^" o -1 ^ \v ^ H^> '■:;;' ,/>), :i^- rSv/^, ,-C-C-ts <• ^^|g^^ ^i! V**^ ■» -;>• <" . 'O . A * V ^^^ o% O. ■ %'>"B-'y -o;-^^^*\o^' "V^'^-;/^ -o,. ^^ ^^k^^ Q'y' ,^" .0 ^/ V, ■."^ ,> ^v <^. .0 ^^ #^- ^ ' XHi.!t^'\-, ^1 ■^'iL'W^ii-^ ^^0 A Q/, ^. ^*\ ..... <» .0^ , ^o ■'^- .iX \ HUMAN RIGHTS OR. THE §ij0Sitatc WxtmUni, IJy >V11^1^1AM JfOV1>. 31. 1>. WASIIINCTOS •. .iMS):iMi I,. r'KAKHi'N. riuNTKi; E C>(cC ^7 ^^<1 Entered ac'oonlins to Act. of Conp;re.sp, in the year :867, by Wm. Hoyd, M. IX, in tlie Clerk's Offiue of the District. Court for the District of Columhiii. IXDEX TO CONTENTS. Paoe. Preface v The Rights of Nations and Individuals 9 King Andy's Biography ; or Andrew Johnson's Soliloquy 23 " My Maryland ;" or the Slaveholder's Soliloquy 4] Sequel to Willie Dear 4.') Note to Miss Anna E. Dickinson 45 Miss Anna fl. Dickinson's Answer 46 To Hon. T. D. Eliot, M. C. Thirty-seventh Congress 46 Sequel to For Better, For Worse 49 Portraiture of a Brother's Hypocrisy ; or the Chief of Hypocrites 53 Explanation to Chief of Hypocrites ■ 57 Letter of Apology, and Criticism of "My Policy" CO Blind Incredulity Rebuked 64 The Enigma 69 To Miss Cecilia Moran. 10 PREFACE. The Reader may be desirous to know what suofgested the present essay to the mind of the writer ; and to satisfy those who may be so curious, I pro- pose to give a short statement of the causes that led to its production. In the latter part of 1864, I joined the National Union Lyceum. It then met at 481 Ninth street west, but soon afterwards obtained the Aldermen's Chamber, City Hall, where it continued to meet until its dissolution (on account of political rancor) in the summer of 1866. A majority of its mem- bers were more inclined to be radical than otherwise ; but there were a small minority who were poisonously secesh, and yet pretended to be Union men. They were Andy Johnson men to the core. It is now a matter of history that in April, 1864, it was proposed in the Senate of the United States to so amend the Constitution as to abolish slavery throughout the Union. It passed both Houses in the month of January, 1865, and was approved by that great good man, Abraham Lincoln, on February 1st, 1865, just seventy-three days before his death, which occurred on the morning of April the 15lh, 1865, from the effects of a wound inflicted by a pistol ball fired the night previous by the unparalleled assassin John Wilkes Booth. Immediately after its approval the amendment was sent out to the several States of the Union for the approval of their several legislatures; it was, therefore, for some time the great topic of the day, and was discussed by evevy newspaper and lyceum in the country. And in the Union Lyceum the following question was proposed, (as nearly as I can recollect without a record, ) viz : " Resolved, That the several States ought not to ratify the Con- stitutional Amendment abolishing slavery, proposed by Congress and ap- proved by the late Abraham Lincoln." I think the above question was dis- cussed about the first week in February of 1866, a short time before the famous 22d of February debut by "King Andy." I had the closing argu- ment in the negative, "and said that the amendment ought not only to be ratified by the States, but that Congress had the right by the war power to abolish slavery wherever it existed, and to force every foot of the territory lately in rebellion to give the right of suffrage to the colored man, and thereby force them to form republican governments ; but a right to force every State in the Union to guarantee a republican form of government. That is, force every State in the Union, or that may come in, to give the suffrage to every loval and moral man and woman, without distinction of race or color." VI "And tlint Ihe 'lU'tiiif;' Presiricnt. Anilrmv Jolinson. wns not to ht> trusti'il ; that democrats of his class were not to lie trusted ; that they had brought on the war and deluged the country in blood, in groans and tears ; had brought on a rebellion to perpetuate and to enlarge slavery ; had cost the country almost countless millions of treasure, and hundreds of thousands of lives, and that in less than 10 years he would be at the head of a reactionary party — if he could — and ,try to ape Louis Napoleon, and become Emperoi' of the United States." To that end he would do everything he could do to bring on another civil war, or by having command of the army and navy so arrange it as to keep himself in the White House all his life, and in all proba- bility declare his successor either by heirship or some other way equally as infamous.® I believe that a man who will not only violate his word but his oath, would be guilty of every species of villainy to retain a position once obtained, and more especially a position obtained through fraud and violence. Then the great question is, will the loyal people of these United States vote to continue a man in office who has violated every promise he has ever made ? Instead of punishing rebels he has given them all the aid he could, and that too in the most substantial manner. He has done all that he could to bring about another rebellion ; he has winked at the massacres of loyal citizens of this Republic, and just because they were loyal ; he has bargained with the enemies of constitutional law for the overthrow of every safeguard to freedom and liberty ; he has tried to make the people believe that the loyal men of Con- gress were traitors, and the cause of the many bloody massacres in the South ; yet knowing that he himself was the instigator of them by his notorious 22d of February oration, when he declared that from that day there would be a war of races. He then only publically declared what he always had lieen, the deadly enemy of the colored race. They will never forget his declaration on that day, nor his subsequent treatment of Fred. Douglas and party. Away with such a buffoon, Halt o' possum, half coon. The man who not only pardons by wholesale the meanest of all criminals, but who has pardoned men that they may give perjured evidence in favor of assassins that they may be set at liberty and thus frustrate the ends of justice, is not to be, nor can he be, neither will he be longer trusted with place and power. Then let the republican watchword be, onward and upward, never faltering until every vestige of treason shall be rooted out of our political atmosphere, and until we shall have placed our country beyond the reach of treachery, and in the hands of the brightest star in the galaxy of our repub- lican men. As to why the soliloquys were written, I have only to say, that the slave-holder's soliloquy, "My Maryland," was suggested by the position that the slave-holders, and the aiders and abettors of that inMitution, held in regard to the Constitutional Convention of that State in 1864. They howled most piteously against the Congress for proposing the " Amendment abolish- ing slavery ;" but at that time we had a loyal President who carried out the will