The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-09-28
toonMuSrcArED.l
WooDvrLLE, Lancaster Dist. ,
Sept. 23d, 1853.
MR. EDITOR -

MR. EDITOR -
Dear Sir, 1t is very unpleasant indeed 10
my feelings. to be forced 70 adjust private
difficulties, through the public prints. though
there are circumstances under which we are
not only justified, but left no other alterna-
tive. and that is, unfortunately, my situation.
In order to sustain my own character, and
that of my family, am forced to publish a
transaction which recently occurred.
Mr.. a. Sutherland Of Bennettsville. Marl-
boro District, s. c., introduced himself 10
me by letters, proposing his daughter to
teach in my family, as private instructress,
and referring me to gentleman that l had
slight acquaintance with, as to her charac-
ter, qualifications, &c. Several letters pass
ed between us upon the subject, all Of ,chich
Ihold Upon the recommendation of his
friend, made up my mind 10 employ his
daughter, for ten months session, (on GER
tain condtions,) and wrote him to send her
up. Shortly after he came with her himself,
lodged with us during the night, talked over
the matter, and closed the contract, and Mr..
Sutherland left the next morning for home,
rs | supposed satisfied. But to my surprise,
by return stage received the following note:
CAMDEN, s. c., 2lst Aug. 1853.
Mr. Bishop-Dear Sir Il wish YOU If
you please. to get Margaret ready for the
stage by Saturday morning, for I wish her
to return with me- ] will stay in Camden
until she will return here. DO not think
hard, as hare changed my mind as TO her
staying, and sooner he better for us both.
Yours truly.
A. SUTHERLAND.
According to his request, sent his daugh.
ter to him by stage and wrote him express
ing my surprise at his strange conduct, and
dc mand>d d from him an explanation of his
conduct by return mail, and to my further
surprise, it was flimsey evasive thing, and
what was still worse, tried to screen himself
behind his aminble daughter, and couchcd his
ptiful apology in falsehood. therefore was
left but one course, viz call upon Mr..
Sutherland at his residence, "a distance of
some 10 miles,) in Il formal manner, which
did through my friend, Capt A. ]. Secrest,
who it seems awoke Mr.. s. to n lively sense
of his error, from the documents he brougb,
back from Bcnnettsville, with Mr.. Suther-
lands signature attached II seems that
Capt. Secrcst dictated n certificate TO him.
which, if he signed would be satisfactory,
stating to him at the same time, that this cir
'iticHtc was designed by me to BE- made pub
lie, as the offence was n public one, the ex-
plsnation must be equally so. Sutherland
seemed not to relish its being made public,
and called in his diplomatic friend 70 write
and advise a compromise on the part Of the
certificate he was to sign, and below you have
true copy of the document drawn up bv
his friend, with a few alterations or amend.
men,s made by Capt Secrest, before he
would sign it, viz
This Is TO certify that Mr.. Alexander
Sutherland, Of Behnettsville, Marlboro Dis
tnct' d e., has this day given me a written
statement or certificate, for the use Of Mr.,
Eli I. Bishop, of Lancaster District, S. C..
disclHimlng most distinctly, that il was not
want at confidence, in the integrity and
character as gentleman, or dissatisfaction
WIN his family, (Bishop's) that he, Suiher-
land, was induced to remove his daughter,
after taking her to his Bishops house,) to
remain rs private instructrcss.
Now this is to state on the part
OF MIR. Bishop, that the only use which
he is to make Of said certificate, is 10 be
shown in the immediate vicinity or neighbor-
hood OF said Bishop and for the purpose of
correcting any erroneous impression that has
arisen or may hereafter arise, tour hing Mr..
Sutherland having taken away his daughter
soon nft"r leaving her at Mr. Bishops house,
and that may have had tendency to affect
said reputation as gentleman, or his family
unexplained rs il was in the community.
lsigncd, A. J. SECREST,
for Z. & BISHOP.
Sanf