New-York tribune., 1867-05-20
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
LETTER FROM JOHN MINOR BoTrs.
he Richmond papers of Friday print the follow
GRAND Jury ROoM. May IS. 1851

ing letter: noo,, Nav, ,oc7
NY DEAR SIR: Your letter of this morning mas guIe
surprised me VIII never the day that can exsr
without being called account and asked ask Tor exPa e
nations by my friends n @ G'her @ 20 spDose T POSSIBLE
flat have good reasons for doing what may not appear
them TO be right without forcing me DeGr9 on sne ~
You say my friends are expressing great nd az
my having become one OF the suetes for the
OF Mr. Davis at the next Circuit Court TO DC neia m mi a
State and that they fear II will inlnre me lregtet az al
times TO differ from my friends but snch cohslueraons
cannot be permitted 20 conflict with ne nc t 81
the positive conviction OF duty. l0u say you uo not
doubt but that motives were good Dnt wouu oe Biau
to hear my reasons and you -han have them; -, n,..
First: Then. I offered myself as one OF MT Davlss
securities because thought 1t would have harmohihg
and dscOTdant elements OF the State, whcht has already
done to very marked extent. .,,,,,..
Scond Because thought the Government hao hao lue
time enough 20 make out ease ana prepare iOr te Ii
o Mr. Davis and that as the Constitution throws lts pro
tectng shield over every citizen OF the nn,ea 1i,eS &
the guarantee OF speedy trial for any oehse WIN Wnc
hc may stand charged and as the power OF tne & oteT m
ment had been recently exhibsd III sIeeHlng io @ ~ s
powerful arm across oceans ana continents 20 seLe upon
an obscure individual and drag nm To the par on usIe,
thought there no excuse Tor the delay tht nSt @
not De TesOrtcd TO- Tor the porpetudi p VI '
Davis of some other obnoxious citlze at lIe 1dy
and thereby establish precedent not 10 De W
any rejecting person Jealous OF lie ilsl's & hiu i @ "a
the citizen; and therefore thought Mt Davis WaS .'i "
tied 10 his liberation upon pail ana that couu no, d. III ~
any other manner so torciDy express my oPio upo vi
this subject 10y volunteering To become ono Oi tue Sc
curtcs for his appearance ~ the future. oil,
third: A. Mr. Davis had thrown me into jail or per
utfrd u 10 be- done under his administration, without
iusttucnfiou opportunity al the moment seemed lo
present itself iOr the exercise OF hashahlmlE, Wgn
id NOT choose % throw away, by assisting ms frleds III
ms release from imprisonment but f.. ,..,,.,o, =
suitable occasion showing 10 the world not only ON my
own behalf but on behalf OF that patEote party whHn %
TO extent represent thal IN our uc,ads M U
vndcaton OF the law in the past and IN our deterlna
ton hereafter 10 insist upon some security i9L 'is
We governed by high sense OF puD%c % u1,y, ~ anu
were no degree actuated by motives OF personal resent
meut, Vndlctycness, or malgniiy. ... 49,. -
dIt = fdlp aelks ie iY one stroke 30 many
aud 80 much good saw IN llt
sboud have csnsurcd myself for blunder ana Tor "a,
mcniabc deficiency ot those qualities upon winch "oud
am happy inform you. and all my friends IN wash
hcouts Who does not honor me for and rejoice that
toos step so much In the right deetioh' 10 ho' Ano
II is not rne that congratulated Mr. Davis, or that
approached linn for that or any Chcr pufIo,e Dnng
the progress of the authorized friend OF nr DAVIS
10 -y to Nh CCOuOr that II the name oi one known every
where and 10 all mon M one oi tle most prOhcut !.i
determined opponents Of the Rebellion. the southern Con
f.dciacv and oi Mr. DdYss whole course OF policy was
desirable as one OF his securities that mine was al MS
service The pTOfer promptly accepted-not because
n WA, needed but no doubt from the same generous -
pulses that had he'd me 10 make the offer
did NOT approach MI Davis nor did intend TO do so;
because was from public aud not personal consldefa
tious that led me 20 occupy TINS position Dut Nn' ~ ~
reached the clerks desk 20 aix my signature To the
bnnd Mr. Davis as was both natural and becoming.
approached to express his acknowedgments Tor me
Generosity had exhibited I told him that among the
consdcrations that had controlled the sacred
regard ia which held the liberty OF al citizens; that
believed he was entitled TO trial that che Government
had had the most abundant time TO prepare for one and
H. after two years imprisonment they were sun uhpIc
norei / t.ionsht he was entitled 10 his liberation on
bail and was happy TO give thls public expression OF
my opinion on that subject He replied IL was noble
sent nent worthy OF "a Virginia gentleman as he had
always known me to be, aud was thankful Tor H.
We separated aud did not como " coptAe, 9gall
| am not only satisfied with, but am proud OF what
have done and would do IL again and AGAIN ana
AGAIN under tile same circumstances while entertan
every opinion Of Mr Dayss ollense against the Con.tn
tion and laws OF his country that have expressed ho
tho beginning OF the Rebellion 10 its close.
Il hone may live long enough 10 Let all my friends un
derstand that II is my habit to do whatever my conscience
and Judgment may approve IN my individual capaoy
without turning TO the right hand OF 20 the lett 70 Inquire
what NAV be the opinions OF others. satisfied thn le
will yndicate all things that III themselves are right
WIN '' Vo,,rs - truiv JOHN NJ Boris.
ps-As far MS my knowledge and belief extends IL is
pot tine as y0u have heard that the call OF NY name
/; vas received with hsscs certainty hea,u @ ~ m MS ed
IL nor have met with any who did; yet IN SO nNeu
a crowd IL Is not impossible that some Que OF t"3 AZ -
mote part ofth0housc might have uohe So a. % "
10 H. -, Washington CITY.