Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-12-08
olPTAHNRHY.
ms LAST Litter 10 HIS WIFE.

MS LAbt Litter TO HIS WIFE,
The following is the letter written BY
Captain Fry, oflhe Virginius, TO HE wife
lew hours before be was shot. The illusions
% lsmily afaittSAre, Of courSe, not repre-
OK BOARD THE SPANISH MAE-oT.wAR La
TORNADO, 81. Jago de Cuba, Nov. 6, 1873
Dear, Dear Dita:-When left YOU / had no
ldea that we should never meet again In this
world, but Il SCENE strange TO me that to night,
ana on Annies birthday, to be calmly seated q
beautiful moonlight in most ,beaut4H bly,
IN Cuba, TO take my last leave ofyou, m9 own
dear sweet wife, and with the thought Of
your bitter anguish my only regret at leav-
ing. A.sS,
have been tried to-day, and the president
ofthe court-martial asked me the favor of en-
e oEaclng me at parting, and elasped me
10 his heart. | have shaken hands with
each ofmy Judges, and the secretary of the
court and Interpreter have promised me as q
special favor TO attend my execution, which will
be very few hours after my sentence is pro-
nounced l am told my death will be painless;
in short, have had very cheerful and pleas
ant about my funeral, 10 which / shall 90 in a
very few hours from now. How soon cannot
yet say. IL Is curioust TO see how make friends.
foor Bambetta pronounced mea gentleman, and
he was the brightest and brayest creature ever
saw.
lhe priest who gave me communion on board
this morning put double scapular about my
neck and medal which he intends 10 wear
himself. yong Spanish officer brought me
bright new silk badge with the Blessed Vir-
gln stamped upon 1t to wear TO my execution
for him, and handsome cross in some fair
lady's handiwOrk These are to be kept as rel
les of me. He embaced me effec iona, 9 in my
room, with tears IN his eyes,
Dear sweetheart, you wall be able to bear Il
for my sFke, for will be with you il God per.
mits, il. Although know my hours are shOr
and few, sm not sad. l feel shall Away
be with you right soon, dear Dts, and you vii
not be afraid Of me. Pray for me and viii
pray with you.
There is to be fearful sacrifice Of life from
the VirginiuS, and, as think, needless one
as the poor people are unconscious of crime, anC
even of their fate up TO now. | hone God vii
forgive if | am to blame for il,
lfyou write to President Grant he will prob
ably order my pay due when resigned pai'
10 you after my death. People will be kinde
TO you nov, dear Dita,-at least hope sc
Do not dread death when it comes to you
it will be as Gods angel ofrest Remembe
this.
hope my children will FORGET their father
haTshness and remember his love and anxiet
for them. May they practise regularly thei
religion, and pray fo- him always. Tell -
that the last act OF my life will be public prt
fession Of my faith and hope in Him of whoi
We need not be ashamed, a1d it is not honest
withhold thatpublc acknowledgement from an
false modesty or timidiy, May God bless an
save us all,
Sweet, dear, dear Dita, we will soon meet
gain. Till then. adieu for the last time
Your devoted husband, JOSEPH Fay.
1t may be we'll 10 stale that the letter neca
sarily OmiIs all reflections on the Spani.
Government, but before his death Fry ga
ullerance very forcibIy to his opinions Ou lii
subject, his silence only coming with
death