Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-04-18
MORNING. APRIL.

| did not appeal to that honorable body for
| either a Communication OF sentence, sympathy
or mercy, but for strict justice and these
were my express instructions to ny counsel
al the time. If they asked for more they
were probably led to DO 50 by the temper OF
the Assembly, which had, in great degree,
become sullen over the persistent ettjrts CT
| friends who were endeayoring to get the
| sentence Of every condemned man in the
State prison commuted to Imprisonment Tor
/ life. My enemies have written many COW
srdly anonymous comm uncations to the
Burlington Free Press, Rutland Herald and
the New York Sun, all Of which were calcu
lated to blacken my name and character,
and to exclude all possible doubt Of my
guilt
Before closing wish t. acknowledge my
sincere gratitude to all persons who have,
BY either word or deed. done what they
could toward securing me a new trial and
justice. These friends ale - Numerous
that time and space iorbids my mentioning
in this article only those who have taken
the most prominent parts in my defence.
Among them my heartfelt thanks are es-
pecially due to Hon. E ID. Nicholson. Col.
| W. q. Veszsy and James q. Barrett, Esq &,
Falls and 5. W. Mccall, Esq Of Boston,
my counsel. Col. Charles II. Taylor and E.
P. CLrron. Esq. OF the Boston GLOBE, and
Mr.. f G. CarrIgan, formerly a representa-
tive of the GlOJe, but now Of the Boston
Journal
Mr.. Carrigan has, from the time of my
first reprieve, proven himself an earnest
advocate OF my cause as well as warm
and faithful friend. An own brother could
have been no more earnest than he has been
in all legal efforts TO secure ms Justice.
His failure in this in TO way lessons my
great obligation to him. and feel that no
lover OF the cause OF Justice and humanity
can help respecting the honorable and fear
less position. from the first. taken by
him and faithfully sustained until the
last. So far as | know he has been
an honest, faithful friend to me in my mis-
fortune, and | regret my inability to make
him some satisfactory return for services
rendered me My thanks are also due to
the humane prison directors, superintendent
and their sGbOrdnat. officers Of 1877 and
1875 for kindness received at their hands at
all times during their administration under
Gov. Fairbanks. The present superinten-
dent, Mr.. Rice, and his subordinate officers
are also entitled TO my sincere thanks for
respect and kindness winch they have shown
me. | feel that have faithfully discharged
my highest duty to God and my fellowman
under all the circumstances which have
attended my painful misfortune, and there
fore am in no way responsible to my Maker
for the loss of my life, have at last spoken
plainly because the occasion and truth
demand that | should. have always said,
and will finally say, that | never harmed
the unfortunate Anna f Ere. re, of whose
death am unjustly accused. by either word
or deed, in her lifetime. Neither have |
appropriated to myself, or for any person
whomsoever, ono pins worth of property.
Jewels, or any article whatsoever belonging
to the poor woman. | have, in common
with other y0Glg-2s vel! IS some old
men, made mistakes in lie for which |
sought and obtained forgiveness at the time.
But, thanks be to God, the mistake Of TAX
ing human lite, or ever attempting such
thing. ~ AZ emDng them. as my final
Judge can attest. No m-n cOlld have been
more wrong fully accused in this respee:
than haye been by certain ring " BIO were
bent IN nv destruction, right or Urong. and
they have succeeded, t:t by what means the
Supreme Judge OF all shall decide. 10 the
meantime ! freely forgive all my enemies
yfs. even the very worst OF them-and il |
have eFer wronged any person in my life
time whose forgiveness | have not already
asked and obtained, | nov ask ii in all
sincerity. All hopes Of human Justice are
exhausted, and death is inevitable
(Signed) JJnN p. PHAIR
Windsor Prison. April 10, 1879