Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-04-10
LEXINGTON, March as,h. 1s4s.

LEXINGTON, March 2Sth, lS45.
Ata large meeting of the neighbors and &C.
notice in the Court House, on motion of he Rev.
Henry Raiiner, ID. d., Captain Robert White
was called to the Chair, and Colonel Samuel
Mob. Reid appointed Secretary.
On motion OF DIR. Rutiner, it was resolved that
committee OF thirteen be appointed to consider
and report the form OF preamble and resolutions
expressing the sense of this meeting, and what is
believed 10 be the general sense Of this communi-
ty respecting the character Of Mrs. Sally G.. p.
Thomas, against whom charges or insinuations of
criminal conduct have been made in a late publi-
cation of Mr.. Francis Thomas, ex- Governor of
Mary land and also concerning the character of
Mr.. Robert J. Taylor, involved with her in tho
same charge.
Whereupon, the following gentlemen were ap.
pointed committee, viz.
Doctor Ruflner, Col. +. III. Smith, Rev. Mr.
Bryant, Professor Dabney, Professor Armstrong,
Matthew White, John A. Cummings, ESQ.,, DIR.
Graham, James Compton, Samuel NJ. Dold, and
Samuel +. Jordan, Esq.
The committee retired, and in a short time re-
ported the following preamble and resolutions.
which, after some remarks from DR.. Ruffner Pro.
lessor Armstrong, Rev'd. Mr.. Skinner, and DR..
teyburn, were unanimously adopted
Whereas, Francis Thomas, Ex-Governor Of
Nlaryi land, has published pamphlet which has
been widely circulated, making the most wonton
assaults upon the character of his wife, Mrs Sal
ly G.. p. Thomas daughter of James Mcdowell.
Esq, Governor OF Virginia; and whereas Mrs.
Thomas was brought up from childhood, and for
the most part educated in this placS,--and conse.
quently the moral character sustained by her ND
70 the time of her marriage with her public &C.
cuser, must be better understood and appreciated
oy her former neghbors and friends Than by any
other persons whatsoever land whereas, as a
community, we have heretofore felt our sensbili.
Ties deeply wounded by the outrages Of Governor
lhomas on his wife, but have never felt at liber.
~, by our interference, to give publicity ID mat
Ter SO dellcate,--and that now all scruples hav.
ing been removed by the publication of MIR. Tho
mas we desire promptly, cordially and uaani-
mousiy, by public expression Of opinion, to
shield female character against attack wicked
and unmanly, if not insane.-And whereas it not
being pretended in the publication referred to,
That The revolving charges made by Gov. Thomas
are sustained by any direct or positive testimony
whatever-it is deemed by this meeting that the
previous character of The accused lady for virtue
ana morality In the community in which she was
reared, is entitled 10 be considered, both In the
eye OF enlightened reason and of law, as most i'm.
portant testimony; and whereas the character Of
Robert }. Taylor, Esq, the near relative of Mrs.
lhomas, is also directly impugned in the publi-
cation OF Mr.. Thomas and this community in
which he was born and reared, have had the best
opportunity of approaching his claims TO the cha.
racler of gentleman and man of honor,
he az therefore Resolued,
ist That we the acquaintance and neiphbors
OF Mrs. Thomas here assembled, do collectively
and individually bear our cordial and cheerful
testimony 10 the fact, universally conceded by all
VINO nave known her,-ihat no young lady ever
lived In This community, who uniformly SUSTAIN
cd a more exalted character for purity of NOR
ais, and refinement OF manners, than did Mrs:
Sally z. +. Thomas up to the hour of her unhap:
Ply marriage; and do declare that we have eyef
found her lady in the highest and best sense of
that tern,-a daughter every way worthy of
mother on whom this whole community look with
the highest respect and admiration,-and we
Drahd The insinuaton contained in the pamphlet
referred to, that her character had already been
suilied at the period of her union with the writer,
as false and caumnous,
2. That since Mrs. Thomas return ffoh Mafys
land alter the separation from her husband, hef
conduct has been modest, retiring, and becoming
a lady in her trying circumstances, to DEGREES
mat would be satisfactory TO the fastidiouss
Sd. That we do unequivocally declare that
the confidence heretofore felt by us in the purity
and virtue OF Mrs. Thomas, is as firm and UNI
shaken as it was before the publication of the e.
aborate statement of Mr.. Thomas, and that she
has but to return 10 the midst of her friends at her
nome, Uor she has no enemies,) to be welcomeds
as one oil the loveliest of our women, and as ono
OF the falrest ornaments Of our society.
Atm. That we, the members Of this meeting,
while OF course we can know nothing personally.
Thomas respecting the conduct of his wife du-
ring her residence in the State of MARYLAND, and
whilst we would also refrain, as far as possible
from giving utterance to those feelings Of indg-
nant scorn and unmitiga,ed disgust which that
publication has excited in our bosoms,--at the
same lime, In view Of the unsullied character
maintained by Mrs. Thomas up to the date of
her marriage, and also in view Of the great pfo:
PTlety OF her department since the separation from
her husband-we feel constrained to declare it,
as the opinion of many of US, that it would bs
both more rational and more consistent with
truth, 70 refer the Injurious differences and con!
clusons deduced by the writer from the circum@
stances detailed, 10 the influence of an insane
Jealousy, Peryerting and deluding the judgment
OF the husband, than TO any criminal conduct or
the part of the wife.
9th. That in obtfuding upon the public ear,
Tn the form selected by him, the story of his pris
Vate gneis, whether real or imaginary, Mr.. Tho
mas has committed an act alike offensive to good
taste, demoralisng in its tendency, and injurious
10 the peace and harmony Of society, which calls
Tor the sternest rcbuke Of well regulated public
sentiment.
9th. That we do tender 10 Mrs. Sally G.. p.
Thomas the expression of our warmest and live
Hest sympathy in the distressing circumstances
In which this unnatural persecution has placed
ber;-and we do declare our abiding and undoubt-
ing confidence, that she will pass through any
ordeal 10 which she may be subjected with cba-r
racter not only pure, but above suspicion.
7th. That Mr.. Robert ]. Taylor, against whom,
the gravest charges are preferred by Mr. Thomas,
has ever sustained a most rreproachable charac-r
ter In our community, as young man distinguish
ed by most amiabe disposition, correct moral
department, and exempt in remarkable degree,
from thoSe vices and Irregularities incident to-
youth and we do solemnly aver deliberate
conviction, that he is wholly incapable Of CONS
hitting the shocking crime imputed TO him.