Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1867-04-19
4 RzPUBLECAE I'D ITOR IN 4 REB-
EE PRTSOR

III PERSON
It will be remembered that a few
weeks since we gave an account Of the
circumstances connected with the
prosecutions beflre IA rebel court aud
Incarceration in a rebel Jail of a val
ued friend of ours, john E. Hayes,
Esq. Editor Of the Savannah Daily
Republican, 90 account of an alleged
libel. We deem il best that all the
facts connected with this infamous
transaction should be made fully
known and therefore venture, contrary
10 Mr. Hayes wish, to place before
the public the following private letter
we have had the honor e. receive from
him Omitting certain portions Of
personal nature, the letter reads as
follows
Editorial Room Chatham County
Jail, Office Savannah Daily Rcpubli-
eau,
SAVANNAH, Ga, April IL, 1867
ALFRED E. LEE. Esq,
My Dear Sir
have often recalled our pleasant,
social and business intentions, and as
often regretted the stern degrees of
war which prevented the consummatiou
Of. our wishes t. euter int7 partner
ship. However, when recall the ter
rible ordeal through which L have
passed. Since that memorable time
can hardly lament that fate ordain-
ed the separation. My attempt TO keep
up a loyal paper here has cost me du-
ring the last year a loss Of eieeea tltous-
and dollars! just think of that, af-
ter twelve months of the hardest labor,
worry of mind, and investment Of
S18,0OO worth of capital TO be thus
richly rewarded not to mention the
many attempts co assassinate me and
drive me from the city And now,
To cap the climax of their rebel atroe-
ities, 1 am iacarcerated in a rebel Jail f!
am here simply because I refuse
to pay a fine of 5000 imposed on me
by rebel judge for stating that reb-
ell U. s. Postmasterwas a defaulter by
refusing 70 return the Post Office funds
he had 10 his possession AZ the begin
ming Of the war He was candidate
for a delegate to the Provisional Con-
yentIon leld nearly two years ago at
MilledEeville, aud | opposed his elec-
ton By stating these facts. As Andy
johnson declared perfect peace South,
this vindictive rebel aFailed himself
of the opportunity offered through
rebel courts to wreak his revenge on
a loyal man, and he has succeeded. 4
Five weeks ago yesterday, I entered
the gloomy portals OF this prison aud
it will be iUe yeurs before [ will con-
sent to pay this ujust penalty tor SIM /
ply exercising the rights Of free speech /
and free discusSiuu, boon for which J
I fought SIX months as a private, and |
the balance of Two years as q cumm s
stoned officer uutlI disabled I have 1
lost father aud brother by the. .accurs-
ed rebellion, aud periled my own lite, /
and I am not 50 inuoh Of a poltroou
as TO tremble at tine sight of rebel /
courts or rebel ,is. while the attempt
to crush my paper ny the force Of civ
il law pray viii prove failure l
am coDteuding only for the unlimited
exercise of those inalienable rights
which [ foolishly, it seems, imagined
were to. be vouchsaled every loyal
American citizen, particularly those
who fought for the preservation Of the
AS soon as the Govern
ment sees fit to decree that [ am to
bow 10 the Andy johnson GesIer cap
erected Ia every Southern State, theu
l am prepared to seek moDarch1=d
government for liberty aud protection
Even bitter rebels tell me that had /
been a rebel the sult would never have
been instituted However, don't
like to occupy your valuable time in
upon my personal grievances :;
all I can say is that [ will neUer pay
this extortionate fne if I have to rot
in this miserable "black hole of Cal
cutta"
came up to Jail in an open bar
ouohe, with the Stars and Stripes fs-
ing from the carriage, and when the
bitter rebel sheriff said he did not care