Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1838-08-23
DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.
From The ". Y. Epening Star.
DEATH OF PETER w. GRAYSON, Esq OF
TEXAS

w y have the WclanCholy OF laying pe-
fore our readers the authentic details o the late sui
eide OF Mr. Grayson. which has ccassionrd so much
remark throughout the United States They were
politely furnished us by John G Todd Esq. of Tex
as, his friend and associate in the commission ap-
pointed by theTexas Government to purchase vessels
OF war, in this county Mr.. Todd left Texas two
weeks after Col. Grayson. and arlvcdat Lexington
July lAth, and two days after that received tho I'M
expected and distressing intelligence OF the death
OF his friend, which took place nj Beans Station.
a town III the Cumberland mountains OF Tcnnes
Col Grayson was a native OF Kentucky, aud after
filling distinguished civil employmcns in his own
State, removed 10 Texas III 1890. where all who
cur TO the history OF this republic, for tho last
few years viii rceollect that ho has occupied posts Of
high distinction and great responsibility which II Is
unnecessary 10 enumerate. lie was al warm and EN-
thusiasuc temperament, strong in his friendships
chisa,ously honorable in his private character. a
most accomplished member oi the bar, aud In his
mannctsa finished gentleman. His bravery was never
doubted, though II would appear upon his being re-
Gently nominated by some OF hls friends IN Texas
ga,us his wishes Tor the Presidency there those
found rs there always such occasions who stood
ready 10 do the odious work OF bhckcnng ms chai-
aeler, aud To invent cnlumncs II there were no facts
To be found, as there were none IN thls instance 10
sustain thoir base motives. These persons under
took 10 say. that lie had acted with any want OF
courage, but that his conduct had been teprchcnsi
bic on the occasion OF the capture Of Bexar by Colo
mel Milan.
The aspcrsions alleged to be uttered the
authority of the letter of certain Colonel, who
was NJ that time attached To the Texan forces then
At Bexar. Gen. Burlszon, who was also IN command
NJ the time, having head OF the eensuies upon
his friend Col. Grayson, has, like tue friend du-
ring the absence of Mr.. O. 10 tins country, publish
cd III the Houston papers full aud satisfactory rcfuta
ton Of the charges lie furthermore states that
Col. Gthyson, on calling h,s caumniatorto account,
compelled him 10 destroy the offensive letter before
his eyes and write an humble apology as will be
seen by recurring to the journals referred to.
Whatcver surmises, therefore, may have been
tcttaned that Col Grayson went oui Of tho world
with conscience slnng by remorse Tor any dsfcpu-
table act OF his ie utterly without the least ioun
dation. lie was every where beloved aud esteemed
IN Texas and III his State, aud he has left the
earth with u fame unspotled by any bem,sh that
could cause IA sentiment OF regret blush to ms
friends
Ills own last memorial of himself supported as il
Is by the concurrent testimony Of those who have
known HIM from youth. proves that ho has fallen a
victim 10 the morbid melancholy which, without any
special cause, has proved upon his existence tor
many years. And here II is important to premise
that more temperate person, considering the cxct-
ing situation into which ms career has thrown han
during several years past, has rarely existed.
Col Grayson, from tho manner OF his death, his
apprehension OF some mysterious iicnd that pursued
him, and that insanity To be his frcvocablr des-
tiny. might have been imagined 10 have died under
tho influence OF mental alteration caused by acuufse
OF dissipation. So far from tins, his mind
clouded and unexcited by any such cause. II would
have been better for hm TO have lived more gener-
ously and less ahstemously perhaps than he did ~
his intellect would have then, probably been left
in morbdly irrItatel condition from despon
deDcy and habtual indulgence IN iorebodng and
gloomy apprehenslons. ll0 never, or very rarely
drank any occasion other thana glass or two Of
caret at his meals, and never was known TO touch
lima ,I lind
tory consolation To many oihis numerous friends II
will be gratifying To add that he all occasions
the sieadiast advocate Of Temperance, and that ho
deprecated with others the dissoln,o habits of too
many OF those who emigraed to Texas, and looked
forward TO the cheering hope tina, better or
der OF things would arrive. II there any circum-
stance cause that gave particular tngc or char
actcr to the partial INSANITY under which is evident
he had aborcd for years II was that of fearful
skepricsm which had obtained possession Of his
mind on the subject OF religion. We leave that To
the verdict Of higher power, and will conclude
these predatory remarks with saying that from the
a npe information we have received Of the charac-
Of this gentleman, political ambition or private
grIel had, III our opinion, had any thing to do with
his death, much less the futile dispersion made upon
hun by the parilsans of other eminent individuals
nominated for the Presldency--but that a relpious
desp0ndcncy IS the true cause which has deprived
his country of this cslimube man. One word may
be added, that III private lite he was always deemed
Remarkable Iot ms pllOsophC HrmncsS OF character
and his utter repugnanCe TO any sotdl1 or selfish
considerations. HIS county was the Jewel that he
priced and prded himself upon. and whatever my
have been his opportunities to enrich himself by
specuatlons, he has left incident in his life that
lead 10 the suspicion that lie was Influenced
by motives Of seli-aggrandizement.
PARTICULARS OF HIS DEATH.
The following is the memorandum taken by Mr.
Todd from Mr.. Mays, the landlord of the Inn AT
Beams Station, where Col. Grayson committed the
fatal deed:
WrrHE CoURT HOUSE, Va
July Goth, 1888 {
My Dear Potter wrote you last from Harrods.
burg, as | was on my wayto Barboursvle and Beam
Station. When got to Barboursylll. found rha,
Col Love had been there and got all the effects
belonging to our much lamened friend Grayson
He gave me all the papers relating to our mission,
and copy of the two communications which here
with send you. l onl remained there until the ne /
stage, and then went - Beams Station where IN
te ded to communicate with our Government as
we'll as my friends Mckinney, Col Hill, and many
others, who will expect, and think it strange if do
not give them full and early ofths distress
sing and heart rending occurrence. While at Beans
Station felt too sensIby that it useless for me
TO undertake TO write any thing, for there feel
Ing OF gloom and distressing "reminiscences connect
ed with the place, that decided to leave there at
once for Baltimore. Travelling through this noun
famous region, with the thermometer ranging from 80
to ga degrees confined to stage night and day. drink
ing limestone water day and freestone the next,
with very depressed spirits all combined has given
a most violent dysentery, with its usual weakness and
debility. | find myself compelled to remain here un-
til tomorrow, hoping that l will be well enough TO
prosecute my journey. But l am DEPRESSING. Pro-