Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1868-12-18
FORT LAFAYETTE.
4 Fen SdUOrU "reminiscences OF
.StnIItOIL'S Ienlpke Of LfberkN.

4 F'eiC SdUOrU "reminiscences of
StGHtOH'S Temple OT LfGeri0.
There are hundreds of thons IN Is of patri-
otic American citizens who can feel no
regret for the burning OF Fort Lafayette,
opposite the New York narrOws. | am glad
that II has been resolved into the elements
! 1t was an odious pile. Though called by
great aud glorious name, it. was used
throughout the war for execrable purposes.
It's noble name became detestatiOn. 1t
was b Istile. Hundreds Of the best men
OF the nation were locked within its gloomy
aud desolate walls and kept there for
months, and even years, without trial and
without being allowed to know why they
were denied the right of liberty. No charges
existed against them so far as they or their
friends could learn. Ii they or their friends
| IN their behalf appealed to the Government
TO learn the cause OF their immuremeut,
/ there was no answer. The Government
was silent and mysterious. The tort was
| United States property, but | have as little
| sorrow for its destruction as any good clti-
| zen ever had for the demui,iOn OF the
| BA>tile OF France. | have seen the key Of
the latter h,rwd prison-house at Mount
| Vernon, present To George Washington
| should be glad 20 see the Key Of tho for
/ mer at the house Of the greatest of the
! living sons OF Liberty. Fire has done u
great many good things in the wOrld-sel-
| dom 50 good a thing as the sweeping Of Fort
! Lafayette from tho face OF the continent
! that II disgraced. Bless the red element
| | have some peculiar "reminiscences con.
nected with Fort Lafayette. la 1851 three
| distinguished gentlemen, Hon. VIM. Nj.
! GSiuu, who had served many years with
| distinction in the Senate OF the Uuittd
/ 4. "A, ,.sI.. l.t 4.
/ United States District Attorney in Califor-
MA, aud Mr.. Brent, who had been promi-
neut lawyer IN Baltimore. and was then a
very prominent lawyer OF California, EN-
barked on a steamer Tor some point IN the
/ East. Gen. SumDer was ON boa q the same
steamer. When she was near the lsihmus
! the General made tuem his prlSOnsrs. lie
simply deigned to them that be arrested
them on suspicion that they were intend n Z
to light against tue United States, a suspi-
ciou perfectly prepOsteros in the case OF DR..
I GWinn, who was an iufrm Old mau of about
seventy years. When they demanded the
ground OF his suspicion, he only answered
that he entertained IL, and was not respOn-
sibIe for his suspcions. The three victims
were conveyed 10 the Federal Government,
and Mr.. Seward, Secretary OF State, ordered
them, without AN interview, to Fort Lliay-
cite.
As one Of the three prisoners was my
near aud very dear relative, fastened very
soon 10 Washington 60 procuce their release.
had written ani teiegraphed earnestly 10
the President Tor the release of Governor
Morehead Mr.. Ddrrett aud others, but,
when u member OF my own family was a
victim OF oppression aud tyranny, felt that
| should give my personal presence to the
effort for deliverlnce. | arrived at the
capital long after dark, aud called immedi-
ately upon Mr.. Lincoln. lie received me
with the greatest cordiahty and geuiality,
though h1 gently intimated that hs rather
thought that had been htlle unjust to
him. / asked him for the discharge of the
three Fort Lafayette prisoners, GWinn
Bsnham aud Brent, lie Inquired what wers
the charges against them. OF course told
him that | aid not know, and suggested
whether II wasn't more his business thai
ours to know. He answered, Wen dom
know about these things, bat am disposed
TO do what l can for you aud viii give yur
. a letter to Seward | took the letter auC
called at Mr, Sewsld's office the next morn
iug The distinguished Secretary received