The
Sentinel of Saturday published a letter written in July of last year by
Samuel Crane, the
Auditor of the fraudulent Government of
West Virginia.
He is a very fit person for such a Government.
He was Auditor under
Pierpoint, who claimed to be
Governor of
Virginia from the
Ohio to the sea, and was a suitable companion for
Pierpont.
He was elected to the same office under the new Government just established, with
Boreman, of
Taylor county, at its head.
The letter was captured by one of our men in a recent expedition to
Northwestern Virginia.
It is addressed to
William Bennett,
Clerk of
Randolph county.
After some business matters, he says:
‘
"The delinquent sales of 1860 you need not copy.
I may need it, or may find it at
Richmond, as soon as
McClellan opens the door, which I know he will in a few days."
’
Crane, deeming the door as good as opened, proceeded in a most authoritative manner to indoctrinate
Bennett with the proper feelings and policy towards guerillas and unsound persons — i. e., those who were loyal to
Virginia.
He says:
‘
I labored hard to return troops to
Randolph and I hope now you will all aid in capturing Bill
Harper and other guerilla parties.
You all have no other trouble in
Randolph but guerillas.
Let none be made prisoners, nor any that aid them.
’
Petition no more for the return of prisoners unless it be in a more justifiable case.
Let those who have not been sound remain in prison.
It is far better that they and their friends should suffer than guerilla parties should receive aid or sympathy from any.--The Union men did not bring on the war, and let those who did suffer.
They would gladly have put in prison, or to death, if they could only have carried their point.
My best regards to my Union friends.
The
Secesh I do not care a
curse for.
Your friend,
Samuel Crane.
This is a very pretty record to treasure up against the immaculate and virtuous Auditor. "Let none be made prisoners," quoth he. He will assuredly stick to this injunction himself, as his flight to
Ohio some day not far off will prove.
Those same guerillas may audit their account with him before our own army reaches
Wheeling.