of Congress, and their pet institution had to give way to " popular opinion." *I was that evening appointed essayist for that night two weeks, hence the pro- duction of th«; Rights of Nations and of lurlividunls. ^ Tlif other one, called "King Andy's Biography," or "Andrew John- sou's Soliloquy," will explain itself without any from me. Those who are familiar with his presidential history, will, I hope, appreciate the production. The sequel to "Willie Dear," was written in the month of May, 1860, one evening while in cell No. 1, U. S. Penitentiary, D. C, where I was sent on the 11th day of February, 1860, sentenced to serve a term of fourteen years, for having aided two slaves, George Ross and wife, in their attempt to escape from slavery. I hope, therefore, the reader will appreciate the feelings of a fond father under such circumstances, having been sent there by a perjured jury and a perjured judge, and none but traitors as my keepers ; some of whom went into the rebellion. I heard the warden, C. P. Sengstack, Sr., declare, that "if he had the power he would hang every d d black re- publican from Maine to California," and, said he, " their pet white nigger. Old Abe." The acrostic on Miss Anna E. Dickinson, and her answer, will explain themselves — I being a delegate to the " Loyal Southern Philadelphia Convention," of September, 1866. Oh ! how beautiful that womanly voice, ."^o superV)ly grand, and wittily choice; Sweetness, ease, elegance, with polished grace. All beaming from that one beautiful face. Who would not a golden tribute pay. Or in truth's own battle think to say — That she, the most brilliant of her race. Would not bewitch you to your face ? To make this pamphlet come up to what I promised in my prospectus, I have added several interesting and original pieces bj' special request of several intimate friends. Each piece having an explanation appended thereto, it would be superfluous to mention them here. W. H. HUMAN EIGHTS, INDIVIDUAL AND NATIONAL; Sihc |ast, the ||rcstn(, and du' JjUturc NOKTH AMERICAN REPUBLIC. riEDICATKD TO THE FREE-THINKERS AND PROGRESSIONISTS OF THE AVOELD, AUGUST, 1867. ®ftiJ §^\\H of IJafian^ and Itttluiduafe. There was a time in the world's history when might made right, and when the strong oppressed the weak, and when, if a feeble man had been fortunate enough to have a good meal just ready for himself and family, and an able-bodied man came along who cared but little about honor or labor, and less about who did labor, so that he did not, he would help himself to the feeble man's meal, and go on his way rejoicing; while the poor feeble man could offer no resistance, and obtain no redress, as there were none to whom he could appeal. He therefore had either to go in quest of more food for himself and young ones, or he too would find some weak individual upon whom he could levy a contribution or take his ready meal. Thus man, in the primeval state, was like all other ani- mals, snatching the l)ite from his neighbor's mouth ; sometimes not from pure need, Ijut often l)ecause able to do so. But sui)pose we lbllodiment of caprice, hypoc- risy, and double-dyed egotism? He is not, therefore, the representative of the JSTation's greatness, but the embodi- ment of, and a conglonicrate mass ol'. all meauiiess, as exhibited in (me identity. Oh ! you modern fancy Moses : Von niiike us hold our noses. This Moses bears comparison to but one man of any nok. And in what lies his tame? In perjury and cor- ruption. Can a free people, who believe in national and in individual right, follow where he leads? No. Our mission is to form and to perpetuate a Eepublic such as nowhere else exists; such as will represent every individual right, no matter how humble the peasant; a Repuhlicr that will nevei- stoop to kiss the feet of any I'otten Dy- nasty or perjured Potentate, as the bogus Southern Con- federacy did to the perjured, corrupt, and rotten Louis ]^apoleon, that it might form an alliance with the most corrupt and incorrigible scoundrel that ever held the des- tinies of the enlightened and generous people of France — a people through whom, by their mighty revolutions, the peoples of the Earth caught the watchword of uni- vei-sal liberty. TI[K FUTUin-: OF TlIK KKITCI-IC. If we may judge anything by appearances, and if we may have hope in the loyal millions to do their duty, and to do justice to individual right, the future of this liepub- lic will be of that stamina that the Nations ol" the Karth will fear her power and respect her greatness. 21 Then shall I'oteiihites know that Deiuocraey is nut u iaihirel' Then, hi that merrv, hopeful time, 80 full of poesy and sweet rhvnie ; Then, when the ransomed, untold millions. With meny hearts, shall dance their cotillions; Yea, Avhen'the millions, in their might, Shall have estabUshed every riglit; And when Democratic knavery And the hydra-monster, Slavery, With all their concomitant ills Of rotten Confederate mudsills. That in the White House generate, And in the shape of vetoes emanate, Shall, l)y the votes of the weak and stout, Be from the White House clean'd out; Then, from the valley and mountain peak. The voice of man shall speak The words of truth and goodness, Instead of beastly Soutliern rudeness, Declare one Country and one home, From the Frigid to the Torrid Zone, And say, by gesture, voice, and song, That all to one Country belong : Yes, from Maine to the Pacific Ocean — That peculiar Yankee notion, A thing that Andy cannot see — That all are equal and free. Thus will Slavery and Southern knavery, With all its inflated and boasted bravery, and a bogus Democracy, with all its attendant evils, be brought to an end, and thus Avipe out forever, by a mighty avalanche of free opinion and universal suftrage — an individual right — one of the foulest stains ever attached to a Nation callin"ir'js BIOGrH^PI^Y; OR ANDREW JOHNSON'S SOX-iIXjOG^/XJ"^ ; OR HIS COMPLETE CONFESSION OF SHIELDING SECESSION AND MODE OF AGGRESSION. liy wii^i^i^kiu Boiri>, :>!. u. King J,ndt):\s Biagt^apbtj; ANDREW JOHNSON'S SOLILOQUY The first, and the most important thing, Am I President, or am I King? I have another question to decide, And which wounds my Tennessee pride— I'm called by the Radicals a sot; Am I President, or am I not ? The loyal Congress has laid a plan To kill or cure me as a man. I thought when first the reigns I took, That all men would to Andy look. I liad a highly spirited notion. That b}' a bullet I got promotion ; That the people were in so great a scare. That I'could act a little unfair. I have been very much flattered, And politically bespattered; By every man my name was utter'd, And by still younger lips was mutter'd, I felt a little more elated And often very much inflated ; 3 26 But then had I not a peri'oct right. If I kept my drinking out of sight. I know on inangnnition day I was a sliade or two that way ; But then I do most sincerely think That Presidents have a right to drink. What a Statesman so bright and frisky. Without