Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-07-16
That Libel Suit.

We have been requested by friend to
publish the following statement.
About this "Libel Suit we know moth
ing; we simply publish the following be-
cause requested to do so, without knowing
whether it be true or false. We believe
in letting man be heard.-ED. AGE.
A personal difficulty Lad long existed
between Elder d. gollllss Baptist and
Rev. R. B. Jones, ethaist9 both of
Henderson CGaa4sv, Tennessee several re-.
joinders had passed aud re-passed through
the public press, and, at length Collins de-
clared that ne would not reply to whatever
Jones might say further, respecting him.
At length another article appeared from
Mr.. Jones, and Collins felt that reply
was indispensable. Accordingly, to appear
consistent With himself, he made reply,
and calledlon a young brother (Lea) then
residing with Collins to put his name to
the article, Mr.. Lea being on good terms
with Mr.. Jones refused to loan his name.
Mr.. Collins, appealing to the fact that he
had acted the part of a father and benefac-
tor of Lea for several years, and assuring
him that bs would shoulder all response
bility, and meet all the issues that might
grow out df the matter, finally prevailed
upon Lea 70 append lis name to the article,
and thus signed, it was sent to this paper
for publication. The Editor being in Bow
ling Green, Ky, holding series of meet
ings, knew nothing Of the article until
months had elapsed, when his attention
was called to it by the Sheriff of the Coun-
ty, in the form of summons. | learned
from the counsel of the plaintiff, that the
Editor of this paper was not included in
the writ until after Collins and Lea had
been prosecuted, and then he, (the lawyer,)
without consulting Mr.. Jones, entered the
name of J. r. Graves, thinking it might
make the case a little stronger by combi-
Ming the writing and publishing of the ar
ticle in the same p!ea, thus making the
writer and the publisher common defen-
dant
The above I learn from both Mr.. Jones
and his counsel botn Of whom regarded
Mr.. Graves enterly innocent of the matter,
except SO far as the law held him amena-
BILE, as editor of-the paper In which the ar
ticle appeared. | make this statement that
the true relation of Mr. Graves in this
matter may be fully known.
/. After the prosecution, Mr.. Graves imme-
diately wrote to Mr.. Collins, asking what it
wished no troabfe from 1;:~.- innonont and
Mr.. Collins replied that the suit was en-
phattcoUy hispwn, and he would defend it
to the last, and whatever expense might
grow out of il, he would most cheerfally
pay.
From that time Mr.. Graves left the mat
ter unthought5 of, and up to the time Of
trial, he knew but little or nothing of its
nature he seemed to rest satisfied with
the consolation that he was innocent, and
e believed, as such, the law would do him
Il justice. Some seven or eight months pri
r. or to the trial, Mr.. Collins died, and ther
b Mr.. Lea regarded himself as the only de
9 fendant, So far as the merits Of the sui
le were concerned, as Mr.. Graves wis acciden
20 tally involved, being the Editor of the pa
t per in whith the article appeared Th'
Id jury gave averdict of 81 500 to the plain
lie tiff, which was subsequently affirmed b,
er the Supreme Court. Mr.. Jones, through
y, his counseI, proposed to remit the entlr
~ sum, on condition that the defendants pa,
IS sum suf6cieut to meet his lawyers Zee
: cost Of court &c. The counsel for plantii
to filed their bill for ST ,000 cost Of suit near
e. ly 500.
he AS an earnest that Mr.. Lea regarded
SO the suit as his, and not justly involvin!
by Mr.. Graves, he comes up manly and pay
sh the amount required to obtain comprt
,e. mise, and full remittal of tae judgmen
zee Mr.. Graves, not wishing to evade the d.
en- cision of the law, requested US, at the tim
id of his leaving, to forward the money
meet the above demand, but unexpected
to him, Mr.. Lea has voluntarily paid tt
amount required, and thus released NJ
Graves from further trouble in the matte
in pecuniary point of view.
We are jrst in receipt Of the folloWll
note from Bother Lea, announcing the a
iustment ofthe whole affair:
W. P. MARKS.
BRoTHl MARKS Il have this d
paid the dawage money as agreed on IN
compromise (Sl ,OOO) IN the case OF hpel
slander-Rsv. r. B. Jones, plaintiff, n
self and j. r. Graves, defe ndants. +
E. Collins, who was principalin the defer
of the case, was removed by death alb,
seven months before the case was decid
leaving the entire damage and cost on
r. Graves and myself, amounting to ab
sl,7OO. Knowing Brother Graves to
an innocent man in the suit, and was m
party only by the position he occuF
as an Editor, and not for any act Of
the own, regard it unjust for him to pay
all Of the above. The cost and counsel
anne are arranged. The s134 paid By
Bro Graves, | propose to refund.
i De Yours, &C., W. NJ. LIZ
/, Lexington, Tenn, Nay 10, 1856.