THE LETTER
THE EVENTS in this letter
took place in November and December of 1807
1st Lt. Henry R. Graham was serving as Executive Officer of the 2nd Infantry Regiment commanded by Capt. William R. Boote.
The Regiment was stationed at Fort Hawkins on the Ocmulgee River in Georgia. This was the edge of the American frontier with the Creek Indian Nation -- beyond which was Spanish Florida.
On 28 March 1808, Henry R. Graham wrote from Montego Bay, Jamaica to former-Lieutenant Thomas Blackburn.
AN EXTREME SUMMARY
of Henry Graham's
LONG letter follows:
This hurried communication is meant to caution you not hastily to take up an opinion of your friends dishonor
[...]
It is believed that in a recent and as it relates to a Lady, an unhappy CONTROVERSY WITH CAPT BOOTE, my conduct has been represented to you as I am confident it has been to others, under the color of licentious infamy and falsehood. The circumstances that gave rise to them have caused the most bitter moments of my life.
[...]
Know that soon after my arrival at Ocmulgee Mrs. Boote voluntarily offered me her sisterly regard and made my bosom the repository of secrecy that should never have escaped her own. BUT UNFORTUNATE, MUCH LAMENTED LADY!
I will be the last to censure any part of your conduct tho indeed it were to prove my ruin. Never will I condemn a confidence, that was meant to have done me honor, however wretchedly melancholy as relates to myself may be its effect and I should have been senseless as the rock to have heard all the lamentations of this unhappy fair-one without feeling for and even participating in her sorrows.
It would be unnecessary here to mention the several instances in which SHE BEWAILED HER HUSBANDS UNKINDNESSES among many acts of which she bitterly complained of his altered conduct, his want of regard for her, his apathy, his silent sullen and austere deportment, and what seemed to mortify her still more than anything else, was that notwithstanding her chief study always had been to please him, yet he frequently threatened her with a divorce!
Witness Heaven!
How I toiled to palliate the wrongs complained of, to meliorate her situation, and by all the reasoning of philosophy and fortitude to pour on her troubled soul the soothing balm of consolation!
[...]
Yet she sought every possible opportunity of seeing and conversing with me on the subject of her unhappiness
[...]
Blackburn! Thus circumstanced how ought I to have acted?
[...]
I PITIED MRS. BOOTES SITUATION, I revered her virtue, and would sooner have amputated my tongue from my throat than it should have expressed a wish to the delicacy of her sentiment, or the PURITY OF HER HONOR.
[...]
I did not care so much about myself, but for her I would have sacrificed my life and whatever may be my fate, I shall ever pray that heaven may avert her sorrows and that she may forget the wretched exile if it gives her a pang to think of him
[...]
[ Graham now proceeds to explain the events: ]
About 7 o'clock on the evening of the 29th of November [1807],
By Mrs Bootes own appointment, I MET HER IN THE COMMANDANTS GARDEN,
and whilst conversing with her on the usual subject of her unhappiness, we were surprised by the approach of a man in who we soon recognized Capt. Boote.
Any description that I might offer of MRS. BOOTES TERROR would prove futile, and unsatisfactory.
[...]
The danger of our situation I became immediately sensible of . . . I prevailed upon the lady to leave me to answer to the wrath of an engaged and jealous husband, and if possible by flight to save a life that had imperceptive become much dearer to me than my own.
She obeyed my injunction, and in a few moments he entered the house near which we had been standing . . . demanding WHO WAS THERE?
I answered LT. GRAHAM
[...]
I cautioned him however not to assail me, that tho unarmed it was natural for me to defend myself, and in a place like that, I should not acknowledge him as my Commanding Officer.
He replied that HE HAD A KNIFE, AND THAT HE WOULD KILL ME.
I defied both him and his knife and in an instant received a wound in my left arm which entirely disabled it.
THE SECOND BLOW was aimed at my heart and entered my left breast below my nipple the weapon fortunately struck on a rib, and did not enter the cavity, but being made with considerable force pierced the bone so deep as to cause an inflammation in the pleura, and created the most excessive pain that I had ever experienced.
THE THIRD AND LAST STROKE was made at my throat, but here again the hand of heaven interfered and warded a blow which would otherwise have ended a life, that has now become a burden to me the weapon struck on my stock passed through the upper part of my cravat and entered my left cheek so much weakened as to make but a small incision and create but little pain or bloodshed.
By this time we were both pretty much exhausted, he with the excess of passion, and I with the loss of blood, and as we slowly stalked down the walk together, I told him that I believed he had accomplished his intention that he had murdered me.
His only reply was that HE EXPECTED I WOULD GIVE HIM SATISFACTION IN THE MORNING.
I answered him, that he was sensible of having incapacitated me for doing so, otherwise he would not have made me the offer.
I became soon after extremely thirsty and enfeebled, the effusion of blood from my arm was great, the excessive pain of the wound received in my breast, almost bent me to the ground.
I fainted and fell, and had it not been for a reviving drought of water handed me by a soldier who was passing near the place where I lay, and who otherwise lent me his assistance in getting me so far as the guardhouse, I believe I should never have reached my quarters.
