Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-12-17
CnARLEsTowN PRIsoN, Jefferson Co.., Va,
November 80, 1859.

Ny Dearly Beloved Wife, Sons and Daughters,
Ere,y one; As | nov begin what is probably the
last letter | shall ever write to any Of you, l con-
cludo to write to all at the same time. will men
ton some little matters particularly applicable to
little property concerns in another place.
l recently received a letter from my wife, from
near Philadelphia, dated November %, by which
it would seem that she was about giving up the
idea Of seeing mo ugain. l had written her to
come on if she felt equal to the undertaking. but
| do not know that she will get my letter in time.
1t was on her own account Chiefly that I asked her
to stay back. At first l had a most strong desire
to see her again, but there appeared to be very
serious objections; and should VIC never meet in
this life, ] trust that che will in the end be eatis-
fed it was for the best at least, if not most for her
comfort. ] enclosed in my last letter to her a draft
Of fifty dollars from John Jay, made payable to
her order. l have now another to send her, from
my excellent old friend Edward Harris, of Woon-
socket, Rhode Island, for one hun1!ed dollars,
which | shall also make payable to her order.
am waiting the hour Of my public murder with
great composure of mind and cheerfulness, feeling
the strong assurance that in no other possible way
lCOuli L ~ Q W oO u
of God and of humanity, and that nothing that
either | or all my family have sacrificed or suffer-
ed will be lost, The reflection that q wise and mer-
ciful. as we'll as just and Holy God, rules not only
the affairs of this world, but of all worlds. is u
rock to set our feet upon under all circumstances
even those more severely trying ones into which
our own feelings and wrongs have placed us. /
have now no doubt but that our seeming disaster
will Ultimately result in the most glorious success;
so my dear shattered and broken family, be of
good cheer, and believe and trust in God with all
your heart, and with all your soul; for lie doeth
all things we'll. Do not feel ashamed on my &c
count, nor tor one moment despair of the cause or
grow weary of we'll doing. I bless God l never
felt stronger confidence in the certain and near
approach of a bright morning and a glorious day
THAT | have felt, and do now feel, since my con
fnement here. l am endeavoring to return, like
a poor prodigal as l am, to my Father, agains
whom | have always sinned, in the hope that IL
may kindly and fOrgivingly meet me, though
very great way off.
Oh my dear wife and children, would to Coo
you could know how l have been travelling il
birth for you ell, that no one of you may fail o
the grace of God through jesus Christ. That NJ
one of you may be blind to the truth and gloriou
light of his Word, l beseech you, every one, t
make the Bible your daily and nightly study, will
a childlike, honest, candid, teachable spirit o
love and respect for your husband and father.
And | beseech the God Of my father to oper
all your eyes to the discovery of the tru.h. Yol
cannot imagine how much you may soon need tn,
consultations Of the Christian religion. Oh d,
not trust your eternal all upon the boisterous oceaI
without even a helm or compass to aid you il
steering. | do not ask any of you to throw ava.
your reason ; | only ask you TO make a candid
sober use Of your reason.
My dear younger children, will you listen t
: this last poor admonition of one who can only Low
; YOU Oh BIO determined at once to give you
whole heart to God, and let nothing shake or al
. ter that resolution. You need have no fears Of re
GREETING it. Do not be vain and thoughtless, blu
sober minded and let me entreat you all to Low
iStbe whole remnant of our once great family. IT,
and build up again your broken walls, and t
r make the utmost Of every stone that is left. Moth
l.. ing can SO tend to make life a blessing as the con
t seriousness that your life and example bless an
loavo you the stronger. Still, it is ground Of tn
: utmost comfort to my mind to know that so man,
: Of you as have had tho opportunity have givel
! some proof Of your great fidelity to the great fam
|ig IF lats atsaigft4t eu@ ieeth from 10 o2