Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-05-06
POLITICAL.
from tho Alexandria Gozette.1
TO THE PUBLIC.


am no less unwilling than others profess 10 be, to in
troducc my in the columns Of wspaper; but at
the publication which appeared in the Alexandra Ga
the 22d nst subscribed by Edgar Snowden the
Editor of that paper, feel that not only apollo
gy for thus appearing before the public, but that all will
/. see the necessity OF my doing so.
Whilst DO not at all wish to disturb the complacency
with which Mr.. Snowden seems TO think he has placed
me in an une x,ricable "demma, by the exposure" he
has been orced to make yet jusuce TO all parties and
TO truth ITSELF compels me" publish the following copy
OF the letter which addressed TO the Cashier OF the
Bank OF Virginia, end which drew or'h the article that
appeared in tue Richmond Enquirer of the 18th inst
Iave to the about The failure Of the Bank OF Vir
GINA and tUhich letter shocn to Mr.. Snopden
Sunday morning, the 2Oh instant, two days previous to
his publication:
ALEXANDRIA, d. c., 15.h April, 1884
II. Robinson, Esq, Cashier:
SIR:-Regardng the failure OF Banking institution
at any time public calamity, should particularly regret
the failure of the Bank OF Virginia, which has long
enjoy ed the highest confidence, and has been
svey useful and believing that the report now in circu-
laon land which spreading through the State Of Vir
gina) emincny calculated to produce serious
quences the Bank, think it proper (lthough stran-
ger to you inform you OF it, and give you of The
authors, that you may take such your judg
ment will dictate The report is, that the Bank of Wiz.
GINA failed; and it brought TO this place to-day
from Washington by MIR. Snowden, highly respectable
gentleman and the Editor Of The paper in this place. OPP
posed The rep6g Ofcourse, excir
ed much surprise and regret with many persons and /.
with several gentlemen, went board Of the steamboat
which arrived here THIS afternoon with the Southern mall
to ascertain whether the report correct, and
much pleased TO hear that il was not, and Immediately
called Mr. Snowdens office 10 correct the report that
he had brought ON Washington, and learned from him
that the Hon. Henry Clay, OF the u States Senate, was
his author.
will not undertake TO say what Mr.. Clay's motive
for giving currency such report, or how imprudent
it him do occupying the high station he does
will simply remark, that the Hon. ID. w. Leigh is said
to have given countenance TO the repor but as have
not positive proof oft, not disposed TO believe il; but
that Mr. Clay has, there is ihconestible proof
Respectfully, JNO. nj. JOHNSON.
By the fore going letter it will appear, that in writing
il, governed by disposition TO enable the Bank TO
guard itself and the community against the evil conse
quences likely to grow out oil report assang its sdven
cy and that report 10 its 1t will also a
pear that have spoken throughout Of the report oil the
failure OF the Bank. In the first place, l speak Of the
''report now 10 circulaioD which believe Calculated
TO produce serious consequences TO the Bank" Again
say he report that The Bank OF Virginia has failed aud
il was brought to this place to-day from Washington by
Mr. Snowden" &C.; again, "the report Of course, excited
much SURPRISE, &C.. again, That went "to the steam
boat to ascertain whether the report correct &c
and Immediately called at MIR. Snowdens office 10 cor.
rect the report that he had brought from Washington
learned from him that the Hon. Henry Clay, of The
"U States Senate, his autbor"-of WHAT Ms author
of the report counsel And finally, observe that 90" viii
not undertake to say what Mr.. Cays motive was for
giving currency TO such report"
When is held in recollection, that had shown my
letter Mr.. Snowden two days before his publication
and explained him that did not conder Mr.. Clay The
originator Of the report but his author and also desired
him il he had been misunderstood, 10 make a statement in
writing Of what he did say and would have IL published
in the Enquirer, il will be that there necessi-
ty for tie lsbored effort he has made to prove, by his
the truth of my statement For Mr.. Snowden says, that
Mr.. Clay had told Of there being such a rumour in
Washington that morning." &c. MIR. Hewitt says,
understood you say that ii reported tuoured
ia the city whence you had only lew saoHeuts return
ed that the Bank Of Virginia had failed, and that Mr. Clay
had said 10 you that such report curentin Washing
ton" Mr.. Dixon observes, In zion with The name
OF Mr. Clay you said, Mr. Clay had observed YOU that
he had understood the Virginia Bank had failed tina;
that the in w dshington." The other witness.
speak 10 the effect. Here then is full and n.
contestble evidence OF the truth Of what have said that
Mr.. Snowden brought from Washington "rep0y OF The
failure Of the Bank OF Virginia, and gave up Mr. Clay
the author Of that "reporf."
Ii will be in the Aexandra Gazette Of the 6h in
san-he morning after the conversation above alluded
tothat Mr. Snowden states, cit currently reported
"snd generally believed, in the District yesterday, that
" the Bank Of Virginia Richmond, had Jailed on Mon.
"day The members Of Congress generally beleoed IT,
several Of them reported tO u.s." Now, although he
here says "the members Of Congress generally beieoed
useversl Of them reported IL to u.s., yet IL will appear
that Mr. Clay the only member named alluded to-
in the conversation between MIR Snowden and myself the
evening before.
With regard IN the aIluson made by Mr.. SnowdoD, that
am can officer attached 10 the Custom House In this
place., thereby trying to convey the degrading idea tina,