Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-09-25

ooANOJou " his uOCcl, WucI0 lie HOW lies
under surgical treatment. The wound we
understand, has, as yet, caused him but
little suffering; or rather, he has thus far
evinced the utmost fortitude, maintaining
the composure which he is said to have
| exhibited on the field.
The difficulty grew out Of certain STRIFE
lures in the Enquirer, on Mr.. Clemens
course in connection with the claims of Mr.
Letcher and Judge Brockenbrough to the
Governorship. -RicAmond South, ofSatur-
day.
From ''The South"
Statement
| Being about to close a personal issue
raised against me by one Of the editors Of
the Enquirer, in connection with cores
pondence between myself and Judge Brock
enbrogh; and being anxious to to preserve,
in case should not survive the meeting
the motives which actuated me towards
Judge Brockenborough, in sending to the
Enquirer the letter which is the primary
cause of the present difficulty, prepare
now, under the most solemn sanction Of nv
ooAooi0Aoo, oHlS oPoOlA0 anu detailed &C
count, in writing, for publication
met Judge Brockenborough at Graf
ton on the evening Of the day before he
opened Court at Clarksburg. lie has never
received from me, frem the period Of our
first acquaintance to the present hour, any
theng but kindness [ am on intimate
terms with many Of his connexions. and
the highest considerations were and are
operating upon me to promote his interest.
We walked out of the hotel and promenaded
up and down the platform in front of it
It was night, about the period of the arri-
val Of the Express train from the Vest
Among other subjects, upon which we con
versed was that Of the Governorship and
the substance and effect Of what passed, is
as follows:
I told him that I had seen his name pre-
sented as a candidate, and asked what his
position was, He replied, as near as can
recollect, as follows: that he already held a
position which was entirely congenial to his
tastes, studies, and inclinations that his
friends were looking for his promotion in
the line Of bis profession, and that was
much more acceptable to him that he did
not want or wish any Executive Office, and
not that Of Governor he and the Hon.
John Letcher, one of the aspirants, perfect
ly understood each other; that they were
good friends that he desired no conflict es-
pecially with him, nor any other person
who sought the place; and, that much Of
the zeal which had been manifested to-
wards him, he apprehended, sprung from
from circumstances which [ shall not now
repeat.
just before we passed into tho door Of
the hotel, as the light struck his face, I
said to him, Judge, can state your posi-
ton ?" He replied, II authorize you to do
So" In justice to him, | must, however,
mention, that when I called attention to this
fact, after the publication Of his first letter
to the Enquirer, be did not recall it, and I
use it now, merely as one Of the inducing
causes, in my own mind, which controlled
my action. $50
After we passed into the hotel ana stood
at the counter of the Office, and in the pres
ence Of another person from his own town
Samuel Letcher, brother Of the Hon. John
Letcher, remarked to Judge Broken
brough that there was gentleman in Clarks-
burg, who held Federal Office, and who
seemed to be hating between two opinions,
but strongly disposed to advocate his claims.
He replied, Il will see him when get to
Clarksburg. and repress anything Of that
kind"
I had no idea of the press, or of publica
ton, when / first spoke to him. but the
conviction on my mind was such, from his
whole tone, and manner and language,
that, when returned home, and found
appearances tending to conflict between
himself and Mr.. Letcher, I reflected on our
interview, and thought would do Judge
Brockenbrough an act Of kindness in def
ming his position BY letter to the Enquirer );
because in doing so, was preventing the
very result which he himself had SO emphat
ically deprecated-a rivalry between him
self and his friend This is the only mo-
tive which ever influenced me; and I here
solemnly ayow, by my belief il God, and
in view Of my ternalresponsibility to Him,
that [ had any other.
AS corroborative of this, about the time
I sent my first letter to the Enquirer, and
before it was published, | addressed a letter
to Judge Brockenbrough, then holding
Court at Clarksburg apprizing him Of what
[ had done; stating, in terms, that I had
endeavored to define his position judicious-
ly, and believed, Or hoped, it would accord
with his views, or meet his appreciation
that sent him, at the moment no copy of
my letter to the Enquirer, because desired
to leave him utterly committed as to
its language until it was published that
to it was alone privy, and for it alone re-
sponsible.
To the truth Of this revelation, not on
ly pledge my honor, but whatever hope I
may have in the world TO- come; and here
appeal to Judge Brockenbrough and to
Samuel Letcher, of Lexington, Va, in case
l should not survive, to vindicate my mem
DRY in 50 far as it may be implicated BY any
thing herein contained, which comes with
in their own knowledge.
[Signed. sHERRARD CLEMENS.
RICHMOND, Virginia, Sept. 16, 1858.