The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-04-19
IN RoopER's BRIG

pVyveahhSt s"e ""SsS ySu "StV Oo"ihiuG
employment which you found profitable
II was inconsistent for you to 60 thither Il
such were your feelings. II to cherish hate
even in the inmost thoughts is not accord
ing to the strict rule of morality, how helm.
GUS must be the crime of uttering words
that might become weapons fatal to the
peace and quietnoss of tho land where you
rre entertained and protected
But my object is not TO blame, but IL pos.
sible to do you favor. l therefore counsel
you to review your past conduct with calm
ness. Do not suffer your judgment to be
warped by the false and dangerous doctrines
of evil men. Learn your errors, acknow.
ledge them in spirit of contrition before
the authorities of Charleston, and am con.
vinced they will consider your needs, your
widowhood and inexIerience, and on re-
ceiying satisfactory assurance that you will
depart from the State, the laws Of which you
have violated they will release you.
No other power can aid you in the dis
tress you have brought upon yourself, and
you must rely solely upon the mercy of those
who administer the laws you have broken,
and the generosity OF the people you have
injured. FERNANDO WooD, Mayor
My astonishment only equalled my indig-
nation on reading this absurd letter. If the
state seal had not been impressed on the pa.
per should have pronounced il forgery.
could not have believed mayor of New
York could stoop to insult helpless woman
and uphold such villianous acts.
The weather was now getting colder, and
the prison grew moro and more dreary.
There was to be an execution in the jail
yard, and a gallows was built and a negro
hung just before my window. The sights
and sounds around the place cannot des.
cribe.
asked my counsel and tho Sheriff what
they pretended they were keeping me there
for. Their foolish charges were Of no con.
sequence whatever; nothing could be con-
strued into crime except tampering with
slaves ; was there anyone they could name
who had ever seen or heard me talking with
slaves? No, they could not say they had
heard Of any that would hold themselves
responsible for such statement. Before
long | received letter saying that had per-
mission to leave in tho next steamer bound
for New York, and that If was willing to
leave carriage would be sent for me and my
passage paid. Of course | was not sorry
to leave Charleston. A close carriage was
sent to the Jail, and yigilant policeman to
take care OF me. There was great COM
motion round the steamer. They were send
ing back GO poor Irishmcn that had come
out in the steamer and had not been allowed;
they had no provisions for their return yoy-
age; the Minute Men, with terrible oaths
were threatening to cut their throats IL they
dared put their foot on shore.
My attendant helped me aboard the ship,
gave me my ticket, and turned away us If in
haste to leave. At a glance l saw that
was booked for deck passage, with the six
ty Irishmen. The mayor was 80 kind as to
pay Tor us ull SO head. ran after the
man. Here, sir, II cried, take my ticket
back. lam not going on the deck llo said
should not leave the ship. would be oh.
liged to go, as the mayor ordered. Icalled
to the captain. who came round and civilly
heard what had to say. He said he would
send messenger and propose some arrange
ment with the mayor. said should new
er reach New York alive; 1 could not en-
dure the cold and exposure; and hoped he
would refuse to take me. lie asked me what
proposed to do. Il will 60 back to Jail a.
gain and wait until my friends come for me.
Soon the man returned, consulted moment
with the captain, and said to me, You must
90 as you are ordered, the mayor will not
pay your passage in tho cabin 4 indig-
nantiy answered, have not asked him to
pay my passage or anything else. Iwant no
iavors from him. / shall go on shore, my
friends will come for me, was making my
way of the steamer, when the captain stop
ped me and offered me comfortable accom-
modations in the cabin if was willing to
leave Charleston, which offer 1 very gladly
accepted. II is to Capt. Berry Of the steamer
Columbus that am indebted for my safe ar
rival in New York last November.
/ trust shall be able to cancel tho debt
af gratitude lowe to mayor Macbeth and
his worthy colleagues. Twas safely protect
ed in Jail as long as they dared to keep me,
although was the most defiant and auda-
ciOus criminal they had ever met with. 9th
ers had been tarred and feathered, whipped
and hung, while they asserted their entire
innocence of all abolitionism; yet was re-
leased. sent away, and 80 was paid for my
passage. II I have not returned formal
thanks for all these favors 1 have by no
means forgotten them.
CATHARINE B0TTSFORD,
No. l57 Hudson-street, n. Y.