Chapter XLIV: Appendix: NOTE Y: Page 317

The list of contributors to the Boston Fund for the relief of East Tennessee, is interesting. Some sent their proper names with their gifts. Mr. George F. Bartlett, of New Bedford, wrote to Mr. Everett: “In response to Col. Taylor’s touching appeal in behalf of our suffering loyal brethren in East Tennessee, I cheerfully part with the only thing saved from the whaleship ‘Lafayette,’ burned by the pirate ‘Alabama,’ April 15, 1863, off Fernando de Noronha, and enclose the same to you herewith, viz: (6) six English sovereigns, worth about forty-three dollars. Captain Lewis was fortunately on shore with this gold to purchase stores, when Capt. Semmes steamed around the island and burned his ship. I will regard it as a _forced_ contribution from Capt. Semmes, in the name of the immortal Lafayette, who loved our country and its Father, and I am most happy in being able to make so worthy a bestowal of it.”

Hon. J. L. Motley, Jr., U. S. Minister at Vienna, wrote: “I enclose a check for $200, and I wish it was in my power to send a much larger sum. When, in after days, the history of this unexampled insurrection against Liberty comes to be written, there will be few episodes more moving or more instructive than the record of those Tennesseeans who have so long sustained the Republic and its principles, amid such trial and at such sacrifices. Certainly it is no _charity_ on our part to assist them, but a sacred duty, which I am sure that all will fulfill in proportion to their means.”

Master John W. Pierce, Jr., twelve years old, wrote from S. W. Harbor, Tremont, Maine: “Dear Sir: Enclosed please find twenty-five dollars, which I have collected for the suffering East Tennesseeans. I had read and heard so much of these loyal people that I wished very much to do something for them. I said to my mother, I will give them my dollar, _all my money_. She said that will do very little good alone, but I might go round and ask my young friends to give for this noble cause. I was pleased to do so, and have collected this sum. I found both old and young ready to give me something; very few refused. In one family I got almost five dollars. I know this is a small sum compared with the thousands you are receiving, but if some little boy in each town in this State would go round among his friends, the sums thus collected would make thousands of dollars, and oh! how much suffering would be relieved.”

Some, in transmitting their gifts, substituted for their proper names, such inscriptions, as “A little boy, six years old, his own money,”--“A poor ex-teacher,”--“A school girl’s monthly allowance,”--“A law student at Cambridge, being one-half of all he has,”--“C. and J., two poor young men,”--“Three little sisters,”--“A Vermont soldier on the Potomac,”--“One day’s pay of a navy yard employe,”--“A lady, aged 83,”--“Acts, 11th ch., 26 and 27th verses,”--“The earnings of a little boy,”--“A poor old duster.” The citizens of historic Lexington sent $280, and eight little girls, $80, the proceeds of a fair they held at Plymouth. The Pastor of the Second Church in Dorchester, in remitting its contribution “for the patriots of East Tennessee,” said: “We observe a fourth Sabbath evening of each month as a time for prayer for our country, and last evening thought it fitting to _act_ as well as _pray_.” The Pastor of the Congregational Church at Taunton, delivered a special sermon in the same behalf, and the responsive offerings of his people amounted to $870. From the Unitarian Society at Watertown, founded in 1630, its Pastor sent a handsome contribution “for brothers who suffer for their dear country’s cause and glory.” The 44th Regiment of Massachusetts volunteers had been given $5,000 by fellow-citizens. One-fifth of the sum was transferred through the Colonel to the fund “for the relief of the suffering loyalists of East Tennessee.” “Anonymous” enclosed $500 in a note, saying: “I have stood in the fight many a day by the side of those East Tennesseeans, but I see that there are yet other ways of doing one’s duty towards them, so I add my contribution to their aid.” Another “Anonymous” wrote: “Fifty dollars from one, who in days of yore was a short sojourner about Knoxville, and whose then estimate of East Tennesseeans has been borne out and tested.” “A Young Ensign” left his gift, as he “went forth to serve his country.”

The tone of the communications received, showed the ardent patriotism and abounding liberality of the people. Mr. Everett styled it “a noble letter,” in which the Selectmen of Dorchester sent about $3,000--the gifts of its citizens and Churches. Three school-girls at Chelsea devoted their afternoons to visiting “from house to house in the little town, which is far from rich, with a subscription paper, asking from each person the small sum of ten or fifteen cents.” They wrote to Mr. Everett: “It might be a comforting thought to the suffering Tennesseans, if they could know how generous and interested even the poorest people have been in their cause. One poor old woman gave all the money she had (seven cents), with the earnest wish that it was a great deal more, and that it might also do a little good.” Their collections amounted to $45. The boys of Mr. Allen’s School at New Bedford made their gifts under the caption:

“The loyal boys of Massachusetts, to the loyal boys of Tennessee, send greeting. Having heard through Col. Taylor of the hardships and privations that you have endured while your fathers and our fathers have been struggling side by side for the support of the Union cause and the defence of Liberty, and feeling that, although remotely situated, we are brothers and have a united interest in the prosperity of our glorious country, we wish to manifest to you our sympathy.”