the help of good old whisky: Or so famous a Statesman tell a lie Without tlie aid of good old rye : As well expect my goose to float, Or to clear a Tailor's musky throat, Without something strong and warm, T know it acts like a charm. Well then I do most surely tliink, I have a right to take a drink : An Ass has a right to ))ray, And a Statesman a right to say What is — or is not a law : — Whether he is made of Avhisky or straw. Ah! that's the peculiar rub, They call me a whisky tub; Some almost get in a quarrel. And contend I'm a whisky barrel: Some say they actually tliink . I'm so full of rum 1 can't wiidc: But they talk without rhyme or reasoji : I only take a little in season: When I feel a little Aveak and flat L throw a little under my hat. A man who wants the people to fear liim. Must take a little drop to cheer him, Now and then a little sip — Stitfens a fellow's upper lip. While I the office of President hold I'll have a little if it be sold. If I didn't take a little periodical — 27 I'd bo bothei'M by every liadical. Every one of these Temx^'rance people Are as stiff as a church steeple; And they'r Radical to the core, And think me a perfect bore; And I've sometimes heard them mutter, I'm worse than a sow in the gutter — And when a Tennessee dandy, Even then I lik'd my brandy. I have done what I could to be free, By being on a perpetual spree — I thought I'd be jovial and merry, ^ If I took a little drop of Thierry ; ^/ I thought certain succeed I'd meet '' If every Rebel and Cop. I'd treat. An idea got into my head, That if old Lincoln was dead, And a few more out of the way, I and my friends could — stay — By making perpetual strife, At the White House all my life, And drink Rum, Gin, and Brandy — As well as when a dandy; And so I wink'd my Eagle eye, And poor old Lincoln had to die. I tried it on a few more cusses, Who were always making fusses, But, somehow or other, I was in such a bother, I could'ht make it tell. So I let it go to II-ll. Then I got hold of the good old ship, And had another good okl sip : I open'd business right off — With the eloquence of a Gough. For me many apologies were made, My drunkness kept in the shade; l'« Deputations from far and near Came to drop a historic tear Over the iTation's fate, And heap their blessings on my pate. Being then the jSTation's Chief I tried to show much grief. Once, while on the spree, Away out in Tennessee, I promised to break down oppression. And drive out secession : And all believed me loyal, If not indeed most Royal. But I made a bargain out South, And sealed it with my mouth ; That I'd help the Northern Donghtaccs, By declaring a war of Races: So I got up the plan, And got the Arsenal to a man — The best of wool-dyed Rebels, AVithout any if s — or buts — or quibbles — To come Avithin my reach ; That I might make my speech ; And so I buns' on the verofe of madness. And had to drink to keep down sadness. I declared the Congress but a rump — And 2:ave old Thad. a heavy thump ; But echo came right back to me, Hoilo'ing, Andy of Tennessee. I suppose it meant by such a jump. That King And}- was but rump : So then indeed, upon mj soul, T drown'd my sorrow in a bowl. I thought I'd veto every bill. And thus I'd keep the Rebels still : I pardon'd every old sinner, As well as every new beginner. So I acted a little unfair. 29 And rccoustrLictiou did declare : Without calling an extra Session To finish up Secession. Well, I thought it was time, For a Tailor to be sublime : And in a portentous hour, I declared I had the power To reconstruct the South, And so declared by word of nicnith. I commanded Perry, Holden, and otiier snakes. To steer the Ingines; but put on the brakes: And to have the things less nasty, I issued my famous Amnest}* ; And by my simple word of mouth, Reconstructed all the South : I thouglit it only fair To give them a chance to swear. With me 'twas mighty easy, I had things good and greasy ; I joined the Church in early life, And was educated by my wife To talk loudly — to read and spell. I've call'd monopolies H-11. I said in proper season. That men convicted of Treason Should be hung as high as Haman : And all the Korth hoUo'd Amen. To make things easier still, I put the pardons through the mill : Thousands were pardoned every day, For which I got good pay. Then some Southern loyal cusses. Who were always a making fusses. Saw 'twas but a game of bluff, Antl soon liollo'd enough. Some fellow spoke out much gi-eater. And called me a big old Traitor: 30 Because I kept Congress from bringing Rebels to a state of swinging. The White House seed be. At the Massachusetts Hub. The State that pays some tax, By the consumption of wax; The home of the great and lirave, Who refused to return the slave, Or recognize its barbaric power, Or help it for a single hour; The van-guards of the free — Randall, 'twill kill you and me. Down there 1 can't get ray drink, And I'll not be able to think — I've been so used to a little drop, It will make my thinking stop: That will give me thunder; I know I'll make a blander: iShould they ask me Where's Old Jeft*? I'll have to be a little deaf. If I can't Und my bitters, I may some shoulder hitters; If I can't persuade the Loyal, I may make a few more Eoyal Adherents to my Kingly plan, To rule the Country by a man. Yes, rule with the rod of Moses ; Just what Randall supposes. Stanberry and I must work to kill The Sherman Reconstruction Bill. If Congress can't get a quorum, I'll be the highest cockelorum. I have a liigh, a big notion. To rule from Maine to the Pacific Ocean Then my name will be spread afar. And make me greater than a Czar: B}' vetoing every important bill, I can carry out m}' absolute will — ITnless Generals Phil, and Dan. Sav tbat Trji not the man — And can make no more disorders, By countermanding orders. I thought Stanber}', my Lawyer, Was better than a common sawyer ; That he could efFectually puzzle, Or make a new prize muzzle, To liang on every General's mouth Throughout the Rebel South. But the Radical key-note was sounded, As the Eastern Hub I rounded ; Like the rainbow in the cloud, I saw King Andy's shroud ; So boldly Phil had spoken, It gave me such a token — He had spoken in such a mood, That every bird was hollo'ing good I (lood ! good ! cried Echo all along ; And every Rad. had joined in song. Oh I help me, help me JetY, I am nearly out of breath ; What can I do myself to save From this sure impending grave ; "These flaming draughts" which fill my breath, Those cursed cups that bring sure death. Oh ! these wailings that fill my brain, What ? not to be elected again ? Is there any one who supposes lliat 1 am not a Second Moses ; If their heads are so muddy and thick, I can enlighten them very quick: I have been in ofifice of every grade. And mix'd with people of every shade, From Tailor right up the ladder : And now I'm a White House Adder. I have stung the Rads. by the half-score, 40 And hojio to live to sting a low more. I'll take them by oue, two, or