New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-20
POET PAYNE's LETTERS.
vExED BY REAL AND PRETENDED CREDf
TORS.

HIS SECRET ESCAPE FROM THIS COUNTRY WHEN
HE WENT ON HIS LAST JOURNEY TO TUNIs-
THE wRETcHEDNEss OF POVERTY AND GENIUS.
Boston, JAN 10 (speciaD.-"T The Journal pub
fishes some letters from the son OF the lamentod
John Howard Payne, the Poet. which have never
before been IN print Payne began his histrionic
career IN Boston. In April, 1851, no was preparing
to return to Tunis. having received reappontment
through the efforts Of his friend Mr. webster. put
pecuniary trouble threw difficulties IN his way opgins
him 10 hide from the officers of the law and finally
to smuggle his goods and himself out OF the country
In his escape from arrest, he was aided oy Chasies
II. PraInard, who recently died in Washington. In
a letter dated April 49, 1851, written rom New
York TO Miss T. II. wattcrson, washington, d. W.
Payne alludes TO his perplcxItles:
az have suffered somewhat from rheumatic az
tack in consequence Of occupying comfortess room
that had been long unlived In and unaircd' oue
am getting over tho attack have been AFRAID
and ashamed to complain, because was forewarned
that such must be tho result of the course look
but knew there other way TO get through
than to confne myself with my booBs and papers
and to keep entirely out of view till all could 90
fully arranged and on board shir."
1t was this rheumatism, combined with prostrs
tion that brought tho final Illness Of Payne some
months later While still in this comfortless room,
" with only bed and stove. old washstand and
two old chairs, each Of a different Sort letter
was written to Andrew J. Allen, No. 81 Bowery,
" that is interesting enough to be given in fun.
It reads:
"(with a dilapdated old stage wo-d-pcr Dr. Hsrtl
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., April "a, 1851.
any Dear SIR The only existing vestigo Of my
old theatrical Is tho little rusty sword which
have handel to tho bearer. am DESTROYS OF keep
ing 1t as a memorial, and as It is so much out OF
order to get you to have it cleaned up and newly
gilt, but without In any way changing 1t from its
ancient form. Your doing this work will preserve
It's IDENTITY which could not be effected In any other
way. ] will pay you whatever the renovation may
DO worth. shall leave the country for Africa In
five or six days. and probably this is the last request
you will ever receive from me. Keep 1t TO yourself
pray, and keep IL and me out Of the papers"
But, alas for tho trust In human kind, Paynes re-
quest grevously met, is evidenced by the lines
which he himself wrote under the copy OF the letter:
"Memorandum-My old faototum, my domestic and
dressmaker and dress putter-on Of ancient times.
and my biographer In moro recent ones dsappolnted
mo sadly by tho nero tradesDan-llke and eyasive
manner in which he received my request alleging
want Of time to do the Job, and want of health etc.,
etc.. referring crazy DR.. Hart 10 divers work-peope
for tho different parts 1t foolish In me TO have
expected romance from deaf and putting Andrew"
Then came the difficult task Of getting out OF tho
country inexperienced. To Mortimer Livingston
lcttcr was written on April 80. as follows;
"H a comfortable place board the Humboldt is
open should be glad to secure It, and the bearer
will hand you 500 for the purpose. But wlsn par
ticularly that no mention should be made OF my gong
until am actually off, as on public service and
by my instructions earlier departure is enoned ana
understood TO have been made. IL may lead TO some
nnpleasantness II anything is known OF my real az
rangcments until am fairly of at sea- The moment
that can be arranged, all risk Is over
This letter. however, was never SENT" SO inc IN
dorsement at corner reads, for what reason rs'
docs not state. But on the next morning he wrote
HIS brother Thatcher T. Payne. that summons mas
been served upon him, and declares:
II intended to take my passage to-day TOT haVfc'
II am likely to be intercepted at the last moment
would It not be better for to change my course ana
60 quietly through Liverpool by the Philadelphia
steamer thither Of the 7t for these prosecutors VIII
be on tho lookout for me at tho last moment ss they
appcar to have been already by their prompt action
upon my entrance hereT'
He had Just left his retreat and taken rooms at Del
nonoos. Three days later he planned an escape as
tho following dated from brooklyn May d. VIII show
Brooklyn, n. WY Dear Captain Johnson An
unprnciped limb OF the Law has got possession, no ONO
can tell in what manner, OF old draft OF mne which
,raa dishonorod by tho accoptor, without my Doing
notified and the person who can prove that no eau
ourh, 10 bo made on me for II is absent. Tho pre-
tended possessor of the note four days ago commenced
an action against me, apprchend, for the purpose
Of putting himself In position to watch for my de-
parturo and at the last moment TO take out ne exea'
on tho allegation that am removing my properly
which although no knows no cannot sustain, ne sup
oes will nut me 10 so much inconvenience that Will
nav the whole demand rather than be stopped. L
cannot arm that this IS intended, but suspect IL
Under these circumstances, have caused berth on
hoard the steamer Humboldt to DO taken by my
brothcrinlaw, Captain Cothcll, and Captain Lines
knows nothing of me nor OF The matter what
desire from you my friend. is to speak TO Captain
ines about me and 10 explain the affair as 1t really
stands, that there may DO no surprise on board.
j. IL. Pr
This letter. too, failed 10 reach fits destination as
a memorandum shows, Captain Johnson being absent
mt Payne slipped out OF the country safely though,
ne no himself writes from Paris he did not dare even
To wave goodbye to his brother VINO "a"noo Oh 'no
pier