Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-06
THE WILKES BOOTH CONsPI.
RACY.

| ~AN-A INV SN0JASSeOhh VI ~ O6mOcrar, July n
The following letter from Arnold
one of the conspirators sentenced
to Imprisonment for life, written to
his mother the night before the
execution of Harold, Payne, Atze-
rodt and Mrs. Surratt, has never
Deen published Its genuineness
cannot be doubted. If was hand,d
by Arnold TO Col. Fredericks, "
duty at the Arsenal, to be given to
his mother after his removal to the
Dry Tortugas, which was done, but
not until copy. had been made.
The copy Col. Fredericks gave to
DIR. O'Neal, of Gettysburg, which
the latter loaned to the editor Of the
Democrat, on his late visit to that
place, for the purpose Of publica-
ton:
My DEAR MoTHER-For some
time, perhaps forever, these are the
last lines that ever the hand ofyour
loved and ever loving son shall
transcribe upon paper to you. Be
cheerful, be comforted under your
present affliction; for your care feel
that the brow which oft in infancy
Your breath has famed, as you
lulled me to sleep on your bosom,
still retains its former innocence,
even though doomed to imprison-
ment as common felon. That the
nutriment obtained from your
breast instilled qualities within me
that | can proudly boast are une-
qualled by man and not of blood,
but human kindness and my hon
ored name sustains its former lustre;
nor does my conscience upbraid me
for an act ever committed against my
fellow man. All who knew me
loved me, even black and white,
and none can ever reproach me
even as ever having committed an
ungentlemanly act, nor ever having
seen me do or speak a malicious
thing. Ali who know me know It's
truth L write. "INihH desperan-
dum." While there's life there's
hope. We may yet be united, if
not on earth assuredly in heaven.
Even while connected in the abduc-
ton scheme l was the most miser-
able being on earth. Twas
cankering sore within my heart,
and daily was consuming my very
vitals, to think that l, who was
always open in all my actions, was
practising deceit, especially towards
those whose whole hearts would
have gratifed my every wish-my
family. l summed conversation,
etc, kept aloof from you all, for |
did not wish that the grief and
marks of trouble depicted on my
brow should give you a moments
pain. Had / followed your early
teachings of infancy, the moral cul-
ture of youth and the example set
before me in manhood, l that never
was ordained by God to fill my
present position would to-day be at
liberty, still an honor, solace, a
prop to you and father in your old
days. But, in an evil hour, l was
tempted from the path Of virtue and
rectitude, and by no act or knoWl-
edge (for which was party TO,
Viz, abduction was conceived aad
died unborn) of mine, but by the
coWardIy act of a dishonored wretch,
coward at heart, who had no soul,
| am doomed to fill place amid a
thrOng of criminals. Yet, | will re-
tain all my former qualities, and
shall not be contaminated thereby.
That which all the vices of the
world and mankind could not make,
by one fell stroke an assassin tried
to make me; but his murderous in
tent was frustrated by my country /;
yet they have clothed me in felon's
garb, but, thank God, have made
me not q felon. No matter how
situated or placed, will ever be
my former self-a soul the embodi-
ment of truth, honor, innO-
cence and purity-and am to-day,
within my narrow cell, one of the
'nOblest works ofGod," "an honest
and truthful man." Dear mother,
God be my witness, | know nothing
of the fact or act for which suffer,
and you and all who ever knew me
| feel are satisfied of the fact. Re-
member me to all of my friends, for
had many, and especially she of
all others who has been second
mother to me, in advice, interest in
my welfare, and kindness, affection
and love-Mrs. Garner-and tell
her to let not the present misfOr-
tune cause the leaf to wither, but let
it ever be kept green and flourish
ing plant within her memory, and
he, whom none loved bet than j /,
her son Bob. Ever remember me
as [ was, have been, and still am to
him. My family and her family, in
my affections, are twins. During my
Imprisonment shall ever feel CRATE
full for the kind treatment and many
acts of kindness of those who have
had me in charge. They shall be
closeted with the many scenes of
the happy past within my memory
from the highest command to the
lowest, viz: General j. f. Hart
ranft, Colonel W. ii. III. Mccall,
Colonel Frederick, Colonel DOdd,
and last, though not least, w. X.
Kenny, the sergeant of the call.
No token to leave any but good
will and gratitude. Remember each
| and honor all for their kindness to
your unfortunate son. In thus part
| ing and writing to you, it causes
| my placid, resigned feelings to
burst their cerements, and the tear
starts unbidden from an overflow
ing heart. l am not lost | still am
human. Farewells, where for ever,
should be sudden. Good bye; God
bless you all, guide, instruct and
save you. Be not heart sick we
| will meet again, if not on earth, in
eternity. Your devoted and loving
son, SAMUEL Il. ARNOLD.
N. B.-Keep my dog till he dies.
/ For nv sake LET him he treated