Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-02-17

d to these opinions. thus openly avowed, be-
ause underworld to controvert them IN the best
manner could. This occurred during the first
rear Of MIR. Van Buren's Observation-Disclosures
,aps the second; for do not mean to be precise |
IN regard to dates. lam, though, pretty confident,
twas in the spring OF the year preceding the
on board the steamboat, to which
you alludc, and at which we were present.
''ln the month of November following, think |
Judge Upshur and myself were travelling from |
\ ork to Williamsburg together, in some private |
conveyance, when, upon The way, Judge Upshur
again introduced the subject of the dissolution of
the Union, expressing the same opinions in very
much the same language, supporting his opinions
by the same course OF reasoning, and by reference
to the same facts. Twas at the time unwell, and
cndeavored, at first, civilly TO waive the subject;
but the Judge continuing his remarks, we engag-
ed in discussion which very soon became too
warm to be agreeable, and findngn likely to be.
come more SO, 1 suggested To the Judge the pro-
prie,y of closing the conversation upon the sub
ject, which, he readily did on percciving i, unplca-
s0nt to me; and we separated upon the usual
terms OF respect aud civility. The Judge came
to Williamsburg for the purpose OF holding his
court, the purpose OF attending it. AT the
close Oft, the Judge and myself set on, together
for the purpose Of going to Norfolk by way of
the Steamboat, which we expected to board at
Jamestown; upon reaching which place, we
found according to my recollection, ; some four or
appearance Of some OF them, | took them To he
students OF the college. The Judge spoke to one
or more OF them as though he knew them. Hav-
Ing to wait at the landing for the boat some lime,
the Judge, alter willie, fell into conversation
with these gentlemen, and after some time,
broached the subject of the dissolution Of the I'm
ION In nearly the same terms and language have
already mentioned. After listening to him for
some Time, and determining TO take no part i'm
the conversation, left the place and walked a.
part on the bank OF the river until the Steamboat
reached the landing place.
Upon boarding the boat we found it mucl,
crowded, and among the passengers were Judge
Barbour, Mi Christian, Marshal of III. Eastern
District Of Virginia, Mr.. Robert G. Nicholas.
District Attorney of the United States for the
same District. and Yourssy. The two last man,
ca gentlemen and Judg e Barbour were going to
Norfolk Tor the purpose of holding Court. At
Ter having dined, the company went generally
upon deck. We had net long reached il before,
IN passing among the crowd, heard Judge Up
shur, Judge Barbour, and ypurs.U engaged in
earnest and animated conversation. Surrounded
by the crowd.
~ listened f"- fine, and found the subject of
! discussion the dissolution Of the Union the pro-
Fte'y ana justice OF which, in regard TO the intc-
rests and welfare Of the Southern States, Judre
opshur was maintaining with great warmth and
senemonce, In almost the same language | had
before heard, and nave mentioned above ] do
not rccolicct that Judge Upshur used the word
'nmeaiGie, as applied to the time of the dssolu-
non, out he certainly said and repeated that it
must come-in his opinion, it was inevitable:
and the sooner, the better. / ueycr heard anv
quaiihcations, conditions or reservations of any
kihd, annexed 10 this opinion, as above declared
VIII not undertake TO say that the Judge never
! MADE any such at any ti:ic; all that / mean to
say is. that upon the occasions mentioned by me
never heard any uttered by him.
~ listened to this discussion for some time 7
determined TO take no part in it, and, after time
lretired TO diHcrcntpar of the boat, out of the
crowd. In about three quarters Of an hour, or an
houraiter, was joined by Judge Barbour, who
had lett The discussion TO Judge Cpskt.y and ,oy,
SELF. How long it continued afterwards do not
focoilect; tccrrainiy did fora considerable ti,,e
ana believe until most of the company became
Sick OF 1t. When Judge Barbour Joined me /
was si'ltng alone on the deck; and he, speaking
apart Win me, expressed the creates, arnazement
AT the opinions he had just heard avowed by JuJoe
| opshur spoke oflhem in terms of the most mark
ca interpretation, and also Of the indiscretion of
tne Judge; the more especially so, as he was
nigh officer OF tho Government of Virginia and
one whose station and talents gave linn great in
huence In society. Judge Barbour and myself u.
suaily occupied the same chamber at the hotel in
Norfolk. Upon retiring TO our room, JUDGE Bar.
pour again adverted to this subject. 1t seemed
TO nave made deep impression on his mind
ne dePored II because lie saw the danger TO
which the union was exposed by the public OK.
p''S" VI SUCH opinions by persons holding the
rank III socl ty and the station in the @ oyarnIncnt
That Judge Upshnr did; that il he really enter.
tanned such opinions, lie ought net to express
ihen III such open and public manner.
~ remember, also, our conversation upon This
subject during the last winter, when Judue I'm
siiur was spoken of rs Senator of tie Uni,rd
! STATES. asked you whether you Remembered
your discussion with Judge Upshur on board of
The Steamboat upon the subject of The dissolution
| OF the Union, and the opinions then expressed by
hiai. y on replied you had a most distinct re-
collection of the whole discussion, and of The q.
plnions and doctrines advocated bv The JUDGE At
that time; and probably added YOU would no, be
likely easily or hastily to forget them. surh was
the Impression they had made upon ycur mind.
~ most earnestly hope You may not have oc
casIon to use or make public this letter To this
nave Inc greatest aversion, and ] have 10 re-
quest, therefore, that you neither show il nor
speak OF 1t to any one wIaeverun until Won shall, be
forced TO make it public. I have not been able
to furnish 1t so as had intended. because
have been much interrupted by my professional
engagements. IL am, with regard
Every truly yours.
"P!ilLlP HARRISON.
"ilon. ]. NJ. EoTTs''
'FEBRuARY 8.
~ have, since writing the foregoing letter. lust
seen 1t stated in The Wing Of this nioruinp that
Judge ops'rur, i'll u correspondence beiveem
himself and MIR. Wise, published in the Madiso.
man, has, in tile most positive manner denied ev-
q cnI