Our surgeon mate being sent for, soon attended me and having examined and dressed my wounds
[...]
Very soon after, to all appearances I had been stretched on the bed of death, Ensign Ware entered the room with a DIRECT CHALLENGE FROM THE COMMANDANT. To this challenge, after renovating my enfeebled frame with a large portion of laudanum, propped up with pillows, and supported by my servant . . . I wrote the following answer:
Captain Boote -- Like the midnight assassin Sir, you have stabbed me in the dark when you knew me unprovided with a weapon of defense!. . . Had you acted less like the butcher and had spared your knife, I should have felt every disposition to have given you the satisfaction you require
[...]
Soon after sending this note I became feverish . . . and when Ensign Ware returned to my quarters with a second note, I was not in a situation to notice it. This was the most wretched night of my existence
[...]
I declined a proper war and anxiously waited a reinstatement of my health that would enable me to offer a desired eclaircissement which I then thought inevitable
[...]
In about a week, contrary to my own expectations I found myself on the recovery . . . About this time . . . I heard that Ensign Ware had been making very free with my name in saying such things in public company on a subject . . . derogatory to the fair and spotless reputation of a lady whose virtue he knew to be immaculate.
Stung to the soul at the base ingratitude . . . I sent a message to him by my Sergeant requesting that he would attend me at my quarters.
On his entering the room . . . I coolly charged him with what I had heard told him that though I had then no pistols of my own, and was too unwell to leave my room, yet he could procure those which he had borrowed from Mr. Halstead for Capt. Boote, and my friend being absent, I should leave it to his own honor to bring the pistols in, load them, and GIVE ME THAT SATISFACTION which his ungenerous and unmanly conduct required I should demand of him.
His only answer was that he would go and tell Capt. Boote.
Taking with me the only firearm I possessed (an old Continental Pistol, and even that out of order and somewhat broken) I entered the door of Lt. Magnaus quarters, which was but a few steps from my own.
[...]
I heard a noise at the door . . . and as I turned to see what it was, CAPT. BOOTE FIRED A PISTOL immediately at my breast, the ball entered immediately at the lapel of my coat through the folds of which it proliferated five holes and passed under my right arm without doing me the least injury.
I immediately brought the old Continental arm to bear upon him. The alarm occasioned by the explosion of Capt. Bootes pistol brought every person to the door out of which being extremely weakened, the jostling of the crowd soon precipitated me, and in the act of falling C.B. snapped another pistol twice at my head . . . in his hurry he pulled trigger a second time on an open pan!!!
[...]
Still holding the loaded pistol in my hand I FIRED did no execution so became unarmed. Boote being balked in both his attempts on my life became frantic with rage and disappointment.
[...]
Recollecting however that I had no firearms in my own room I went to the guardhouse, and seized on a musket with fixed bayonet but even this was refused me.
I then went to a soldiers hut where I procured a broken cartridge with which I loaded my pistol, but there not being a sufficiency of powder to prime it, I was making the best of my way to the Factory guard where I knew I could obtain what I wanted, but before I had gone many steps, I fainted and sunk to the ground.
The humane and generous Mr. Halstead [the Indian Agent] passing that way soon after took me up and supported me to my quarters. The wretched state in which I passed that night made me bitterly reflect on the imprudence of leaving my room until I had entirely recovered.
In the morning Mr. Halstead came to my room and after an introductory enordium on the unhappiness of Mrs Boote, told me that my immediate departure from the Country was the only step which could be taken to save the reputation of that Lady, and that it was even her wish I should do so.
[...]
I promised to remain dormant until the return of my friend Mr. Forester. . . and that I would then act in conformity to their conjoined opinion and advice.
[...]
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Forester returned and with Halsteads help worked out a compromise of sorts between Captain Boote and Lt. Graham.
by the terms of which:
-Graham wrote a letter of apology to Capt. Boote:
I have injured you. Let me withdraw. I wish not to remain in a country where I have been the cause of unhappiness. Reason over passion.. . . Yield up my life to reinstate a lady . . .
Enclosed is my resignation which please forward . . .
I FALL A MARTYR TO VIRTUE
-Boote wrote an order giving Graham an official leave of absence.
-Graham fled the fort, and slowly traveled to Savannah GA.
-From Savannah, Graham traveled to Jamaica to search out an older BROTHER who had relocated to that Island years earlier. Graham hoped to borrow money from his brother and perhaps convince him to travel back to America with him in order to help him to clear his name.
In the last third of his letter, Graham described IN DETAIL his trip across the Island and the beauties of Jamaica. Graham's long letter thus continues:
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"After writing you from Savannah La Mar in conjunction with Mr. Wolfe ( a British Naval Officer) I hired an chaise, horses and servant and traveled overland to Montego Bay. I found Mr. W. a sprightly well informed young man who from his childhood had been in the service of his Country. His agreeable, tho (?) yet edifying consideration beguiled the fatigues of our journey and was as momentary respite to the pains of retrospection.
