alternatehistory.com

Letter from John Forster Telford to his mother in Gateshead

Dear Ma,
I'm sorry for what has happened. I guess when you heard about the court marshal it was bad enough, but now I'm on the run it must be harder still. I can't tell you where I am, but I'm keeping well. I didn't know what was going to happen when they broke me out, but I couldn't let my mates down. I didn't join the terriers to shoot people I knew though and I know da would think the same – aye and granda too if he were here.
I'm not on my own ma. There's lots of us now and lots of people willing to help us. Don't believe all this talk of a revolution though ma. I know there's been talk of us having our own country in the North, but that ain't the same as revolution. We are just standing up for ourselves. Even Mr Churchill has been talking about a Parliment for us up here, just like the paddys want.
I can't come back home ma. I'd be locked up for ages – I might even be shot. If things work out I might be able to come back some time. If not then maybe I could go to Canada or Australia – maybe even join Uncle Jack in America.
Got to go now ma. Give my love to Ginny and Molly
your son
Jack.