Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-17
RICHMOND, June 18th. 1851,

GENTLEMEN Il received some short time since, your
letter inviting me to dinner to be given at Prince Ed
ward Court House, the 26h inst, your late rep
resentatives, Thos S. Bocock and William c. Flour
ney Esqs or their valuable services they have render
ed IN their representative characters"
feel grateful TO you, gentlemen for the kindness you
nave extended, especially tor the motive assigned and
tor the complimentary terms in which you have convey
ed It, while regret the embarrassment in which it me-
cessary to some extent involves me-. To be silent
such an occasion would appear uncvil to say what
think OF the public services of the gentlemen you pro-
pose to honor, might not be calculated to advance the
cause that is your purpose promote to speak free
ly might not help FRIEND while to withhold the views
Whchyou seek, wou Id be to sacrifice public duty to
personal considerations under these circumstances il
that ieel embarrassed. But you take occasion
remind me that you aware do not with these
gentlemen politically and yet express desire "to see
and hear from all sides and "sincerey ask my attsn
Dance" will (as my duties in the Convention will not
allow me to attend deal frankly with you and the sub
Ject, and say exactly what think of the two gentle
men personally, and OF the value of their public serv
With Mr.. Fournoy have very slight acquaintance,
but have no doubt he s in all respects sonally
thy OF the honor you propose to bestow upon him.
With Mr.. Bocock, am not only intimately acquain-
ted but feel for him warm personal attachment, and
take great pleasure in bearing testimony to his high
moral and intellectual qualities 10 his fidelity to his
public trusts, to his devotion to the interests of his State
and his constituents (as ne un dersands hem and to tina
respect and confidence he commands wherever he is
sonaly known. He is a friend to whom l would be
proud to render any personal Kindness and upon whom
WOulu oestOW any personal nonOr; ana II Inc coun-
try, in her misfortune doomed to have any of that
peculiar school OF politicians to which he belongs in her
public councils from this patriotic and Union loving
State, (Which God forbd) know of none within her
entire limits that would sooner see than your late rep
resentative, Thomas S. Bocock but if he were my
brother my son, would say to him. we'll in spi.
r OF affection, OF patriotism, "renounce your idols
or you cannot ,oorship at the same altar ,oith me-"
| No, gentlemen, if my opm ons and advice are worth
anything, ! would say the fewer of the notification
and secession school of politicians you have in public
life the better for the public interests. When we can eff
ecualy put down "the higher laao party" in the
| North, and "the party higher than the iaw" in the
South, the country will be peace, and till then
for the object oil each the sameagtatiop agitation!
Is this time Tor us to encourage South Carolina in
her mischievous and wicked design to dissolve the Uni
on by sendngto Congress those who are known TO
sYmpathise in her movements Has this State not
enough already in the other branch of Congress TO
present fully the strength OF that branch OF the Demo-
cratic party in Virginia! Would it not be better to let
all the rest stay home at least tor season They
are very clever set of gentlemen in private lite but
vastly mischevous and prejudcia to the public peace
and general interests either in Congress or the State Lee
Rsature have reason to know that their private ine-
rests will MOI suffer from defeat, while am sure the
general prosperity OF the country will be greatly pro-
NOTED
Entertaining the opinion do that to the compromise
measures lately adopted by Congress for the settlement
OF all our domestic difficulties that have long and
unhappy disturbed the peace and threatened the per-
petuy OF the Unlon we alone indebted for being
this day people, with one ''star spanged banner
still proudly waving over us, securing protection 10 a
submitting to wrong from none 1t can hardly be sup
posed that place very high value the services OF
| party, though small in number, yet conspicuous Tor
talent Influence aud perseverance that would have de-
esed those measures OF peace and guarantees OF union
and thus have struck down that flag which hitherto has
| known suth word as "dishonor' or "deteat"
do not mean TO be understood as charging that si-