Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-02-10

controvcrt them in the hest manner I could. This
occurred during the fret year Of Mr. Van Buren's |
Administration -perhaps the second; Tor do not
mean TO be precise 10 regard to dates. am. though,
pretty confident il in the Spring Of the year
preceding the conversation board the steamboat,
to which you allude, and at which present.
"ln the month Of November following, l think
Judge Upshur and myself were travelling from
York 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 oil reasoning, and by reference
TO the same facts. 1 was at the time unwell, and
endangered, at FIRST civilly to waive the subect but
the Judge continuing his remarks, we engaged in a
discussion which very became too warm 10 be
agreeable and finding il likely to become more so.
| suggested to the Judge the propriety Of closing
the conversation upon the subject, which he readily
did IN perceiving 1t unpleasant to me; and we sepa
rated upon the usual terms Of respect aud civiity.
The Judge came 10 Williamsburg for the pur
pose of holding his court, for the purpose of at
tending It. AT the close Of it, the Judge and my
sell set out together for the purpose OF going TO
Notiolk by way OF the steamboat, which We ex-
pec'ed TO board at Jamestown; upon reaching which
place, We .ount according to my recollection, some
Tour or hive persons, no c Of whom knew, but,
from the appearance Of some of them, took them
| TO be students Of the College. The Judge spoke
10 one or more Of them though he knew them
Having TO wait at the landing for the boat some
time the Judge after a while, fell into conversation
with these gentlemen, and after some time. breach.
ed he subject of the dissolution OF the Union in
\ nearly the same terms and language | have already
mentioned After listening to him for some time,
and determining 20 take part IN the conversation
left the place and walked apart the bank OF the
river until the steamboat reached the landing place.
"Upon boarding the boat We found it much
| crowded, and among the passengers were Judge
Barbour, Mai. Christian, Marshal Of the Eastern
District of Virginia, MIR Robert C.. Nicholas Dis
| trict Attorney of the United States for the same
| district aad yourself. The two las; named gentle
men and Judge Barbour were going to Norfolk for
the purpose OF holding court. After having dined,
| the company went generally upon deck. We had
not long reached it before. in passing among the
crowd, heard Judge Upshur, Judge Barbour, and
yourself engaged IN earnest and animated CONVERSE
| ton, surrounded by the crowd.
81 listened for n time, and found the subject of
discussion, the dissolution OF the Union, the propri.
ETY. and justice of which, in regard to the interests
and welfare Of the Southern States, Judge Upshur
was maintaining with great warmth and vehemence
in almost the same language l had before heard,
and have mentioned above. DO not recoec, that
Judge Upshur used the word immediate, as applied
10 the time OF the dissolution, but he certainly said
and repeated that II must comc-in his opinion, il
| was inevitable; and the sooner, the better. | never
heard any qualifications, conditions, or reservations
OF any kind, annexed 10 this opinion, as above de-
clared. will not undertake 20 say that the Judge
never made any such at any time; all that mean
TO say is, that upon the occasions mentioned by me
never heard any uttered by him.
81 listened TO this discussion for some time. I
determined 10 take part in II, and, after a time
retired TO different part of the boat out of the
crowd. In about three quarters of an hour. or an
hour after, | was Joined by Judge Barbour, who
had left the discussion 10 Judge Upshu and uourseIc
How long il continued afterwards DO not recolleci
it certainly did for a considerable time, and | be
leve until most of the company became sick of it,
When Judge Barbour joined me was sitting alone
on the deck; and he, speaking apart with me- ex-
sseH Inc Of,
had just heard avowed by Judge Upshur spoke of
them IN terms OF the most marked disapprobation
and also OF the ndlscretion of the Judge; the more
especially so, as he was a high officer Of the Go
vernment OF Virginia, and one whose station and
talents gave him great influence in society. Judge
Barbour and myself usually occupied the same
chamber at the hotel in Norfolk. Upon retiring 10
our room, Judge Barbour again adverted to this
subject. IL seemed to have made a deep impress
sion on his mind. He deplored il because he saw
the danger TO which the Union was exposed by the
public expression of such opinions by persons hold.
ing the rank in society and the station in the Go
vernment that Judge Upshur did, that, it he really
entertained such opinions he ought not 10 express
them in such open and public manner.
II remember, also, our conversation upon this
subject during the last winter, when Judge Upshur
was spoken of rs Senator of the United States
ask 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 him. You replied you
had most distinct recollection of the whole discus
sion and of the opinions and doctrines advocated
by the Judge a, the time; and probably added you
would not be likely easily hastily TO forget them,
such vas the impression they had made upon your
mind.
II most earnestly hope you may not have occa.
SION TO Use or make public this letter. To this
have the greatest aversion, and have TO request,
therefore, that you neither show i, not speak of 4,
to any one whatever until you shall be forced to
make it public. have not been able TO furnish IL
so soon as had intended, because have been much
interrupted by my professional engagements.
81 am, with regard very truly yours,
"PHILIP HARRISON.