Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-01-14
TO THE PUBLIC.

the ih insionD will justify appearing again in the news
papers do the more willingly. as it gives me on 3D.
poruny apologize for all that was Irrelevant ard I'M
necessary IN my late address. 1t hastily written
and under such surprise aud Indignation at the charges
made that omitted much that should have been said and
said much that ought to have been omitted however True
MI smith, appointed To office by his reiatirs my
immediate predecessor could have retained Office h.,
had chosen. would him or Dr. Swami out OF
office, although friends expressed surprise. that did
select my my Clerks. the custom at
Washington from the highest offices down. and as was the
practice never complained Of, in Capitol Th,,
office, which Mr. Smith had held for years. lac refused TO
have, when determined Ia IL. hr-t Clerksip 10 my
SON. Hts pride would allow him. although proposed
To add 5000 To his salary. 1t appears he thought he
could deter me from making the change lie had been
IN The receipt OF S6OO for several year,. gave him the
LIST Clekship conditonaly which lie held not quite four
months And because was unwilling continue him in
that ohce he refused accept his former post His pride
and not my removing him. therefore the OF his lose
ing his solsAnd he tries the consequences
on me- In his zeal 10 inure me, he has many gross
misrepresentation, which are palpabc ON The fac.
of his statement and being papabe vet not seen nv
himself shows that his and no, his Judgment govern
/ ed him.
So far as am concerned, there are only two points in
tie whole matter about which explanation may be due
Ia the Public Was wrong in declining continue Mr.
Smith, as rst Clerk; and was the letter Mr b.
/ proper oncl | meant To do wrong-and now think
that he had Just cause OF complaint and that there
not shadow oi improperly, m writing the letter Mr
b. although 1t now evident that it impoic and in
udcious. will cndoavOur present dspassionae view
] of each point
When appointed Register / found the Clerk.bips
filled by DR. Swami and Mr. Smith, n relative and
the other close connexion OF my predecessor. I'M
willing 10 make change, and made up the time Of
DIR. Swann's death, Notwithstanding the suggestions of
some ot my friends, the numerous examples might
quote from Washington, as well this city had found
almost impossible 10 live my salary in the city, yet the
indirect advantages my family prevented my leaving it,
Under these circumstances, when Dr. Swami died. was
strongly tempted 10 give the office my SON. who
was entirely competent ia ereTy respect But hoped tine
Legislature would increase my salary, that could live
upon II. wished If possible 10 avoid the mputaon of
afnI ly
and wished To comply with what might
reasonable expectation, oi promoting inferior Clerk,
when vacancy occurred. My wished the ofce-but
we concluded, 1t would be right To let Mr. Smith have it,
could do without it. As my having repeatedly
unteered 10 tender it TO him, his letter OF application
shows his erroelso why the anxiety and painful suspense
expressed ~ Mr. Smith has published my answer dated
Ilth December, ISL. Being ITS face CONFIDENTIAL
carclcssy written-although the public alton was a
violation of propriey, am glad it, far
! am concerned. 1t was us follows
/ Cu,ELrs VI. SMITH, ESQ:
; Ny Dear Sir'-lt was always my intention give you
the appointment, which your letter refers and Intended
| to have conferred the appointment ON Monday My
Alexander would have been glad get the Offices hut
he thought with myself, that you ought have it, Be-
tween You and J. is fact that by being security for
others and receiving but small salary, have become
seriously embarrassed, IN pecunRry point Of view,
| and unless can obtain money within the next twelve
months must seriously suffer In consequence OF which
fear shall be compelled tn take Of my
flee for two, to enable eNrcae myself-I
am truly DESTROYS 10 reward John Talman-bu Charity be-
gins at home. wish John I'LL the Office until the Spring
as second Clerk and perhaps will be in my power that
dispense with my sons services am sure YOU and
he will duly appreciate my motives.
You will consider yoursclf let Clerk from and after
! Monday
am, Dear Sir, with sincere regard. your friend.
Dee. llth, ls4l, S. H. PARKER.
Here will he observed indicated To sir Smith that
while it had been give him the Let Clerk.
ship yet my sons claims having been presented, had
sidcrcd them and thatw thought he Smith, ought To DO
appointed This again negatives the idea of any previous
pledge having been volunteered given. But this il
all. The whole letter shows that my into
ohce IL was anotce to Mr. smith, at the time Of has
motion that my might have To into office. did
not say IN which Ccrksnp While Ibid indicate that John
Ialmnn would bc temporarily appointed, and might have
leave the office the Spring whatev gwen
whether in that event Mr. Smith my son would occupy
IalIman's place.
