Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-09-29

| head OF his servant, when be was informed
that in free country men must undergo a
trial, and If found worthy of death underwent
the penalty. he responded by denouncing
such freedom as would not let a man do rs
| he pleased!''
About III O'Clock 4. M.-ton the 94,hl
Capt. Hawkins called and informed me thai
he would now conduct me to the Cap;tol
was taken first to the Courthouse, WHERE
were assembled the Passport Committee
board of three gentlemen, who, being satisfied
of the propriety, were authorized to Issue
passports to travellers; they consulted and
| was taken to the Capitol-was introduced 10
| Gen. Foster, who received me with great
courtesy, and by his order my trunk and va
| lise were examined by the Sheriff and Deputy
Sheriff Capt Hawkins-) During such exam
| ination the Deputy Sheriff took from his pock-
| ct a letter addressed TO me at New York and
| opened it; it was found to contain no matter
| reasonable to the Contederates. 1 was then
again taken thence TO the Courthouse and
| further examination put off until 3 O'Clock
P. NJ; in the meantime taken 5sck to the no.
| tel. always guarded by soldiers and always
| followed through the streets by a crowd of
boys, half-grown and full-grown young men.
At O'Clock was again taken to the Court
house and retained in private room two
hours, until the Committee (PaSspor) were
ready to attend tc my case. At ) o'clock p.
IA. aS CAdnlutu Wy tic OOllulib-
| tee- They found nothing to lay hold upon
to justify punishment or detention, except
| that had maps with me of certain localities
| at the mine over which l ives agent, but sta
| ted that L was well known in Tennessee, and
| that had been there long time, knew many
| OF the roads, creeks, fords and mountain pas
| ses, and if disposed could do them much in
jury, &c. A voluntary witness assured them
that he knew me well. and knew the ground
| which was represented by the maps l had
explained during the examination, and that
bad stated it correctly. His name was Ca
'hoone, and | had known him slightly for some
years. a Mr.. John Harris, formerly agent
of the late Gov. Brown. and late Postmaster
General, also spoke in the same strain, and
further informed NE of the substance of the
information he had given the Committee in
reference to me, exalting my character, honor
and integrity, and further characteriZing me
as possessing superior skill in the art of to-
biographical sketching and reporting, and
warning them that l had power to do them
injury if disposed to do 50. l thanked him
for his good opinion, both Of my integrity
aud capacity; but felt that the screws were
frightened in consequence.
informed the Passport Committees Mr.
FOgg, President, and Mr. Foster, Secretary
that | could not become citizen OF the
Southern COntederacy, and that 10 send me
to the President or commanding officer at
Richmond would not accomplish more in
eliCiting information from me than they could
themselves do. | could or would not tell any
thing against the Northern Government
They made report, delivered it to one of
the guard, and sent me to the Commanding
General at the Capitol. He had left, and
was conducted to his house. He was absent
On his return he read the report and inform
ed me that would have to leave next day
by the Edgefeld and Kentucky road, at 3
O'Clock 2. NJ. L asked permission to remain
few days in Nashville, to write to the mine
and get replies, but he replied that, according
to law, it was inadmissible, and it was like
wise as much for my protection that he was
anxious should leave, and be under 4 guard.
The public mind was greatly excited. There
were but few soldiers, and the city was under
martial law, and my personal safety would
be endangered. He advised me to 90 to
Louisville, and remain there to get replies
He Informed me that l could write anything
| pleased, but it would have to be supervised
by the Censor" of all mail matter His own
letters underwent the same ordeal. His re-
ception and treatment of me was cordial and
gentlemanly in the highest degree, and he eX-
pressed modification at being obliged to exc
cute so unpleasant duty, and hoped that
right views would obtain as to their desire
to injure or wound the feelings of no one.
He then directed the guard to take me back
until the time of removal, then take me to
the cars and deliver me to the care of Capt. |
Hawkins, who arrested me, and whose duty
it is to travel on the cars to the State line to
perform similar duties executed on me. So |
on Sunday evening, about or o'clock Z. |
NJ. was again set down in Kentucky just |
over the line from Tennessee, to breathe an |
air somewhat tainted, but not yet wholly |
contaminated with the foul breath of Use
CPSh.V huf jS fauariSh and thA frObf |
to be broken. had omitted to say that on |
Sunday morning, at 10 o'clock A. NJ. l was |
again taken to the Courthouse to get my /
passport to the line, and was there questioned /
as to the possession of $4,000, and was in |
formed that the public mind was greatly eX-
cited; and as the Northern Government had |
made money cOntraband, they also, in war,
must retaliate. 1t was rumOred had money |
deposited with the hotel keeper, &C., &c, &c, |
and if had money deposited in his hands or |
anywhere else, / would be obliged to hand il |
over to the Confederates.
L had none, but Just enough for travelling |
expenses, but told them they were welcome |
to any they could find. Before leaving the |
hotel to return home, Capt. Hawkins exam |
ined my person at the hotel, to see that l |
had no bell or money deposited or concealed, |
&c.
carried sealed letters from New York, on |
business to persons in Tennessee; these were |
taken, opened and examined, and promised /
to be forwarded, as nothing was found in /
them Objectionable. All the incidents, and |
much of the conversation, which transpired,
are not set forth here, as it would make this
article too lengthy, and would perhaps do no
other service than embitter the feelings. But
enough has transpired or been set forth to
show the rigor of Southern discipline to en-
force the pretensiOnS of Secessionism. My
passport was No. 3S7, and they administered,
under circumstances of subOrdination, an af-
frmation of doing nothing outside the State
of Tennessee, against the Confederate S. A.
While they have any ''politics" having
vigor or life left, it may be wise not to visit
their dominions after any violation of it, ex-
cept to incur a ruthless penalty; but no NOR
al force or obligation attaches to practical
Observation-Disclosures, unrecognized, only
yet in its cOnception-having had no birth;
power that makes no contract or terms but
its own misunderstanding its terms at the
point of the bayonet; at least my conscience
does not revolt at breaking the ties of such
an infamous bondage.
T. j. ESTERBROOK, Brooklyn.
What should be our Policy.