Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-06-05

home to avoid personal violence, and was out
of the reach of the mob, who could not find
me, after repeated efforts by squads sent out
armed, by that arch-hypocrite and would he
murderer, w. B. Wood of Alabama. In my
concealment / was informed by II letter from
Major General Crttcnden, in command at this
place, that he was instructed by the Secretary
of War at Richmond Mr.. Benjamin, to give
me passports and military escort to conduct
me out of this bogus Government into the Fed
cral Government and | was invited to appear
at his headquarters in twenty -four hours, where
he promised me that | should be furnished with
said passports. was there within the time
specified, accompanied by Colonel Baxl,r: the
arrangement was made, and the company of
Captain Gillespie designated as my escort
But that evening, just before sundown, was
arrested upon warrant issued by that dis
graceful specimen of our nature, Commissioner
Reynolds, upon the false oath of Attorney
Ramsey, corrupt man fot whom no decent
Socessonist entertains any respect. The charge
against me was treason, founded upon editorials.
one ot which has been published, in part, by
Ramsey, in the Knoxville Register end al !
though the miserable man swole that the edi-
torial was published since the l0M Of JtHe, at
which time the State voted out, my files will
show that it was published on the 2jth Of May. |
Thus was ia en- out Of the hands of mai
or general and of his Secretary of War by a
worthless little Confederate lawyer, and thrown
into the common Jail of this county; refused
bail, when the best the county affords was of
fered and, up to this cventful hour, have
been denied trial, and an opportunity to de-
fcnd myself before the court condcming me to
an ignominous death. The proof of all that is
here charged will be found in the correspond
ence cited, which have placed in the hands of
friend for publication. Il will show that these
parties one and al, have acted treacherous
part toward me anl have violated their pledges
and faith. Their pertidy and treachery are alb
solutely disgruceiul to their bogus government,
it indeed such government can be disgraced
Some hostile "reminiscences of the past, as
between other cowurdly, mean and murderous
men OF this city AMI ryselt, will appear in the
documents | leave behind and request my
sons TO publish them, GyCl ut the cost of their
lives. l desire to bear my testimony, even in
a dying hour, TO the perfidy, double-dealing,
and cowardly course toward me of that prince
Of hypocrites and great embodiment of human
deceit, Campbell Wallace, the president of the
railroad, and one of the great lights of secession.
warn all men present, and all who may hear
Of this statement, never to contde in that man.
He is supremely selfish, notoriously insincere
and would sell his Interest in his God-which
iCdr Is HOl II NeIN ldIbe O0c--lOr money
must also bear witness to the treachery and
insincerity of William G. MacAdoo, who. while
meeting me with smile and protesting friend
ship, stated to John Black that ought to be
kept in prison during this war. This man was
on the verge of starvation, and without credit,
when took it upon myself to attend the sit
ting of our Legislature, some years ago, and
help make him District Attorney. He since
lost one wife and married second owning a
gang of negroes and rice plantation in Geor-
gia, and has turned over to secession. | warn
my family and friends never to confde in him.
Fellow countrymen, am shortly to be exc
cuted-not for any crime punishable with death,
but for my devotion to my country, her laws
and constitution. die for refusn to espouse
the cause Of this wicked rebellion: and glory
in it, strange as you may think it, | could have
lived. if | had taken an oath OF allegiance to
this so-called Coniedcracy. Rather than stul-
tity myself and family by such an oath, agree
to die l never could sanction this government,
and | trust that no child of mine will ever do
it. Look at the past history of the leaders and
originators of this rebellion. There is not
man of unstained character to be found among
them. Yancey is a convicted murderer, who
killed his uncle, Or. Earl of South Caroina).
and, instead OF going to England to intrigue
against this government, he would have been
in prison had he not been pardoned by the Gov
ernor of that State, Wiglall, q Confederate
Senator and a general, fled from his native
State Of South Carolina to Texas to escape the
horrors of assassination, became a collecting
attorney for large amounts, and then swindled
his employers out of their dues, numbering as
many as two men in Texas. Floyd, while
Governor OF my native State, was guilty of
swndlinS the State out of some thirty thou
sand dollars of the Washington Monument
Fund intrusted to his care while in Buchan-
ans cabinet in violation of his oath, he stole,
besides large amounts of bonds, the guns, forts,
and ammunition of the Federal Government,
to aid In carrying on this infamous rebellion.
Slldell, another intriguer, who never had an
honest emotion of soul in his life, assisted
while in the United States Senate to pass through
Congress that great swindle of the age the
"Houmans Land Grant, swindle so gigan-
tic and cheat so enormous that the next
Congress revoked the grant. Benjamin, your,
Secretary OF War, and oLe of the men engaged
IN decelying me, was expelled from New Eng
land College for stealing money and jewelry out
of the trunks of his fellow-students he after
ward got into the Senate from Louis ana by
turning from Wing to Democrat and be-
came the partner of Slidell in the Houmans
swihdle. Thompson, the Mississippi member
OF Buchanan's Cabinet, while secretary of the
Interior, was partner in stealing some Indian
Trust Bonds, and, when about to be dismissed
for the ofiense, fled from the Federal capital by
night TO avoid prosecution. Cobb, the Geor-
gia member of Buchanan's Cabinet, specula
ted n'stocks, using Government money, and
was detected in it-and all this was at a time
when he was acting under oath, at the head OF
the Treasury Department. Davis, your Presi-
dent, after his State had borrowed millions, led
the way in the work of repudiation and
in detrauding Mssissippi's honest creditors.
Toombs, the big man of your government at
Richmond, was the confederate of Kett and
Brooks, in their attempt to assassnate Sumner.
Swan, your Congressman from this district,
and an original secessionist, is the iorger OF
the johnson letters to Lawrence, with a view
to swindle the latter out of ten thousand dol
lars. These, and host of others like them
are the men who originated and are car
rying on this Southern rebellion. Ought not
any honest man prefer to hang rather than acl
with such men in wicked crusade against the
mild sway of the best government on earth
But must close. Solemn thought | die
with confidence thpt the United States Govern.
ment will crush out this rebellion during the
coming spring and summer. Mark my predic-
ton | would like to be living when that i.
donei but must resign myself to my fate.
have word to say as it regards my family
| leave a wife and seven children to the mercie.
} of a cold-hearted world. | hope the Union
men OF the country will be kind to them, and
seek TO impress their minds with what is true
that they are not disgraced, but honored, by