Year: 1859

UHlit.


CUArLEsTowv PRisox. Jefferson Co..


Va, Nov. 30, 1859.


My DEARLY BELOVED WIFE, SoSs. AND
DAUGHTERS. EVERY OSE: As | now
begin what probably is the last letter
| shall ever write to any of you, |
conclude to write to all at the same
time. | will mention some little mat
terS particularly applicable to proper
ty concerns IN another place


recently received q letter from my
wife, from near Philadelphia, dated
Nov. -. by which it would seem that
she was about giving up the idea of
seeing me again. | had written her
to come on if she felt equal TO the un-
dertaking. but | do not know that she
will get it in time. 1t was on her own
account chiefly that asked her to stay
back. Ut first | hal most strong
desire to see her again, but there ap-
peared to be serious objections: and
should we never meet in this life.
trust that she will in the end be salts
fed it was for the best at least. if not
most for her comfort. / inclosed in
my last letter to her draft of $50,
from John JAY, made payable to her
order. | have now another to send her
from an excellent old friend. Edward
Harris, Woonsockct. II. L.. for 800,
which | shall also make payable to
her order.


am waiting the hour of my public
murder witt. great composure of mind
and cheerfulneSs, feeling the strong
assurance that in no other possible
way could be used to so much adj
vantage to the cause of good and of hu-
manity, and that nothing that either |
or all my family have sacrificed or
suffered will be lost. The reflection
that a wise and merciful, as we'll as a
just and holy God rules. not only the
affairs of this world but of all worlds
is rock to set our feet upon undcr all
circum those more Sc
verely trying ones into which our
own feelings and wrongs have placed
us. | have now no doubt but that
our seeming disaster will ultimately
result in the most glorious SucceSs.-
So. my dear shattered and broken
family, oe of good cheer. and believe
and trust in God with all your heart
and with all your soul. for no dccth
all things we'll Do not feel ashamed
on my account, nor for one moment
despair of the cause or grow weary OF
well doing. bless God | never felt
stronger confidence in the certain and
near approach of a bright morning and
glorious day than | have felt. and do
now feel, since my confinement here.
| am endeavoring To return, like a
poor prodigal as | am. to my father.
aginst whom have always sinned. in
the hope that he may kindly and for
givingly meet me, though very great
way oil.


OH my dear wife and children.
would to God you could know how |
have been Travelling in birth for you
all. That no one of You may fail OF
the grace of God, through Jesus
Chlist-that no one of you may be
blind to the truth and glorious light
of his Word, in which life and immor-
tality ale brought to light. | besecch
you every one. 10 make the Bible your
daily and nightly study. with child.
like. honest. candid. teachable spirit OF
love and respect for your husband and
father.


And | bcseech the God of my fa'
theirs to open all your eyes to the dis
covery of the truth You can not i'm,
aginc how much you may soon need
the cons olation of the Christian relig
ion. Circumstances like my own fol
more than month past have convinced
me beyond all doubt of our great need
of some theories treasured up wher
our preiudices are excited. our vanity
worked up to the highest pitch. Oh
do not trust your eternal all upon the
boisterous ocean without even helm
or compass to aid You in steering.--
do not ask of you to throw away
your reason; only ask you to make
a candid. sober use of your reason.


Ny dear young children. will you
listen TO this last poor admonition o
one who can only love you? Oh! be
determined at once to give your whole
heart to God, and let nothing shake oil
alter that resolution. You need have
no fears of regretting it. Do not be
vain and thoughtless, but sober-mind-
ed; and let me entreat You all to love
the whole remnant of our once grea,
family. Try and build up again youl
broken walls. and to make the utmos,
OF every stone that is left. Nothing
can so tend to make life blessing a.
the conciousness that your life and ex-
|. ample bless and leave you the strong.
er. Still. it is ground Of utmost com
fort to my mind to know that so many
of you as have the opportunity have
given some proof of your fidelity t.
the great family of men. BE faithful
unto death; from the exercise of habit
ual love to man it can not be very hard
to love his maker.


must vet insert the reason for my
/ firm belief in the divine inspiration o
the Bible, Notwithstanding ! am. per
, haps naturally skeptical, certainly no
credulous. ] wish all TO consider j
most thoroughly when you read tina
blessed book, and see whether you cal
not discover such evidences yourselves
1t is the purity at heart filling on
minds as well as work and actions
which Is everywhere insisted on. tha
: distinguishes it rom all the othe
, teachings. that commends it to m,
: conscianca \\herher my heart IN