Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-30
TO l7iE EDITOR OF TIE Enquirer.

"WAsAISGroS, Jan. 9th, 1885.
"Ailhonsh indisposed i'll mind and body, have mas.
tered sufficient energy to drop you line by The mail
which takes its departure in few hours. had deter
mined to notice in detail the SILLY outbreak of Mr.
Bell in the House Of Representatives. upon your humble
servant but sumo days being elapsed and tic matter
being Insignificant shall confne myself very few
observations. My charge against llat gentleman and
lr Underwood was, that OF sneering at valiant
army III Florida take the liberty Of referring you 10
tile debate Of the House Wednesday. the 10th Of
january, which will decide the question between
us. In that debate Mr. Bell observed, with what
deem pointed sarcasm that the remedy would be TO
recall one thousand out Of the thousand troops
ne'c there, Florda) for ihe purpose Of hunting up
.fre hundred or thousand IndianS If this be not n
sneer and Of the bittercst kind too, then do not un
dersiand the power Of language. Would not any gen.
tleman having served in the Florida campaign deem
such observation offensive in the extreme, and imply
ing the most contemptuous censure upon The military
character Of the army engaged? Such at least, my
inference, in which have no doubt will be generally
sustained. Mr. Underwood went iurlher-he read, by
consent, anonymous letter, for which he was severely
repre- hended contcmptuousy asserting, " that the mum
Der Of to"s IN Florida eaeeeded The rhoe population q
the Seminole nation including sqna'cs and chiren If
this be sneerng again. then. repeat, do not under
stand the force OF language.
"With regard to the charge of facous opposition, !
think my allegation is sustained oy the dec':on OF me
House npon the question of reference, and Mr. Bells
subsequent course the same day tie alleged, II
recullect Alright that there was nolhlng peculiarly VI.
gent in the topic moved 10 be referred 10 the Military
Committee and asserted in another place, that the pro-
per course would be- TO withdraw nehrd of the troops
from Florida differing BY few thousand from his other
estimate But great minds overlook tres, that require
microscopic vson which suppose the 1nustr'o"s NJ r.
| Bell dsdains AS commentary on his course on that
doy news was received The very evening OF the gallant
conflict in which brave troops met with such Sc.
we're loss The coincidence striking, as 10 ex.
cite general acntion--and have no doubt the no.
nurabie member felt III very sorely Let me tell
Al. n.lN nh ,nNy
with his dignity 10 notice anonymous attacks in the
newspapers. 1t is impo1c too, because il is an ad
mission that he feels himself pinthrd The dcathly
arrow (arundo tethalis) quvcrs in. his side. '-He
ought To retire into quiet nook of Congressional
boar ding house, and there groan in secret over h
wound lie should be the last too, row, TO complain
Of lelter.wrters. He will understand me without fur
Their explanation Besides, have they not been engaged
for in the hard attempt TO persuade the people, tina
the Elk Speaker is great we'll as a loud orator? Ill
ought take little bitter with the superluous sweet
lest it should pail upon his adcd appetite Since his re
turn from his embassy 20 the Federal Holy alliance
Faneuil Hall and Hartford, he seems TO huve becom
peculiarly irritable. Perhaps the events silently WORK
ing III Tennessee may be the cause. He should pardon
little democratic b!unness after The grand Federal din
ner in New York, al $40 head with the names OF the
iuslrious guests, printed silk or satin, and In renc
! too--how distinsuc!
81 will now tell Mr. Bell and his train bands once fo
ALL that will not notice my attacks OF The KIND, eithe
in out THE House, as long as l conhne myself Il
claim ''as large charter as the wind 10 blow on whom
please" When attack private honor or personal in
iegri,y, that will be another matter. But as long as
abstain from that, and such has been my course, and
my determination, shall make bold 10 assa the enc
my with rdicue, argument and in short, every legili
! mate weapon. ! did not commence these letters wilhou
| chaking out TO myself which was ndispensa
bic to their efficiency. 1t to criticize political oPro
politically with the spirit and pungency OF which
] capable, without condescendiug TO notice, excep
for the correction Of errors the complaints and menace
OF those who justly feel themselves sung. thus gir
fue chance those who wish 10 establish reputa
tion for courage, by harmless clustering. | have NJ
doubt that it will be sometimes seized upon as have
noticed that it is very tactic tn insult person
in the House, who from their known religious and mora
sentiments or the quarter of the country from which
they come from previous refusas, it is suspected
will not resort to the code OF honor. Sometimes, howe
ever, woful mistake is committed in this way, of which
! cases in point will be easily recalled My motive
which was formed after due deberaion and advsement
is different ONE and shall be strictly adhered to,
cept indeed should be forgc.u 10 nssail person
al honor or private integrity, for which hold mysel
strictly accountable But my paper out, well as ny
| patience
With great respect, your friend and servant, &c.
"P S. hope am not to incur for this letter, the 6ru
tu,n umsn Of another legislative denunciaon: If SO
trust shall prove able 10 Withstand the bolts Of the Ca
| pitoLine Jupiter, Mr. Bell