eyes, hut
remained at the landing till after dark,
and at 10 O'Clock at night, whileall were
asleep we took up the box from the ground,
conveyed it on board the boat, and at IL
o'clock, midnight in the midst of a how
ling storm, we started down the river to-
wards the bay, atthc head of which stands,
the town, where, half mile from shore,
rode a feet of vessels at anchor, am ing
which was that of my kind friend, who
was waiting for me with my precious charge.
Being well skilled in boating, steered the
boat-the two Spaniards rowing. We had
to pass two forts before we could reach the