Wednesday morning
My dear sister,
The conviction of Henry Wyatt
came upon me so unexpectedly so overpowering
that I could not write you a line —
Monday Henry occupied ten hours with
his defense and I believe has done all
that mortal could to save him – he
can wash his hands in innocency while
the day must and will come when
those who so thirst for h the blood of a
fellow being will shrink from the close
reckoning for their own sins which they are
now so anxious to exact from their brother
Most of the day yesterday was occupied with
John Van Buren's speech which was said to
be able and together with the uncompromising
charge of Judge Whiting was effectual —
The Judge after a strong charge against the prisoner
called God to witness that t he had done all
in his power promote this conviction, if (in effect
I do not know the words used) he has certainly
nothing to reproach himself with on the side of
Misery – And this sacrifice of justice he has

made to secure popular favour – One of the jury supposed
to be favorable to Wyatt fainted during the charge
of the judge – he was the man on whose firmness
most reliance was placed – but he failed
the verdict was brought in unanimously in
less than half an hour – This morning he will
receive his sentence – Mary Morgan says some
woman inquired of her yesterday if she did not
intend to go and hear the sentence pronounced —
I wish I could persuade myself that the women
in Auburn were more ferocious more savage
more everything that is unwomanly then those
of any other town but I fear this is not the
case and so long as boys continue to be
nourished and trained by she wolves so long
must men approximate towards barbarianism
There is in this whole town but three women that
I know to be of different mould – I trust there
are some that I do not know – of course one of
them is Mrs Wright – The next movement of
the court is to hang on the trial and
of Freeman – Henry is of course advised to cease
all efforts to prevent so desirable an end
he will do what is right – he will not close
his eyes and know that a great error is
perpetrated without offering any remonstrance
and yet this is the course advised by our Father

by all who call themselves his friends with one or two
exceptions – How much I wish you were here to see how
beautifully his character contrasts with those by whom he
is surrounded – I can conceive of no spectacle more
sublime than to see a good man thus striving to win
to deeds of mercy and benevolence the wicked and
perverse generation by ^among^ whom his is degraded lot
has fallen – are you not coming this week – we want
sympathy which is scarce – I will not close
my letter until Henry comes home to dinner that I may
relate the progress of events – Mrs Goodwin e gives a large
party to night – we were invited yesterday – I sent an apology
this morning – The village is said to by be full of joy in
anticipation of Wyatts execution – poor human nature —
How must things appear to "Him who is too pure to behold
inequity" – Henry has come home – he looks sad and care
worn – Wyatt received his sentence this morning in the
presence of a thousand men and 2 or three hundred
female barbarians – I will not degrade the name of
woman by applying it to them – the day of execution 18^th
of August - In consequence of the severe illness of Seneca
Wood, David Wright is to assist Henry in the defense
of Freeman – they are now getting jurors to try the
question of insanity – I think he will be pronounced
sane and hanged – Dr Brigham and McCall are
again sent for – Do come too – Sam leaves
to night for his wife – which will be a great
inconvenience to Henry – Pa torments Henry exceedingly
by endeavoring to make him abandon the "nigger"—

The path of duty is certainly not strewn with flowers
Good bye will you come
Frances
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN N.Y.
h1845