North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-01-31

The following letter has been addressed
by Mrs Jefferson Davis to the Secretary
and Agent of the Ladies Southern Aid
Association
MILL VIEW, Ga. Dec. T. 1865.
Ny DEAR SIR: am in receipt of your
very kind letter in the name of the Ladies
Southern Aid Association, having ''for its
objection the purpose Of placing" me "and
family III circumstances somewhat common
surate with their estimate of me and mine
and begging that | will, at my earliest con-
venience, designate place to which the
means so collected may be conveyed, so
that they may safely and satisfactorily"
reach me.
From our desolated and impoverished
friends scarcely expected such an express
sion of material sympathy, though my pow
ers ofgratitude have been almost daily tax
ed to thank those who have, with so much
heart eloquence, pleaded with the President
for him who, though unsuccessful, has Civ
Ell You all he conld-hs best energies
and whose only hope of future happiness
lies in the sweet trust, often expressed, that
he has not lost your confidence and love-
ignorant of al which his own people have
done for him in his painful captivity, his
devotion is unabated. "The unfortunate
have always been deserted, and betrayed,
but did ever man have less to complain of
when he had lost the power to serve? the
multitude arc silent. Why should they
speak, save to him who heirs best the
words most secretly uttered?
"My own heart tells me the sympathy
exists; that the prayers of the family
hearth are not hushed, Be loving and
confiding still to those from whom | have
much more than | deserve tar more Off
cial honors than | ever deserved Those
for whose cause | suffer are not unworthy
This is the message of love which is sent
through prison gates to our own people
say our people, because both of US have
,eea hrought mp with You; one Of us WAS
born lii Mississippi, the other came to her
in infancy. These are my own people, and
it Is a privilege of which no change OF cir
cumstanc can deprive ME. To the ac-
cepted prayers OF our widows and orphans.
our S .ftrin@ b"' heroic WON n, our brave
and true men. our innocent little children
look for the restoration to my little chill
ertn of their agonizel bur Christian father.
fla mere ful Providence so ordain it, we
hope to i've aud lie amnng you. mutually
cOnsolII and b, aring each other hurdrrs,
| pray God We may be restored to the
home Of our childlIo ID, for how can we sing
cur own soLg in a strange land We
would not have our dear friends BETRAYED
by their sympathy in Off;ring for our use.
too much from thr,r own 'ba>kct and
store | and mine have. so far, been mir
aculously cared for and shielded from want.
We seem ever environel by the love
which is reflected upon us from that which
lighted my husband in his dunseon-sof-
tened his prison walls with >uany pictures
of loving eyes and ou;stletched arms.
Grief aud gratitude seem to impose upon
me silence. | would, but cannot say
more. will enclose within this note the
names and directions of gentleman to
whom the contributions of which you
speak may be inclosed. And instead of
the eloquent voice which so often has
poured forth his love to his dear people,
now mute, offer a wife's and a mothers
and country-womans gratitude to you
and those you represent.
have the honor to be, very gratefully
and sincerely yours,
VARlNA DAVIS.