Secret Band of Brothers | Page 9

useful in
helping him out of difficulty. He was willing the letters should be
produced and read, as the younger brother had promised to bring forth
the plates. In the mean time there was an understanding between them,
that no intimations should be given as to the "secret band of brothers;"
not a syllable was to be lisped that would lead to exposure.
To obtain the desired end, and give greater security, instructions were
given to the wife of one of the brothers to examine carefully all the
letters, and select out from them those of a specific character, and to
keep them sacred, subject to the order of the colonel. These letters had
been conveyed in a chest from Canada, where they had been preserved
with great secrecy. This chest was sent for in February, 1832, and
arrived the next April. Some three days after the reception of the trunk
containing these papers, information was given that the removed letters
had come, and were ready for the examination of those who were
acting as prosecutors of Taylor. By this time, public opinion had
become so much changed toward both of the prisoners, that a very little
effort would have secured their acquittal. They had acted with great
skill and prudence, and were in a fair way to succeed. This was
perceived by the leaders of the fraternity. They were unwilling such a
man as the colonel should escape. A deep plot was consequently laid
and rigorously carried out to thwart him in his efforts to escape the
penalty of the law. His trial was put off and the inducement held out
that bail should be obtained. All this was done to keep up appearances.

His enemies dared not openly provoke him. They dared not come out
and proclaim their hostility, for they well knew he had the means to
expose them. To seek his ruin by an open show of opposition would be
to touch fire to the train, that, in the explosion, would involve them all
in a common ruin. They must approach him, Joab like, and drive the
dagger to his heart while saluting him with professions of friendship.
But his patience had become wearied by a protracted sickness and
continued disappointment.
The letters above referred to were done up in packages of three hundred
each. I was present when the trunk was opened, and witnessed the
selection of many of the letters. The lady who assorted them threw
about one out of every thirty in a separate pile. I made no inquiry
respecting them, but my curiosity, as you may well imagine, was not a
little excited, especially as I observed several familiar names. The lady
finally unrolled six pieces of parchment, which were blank in
appearance. She folded them up in a square form of about six inches.
She then folded up some three hundred and seventy letters, and placed
them upon the parchment. Upon these she placed a written parchment
containing the copies of about six hundred letters, and having carefully
enclosed the whole in a sealed envelope, she placed them between two
beds upon which she usually slept. The remainder she packed up and
sent to her husband's attorney. Immediately she left the room to visit
her husband in prison.
Scarcely had she retired, before my curiosity was intensely excited to
learn the contents of the concealed package. I ventured into the room
with the intention of satisfying myself. I no sooner placed my hand
upon the package, than I felt the blood seemingly curdling in my veins.
The thought that I was about to act the part of a dishonest man
impressed me deeply. I reflected a moment, and then dropped the
package, and hastened to leave the room. As I turned from the bedside,
my desire to know the contents of the package came upon me with a
redoubled force. The passion was too violent for resistance, for I was
confident some of these letters were written by men I had known from
my infancy. Whether I acted properly or improperly, an impartial
public must determine; but after thinking upon the subject a moment, I

turned, grasped the package, and bore it off under the keenest
sensations of alarm and fear of detection. I hastened down stairs and
made my way to the house of a man by the name of Watkins. He was a
good man, and a sincere friend to me. His wife was a kind-hearted and
benevolent woman. I met her at the door, and told her a friend of mine
had given me this package to take care of, and I would let her see the
contents at another time. She took it and laid it away; I then hastened to
the prison to meet Mrs. B----, who I