Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-27
The Jamaica Observation-Disclosures
Last Letter to his Wife.


The Jamaica IRsurrectIOn.-.
Last Letter to his Wife.
To the Eiitor Of the Examiner and Times:
S1R-Sickening enough, in all con-
science, are the details of the Jamaica
butcheries, perpetrated under martial
law The motto of the executioners
appears to have been "a short shrift
and long rope" 1t is no fault of the
press if the whole country has not read
the CHASTITY account of the late Hon. G.
w. Gordon's execution in front of the
courthouse in Morant Bay. 1t is no
fault of the Times, and of some other
journals, if the Jamaica patriot does not
stand before the world branded as
felon, and execrated as an inciter to re-
bellion and massacre. But the more
that is known of his character the higher
will it stand, and the more loudly will
public opinion condemn his murderers.
Unless / greatly mistake it, too, it will
demand that they be brought to trial for
their crime. have received copy of
his last letter. II was to his wife, an
English lady, highly educated, who mar
ried him, Notwithstanding bis color, be-
cause of his many noble qualities.
Will it be believed, that, although he
was tried on Saturday, the finding and
sentence of the court martial = COM
posed of two lieutenants of the navy and
an ensign of the 4th West India regi-
ment--were not communicated to him
until one hour before his execution2
Was this refinement of cruelty2 What
does this condemned conspirator, rebel,
and traitor do2 He calls for pen, ink,
and paper, and writes the following let
ter to his wife:
MI BELOVED WIFE: Gen. Nelson has
Just been kind enough to inform me that
the conrt martial on Saturday last has
ordered me to be hanged, and that the
sentence 10 to be executed in an hour
hence, 30 that shall soon be gone from
this world of sin and sorrow. regret
that my worldly afairs are so deranged;
but now it cannot be helped. do not
deserve this sentence, for / never advis-
ed or took part in any insurrection. All
ever did was to recommend the people
who complained to seek redress in le-
Ultimate way; and if in this erred or
have been misrepresented, / do not think
/ deserve the extreme sentence.
1 Ii uOWGNGKf tAb WhAA vi III 4C6NGu~
ly Father that / should thus suffer in
obeying bis command, to relieve the
| poor and needy, and protect, as far as /
was able, the oppressed. And glory be
to His name, and / thank him that I
suffer in such cause. Glory be to God,
the Father Of our Lord Jesus Christ
and can say that it is great honor
thus to suffer, for the servant cannot be
greater than his Lord. / can now say
with Paul, the aged, " The hour of my
| departure is at hand, and am ready to
be offered mp. I have fought good
fight, have kept the faith, and hence
forth there is laid up for me crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the right
GUS Judge, shall give me.
Say to all friends an affectionate fare
well, and that they must not grieve for
me, for die, innocently. Assure Mr..
Airy and all others of the truth Of this.
! Comfort your heart. / certainly little
expected this. You must do the best
| YOU can, and the Lord will help you, and
do not be ashamed of the death your
poor husband will have suffered. The
Judges seemed against me, and from the
| rigid manner of the court could not
get in all the explanation l intended.
The man Anderson* made an unfounded
statement; and so did Gordon; but his
testimony was different from the deposit
ton. The judges took the former and
erased the latter. 1t seemed that | was
to be sacrificed.
I know nothing of the man Boyle.
/ never advised him to the act or acts
which have brought me to this end.
Please write to Mr. Chamerovzow, Lord
Brougham, and Messrs. Hencknell and
Du Boisson. / did not expect that, not
being rebel, should have been tried
and disposed of in this way I thought
his Excellency the Governor, would
have alloled me fair trial, if any
charge of sedition or infammatory Lam
guage were partly q fairly attributable
to me; but have no power of contro l.
May the Lord be merciful to him.
General Nelson, who has just come fol-
me, has faithfully promised to let you
have this May the Lord bless him, and
all the soldiers and sailors, and all men
Say farewell to Mr.. Phillips, also Mr.
Lizard, Mr.. Bell, Mr. Vinon, and Mr.
Henry Dulasse, and many others whom
do not now remember, but who have
been true and faithful to me. AS the
| general has come / must close. Re
member me to Aunt Eliza in England
and tell her not to be ashamed of my
death. Now, my dearest one, the mos
beloved and faithful, the Lord bless
help, preserve, and keep you.
i A kiss for dear mamma, who will bt
kind to you and Janet. Kiss also Annie
and Jane. / Say good by to dear Mr.
Dawson, and all others. ] have only
been allowed one hour. wish more
time had been allowed Farewell also
to Mr.. Espent, who sent up my private
letter to him. And now may the grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all
Your truly devoted and now nearly
dying husband,