Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-12-09
TO r"a EDITOR Of THE sgIl .nr.reAN p 4Oyenrr'rn.

WaShingtoa, 9Th .Nov 1880
SIR:-Tho circumstances which have rendered il
necessary Tor me once TO address YOU aud which
have prevented me from dong unit! this moment;
are briefly these: The letter. published in your paper
Of the 22d inst in reply to mine of the I3h contained
declaration which equivocal, and which seemed
TO me 10 be susceptible Of inerpreta personalv
OFFENSIVE Unwilling to indulge in bypo hesis, by i'm.
Punng 10 lts author meaning which he had intend
cd III using 1t, TO convey, thought it proper to
address to him direct enquiry this subject His
answer has just reached me and willie il eives ma
pleasure to do Justice the frankness OF his dsavows
regret the necessity of these b,i,f observations.
lhat gentleman is, think, by ths line entirely as
sured that THE correspondence did originate in any
desire to Justify my conduct So Tar that was con-
ceTned, would have relied with perfect cor 6depcs on
the di'cernnent OF the public. Neither it my cb-
jet to invoke protection" With unaffected reIuc-
lance to engage ia any species of con fovsrsy a1
nevertheless sensible that i ny duty, and hope
have the ability to proie ct myself No sir addressed
you under the influence OF very different motive Ii
wa purpose 10 expose the papable iniusce az well
az tn Difiies ndeco um which had marked tie man.
ner OF announcing the toast which has given rise 20
this coffrspondence. was wen assured that this in
decorun hgd escaped the notice of those who vera
witnesses al The iranssclon-that more than ind
yduaI at the Festive board had left it natural an
ingenious mind should feel such an occason--and
That cal to order, sustained, aequiesced in had i'm
mediateiy followed the eloquent dsplay Tor which 4
had unwiltinsly furnished the tfeme Bot such was
not The view Of this proceeding which was presented TO
me pubic. Originating in a'se hypoihesis the mar
ralve was also deficient in least of the most
striking incidents Of the evening. Ii was due then to
myself TO the principal actor in this Transaction and
we PuOhc, mat II should not he permitted repose ia
the obscuri'y which enVeloped il.
did not require to he assured, that my purpoe has
been fulfilled The ieebIenessof that Wind cation which,
however Z" de6cient in precision" certainly not
put together 10 haste, IL itself the most decisive evil
dence OF this fact Constrained to address
ii prolong for moment this irespass on your
time, by the expo'ure OF of the iaiacies of that
vin1icadon, II IL only be 'ause OF the spirit In which
is written.
A sentiment, which confessedIy a mere Z" fru-
lem, Is nevertheless Represented so have been Of
" iu6ammaiory tendency" NJ TO have excited apPre-
hsDsion and alarm-as " FIRE brand" which Of course
eToused warm" and e" indignant personal feeipg'--
AZ an undoubted iniznity," cslcust d 10 Bring IFS
author into jeopardy, and to the social enjoyment
Of the evening confess my inability to understand
how he uueTsDce Of Uud0ubfed hUth, (ior such
take to he the meaning Of ihe term, which 10 used
descriptive 81 ibis foas could have been productive Of
such alarming effects In the records OF cut auuivet-
sary ceIrhfaions there are, l appFehend, multiplied
IN .fsnces OF the expresson OF uuisms" which
are neither deemed Unapt Inappropriate those 10Y.
Qua occasi)n1, and still lees cohsdered offensive be.
cause they are true. | have moreover yet 10 learn.
That the great body o those TO whom his toasD
commuoicated, have any " principles" which would
reDoft from the annuneation Of truth. do not mean,
however, At this, any other line 70 question the
verify Of this ntatioo but may be permitted
10 admire ire vivacy Of ginatiop 70 which The pic
vpduobtsdiy iie g~ouipcss; add frankly 10 de-
dare, that have in vain faxed roy memory sors gar