Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1848-04-12
To the Citizens of Edgelield Dis
strict,and the Public in general.

|
Mr.. EplroR.-Sir. tits known to Yourself
as wellas a large portion Of the citizenso OF this
inspection by Mai s. C. Scott during the ses-
sion OF the last Court in this District. detailing
the most infamous piece of scandal in relation
10 myself that was ever nYented. The letter
alluded 10 pmrports to have emina-ed from the
pen of Mr. Hugh Henderson, of Lincoln Coun:
ty. Georgia. This MIR. Henderson IS an unfur.
tunate man, neither responsible in person nor
property. The only way therefore that have
to repell his foul Gu nnies, is through the
public press; and Therefore ask small space
in your columns for this purpose. In doing
this feel ta. am not only disrharging a
duty 10 myself bu, 10 The Community. will
commence, and perhaps might end, by simply
pronouncng every word, line and sentence in
this Infamous letter, 10 be a pervision Of truth
Mr.. Henderson has found it much easier "a
make grave charges than to find proof TO sub.
stantla;e them, aud, us maxim of law, and a
rule in society, aIEmen should be deemed limo.
cent until they are proven to be guilty. might
perhaps content myself under this general rule,
but the publicity given thus matter, the baseness
OF the charge, aud the feeling that seems TO
exist in The public slnind, appears to require
something more, The only part Of Mr.. Hen
that in which he charges me with having carried
young lady in my buggy for FIVE or six miles
10 MIR Harmon's. near relative of the lady;
and at late hour Of The night made my way
10 her bed room or chamber, for the purpose Of
committing oi3ience on her person; TINT she
gave the alatHI., aroused the family &c. This
Charge, il | ann correctly informed. is SO ex.
pressed and il not il is so implied Now any
one prolessin: the least discrimination of mind,
can perceive that this charge, in connection
with the circumstances, carries falschoud on
its face.
After having this lady, according to Mr..
HarInon'S own statement, in my power, beiug
with her alunein my buggy for the distance Of
FIVE or six miles, through lonely aud secluded
road, delivering her safely into the bosom of
her family, and then al night. having let all
oiher opportunities pass by. that shonid have
attempted such and act, would prove me 10 be
as destitute of sense us of principal Ii is pre-
posterous, and could only find rredence in
mind as ignorant as, it is corrupt, The fact
will be apparent TO any enlightened mind,
that even the most abald6ued william wnuld
not haze taken such responsibility. Mr.. Hen.
derson, and Those debating this Heuer, know it
to be false, and intend To- convince the public
from the circumstances that it is so. hs-to-t4is-
bed room orclIamber, on which great empha
sis seems TO be placed, must state that eat
supper, wrt,-test. OF the family, in this same
room and il would seem su,n &c that ane:;:irr
stranger. for | had never been in Nlr, iiar.
mons hnusc bcforc.) sIiouii have been taken
into lady bed chamber to sup. when it would
appear that there was plenty Of other rooms in
the house; for il is a large building havIngac
commodated bu, recently two families oi ten or
twelve persons. 1t umY be proper for me here
orelale the circumstances That gave rise TO
this whole Affair.", they are plain and simple,
and could only be magnified into consequence
by an unlns senions mind. In making this state.
nient, shall "nothing eXtennate nor aueht- sci
down in malice," but endeavor 10 place the
matter in such alight rs willhe understood by
the reader. .,sssssy.y f; s,,.,5ss-
t.R RSDnring my professional tour in Georgia, at
suchiimes as was not employed while 10 the
settlement Of Robert IIenlsrson's stoped at
his house, nakiiiy il heed qiarters. this IfDund
nyenleiiti because he was son the road, kept
entertainment audi in. a very public place,
While there one Of my horses bscame, latned
by an injury received in the Stable. fromwlIicIl
.ucciden,f had been, detained from business for
six days. Onsthe 2lst of February, my horse
having just become. able to:stravel, i nude
knowniio the family my intention 10 leave that
day for the purpose of making visit 10 Mr.
Naily's living in the neighborliood aud very
near TO Mr.. Harmou's, was informed by some
member of the tamily that one of the young
ladies', halfsisters oi'Mr. HIS, desired to 20 10
MIR. llarmon's on visit, readily offered her
a seat inmy buggy as i was gnIns within
half mile of the place. We set out in the
afternoon and arrived at Mr.. Harmon's little
before night was pressed by MIR. III. to remain
during the night, to which finally assenled.
5bout the usual supper time twas announced
rs ready, and was taken to this famous bed
chamber, as it has been called, where in COM
pany with the family, slpped. Here | must
di.sess Iillc for the purpose of saying word
about this room; That has been represented as a
bed room, it certainly had the appearance OF
anything else. and had to>1ny mind more the
louk of kind nf a general family working or
lumber room, the only furniture being pine
'raple, Spinning Wheel and the Chairs round
The table, with "a large fire place in one corner.
After supper was overall hands repaiIed to the
setting room where the evening was spent in
ordinary conversation. Between nine and ten
o'clock. was conducted by Mr.. Harmon to a
very well furnished bed room, retired and fell
asleep; and so remained until atate hour of the
night, / was awoke by thafshtns of horses II,
the stable. knowing The vicious disposition OF
one of my horres and having been but recently
sufferer from his lamcness. was alarmed
and immediately rose and after partially
dressing myself, went out into back plaza,
but could see no servant, and not knowing any
thing of the locality of the stables, returned to
my ruom, where thought struck e,that there
might be servants sleeping by the fire IN this
dining or supper room, as lhls"is very com
mon thing, aud not wishing to disturb the
FIRMLY, opened lhc door and from few embers
in the fire place could jnst perceive where i!
was, aud after looking and feeling round aud
finding no seryaut, was in the act Of returning
to my room with the intention of calling MIR
Harmon, when ON turning round. discovered
bed on the fpor in one corner Of the room IN
position nearly behind me as had been ap,
proachug the fire place. Aouut this time and
when had arrived near the door at which
had first entered. I was accosled by grnti voice.
demanding to know who was there; dIscoyerd
that il was Mr.. Harmon, and very promptly
informed him. Before hudlime To make any
explananalion, or state what; wanted, be be-
gan to make ilIiberal insinualons, from which