Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-12-15
"Reminiscences OF Fort I.afay yetto-Mr.
Seward and Mr.. LincOin
by Geo. D. Prentice.J


by Geo. D. Prentice.]
The Louisville Courier Journal of the 9th
instant contains an article inspired by the re-
cent burning of Fort Lafayette, and signed
with the we'll known initials sc, d. p" We
quote the narrative portions of the article, as
follows
have some peculiar "reminiscences connect
ed with Fort Lafayette. Ip 1861 three dis
tiuguiShed gentlemen, Hon. William NJ. Gwinn,
who had served many years with distinction in
the Senate OF the United States; Hon. Cal
houn Benham, who has been United States
District Attorney in California, and Mr.. Brent,
who had been prominent lawyer in Baltimore,
and was then very prominent lawyer of Cali
tornia, embarked on Il steamer for some point
in the East General Sumner was on board
the steamer. When she was near the Isthmus
the General made them his prisoners. He
simply deigned to tel them that be arrested
them on suspicion that they were intending to
fight against the United States, suspicion
perfectly prepOsterouS In the case OF DIR. Gwlnn,
who was an in6rm old man of about seventy
years When they demanded the ground Of
his suspicion, he only answered that he enter
tanned it, aud was not responsible for his sus
picons. The three victims were conveyed to
the Federal Government, and Mr.. Seward,
interview, to Fort Lafayette
As one of the three prisoners was my near
and very dear relative, fastened very soon to
Washington TO procure their release. had
written and teegraphed earnestly to the Presi
dent for the release of Governor Morehead,
Mr.. Durrett and others, but, when member
of my own family wasl victim Of oppression
and tyranny, | felt that | should give my per
sOnal presence to the effort for delverance.
[ arrived at the Capital long after dark and
called Immediately upon Mr.. Lincoln.-
He received me with the greatest cordiality
and geniality though he gently init
mated that he rather thought that l
had been little unjust to him. asked him
for the discharge of the three Fort Lafayette
prisoners, Gwnn, Benham and Brent. He in
ouired what were the charges against them.
OF course told him that | didn't know, and
suggested whether it wasn't more his business
than our s to know. He answered, "Wel, |
don't koow about these things, but am dis
posed to do what l can for you, and will give
YOU letter to Seward" took the letter and
called at Mr.. Seward office the next morning.
The distinguished Secretary received me with
his accustomed amenity, but In regard TO the
matter in hand talked quite automatically. 1t
was about my first experience OF regular
diplomatist's 8 conversation. l didn't much ad-
mire or understand it. Mr.. S. invited me to
take tea with him that evening. did. After
tea renewed my application for the release of
nv fri.nds, and argued the matter as well as
could. He had only this reply to make: II
am considering the matter, and | shall be very
glad to see you at tea or breakfast or dinner
every day, and we will talk the subject over.
One evening, when | had been about four
DAYS in Washington, | ventured to urge my re-
quest very strongly upon the Secretary, and he
said, Call ct my office tomorrow morning at
halfpast ten. and | will give you an order for
the release of your friends" OF course Twas
pupctual to the minute Erred" said he, ad-
dressing his son and Assistant Secretary, give
Mr. Prentice the document / directed you to
make out" The Assistant Secretary placed
it in my hands. | read 1t. 1t was not an
order for the discharge of the victims. 1t
was only an order that L should have the prl-
YiIege of seeing them in their prison when L
pleased. ''Why, Mr.. Seward, this is not what
specially desire that you go to New York and
talk with your friends, and ascertain their
feelings and intentions, and report to ME. "
told him In terms little briet. possibly, that
he certainly could not expect me to visit my
friends in prison and enter toto u conversation
with them as government spy. well, ne
said, "do me the favor to 60 and see them, and
write to me as you like" | said Eyes" l
went, and wrote to him every day as strongly
as | could in favor of the release OF the prls-
oners. My first three letters were unanswered.
In reply to the fourth | received despatch
saying that my friends were ''paroed to Wash
ington for explanation" OF cOursel consider
ed that despatch as implying discharge. |
went Immediately with DR.. Gwinn's wife and
daughters to Fort Lafayette, exhibited the Or
der to the prisoners, and advised them to pro-
ceed to Washington Immediately. "Go with
u.s." said they. | told them that it would be
exceedingly iuconvenient for me TO go with
them. They were apprehensivs OF deceit and
treachery. ''Go with us, said they, "or we
will not go I went with them. On arrlv-
ing at Washington | called upon Secretary Sc
ward in their behalf He required that they
should either take certain obnoxious oath or
be remanded to prison | asked them what
they would do, and they agreed that, as there
were no charges against them, and as they had
committed no crime, they would sooner 90
back to their Bastiie than take any oath. All
my appeals to the Secretary were of no avail.
Then nv appeal was to President Lincoln. At
my second interview with him, he said, II will
set your friends free. They may go as much at
large as any other citizens fthe United States.
| asked him if he would graft them per
mission to 90 to Europe He replied that
none of our people had the right to go to Eu-
rope without passports, not even himself
and that therefore he could not give pass
ports. but that my friends should be Just
as free as he or any other man under the Gov
ernment to go and come at pleasure. re-
Guested him to put this declaration in writing;
tie said, mo, it is very delicate subject, and
Seward will be very mad about it. | will not
touch pen to paper in regard to it. Tell your
friends what | have told you, and tell them
further that shall be glad to see them." All
OF them, I believe, called upon him and ex-
pressed their thanks, though whether thanks
We're due, under all the circumstances, is, l
think, quite question.