Lct be borne in mind that Mr. Talnan had no claim,
to the Office whatever. lie very deserving youth, who
had for his improvement, been permitted Ia write in the
office. lie Is very fine young and good clerk.
Buthc had then claims TO the vacant Office could have
appointed my IL without shadow OF ohlectOn-but
he would have il. Mr. Smith ought, therefore, have
seem and could not be 80 blind az not To that
came into Office a all Il would be as first clerk lie is
notified that my wished that ofCcyCt IL gwen
Smith; and unless necessity compelled IT, my con would not
go Office at all II he should have 40 office in
the Spring, Mr. Taman would have retire. and this would
have been literally complied with, aud Mr.. Talman would
have been compelled "a rrlinqush his trnpoary appoint
,aenf but for the prize aud pemcnce Of Mr. Smith That
letter notice Mr. Smith the Of his promotion
that my might have To into the Office In the Spring,
that conceived myself as having the right not the power
only To make III" cengc ssary, and Of my intention
t. do IT. The necessity did Occur-und the change
made
Mr. Smith has the lssa right complaint he admits that
he CF0ssd my plans oi office before the Legislature.
knew that could not support my family with the snlay,
without becoming and more indebted every year. and
was willing 10 wciN harder and agreed tat oil the work
should hc done by myself aud LIT clerk. This plan Mr..
Smith admits hc opcHy opposed What right had he thus
Ia oppose and foil the arrangements proposed by the head Of
the department. To be sure, he because he
thought fcO could not perform the duties Of the Of.
fee and h. did not wish young Talman 10 loose h office
HIff h0 hall ,ftg
the notice which he had IN his pocket that might be
pellcdto take my into the office IN the Spring! No
what the motive he admits that he contributed
defeat my plans, he ought not complain Of the effect Of
that necessity which he contributed produce think,
der oil the circumstance had the right to appoint my
and that ought TO have done H..
como 10 tho other question. Was the letter to
Nirs -. an improper
: That Identical tHe, il now before me, dated 18Th
March, 1872, supcrscfibed n my plain, nell kH0UH
hGHd, subject the inspection Of any cadid inquirer who
will take the trouble % examine IT, II 5 an ocular
and papahc rcuttion Of the mclUdroiuatc sketch Of
Mr. Smith, got up for scenic effect had written the let
ter and thrown IL into my hai-whs passing ont Of the
Cap1l just under the arch, met one Of the PofoH and
n.tond Of sending the Post Office, IL occurred me,
IL would be- well p send IL 10y Mr. Smith, and directed
the porter give To him. twas directed 10 her
opuient LADY, who Understood was IN the habit Of lend
ing money. II proposed to borrow $1,000 for short time,
o. be- amply secured by deed Of trust, and tho names Of
either Of two very reality md pugcai DsH, endorscrs.
Letitbc remembered that the secriy ample many
the amount and the reasons given for my confidence
that the whole would be repaid in about nine months
TINS lady was distant relative Oi Mr. smith, aud pre-
sumcd ieli some interest n his welfare. stated 10 her
my great desire 10 retain him Firs CeThthai h would
have been my interest have given the appointment Ut
Ftr.t Clerk my SON. the death oi Dr. Swami, but II II
was possible 10 avoid IL, wished TO do ao; but could,
from quarter obtain the loan should be compelled 20
give him the office, that hoped .hc might find 70 conve.
cid me- and thereby benefit Mr. Smith several hun.
drci doIau pcr mlde no threat % him out
1t olior- fabricated ptctenrc, IN order oXtou mo.
ncv. named 10 her, that which with uuUucsouablc pro.
proy might have said 10 any friend Of SIR Smith, provi.
dcd snd in good fat viz: IN substance that should
be compelled replace him, in his late position Second
J. Clerk, unless could he relieved in other way am
nquTng whether the determination mike tho
change right wrong; but whether IL was wrong to
to Mrs b. the change having been decided on n tho
= contingency stated IL might have been imprudent to
hazard tho sincerity Of my statement; but the segnsi