The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-23
Ansther Letter ersm Era Scout, tho I.ittles
NuraeFcr.
RocgrsrxR Nav 8, 1853.

10 the Hen. CHARLES r. AVERY
Dear sir--I present you my sincere thanks for your
kind and liberal letter. partly caused mo 70 forget my
present horrihc position, and carried me back through
long years Of unknown suffering 10 our first acquaintance
and the days Of my boyhood whom hope was orsn' ana
distinctly remember my connection with the Pennsyl
vania matter, and still firmly believe your views and
believed (and viii add your belief was ruth that was
not responsole for that Affair." and allowed An opporso
nifty for redemption, with an exemption from certain oes
make OF importance and respectao lity BY your
friendly action the Indictment was suspended and With
others once more entered society Do you not remem
Der what q glorious commencement ! madeY Was
engaged %, s sSu sa Ss trusted
and honored me TO An extent which showed hs
faith in me was undiminished. From the best know
time / think II had been let alone my course would
have been onward and upward" and true 70 the prin
The Then came that piece Of perady and viainy perpe
uaed by those men who preferred the charge against
me Pennsylvania and who mad sacredly promised 70
secretly the requsiton ssued and with what des.
patch was hurried away Ny prosecutors were wealthy,
powerful and unprDcpled was mere boy, stranger
IN the place, and almost riendess and Alone bore this
unjust proceeding against me with tho same energy and
sef possession which have always shown bat could
not encounter such opposition with the slightest prospect
OF success The clear and forcibe letters you wrote Ia
my behalf should have influenced he Judge in Pennsyi
vapa to better consideration Of my case; and while
dent the law would have been abundsnty vindcated by
sending 10 the House Of Refuge and not 1, the State
NV lie, is TOO true. You remember the msIsrcholy
terminus that trial. and my final disposition In Phadel
phia required all the philosophy possessed to sup
por. that long, unjust and terrible Imprisonment, but
seems eventually Iiumphed. The that never 70
the eye that blanches the thought that
wanders, are the masters Of victory.
Hmy conduct in Owego had not been unsxeeptionable,
probable You would have acted the suspended in
and decided my destiny according 70 the best Of
your Judgment And such proceeding would have bsen
Upon the question whether would have been just 10
have enforced the Indictment previous 70 my FIRST dis
charge will say. In my opinion Il would not only have
been very unjust but very ipjudicoss Though succeed
ing events showed that would have been better, %
matter of policy for me TO have been disposed OF with my
father yet would have admitted the justice Of such
disposition Irecoect how strongly you we're Interested
in me, what good advice you gave me, and how firmly
believed born for higher things than 10 squan-
my days IN that vortex Of degradation called State
prison. And appeal TO you during the brief era Of my
liberty IN Owego did not copduc. myself straighsy
and regularly the fallbity Of human things would
allow
There is strange fatality which has attended me-
from childhood When think or my present situation,
and what it might have been, the reflection Is biter-
bitter and whitening Who Is responsible for my hfes
who shall answer for my deathS Had been IN my youh
directed the path Of recsude and honor who will at
tempt say that might not have been this minute legis
latDg in the halls Of State house, or engaged IN the
puyer and boiler OF religion instead Of dying by
inches, ocnde mned, In celY have no reproaches 70
male. Coo forbid should be guilty Of making any
bitter hpgs al hase whom am bound 70 regard with the
pureet reverence az affection.
have often bowed before the unsuled greatness and
goodness OF your character, and hsve at times been
strongly Impressed with the idea tina. perhaps might
day be much beloved and respected you. But
the result Of this terrible change has bghted earthly
hopes and ambition, and left me little else except that
cool independent spirit, which still burns as brightly
as the morning star Of God l still possess my
almost snati;al attachment to books, AMI 70 every
thrg lofty and beautiful and sometimes, when
examine my heart and character, consider Is
singular that after passing through those vicious
aseocaions there should be much goodness and prn
cipe ls this is the last Of earth" land sincerely
hope not deeply regret that have not &C ,omplshsd
good and less evil and also regret that failed 70
retain my liberty org enough 70 deveope those powers
of usefulness and greatness which certain possess
From my hevt thank you for the interes, and sym
patty you have shown for and with much Difference
request that you will write ne again. N. !. STOUT