Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-09-23
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

duel, near Richmond, Va, IN winch v. Jen-
nings Wise, Esq, editor Of the Richmond En-
guirer, was his antagonist the cause of which
was the Interpretation put by the Enquirer on
the act of Mr.. c. in undertaking to announce
the withdrawal of Judge Brockenborough from
the canvass for the approaching Virginia Dem
ocratic gubernatorial nomination. Those who
know Mr.. Clemens are well aware that, how
ever imprudent his act may have been, it pro-
ceeded from no dishonorable motive. Lest
those who did not know him might imagine
otherwise under the representations of the par
tizan press, Mr.. Clemens, ere going to the field,
wrote the following statement of the circum-
stances inducing him to assume to act for
Judge Peterborough, which led to the dael
1t found its way, day or two since, into the
columns of the Richmond South, from which
we transfer it to those of the Star, as embracing
not only interesting memoranda upon the cur.
rent politics of Virginia, but as containing an
entirely satisfactory vindication of the recti.
tude Of the intentions of its author in the mat
ter Of which it treats:
SrArEMENr.-B Being about to close a personal
issue raised against me by one of the editors Of
TUE Enquirer, In connection with a correspond
enee between myself and Judge Brockenbroueh;
ana being anxious to preserve, in case sbon!d
not survive the meeting. the motives which act
uated me towards Judge Brockenbrough, in
sending 10 the Enquirer the letter which il the
primary cause Of the present difficulty, prepare
now, under the most solemn sanction of my con-
science, this specific and detailed account in
writing, for publication
l met Judge Brockrnbrough at Grafton. on the
evening OF the day before he opened Court at
Clarksburg He has never received from me.
r,om .ne period OF our first acquaintance to the
present hour, anything but kindness am on
Intimate terms with many Of his connexions and
the highest considerations Were and are operat-
Ing upon me to promote his interest We walked
gu, our OF me hotel and promenaded up and down
me platform In front of it. IL was niyht-about
the period of the arrival Of the Express train from
the west Among other subjects upon which
we conVeTsed, was that Of the Governorship; and
lows: " " AVA
told him that had seen his name presented
as candidate, and asked what his position was
ne replied, as near as | can Tecollsct, as follows ::
that ne already held position which was en-
tlrely congenial to his tastes, studies and incli-
nations that his friends looking for his pro-
motion In the line of his profession and that was
was much more acceptable to him that he did
not want OF wish any executive office, and not
that OF Governor-for he and the Hon John
Eetcher, one OF the aspirants, perfectly under
$1,000 eaeh other that they were good friends ;
lhat ne desired no conflict, especially with him.
nor any other person who sought the place and
that much Of the zeal W hich had been manifested
towards him, be appfehended, sprung from cir
cumstances which shall not now repeat
Just before we passed into the door of the
MOTEL, as the light struck his face said to him,
Judge, can state your position,'' He replied
auihorize you to do so.' In justice to him
must, however, mention that when ] called his
attention to this fact, after the publication of his
hrst letter to the Enquirer, he did not recall il
ana use II now, merely as one of the Inducing
causes, in nv own mi nd which Controlled 80,
action. any
After we passed into the hotel and stood at the
counter Of the office, and in the presence of ano-
ther person from his own town, Samuel Letcher
ofotheL OF the Hon. John Letcher, remarked to
Judge Brockenbrough that there was 4 gentle
man then In ClarksbuTg, who held Federal
ONCE. and who seemed hating between two
opinions, but strongly disposed to advocate bis
cIalns lie replied, 81 will see him when | get
kind" "a '""'
had no idea Of the press, or of publication
when hrst spoke to him; but the conviction on
my hind was such, from his whole tone and
manner, and language, that, when 1 returned
nome, and found appearances tending to conf let
between imself and MIR. Letcher, reflected on
our Interview, and thought I would do Judye
peterborough an act of Kindness in deaning h.
position nv letter to the ENQUIRER; because in
doing so, was preventing the very result which
ne hlmseI mad so emphaticallv deprecated-a
rivalry between himself and his friend This 4,
the only motive which ever Influenced me: and
mere solemnly avow, by my belief in God and In
view OF my eternal responsibility to Him. that
never had any other.
As corroborative Of this, about the time sent
my nst letter to the Enquirer, and before it was
published, / addressed a letter to Judge Brock
ehoLough, then holding court at Clarksburg, ap-
prlZhS MIN OF what i had done; stating in
terms, that had endeavored to define his posi-
ZION Judlciously, and believed or boped II
would accord with his views, or meet his appro-
baton; that j sent him, at the moment no copv
OF my letter TO the Enquirer because | desired To-
leave him utterly non-committed as to it's Ian
euage until 1t was published; that to it was
alone privy, and for IL alone responsible
To the truth OF this revelation not only pIpd re
my honor, but whatever hope 1 may have in the
world TO GOMEZ and l here appeal to Ind 70
Brockenbrough and 10 Samuel Ietcher, of Lex
lngton, va, In case should not survive to vim
dlcaie my memory, in SO far as 1t may be impli-
Gated by anything herein contained which comes
within their own knowledge
Ri chmoHS, Va, Sept. i Saf fs5s CLEMENS
NAVAL The Commander in chief of the
Paraguay Expedition, Commodore shubrick,
was expected On board his flagship, the Sa.
bino, yesterday, and preparations were being
made to salute him. Commodore Shubrick is
now 81 yearsin the Navy, eighteen of which he
has spent at sea.
by way Of England circulars have been re-
ceived from the U. S. Pacific and China Squad
rons. The U. S. steamship Merrimac was at
Callao July 9th, all we'll The Decatur had
sailed ON cruise. The Mississippi was still
at Hong Kong 9th July, but had everything
ready for sea. The Germantown had sailed
from Canton River. The Powhatan and Min
nesota were, asper last advices, all well, at the
Gulf of Pechee-lee.
The United States ships Of war Falmouth
and St. Lawrence were at Rio Janeiro, August
llth, all well. They would sail soon for the
River Platte.
The State Department has received informa.
ton that the mutineers Of the ship Tartar were
at Sal, one of the Cape de Verde Islands, and
the Secretary of the Navy has transni.taa In