The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1865-08-12

between John \. Wise, brother Of Henry \.
Wise, Ex-Governor Of Virginia, and Brighten.
Gordon, commanding tie Norfolk district
wR. wfsE's LETTER.
NoRFoLK, May 80, 1865.
G.H. G0Ti1R-I feel itsmy duty 70 inquire Of
y9u - the only officer Of the Government III
reach, u inform me OF the nature Of the rela-
lions existing betW sen the Government and my
self. Am | 70 ccnside- - citizen Of the
United States, entitled l. the Iri'l-ege5 and fran
chises Of such, or am / excluded from their enjoy
ment? Three years ago the Government troops
found me confined 10 my bed. as 1 had been for
more than n half n score Of years. Without a
shadow OF Justification they seized the greater
part OF my estate and rendered unavailable the
balance. i mean to make no complaint or any
statement that | cannot prove beyond ali posi-
hility of doubt. For more than three years my
large family has been entirely unprOyided with
means for subsistence, without any labOrers' as
sistaoee, and this family has been increased by
An addition II four members since the surrender.
Destitute of means, 1 appeal TO the magnanimity
and humanity OF the United States 70 enable me,
not a. u mendioant, bub because they owe IL 10
themselves, TO procure implements, teams, seeds,
etc, for such farming crops as may be cultivated
the coming summer and fall. ! will not elabo-
rate but It il almost Incredible how my family
hare subsIsted for more than three years 1t is
impossible for US 70 provide longer. My SONS
have no clothes, while they are ordered 10 pull
of their uniforms.
May they be permitted to keep a boat, enjoy
citizens privileges, or will that Government which
cannot and will not faint me with even n suspi-
zion of a charge OF dislOyalty drive my innocent
family to the extremity Of starvation
Very respectfully, JONI 4. WISE.
REPLY Oh GEN. GORDON.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF EASTERN VIRGINIA.,
Norfolk, Va, May 81, 1865.
Mr.. John 4. WISE, Norfolk, Vd.-SIR.-I am
directed 20 acknowledge the reception Of your
- ont
10 the General Commanding certain statements,
draw certain conclusions, make certain inquiries
and prefer certain requests as follows First
You assert that $ without a shadow of ~iustifca-
ton, they 1.-THE Government trOOps) seized the
greater part of my (your) estate, and rendered
unavailable the balance" Second-That " for
more than three years your large family has been
entirely unprovided with the means of subsist-
ence.'' Third-That you have no laborers' as
sistance. Fourth-That your family has been
increased by the addition of four members since
the surrender" Fifth-That s. it is almost in
credible how my tyOur) family has subsisted
for more than three years" Sixth-That -. : il Is
impossible for us (your) to provide longer
Seventh-That : your sons have no clothes, while
they are ordered to pull off their uniforms"
Eighth That the Government cannot and viii
not faint me (yOu) with even q suspicion of Il
charge of disloyalty." And you inquire: First
So Am | to consider myself a citizen of the
United States, entitled to the privileges and fran
chises of such or am L excluded from their en-
joyment ~ Second-s' W i'll the Government
drive my innocent family to the extremity of
starvation ?' Third May my sons keep u
boat2" Fourth Nay they (my sons) enjoy
citizens privileges? ?" And, stating that you are
e destitute of MEANS" you appeal to the - mag
nanimity and humanity of the United States TO
enable me, (yOu,l not as Il mendIcant, but be-
cause they owe it 70 themselves, TO procure i'm
Elements, teams, seeds, etc., for such farming
crops as may be cultivated the coming summer
and fall"
Now, sir, stripped Of all disguise, your letter
amounts to this My sons (probably four of
theml have been for four years leagued with
traitors in a most damnable and deyilish effort TO
destroy their common country. They and their
co-cOnspirators have reduced me 10 beggary and
want. Can you inform me whether the Govern
meut, which my sons and others cOuld not de-
s,roy, hardly disturb, will fold me and them in
its loving arms, pay me for all my losses, give
them (yOur : innocent family'') the rights of
patriots? In fine, whether the buccaneers may
not cling for safety to the sides, and climb upon
the deck Of the noble old friSate they have tried
IN vain To scuttle? You are informed, sir, that
your Government will protect you. and in It's own
good time give rights Of citizenship even to those
sons Of yours, who have nothing &, wear but the
insignia of treason hut, t.r tLc manner OF it's
protection. and the time when Iuii rights Of Citi-
zsnship Will be conferred, you will await until
the de-ds of your sons and relatives can be coun-
tsracted.
In the meantime you will be governed as fol-
lows First-Make your claim against the Gov
eminent for remuneration for property taken and
destroyed, through such agent as you may elect,
and when you choose. If you or yours are suf-
fering for food make your wishes known to the
'' Commissioner Of Charities who takes charge,
IN the ~inaction of the civil authorities of the
public poor.
Your sons cannot wear their uniform. They
may keep a boat. You cannot be supplied from
the United States Treasury with . implements,
teams. seeds, etc, for farming purposes"
an. sir. very truly, etc.
: r. MoRGAS, Lieut.. \. d. c.. \. \. 4. G..