These letters were placed in the hands of that brother for safe keeping.  Thus the colonel, to all appearance, only maintained an honourable and necessary business correspondence.  He consented that his brother should use these letters if they could be made 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.