Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-10-17

to his wants. II you nave any scIuPies aooue
his being Southerner, let me tell you that l
fed and cared for many Union soldier du-
ring the war, and that my husband, who was
a surgeon, gave the same attention to Union
prisoners that he did to our own brave boys,
believing that humanity demanded such
course, and with the hope that our conduct
might find its duplicate in some kind North
ern breast. Rev. DR.. Wills, Presbyterian
divine, who has begged me to intercede in be-
half of this old man, has known him tor years.
He says he is an honest, upright man, whose
character is above reproach, and that ne Is
innocent Of all charges preferred against him.
The Carolina people can do nothing for him,
for the heel of the tyrant grinds them to the
earth, and the same Government which hung
dead woman, and which overrides Congress
and the Constitution, plunges old men into
penitentiaries in a distant State, and exiles
those who would dare intercede for them.
Thus it is reserved for Georgia woman to
aid sister State and to raise her voice against
the atrocities which are daily enacted in her
beloved, heart bleeding, and PROSTATE South:
If the old man needs clothing or comforts
will at once make up purse and send 1t on
to supply his wants. Hoping 1 have asked
nothing at your hands which you will find it
impossible to grant, and begging you to COM
municate with me at your earliest convenience,
believe me to be, respectfully yours, &c.,
MARIA JoURDAN WEsTMoRELAND.
To this letter came the following reply:
EXECUTIVE RESIDENCE,
ALBANY, N. Y, February %, 1872. J
Dear Mrs. Westmoreland:
Ireceived your letter several days ago. and
it has given me great pleasure to assist II any
way and relieve the suffering Of the innocent.
The Governor and myself visited Mr. Brown
this morning, and had a long and interesting
conversation with him. He stated the facts
of his imprisonment with great exactness!, and
I am confident with truth. He says he is not
in want of anything; but am certain If his
friends should send him box of clothing
under.clothing or any comfort-it would be
very acceptable. He is troubled with rheum-
atism, and Mr.. Pillsbury, of the prison, said
he would see that he had some 1annels and
other articles, which I told him | would pay
for. Mr.. Pillsbury says if his friends decide
to send him box he will deliver the contents
to Mr.. Brown. The Governor is much inter-
ested in the case and has written to the Pres
ident for pardon, but we said nothing to Mr..
Brown on the subject, as it would be cruel to
give hope when our efforts may be in vain.
If you send any comforts to the old man the
box can be expressed to our care, and will
see that Mr.. Brown receives it, or to Mr.. Pills
bury, the Superintendent of the Penitentiary.
Hoping to receive news from the President
that will gladden. the hearts Of wife and chill.
dren, as we'll as those who have taken such
sn interest in the old mans troubles, remain,
yours sincerely, Mrs. JOHN T. HOFFMAN.
P. S.-As soon as an answer is received
from Washington will write you. ..
A month later, in response to another letter
as to how the appeal for pardon prospered,
this letter came:
EXECUTIVE RESIDENCE,
49,. ALBANY, N. Y, March 81, 1872.
Dear Mrs. Westmoreland The Governor
has heard nothing from Washington e1cept.a
letter saying the case was being examined and
would be reported as soon as possible, and 1
will then write you again. You mentioned
in your letter that g. purse would be sent for
Mr.. Brown. I hardly think it necessary, as
Mr.. Pillsbury has promised to get anything
that will make him more comfortable. How
ever it would make him happy to think his
friends remembered him, and you will do as
you think best. Hoping to hear from Wash
ington soon, remain, yours sincerely,
Mrs. ]. T, HOFFMAN.