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The "decent subsistence" offered us, in the alternative of our declining, or not having the means to provide for ourselves, is much inferior in many respects, to that furnished to convicted felons in the Baltimore Penitentiary and Jail; and so far as I am informed, in any well-regulated prison in the country.
"The officers here advise us, that this is the only fare which, under the instructions given, and the means allowed to them by the Government, they can offer. How far such treatment is in accordance with the instructions of the Government, as expressed by the Department of State, with the assurance given to me personally by yourself, or with the promises voluntarily made by Major-General John A. Dix, and Major Wm. W. Morris, I leave it, sir, for you to judge.
"I have the honor to be
"Your obedient servant,
"CHARLES HOWARD."
"Fort La Fayette, N. Y. Harbor, August 19th, 1861.
"Hon. WM. H. SEWARD, Sec' y of State,
Washington, D. C.
"Sir:
"My family were informed by Lieutenant-General Scott, under date of the 3d inst., that an order had been given ’by the Department of State, that the political prisoners confined at Fort La Fayette shall be decently lodged and subsisted, unless they prefer to provide for themselves.' About the same time I was advised by Lieutenant-Colonel Burke, commanding this post, that his instructions were 'to treat us kindly, but keep us safely.' I beg leave, sir, to inform you that your order has not been complied with. It cannot be considered as 'decent lodging' to put a number of gentlemen accustomed to the comforts of life, to sleep in one low vaulted room, in or at the door of which they are confined, except for two hours in the twenty-four. The number sleeping in the room in which I am now placed, has varied from five to seven. There are now here, six of us. The only subsistence provided for us by the Government, as the alternative of providing for ourselves, has been the proffer of the single ration, distributed here to the private soldier, which is inferior
