Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-08-28
The Lincoln DespOtism.

ne AluCOiu DeSpOtlSms
We copy from the Baltimore Exchange the follow
ing letter. written by one of the Police Commission
ers of Baltimore, now immured in dungeon by Or
der of the tyrant Lincoln. This letter would move
the heart of any not dead to all human instincts
1t shows the doom which would await the South if
Lincoln should succeed in his attempt to subjugate
our people,
Fort LAFAYETTE, Aug. 6, 1861.
My DEAR WIFE:-I wrote to you on the 31st
July, and the day following but both letters have
been suppressed by the authorities, suppose and
cannot have reached you.
We are closely confined in strong prison, denied
all intercourse with any human being outside, are
not permitted to write or to receive newspapers and
under strict prison discipline guarded night and
day by soldiers and treated exactly feons in the
penitentiarv, except that not yet required to
work. Our prison is a massive, gloomy building,
forming hollow square, and covers the whole island
on which it is built Seven of us are confined in
one casemate, and sleep upon straw beds without
pillows, and with but one blanket. We drink
wretched coffee, which is composed of parched BEANS
or some other vile ingredient from tin cups Four
ounces of bread at each meal and the latest pork
which we cannot touch, and some putrid beef are
served up Our money was all taken from us mmc-
diately on arrival and we very coolly told
IudI VIC Couu nave IL dS Jul JdIiOiS CuOOSC W
allow it to US. We are not permitted to keep pen,
ink paper for fear our wretched situation should
be made known to our friends.
Ihad to resort to stratagem to write this, and will
endeavor to send it secretly. We in total dark
ness as regards what we are held for, or how long
we will be imprisoned. but we all conclude that we
will not be released until peace is declared, and
perhaps not then. am as wretched as any human
being can be- but only on your account. Surely
have Co. ~,
or those who have professed to be for many years.
Think of me as one that is dead and utterly useless
to you, and act accordingly. have not the slight
est hope at present of ever seeing You again. My
confinement and the suffering occasioned by con-
tinued recurrence to the hopelcssness of my condi
tion together with the wrctched diet set before me-
must speedily terminate life which, in the course
of nature, would soon have ceased under better cir
cumstances | trust, my dear, kind, aftectonate
wife, you will not become discouraged, but trust to
your boys, who are afectionate, and who will feel
assured prove blessing to you and your dear little
ones. May God bless their endeavors, and make
them ornaments to society.
Oh how long to see you all. | dream OF you
sometimes and always feel relieved when can com
mune with you even in my restless SAUNDERS.
shall never forget the sweet laugh of my dear little
boy when l last saw him at Fort Mcflenry. What
relieeit would be if could have your licensees
| could live longer and more contentedly If hao
them by me. You cannot imagine, unless you hae
experienced the same restraint, what solace II
would be in my wretched hopeless condition to have
them by me. Although have six others with mt
who all young men, feel like one alone. can
not enter into any of their amuscments and we have
no books that can read except Childe Harold.
| 1t will be useless to answer this, as the lette
would be examined and not sent to me, and you can
not possibly send one privately. We meet Messrs
Howard and Gatche and the other prisoners in tn
yard twice day and are permitted to walk togeth
er an hour morning and evening Farewell my eve
DEAR dear wife. Kiss my dear little ones for me, ant
do not forget to speak Of their father often as yo'
can.