"The Country between Savannah La Mar and Montego Bay is for the most part rocky, rough, and hilly, and are swelled into what they here call mountains which afford some of the most beautiful, romantic, and picturesque scenes which I have ever beheld."
The plantations are strongly enclosed with regular stone walls now and then diversified with handsome hedges of Logwood and Pungen(?). From one of these hills at a single view, you see both in an embryo state, and that of full perfection all the fruits and luxuries of the Island.
You may gather on the roadside, both Pine Apples, Shaddocks [Pomelo], Seville and China Oranges, Lemons, Limes, Tamarinds, Soursops, Mangoes, Papaya, Pomegranates, Custard Apples, Alligator Pears [Avocados], Prickly Pears, Star Apples, and Coconuts, and all kind of the most delicious melons in their fullest possible perfection throughout the whole year.
Interspersed with the fruit trees you see the growth of Pimento, Coffee, Sugar Cane, and the Indigo plant. The groves are finely shaded with the Cinnamon tree, the Manchineel whose fruit is very beautiful but said to be poisonous, the Cabbage tree which terminates a growth of 150 feet in the vegetable from which it takes its name & otherwise remarkable for the hardness of its wood.
The Bread tree a late and most valuable acquisition to the Island, the Paulina or Oil tree, the Soap tree the berries of which is made use of in washing, a variety of wood for dyeing, the Cotton, Sea Grape, and Sand Box trees, and in the mountains grow great quantities of Mahogany.
But nugatory would be any attempt of mine to describe the bounteous hand which nature has opened on an ISLAND WHERE REIGNS AN ETERNAL SPRING.
From the most stupendous rocks and pended immediately over our head, the road leads through a beautiful vale opening with an extensive view of the sea on the banks of which you travel as it were through a finely cultivated garden of about 5 miles to MONTEGO BAY, A SMALL TOWN OF AFFORDING A TOLERABLE HARBOR, IT CONTAINS PERHAPS 200 HOUSES, AND INHABITED BY ABOUT 1200 PERSONS, ALMOST OF EVERY COLOR AS THE RAINBOW.
Here I was informed that MY BROTHER WAS KEEPING TAVERN AT LITTLE RIVER, the intermediate landing place between Monegro Bay and Falmouth which are about 22 miles apart, both on the North side and immediately facing the Island of Cuba. Falmouth is a little larger than M Bay has a safer harbor, is more populous and is quite a commercial, and respectable place.
On my arrival at Little River I found my Brother as he had been represented to me a Tavern Keeper and even in that situation not on his own footing. He did not recognize me, and I not been previously assured of his being my Brother I should not have known him.
His countenance once animated with youth, spirit, and independence is now portrayed by languor, mortification and disappointment. . . . To find him in so ignominious an employment as that of a country Inn Keeper was like the application of gall and hemlock to the bleeding wound of an itinerant in Exile.
[...]
He rented of a Mr. Hilton in this neighborhood a ready furnished house at Little River (this mere epitome of a Tavern) by which he has sunk as many hundreds for himself as he has made for his employer . . . Dr. James his patron … having died soon after my brothers arrival onto this Island, he was thrown afloat in a strange country without either money or friends, having for his only introduction poverty and reputable character; which tho frequently found together, do not always insure a recommendation to favor.
[...]
He became POSSESSED OF SIX NEGROES, five of which he now holds, but his unfortunate contract with Mr. Hilton will I fear divest him of this poor remainder, of a poorer stipend and leave him for his only consolation the sad conviction of the facility with which we can be deprived of a hard earned pittance, and that diligent and industry cannot fail to accumulate property yet it requires prudence and a little foresight to keep it.
[...]
Under such circumstances you will readily conceive how very disagreeable must be my present situation. I left my stationary post on the frontier of Georgia with very little more money than what would I suppose be sufficient to defray my expenses to Jamaica, calculating at that time receiving funds from my Brother who I expected would accompany me to the United States.
In both of these anticipations I have been disappointed and am therefore compelled to seek some employment for my pen by which I may be genteelly supported until I can make it convenient to return to the United States.
[...]
Earlier in this letter,
Henry Graham had written the following
to his friend Blackburn:
In the foregoing communication I have given you a unvarnished statement of fact . . . So soon as I can obtain funds to enable me to do so I shall return to the State of Georgia, and on my arrival whatever may be the consequence I am determined to make no further sacrifice, but with Capt. Boote have such an engagement as shall wipe from my name the apparent stigma of dishonor.
SHOULD I FALL it will be in your power . . . to exhibit to the world such a statement of fact as will be sufficient to VINDICATE MY CHARACTER, and prove the purity, rectitude, and disinterestedness of my conduct
[ On 28 March 1808,
Henry Graham then ended his
LONG TWENTY-FOUR PAGE letter of explanation
to Thomas Blackburn in part as follows: ]
Farewell Blackburn . . .
may you never feel the heavy hand of affliction . . .
may you think on your wretched yet sincere and affectionate
HR Graham
Please forward your letters (should you honor me with any) addressed to
Messrs Campbell & OHara Merchants,
Kingston.
I PRAY YOU LET THIS HURRIED SCRAWL
MEET NO EYE BUT YOURS.