The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-18
AN INTERESTING DOCUMENT.

| The sayings and doings of distin-
| guished political prisoner, during his
/ imprisonment, are ever after a subject OF
| interest. The documents below, in the
hand writing of the Hon. John NJ Bolts,
was sent to the Richmond Republic
sometime since by gentleman In the
country, to whom Mr.. Bolts had given
il. 1t will be found interesting when
we remember when and where 1t was
written. Read it: aat. s h0 srsl
Reasons as they Passed Through my Mind on the Night
Of the 9th April 1852, IS Lay After Eig9t WEEK,
solitary Confinement in Negro Jail, AS the Causes o
Ny Confinement: ...f..., . s
LIST. Because / would not aid in break
ing up the Union formed by Washing
ton and his compeers, which, from ILL
fancy, / had been taught to venerate
and adore as the only sheet-anchor Of
National greatness, prosperity and free-
dom.
I'd. Because / would not aid In the
destruction Of the best government the
world has ever looked upon. ~.
Oh De-. -.SStd not aid In bring
ing civil war, desolatinn aud ia n,ine
upon my own section OF the country.
4th. Because I would not aid In the
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, impoverishment and
ruin of my native state, and desolation
ofthe whole South. 1"H
9th. Because ] would not aid in the
slaughter of the hundreds OF thousands
that have been and will be sacrificed.
9th, Because would notaid in break.
ing up the social ties, and Efe long per-
sonal and family intimacies that for
generations have existed.
eth. Because would not aid In max
ing widows and orphans unnumbered
and untold.
9Th. Because would not aid in turn
ing the instincts of humanity into that.
of wolves and other brutes.
9th. Because ! would not practice a
low deception and an unworthy trick,
as thousands have done, from motives
of selfishness, ambition or fear.
10th. Because / would not adopt for
myself, or recommend for others, policy
by which the fruits of country's labor
must be thrown away. b
18th. Because I had the firmness to
adhere with fidelity to the principles !
had cherished, and labored for thirty
years to establish, and which my State
had just adopted at the polls, but which
she renounced and repudiated at the
dictation of daring and corrupt De-
mocracy.
18TH Because preferred living under
a permanent and enduring government,
to one that was constructed on the prin-
ciples of bomb-shell, containing the
elements of destruction within itself,
that sooner or later must explode, and
leave wreck behind. alaa.
18th. Because l preferred a govern
ment that would protect its citizens and
their property, tOonethat would Cypress
and rob them. aH 4asfl7
l4th. Because preferred rational civil
| liberty, under a constitutional form of
government, to hateful military despo-
| tism.
18th. Because would not sacrifice the
best interests of the people, to perpetuate
| the power of nnnaoraoy ~na~r n t,outii-
ern Confederacy, when they had lost il
under the National Government.
| 18th. Because | cared more for the in
terests and freedom of the people than ]
did for their caresses, and tried to take
better care of them than they did them
selves.
| 18th. Because | would not become q
Rebel and Traitor to my country,
when lit had done no harm to me or my
| State.
| 18th. Because ] was honest i'm earnest
and patriotic when / voted for 1.-THE
| Union, the Constitution, and the enforce.
ment of the laws" and will not now
stultify myself by repudiatlng all.
10th. and lastly. Because / was moi
born either fool or a knave.