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39 speak in terms of indignant denunciation of those who are responsible for the privations I suffer. If I made, or sought to make, the officers of the garrison the 'instruments' to convey my complaints, it was because I am denied any other alternative. The invidious allusions which you have deemed it necessary to make in regard to me, I need not, and do not propose, now, to discuss. But you will permit me to remind you that if you have duties to discharge, I have rights to vindicate. The only one of these which has not been absolutely destroyed, is the right of free speech within the narrow bounds of my prison, and this it is my duty and purpose to defend to the last. In the exercise of this poor privilege I wrote the letters which I knew were to pass into your hands. As you have forwarded to the Adjutant-General the correspondence between Lieutenant Wood and yourself, I beg that you will do me the justice to forward also this note. I remain,

"Your obedient servant,

"F. K. HOWARD."

To the foregoing note, lie wrote this reply:

"New York Harbor, 24th October, 1861.

":

"Please say to Mr. Howard, that I cheerfully forward his note of the 23d inst. to Colonel Townsend, agreeably to his request.

"However much the efforts of this Government have fallen short of the expectations of the prisoners, to make them as comfortable as they may desire, still I must say that every exertion is being made by the Government for that purpose, and such exertions will certainly be continued.

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

"MARTIN BURKE,

"Colonel-Commanding."

"

"Commanding Fort La Fayette."

My father, to whom Colonel Burke's letter had been read, wrote to the Secretary of War, denying Colonel Burke's allegations, and charging him with neglect of duty. 6