Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1870-01-14
How Abraham Lincoln Released Gem
sral Roger A. PryOr--One of Col. For
REPOSITORIES.
From the Philadelphia PrOss ]

From the philadelphia Pross.
The most characteristic incident during
my intercourse with Mr.. Lincoln was the
following, aud | have often related 1t as II.
Illustrating several of II. L'ncolh's leading
traits, especially his generosity TO an adver.
sary aud his practical jokes upon his
friends.
o1e afternoon, in February or March Of
1865; I was startled by a visit from rny old
friend, Washington Mclean, of the ucin-
natl, OHIO, KaQuirer, who Is not oniy one Of
the best fellows alive, but ons of the worst
"Oppperheads." He was in a safe Of in
'ense excitement.
al havo IL :" he sad 80 sst you to
do ms a favor shall never forget, and you
must do IL. ] will not take no for an al
swer. You, id you alone, can serve me-"
"Well, old friend, you know ! will serve
you IL can. What is it p
Now, don't he alarmed when tell you
that Roger A. Pryor is in Flo t L,yfayette,
having been captured within oar lines, and
that want you to get him out"
Roger A. Pryor, OF Petersburg Roger
A. Pryor, wno fred on Sumpter; Roger A.
Pryor, the Ho,spur Of Congress
"Y.s, ami yoIr old CO editor Of the
Washington Union, when you were both
Democrats together. He went into the
rebellion, IS now a prisoner, aud | appeal
to you to go with mo TO tho President aud
ask for his release"
A, there was no dem, ing my impetuous
friend, got iuto his csrriage, and We We're
SION at the White House. There WAS great
crowd, but wa got in without difficulty. /
intron uccd VI Lean, and soon found that
Nc. Lincoln knew all about him aud his
paper. lie tel his story, which was pa
m rstk -.
Of my former relations to Mr.. Pryor, and
with the assurance that thought an act
of liberaity 10 such mar, an on request
from frank political opponent like Wash
iugton Mel al, wouli be worthy Of the
head OF great nation.
"Let me see," said Uncle Abe, as he Ok.
| ed his speutacles aud turned his back to a
| liz tie drawer in The desk behind him al
think have memorandum here that re-
fers to some good thing dore by General
| Pryor to a party Of our y, nsylvanii boys
| who were taken prison, rs in an attack on
the Petersburg Notifications. hni with
that he took out from a small package a
statement signed by the men who bad en-
| joyed the hospitality Of Genera Pryor GU
| the occasion referred to. lie had, it ap-
| ap pears, given them food from his iarder al
time when his own family were in a m s
desperate condition for provisions.
| "The man who can do such kindness t.
an enemy" said the Pee sldent, cannot be
cruel and revengeful." Then he wrots
some lines on card which he handed Il
Mclean, with the remark al think thai
will do, at any rate, It Is all can give you.
And then we tsok our leave. Going dow
stairs, we looked with Amusement at thu
| writing on the card, which read thus:
To Col Burke, Commanding at Fort LafaA
cite, New York:
| Please release General Roger A, Proyor
who will report to CJl. Forney, on Capiio
Hi.
A. LINCOLN.
BIT there uas no changing the order
Mclean dashed Of in tho next train 1
New York, the happiest Democrat in tn
country, and two days after BIO walked int
nv quarters with "the prisoner" e. ner
al Pryor occupied the upper ronms OF m
lodgings, and was my guest for mora than
week, during which time hs WAS visited b
all the ehiYary, male ard female OF th
vicinsge. The President enjoyed tho fac
that had such good company, and Thad
deus Stevens, my neighbor, habitpally az
costed me In the morning with the grim 81
lutte GLOW is your Democratic frien
, and brother this morniDgp But a m l
| COURTEOUS huu llohoehh bohfANneu hS',
met and | must do General Pryor tho ju
. tise to say that he expressed the most fe
vent gratitude to Mr.. Lincoln for his kin'
) ness. What he promised he his mtnfull
/ ulhlled. lie has never since been fouu
; among the obstTuctit nists II the Cover
1 ment. lie took no part in the calamito'
policy OF Andrew johnson. lilo has new
/. been among the ssSailianis OF GtngreS,
0 Setting down in New Yolk in the iudustT
e ols, aud, am glad to hear, successful pra
n tice OF his prot, sion Of ths law, he b
b made many warm friend have not IN
Wasiugton Mclean since he brought Pry
+. tn my lodeiogs, but owe him thanks for
n b,rrel Of Cincinuali hans which be sent,
d n L. prove that when no takes up the can
4 uf friend il is 10 tho spirit OF the home
II Wvst' IN aXiom-hs goes 'lha who
u swine"