The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1859-04-27

legally guilty, which is to me consoling.
I published the confession just as it was
narrated to me by the man under SEN
tence Of death. When | consider this, |
am still at a loss to know how it is that | |
have been successfully prosecuted, as l
have been.
But the greatest mystery, and the most
fragrant matter yet connected with my
case Is. how it is that was brought to this
State to be tried for an offence, which, if
committed at all, was not committed in
this State. Now. such thing is possible,
that the Governor of Alabama was inn
posed upon in granting a requisition for
me. as it is more than likely that it was
represented to his Excellency that | was
a fugitive from justice but it cannot be
possible that such misrepresentation was
practised upon the Governor of Mississip-
pi. as at the time the requisition was made
for me. was acting Sheriff of Perry Coun-
ty, Mississippi and had, moreover. writ
ten to his Excellency, protesting against
have been said that was fugitive from
Justice. Besides this, Gov. McWILLIE GER
tainly knew the origin Of the prosecution
against me. He knew the nature of the
charges. too. and knowing all this, he GER
tainlv must have known that / had not
| offended the laws Of Alabama. The pam
phlct being published in Louisiana, it
could only be said that the laws of that
State were offended. Yet | was handed
over as a fugitive from justice in Alabama,
by Gov McWuIIE, to the authorities to
bring me here among my bitter enemies,
and this, too, at a time when | was an Of
fcer in one of the counties Of the State,
Of the rights OF whose people he was the
/ deputed guardian and defender.
In giving me up to be brought by enc
mics into a strange place, to be tried for
an offence. which, if committed at all,
could not be said to have been committed
/ in this State, Gov. Melville transcende1
tAe duties of his office, and prsctised al.
/ unmitigatcd imposition, almost criminal
/ il las ever been my understanding that
/ it was the peculiar province of the State
Executive to inquire into and protect the
| rights Of citizens, and not to connive at
their downfall and oppression. But let
these matters be as they may, | am Ger
/ taInly here amongst strangers. and am in
prison, through the caprice or blunder of
an Executive officer. Yes. / am here in
generated upon conviction for libel. and
may be looked upon by some as being a
traducer Of character. from the very fact
only Of my being so situated. However,
! will soon return to my home, when /
hope to meet my former friends and ac-
| quaintances with the same ever cheering
smile Of confidence they were wont to be-
stow upon me. To think it would be 9TH
ervise-to think that those who had for
merly been my friends and acquaintance
would now coolly pass me by, would be
most CALLING TO my feelings
] may say that am a native of Missis-
sippi, as my parents removed from Geor-
gia to Rankin County in 1884 or '35, at
which time | was about twelve months
old. Soon after this, my mother dying,
was taken by a female relative and raised
the life of an orphan. which is but too true
a synonym for life Of hardships. have
lived in Perry County, Miss, about TWEEN
ty-three years and was elected Sheriff OF
that county in the year 1855. being ther
barely twenty-onc years of age Know
ing my extreme youth and inexperience
II was with great reluctance that accept
ed that office; but have the pleasure o
knowing that | gave general satisfaction
to my constituents. At the age Of fifteen
seeing myself without funds or education
and that ! was to lie the architect of m,
own fortune. | commenced downright Ia
Dor for wages, and appropriating my earn
ings to acquiring an education-that is,
would work a few months, and theI
spend my earnings in going to School. Ii
e this manner | was spending my time
when my friends elected me TO the ofiic,
ofSherif as before mentioned. Thus yol
have a brief sketch of my history. in add
/ ton to the episode from which have no
yet emerged, and which has brought fortl
l this communication.
Being yet in the spring of life, an,
struggling hard to establish for mysel
that which is worth more to man thai
p | the wealth OF the worId-a character
} the prosecutions against me, which I kB0'
to be unjust, are a source of deep oppre.
! sion and humiliation. And feeling tina
e my innocence would be clear whereve
= the facts Of my case were known. | appea
to former friends and acquaintance to no
Y repudiate me, till those facts are laid bar
e to them. Truth will bring me out trium
d plant
| | cannot close this letter without e1
l pressing my heartfelt gratitude to the eli
= liens Of Mobile. especially to the ladie,
for their sympathy and good wishes 70
, me in their misfortune-for their read
r ness TO mitigate my condition, by appea
= ing for executive clemency or pardon.
4 ! am, dear sir, your ob't serv't
> and fellow citizen.
p r = PITTS