three, If the Radicals don't sting me. There are Ashley, Thadd. Drake, and Sherman, And each one, can preach a good sermon — And the Judiciary Committee, Who have never left the cit}'. They've kept in session right through, And made me feel quite blue ; But then I gave my orders to Grant — And just what the Johnnys want — That Sheridan had no right to meddle. llave'nt I a patent right to peddle ? Am I not one of the Southern braves? llave'nt I wept o'er the Johnnys' graves ? Have'nt I talk'd with Fred, and his brothers, And been social with their sisters and mothers ? In short it has been my life-long study. To be everythin'g to every body, But the Radicals are such harpies, They say I a'nt social with the darkies ; I know that many of them shun me, And say that Douglas could outrun me. To this great question I have adverted, I think I'll have to be converted, But then the Rads. are mighty witty — They'd spread it througli every city, That my conviction was'nt sincere, And only resulted from fear: And that it must be recollected I onl}' wanted re-elected, And raise a National strife. And Ije dictator all my life. N^ow I'll take a good drink of Brandy, And hollo hurrah! for King Andy ; I can drink until I burst. When call'd King Andy the — First. M Y M A Pi Y LAND Tb6 xSlatTB-jp^xilxlBt^^s S0lilo.qutf To free tliem ; or not to free them : That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The stings and arrows of a shxve-holding conscienee, Or take up arms against old Jeff; And by opposing him, to end slavery. To make slaves no more, and by Emancipation, end slavery, and the thousand Other ills the slave-holder is heir to. 'Tis a consummation devoutly to be wish'd — To make slaves no more ; but perchance I might crave a yellow girl ; Aye, there's the rub — for in that Craving state what thoughts may come, When we have pledged ourselves to freedom. Must make us pause. There's the reason That makes slavery oi' so long-life. For who would bear the jeers and scoffs of Yankees, the slave's upbraiding, their Children's wretchedness, the pangs of Self-reproach, the bankrupt pocket, 4 42 The insolence of hangmen, and the spurns That every Traitor must expect to meet, When he himself might his quietus Make by a mere swearing.* Who would all these torments bear, to groan And sweat under this dreadful scourge : But then the dread thought of working When slavery's no more, and that Stringent law, which he who makes must Keep — puzzlers the will, and makes us rather Love the curse that blinds us, than to Turn forever from its hateful grasp. Thus slavery doth make bondmen of us all, And thus for want of firm determination The curse of slavery grows each day more Binding, and resolutions of Freedom, of However much moment, are drown'd in Whisky, and forever thereafter Lose tlio name of action. Tho Anine^lv Hath. Sbx;IUbI ta Willie B^ar, ls^-A.ir, I860. The original, of which this is a sequel, has )>nt throe verses, the reader will find four in my sequel. Father, we do miss you. Oh ! Father, where are you — dear? Oh ! do, do, come home ! ! Ah ! what is the m-atter dear ; "We dread some awful fate : And it would make our hearts rejoice To hear your welcome footsteps And your own familiar voice ; It would take away our fear. It would dissipate our gloom ; Oh ! father, we do miss you, Oh ! do, do come home ! ! We long to see you nightly. Yes, we one and all — While baby dances sprightly, A sigh escapes us all. The little ones do weep 'Till the night is nearly past : And as the Sun begins to peep, 44 Tliey o-o to sleep at last. How^thcy Hsten'd for your voice, 'Till they found you could not come; ut we are still sadder yet, For we know you cannot come — Oh ! father, we do miss you, And wish you were at home. WAsHtNGTOxN City, D. C, Monday, Oct. G, 18(36. Miss Anna E. Dickinson, Philadelphia, Pa. Dear Miss: Excuse the following tribute in honor of your thrilling and patriotic Address to the Loyal South- ern Delegates, during recess of Convention, in National Hall, Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 6th, 1866: Must not your eloquence have shivcr'd Impurities of thought as deliver'd; So immeasurably good and pure, Sucli eloquence was telling and sure. All around me, both the weak and stout, Never ceased in the general shout: Never was approbation so deep — All loyal hearts did throb and beat; Every being within that loyal Hall Directed their voices to extol In frail woman, that, that makes true greatness — Counsel, encouragement, and sedateness; Keenness of thought, philosophy to spare, In maiden sweetness, and so rare : Nothing was Ictt the Convention lo ilo, Save adopt that deliver'd by you— On that niemoral)le afternoon, Not to be forgotten very soon. t hope the above Acrostic will be received in the same spirit in which it is written, I being a firm and unflinch- ing advocate of Universal Liberty and Enfranchisement, without distinction of sex or complexion. I therefore hope your noble exertions in behalf of suffering Humanity will nicet the constant approval of the friends of true Liberty. Believe me, I have the honor to be, dear Miss, your humble and most obedient servtuit, WM. BOYD, M. D., JSv. 4'2o Viryavla avt/mc. 46 \_7rue <■<)[) II of answer to ini) no^t.] Spkingfield, III., Noc. 5, 1866. Pardon this long delay, and believe me, though I ex- press the fault, that I am none the less your most hearty debtor for the extremely kind poem and note which you were pleased to send me. 1 am, with siucerest expressions of esteem. Truly yours, ANNA K. DICKINSOX. To W.M. Boyd. M. D. [Letter of tbe Author, tliirli'cii days before his release, which ocnirreil October 4, IStil.] U. S. P., WASHi.NMrruN City, D. C, ^epi. 21, 1861. lion. T. D. Eliot, Member TldrUi-Sevenih Congress. Dear Sir: I was honored a few weeks ago by a peru- sal of yonr note to Mrs. I*rof. Johnson concerning n)y case, which is before the Executive, in which you state that you have no doubt of the success of my case, and that, should I not be released in a week or two, to write you, and you would write to the Attorney' Gcnei'al. I do not know whether that lady has written you since, but this I do know, that I am still in prison. My eldest son came to see me on Sundav, the loth ult., and who brought me the sad news that his mother, two little brothers, and two little sisters, and an infant only two years of age, were all sick; his mother not able to give her baby a drink. They will soon be without the common neces- saries of life, and as he alone is the only one who is mak- ing anything, and that oidy ^4.o0 [ler week, to keep seven of a family. When I know that such a poor pittance is entirely insufficient to even find the commonest articles of consumption, and that I am powerless to help them in their distress, no pen can write, no tongue describe the horrible anguish I feel. I therefore hope that you will consider the above ar, a sufficient apology for the liberty 47 I take iu thus addressing yt)u ou the preseut occasion. I