The Portland daily press., 1863-11-24
BY TELEGRAPH
T0rHE
Portland Daily Press.
Letter Of John NJ. ROtts to the Richmond
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| Letter u coNH M. lfOttS 70 re httUWOUH
| Examiner.
NEW YORK, Nov. %.
John Minor Bolts letter TO the Richmond
Examiner, under date of Oct. 18th, has been
received from the correspondent oil the Asso-
ciated Press with the army of the Potomac
Mr.. Bolts denies the charge that in an inter-
view with an Indiana man he proclaimed
himself Union man without any lis or butts.
| He had no such interview, and used no such
language. lie denies having said he wished
| Union gentlemen knew half what he did OF
the rebels and their sesources and intentions.
lie Is not in the confidence OF the Govern
ment or the commanders of its forces, and
therefore is profoundly ignorant of their re-
sources or intentions.
In reply to the charge Of the Examiner that
he abhorred the Government, but loved its
money, lie says :-"Whatever | may think of
the Government, yet never felt myself en-
tirely at liberty in this land of freedom to say
hall - much against its administration as
have read In your editorial columns. But if
l never made professions of devotion TO the
Government, have never ceased 10 feel a
warm interest in the people of Virginia, with
whose prosperity and freedom my own are en-
tirely identified, and l will take occasion to
say here what said to Gen. Meade, and have
said to all, that my earnest prayer is that this
revolution may result in whatever may con-
tribute most to the permanent peace, happi-
ness, prosperity and freedom of the people of
Virginia. These are the blessings of a good
Government. This is what / suppose is de-
sired and aimed at by ALL unless the selfish
politicians and the corrupt spectators in ard
out of the army may constitute an exception
They care not under what sort Of a govern
ment they live, provided they fill the high
places and have their pockets well lined. We
may differ possibly, and perhaps honestly, as
TO the best means of attaining these desired
ends. If it is by the success of the reyolu-
ton, then pray to God the revolution may
succeed. But If by restoration of the Union,
then hope the Union may be restored. What
want is government that has the will and
power to protect my person and property
against all abuses, and that l would prefer
living as did before the war to living as |
have done since the war, is beyond all ques-
ton, and | would be mailman or fool if |
did not, and knave and hypocrite if were
to pretend otherwise.
Mr.. Bolts denies having done anything OF
which the Confederate Government can COM
plain, unless it be that he has not become de-
mocratised and made no concessions to de-
mocracy. On the other hand, he complains
that the power Of the legislative branch of the
government has been especially directed
against him; also that the power of the exc
cutive branch of the government has been
exertcd against him, when under this detesta-
Bile, unwritten and unknown code called mar
tial law, upon no charge preferred which they
dared TO present to the court of inquiry, they
had him arrested in his bed, hurried to filthy
negro jail, where he was kept in solitary con-
linement for eight weeks, when, with all the
vigilance and research of their numerous de-
tectives, they could find nothing OH which TO
bring charge. In addition to this there was
a second arrest without a charge, whilst the
army was turned loose on him to destroy his
nrn nv IaSi,x a,,I l.rz Ia. 8
in high command. and but for guard from
the headquarters of Gen. Lee, none can tell
TO what condition he would have been re-
duced. He then says:
"Have l not, Mr.. Editor, had much reason
for attachment or devotion to a government
by which l have been thus treated? You
complain of the treatment Mr.. Vallandigham
has received at the hands of his government.
He made many violent speeches. in which he
took active and strong grounds against his
government, and for this he was sent amongst
his friends, as they supposed. But / have
done nothing, taken no part, but maintained
firmly and consistently, as / shall continue to
TO do, my own private opinions and the con-
yictions OF my best judgment, which have not
been controlled by any considerations of sell
fishness, ambition or fear. l want no better
vindication for having withheld my appoval |
of this war, than is to be found in the Act
that there is not one who aided in bringing |
it on, that II, with their present experience, it
had TO be done over again, or, if they could |
have foreseen what has followed, would have |
been willing to have launched on the expert |
ment, all OF which did foreseen and foretold. |
Mr.. Bolts denies that Gen. Meade took din
ner at his table, yet makes known that he in
vited him to do SO and regrets that his constant |
engagements prevented his acceptance. and |
says that should he return to his vicinity the
offence would be repeated. He trusts he has
entertained freely and Hospitality the officers
and gentlemen of both armies whose acquaint-
ance he has enjoyed, and shall continue to do /
so so long as he is master of his own house.
He says, hitherto haze been silent as TO the |
wrongs, injuries and indignities that have been
heaped on me, but am not spaniel to lie |
down and crouch at the bidding Of any master, |
nor TO lick the hand that smites me; and if | |
am thus to be selected as particular object of |
persecution and can find no protection from
the law, then will protect myself This | |
cannot do against the government or against |
the army, but can and will do ii when the |
law. military and civil both fail me, against
any one man that this Confederacy can boast |
otbe induced to swerve one hairs breadth |
from the line of conduct that my own Judge
men and conscience may dictate, which is, TO |
take no lot, part or share in the responsibility |
that rests upon those who have brought this |
whirlpool of desolation and ruin on my unior-
tunate country. But, If TO adhere hrnly and |
consistently TO the opinions and principles that |
l have maintained for thirty years, and if pre-
ferring TO live as did before the war to living |
as l have done since the war. makes me a trail |
tor, then trators life let me live and traitors
death let me die.