Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-22

,. - ,l ood soldiers and above ALL enlightened by ad-
instruction 10 go forth and spread the blessings OF
knowledge through the State.
yos,or,v afternoon the Cadets marched to The Capitol
s,rs and received handsome flag, presented TO them
with eloouen remarks by Mr. Doman oil the House on De-
half of the Alumni of the Institute resident here Cadet
r,...,e nnh, made spirited and beautiful reply, which
was admired BY all present Tomorrow we sh"' give
ske,cb Of them. The scene was full OF interest
~, c., rho occomnlished Superintendent of The Insti-
tue and Professors Williamson and Matthews are also In
the City.
FIRE
disastrous fire broke out Yesterday morning about
O'clock in the large four story brick building ION Inc rSe III
the rear of the Tredcgar Iron Works. occupied as Cotton
Factory and owned by Company known as the iianer
Factory" The building machinery anu sloch oi mu'ea
n rho budng were entirely destroyed The Insurance on
the building and machinery amounts 10 s4Uooo-n the oi-
lowing Offices Virginia Fire and Marine Insurance Com
.,r sloooo. Richmond Fire Association, slOO0O ftna
rnonce Comnany 100000 and Hartford Insurance Com
nv $4,000 The loss to the Company beyond the above
nces will moi be less than $4,000. The fire Is pre-
summed 10 have arisen from spark from Anoersons iron
Eounday iTredegar which is situated ABOUT yafds from
he Factory building destroyed. The warehouse snaedih
rear Of the Factory also took fire. but was exngushed VII"
slight damage Our 6remen were early on 'he spol anu
worked with untiring energy we learn 'hat MI W. -
BIGGER member of Company No. J, was savedrom drown
ina in the orebay near the MILL by Mr. Richard p Mundin
member of Company No. s. Mr.. VIM L. IompKins the
81 Assistant Principal Engineer also made narrow escape
from drowning by stepping into the canal on his return
home He was saved by the eXcrons OF Mr. James boshe
President of the Association who was the only one IN COM
pany with him at the time of the occurrence.
--<ssS-----------
We ask attention 10 the following caro- oil MI. ooh"uy
called forth by gross attack on the part OF Inc mig ana It's
oesponden His vindication will be entirely satisfactory
to his constituents;
To the Editors Of the Enquirer . ,o
Gentlemen do not ordinarily feel called upon TO notice
attacks made the editor Oft partzan press or his anon
nous correspondents am content 10 oppose my private
and potca conduct etectua shield against all SUCH
do however recognize il as duty 10 my constituents to
explain any part my representative conduct which may
hecn msrepresened An effort has been made by the
Richmond Whig and his correspondent who signs himself
"StaIord Voter" produce the Impression that have
been willing sacrifice my decided Southern views by vot-
inn far George W. Thompson First Auditor, when knew
him 10 he nsound upon the slavery question This Is Ut
rery proundess The facts are briefly these was not
present with my party, when George w thompson was
ted for the post of First Auditor When heard that
he had received nomination expressed myself highly
gratied with the selection made, having known Colonel
Thompson for many years most ayoraby as gentleman
had heard him say, ultra Southern opinions the slavery
question heard whisper OF objection TO him any
was TO take place. then heard it ntmaed that charge
would be preferred against him IN The House, OF unsonnd
ness upon the slavery question: and that letters would be
produced in support OF the charge
The House met and proceeded 10 the election Messrs
Heath and Thompson put IN nomination BY their re-
spcctive friends considerable discussion ensued and
awaited with Impotence for the charge and the evidence in
sunnort of IT, Just before the vote was 10 be taken, and
while Mr. Segar making violent party speech sustain
ing the propety Of Gen 1ayos entire course in relation
TO removals and assang his opponents in their proposed
proscripon as he termed il. Mr. Syme asked To make
communication the House He stated that he had heard
n rumor that Col Thompson many years ago in Fourth OF
Iuy Oraon had alluded To the "Souhampton tragedy and
EXPRESSED his synpahes for the noble blacks engaged in
thai wished them Several gentle
men Immediately asked him ii he made such charge against
Col T. He repeatedly and emphatcaly discamed making
any such charge He said ne stated II as mere rumor-
The friends of Col Thompson once pronounced the unor
without shadow of foundation They appealed TO the de-
Ieqate from Ohio county, (ol rs reprcrnative who was
known 10 be- politically opposed 10 Colonel Thompson, 10
do him Justice Mr. Wheate, without hesitation, arose
and stated that he had known Col Thompson for ID or
% ycar that he had hoard charge made against Col T
by political friend in violent personal contest, Of having
made speech years ago in which he used language offensive
to the South that he had heard the speech read mat II was
made fore The Southampton affair, and that IL did not induce
hin! doubt Col Thompsons soundness upon me slavery
question was also asserted that Col Thompson, in the
recent canvass with Mr. Raymond took the ground in ia
vor of the Virginia resolutions of Si9 IL was al this juno
ture when the whole house seemed satisfied with the expa
nations made that motion was made TO adlonrn-a mo-
ton which regarded designed 10 afford Mr. Segar an OPP
poruny to complete unfinished harangue tor the benet
of the country large had been up 10 that time silent OBJ
server Of the whole proceeding Believing as men ana tat
the charge was wholly unounded that it speculation
upon the sensitive feelings of the South on the delicate ques
ton of slavery and intended defeat the election OF the
was unqualified, that tho principle contended Tor
was wrong them the first time felt the slightest int
rest in the expressed that interest BY opposing
the motion 10 adjourn stated TO the House. as well rs
recoIect in the following words my opposition adjourn
men: THAT serious charge had been intimaed II not
made against the nominee OF The Democratic pary true
iJab tdn pifh fhn nj
Queen (Nr Howser who had declared that he would not
vote for Col t. unless the suspicion was reInoved-that
did believe il TO be Tue-thaI was unwilling 70 adjourn
unless The friends of Colonel Thompson desired time TO
meet the charge agains, him They are now prepared
TO meet and repel it, ! am informed i So then
willing 10 SIT here I'LL Il O'Clock tonight 10 aford
them an opportunity vindicate their friend" considered
his as due TO them and TO Col r. confess felt deeply
the wound which supposed would be inflicted upon Col
such circumstances After took my seat, Nr Segar
stated That he authorized make distinct charge that
Col Thompson had made speech OF the character referred
to by Mr. Symc and the House thereupon adjourned.
DO not pretend TO deny that should have voted for Col
Thompson if the had been taken on that day had
never SEEM heard in amy authentic torn any ng cacu
lated in the slightest degree impair my confidence IN him
as Southern The rumors referred To- on the day OF
election repeat regarded as stimulated py strong party
feeling and not well founded The speech was no, produced
ill the second day Of the election lhen COL thompson
name was not before the House had been cheeruly
withdrawn BY his friends soon as It was ascerainea mat
he had al any time held language offensive TO Southern men
II 10 idle for me 10 sny those who know me, that would
not have voted for him after this disclosure. Any nsnna
ton 10 the contrary is idle and ridiculous This then is the
he'd and front of my offending against Southern rights
Having DISPOSED Of this matter, shall close this commn
nicaton would not ink occupy your space by
referring to the illusions in The letter Of Stafford w.
fer" say now said in the election OF Councillor in
elto constituents and to them alone am responsible
for my political conduct here To the Editor OF the Wing
and 10 his correspondent have no explanation 10 make
+. CONWAY.
THE TWENTY SECOND FEBRUARY.
The City Council have appropriated $1,000 towards the
entertainment OF the military companies and other guests