Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-04-27
IGEN. HAsKELL's REPLY
u.n,s Ali % Ie5I
J. P. PRYOR,
l. N. PARTRIDGE.

GEN. HAsKELLs REPLY
MEMPHIS April %, 1857.
Nessrs D. p. Pryor and / IL. Pdtr1dge:
thank you, gentlemen, tor the kind motives
which prompt YOU to address touching my alleg-
ed ineIieibity to the Office OF Governor. am told
that the question was mooted by the Nashville Pat
riot a psper to which | can never be too grateful
for rs kind and unsel6sh advocacy OF my poor
claims on popular favor, have not seen its artcle)
and observe that other papers IN the State, among
them the Knoxville Register, an excellent frend OF
mine. are Welding to the belief that my temporary
absence in Arkansas deprived me OF my right OF
citizenship in Tennessee. II the facts connected
with nv departure from and return to Tennessee
had been prop rly known no such conclusion could
have been arrived at By my personal or political
friends or opponents. month before TINS
wouli have stated the facts to the public, but Tor
the invinciale repugnance | have land PROBABLY
with too great degree OF sensiuVeness) to ootrude
myself before the people, through the newspapers,
over my own signature
have not sought the nomination Tor Governor
have never done it have heretofore declined
that honor when the voice OF my party In Tennes-
see-better men than myself uecliniug a prece-
depce in popular favor-left the field open 10 NE
for unanimous nomination. | have never been
an ofice-seeker-have never courted the favor OF
the press never intrigued for place-Out, 1t Is
nv pride to know that, whatever OF puohc honor
has been awarded me- has been the volui tary OF
fering Of nv feIow-citZens; and 1t ls good thihg
for me to think of that never since stepped
across the threshold of youth into manhood, has
there been political battle fought In tennessee,
that have not fought it with all my strength
against the ,qis-eaIled Democracy, and that since
nv early boyhood, both private and ofhce", l
have followed her banner wherever she has sent
her SONS TO do battle for the common country.
In the Spring of 1854, overwhelmed with debt,
disappointed because sudden prof ssonal success
did not come with my settlement III Memphis, chs
erned and mortified at what tnen considered the
Injustice of political friends, but have since thought
better Of, lett Memphis with ms family, with the
hope of finding better f,rtunes elsewhere. de-
p,rted. however. amino repertendi-if | could fud
no place abroad not to resign my right otcIilzensh
in Tennessee | started to go to no Particular
place | had a vague idea in my mind about look
ing at Fort Smith, and Van Buren 10 Arkansas the
Iudan Nation, Texas or anywhere else that could
plant myself make money, ply my debts, and re-
cover my personal independence.
was divert from nv purpose, however, OF as
cending the Arkansas river, ty friend at Htlena,
who insisted that | should 90 to Little Rock, and
try that place, or make it stand point from which
TO look around. Aided by his counses and his
friendly services, l assembled White river to Des
Arc. and o PISSED overland to Little Rock. There
remained at the Anthony House, with my family,
some months and from that point set pros
meet" the State of Arkansas. visited BItesvdle
afterwards descending the Ark insas, 'TrOSGecttg'
tn t region, | spent week at Columoin, amongst
its hosptable people, in Chicot county Some
weeks after visited FL dorado in Union county, on
the Lou siana border to attend the sitting OF tn
Court there ami on my return thence towards Lit
tie Rock, was accosted at Camden by Capt. Thigh
man. Chief Engineer OF the hissis ippi, Ouchta
and Red River Railroad, who, with the appreciation
of the President aud Directors OF the Road, en-
gagged me for a stipulated remuneration to under
take with the President to canvass on the line OF
the road from the Mississippi TO Red River, TOR ac-
ditiona stock. In the performance OF this duty
continued three months and then visited Texas,
in the service of the company, for the purpose OF
uniting the fortunes of that enterprise with the Ell
Paso Road In the meantime my family resided at
Camden Whenever could get fee in the Courts
of Arkansas, Texas, or elsewhere, | took it, a.
LAWYERS do every whereas Mr. Stanton OF this city
has been doing for ears in w dshington City, keep
ing an office there, and advertising himself as
practising lawyer in the Courts OF the District OF
Columbia but still claiming, and properly too, to be
CITIZEN OF Tennessee. just as Governor Smith
of Virginia, and Governor Price of New J,rsey,
! who did the same thing in CalifOrnia-iollOwrd
their respective calngs with an eye to probable
| permanent seul ment there. if they could satisfy
themselves that wealth could be obtained or amO-
ton graliied in the sccurement of high public hon
ors, tut each OF the latter reserving the dHntttS
reuertendj-botn of them returning, the one 10
re-enter Congress, and the othes to become Gov
error OF NewSJer,ey, shortly after their return.
Now. / distinctly state that left Tennessee with
the intention not TO remain permanently abroad IN
les found it to be to the interest OF my mlly
and myself to DO so-that purpOseiy RETAINED from
the exercise OF suffrage never having voted in any
h.; 4. A
or owned a foot of land within the State-becduse
did not intend to resign my right of citizenship IA
Tennessee until I coud feel satisfied that had
| found home abroad That hum. | never found.
The people of Arkansas treated me kindly, but the
theatre of action did not suit me. was never sat
is6ed to remain there. Every member of my taml-
" knows that was not settled there, but lit nded
| to retu,n. P,cunidry involvements detained me-
and finally left the State, leaving my family with
a view to r, -esta lsh tbem in Memphis. | wasab-
sent from them here, many months before | was
able TO effect that purpose. Finally returned 10
| Arkansas for them, and brought them home
| On my return to Tennessee, olhough ms family
was absent exercised the right OF suffrage here in
! Memphis, unchallrnged aud unquestioned. II is
| well known TO my friends that still claimed TO be
a citizen Of Tennessee. Like peevish truant, |
ran away from her-like a rrpentant prodgal | re-
| turned | did not stay away long, but humbrd by
i'll success and soitened by adversary, iorgetu OF Ill
resentnents came ongingly and wishfuly back.
| | was received with warm welcome, and the genrr
Gus treatment ef the people OF Tenn since that
time, has taught me the folly OF ever looking berc
| after TO find Il home except in the midst of them.
! do not write thi- letter with the view OF secur-
| ing v ny nation at tie Convention shortly to as
semble at Mas vile. have HeVsr said even TO the
most intimate irivnd that | would accept that nomi-
nation, il rendered. Nit attend the Convention,
however, that may e aud take again cordially by
the hand the many trends who have challenged my
gratitude by the coustancy of their friendship, aud
confer with thrm ouchng the uuty OF all OF Us vino
act together agaii st the party IN power, IN the APP
preaching political contest in Tennessee.
Very respectfully. your friend,
Nm. T. HASKELL.
s3g- The Hon. JoHN BILL has arrived at