Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-04-19
COMMUNICATION.

The production which appeared in ysur
paper Of the l2ih inst. over the signature of
Mr.. Archibald p. Stuart, 10 of 90 singular
a character, after tho strong effort made bv
me in my former ccmmun ication to save biz
feelings whilst did justice to my own that 1
really feel at some loss TO knew hsw proper-
~ TO reply toit. Al one time I thought il
was probably best to take no notice IF il at
all subsequent reflection induces me 10 en-
terrain different opinion, because silence
might he construed into an admission. on INV
part, Of The facts relied upon by him for the
partial justification Of his conduct. I shall
do this withou. asperily, for 1 verify believe.
from the extraordinary assumption Of facts
made ny Mr. S. tina, something has been op-
Grating upon his feelings--evil counsellors,
or some ether cause-tbsi has produced n
strange hallucination Of the mind. can
hardly believe that he would wilfullv m,.-
represent facts, and YET there has been with
in the short compass o. his communicated
the holdest assertion and the most extraord;,
nary assumption Of facts having no FONDA.
tion in truth, that perhaps were ever com
pressed into The same space. I will point 10
lew ofthe most prominent.
Mr.. StuarPs first effort 10 10 account, sat-
islactorily, for his resort TO the Press. under
shcti'lous signature in = contest about a pub
Tic road, without any intent TO prejudice ths
public mind against his adversary or his
cause. 1t was point il bis defence boIh
diihcuit AID important /; Tor an atiemp, tn
prejudice the public mind upon subject Ina,
IS 10 be submitted 10 the tribunals OF Justice.
where both parties ought 10 lie fairly heard.
ny testimony given on oath, 10 an offence a.
gainsi pubic justice OF no inconsiderabls
grade. Mr.. S. felt it to be SO. He knew
that the Jurisdiction of questions in relation
TO Changes Of roads was Conferred nv law
upon the county courts. He also knew tina,
an address to tho public thro' the.news.pa.
pers TO effect his object was no, only illegal.
but highly improper. He felt that, under
such circumstances, the implication of ma
lice was strong; TO avert il, he assumes these
tacls, VIZ. that had secured the Lawyers of
Staan,on, in my behalf, by employ ing some
10 advocate my cause and NY hiring others To
remain siient-and that thereby siiflled the
seice OF me people demonstrating against the
road. There is not the shadow Of a founta-
tion for these allegations had retained bu,
tv'' lawyers and they were boil, employed "a
advocate my cause. hat neither hired nor
spoken 10 any other TO remain silent. Nor
Is 1t tree that the voice Oi tho people opposed
70 The road vas sufed. They emlaoy ed two
other lao yers Of the Staunion Bar, " no pse-
fsrred their petition and responsiveness: their
case was heard aud fully discussed before the
Court On consider alien whereof The Court
oVerruted their petition and remonsirance az
the record will show. Tbs same record will
further show that Mr.. S. did not sign this
petition or resnonsiraaee, ald surely he who
never sought 10 be heard before the tribu
nails Of justice Of all others, has least right 10
complain that j. order to be heard he was
compelled to resort To the press. But if the
tribunals oil justice, had been closed against
him, AZ he alleges, and he was compelled 10
resort T., the press, why did he moi come fnr,l,
under his own proper signature at the time.
aad complain vi this act OF oppression! WHY
some cut IL months thereafter, under fcti-
tious signature, just after heavy fall ofsnow.
when all the reads, and especially ssw ones.
were ~ wretehed order, to excite the people
OF The N: Mountain to opposition, and tn. bet
Ter 10 effect that object, 10 enCeasour TO mr.
JUDGE me in their estimation.
have no recollection that any viewer mr.
Com'ss'r. Of the MMldIebrook road ever made
the strange and improbable remark 10 me-
that che would have the road in spite ofma."
A viewer or com'r. who could make such n
remark would show tina. he was no longer
impartial land OF course no longer qualified 10
act. never vas on the ground with apy
viewers under The old law. Last summer I
attended the C9m'ssrs. on The h;iddIebrook
road at the hill alluded to, adjoining NJ.
Craig's land. authorized them TO locate
The road thro' my lands at that point, in any
direction they pleased and that would make
no claim for damages they did so, the road
was established, and 1 released my claim for
damages, on The record.
MIR. 5. takes the liberty of ilterroeatmg
me as TO my sacrifices for .he public good and
my support of the cause of Internal Improve.
men,. Now should like 10 know who this
IL, that speaks with such authority upon the
subjects Of patriotism and public spiri, 4,
What evidence has be given through life of
patriotic feeling and devotion 10 The public
interests! Has he made any sacrifices 10 tho
public good! or has he patronized any pub
lie Improvement? II he has not, by what
authority does he undertake to enquire what
others have done? But lei that pass. For
whilst DO not admit any authority in MIR.
D. thus to Iatsrrogats toe, yet choose TO
answer, lest by declining, some might ssp,
pose could mol answer satisfactorily. Briefly
then, ! am shareholder 10 a considerable a.
mount IN several incorporated companies;-
IN The New Shenandoah Coin the gress
Central improvement, the James and Ka-
nawbs Co in the Staunton and SceltsvilIs
!urnPike-In the Warm Spring mountain
turn pke--and in the proposed road from
Siaunion 10 Gov ingion. True 1 did notsu
scribe TO The Valley Rail road, because, in
common with many intelligent men, ! con-
sIdesed the scheme visionary and impractj-
cabls-and in common with them, prefer
red Railroad 10 Scottsvillo.
Bot il seems, that in the opinion Of Mr.. S.,
no man can be said In have dana anu tb;,..