Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1866-01-20
Letter from Mrs. Jefferson Davis.

ihe following letter vas euefesseo oy
Mrs. jefferson Paws 10 MIR. +. B.
Clarke, oil Biloxi. Mss..who is secretary
Of society. "ihe principal object OF
which is TO raise fund that viii place the
wife and children OF Jefferson DAVIS
above the possibility Of wan, or depsn-
dence upon the charity OF friends" 10.
MILL YIEw, Ga, December 4, 1865.
T. B. Clarke, Esq, Secretary and
.3gent L. s. Il. association :: My
DEAR SIR: | am in receipt Of your We.
rv kind letter in the name "o( lhe Ladies
Southern Aid Associstion," having "for
its objec, ,he purpose Of placing" ne
land family 10 elteunstsness somewhat
commensurate with their estimate Of me
and mine, and begging ,ha, will, at my
earliest convenience, designate place 10
which The means so collected may be
conveyed, so that they may "saiely and
satisfactorily" reach me.
From our desoaled and impoverished
friends | scarcely expected such an ex-
preston Of material sympathy, though
my powers Of gratitude have been almost
daiIv taxed 10 thank ,hose who have,
with so much hearleloquence. plesd with
the President for him who. though un-
successful, has given you oil he could
his bes, ensrges-snd whose only hope
Of future happiness lies in The sweet trust.
often expressed, lhsI be has no, lost your
confidence and love. Ignorant OF oil
which his own people have done for him
in his painful captivity, bis de'onon 10
unabated. The unfortunate have oil.
ways been deserted and betrayed, but did
ever man have less 10 complain OF when
he had lost the power 10 serve The
multitude are silent; why should 'hey
spes& save to Him who hears best the
words most secretly uttered My own
hear, tells me The sympathy exisis-that
the prayers from the family hearth are
not hushed. BE loving and eonhding
still 10 those from whom have received
much more than deserve /; FAR moro
official honors than ever desired.
Those for whose cause suffer are not
unworthy OF the devotion Of all which !
had to give This is the message OF
love which is sent through PRISON gales
10 our own people. say our people. be.
cause both OF US have been brought up
with you one was born in Mississippi,
The other came 10 her in infancy. These
are my own people, and !, is a privilege
Of which no change Of circumstances can
deprive me. To ,be accepted prayers
Of Our widows end orphans. our suffering
but heroic women, our brave and true
men, our innocent liile children, ! look
for the restoration TO my lille children Of
their sgOnized but Christian father. IL
mercilui Providence so ordsin IL, we hope
10 live and die among yOu. mutually con-
soing and bearing each others burihsns.
| pray God we may not be driven forth
from lke home Of our childhood, "lor
how can We sing our cong IN strange
land :" We would nOl have our dear
friends betrayed by their sympsIby into
offering. for Osr use. too much IRON their
own basket and Store" and mine
have, so far. been mirsculously cared for
and shielded from want. We seem ever
enviroDed by the love which is reflected
upon US from tha. which lighted my hus-
band IN his dungeon sOflened his prison
walls with sunny pictures of loving eyes
and ontsIreiehsd arms.
Grief and gratitude seems to impose
upon ms silence. Iwould. but cannot
cay more. ! will enclose within this
note The names and directions of gentle.
men 10 whom the contributions Of which
500 speak may be enclosed. And instead
Of the eloquent voice which so often has
poured forth his love to his dear people.
now mule. offer wifs's and mothers
and country woman's gratitude 10 you and
those you represent.
Ib,ve the honor 10 be, very gratefully
and sincerely, yours.
VARINA DAVIS.