Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-01-05
From Gc Ricbmoni Jgnig.
TO THE pTEJfC

Gus to my reputation, ask OF the pubic die ,.stice
TO read my defence
, resided in Lynchburg, 10 the end of the year
1895 and there had the misfortune from different
causes, TO make many personal enemies. Durint-
i1y residence III that place, contest ensiing Vi
client leeli2g, was waged between two parties the
one seekinstO retain their aiccidancy in the Far
mcrs' Bank, the other to produce reform and roy
oiution. took part with the latter and with
warmth Amongst our advsrsaries, was Mr. Tho
hiSgln6otharn, more than any other, obnoxious TO
an conducting paper III Lynchbu.g at the
uine, received different ANONYMOUS attacks OF
very llllammatory character, upon tho private liz.
Oh mr. Higginboiham. These 1 had no view or
WISH 10 publish, but willing 10 annoy MIR. II they
suggested quiz, which proceeded to put into
execution. wrote to him, that unless he adyanc-
eu me certain sum OF money upon loan, would
publish the attacks upon him III my possession; an
upon his silence, repeated the demand and the
threat and even called in person to enjoy the state
OF perplcXity in which believed him placed He
remained passive, and surprising that he penetrated
my o.gect, and that the amusement [ proposed TO
myself and friends was defeated, | thought no
more OF 1T. L was very young man at the time
hld perhaps neither did justice the true charac-
ter oil Mr. I'll. which stands fair to the world nor
PAID the proper difference to his age and feelings
looked upon him as Il niser, and as a lit subject
tor game, AID acted accordingly.
Recent circumstances have caused this thought
less tranGacon to be imputed 70 me as the darkest
sui!t-ihe i.ynchburg Jackson Address, written
rs 1t appeared to under great excitement chara
ed the administration Address from the same place
wlti borrowing the language otUnprncipIcd men
'lc0ncuCtng Public Presses, in the paw OF the Adj
minlsr'on. ! considered this charge thou gh couch
ed II general terms as ieveled at me particularly &
Tor the reason, that the terms factious and un
prncipled,' alleged TO have been borrowed by the
Administration Address in Lynch5urg from = I'M
punclpled men, sc. were terms used by me nj a
very early stage OF the present Presidential contest
and applied to certain persons in the Senate of the
Omtei states Believing it TO have been intend
ed TO charge me individually, | east about among
lhe committee 10 discover the author and finally
from various reasons; as believing that no other
man iet so much hostility TO me as TO impute such
charge upon suspicion that / was sold to the
Administration; from finding that others agreed with
me III opinIon and from imaginary siInilitude of
style, l settled down in the conviction that Mr..
VIM. Radiord was the author. lie was president
OF the Farmers Bank at the time referred to- and
the lengths to which party spirit had then carried
both sides, believed had left in his mind stron,
personal resentment and dislike. However pla,i-
sible the reasoning by which inferred him TO be
the author, was after all mistaken. The author
proved TO be Judge of the General Court as re-
marketable Tor the violence of his preiudices, as for
me power OF his intellect powerful though that be-
When discovered my error I was mortified and
distressed at IL and prepared TO make every atone
ment In my power to MIR. RadfOrd's feelings Nv
nearing OF ms making threats alone prevented me
My attack upon him, admit was rude, but consi-
dering that the address OF which believed him the
author, had charged me as believed. and others
believed, with being sold the Administration.
some allowance will DE made for my feelings hv
the public.
BY way of avenaing himself, Mr. r. i,nrncdi-
ately made public my letters TO Mr.. fIigginbotham.
imputing TO me, the infamous purpose OF extorf
ing money from Mr.. II. by threats, and circulated
nose letters extensively, and as injurousy as ex-
trnSVcly TO my reputation. Aiy object ia this de-
fence being explanation and not criluinaton, |
proceed to address the public on the former
NY defence IS addressed 10 the reason of every
man who reads. have no evidence TO command
the conviction OF the public | mentioned 10 a
gentleman, then citizen of Lynchburg. with
whom / was on familiar terms my purpose of
quizzing Mr. H.-Hc does not remember thn
essential circumstances.-Passing over his evil
dence, as Unavailiug to me, | ask the pi,biic ia
consider the following circumstances: Mr.. Hir-
glnbotham and myself, were enemies. open ana
deciafed--Hot merely party enemies, hut person
ally hosule-ior there was no interchange Of
friendly relations between us whatever Isif ra-
uonal TO suppose or credible to bclive that |
would put my reputation absolutely Ia tl., newer
OF known enemy, for or 800? Had bccn
conscious al the time of disliogorahic p,f-1,,se in
wiring To Mr.. Higsin6Othan, viii i, be believed
mat would have adopted and attcupted To eff, -
that purpose, and surrendered the fair name which
had tie happiness 10 enjoy for a loan of S8 or
PlOO: Had imagined that had placed myself II,
Mr. $ power, would | have continued to act
against him as party with the same violence
mat hal done before? Had [ been conscious
mat III attempting reflri0us purpose | had MAG.
cd myself absolutely in Mr. IFS power. yo,,i1 +
not have cssayed 10 concatc him and prevail on
ann either to observe slcnce or to restore the let
lcTs; would recently have attacked My Rad
lord, the party and personal friend of Mr. H. anil
10 whom knowledge of the transaction was so
prcoaDle, and indeed certain il / had inagined
myself IN their power; ~ understanding il hum
oie enough; Yet TO have acted as mv encr,ie.
! suppose me to have acted. argues not merely
weakness, but dcsttution of an sense.
nave no more 10 say. An act OF inron siderlfe
| Jolly, committed many years ago, in the heat of
youth aud party slii. has given my enemies an
advantage over me, and they have used il ,iure-
ncrously and cruelty. Fool a. the charge makes
me, they seem TO consider me of consequence
enough 10 sacriiice, and appearances sustain them
! ask no sympathy or coumiSscration Of any man
u ms reason does not acqut nc-if he does not
mink 1t more probable that had amusement than
Viiiany IN view, let him condemn me / have had
Inc happiness from the time of INV bovbooJ OF
a numerous circle of friends ami acnusiti3pccs
| throughout the State-since manhood I have had
Pecuniary transactions with thousands Of persons
Ill any one Of either class, has ever s,sn i'm mo
disposition to deiraud any man-if on tlle other
I hdnd, have not been in all such aud an o:hcr
transactions, far, howe, unfortunate anil nm
! suspected, however rash and inpctious I aim
content to suffer n their Judgment annex the
statements Of MIR Smith Of the Council, and OF
Dr. James Saunders.
JNO. H. PLEAsANTs.
Richmond, Dec. -, 1871.
q" / have an indistnct recollection Of having
heard. some years ago, (when do not exactly re-
membcr) OF letter written 10 Nr. Thomas Ilir-
ginbOtham Of LynClburg, by some YOUNG gentle
men, Of whom Mr. John ". Pleasinfs was one. the
object of which was 10 alarm Mr. IHrginbotham.
and furnish amusement at his own expense So
slight was the impression made on my mind By
! this occurrence. that never thought seriously Of
~ Inc contents Of the letter were wholly uf,-