Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-12-04
From the Journal of Yesterday
Letter from Mr.. West.

EDITORS OF THE JOURNAL
GENTLEMEN In justification of myself, /
am induced to ask space in your columns
for few words in reply to articles that ap-
peared in your paper of last week; more par
ticularly that alluding to my failing in ''busi
ness, discharging my liabilities through a
Court of Bankruptcy, and living on prison
bounds.n
To those older citizens who recollect all
the circumstances that transpired nearly
twenty years ago, when this town numbered
only some two thousand inh abitants / think
it unnecessary TO say one word; to those who
have since come amongst us, | address my
self.
When barely of age, / was induced to join
Mr.. E. (. Foster rather prominent citizen,
and ostensibly OF ample means, in business in
this town; not in business, as might be in
ferred from reading the article in the Journal,
of a large and speculative character, resulting,
in its failure, in heavy losses: but small,
simple, and from some peculiar features, as !
then thought, promising ample returns. Our
whole stock was bought In town, and did
not exceed in cost four thousand dollars.
This stock was paid for, partly in cash, aud
partly in notes at six months. Ii was an
understanding between Mr.. Foster and my
self, that in procuring endorsers upon these
notes, they should be divided, each procuring
the names of his own friends, and each pro-
tecting MS own share of our paper. Business
not succeeding, sold my interest to Mr..
Foster taking his obligation for fifteen hum
dred dollars, his written agreement to release
me from all liability, and bill Of sale of the
entire stock as security for bis paper. /
shortly after left town, and on my return
found Mr.. Foster had deceased, his affairs
in desperate condition, the notes of the
concern unpaid, and the old establishment
in the hands of his Administrator. Un-
der my bill of sale. was enabled to apply
portion only of the proceeds of the auc-
ton sales Of the stock to the creditors
the rest going to pay Mr.. Fosters per-
sonal liabilities, cost Of administration, &c.
Could the proceeds Of this stock have been
kept free from Mr.. Fosters personal debts,
they would have more than paid the debts of
the concern; as it resulted, the creditc
ceived about seventy-five per cent. J.
this time, the notes that Mr. Foste
agreed to protect me against, were sued L.
and in some cases the securities had suffered;
one person, who had endorsed a note, at the
personal solicitation of, and out of kindness
to, Mr.. Foster, thinking that l could find
means to pay him, by being driven to extrem-
ity, arrested me, ard obliged me, la order to
secure my personal liberty, to take the limits
of the township. Friends would have re-
lieved me, but prefering nay own course re-
fused their assistance.
Shortly after this, and without consulta
ton, took advantage Of the Bankrupt Act.
Since this have paid most of the balances of
these old claims. The claim l have alluded
to, and upon which 1 was arrested, have not
paid, nor will ever pay one farthing of it.
Ny conscience does not reprove me for my
course. 1 gave up my last dollar, lost all L
originally put in the concern, have since paid
over nine hundred dollars of Mr.. Fosters
debts, and can to this day show his notes,
given for my interest, upon which not one
cent has ever been received.
These are old matters, long since forgotten
by the public, and have been, until revived
by the articles in the Journal, as if forgotten
by myself. write from memory alone, in
some small matters possibly incorrect-in the
main my statement is correct.
As some evidence that my course in thi s
business was not looked upon in very con-
demnatory spirit, even by those who differed
with me politically at that time, (and here
let me say, that politics run in quite as bitter
channel then as now,) / well remember
that Mr. Noel, the then Editor of the Jonr-
nal, in bitter attack upon my fathe-, drew q
comparison highly favorable to myself, and
complimentary of my conduct
In regard to those "salient points" in my
character, so particularly urged against ne in
the Journal, will only say that the "prince-
ly fortune'' left me, has. 1 am happy to say,
somewhat accumulated. Although somewhat
out of practice, since the loss of that favorite
pointer some six years ago, had l been
elected Mayor, you might Messrs. Editors
have safely challenged any other Mayor in
the United States, to trial Of shooting on
the wing" and have got back some of the
dimes you Republicans have lost on Old
Bucks election. To my Democratic friends
who so kindly supported me, return my
thanks. May my defeat prove good lesson
to my party--I shall be ever ready to battle
in their cauee, and if necessary, again to fall
for their good. NATH. WEST.