Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-09-21
From the Richmond south.l
STATEMENT OF MR.. CLEMENS

O@@S-@"@-@'-f
Being about to close personal issue raised
against me, by one Of the Editors Of the EnQuir-
er, in connection with correspondence between
myself and Judge BrockenbrOngh; and being
anxious to preserve, in case should not sur.
vive the meeting, the motives which actuatcd
me towards Judge peterborough, in sending
to the Enquirer the letter which is 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:
met Judge BrockcnhrOugh at Grafton, on
the evening Of the dry before he opened Court
Mt Clarksburg.:: He has never received from inc,
from the period Of our first acquaintance to the
present hour, anything but Kindness. nm on
intimate terms with many Of his connections,
and tho highest considerations were and are
operating on inc TO promote his interest. VIC
walked out Of the hotel and promenadcd up and
down the platform in front Of it. 1t was night,
about the period of the arrival Of the Express
train from the West. Among other subjects,
upon which We cOnverSed, was that Of the
Governorship; and the substance md effect Of
what passed, is rs follows:
told him TINT had seen his name presented
as candidate, and asked what his position WAS
lie replied, as near rs can rCcollcct, us follows
that he already had position which was entire.
" cOngenia to his tastes, studies, and incIna'
tons; TINT his friends were looking for his pro.
motion in the line of his profession, and that
was much more acceptable to him; that he did
not want any Executive Office, aud not that Of
Governor-(or he and the Hon. John LctchCr,
one Of the aspirantS, perfectly understood each
other; that they were good friends; that he dc.
sired no conflict, especially with him, nOr.Hny
other person who sought the place; and, that
much Of the zeal which had been manifested
towards HIN, he apprchendcd, sprung from cir
cunstances which shall not now repeat.
Just before we passed inlo the door Of the no.
tel, us the light struck his face, said to him.
"Judge, can | state your positiony" lie replied
81 authorizes you to TO So" Injustice to him
mnst, however, mention, that when called his
attention to this fact, after the publication Of
his first letter TO the Enquirer, he did not recall
it, and use It now, merely as one Of the indu
cling causes, in my own mind, which controlled
my action.
After we passed into the hotel and stood at
the counter Of the office, md in the presence Of
another person from his own town, Samuel
I4etcher, brother Of the Hon. John LetcllCr, !
remarked to Judge BrockenbrOugh that there
was gentleman then in ClarkSburg, who held
Federal office, and who seemed TO MO haltng
between two opinions, but strongly disposed to
advocate his claims. lie replied, 81 will sec
him when get to ClarkSburg, and rCprCSs any
thing Of that kind"
| had no iden Of the press, or publication,
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 con.
flict between himself and Mr. I.GtchGr, reflected
on our interview, and thought would do Judge
BrockcnbrOugh M act Of Kindness in defining
his position by letter to the Enquirer; because,
in doing so, was preventing the very result
which he himself Ind so enphatiCaily dCprcCa.
ted-a rivalry between himself aud his friend
This is the only motive which ever influenced
me; and here soleInnly avow, by my belief in
God, and in view of my eternal responsibility
to Hin, that never had any other,
AS corroborntive Of this, about the time
sent my first letter to tho Enquirer, and before
il was published, I addressed letter to Judge
BrOrkcnbromgh, then holding Court ut Carks
burg, upprizing him Of what | Ind done; stating
in terms, Tint had Cnlcavored to define his
position juliciOusy, and believed, or hoped, it
would accord with his views, or meet his APP
probation; TINT sent hin, ut the moment, no
copy Of my letter to the Enquirer, because
desired TO leave him utterly non committed as
to its language until it was publiShcd that to ii
was alone privy, and for It alone responsible.
70 the truth Of this revelation, not only
pledge NY honor, but whatever hope may
have in the world to come; and here appeal to
Judge }rOckcnhrough md to Samuel l.cIcIer,
of Lexington, Va, in case should not survive,
to vindicntG my memory in so far MS ii may be
implicated by anything herein contained, which
comes within their own knowledge.
Signed SnEnnARD CLEMENS,
Richmond, Virgnin, Sept. lG, 1868.