New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-18
SUICIDE OF HENRY VIM. HERBERT.


Henry William Herbert well kno 1n to the literary
and sporting world az Frank Forester, shot himself
Yesterday morning at his rooms in the Stevens House.
lie hsd been laborDg for time undergrad excite
ment his wife, to whom he was married Only thee
months ago not having been able to live with him. on
Sunday intimated to his lawyer her final decision, docln
ing to see him again. lie spent the day in company
with Mr.. Philip ii. Anthem, who accompanied him tohis
room al 10 o'clock in the evening lie talked with Mr.
Anthem about killing himself and at 2oclock yesterday
morning. in the midst of conversation, stepped into his
bedroom, SHOT himsef with pistol throughthe breast,
came out, and, Saying to Mr.. Anthem, l told you
would DO it." fell TO the floor lie grosned for few
minttes, and died.
When our reporter visited the room this morning,
Mr.. Herbert'S dog, which hal been left to watch the
corpse, srowled moody, and reteated into the b,d-
room. Mr.. Herbert lay on the floor where be had
fallen and by hisside was pool of clctted blood To-
ward the window was q table covered with books and
writing materials and little further was stand
upon which were the tea dishes from which he had
taken bis last meal. Upon stand 10 the bedroom was
al open pstOl-case, containing powder flask ana
pouch for balls Near the door was found one OF Colts
revolvers, where it had beer dropped after the fatal
act with five barrels still loaded. Mr.. Herbert had d.
vested himself of coat vest and ctavst on entering
The room and evidently drew aside his shrbosom be-
fore he fired.
letter was lying on his table addressed to the Press
and another to the Coroner. II will be noticed that
they are dated oday-twO days, at least, after they
we're written. The day Of the week in tbs date shows
that this was not mere mistake of figures. Either
the suicide was committed two days than he To-
tended it, or the habit Ct writing for the press and
dating the day of publication was strong to the last
The first letter is addressed on the envelope;
TO, IN" PRE- PRE-, . St f sSsn5s with ,ous., to
copy"
Its contents are as follows:
" To the Pres Of the United States Of Amerion.
Before going to my account, would saya few
words to the Press of America and to its conductors
to men among whom have for many years been
more or less associated.
Il have my faults my failngs; have done my
share of evil in my life all men have done; perhaps
| have done my share of good likewise.
"Of my private history few men know anything,
fewer still know much-no one knows the whole; 1t
csrnot concern the public TO know anything. As a
writer 10. me be judged as man let my God jadge
ME.
81 mploIe rot praise, not favorable construction
l impore sHcnce. For what have to account with
| God, let me account with God, and not with man,
who may uncertainty perceive and distinguish facts,
but certainly cannot perceive causes or divine notons
| or intentions
81 do not now ask charity-I only impore silence.
with my bones let the evil ale-for the evil, can
say positively is such as can do NO evil after me.
have taught, | have incucated, i have put forth
nothing which did believe to be false or evil, o. any
thing which did not b.eve 10 he good and true. In
all my writings, have written no Ene OF which am
| ashamed, word which desire to blot
" l have done many things wrongly, many things OF
which am ashamed many things of which have
sincerely Iepented, many things under the pressure
and temptation of poverty and necessity to which
AIN not accustomed by my condition, which hope
should not do sgan under any temptation.
" | am very sorry, have been weak al times aud
hs~e failen-who has not done SO
For justice sake for chaIitys sake, for Gods
sake, let Inc rest. bear honorable name. have
siiven hard in great tials, in great temptations, in
foreign country, in false position among men who
did not, perhaps could not, sympathlze with me, TO
keep ii honoIable-as you would have your own
hoI ored and your preserve them to you,
charge you do not 6shonor mine. Few viii miss me
wien am gene; probably none lament me-so be 1t!
OOy, impiore you CO MOI nisinteI pref AID malaga
me-
Having ssid this, have said nearly alone word
moe oIly--if as i presume will be the case, my
earnest and hope ful appeal for repose
the Vulur of the press pource on my cold remsinsr
10 tear through them. the heatstInss of my living
tlatives-to blszon forth ali nv msdeeds in unblush
nc colOrs TO the sln--iet nore Of my fueIds
have fiietd-stsud forth to defcud me. Defense
only p1oyokes bitter attack aid gives akeener 0,th to
sc,rd0l.
IL die hrgiviDg every man who has wropget me,
Ali forgiveness of esty man whom have wfongec
have atcIed 80 far az know or can s.one f.r,vofy
.IoI z | have ever done.
I" iLhve tic mtats believe, L they be c,Tefuliy
uaueeed, to psy ever taieg that owe, ard ParntP'
to !tbNe tusl tuPes.
'Intyer slrs,k, willie was ave tom u eet'es
tx consequences Of my deets lace " lace i'''a