have reason to believe that, did the President know the real situation of my family and my proper character as a man, he would soon release me. I have lived for the last twenty years only to do my duty. I first learned what my duty was, and then performed that duty independ- ently of all consequences. A man whose every year of his manhood has been one of honest industry and virtu- ous rectitude. A man whom none can say he has been guilty of one mean or dishonest act in the whole of his life, but only been too zealous in doing good. And for one single act of benevolence a cruel court tears me away from my family and my business, the support of my fam- ily; tries me by a barbarous and inhuman law, that legal- izes the trafiic in human blood, and makes virtue and benevolence a crime, and punishes me worse for an act of benevolence than some of the veriest criminals are punished for some of the most heinous crimes ; when I ought to have received their praises, instead of their con- demnation as a criminal. Those who know me best know me only as an example of honesty, frugality, indus- try, temperance, and republicanism. I do not say the above as egotistic boastino;. I sav what I have said because I know such to be the truth. I hope you will therefore be kind enough to importune the Executive in my behalf again, so that I may be re- stored to my sick and forsaken family ere it be too' late. My eldest daughter, a girl of nine years old, has been seized since my arrest of epileptic tits, wiiich grow worse every day,* and cannot be left five minutes at any one time without danger of physical injuries by frequent falls when thus seized. Add to such an afiliction a serious ilhiess, and you have an idea of the troubled mind of the mother, whose health of both mind and body have much •■At this writing she has nearly recovered, beiny now in her 15th year. W.b. 48 declined since my arrest. I doubt not hiU that her [)res- cnt sickness is the result of over-exertion of both mind und body, in her exertions to comfort her chihlren und extricate me from prison. Kind sir, 1 yearn once more to be free. And sucli a boon might e'en rest with thee. By one word you might break the spell. That keeps me in this horrid hell. Yes, your mere wish in language spoken — Might make these chains forever broken. Oh ! whisper that word so full of magic, Whether in philosophy or in logic. Oh yes! speak that little wish, and give new life To a sorrowing husband and wife; Then our joys would be replete. And gladness gamltol at our feet. SEQUEL TO (tijk oriuisal only having six verses.) Composed in April of I860 in Cell No. 1, TJ. S. Penitentiary', District of Columbia, when under sentence of 14 years for aiding George Ross and Wife to escape from Slavery. — W. B. I took thee ill tin- youtliful prime. The Liisbaud of my heart to be ; I promis'd in my maiTiage vow. Forsaking all, to clinu' to thee. I vow'd thro' good and ill report That I would love, would serve, obey — • Yes, e'en thro' sickness and thro' health. That vow^ I will renew to-day. Leave thee when inmate of a worldly hell. When thinn'd thy form and pal'd thy cheek, When sorrow and this prison cell Hath made thy vigorous arm so weak ':' Leave thee when most tViou needest Some gentle hand to fan thy brow, To soothe the fever in thy veins, x\nd whit:,per that aweet, thai marriage vow'.' 50 I will not leave thee, tho' the world Hath call'd thee by a felon's name, And scorn's cold finger points thee out The worthless child of guilt and shame. I will not leave thee tho' this cell Be all the home thou call'st thine own, Tho' wealth and honor, friends and fame, At fate's dissolving touch hath Hown. 1 will not leave thee; no! in one heart Faith in thy innocence remains; And not" one thought of cold distrust Hath chill'd love's fever in my veins. I hear the world condemn thee now. And am convuls'd within my breast; But did I not at the altar vow — Forsaking all — to love thee best. I could not leave thee did I know That all the world's reproach were true ; That 'neath some great temptation's po^er Thy mind had lost its native hue — Had dyed itself in direct guilt, Had plung'd without remorse in crime ; No, nor then would 1 forsake thee: Never! I am thine, and thou art mine. And tho' the world doth chide thee now, Love whispers o'er thy name ; Renews that sweet, that marriage vow. And will not, cannot, consent to blame. In spite the world's condemning ire, I here again love's pledge renew ; Oh ! these pangs of loving fire. They make me think of naught but you. Death alone can disunite, Aud claim Uo aii hiii own ; 51 Llntil then, we will uuite, To lis imconstant is unknown. Grim death's mandate will requite A world of woes, of scofts, and fears ; 'Twill change the day to endless night. Relieve our labors, and trials, and tears. And tho' our troubles and tears are many. Our comforts and friends but few ; And vie not the wealth of any. Do naught but what is right and true. Yet by stealth, and power, and might, A wicked law doth claim ; .Without the shadow of a> right — A right to part, and make us twain. A mere act of pure benevolence, Is called by gargon and cant a crime ; A theft, a larcency, a malevolence: Cruel civilization of the time. Sweet liberty for which our Fathers bled, The Declaration of Independence ; Alas! they'r departed, lost, fled. By Democratic superintendence. Say not we hath liberty here, 'Tis a shadow, a phantom, a name ; Slavery, knife, revolver, and spear, Are but the symbols of our shame. But dear husband weep no more, Six pledges I have of thee ; Better days may be in store, W the barl)arians will set you free. For better, for worse, I gave thee my hand, The companion of my heart to be ; I left my home, my native land. To live and die with thine and thee. At every footstep do I start, My weary hours hath no retreat ; Oh ! I'm criish'cl of a liroken heart, My misery is now replete. And yet these clouds may break away, That are gather'd around my home ; This dreadful night be changed to day, And my consort be brought home ! Panacea of my grief, my sorrow, Come bright day that I may see ; Oh I restore him on the morrow, That I may once embrace him free. The above was accompanied by the following note: I hope, dear Martha, you will not fail to appreciate my puny and faint attempt, in the above sequel, to paint and portray the awful calamity that has befallen you in consequence of my so unjust imprisonment for a mere act of liuniauilv. WM. HUVU, ;»/. D. A porrrr.ATTunE OP A OK, THE THIEF OF HYPOORITES. As I cannot call yon brother I'll have to make use of some — otlier Of corresponding indignity To show your infinite mahgnity. Hypocrite of hypocrites, and knave of knaves I Chief of persecutors, and king of slaves ! A wife's doll, a priest's tool, The bigot's all, and doctor's fool ; A bag of wind, a man of straw, A bigger fool these eyes ne'er saw, Than you, whom I now address — Or what I know of you express. Once you bore the semblance of truth. When I