Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-10-16
.Messrs atrsnson and O'ConneH.


dignalion which feel on reading much Of Daniel
OConnells Speech at Birmingham, as is quoted by Gen
Hamilton, we'll as OCs subsequent letter Of the 18th
September Nothing can exceed the gross prejudice,
which this has conceived against the Southern
States unless il he the Infamous calumny which he has
uttered against Virginia, and the coarse language in
which he has given it utterance. We thank Gen, Ha
milton for his mastery and eloquent letter He inhcis
the scourge upon OC for his insoent denuncation Of
every American slave holder and his audacous SANDER
upon the character Of Virginia. He has exposed the
phisry Of O'C-No,hing can exceed in the dignity of
ts reprmand, the closing stroke OF Genera! Eamillons
letter.
We pronounce Daniel OConnels attack upon the
Virginia character 10 be wanton ard an infamous libel
Badly have been treated by many English Tou
rSt DO not believe that Of then has yet ventured
to put forth gratutous assertion If there be any
such aluson in any of them il must be the very low
est of The caste, whose productions have not yet had
strength of wing sufficient 10 cross the Atlantic But
give the most unqualified contradiction to the whole
story. Born in Yirgina-nxing constantly with her
cltizens-famiar as are with her institutions and
manners we have seen, we have never heard of
any such breeding plantations, as this reckless man de-
scbes of any such practices; Of any such appoton'
ment Of the sexes The whole statement is n fable
and nothing but the peculiar circumstances, under which
it is uttered could induce 10 condescend for
ment 10 give it this fiat contradiction. 1t is false 10
Vrginia-It is false to the rest Of the Southern
States Ii is not only unfounded in ITSELF but if Daniel
OConnel had condescended 10 give one moments al.
tenon 10 his assertion, il would have struck him
manifcsty and grossly absurd.
This is bad enough when applied Unfortunately TO
a whole people Il is equally inexcusabe to shrow it
out without the slightest proof agains, single ndiy
dual. How can Mr. Connell reconcile it any
Of decency, 1--WE do not speak Of hospitality TO apply
narous charge, by way of hypothesis, to the
American Minister BY what code Of ethics, does he
make out 10 be ght 10 speak out, 10 allege the most
infamous insinua,ions against The highest American
funclionary in England without the slightest proof Of its
correcness sit is asserted, says this Irish Moras
Who esseris it, Where is your proof: You have
las hp1p cfInn That hay
off your own enons, for the assertions of others
We call upon The whole Virginia Press to speak out
on this occasion and to join its voice TO Let
unite in mailing the calumnator TO the counter
Nor will the contradiction be confined TO the Southern
Press alone. The Editor of the New York Gazette
who is familiar with CUSTOMS has borne his just
and generous testimony IN our behah lie snys
" AS il regards The sIandeIous assertons OF y Con-
NELL in the other portions Of his letter, say with
knowledge and with perfect consideration of what we
say, they fase-as grossly and we believe knowingly
false the coward heart that peiends to feel for the
American negroes Nothing like the disgusting state of
things he mentions ever existed in Virginia any where
else in the u s. Daniel 'Connell is living upon
pence extored per capita from race Of slaves album
dainty ahect than any plantation negroes that can
be found upon this continent.
The other charges, which he has urged against Vir
ginia are. compelled 10 say, equally foul and
false IL the avarice Of Great Britain, which first
forced these slaves upon u.s. Virginia was among the
first 10 remonsra,e She passed laws from time TO time
against the slave trade. The British Government ne
gatived them. When obtained the rights of free
and indie pc nden nation, we stopped the trade-not to
speculate upon those bred, but 10 arrest trade,
which we had attempted long before 10 probbit-and
we arrested it long before Great Britain had done in
her own islands Yet in The generosity and justice OF
his feelings this man wishes to deny US all merit In The
transaction He is pleased 10 ascrbe it TO the ayarice OF
ESQ money loving a as the slave holders. Yet
with all their love Of money doubt whether there Is
slave holder who would stoop TO speculate upon the
feelings Of his counrymen as Mr.. OConnell has done,
=, tho of noopf a.
bitan,s of Ireland No apology he can make no service
he render poor old LELAND conceat the mean.
meas Of the transaction.
Can there be two opinions about The charges he has
made aganstBs' Put the question to any Assembly of
Americans-"As many of you as are OF opinion that
they are Infamous, say aye" One loud shout of aye
would burst from The whole assembly.
But what justice decency can be expected from
man so prrudiced and mpassioned that he once more
throws netts upon the grave Of Washington? man,
who has been Of the most glorious champions oil HUI
man Liberty, that ever lived-,he ornament not only
Of his country, but Of the age in which he flour
shetland whose characte. has drawn from Fox and
from other fiends of freedom in Great Britain the high
est euogiums To defend him agains. Council, is
condescenson to which no American ought to s,ooP.
TO THE EDITOR OF TIE ENQUIRER.
Sir-In the letter addressed 10 you, from London,
on the 18th Of August, enclosing copy OF the cores
pondence which has just taken place between Mr. o.
Connell aud Mr.. Stevenson, promised to investigate
the truth of the declaration Of The former, that the Re-
port of tina, part of the speech at the anti slavery meet
ing at Birmingham, which highly offensive allnsion
was made TO Mr. Stevenson, oas not correct. II now
proceed to redeem this pledge
feel sen.ibIy the very unenyabe no,oriety humble
as my name may be, in having in any degree connect
ed with that of the individual with whose character
am abou, to DEAL with freedom which doubtless will
cn,e me TO large share of bis characteristic abuse
am free 10 profess that should mol have troubled my
SELF with matter comparatively utterly worthless as
the issue, whether MIR. o Cornell bad given occa-
sion spoken the truth the reverse as the public
calumniator OF America, it were no. of some conse
guence fix the precise degree of value TO be attached
10 his authority and to the weight of that moral juds
men,, which he nsultingly and presump'uosy pro-
nounces
Before proceed to the discharge Of this duty allow me
10 explain the circumstances under which my letter to
run of the 9Th Aug Maa wIlien az thai letter you