Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-12-14
For he Enquirer
a CARD.
IOIrIS RAIIR O 4 u .

10 u is X ]. X ID ID
The public have been so entirely surfeited with
publications on this subject, that i, is with much
regret that have 10 ask their indulgence in con-
neclon with the subject, but in relation TO mat
Ter mainly personal 10 myself.
Learn thai / am thought, by some, 10 be in po-
sion OF great inconsistency, in consequence OF
certain notes supposed TO hare been furnished By me
10 a Senator attic last Scss,0n during The pcadc7tcy
| of The bill 1ciich passed on tie Sh OF !haych, one
| OF which notes makes direct reference ~ The roue
through Greene county, viz: the road will pass
over The ridge dividing the waters OF The Rivanna
from The Rapid Ann.
Al the session of 1856, bill was introduced,
which proposed, in specific terms. 10 extend the
Louisa Railroad to Powell's Gap. Al that time
furnished 10 The same Senator ailnded 10, Mr. De-
neae OF Rockingham, a copy of the NOES used
| before the committee on Roads; and when that
committee considered The bill have no recollec-
lion of furnishing Mr.. Deneale any memorandum
or notes last inter; bur- il he is confident about
| il, uouId not dispute he fact. II, however, had
done 50, think they would have concerned TO the
bill, and mol laid down one particular route.
The position occupied last Winter, any one
can readily perceive, was very difncult one 10
FILL and escape censu:e. | was perfectly sensible
OF The nature o! The ground on which stood. The
very strong feelings existing, al the present time,
between The conendine parties, was exhibited Then,
in the attempts 10 agree as &c the phraseology OF
the bill. Being requested 10 draw If, found il
hard TO please both sides. Bur- since ii was
agreed that the bill was not To specify The route,
although having had some early impressions In
favor oil Powell's Gap | resolved 10 hold them in
suspense, subject 10 the report oil The Engineer
not TO commit, myself 10 any way, but 10 be
strictly impartial. saw, plainly, that every hing
| said and did was watched with Jealous eye,
each fearing that would commit myself to their
adversary; but, knowing that had NOT done SO 10
themselves, each party, in TACT thought was
against them.
Now, in this Stale OF things, would i, no, have
displayed both an unacconnIable faulty oil judy
men and insensibiIi,y TO public respect, 10 have
rlaced in The hands OF any one written evidence
of nfdelily 10 my repeated declarations, that
considered Il unwisc 10 define ronIe anc mat
The bill secured ''lalr chance 10 the claims OF
all7n
Without intending 10 impule 10 The gentlemen
who refer 10 that paper any purpose 10 practise
an act Of deliberate injustice, is j, moi reasonable
to believe lha, the paper in their possession is Me
0ue preparcd 1chel The Po,reH's GOp BIZ ras Geforc
The House The previous ysar? Is it not probable,
that MIR. Deneale may be mistaken in thinking
that The presen; paper applies 10 The last bill ?
This paper, or rather this particular note, was
read 10 the meeting Of Stockholders at Louisa
Courthouse on The 23d September, and, up 10
that time, reposed in the belief that both parties
acknowledged had pursued perfectly frank
and impartial course. | never dreamed OF hav-
ing 10 answer any such charge. And The paper
being sprung On me thus by surprise, ii did not
occur 10 me in The hurry Cor j. was just about
the close If our long discusson) that had pre-.
pared notes for The P0ne~s Gap bH BIZ, as
iold the meeting then, concede for the sake OF ar
sumen that furnished that paper last Winter
and wha, did it amount TO No more than an
intimaIion OF what thought would be the result
that is, that The road would go over The ridge
dividing the waters OF the Rapid Ann and Ri
wanna Until The surveys were made, conn.
IDENTIFY expected that il wond go there stated
another Thing al that time 10 the meeting nearly
in these words: "Thal the paper was not in my
hand writing that might have repudiated II al
once, but, not imputng any improper design 10
MIR. Deneale, scorned 10 allemptsuch an escape
from charge of which was conscious oil being
entirely innocent" acknowledged it copy
but being a copy in my very bad writing, The word
D,av might have ben wriuen BY the copyis! "TiA,"
u hich would have changed the whole sense
The explanation then given seemed 10 be salts
factory, and heard NO more o.! il until II was
mentioned 10 ME yesterday, by friend, that this
paper required some explanation. AS soon as
nv memory was refreshed, was satisfied that il
was The same that had prepared for The Pow
ellis Gap BILL
l. was my uniform effort, from The date OF the
conversation referred 10 IN the published letter OF
Mr.. Darracott, with he members from Rocking
ham and Pendlelon, in letters and conversation
both public and private, TO be TnccmmFtsd and
impartial. Much which has been published prove.
that considered The nature Of the bill required
this at my hands; and, If necessary, mien' add
letters recently received from Messrs. 5. Med.
Moore of Rockbridse, and Andrew Hunter OF
Jefferson. showing that contemplated more than
one line for selection And Tor the purpose OF let
ting il be seen thai WINS thou. b. 10 be impartial,
| will publish postscript written by Col. Wool
folk 10 letter addressed TO gentleman in Rock
| ingham as follows:
"Co Fonlaine has submitted The above letters
to me- and feel myself tound to say, that, feeling
deep soictude TO carry The road not further
Sou,h than Powells Gap, hare haG frequent
concentrations ,cih him, and haze found him frank
and impartial, seeking no advantage Of any one,
but urging The policy Of our adopting condition
al mode of subscription 10 vindicae and protect
our local interest. ! can further say, il we can
raise the private subscription, we will have our
claims fairly considered by The officers and Stock
holders. Respectfully, ~
[Sisnedl JOHN WoOLFoLh.
submit, the above explanation 10 all candid
minds, with an apology for having troubled them
with any Thing relating personally 10 myself.
E. FONTAlNE.
Richmond, December 9th, le47.
.Since wiring this, have copy OF The paper
referred 10, and my impressions are confirmed
for although il has no date, there are reference.