The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1859-04-27
Letter from J. R. 8. Pitts. ESQ.


Mr.. EDIroR :-Haying been repeatedly
solicited by friends to say something to
the public in regard to my removal to tins
State TO answer to indictments for libel
the cause or source of that removal-the
incidents Of my trial and its issue have,
since consideration, decided to comply
with those solicitations, since seeing
communication in reference to my case
published in your impression Of the 23d
ultimo, a. silence now on my part might
be misconstrued.
The communication alluded to was sign
Ell ~ Former nItSvissIppian. Tne au-
thor Of that communication is unknown
10 me, but / can fully endorse his state
ment Of the facts Of the case, and am
happy to know that his statement Of the
public sentiment here is also correct
The recent publication Of said communi-
cation precludes the necessity Of my now
saying much that ! might have otherwise
said. While am an ostracised man-an
exile from home and friends, and deprived
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care 20 live for-I yet have the satisfac-
ton Of knowing that such exile and de
privation will be Of hut short duration.
and that il was not brought about by, or
quaintances-not by the will or wish Of
Mississippians And. in addition to this,
yet have that which is best Of all conso-
lations--a conscience clear of guilt on my
part and had the tribunal before which
have lately been arraigned and convict
ell of libel, been court Of casuistry, where
the conscience could have been tested
where the promptings of the heart could
have been laid bare am certain that |
would never have been placed as ! am, a
subject for the foul-tongued calumniator.
a kind Of character more to be dreaded
than any Of the plaques that ever infested
the regions Of the Nile. But. a. it is,
have been tried and convicted Of that
which has been characterized as libel, and
IL may be- that many who are unacquaint-
ed, or only partially have knowledge Of
the nature Of my ease. really think | have
no doubt been guilty Of wilfully and
knowingly, with malicious intent, publish
ing a libel. No doubt many who have
heard Of my removal to this State, and
conviction, are totally ignorant of the ORR
gin OF the prosecution against me, which
origin was the publication by me Of the
confession and accompliccs Of the late
land pirate, James Copeland. who was,
also. by me executed during my term Of
office Of Sheriff Of Perry County. Miss. /
became in turn both the confesSor and
executioner Of that unfortunate man.
His exposition Of accomplices was given
without any apparent i'll will or vindictive
/ feeling, which fact drove from my mind
any doubts as to the correctness of his
statement to me; but | did not intend,
nor do yet intend to vouch for the same.
thereby leaving the people to be judges
ior themselves. Hence my publication of
his confession, which has been the source
Of much annoyance and modification Of
feeling 10 me. But were all the facts of
the case, even now, known to the public
all the why's and whereiores-I would feel
a relief of mind, notwithstanding sur
rounding circumstances, as, knowing the
business Of my cause, feel that it has but
TO be understood to acquit me of any
wrong intention or dishonor. claim to
be neither morally nor legally guilty Of
any bad intention in the publication of
the Copeland pamphlet.
In publishing the history or confession
Of Copeland. l did so for what / conceived
10 be the benefit of the public, in both
painting to the youth OF the country the
sad and disgraceful end Of one who had
followed a life Of crime and rapine, and
20 designate those who had been his ac-
completes in his nefarious life, that they
might be visited with the just indignation
Of an outraged people, ifnot by the strong
arm uf the law But my motives, pure as
they were, in that publication, have been
misconstrued, and have been to me the
source Of unjust punishment and humilia-
ton. Yes, have been convicted Of an
offence that | had no thought or inten-
ton Of committing, and have been ruth
iesHiy thrust in prison-something unlock
ed Tor unsust, and, feel, unmerited. Il
true ! did look for some annoyance
rom the exposed confederates Of Cope
iand' similar to the manner in which the
exposed eonfederates Of John A. MurrelI
assaulted Virgil A. Stewart; hut ] expected
an honest and just public would bear mo
out and ! am happy to say that such AN.
ticipation has been 10 great extent real.
lied, rs have the satisfaction Of know.
ing. as has been said, that I am not looked
upon as being morally guilty, by any who
J are acquainted with the facts Of my case,