was but a sapling, a youth ; But as you got in years, and older grew : That truthful visage from you tiew. Then truth was pictured on your brow. But the why, and wherefore, cometh now. Now, to get a job, you'll bo n knave — 54 And wish your l)rotlier to be a slave: To the same ahnighty withering vice — And to make him humble sacked him thi-ice, 'Twas but the cries of public shame — That kept you from playing a deeper game. Your will was good, but you lack'd the power — You'r still the same, at this very hour: A mean pettifogger, a dictator, Or a self-opinionated faltering prater; An egotist, a bigot, a fool, A creeping, crawling snake, a tool — For knavish priests to use at |'>leasure. To serve their ends — or bring them treasure. To please the avarice of a seltish wife. You belie the greatest duties of your life ; Denounce your brother as a wicked fabricator? A malevolent, vicious, cruel calumniator? "When — in truth, you know you'r wrong. And that to no such order I belong. Yet, for the sake of paltry glittering dust, You've allow'd your early nobleness to rust — Xoble sentiments inculcated ])y our mother, To make every man a welcome — brother. Yes, you've belied and broken every vow — And how much })etter are you for it now: Would not e'en your pillow slicd a tear, Tf it knew the wretch it had to bear. Think of it, you echo of a thousand fools, Tutor'd by Orthodoxy at their schools. Think of it, you seltish, grasping tyrant. That you tried to crush — a young aspirant. Think of it, that in your pretence to do me good, Vou kept me from getting my mental food. Like a fish without water from day to day, I could not within a narrow^ circle stay : I then, of course, was Itut another victim: .').') Of religious malice, hatred, aiul dietini. But Oh ! how sweet it was to be — From all such dogmatisms free. Think you I was formed to be your slave. Or to do the bidding of a tyrant knave ; Think you, was it right, or just, or good — To try to stop my mental food ; Think you, was it right to rob me so. And say that in fuhlic I should' nt go, To advocate a right Divine — That the people were not herd's of swine. But, like many other twaddlers of the day, You arrogate the right to sway — The sceptre of thought o'er a brother, His finer feelings and conscience to smother. If your meanness only ended here, You might expiate it with a tear: But no, the unblushing lies you tell, Are in this world without a parallel. 'Twas because I dared to think, and freely act, That you tried to crush my intellect. If I had been a wretched drunken sot, Or had a mind like you, not worth a groat.* Then, in truth, you might have interfer'd. And by the world have been rever'd. As it is, our name is stained — Indeed 'twas for what you gain'd, 111 pounds, shillings, and pence— That you made such inglorious pretence. As your duncely brain cannot this moral learn, Then, instead of principle, you follow men; And when ask'd youi- influence to give. That freedom and progression might live: Your conscience is ignored for money, And your lips, and your tongue all honey. ^Trinboli Homo. And many apologies aro made, " Of the sacrifices to your trade — The meanest and lowest passion of all — Carries you captive at its call. Oh ! what putrid and moral leanness. As exhibited in such meanness; 'Tis a cancer, deep in the Orthodox heart. From which I fear it can never depart. It has used the rope, and stake, and lire, And sacrificed thought, in deepest ire; It is a frightful cliasm of corruption, And leads — but to moral destruction. 'Tis true for a short time you treated me well. Better than by pencil or tongue I could tell ; But as soon, as your bidding I could not obey. Symptoms of tyranny you seemed to betray: Had your liidding been either just or polite, I would have obeyed as a matter of right; But when with my conscience you interfer'd. Surely you did not expect to be rever'd; If so, your vanity and sense were on a par. And much resembled an Ape — if not a star: Vour impudence and sense were about equal. In incorrigible meanness without an equal. Dogged wretch, apostate, knave. Could I e'er crouch and be your slave? Xo ! this mind with all its convolutions — Was never formed to have such evolutions! Your l)rother, WILLIAM BOYD. M. D. EXi'LAXATloy g^hiaf ai Mnntix^viiBS. After a lapse of nearly eighteen years, in the mouth of February last I received a letter from my brother, the subject of the above Poem, "The Chief of Hypocrites," which was written in the City of New York, in 1850. I have certainly given him plenty of time for calm reflection on his past conduct, and he seems to have come to a very reasonable conclusion when he says " Upon reflection, I have come to the conclusion that I am to blame for our dis- agreement, as I presumed to offer my advice to you unso- licited, and sometimes in language which I now very much regret." As I am disposed, by my cosmopolitan ideas, to seek no revenge on my enemies whether they are my kin-people or not, I freely forgive if I cannot forget them, both in England and the United States of North America. In the former place because of my firm adherence to, and constant advocacy of. Radical Republicanism: in both politics and religion I was the mark of persecution wher- ever I went, by the middle classes especially. Out of four 58 newspapers published in Preston, ISToi'th Lancashire, in 1848, two being Tory, one Whig, and one pretended Radi- cal, not one of them but what misrepresented my position and statements at every opportunity, as they always do the statements of working men. My brother, wishing to iioat upon the popular breeze for the sake of business, joined hands with the enemies of free discussion, and against a brother, in a rigid and cruel persecution for a period of nearly four years, which I am very glad to say he " now very much regrets." In the latter place, and especially in the City of Wash- ington, I am even now at times the recipient of the most vile abuse, as I pass along the streets of this Metropolis of the Republic, by those ignorant and uncultivated poor wliites, who have always been the aiders and abettors of slavery and the slaveholders' rebellion of 1861, because I undertook to help a few slaves to freedom against the wish of their bloodhound so-called masters. Then almost every newspaper in the whole of this broad country were the apologists of that dreadful curse. Every one in the District of Columbia labored hard to make the ignorant white people believe that it was a crime equal to murder to free, or attempt to free, a single slave, with the ex- ception of the " National Era," a ver}' excellent abolition paper, published by the late Dr. Bailey, and they suc- ceeded in intimidating the jury so as to make them perjure themselves, and to bring in a verdict contrary to the evi- dence in the case: and made me equally guilty with those who stole human beings and sold them into bondage. Such was then the vitiated state of "Public Opinion " in this City, that my best friends dare not attend my trial at the court-house. I am sometimes asked why do I remain where I am so despised by the ignorant whites, who know no better than to be the tools of designing political knaves; but my answer is, " I intend to fight it out on this line " if it takes me another decade. 