The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-02-20
A Reply to "Native virginian."

MI ESSRSs EDlTOhS Tin giancIng Ovel
lt1 the columns of yesterdays Dispatch, my eye
fell ON a communication which, as it materially
concerns self, feel called upon to notice. The
writer OF the atcle in question (who, by the bye
shrinks from openly acknowledging bimself,) has
seen fit to take umbrage at an advertisement OF
mine and, In a state of high and virtuous indig
nation, undertakes to correct 'mis-statement,'
of which he alleges have been guilty. Now.
positively aver that, in announcing to the public
the fact that " had just ,mp]etea the first lever
watch ever m ade in the State of Virginia, stated
what firmly believed to be true and that, with
every cause for, not possessing such fundof re.
liable information asmy opponent, was not aware
that was usurping the credit which belonged to
another; and further, It'll scarcely proba ole that
should know facts of which the public were igno-
rant. Had Mr.. HILL (whom highly respect) or
any other brother mechanic, have manufactured a
similar article, and been aware oft, should Ger.
tainiy never have made the "mis- statement
which has called into existence so valant cham
pion of the rights of matt re. born Virginia work.
men," And deeply depore that any act Of mine,
however innocently perpetrated, should be con-
sidered to reflect injuriously on the enterprise
and ingenuity of any class of persons residing in
State where have 80 long considered nsyself as
native. Such an idea was the last that | could
possibly entertain ; and it can originate with none
but one who is maliciously disposed towards me
as such, might have treated it with the contempt
it merits but, bearing in mind old saying which
runs to this effect that cit only requires one libel
lous tongue to injure a character" determined
to meet my traducer on his own ground
Having now shown that my mis- statement
was ignorantly made, must proceed to deal with
the second and Gas he supposes) browning argu.
menti in my opponents article. He asks, :. were
not the plates, wheels, and pnons all laid off and
gotten out in England7" No! l answer him de.
cidedly no! The movement was cast in the rough
and brought from England, but it was in my estab.
shment that each part was filed, turned, polished
and finished OF not as he so sapieatly remarks,
"merely put together" And if he or the public
wish to be convinced "how much of this watch
was made in Virginia." they easily be satisfied
by calling at my store, where can show them the
rough cast and let them the difference between
that and the watch which is advertised, and then
they can form some conception of the amount of
labor required in its completion.
Having las hope) made good my defence, l
must say few words more to this effect: that
never intended to convey any reflection against the
enterprise OF the propretors of similar establish
ments In the city; and as | fully, assured thai
this unwarranted and malicious attack against me
never originated with any of my fellow merchants
trust to continue as heretofore on terms of har
mony and good feeling with them all and trust
further, that the next time tNative Virginian'
Il doubt very much if he really be one) wishes tc
vent his spleen against any particular person, hi
viii prove the PURITY OF HIS DESCENT by attack
ing them openly, as is the wont OF Virginians; no
adopt the SPANISH mode of sTABBING IN rHF
DARK. HENRY HYMAN,
IL 20-lt Watch Manufacturer.