The importance of the subject required that some one should write a history of The Prisonebs of State" during the Administration of the late President Lincoln. This was due to the Muse of History to "The Prisoners of State" to Posterity and to the Country. By a resolution of a Convention of "The Prisoners of State," held in the city of New York, the Author was selected the Historian of the "Association of State Prisoners." This work, therefore, comes before the public in an authentic form. It has been impartially prepared, and "Will a round unvarnished tale deliver."....." Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice." Everything appertaining to the history of our country her institutions the sovereignty of her people her liberties her progress, and her destiny must necessarily interest the American citizen. The liberty of the citizen is the great prop of Free Government, The reader will at once see the importance of putting on record the facts detailed in this volume, while they are fresh in the minds of the people. As a matter of history, how interesting, not only to the reader of to-day, but, also, to the youth of the country, for generations to come!"