59 To show the reader how sometimes relbnns are very much aided by working men, if not altogether carried by them, in English Possessions as well as in England and on the Continent of Europe, I take the pleasure of in- serting my brother's letter, or so much thereof as shows what a working man can do (if he will act fearlessly) against a Tyrant towards his removal — the latter part of which goes to show what a foreigner thinks of Andrew Johnson. Li^ttin: ai ^inxla.tiij. (iiHK.M/i'AR, Fehrnarij 17, 1867. William Boyd, A1, 1)., Dear Brother: I have several times written to yon, but have had only one letter from you since I saw you, and, on reflection, I have come to the conclusion that I was to blame for our disagreement, as I presumed to give you advice unsolicited, and sometimes in language which I now very much regret ; and from it I have learned to be more careful in my language with all men ; and I re- frain from meddling in public afl:airs except on very special occasions, and then in the most respectful lan- guage which I know how to use towards an opponent. For instance — about tw^o years ago I was one of a jury at the Court of Requests ; the case was one of assault of an English officer upon a Spanish groom. And as the judge of the court, Mr. Costello, showed a barefaced par- tiality in the aft'air, and as I happened to be the only Englishman on the jury, all the others being natives of Gibraltar, and opprobiously denominated rich, and as my business lay most among English officers, I was the anchor of their hope — but in that they were disappointed. I had sworn to render a verdict accordinor to the evidence til before the conrl. A verdict was rondei-ed against the officer, and of course against my interest. The judge thought he could treat me in the same way that he was in the habit of treating the inhabitants, and when I met him the next day, in the street, he told me I ought to be ashamed of my verdict. I bandied no words with him at the time, but waited until the next day when quite cool, lest I should make use of any phrase that I might have to regret. I wrote him a letter demanding an apology or T would appeal to his superiors, which I did, hrst to Earl DeGray, and Rippon, Her Majesty's Secretary of War. I got all the satisfaction I wanted, and Costello was superseded as Judge and Attorney General, which positions he had held for twenty years. I see by the " Evening Star " you kindly sent me, that you are active in opposing Mr. Johnson's Policy. I think the Republicans are in the right, from the fact that I think all men are equal in the sight of God, as far as political rights are concerned; but while opposing him on matters of principle it would be better, I think, to use only respectful language towards him, for after all he has come to the Presidential Chair in a legitimate way, (that is if he was not concerned in the death of Lincoln.) Will Mr. Johnson, with the sword in his hand, permit himself to be impeached? I think not; for if I have estimated his character correctly, he will treat the Con- gress in the same way that Cromwell treated the Rump Parliament, and then those who have called him "Acting- President " and "would-be-Dictator" wall be likely to find him a real " Dictator." Oppose him by argument but not by invective, since by using opprobrium you make enemies rather than friends, as Mr. Johnson did himself on his tour of the States. I hope you will not be offended at me for oiiering advice. When you think it over, take it for what it is worth. T hope when you re- ceive this you will favor me with a few lines, as I am anxious to know how you and family are, also brother John and family, and sister Eliza Jane and her family. Enclosed please find my photograph as taken on my fiftieth birthday. Hoping this may find you and family in good health, as it leaves me and mine, believe me, I remain as ever, your aftectiouate brother, ROBERT BOYD. The following poem, "Blind Incredulity Rebuked," requires some little explanation. When I left England, in 1849, 1 had to leave my wife and three children behind me until I was able to send for them. Just as I w^as about to start for here, my father-in-law wrote to his daughter, Mrs, Boyd, and tried all he could to impress upon her mind the idea that if I only got away she would never hear from me again, that I would keep entirely out of her reach, and thus spend my life without them, but she knew me better than her father, and she told him very frankly in her answer that she did not believe him. My brother tried to make the same impression on the day of my departure, but in vain. She and the children went to her father's and stayed until I sent for her, in two years after my arrival here — during which time I sent remittances of over four hundred dollars to her. In the spring of 1851 she had a whitlow on one of the fingers of her right hand, and was therefore unable to write, so her father wrote for her, which gave me considerable surprise until I had ascertained, by reading the letter, what was the matter. At the time of writing the answ^er to his letter, Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton and G, P, R. James were here, toadying to the slave power all they could, like the Traitor John Mitchell did during the Rebellion. OK WM. BOYD, M.D/S, ANSWER TO HIS FATIIER-IN-LAWS LETTER. [Perl/, Ainboii, N. ./., 31(uj — , 1851.] When on your epistle I gazed, I was awe-stricken, bewildered, amazed: I thought your letter was only to tell, That my beloved and worshiped had fell — That she whom T loved was no more. My anguish ne'er had such hight before. A thousand thoughts ran thro' my brain — That I should ne'er see mv beloved ag-ain I A sudden chill — and with" breath suppressed, I broke the seal and hoped the best. And as the writing met my eye, I could but breathe a heavy sigh. Yet when the eye three lines had seen, A ray of hope just then did gleam: Again I breathed and hastened to knt)W — Whose signet was on the page below; I was then transfixed, by niagio spell. As I read the name of Samuel Bell. J^ot that it was out of place or rhyme — To read your name at such a time, But the dread thought of my after life, To be spent without a loving wife — Ran thro' my brain like molten lead, And then I wished, I too was dead. For life would drag heavily along — Without her cheerful and happy song; For she was wont to cheer and bliss, And heal the wounded by a kiss ; And give a new impetus to reflection, By her Godlike kindness and affection. I tliank you for your present favor, And freely forgive your past behavior; Tho' not grossly bad, I thought it so — It caused me many a tear of woe: When I thought of her I left behind — To the mercies of a world so blind. To right, and worth, and emulation, And full of cruel black dissimulation. You too helped to roll the ball, As in your way it chanced to fall: But anon, 'twill serve no end, Or, rather aggravate or tend — To excite your hate or malice, Instead of a cheering solace. Your grief just now I fear is great, Which is apparent by your state. You thought when England's shores I left, That Martha was of support bereft ; And that I, like a crouching slave, Would seek some foreign unseen cave,' And selfishly spend my future life — Without my children or my wife ; To know whether such prophecy be true, I'll leave the matter now with vou. (ii; Your lotter I read with anxious care. And breathed tlie while a sacred prayer — For my wife and children too, Not forgetting \'onrs and yon. 