New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-02-28
Most Extraordinary Letter Gen. shields
TO Hon. ". Breese.

u is pretty generally known in political circles
that Gen JAMS SHIELDS, who served with dis
tinction in the late War ON Mexico, was for some
months OF last year a candidate before the PEG
pie Of Illinois for q seat in The L 5 Senate vice
Hon SIDNEY BIrEsF, and that Gen. :. was finally
successful in the party Caucus and OF course in
the Legislature, some two months since Ii was
known that a personal ill-feeling between these
two gentlemen had been developed by this rivalry,
lGen. 5. having been law student with Judge
Breese) but we think none can have suspected
the intensity Of hatred, the ierociiy OF purpose
which this rivalry appears to have excited on the
part Of the triumphant competitor, who, since bis
arrival in Washington, has addressed to Judge b.
the following most amazing letter;
WARRINGTON, Feb p, 1870.
Hon. SIDNEY BREEsE:
Sir-On my return 70 this country from Mexi
co-broken IN constitution, feeble IN health, and
still suffering under the effect of wounds you were
tho only man in the City of w ashington who re
| ccived me with GOODNESS and unkindness When
| the Is houorcd me with public dinner, which
was generously intended not only as a compli-
ment 10 me but 10 my state. You were the only
mau who declined % attend that dinner. You went
father you prOpagated report here IN w sshing
ton. and circulated II aiterward IN Illinois, that
was Inc 10 DE 10 the once OF senator aud thls TOO
after | had poured out my blood like water on the
battIc-helds of my country. You published an
article IN the 81. Ions Republican charging me
with mall gibilay-doing that which ! thought no
man in these Unitcd States would have been mean
enough % do IN my case even n II had been true.
You, however. did this knowing II 20 be untrue -
On this subject | have simply 10 say, that had
been defeated 10y you on that ground had slrOrn
my heart that zen Nerer should hare DrOtfed b.
your success and depend upon II, would have
kept that VOW regardless Of consequences. That
however, is now passed, and the vow is Cancelled
by Your defeat Why | address you now is sim
ply this In $40 YOU gave ne something in the
shape OF final Certificate OF Naturalization in
khingham Court You knew at the time that |
was naiuralized by law. and by the naturalization
o. my father while a minor. l told you the
circumstances, and as | then talked OF going %
Canada IN case OF wsr. you offered 20 give me a
certificate which would simplify the proof In case
Of difficulty Now wish YOU 10 give me a letter
ackuow edcins these facts write YOU private
letter for that purpose. l should have sent a
friend at once and imperativey emsnded such q
letter but felt that in dsgracine YOU | should
disgrace the Stale that had made YOU and myself
Senators and also wished - give you an Oppor.
tanlty 10 make this Acknowledgement guieflv.
IT, however You persist IA your course Of injustice
toward me and refuse this request here give you
taIr warning. Let the consequences fall on your
own head. shall hold myself acquitted both be-
fore God and man. for the course shall fee! bound
10 pursue toward you.
Your Obejieut serysn.