The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-12-09
LETTER FROM HON. JOHN NJ. BorTs-

LETTER FROM HON. JOHN N. Bolts.
The following i a brief outline Of a letter
from the Hon John Minor Bolts to the Con-
federate Government, ia which he makes sol
emn protest against the treatment he has re-
ceived a. the hands Of the rebel agents, and the
tyranny exercised by the government itself
he makes a frank avoEal Of his Union senti-
ments aud If his intention ever to maintain ,hem.
The letter is dated October 18th:
Nj Bolts denies the charge that he, in an in
terviez With an Indiana Major, proclaimed him
self Union man without any lis or butts. he
had 20 such interview, and used 10 such .au~
guage he denies having said that he wished
the Federal Generals knew halt that he knew
Of the rebels and their resources and inteu-
tons He j. lot in the confidence OF the Gov
ernment OF the commanders OF its forces, AID,
therefore, Of their intentions, and = profoundly
ignorant Of their resources.
In reply % the charge Of the Eraminer, that
he abhOrred the Government but loved 10
money. be saws.
" Whatever | may think OF the Government,
vet | never felt myself entirely at liberty n this
land OF freedom 10 say hai as much against it,
Administration az / have read in your own ed.to-
rial co umn. But If | have never made pro
LESSONS OF devotion 10 the Government, l have
never ceased 10 feel warm interest in the elafe
of the people OF Virginia with whose prosperity
and freedom nv own are entirely identified, and
will take occasion TO say here what l said 10
Gen. Meade, aud have said TO all, that my earnest
PRAYER j. that this revolution may result in what
ever NAV contribute most 10 the permanent
peace, happiness, prosperity, and freedom OF
RI, IL, of
OF a good Government; this is what l suppose
is desired and aimed at By all, unless the selfish
politicians, and corrupt spectators in and oui Of
the army, may constitute an exception; they
care not what sort Of a government they live
under provided they hil tie high places
and have their pockets well lined. We may
differ possibly, and perhaps honestly, as 70 tie
best means Of attaining these desirable ends
If il il by the success OF the revolution, then
pray God that the revolution may succeed, but
II by a restoration of the Union, then hope the
Union NAV be restored. What | want is a GOV
ernment that has the will and power 10 protect
nv person and nv property against all abuses,
and that | would prefer living as did before
the war, il beyond question | would be- mad
man or fool if l did not, and knave aud
hypocrite if l were to pretend otherwise
Mr.. Botts denies having done anything 20
which the Confederate Government can complain,
unless il be that he has not become Democrauzed,
snd makes 10 concessions to Democracy. On the
other hand, he complains first that the power
of the legislative branch Of the Government has
been especially directed against him. Second
that the executive branch of the Government
has been execrated against him when under this
deteslabe, unwfitteu, and unknown code called
martial law. Upon 10 charge preferred which
thev dared 10 ptczent before the Court of In
quiry they had him arrested in bis bed, aud
hurried to a filthy negro Jail, where he was kept
in solitary confinement for eight weeks, with all
the vigisu and care, aud research OF their
numerous detectives they could find nothing
upon which 10 hinge a charge aud no" comes a
second arrest without a charge, whilst the army
itself has been turned loose upon him to destroy
his property by design and by the orders OF 9TH
GERS In high command and, but tor guard from
the headquarters of Gen. Lee, none can tell 90
What condition he would have been reduced.
Mr.. Bolts SAYS: Have l. then, Mr. Editor,
had much attachment OF devotion to a Govern
ment by which have thus been treated: You
complain Of the treatment Mr.. Valandigham
has received at the hands Of his Government.
He made many violent speeches, in which he
took active aud strong grounds against his Gov
ernment, aud for this he was sent amongst his
ffiends, as he supposed. But l have done
nothing. taken no part, but maintained firmly
and consistently. as | shall continue TO 10, nv
own private opinions, and convictions Of my
best Judgment, which has not been controlled by
any considerations of se.Eshne=s, ambition or
fear.
~ want no better viudicAtion FOR having with
held nv approval Of this war than Is 70 be
found ia the faet that there is not one Of those
who aided in bringing it on that would do it, ii
with their experience il had 10 be goae over
again. or if they could have loreseen what
has followed, sl of which ! did foresce and
foretell"
Mr.. Bolts denies that Gen. Meade took dinner
at his table, Yet makes known that be invited
him 70 do so, and regretted that his constant
engagements prevented his acceptance, aud
should he return to the vicinity the offence
would be repeated. The truth l., he has enter
tanned freely and Hospitality the officers and gen
tlemcn of both armies whose acquaintance b.,
has enjoyed, aud shall continue TO DO so a. long
as he Is master of his own lands.
Hitherto have been silent, saws Mr. Bolts
as to the wrongs. injuries, and iDdiguites thai
have been heaped upon me, but ! am not q
spaniel 70 lie down and crouch At the bidding O.
anv master, nor TO lick the hand that smites me-
aud if | am thus 20 be selected as a particular
object of persecution, and can find 10 protection
/ from the law, then will!I protect myself.
"This | cannot DO against the Government ol
against the army, but l can and will do it whel
( the law. military and civil, both tail me, agains
any one man that this Confederacy can boast
81 cannot be induced TO swerve one hairs
breadth from the line of conduct that my oNi
Judgment and conscience may dictate, which /
10 take 10 lot part CT share in the respon
sibiity that rests upon those who have brough
this whirlpool OF desolation and ruin upon m
unfortunate country. But if TO adhere hrml
and consistently to the opinions aud principle
that have maintained for thirty years and if O
prefer living as did before the war, to living a
| have done since the war, makes me traitor
then a traitors life let me live, or a traitor
death let NE die
NEVER TRIFLE WITH ATFEcTiOS.-How ofte
in this lie are we inclined TO trAs with thos