South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1839-09-12
~ -. 1:s.

tives from Bedford, ON some public bu-
slnesS al his lodgings, in the evening
lie was undresSed, and about TO go Ia
bed but entered into conversation with
me on the subject of NV business IN
the course Of which he referred to the
character Of the volunteer troops from
Philadelphia, who had been in service
IN the preceding month of December
at this place lie spoke very lavora-
bly, OF them, and said that i was ,ccN
for Them that 50 mony Of Hem ,cere De-
mocraiS, as ofhcr105Sc they aoouM nercr
haUe hrsd 10 hare rc0ched HUriSJwg.
He then stated that on the announce
mcnt here that the troops from Phil
adclphia would obey the order of the
Governor, and would march for Harris
burg, IL ,ces agreed by Himself and two
or three others whom he dill not name,
To prerent their arriraL at this place ut
all ha7UdS, supposing at the moment
that, as the troops belonged to Phila-
delphia, they were all Wings, and IA
Yorable 70 the State Administration.
To carry out this agreement, he said
it was determined TO remoUe a fer Of
Ne TuiB on The rGih0dd nt the most dan
@crouS part of II, nad also TO form %
mine undr ihiS eIpoSed Dart, TO be fill
Ell lriM gunDoWder, so that IN the con-
tusion which wouM arise from the train
ot cars containing the troops beng o.
rerthroUn Ly thus running of the track,
THE NINE MIGHT BE SPRUNG, AND
THE WHOLE poDY or THEM BE BLOWN
INTO THE AIR TOGETHER For this
purpose, he himself hed purchased three
barrels ofgunpoleder, and said that he
hcd paid forty dollwS ont ot his oWn
pocket for The purchase. To convince
me that he was serious in what he sta
ted 10 have been their design, he fur
Their said that his associates therein
were men of tried courage, and, hav-
ing been officers Of the army during
the last war, knew how to execute the
project they had conceived.
This design was abandoned by them
in consequence of information having
been received subsequently, TO the pur-
chase ofthe gNnpowder. that the troops
then on their route from Philadelphia
were not all OF the same political par
! ty. large portion of them belonging
TO the Democratic party, 20 which Col.
NJ Elwec and his associates in this de-
sign alsc belonged, He further said
! that it was to this circumstance alone
that the arrival ofthe troops from Phil
adelphia at HARRISBURG without injury
or loss was tG De attrioated. Inc q - -
S. S., :, 10 a3andoned because it woulC
have been impossible TO have separat-
ed the Democrats from the Wings in
It's execution, and protected them from
the danger of the explosion.
A. j. PLEASONTON.
| Coz. PLEAsoNToN, IN explanation.
! deem it proper TO state TO the committee,
| lest some persons might suppose that | had
been instrumental in causing my testimony
or this subject to be adduceG that have ne
yer mentioned this conversation before my
examination to-day to any but 10 one gem
tIeman from neighboring State. who was
! casually here in attendance on public buSI-
| ness, and with whom | was in the habit of
daily intercourse.
/ When on The eve Of his departure from
! Harrisburg he ineautiouSiy repeated the sub
! stance Of this conversation 10 a member OF
: the Senate, and mentioned my name as that
( of his authority for his statement That Sen
/ ator caused ne to be subpGnacd as a wIlhes5
! before this committee. when learned for
! wha, object had been thus suhponacd.
I declined TO give my testimony until had
/ stated these circumstances 10 Col. M'Elwee
! This / did this morning. Col. M'Elwce made
10 objections TO thy giving his conversation
in evidence, afG accordingly ! have answer
ed the question which the committee have
proposed to ne.
Al. PLTASONTON