The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-29

seeing you il is my greatest comfort TO know that you ar,
well and still keep up your spirits in the distressing cir
eumstances IN which placed. have to-day been
engaged in taking down the testimony OF the witnesses
against me Il Is very conflicting, must always be the
where number Of persons differing in temperament
and exeitabniy detail occurrences which they al wit
messed. Before any impartial tribunal upon the evil
dence already adduced would be held blameess but il
is not in human nature TO judge enemy fairly and inn
partially and the result must be God Wills have tried
with great deal OF anxiety TO read the characters Of those
who at once my judges and inclined
think that majority Of them men who desire TO do
right but considering the nhrmiy OF human nature they
assuming awful responsibility in sitting in judg-
ment on man against whom much has been said TO
cite their prejudiees.
we'll and keep up my spirits well could be expected
do not fear that will despond my mind has been reiev-
ed from care for the future OF my boy and am now equal
If felt guilty Of any crime would despond but upon
this point am invulnerable know that | acted not
from sny feeling OF malice towards any human being but
solely from regard TO sacred principle from desire to
prevent the contamination in Of an act which,
though II may have been attempted from good motives
and would certainly have worked no injury 10 the
nifty the man sought 10 be removed bad man,
was nevertheless violation of the constitution of this
State, which had support well the cons
tuition of the United States the blessings of which
their postery both of my granathers fought and bed
and toiled and suffered.
educated 10 Delieve that it Is the duty Of every
American TO support the constitution of his country, TO
gard ii sacred instrument not to be violated in the
least provision and necessary die in its defence The
eauest criminal Ia under that Instrument guarant the
same rights the nobest ctzon and cannot without
violation OF Its provisions, be deprived OF his liberty ex
cept by legal pr ocess.
II was at this holy principle and the obligation Of my
oath looked, and not at the dement's Of the man. whom
knew to be bad KAN, and believe those who
my seliconsttued judges will do the justice think
would not defend him for his own sake.
The matter stands thus with Actuated by the prin-
cipes taught me in my childhood have done certain
about the merits of which who perhaps equally
honest and patriotic differ This muet always be the
as long as mems minds are differently constituted.
feel that am right, and feeling would lay down
my life rather than deny those principles
The consciousness Of the justice Of my cause
which sustained old Nat Terry while wounded and prs-
in Charleston and which nerved the heart Of David
Smith Judge Terys maternal grandfaher) to refuse
release his fathers brother who had supported his
ing steps in infancy and whom he had made prisoner
Kings Mountain, must support me in this trial.
II need be go out OF the world feeling that have
done nothing in this life which would the spirits of
those patriots and heroes to blush for their descendant
my darling don't fear that will fater.
believe, if am permitted to live out my three
years and ten have those elements in which would
enable me to be of to country and to leave
of which my children would be proud | cannot doubt
this when look back into the past and what have
already accomplished with 50 little effort
BY the death Of my mother left at the age Of thr-
teen years. my guardianship; my only counsellor
who had influence with brother but two years
Older than myself; from that age counted myself a man.
and associated with menaye, and played part in
the struggle which secured the independence of Texas
I.
iautn.
Acknowledging control upon my actions could not
sink from the soldier into the school boy what educa
ton have acquired above what boy of twelve yea
gathers at schools, ACQUIRED ~ readipr
all the books owned or could borrow , ha ,;,a
was not engaged on the 'front.' '4e ~ e
With these disadvantages and without very extraor-
binary amount of application have maintained respect
able standing at the bar enjoy unblemshed reputation
for honor and integrity and the age Of have
been placed by the voice of the people of this State
the supreme bench.
With proper industry what may not be accomplished
in thirty years But it Improbable now TO con-
slider Of this.
If We should not meet again, my love- remember and
say to my friends that tho request made OF you and
Captain Lubbock remains sill my WISH | know thai
sooner or later justice will be done to my memory and
that all good who know my motives will respect them
and me,
Keep up your spirits be hopeful for the future and rely
upon the that will give no reason 10
blush for the memory of his father Remember me to all
my friends say TO them that their devotion is the best en-
dorsement Of my motives it is possible that bad
man should have such friends
Goodbye, my only love. May God bess you and my
son
Your own forever. D. s. TERRY