Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-05-26

WrLmrSeros. May Is. 1854


NV Dian SIR In a speech made by General
Oockery in this place on the LIST inst, he charged IN
substance that you were untrlendIy 10 internal I'M
brovements in North Carolina, and undertook to state
what had occurred in the discussion at Edenton be-
fore Won were nominated. He said he asked you IT
Won we're in favor of extending the Central Railroad
East and West and that you denied his right 10
eatecbise YOU That he afterwards asked it you were
in favor of the States borrowing money for that pur-
pose and you answered that you were not
then thought and still think that ne was mlsrep'
resenting you, and beg that you will do me the
favor 10 state what really did occur at Edenton IN
relation 10 this matter.
Very respectfully,
SAML j. PERSON
THOMAS BRACE, Esq.
FAYETTEVILLE May 20th, 1854.
My DEAR SIR: Your letter OF the 18th inst. was
received by yesterday, but had not 'ime then 10
replv TO it. and indeed have but few minutes now
to do So as must leave this moaning to meet Gen.
Dockery at Troy, Montgomery county. on Monday
next.
assure you, sir, that have been most grossly
misrepresented as to what said by me upon the
subject of Internal lmprovemens,n Inc discussion al
Edenton.
In the first place, never refused to answer Gen.
Dockery's questions, has been stated. 1t is true
that stated that was not candidate and that be
had no right to chatechize me but that would
nevertheless answer, and did answer.
What that answer in substance was, will be seen
fiom the statement herewith sentIof highly respecta
Bile and intelligent gentlemen, residing in the town OF
Edenton, who heard the discussion. 1t was very op'
porlunely received, the evening before your letter
was handed to me. will only remark that among
the signers are several prominent Wings, who, as
high minded, honorable men, knew how to do justice
! to political adversary.
am very sure that did not say that was oppos-
ed 10 the States borrowing money to extend the Cen
trial Road knew very we'll that was the only prac'
| b nd mt
was, how large debt it would be necessary and ex
pedient TO contract and then how the interest OF the
| same to be pad-he insisting that 1t was to be
done out of the proceeds of the sales OF the public
lands and that the State would have to rely upon
her own means and resources. If expressed mysel
| against borrowing money, what did | mean (see
statement of Messrs. Badham and others), by saying
that was willing to go far as the means and re-
sources of the State would admit, not to incur
debt beyond the ability of the State to pay, &c., &c
| | thought Gen. Dockery's course in the East was
rather calculated to nlure than 10 benefit the
of Internal improvement, which he processes 10 have
so much at heart. The magnitude of the debt which
he said would be incurred by the extension of the
Central Road, and then the threat, however untrue
that the Democratic party intended TO tax the people
to pay it, might well alarm the people of both parties
on that subject and though he might succeed
in thus getting votes for himself it must be at the
pense of the Internal Improvement cause in the State
7 beg the people of the East TO remember that Genl
Dockery told them that with the proceeds of the pub
lie lands, the wings would save them from taxation
on account of the extension of the Central Road
and also greatly extend the advantage of the com
mon schools Yet, in the county of Moore, where we
spoke few days SINCE he admitted 'that it is impro
bable we shall get the proceeds of the sales of TIT
public lands"
These were his words. written down by me al th
time and commented on. True, he said it was be
cause of opposition by the Democratic party to tht
measure But this opposition was well known
when he was III Edenton and other Eastern portion
of the State, it is must bring this ette
to close.
regret very much my inability under existing cir
cumstances to visit the Eastern portion of the Stat
at this time, and more especially the town of Viii
mington | have heard much of its rapid improve
ment and increasing trade and of the intelligence
enterprise of its citizens, and it would afford mucl
pleasure 10 pay them visit Should get through
with the canvass in the West, where it is deeme'
advisable for me to 90 and meet my opponent beor
the August elections, shall endeavor to visit Will
mington as we'll as other places in the Eastern par
of the State
Very respectfully and truly yours.
THOS. BRAGG
SAMI I Person ESn