The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-01-25
Letter from Mrs. JEFF. Davis.

| Letter from Mrs. JEFF. Davis.
The following letter has been address
ed by Mrs. Jefferson Davis to the secrc
tary and Agent of the Ladies' Southern
Association:
MILL VIEW, Ga, Dec. 4, 1865.
T. B. CLARKE, Esq, Secretary and agent
l.. S. 4. association
My DEAR SIR: am in receipt Of your
very kind letter in the name of the La
dies Southern Aid Association, having
"for its object the purpose of placing"
me "and family in circumstances some
what commensurate with their estimate
of me and mine, and begging that I will
at my earliest convenience, designate a
place to which tho means so collected
may be conveyed, so that they may
safely and satisfactorily" reach me.
From our dcsolated and impoverished
friends I scarcely expected such an ex-
preston of material sympathy, though
my powers of gratitude havo been al
most daily taxed to thank those who
have, with so much heart oloquonce,
pleaded with the President tor him who,
though unsuccessful, has given you all he
could-his best energies-and whose on
ly hope of future happiness lies in the
sweet trust, often expressed, that he has
not lost your confidence and love. Igno-
rant of all which his own people have
done for him in his painful captivity, his
devotion is unabated. HThe 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 are silent. Why should
they speak save to Him who hears best
tho words most secretly uttered? My
own heart tells me the sympathy exists,
that the prayers of the family hearth
arc not hushed Be loving and confding
still to those from whom J. have received
much moro than | deserve; far more Off
cal honors than l ever desired. Those
for whose cause I suffer are not unworthy
of the devotion of all which had to
give" This is the message Of love which
is sent through prison gates to our own
people. say our people, because both
of us have been brought up with you one
of us was born in Mississippi, the other
came to hor in infancy. These arc my
own people, and it is privilege OF which
no change of circumstances can deprive
me. To tho accepted prayers of our
widows and orphans, our suffering but
heroic women, our brave and true men,
our innocent little children, look for the
restoration to my little children of their
agonized but Christian father. If mer-
ciful Providence so ordain it, we hope to
live and die among you, mutually conso-
ling and bearing each others burdens. l
pray God we may not be driven from the
home of our childhood, "f for how we can
sing our own songs in strange land {!
We would not have our dear friends be-
trayed by their sympathy in offering, for
our use, too much from thoir own "basket
and store" I and mine have SO far been
miraculously cared for and shielded from
want. We seem ever onvironed by the
love which is reflected upon us from that
which lighted my husband in his dungeon
-sofcned his prison walls with sunny
pictures of loving eyes and outstretched
arms.
Griefand gratitude seem to impose upon
mo silence. would, but cannot say more.
I will inclose within this note the names
and directions Of gcntlemen 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, 1 offer
wife's and mothers and countrywo-
mans gratitude to you and those you
represent.
have the honor to be, very gratefully
and sincerely, yours,
VARINA DAVIS.