, 1864-03-12
THE PACKARD CASE,


vicinity some very severe and damaging stric-
ing that lie lad kept lis wife in the asylum
at Jacksonville under the false and malignant
charge that she was insane. Of the merits of
the case We knew nothing at the time, anl
quoted it precisely as We do other news from
local papers. From an immense mass Of cv-
idencc placed in our hands for publication,
ard for which It is impossible for us to find
room, it is, us We believe, conclusi7cly
proved that both Mr.. and Mrs. Packard merit
tue deepest sympatllies of the public, for that
Mrs Packard, while exhibiting almost super
natural strength Of mind and shreWdncss in
the accomplishment Of her purposes, is af-
hicted with well defined species of mono-
mania there cannot be particle Of doubt.
She called at our office, and from conrersa-
tion with Ler Us also from letter she wrote
Us VIC are convinced that what is clnimed by
the friends Of Mr.. Packard and admitted by
the relatives OF Mrs. Packard. some Of whom
reside in this city, viz, that she is afflicted
with monomanfa, is entirely true.
Instead Of attempting to publish or make
synopsis Of the mass Of evidence before us,
we take The liberty to insert priyate letter
from Rev. Robert Crawford to one Of the cd
itors Of the TRIBUNE. We can vouch for the
author rs gentleman Of the very highest
intellectual, social and religious char
acter. With the exception Of the deepest
8, ,mpathy for both Mr.. and Mrs. Packard. the
public should give this painful subject no
further thought.
IDENTIFIED, Mass, Feb. q, 1864.
| VIM. Broes, ESQ.,:
My Per 81: l. y T. vel, perhaps, thas things
md iriendsaip: was ihinEias Of Ills yestcrday,
| all Of which passed with the Rev. Theophilus
Packard, late Of Mantcno, Of yonr State, and two
thing Of Nj. Packards troubles, and at late meet
! Ing Of cur aseociatton, the two South Deerfeld
ministers and myself were appointed q committee
which ST. r. has transcribed and is about 10 pab-
lieh. They are \ se1frindicat1on in reference to
matsfSa, giEM;Rsd M .a5s % yesT iee,s
M sad Ref zo as os e easaed Il Rosn
sf 'he1t %3e d na sg Ssa1a Ss
me On copies Of the papers that contain those
Now hope you will publish the whole thinr-ln
see not how tie poor man can hare Justice done
him. or Low be can he pnt In proper position BE-
pnllithcd rs inlly, mud IN Is respectable Wy as
have been tie Charges ayninst him.
When the document reaches you. you will ece
airt a. moae1a.or % oi d The "' :aes:lns ass Of
tue association where Mr., Packard's case was
lrcEgLt before us: then as permanent
Of the body in the care. and then as member Of
the committee 10 attend to the business Of ycster
mey sag now that paid the strictest attention
to the examination Of the doeuments- as did the
ethez Ecmlcrs ct the committee, authcnticaing
them SO Sar ae nc could, and comparing Mr. Pack
xYffT he MIR ms tnf ffsuf Moan
without hesitation youeh for 1is 1nanusctipt-as
we haye npon oath. and 1t does sccm 10 me that
sSn Rto ~ a
yesterday, without the fullest conviction Of tae
ins!ice OF Sr r. cause. End Of the grfeyons wrong
Those documents show tic insanity d Mrs Pack
ard aR 1latuls ar TIC sun Is seen when shining In
the heavcns. And it Is very peculiar kind Of in-
in coinecf.or With he most iEdubtabe marks ofin-
sd hi1iazcy of intellect which one cannot but ad
Bu: you may esk, perhaps Why the Franklin Az
eocia.ien CT CONGREGATIONAL Ministers here IN Mas-
saehEset: shoEld Interest thsmsslyss 50 mssh IN
they hare take oflcia1 action thereon. That IL 4
ta,r outstion and viii anewe i. III. Packard Is
Rev. Dr. Faciard, was minister Of sbelburne With
ihe ia,hers of the Association. H!s son was
he Association, Was eoueasae with biz
fathcY, and served the Shelburne Church
amer his fathes's dcah-in a1l more than a5 rea1e.
yeart, and active IN all its business, and IN efficient
minister In all The business Of the churches around
in councils, &C. So that he ie well known nmon:
all cur churches, md well known md highly es-
termed ty his 1ninisterng brethren who we're for
1ncrly associates with him, mud by those too who
hnve come into the association ence he left. And
may sag there r. not one 0f us as an associatlon
who has not the fullest confidence In his christian
and ministerss! character. Besidcs his wifes iau-
iy connexions, Is well as his own, are here and
veil kno" n. And she is wc1l remembered, End spo-
Len Of now with admiration for her personal aud
ntntA qualities but no enc who knows her history
here in Fer youth, and utter che became wife
| doubts, however much they may regret her present
| insanity. Her connections have no doubt Of It,
| Indeed. as is mentioned IN Mr. Packard's mann
script, which will soon be in your hands. she was
iusane, md In the asylum for Hnch at Worcester,
for while tefore she was married. And It appears
that her insanity then manifested itesf In prec1sey
the same intenee aversion TO her nearest and best
friends, as It does now. Then It was her fatder
and mother, especially the latter; now it Il her
| husband. ..-..-
But i an not writing to give ron IN account Of
the case. md Will thercfore etop. did not intend
to say 1.-THE Of all this when began. hope that
you viii puldsh 1t, and send me the numbers as
they are put!iahed,, Very truly and respectfully
y0uts, X. CRAWFORD