Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-04-01
with view to place it, In all its circum
stances, in the most satisfactory light.
AL which is respectfully submitted.
JAS. MONROE.
DEPARTMENT Of State. FED 12th, 1915.
No /.

Richmond, Nop %, 1914
SIR do myself the honor to enclose to
You letter from nv friend, Mr. Cabell. and
one frcm Mr.. John Tabb Smith, the magis
trate before whom the affidavit was made.
2 copy Of which I transmitted to the presi-
dent. MIR. Cabeil has written 10 major
Griffin. to eudeavor to procure the original,
and if ne should Fortunately obtain it, will
lose no time in forwarding it to you.
have tho honor 60 be, very respectfully,
sir, your most obedient servant,
ST. G. TUCKER.
John Graham, ESQ.
Department Of State, Washington.
No 9.
Copy ofa letter from Joseph c. Ca6eH Esq.
10 the Hon Sc George Tucker dated
Richmond, Nov. %, 1914.
NV Dear Sir-I have received your favor
of the 18th instant, embracing an extract
from the letter recently written to you by
MIR Graham, of the Department of State,
ON the subject Of the resolution OF the Senate
of the United States, OF the Oath ult.
I distinctly recollect all the material Cir
cumstances in regard to the copy of the affi-
tlavit. which you forwarded TO the president.
About the period that Maj Thomas Grfiu,
Of York, went on board the British squad
deavoring to recover his negroes, who had
gone off 10 the enemy happened to be in Will
Harrisburg. The destination of the slaves that
had been taken or receiv. by the British,
was then subject Of curiosity a. concern
throughout the lower Country. i Understood
that seafarng man, OF the name Of VIII
lians, who had been 4 prisoner with the en-.
envy, aud had recently arrived at Hampton,
had gone in company with Major ! hon,as
Griffin, of York. before John Tabb Smith, a
respectable magistrate, Of the county of Eli
sabeth City, and had made oath. that, while
a prisoner in enc of the Bahama islands, he
had been present at tile sale of the negroes
that had been carried of from the vicinity
Of Hampton and Norfolk that the negroes
we're sold at high price, and thai a negro
carpenter, from Norfolk. was purchased for
a thorsapd dollars Several gentlemen, of
the first responsibility, who had conversed
with Maj. Griffin, informed me that he spoke
of Williams as man whose appearance en-
titled him to credit, and that he had accord
ingiy published the affidavit in the town of
York. Through the medium Of Mr. Coke,
Williamsburg, procured copy Of this
paper, which / handed 10 you, and was for.
warded by you to the President This affi.
davit was subject of general conversation
about that time. The circumstances under
which Williams arrived at Hampton the
manner in which he described the negroes
sold in the Bahamas, and particularly the
carpenter from Norfolk, and the appear
ance of entire sincerity in his narrative, left
no doubt, / was assured, on the mind Of CT
thcr Mr. Saith or major Griffin, that the
alledged sale had actually taken place I
did not see major Griffin nor did inquire
what he Intended 70 do with the origin al sc
Edavit of Williams; my conjecture was,
that he would send it on to the committee
OF Congress, charged with the business of
collecting proof Of the barbarous conduct Of
the war, by the enemy Asst seems he has
rot done so, presume it remains in sis pos
session. will write Immediately to him.
with the view of ascertaining whether this
be the fact and if it be, to request the ia.
vor Of him to enclose me the affidavit.-The
result of my inquiries of that gentleman shall
DE made known to you without delay.
In the interim, remain, most respectful
IL and sincerely, yours, &c.
JOSEPH C.CABELL.
No. 8
Cory ofG isfferf rsrn Joh'' Ta6b Smith, esg
10 Judge Tucker. dated
Hampton, Nov. 81, 1914.
SIR-Your fav or have now before me -
Some time in the year 1913, there came be-.
fore me a captain Williams Il think his
name was) in company with major Thomas
Griffin. of York, with the affidavit you speak
of in your letter, which he swore TO before
ine, and gave my certificate thereto /
then gave the affidavit to major Critic, and
expected to see it published in one of the
Richmond papers, but never heard of il
since but from your letter, expect the
original Can be got from major Griffin. But
ifitis misiaid. / well recollect the substance
ofthe affidavit. and will render you any ser.
vice in my power.
/ AN, with respect,
JOHN TABB SMITH.
lift can be got from major Griffin. il had
better be in the captains own words. with
my certificate. ITS.
Sc. George Tucker, EGG. De.
No f.
York, Virginia, FED. is. 1918.
SIR-Your favor 81 the 9th instant has
been received. have examined my papers
and cannot find the original affidavit Of cap-
tain Williams, therein alluded to. The copy
I gave Mr.. Cabeil was literally correct the
original has been mislaid or 1 fear los, in
the hustle Of moving papers from hence so
frequently as has been done, to place them
without the reach of the enemy during the
war, will again examine and endeaVor to
recover the sfFidavt, and will forward the
a.. r.