New-York tribune., 1870-05-11
STATEMENT BY MR.. ALBERT ID. RICHARDSON

| LETTER TO MIR. JUNIUs HENRI BROWNE.
FoRDHAM, n. Y, Sunday Night, Dec. 1,1s67.
My DEAR JUNIUs: On the last nine pages of my
"HOusehold Expense Book in my desk here, you
will find a clear statement of my business affairs
Should the mailman who has once attempted my life
and who Just now shows some symptoms of renew
ing his attempt-succeed in killing me, as he has
threatened SO vehemently to scores Of people, will
Won please set forth clearly few of the facts for the
sake of the lady they involve (you know how hard,
how sclfsacrifcng and how pure her lfo has beenl,
and of my own children, whom wish to have know
al about them, that they may see. in maturer years,
that my conduct in this matter has at least left them
nothing to blush for. Some of these cardinal facts
ore:
First: That he has inherited faint of madness in
his blood, his grandfather (maternaD having died
maniac and one Of his brothers having been for
wears notorious for his absolute madness when under
the influence of liquor, and having so abused his
wife at such times that she will carry the scars to
her dying day. In his liquor fits his family have
been obliged to keep him shut up like any other
mailman.
Second: That before Daniel Mcfarland had been
married to his wife two years, he had in fit of pas
sion struck her so violently in the face that she
ried the marks for days. and that again and again,
in his mad fits he had terrified her with threats of
violence to himself and her by the display of re-
volvers knives, etc, etc.
Third: That from pride and delcacy she had
shielded him far possible had kept his infrni-
ties secret in the vain hope that he might reform,
had worked hard and uncomplainingy for the support
of her children and Of him that finally she had
explained fully to two of her friends about the lst of
January last the terrible life that killing her,
and asked their COUNSEL that the letter to one Of
them in which she did this is still in existence to be
seen by any one who has right to inquire into the
matter and that it bears its face such evidence of
truth and candor and moderation that anybody with
any knowledge of character fail to be impressed
with its judicial exactness.
Fourth: That all this was before l had anything
but the most formal acquaintance with her.
Fifth: That finally, late in February last, in one
of his frenzed fits, while chanced to be roomng III
the same house with them, heard enough of his
violence to give me the gravest apprehensiOns Of
tragedy.
Sirth: That she then separated from him; sent for
her father, and in his presence and that OF other
friends had an interview with him began TO recount
what she had undergone; that he would not hear
her go into details which he knea0 SO bumating to
him that she told him in presence ID these witnesses
it was her inlexibe determination to live
with him again; that in the presence he ac-
quiesced in the separation, and voluntarily said that
he consented for the present that the custody Of the
children should be with her father.
Stenh That in spite of all his asseveratons that
her story only few weeks before they did separate
ho had himself proposed that they should separate
that he wished to go and talk the matter with a
gentleman whom both knew (Slr. g., and she kept
| him from going because ho was in liquor
Eighth: That she now has in her possession letter
of his written TO her six years before knew either
! party, in which, over his signature and in his
own hand, he fully admits his violence to her. and
corroboates in general every word Of her own state
ments about it.
Il have been thus minnie. because he has asserted
so frequently that there had been trouble between
them, save the usual tifis,' no phrases it, be-
tween husband and wife; and that, all assertions 10
the contrary, are the result Of plot conspiracy
between her, two three Of her lady friends and
myself, to take her from him and destroy his do
mestic peace!!)
Ninth: That after this final separation last Febru-
ary after sho had applied to her lawer, Mr. Runke,
to take the necessary steps for divorce. she was
situated that was thrown much with her, that
knew her character and worth thoroughly, that my
sympathies for her suffering and helplessness IN
facing the world with two children TO support,
which had existed all the while, developed into
warmer feelng-that Opod hcr-that it became an
understood thing between us that when she was
legally free she should become my wife. Before tho
separation such thought had ever entered my
heart and sho had never uttered ono word to mo