Although heretofore strangers, nevertheless, I hold to be much indebted for the warm interest you have taken in behalf of my friend, and indeed mutually so of both. Very respectfully, etc., J. P. BOWEN. From every creditable source, profuse attentions had entered through all avenues of the prison wall; and now the defendant’s time for which he had been sentenced was about to expire, preparations were immediately made to honor him with a “reception committee” to greet him from the narrow limits to the realms of liberty, where dwells the broad expanse of earth and sky. Confinement had not corroded the soul’s finer parts; and to show how devoid his mind was of every semblance of prejudice or malignity, a brief extract from his address delivered on that occasion when emerging from his sentence bounds, will be read with some degree of interest. AN EXTRACT FROM THE SPEECH OF THE DEFENDANT BEFORE THE COMMITTEE. “Gentlemen, at this proud moment, the breath of liberty is refreshing. From an incarceration so unjust, you welcome me back to freedom with as much joy as I can possibly experience myself at this instant of time. Rather as a very much persecuted individual than a criminal do you this day consider me. For this demonstration of your kindly sentiments, as well as on all other occasions, my gratitude is tendered in profusion. What is it that can not be endured while being surrounded with friends so devoted and sincere? The reception you have seen proper to give me, removes all doubts as to the manner I will be met by other circles of my fellow beings. Well do I know how hastily judgment is often pronounced without sufficiently discriminating betwixt guilt and innocence. This morning I leave the precincts of prison unconscious of any wrong by me committed, but, on the contrary, am strongly impressed with the convictions that I have materially served my country by giving publicity to the career of a band of men who, for years, held whole States in absolute terror. For this I have suffered, but do not repine, because _time_, the great friend of truth, must eventually triumph. From prison I come not forth burning with vindictive or revengeful feelings against any. Notwithstanding the wrongs endured, I have passed in my own heart an act of amnesty so far as private considerations are concerned, and whatever course may be marked out for the future, only the public good will, in this respect, afford me any interest for subsequent pursuit. To you, and to other large bodies of respectable citizens of Mobile, for petitioning the Governor for pardon, although a failure, yet equally do I return thanks for the best of intentions as though they had been perfectly successful.”