Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-11-17
To Gen. JAnEs IIAmILq


NORFOLK October 18th 1895
Geztlemen-I desire, with grateful sense Of tIe ,;s
ting shed compliment Which portion of the citizens Of
nori Dix have paid to acknowledge in suitable terms
me very Kind invitation which favor of yesterday
obiginsy conyeys-Phe shortness of my stay in vour
city, sueradded TO DESIRE long since expressed rshe
TO see IN future my occupations in domestic duties and
private engagements than 10 challenge the smallest pub
nc distinction compel me 10 decline an honor which
do not. ON this acconnt, the less sensbyy feel
The datlcring ausioDr which yea have been Dcased
TO maize to services which have no other claim to
your al probation than the motive which imueieJ them
derives an inestimabe value on the urct from, which
1t proc' eds-As citizen of South Caronss whatever
may ht We been my hnnbe participation in events which
sgnaiized her recent resistance n system of Leoisl
ton, winch she deemed Unconstitutional partial and nm
Just nave always considered that the of that re-
slstanc, was TO be found in the old and kDr accen,ed
doctrims OF Virginia. Connected believe these
uocu's TO De wHh the sovereignty of the States and
presery ton of the Union, let hope that they NAV 10
as eternal as The mighty truths with ShcA they are as
sociated - ~
The crisis 20 whch YOU refsy gentleman, 10 i,daod
momer toIs-one which requires all the wisdom firm
ness ua'd circnnsPchon which the South can bring to
Dcar under coD}uHSturc of nor cxod or
aitcui ana eiIIbaFrSssmCnt Bat still our rights con.
suuIo nal and International, clear and
the value OF the Union and public peace so infinite
=. NOSE potonS OF oar country wl'sre both Ia been
threate ned by da sgerous and Dcendarv nssocation
at cannot 6nl hope that this crisis, portento~s as il
may So en- VIII pass of and only leave the relations of
the several parts of this conieSracy better defined and
ceened by moFs peseei spirit of ami,y and concord
but III This anticipation (Which IL is the hest dctah, ,c
patriotism that should all cterisI rs long as hone can
hho an aoiding place with and probability il des
uhed To be defeated, have abundant reason 10 bless
and thank the God of all nature and truth that lie
south has such amps for her o w Sc r. projection
WIN such territory and such population ms stretch
from the shores of your noble Bay the immense yaNe
oil me west where calculation seems TO keen poe.
WIN TIE miracles Of human enterprise what have we 10
rear: The hnntFt5 millions alone of ANIMAL ueabh
winch our soil yields, with auence beyond all n,e
V"u' example an history enougls in 10
purchase Tor MS not only security, but the
friendly alliance OF the whole world
III the adverse umens which must lead 10 resvlt ro,c
u be dePloed, ara To be aVered, much nnon
the position which Virginia occupy ssndiag rs
she does, both geographically and morally on the veIv
iromper OF this mighty questions If she is able with n
perfect security to rights of property and life 10 our
very homes and hresides, ard toadd likewise
MY to the Union, know do not promise more il,an
sSouth Carolina viii perform, when say that sI,e yy
ne oy her side blasting the rainbow of peace that r
upon the horizon OF this confederacy but whether this
sign and covenant of pence-comes or not she will End
us near her, eTen If be in the hogr Of darkness .,
death. an" Vi
pray yon, Genteneen to accept my best thanks G,r
your KIND atehioRs, andto be assured of Tie esteem,
with which 80 '0''"
am, very respectfully,
Your obliged and obsdisnt servant
IT. =, . J. HAMILTON
To Niger Myers, Vim, W. Sharp Henry S AIma,d
duncan Robertson, John $. Milison John N Tnzs
vel, Wii!am +. CuGninSham, Joseph H. Robertson.
Esquires