Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-06-30
IUopy.I
WAsHISGros, March Is. 1856.
Hn>- A III III SrrAnr

Hon. A. II. H. STUART.
Nv Dear Sir In reference to Gov Wses recent extra.
ordinary denial Of the charge that he had
The administration OF Willard Fillmore as Washington
like, have only to say that the memory of very
centric Governor seems 10 be quite bad the he
has displayed in the terms accompanying his Genial For
present when the remark made and have Der
fecy distinct recollection of all the circumstances under
which he uttered it. feel assured / possibly be
mistaken in the tact that be did ia the emphatic
manner publicly pronounce that post Judgment of com
mendaion upon President Fillmore, which you quoted in
the American nominating Convention ut Philadelphia.
1t during the Of so Martiusburg in the
county of Berkeley and in Mr. Wises opening speech up
the occasion of his discussion with Judge L. Collins
Lee OF Baltimore, that heard him make declaration
referred Being that time the Wing Eecor OF the
District political friends Martinsburg had sent for
me TO reply to Mr. Wise, but reaching (which
at o'clock 10 the afternoon and Just Mr. w was
ascending the stand) met Judge Lee in front of the
Court House. and learned from him that he was prepared
To defend our principles and party against the assaults OF
1.-THE great orator OF Accomac, and of alto
gehcr content accord him the pot of honor and
to take other part in the proceedings than introduce
Judge Lee TO the audience. But awaited sell OF the
opportunity TO make full notes OF Mr. ises first speech
and when he gave utteance TO the remark about Fill
nores administration instantly wrote it down word for
word, it fell from his lips and have yet in my rosses-
sion the original notes | made on that occasion.
The particular form Of expression which he used rs
still stands recorded in my memorandum book and as l.
and host Of other gentlemen who present remem.
Der IL to have BEEN this s-''Gs for tie aiuinis-
trdtion Of MiidTd Fillmore felioV citizens its Wdshing-
ton-iike"
Now in reitefatng you thus crcumstautiay the fore.
going plain unvarnished Of fact
be understood mpung Mr. Wise any intention Of
wiuly incorporating suppressng what he really be-
eves he did say this subject in 80 1t would indeed
be source of sincere regret TO be compelled to
make such charge against any Governor of Virginia
attribute his denial simply aud solely n very pardonabe
defect i'll the memory OF one who-rst side of the
political fence thence the other with occasional va.
ration OF position 10 the top rail- il in Tyles time
has certainly done "heavy work" in the OF stump
speaking than any other in the common wealth. and
who moreover being somewhat in the habit of draw
ing out the thread Of his yerboy finer than the staple OF
his argument might just well attempt To collect the
smoke Of his last cigar and give it the fantastic
forms in which it first wTeathed itself around his head
to remember and repeat verbatim any of his multitude
harangnes! And Notwithstanding tho ndelible i'm.
preston which his complimentary al!uson to 'Fmore's
Administration" made upon the time find the pains
then took TO TO preserve faithful record Of this wise
and modern Instance Of msgnanimity towards 30.
lticAl opponent would be reluctant to insist so
positively upon the point have made IL the correctness
Of my version OF the matter sustained by the
roborating testimony OF other reliable gentlemen who are
rrady make affidavit 20 the foregoing facts The en-
closed letters from gentle men in Jefferson and Berkeley
~l give idea OF the overwhelming mas Of evil
deBce which bring forward in vindication Of the
truth Of history to subsiAntate my statement,
You liberty Of course TO this letter rs you
please have written IL from sense Of duty to relieve
you rom whatever responsibility may have been incurred
by your atiribuing TO Mr. Wise my authority the e1
preston Of the sentiment which he uttered at Martins
burg in 81 and which he deems IL his duty TO repu
date. am very truly yours
ALEXANDER r. BOTELER.