'Tis needless in me to try — To emulate so high, As to enchant you by verse, As mine to you may averse ; But this I'll try, to make a rhyme, That will serve at least in course of time. To show my children that truth must be — The motto of life — and ever free ! Poetry, 'tis said, is an external sign. Of innate thought, of love divine — Of malice, hatred, or revenge — Enemies to conquer or avenge. Witli me 'tis only the mere wish, To feast from the same dish. (Some have feasted in ideal themes. Of frightful tales, or fairy dreams, Without the wish to mend the world; Or see the flag of truth unfurled, That this earth might a brighter aspect wear; To propagate the beautiful, the fair; That each and all might one jubilee sing — To one general parent — Nature's King; That their thrilling meeds of praise — !Might form a succession of holydays. For aught I know. Heaven is here; For despised is king, queen, and peer, ^'es, it may e'en now surround me. Oh I* that it w^ere but around thee. If there is aught on earth to inspire — The genial feelings of poetic fire, Or make the philosopher seek a higher s})liere; For genius and worth, it is here. 6( To say nothing of the natural beauties around, That here and everywhere abound: In gorgeous splendor — on mountain and vale, On forest, on prairie, on hill, or on dale; By river, or lake, by sea, or by land, So sweet in their beauty — on every hand : The delicious fruits, so sweet and so rare ; The beantiful flowers, all smiling and fair: Dame nature to this countrv hath ffiven — The solids of earth and the sweets of a heaven. The people too are noble and great; They worship no Cockatoo of State; Their brains from all such thraldom are clear; They know no distinction like peasant and peer ; They'r hostile too, to every wrong, And liberty's in their every song. They teach their youths to hate and despise — All hypocrites who would them advise, To be contented with their lot. Whether born in palace or in cot. And when English hypocrites come here, To seek a more speculative sphere — For pride, for vanity, and fame. Who think Americans are the same: As those whom they helped to enslave, Or bury in a patriot's grave. By teaching a stupid and blind submission; To all priestly and kingly decision. Here the people do them greatly pity, In every hamlet, town, or city: They know that 'tis only home slavery — That makes them practice such knavery. Think you would it not be right to say, That they came in the wrong day: That they came rather too late ; And that their writings are out of date. 'Tis likolv thev are sillv enouii-h to think — That tlioy can at ti'uth uud ,iu slice vviuk: And by their slavish poetry and prose — Lead the people by the nose. It may, without levity, be said — That they'r spirits from the dead, Of three hundred years aj2;o — When kings and queens were all the go; When people were like cattle, And had no claims to settle: When peers the people owned, And worked them until they groaned. But I only want them to know — That while they cut so great a show ; It seems to be rather savory, As if they were helpers of slavery : Yet such may not be their intention, Or have caused them mucli ap])rohension ; Perhaps 'tis the want of light and trutli — That makes them write so very smooth. If so, 'twill take some of the renown. From Sir Henry Bulwer Lytton, the Clown: I mean, of worthless political twaddle; AVith which he so oft' the people saddle. Could I but change the literary switch, And throw such twaddlers "in the last ditch," It would give me more infinite pleasure — Than the finding of a world of treasure. G. — P. — R. — James and he. Have fully disgusted me. But to keep out of confusion, 1 will come to a conclusion. Believe me, I am, as ever. Your Son-in-law, WM. BOYD. M.D. Mr. S. Bell, Bedford Beds, England^ Europe. Tlu^ Eingma. Gues8, thoiiglitfiil reader, if y(.)U eaii. Or name this bright, this generous man — Vulgar minds would him fain abuse, Error and wrong, with linked hands, misuse; Regardless of truth and virtue's claim: Ne'r read his speeches but in vain. On bells of truth, in every nation, Kings his voice for Emancipation ! Lever of power, and scourge of kings ! Oh ! bear it thither on truthful wings. United in one, are his fame, and his goodness: In truth lies his worth, and great is his shrewdness, Solid his thoughts, and sure are his ways; Knowledge the greatest foundation he lays : Of kings and usurpers the truth he doth tell ; So clear, and so purely, his ideas swell; So natural his genius — so pure and so good — Unmeasured by time, unspoken by mood. To take the first letter of each line. How sweet are the truths essayed in the rhyme. Perth Amboy, Ajml 12, 1852. DEIV3EO F!EFORf\nEOI Txx EiisB J^Btilia Mat^at^. Miss MoRAN was a yoiiug lady, of Mew York Cily, who worked tor me, both in New York City and in Perth Araboy, N. J. She was of Irish parents, very handsome, and a most beautiful singer. The reader will find, upon ex- amination of the following piece, that it is somewhat singular in its con- struction. Uy commencing with the first letter of the first line and the first one of the third line — that is, by skipping one each time — you will find an Acrostic on the above-named young lady. Could I in a line or two — Impress you with a fact, Euchaut you with a verse or two, And make you think — reflect. Could I encourage you to try, To use that gift of Heaven ; Innate it doth lie — In that brain tliat God hath given. Latent as the sun's sweet light — Are thy faculties for brightness, In truth's own battle let them fight ; Oh I spend them not in lightness. All nature lies before thee I Mi B jk :^''6l iiiip^lislit'il hidden gems; MB 1 3. 6 71 May a worthy yet adore thee, And foster nature's germs. Onward! let your motto be, In search of truth Divine, Resolved thro' every mist to see — With brightness may you shine! As a child, sister, lover, and wife, To make vour life worth having, N^e'er foster any strife, And live a life (or Heaven. o .V <'. ■^o m^. >o ■r '^, <^, ^-'^r^J. ■Mm: ./-V ^*^«^; ^c,^"-^ °.W^ A ^^ /W//^ . '^... .^i^^ /^t,<' '^-. .^'■^ ^'^^ ^o -:?^ DOBBS BROS. LIBRARY BINDING o V ST. AUGUSTINE ^ ^^^32084 • !l!l!!!l|;!li!aii!il!li!i;!i!