The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-08-20

tober iyie, when MIR. Russell embarked
for the T.. States, IN a cartel, which sailed
from Plymouth for New York.
Ii mag also be proper 10 state, that Mr..
III |. Evans, Il very enlightened and tistin-
guished merchant, aud one of the partners
of Mr.. Thomas Mullelt, died about the
time of, or jusi previous 10 the declaration
Of war by the United States against Great
Britain, in June lBl,--and that Mr.. Tho
mas Mullctt, the Senior partner, died in De-
eenlber 1914, during the tendency of the
negotiations at Client, leaving 10 his son,
the innrr aud sole surviving partner OF his
long established house, a large fortune, and
( probably the lnost extensive and valuable
American business particularly with New
York. At thai time enjoyed by any COM
mercial house in London.
Having known HAT respectable house for
many years, ard experienced from them
! many acts of kindness and hospitality, il is
painful To me 10 observe, and stlll more
painful for me 10 know, that under all
these advantages, and within only ninety
days, or Whereabouts from the day of the
death of Mr.. Thomas Mullett, his son, from
causes which will be fully explained in the
sequel, was overwhelmed in ruin, having
from over-confdent speculation, suffered in
that short period the loss, not only of the
entire iortune left him by his father, but
become indebted in an amount greatly be-
yond his means to discharge.
Ii was during conversation with my in
iormant upon this affecting calamity, the
fatal effects of which reached many persons
in the United States, that he gave me the
| following narrative, to account for the cause
of the disasters, which had so suddenly
bciallen that amiable and modest young
man.
lie stated that during the negotiation at
Client, between the British and American
commissioners, Mr.. Jonathan Russell, one
of the commissioners ON the part OF The
| United States, conveyed 10 Mr.. Thomas
| Mullet, (of the said house of Thomas hal-
let, |. |. Evans & Coz from time 10 tIlac,
and until the time of his death, regular add
vices as TO the progress and prospects of
the negotiation at Client. ConGdiHg in the
correctness of the information so received
that house made immense purchases Of
cotton and other American products, winch
were unfortunately held By the surviving
partner, until the sudden and unexp, etad
occurrence Of peace, like destructive
whillnind, swept away his fortune.
1t is necessary here 10 state, which do
upon the authority Of my informant, and
upon the information derived from highly
respectable merchant now in New York,
but who was in London during the pcndcn-
cy of the negotiations n Gllcnt, that from
the moment that Mr., Russell received in d.
tplligcnce of the death OF Mr.. Thomas
Mulleti, he suspended all further commu-
nlcaton 10 thai house. And nOtwithstand
ing the surviving partner received no fur
ther adyiccs from Mr.. Russell, and was in
formed from another and friendly quarter,
that a peace would certainly be concluded
ia a few days and that in consequence OF
the death OF his father, he would NOT re-
ceiye any further advices from Ny. Russell,
he would not be prevailed upon to believe
it, and though repeatedly urged to sell out,
he declined doing SO, fatally conliding in
the accuracy of the information and ady-
ces already received, and biindIy persis-
ting in the belief, Chat had any changes ia
vO'ahle to the conclusion of peace occur
red At Client, Mr. Russell would, in good
faith, have continued his communications
and advIces 10 The house, the same as tho
his father had been living.
Sites was in substance the Information
rccciYcd from the gentleman TO whom al
lrGc, and by whose testimony and BY that
oi the other confidential persons at that time
in the house OF Mcasr5 Mullct, Evans Il
Go. | expect to he able 10 establish the
truth Of the imputatons intended 10 con
vey by the queries addressed to yoa, TN
der the signature of ".7riel."
think il proper also 10 apprise you,
that shall cndcaYor to prove, by the test
mony of person now in France, and by
the oaths of two gentlemen now in New
York, that Mr.. jonathan Russell did also
communicate To another person IN London,
information as Ia the progress and pros
poets of the negotiation at Client, and that
the .frsl private fRiormdsioa u The ptoce re-
ceired an london, tCaS roareycd BY HIM 10
that person.
perceive by The intimatipn of the New
York American of Monday last, that you
have directed n suit to be instituted against
me, for libel, which is alleged to nave
been conveyed by the queries in question,
and that the writ is lodged in TIC o.iice of
the marshal Of the southern district, to be
served upon me- in .NeO iorh, not"ithstan-
ding had advised you, that my residence
was in Vermont, where it would have been
more convenient to me to have attended
10 the defence of the suit in the circuit
court of the United States, for that dis
trict, and which is equally as near 10 your
residence as New York. Nevertheless, as
am DESTROYS there should be no unneces-
sary delay, in bringing the subject prompt
iy and fairly to issue, have written to The
marshal, informing him, that shall, as
soon as my business will admit of my 60
ing TO New York, which shall be before
the return day of the writ, cause my APP
pcarance 10 be endorsed thereon. am
fully aware, that some prudent casuists,