The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-05-12
y To the People of Richm0nd.-I ad-

| Il i Z
| dress you because | have announced myself a
candidate for an Office to be filed by your votes
| because my name appears among the signers of
the petition IN the Of the slave Jordan atch-
| er-because direct ausion affecting myself ap
peared in advertisement in the Dispatch of yes
| terday and, above all, because | am member of
society, and have deep interest IN its wellbeing
| and happiness.
| About two months ago, as was passing from
| my Office in the law building, was called into
the Office OF Mr. John K. Martin, in the same build
| ing, I'd found there with Mr.. Martin, a lady who
requested me 20 sign petition to the Governor in
| behalf OF the slave Jordan Hat her, who had lust
been convicted and sentenced to death by the Hus-
tings court. iinmediat- ly replied that could not
sign the petition, that had not heard the testimony
il court. but that from wha; had read and heard
concerning the case, could not doubt that calal
punishment ought TO be inflicted. Earnest entreaty
was employed, and was resisted ty me for con
siderable time. At length the lady requested me
to read the petition and did SO The statement
there made differed so materially from those had
heard tkat | Immediately aske3 whether she could
pledge herself tor their truth AMI funess. She
repl~d that she could, and the petit on was drawn
under direction OF the counsel tor the prisoner. who
had. OF course, heard all the testimony. I then
observed, these are the facts will sign the peti.
ton; but madam, must hold 'you responsible,
land II u snail appear that this Is Inaccurate or
imperfect statement OF the facts, my name must
she Withdrawn" She assented and l sisned |
considered her pledged in honor to me to ascertain
the exact acts as developed by the evidence re
cOrde1 IL the case, and to withdraw NV name if
there was any material discrepancy. The CONVEX.
sa.lpn a | occurred in the presence of Mr.. Martin
who had signed before me, and who doubtless re-
members the facts of this interview.
Upon the statements OF this petition, was OF
opinion that, though the judgment of the court was
strictly right and required by the evidence vet it
was case az To which citizen mil ht well add the
weight OF his name Of it had any TO the considera-
ton which the Governor was required by law to
give oft.
l knew that the transcript Of the record contain
ing statement OF tle evidence must 60 the tx
ecutlve fro NJ which (and not from the .tition) ne
must take the facts of the case. and did not dnubt
| Tat the gentleman who had been raj: ed to the
chief maelsracy of our State by the votes OF more
| than nifty five thousand citizens of Virginia, of
| which at least nine hundred We're given in Rich.
| mOnd, would decide wisely as well as coascien-
| uOusiy, ID the premises.
Inc record seems to me 10 present some very
important facts which are nOt fully stated in the
petition. will give single instance The very
gtst OF the case lies in this statement OF Robert
| Jones, which Is confirmed by other witnesses =
| "Prlsoner caught hold of the cowhide: Mr. Jack
son told him to let go the COW hide bat the prisoner
| d1d not LEI go; Mr.. jackson kicked the prisoner,
| ana prisoner caught hold Of Mr.. Jackson and
uFeuo Mr. Jackson Ct, ana picked up All iron poker
which lies generally at the stove, aud struck Mr.
! Jackson blow with it, The statements in italics
| do not appear in the petition, and yet they give
character to the whole transaction, aud would have
| aStCu ueCIutCIV upon EIn6ltt mad they been
| stated.
To those of you, fellow citizens, who know me-
personal explanations may not be necessary, but to
| others | feel impelled 10 make statements whish
would never, otherwise be matteroi public remark
from me.
| Born in the very heart of slave holding Virginia
| have grown up breathing the air OF her institu.
| tons. With her and her fortunes expect 10 stand
or lalI. considerable part of the small property
possess consists in slaves. All the slaves | own
are hired out in Richmond, and two of them are
| hired out IN a tobacco factory Can you suppose
that am ignorant OF the risk run in case OF insub
| ordlnatiOnt If disorder and resistance among
slaves shall result from late events may be among
| the hrst to lose. The overseer in a factory NAV
| shoot down the slave who raises a dangerous
mana against him and in such of self.deience
| he0URer could not rec0rer. These considerations
might, think, induce you to acqut me of blame in
| this matter II have erred have erred aga:ns,
my own interest and will not attempt TO snrink I
Item responsibility by telling you that | had moi
reed what | signed, and did not know what
asked
| But do not mistake my motives in thus address
| ing you. Its true | would feel much honored nv
your choice for the Office for which au cssdi
Date The honor would indeed oe the chief attrec.
uon OF the office, and would be welcomed as a prooi
OF your confidence. But when | contemplate my
duties as a cluzen and member of our coTnmu nj
| ", and think 1t possible | may have been inesu
nous as to them, the office and the position Of a
candidate Tor It sink into utter iusignidcance
nave never before sought the sutfrsges of the peo
pie, but have been most kindly treated in HI
mond In the private pursuit of success in n,v nrH
| iession And could now by any humble exertions
asa private citizen, heal the wounds which, his an
happy series OF events has inflicted upon our com
Ing al your hands every professional and noiit4es
once That ambition could desire
! ny la-lt r. r.. HowfsoE.