are of their foul intentions," continued he, "but know not how
to evade it. Green, I have all confidence in you as an honest boy, and
do not think you would do any thing to injure me, but have thought you
might have had a curiosity to know the contents of some of those
letters, and have mislaid them with the intention of giving them back
when you had read them."

I again protested my innocence, and solemnly declared I had no knowledge
of the package.

"Then," exclaimed he, "I am a doomed man. There is no hope, and I will
tell you the reason why.

"You know I have had many friends calling upon me, day by day, from all
parts of the country. You have seen among them some of the most wealthy
in the town of Lawrenceburgh. They are my sworn friends and all members
of a Secret Society, which obligates each one, under a most solemn oath,
to assist a brother member out of any difficulty, provided he has not
violated his obligations. Now my brother has acted most imprudently in
pledging himself to produce certain papers, and to bring other witnesses
besides himself against Taylor. These men were apprehensive that we had
mutually laid a trap to expose the whole band. This has involved me in
the most unjust crimination. I am subjected to the charge of conspiracy,
and hence you see how difficult it is to procure bail. It is true I have
had promises from all parts of the Union, but my brother concerted,
without reflecting upon the consequences of his conduct, to bring one
thousand men, if necessary, to this city, who would be ready to do any
thing he might direct. These men were brethren of the same band, but of
a lower order, none of whom were possessed of wealth or extended
influence. The others, who possessed both, were kept in silence, for
fear of being betrayed or proving false to the fraternity of which they
were members. That we are circumstanced as you see us at present, is not
for the want of friends. They are abundant and powerful; we have them on
sea and on land, and they are ready to assist us out of any difficulty,
and would do it in a moment if assured that all was right on our part.
You see the city is full of them--many have come to secure their
letters, which they knew were in my possession, and if exposed, would
bring upon them certain ruin,--but alas! they have come too late. You
will notice I have had no visitors while I have been giving you this
history. I told the steward to admit none but yourself. Be assured