The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-16

post Office, or left at the Colonization Office, Jack
son Hall, Pennsylvania avenue. &
JOSHUA N. DANFORTH,
Agent of the Society.
WARRINGTON, May Is, 1858.
At the request of friend and relative of Gov.
Smith, we publish the following reply to the
card of Mr.. john M. johnson which was copied in
our issue of Friday:
To the People IF the City and County of Aler-
andria. ,
FELLOW CITIZENS: 1t was my duty. while Gov
ernor of Virginia, to organize your county, as far
as the appointment of magistrates. In the per-
Torrance of that duty, it was my misfortune to
fall under the displeasure of Mr. John M. Johnson,
who for years DETAINED me; and as soon as my
name was connected with the Congressional cleo.
ton in this district, resumed the Office of detrac
ton. He charges that l was guilty, in effect, of
bad faith to Mr.. Moss, who desired to be clerk of
your county, by 'spackinga court for the election
of Mr. Berry. On addressing you, come days ago.
I adverted to this charge, and denied it. Suisse
quently, Mr.. johnson has undertaken to sustain
his accusation; ieebly, it is true, yet propose
briefly to respond to it.
The whole charge rests upon his own statement
and that of John T. Johnston; the certificate of Mr.
Moss, independent of what Johnson reports, merely
referring tosmy advice to him to remove to Alex
andria to free himself from the prejudice arising
from his non-residence. As to Mr.. Moss and Mr.
Berry, will here say that was friendly to both,
entertaining very high opinion of their fitness for
the Office of clerk; that each approached me upon
the subject of the cler kship, and expressed to
each, severally, the pleasure his election would
give me, either being admirably qualified for the
place; and I have no doubt that / advised both of
those gentlemen to remove the objection of their
non-residence, if they designed to become candi
dates. had no other than moral power over the
question, the county courts of Virginia at that
time having the right to elect their own clerks;
and to make good the charge of packing the court,
it must be shown that the justices voting for Mr..
D. IN ant fhnir shot
conditions charge affecting them, and to which
they may respond, and upon which, 30 far as am
concerned, they at perfect liberty to speak out.
They are Joseph G. Carr, Samuel Bartle, Lucen
Peyton j. Ross, P. Hewett, George White; to
neither Of whom did l intimate preference. and
who, in fact, constituted minority of my appoint
ments
On the occasion referred to, l read the following
letter:
Posr OFFICE, HOUSE REps., U.s.,
September 25, 1876.
DEAR SiR: Can't you spend one night with me
at my house in Alexandria on your way to Rich
want to see you in relation to the appointment of
ma gistrates you will probably have to make for
the new county in which Alexandria will be stu.
ated. / am extremely anxious for Alfred Moss to
county; and believe appointments of magistrates
may be made with particular reference to his cleo.
ton, by which the popular will will be consulted,
and the public interest promoted. There are many
A9plfant9 among the Sey -NyfeG democrats Tor seats
upon the bench Of the county court, and against
whom you ought to be cautioned. Be pleased to
favor me with answer directed to the post Office
at Alexandria, and let me know when you will
expect the pleasure of your company. | am, very
truly, your friend and obedient servant,
JOHN M. JOHNSON.
To this letter invite particular attention. 1t
fishes that Mr.. Johnson had no objection to the
principle Of "packing," provided he could have
his way about it..
Mr.. johnson, however, in his card says that
"there is not word or sentiment in the letter that
Iwould recall, or wish kept secret, or was not in
accordance with public sentiment here at the time
it was written So that he is still in favor of
packing, and, according to his authority so was
the comm unity at the time the letter written.
1st. He says: ut must, however, have been ap.
parent to all who heard the letter read that some
thing had passed between the Governor and my
self, the subjects referred to, before the letter
was written"
3D. He says: s'It is certain that it would not have
been written but from precious assurance given
me by Governor Smith that he desired the election
of Mr.. Alfred Moss clerk of the county"
Sd. Hesays, in recommending justices, be wasig-
norant of their preferences. 'knowing at the time
but few who would vote for Mr.. Moss, to the best
of my recollection 4" bti
might go further with these enumerations,
but they enough Contrast them with the let
ter. and the public can judge between us.
Mr.. johnson, after mentioning great many
not, comes to Mr.. John T. Johnston This 10 the
browning testimony, and will no doubt illustrate
the value of that which ia omitted
The substance of Mr. Johnston's certificate, in
reference to this question: is to be found in the fol-
lowing extract: ''The Governor observe that he
understood Mr.. Smoot was committed to Mr..
Moss, and at the same time expressed wish that
Mr.. Berry might be appointed clerk, !" leaving it to
be inferred that would not, therefore, appoint Mr.
Smoot magistrate. regret to say that this state.
ment is, to say the least of it, apochryphal
LIST. deny it's accuracy.
I'd. Mr. Smoot, who was directly interested in
knowing why he was excluded, and Colonel Shay
the secretary to the meeting spoken of by Mr..
Johnston, and others connected with this contro-
versy, never heard of these for not appoint
ing him, Mr.. Smoo.; although on his, Johnston's,
return from Richmond, he professed to give them
a full account of his mission.
Sd. Because he was a stranger to me, without
any claim upon my confidence; and it ia not to be
presumed that would give to him my motives
when they were withheld from my most intimate
friends. ~
And now, fellow. citizens, in conclusion, have
but to say that no officer acted in purer feel
ing than / in reference to your interests, or with
more anxious circu,nspection. refer you to all |
of those appointed. refer you to those with |
whom I was most intimate, and who are well |
known to you, and request all and each to speak
unreservedly whatever they may know touching
the premises. "M' S'iiA n.
TIE HoosAAc TuHNEI.-The Hoosaac Tunnel
49, H. ~