Year: 1866

Mill VIEW, Ga, Dee 4, 1855.


z 4 Clark Esq, Serretarv ana AqenE Z.


). l. association


MY DEAR SIR I am In receipt Of vour


very kind letter in the name Of the Ladies


Southern Aid Assoeietion, having for Its
object the purpose Of placing me and


family in circumstances somewhat coumen-


surate with their estimate " Of me and mine,
and begging that viii, at my ear lest con-
venlencei designate a place to which the
means 50 collected may be conveyed, SO
thaS they may safely and satisfactorily
reach me.


From our desolated and impoverished
friends / scarcely expected such an express
/ sion of material sympathy, though my
powers Of gratitude have been almosi daily
taxed to thank those who have with 50 much
heart-eloquence plead with the President
for him who, though unsuccessful, has
given you all he could-his best energies
and whose only hope of happiness lies in
the sweet trust often expressed, that he has
not lost your confidence and love- igno-
rant Of all which his own people have done
for him IN his painful captivity, his devo-
ton is Hnabated. The unfortunate have
always been deserted and betrayed, but did
ever man have less 70 complain of when he
had lost the power to serve? The multitude
are silent why should they speak save to
Him who hears best the words most secret
~ uttered My own heart tells me the
sympathy exists-that the prayers from the
family hearth are not hushed. Be loving
and confding still 70 those from whom /
have received much more than | deserve
far more official honors than ! ever desire
Those for whose cause suffer are. not IN
worthy of the devotion of all which | had
TO give. This is the message of love which
is sent through prison gates to our own
people, because both Of US have been
brought up with you one of as was
brought NJ IN Mississippi, the other came TO
her in infancy. These are my own people,
and it is privilege Of which no cireum-
stance can deprive me. To the accepted
prayers of our widows and orphans, cur
suffering but heroic women, our brave and
true men. our Innocent little Children, lock
for the restoration to my Iitte children of
their agOnized but Christian father. If
meFcilul Providence so Ordain it, we hope
to live and die among you, mutually consOl-
ing and bearing each others burthens. I
pray God we may not be driven forth from
the home Of our chi dhOod, for how can
we sing our song in n strange land r We.
could not have our dear friends betrayed by
their sympathy into Offering, for our use, too
much from their own basket and store .
and mine have, so far been miFaculousiy
cared for and shielded from want. We
seem environed by the love which is reflect
ed upon US from that which lighted my hus-
band in his dungeon -softened his prison
walls with sunny pictures of loving eyes
and outstretehed arms.


Grief and gratitude seem to impose upon
me silence ! would, but cannot say moro.
viii enclose within this note the names
and directions Of gentlemen to whom the
of which you speak may be
enclosed. And instead of the eloquent
voice which so often has poured forth his
sove to his dear people, now mute, ] ofera
wifes and mothers and cOuntrywemans
gratitude TO you and those you represent


have the honor to be, very gratefully and
sincerely yours


VARINA DAVIS.