Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-11-23
Fertile Stand I'd.
Houss 81 CoxxoNs,
Nov. 90 1858. 81

4i GENrLErEN There appeared latelysa consnsni-
cation IN the Register, signed by s. b Buckley, at
tacking Mr.. Clingman, and making some mention
Of me % connected with the transaction referred to-
AS am cognizant of the principal facts DESIRE as
q, matter of justice to Mr.. Clingman, to explain
them During the Court at Waynesville in June
last Mr.. Clingman informed me that he expected in
tAe'c6rse of the summer that Prof Guyot would
/ go with him to measure the Smoky Mountain, and
was speaking about the proper persons to 20 along
and mentioned especially Mr.. Robt. Collins at.
forwards apprsed Mr.. Collins Of his purpose, and
had his promise to 60 along as guide. All these
things occurred three months before ever saw Mr..
Buckley. AS Gen. Edneys name is mentioned in
Mr. Buckleys article, l requested him to state what
he knew in relation to the matter and received from
him the following reply: .-..
RALEIGH, Nov Goth, 1858.
DEAR SIR: In answer to your inquiry, would
state, that some weeks before ever saw Mr. Buck
ley, Mr. Cngman told me that he was expecting
Professor Guyot to arrive at Ashevle and that they
were going to measure the Smoky Mountain, which
he thought higher than the Black. He also spoke
of having once been the Smoky and of the situa-
ton of what he considered the highest peaks of it.
winch ne had seen when on point little to the
right of the gap through which the road at the head
of the Oconalufta River passed. He spoke particu-
larly of the matter, because he asked me if 1 would
not like to 60 along, which agreed to do as had
once passed through said gap myself
Afterwards and about the first of September, he
weeks and was making some enquiries as to where
Prof Guyot then was, who had gone off to the Black
Mountain some days before
accidently met Mr.. Buckley at the Eagle Hotel
in Ashvile and was introduced to him, and learned
that he had lately returned from the Black and had
some knowledge of Professor Guyot's whereabouts
told him wished to know because Mr. Clingman
had returned last night from Virginia with the ex-
pectation of meeting Professor Guyot, in accord
ance with previous appointment to go with him to
measure the height OF the Smoky Mountain. Mr..
Buckley then asked me where Mr.. Clngman was
told him he was at Gudger's Hotel over the hill,
and that was going in that direction and would
introduce him if he desired it. He replied that he
would like to see him. and we went over. I intro
duced him to Mr.. Cngman, saying at the same time
to him. Mr. Buckley has just gotten back from the
Black, and can give you the information you seek
as to Prof Guyot." Mr.. Buckley then stated that
he had not been able to see Prof Guyot--that he
had gone North. Mr. Clingman thereupon express
ed his regret and said that he had expected Prof
Guyot to have gone with him to the Smoky Noun
tain, which he regarded higher than the Black.
| Mr. Buckley then said that he believed the noun
tain south of Pisgah higher; likewise said he had
been on them in the spring, and had brought ba-
| rometer from New York to measure them Mr.
Clingman said, though they were not in his opinion
as high as the Smoky, yet they were high noun
tains, and ought to be measured; and said if Mr..
| Buckley chose to 60 with him, they would measure
the Smoky first and then the others also. He then
which he regarded as the highest and spoke of the
best way to reach them; he also said he had ba-
rometer which he would get Mr.. Gudger to observe,
and that Mr.. VIM Mcdowell had another which he
| had placed in his possession to observe for the
| Smithsonian Institute, and that he would speak to
him to notice particularly while they were absent
He said further, however, that they ought to have
barometer stationed at Waynesville and that Prof
LcConte had one at Flat Rock, and that he thought
he could be induced to go out for that purpose to
Waynesville Hs spoke of writing to LeConte by
the mail which was to leave that nj ht; whereupon
Mr. Buckley said if Mr.. Clingman would furnish him
horse that he would ride up and see him. while
he was getting ready to 60, as Mr. Clingman had al
ready stated that he had many letters to answer
that it would be couple of days before he could
start on the excursion. The horse being furnished
Immediately Mr. Buckley rode off,
l was also particularly struck by another part of
the conversation Mr.. Clngman remarked, that he
would 1deavor to get one of Major Turner's spirit
levels, which would aid them in determining to
extent the heights of such mountains they might
not find it convenient to get ON. Mr. Buckley said
he had gotten spirit level from Green at the same
time he obtained his barometer and that Green told
him he could measure a mountain with it when it
was in two or three miles of him. Mr. Clingman
asked what kind of level it was; on Mr. Buckley
hesitatng in his reply, he asked if it had telescope
and tripod for it. Mr. Buckley did not seem to I'M
derstand the meaning of these words and some eX-
PLANTATION was necessary to enable him to do so.
afterwards asked him why he wanted Mr. Buckley
to 20 along, remarkng that he could not be of any
use, as he seemed to have little or knowledge of
such subjects. Mr.. Clngman replied that that made
no difference because his barometer would be of SER
vice, and that he himself would make the observa-
tons necessary As to what Mr.. Buckley says as to
my having given him directions to the highest points
of the Smoky, he is wholly mistaken. had in fact
never seen them having only once passed along the
road which goes through the gap at the head of the
Oconalufta, and from which, understand, and you
are well aware, the higher peaks are not visible.
am confident also that MIR. Buckley only spoke of
going to the mountains south of Pisgah, and in the
conversation with Mr.. Clngman, manifested no
knowledge whatever of the Smoky Mountain.
Very respectfully yours,
Dr. s. L. LOVE.
It will be seen tibet Gen. Edney explains how Mr..
Buckley came to accompany Mr.. Clingman. 1t so
happened that at the time referred to, my brother,
Col. Rott. Love, was at Asheville, and at the re-
quest of Mr.. Clingman, invited Mr. Buckley to take
a seat in his carriage, and conveyed him to Waynes-
VILE While there, Mr.. Clingman asked me to join
the party and also requested me to furnish Mr..
Buckley a horse to ride to the Smoky, which did.
We went to Mr. Collins's, on the Oconalufta, and
from thence Immediately to the highest peak of the
Smoky Our movements were entirely under the
direction of Mr. Clngman. He spoke frequently Of
the route to be taken and described the situation Of
the highest peak as well of the others. Mr..
Buckley did not pretend to have the slightest know
edge on the subject, but followed without one word
of objection, Mr. Clngmans direction in all respects
also recolect perfectly well that when we were on
the highest Peak, Mr.. Buckley expressed the opin
ion that it was not so high the mountains to the
south of Pisgah and which he was expecting to &c
to- In fact he then did not believe it to be high
as other points of the Smoky which could see
On the day following, when we were getting pretty
near to the point which visited in Tennessee
Mr.. Buckley said 81 saw this mountain last spring