Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-04-15

league in Guuesle. who passed tl0UgA the
WOODS on Lis way with dispatches to DR.. f----,
tod thlt any attempt to draft our friends there
would bring on an open rupture. think our
leader. should look to TINS, as 90 do9bt they
viii,
Yours in the cause
Cab4isto Signs.
IIr. Piece replied in the following letter
ARDoyER, Mass, December y, lA5l
SIR "A package endorsed " department Of
State, u D. A., ranked by w. Hunter, chlel
clerk, and addressed 10 franklin Pierce, Esq
Concord, New Hampshire was received by me
to-day, having been forwarded from the place Of
my residence. But for the stamped enveop and
tile handwriting Of Mr.. Hunter, with which |
AIN familiar, should probably have regarded
the enclosures as an idle attempt ~ imposition,
il which your name had been sQrreptlOusly
used. ] must, suppose, though DO - reluc-
family, now view it IN different light Ia the
note bearing your signature, you say ~ en-
close an extract from letter received Ut TINS
department, from which it would appear that
you are a member Of secret league, the object
vi which ~ to overthrow the government; any
explanation upon the subject which you may
offer would be acceptable
II is not easy to conceive how any person
could givecredence TO, or entertain fora moment,
the idea taat AN ROW, or have ever been, con-
nected with i ''secre1 league, Or With any
league The object Of which was, or is, the over
throw Of the government Of my country. sur
prise, however, only increases a. J pass from
your note to the 'e&trdc to which you refer
US a sufficient basis Tor an official communication
~ t,t
from the yagaries Of an Anonymous e0rrespou-
dent seems u me 10 be 10 rs not n litbe singular
that it should have been sent for explanation to
one who during his whole life has never belong
cd to any secret league, society, or association.
My name does not appear IN Tue extract, and
Us there is not the slightest ground Tor any rel.
erence 10 me IN the connection Indicated, take
it ior granted that your inference Is wholly err
runeous, aud that neither nor anything which
| ever said or did was IN the mind ul the writer.
Nothing but the gravity OF the lnsnuatlon,
the nigh official source from whence 1t enianates,
and the distracted condition OF our recently unit
ed, prosperous and happy country, could posi-
bly, liil this matter above rldicue and contempt.
Not, therefore. because 4" explanations would be
acceptable hut because thls correspondence Is
10 hold place upon the files OF the Department
OF State long beyond the duration OF your llc
and mine, and because would leave, SO far us |
am concerned, no ambiguity upon the record, 1t
a. proper, perhaps 1t Is my duty, to add that my
loyalty viii never be successfully inpugned SO
long as enjoy the constitutional rights which
pertain to every citizen of the Republic, and es-
pecially the inestmaDe right to be informed OF
the nature aud cause of accusation, and to be
confronted face to face with my accusers. Love
Tor our whole country, respect Tor the reserved
rights of the States, reverence Tor the Constltu'
ton and devotion Tor The noble Union, which
for 50 many years reposed securely upon that
sacred instrument have been interviewer with
my best hopes for elyll liberty-my deepest
emo ions aud my s.araest purposes from youth
toate. Ii | nave tailed to illustrate this IN OH
ca station, in private lie and under all err
cunsianccs when 1t became me to speak or act
have aboted under u singular deluSion. con
seriousness OF which would emblltef more thai
anything else, the present hour aud such re
naming hours or years us may be IN reserve 10
me. am, sir, your obedleni servant,
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Hon. VIM. H. Sew ard, Secretary of State
Washing ton, ID. {,
Mr.. Seward rejoIned as follows
WASHINGTON, Dec so, 1861,
My DEAR SIR An injurious aspersion OF
your fair lame and loyalty came into my hands
although 1t was IN an anonymous letter. th
writer was detected, and subsequently ayowe,
the authorship. The documcn. must become
part OF the history 0! the times.
desired that you nigh. know how you
name was made use OF by II traitor To mcreas
the treason he was encouraging. Unable Il
prepare II note to you personally devolyed th
luty on the chief clerk OF this department,
The manner in which 1t was done has giyel
you off .nse. regret it, and apologize tor i
with the lnly excuse | can make, namely, tn
uecss sity OF employing another head 10 10 villa
ought to be uone, and which had no time t.
~ persanaily.
place your answer on thc files OF the d.
a tmeut 0l State as an nc; OF justice to yourself
Aud beg you to be assured that all the un
kindness of that answer does not IN the leas
ulniuisa tns satisfaction with whlca have per