The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-08-15
VIM. J. BARTHOLOMEW,
au 15-1t* Watch Maker, opposite the Dispatch.
TO THE PUBLIC.-I have. noticed in

W nave uOtICCQ III
Il Saturdays Dispatch card signed JOHN S.
CLARK, accompanied with certificates of few of
the citizens of Richmond, amounting to declaration
of their ignorance of any charges derogatory to the
character of Mr.. CLARK. The number of signatures
consists of about twenty -ve-not one of whom, ex-
cept Mr.. Marmaduke johnson, resides in his neigh
borhood-and doubt if any two out of the number
have had such business intercourse with John S.
Clark would warrant any declaration to his claim
to credence upon oath. The certificates however,
the public will readily see, record no substantial
testimony of Mr.. Clark's uniform good character
They embrace merely declaration in his behalf to
the extent of their knowledge and intercourse with
ing more, and are just az circumscrbed in their bear
superciaL It does not follow, that because twenty
hve out of community OF several thousands have es-
capped contact with rogue and feel, therefore,
ranted in certifying for him the that their
very limited knowledge of him should justify, he is
the less free from impeachment, and generally I'M
worthy oftrust or credence upon oath. venture to
that there is man in any community, be his
character so bad, who could not procure some
f ~ s 81 HIM d not ~ Inc
s. Clark call upon person whose business trans
actions with him would warrant more conclusive
and satisfactory testimony if such could be given?
The public will bear in mind that the object of these
certificates is merely to shew that he worthy of
credence upon oath. When ! was called upon to
swear before the Court Clark's character, and
testified emphatcally that did not regard him as
worthy of credence upon oath, there were no less
than sixty persons present. yet strange, he could not
obtain from among that number who would testify
to the contrary. He says he was only allowed ten
minutes by the Mayor TO produce rebutring testmo-
ny. assert that the proceedings were Suspended for
more than double that time, and yet Clark never ap-
peared with this testimony. Character assumes an
unenviable phase when it becomes necessary TO run
from one house to another for individual, the
most ignorant of it doubt to snsain it to the
limited extent of attaching credit to an oath. The
public may regard such character lost. As the
Mayor remarked, every mans character should be
like sign post ready to be sustained in all places,
where far less number than were present at the
Court may incidentally have assembled If his Honor
had permitted to state the reasons which nfiu-
enced my testimony, that thought him unworthy of
belief upon oath, would reveal facts which would
startle the public and fix upon him stigma which
his conduct here and elsewhere pre-eminenty de-
serves Why does he not procure . certificate from
Troy N. Y, the theatre of his early - pursuits,
from California, where have no doubt, he lived
IN the good lcU and affections OF the miners ct d Ii
he seeks to set himself right before the public,
would advise him TO procure character from Troy
forthwith /. il not unreasonaby far off, and he can
do SO without much Inconvenience. Bnr hem fhats
hot.
Twill state that there were many persons in the
courtroom, who knew him rel, when my well
founded testimony of his unworfhiness o. 5eei upon
oath was given and yet he never called on one OF
them While strange, he hunts about the city WITH
horse and buggy-haying tired out no less tnan Two
nair-foT day 20 procure the signatures Of ndiyidu-
Ais who know comparatively nothing of him. They
saw him rob no person, maybe and their certllcates
imply very little more They venture as have said
to the extent OF Their knowledge OF nm, and, Of
course, no farther.
should suppose and the public viii agree with
me- that it would have been better had he taken what
he got and said nothing. But possibly he cannot est
mate the danger of provoking that scrutiny and
view of his character which it cannot stand. He is
conscious of this yet his maiignity Is such drive
him in the teeth of knowledge OF his awful predea
ment, into controversy which would end in his dis
grace, If not to a forfeiture of his freedom.
am convinced, that with the information in my
possession the gentlemen who signed the certificates
would eschew such favor promptly. If Mr. Clark
has objection the revelation of the facts which
influenced my testimony, | will be happy to proclaim
them Let him express his willingness and there
will be no delay to their ayowal publicly.
there will be end this affar-as far as am con-
cerned.
an l5-It THOMAS EITRTl0N1 )