Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-04-15
III. Pierce to Nr. S.,nard.
Andovcr, Mass. Dec. 81. Is

Andoyer, Mass. Dec 81, 1861.
SIR: A package endorsed department
Of State, U. 5. a ;" frsnkcd BY II. Hunter.
chief Clerk, aud addressed o. "Frsoklin
Pierce, Esq. Concord, New Hampshire.
was received by me having been forwarded
from the place of my residence. But for
the stamped envelope, and the handwriting
OF Mr. Hunter, with which ] an familiar.
should have regarded the eDcloseure "a
an idle attempt Al imposition. in which
your name had been surreptitiouslv used
/ must, suppose, though do 50 reluctantly.
now view it ia different light. In the
Dote bearing your signature YOU say: II
enclose an extract CT letter received at
this department, from which IL would an
pear that you were a member Of q secret
league, the object of which lie 10 overthrow
this governments; any explanation on the
subject which you may efer, would be
acceptable"
Ii is not easy to conceive bow any per-
son could give credence TO, or entertain for
moment, the idea that l am now, or hsve
been connected with secret league" or
any league, the object Of which is 20 over
throw the government Of my COUNTRY
Surprise, however, only increases as psss
from your note to the extract" to which
you reier as sufficient basis for an of5eisl
communication. IncohereEt and meaning
lees as this extract" from the vacaries Of
an anonymous correspondent, seems to
be, 1t is not little singular that il should
have been sent for explanation TO one who.
during has whole life, has never belonged
TO any secre; league, society or association.
My name does not appear la the extract"
and as there Is not the slightest ground for
n III.
dieGted, take it for granted that your
inference is wholly erroneous, and that
neither nor anything which said or did
was in the mind of the writer.
Nothing but the gravity Of the iusinua-
ton, the high Official source whence il
emanates, and the distracted condition Of
cur recently united, prosperous Had happy
country, could possibly lift this Meter
! aboyeriticule and contempt. Not, therefore,
/ because 'expl.natijns would lie aac.1ta-
! b'e," but because this correspondence is TO
hold place upon the files Of the deysrtlIens
/ @! State long bevo&i the 6Urs.iCy. 4 yCur
life and mine, and because 6es-l3 leave.
| 90 lar as ! 40 concerned, 10 su.t;.uity
upon the record, 1t lie proper, perhaps u Is
nay duty, to add that my loyalty VII .e.sr
be successfully inpugned 90 long IS eDiJy
the constitutional ri.hts which ,-ertair, 70
every CITIZEN Of the republic, euo especially
the inesllmsble right to be iaf1ru.eS Of the
nature and cause Of the accusation, aud be
conirrn'e cd face 10 face with nv Resusers.
Love Tor our wh0le country, respect for the
reserved rights Of she States, .ere-ci.ee for
'he constitution, devotion 70 the noble
UNION, which for 60 many years ieposed
securely upon that sacred IB-irCnsat. have
been interviewer with my best hypte for
c,vil liber;y-hIy deerest e,aJtioIs sad NV
sseTnssi purposes, from youth u ss-. III
have Jailed e. l.a..ra:e tlis m uEcisl
STALLION, In private lite snd under al cir
eGmstances when It became Ess t,sseak or
acc. have iabjrei under Singular eeiu-
si1n, c0cci1usuess (which E0uld e.s5iiter
more than anything else the present hour,
ana sucb remaining hours or years se gay
DC ii reserve irLae.
RH, ar, yoGr obedisut servsnt,
RAhkfIE pITprF