Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-10-15

LsrfRR rhoN BARnsff 70 wILLIAMs-
The atrocious circumstancss Of the tragedy for
which Charles n. Barrett and Henry Williams
were convicted, at the last term Of the Criminal
Court, will long finger in the minds Of our citi
zens. The lighter weight Of the laws retributive
Justice fell on w iliams, and for some month";. n.
has been In the District Penitentiary, serving ont
tne eight years to which he was sentenced The
culprit whom the law adjudged the most ouiitv
has been at the county jail since his deat6 sen.
tence, preparing himself to meet his God
some Tune since, Williams cent a MESSAGE
Barrett to release him (williamsl Of ali hsme isS
.ne muroer, oy public statement To this re-
quest the following letter Is the answer:
WASHINGTON COUNTY JAIL, Oct. 8, 1883.
-, NY. Hsnry Williams: I received visit from
sne worthy Chaplain Of your prison on the Attn
instant, Is also, your message, with emotions
painful In the truest meaning OF the word and
more 30, because did not think for a moment
YOU would advise me to die with lie In my
mouth, merely to exculpate and exonerate YOU
rom the crime whereof now stand convicted
your desire Is for me to take II all on myself.
being as will have to suffer for it, and to exon,
Your ChaPlain also tells me that you said prom.
ised you, when you were here in iaiI that T
would exonerate you. My dear FRIEND promised
y oa, NO saen tnlng, and well You know 1t nor
could you look me In the face and ask me such a
question. NO. your guilty cor science would
check you but, on the contrary when 4 yu,s
convicted, remarked to you that you ought to
have been convicted of the murder Instead Of
me- then asked you IL Won would male ,r3
aavlt that was innocent and take il on yourseIf.
10 winch You readily replied that Won tcould: nor
coula you look me In the face and answer me
otneIwise My dear friend, YOU must certainly
mink have no soul, or that there is no God. for
10 ask me such questions. ] know there Is inst
1od. and punishment for those who do not die
we cannot deceive God, whose all-,e,,nu ey. IL
continnaily lowering over us, and knows ar our
thoughts, deeds, and actions
WIN the help OF God, / am preparing myself
Gods holy will that should be 40 unfortunate
MY only aim Is to save my soul; for after ali
tnat Is the most important thing for God "a
iI ,r Judge, and we have all to appear before
nlm-we cannot escape it. We can run away
from everything else, but when He raises that
all powerful hand, we must submit and obey 4
nave now hopes OF blessed future, and, by COM
plying with your wishes | would be VIOLATING
the laws Of God, and then all hopes would he
lost so, my dear friend, l will plainly tell Won
lnal cannot, nor will not, die with lie In INV
i.outn, mefeiy 10 exonerate you, and then to ap-
pear before an angry God, but will disclose the
Wnole iacts, let the consequences be to YOU what
they may. As you well know and Sod know,
tnat u was your hands, and yours only, that com,
nnitted tnc awful crime that l am to suffer for
This will have to say In nv diving hour. sooner
or later. My earthly judges have found me puiltv
OF the murder; but appeal to higher source
ana uoa knows am innocent: No doubt, when
accuse me of being the murderer That little
care what you or the world may saw about me !:
so that l know that my soul Is at rest in thai
heavenly Kingdom prepared for those who seek
IT, Henry, do not, for the love Of God think that
! noid luminosity or hatred against YOU for do
not, out pity you from the bottom Of nv heart
fou must remember that am not your only ac-
cnser, Out God Is your accuser also; and / i'm
piore you to throw Yourself upon His mercy for
IL Is He alone who can help yen, and alone help.
seek Him as your Arm, fast and unceasing friend.
IN he =
ings.
Although your fellow men may desert and for
get you, yet will the son of God be with YOU in
the slliy watch Of the mig - in the early hour
ana In your darkest moments. / remember Won
IN my daily and nightly prayers, and pray for
you ferven:ly, as j hope, to give them success
80, my dear friend, put your trust in Him who
Is willing, and will pardon you. Sooner or later
we will all be required to render an account for
our stewardship. May God have mercy on you,
and protect you from all harm, is the wish OF
your unfortunate friend
From your well wisher,
(slgned) CHAs H. BARRETT.
The WEATHER.-Range OF the thermometer
for one week, beginning at noon Of Thursday,
October 7, and ending this morning: