The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1859-09-16
Letter from T. ]. Campbell, ESQ.
fyrom The R~publlcsn Ifannerl

...,.f. CLEVELAND, Aug. 30, 1859.
.temtiepsem FL have. just been handed a copy
bf your paper Of the 27th Instant, containing a
letter from Hon. s. A. Smith, in reference to the
vote Of "Scquatchic county" in which my name Is
Introduced. The object Of the letter seems to be
TO define his position in reference to the vote Of
that county, about which SO much has been said.
Col Smith speaks Of an agreement between him
self and Col Brabson, Mt Harrison, few days he.
fore tho election to submit to the Shcrifs of the
several counties joint letter Of advice giving IL
As their opinion that tue Orundy fraction In said
county of Sequntcliie ought not to vote or be
counted in the 3D. Congressional district. II Is
true that was present at the time alluded TO, and
that they joiuily requested me to draw up their
instructions In the form Of n letter. which I did
My understanding at the time was. that IL was
their opinion that the fractions of Scquatchic
comfy should vote as they were originally taken
from Marion, Dlcdsoc and Grundy, aud framed
the lotter in accordance with that Impression
This oriaton understood to be based upon the
ground that the act Of. 1866, dctaching a per-
ton of Marion and nlc,isuc and adding Il 10 Sc
qustchic, was an evasion Of the Constitution upon
the subject Of the creation of new countics-.hat
q Bill had been filed in the Chanccry Court at
Pikevillc, and injunction issued restraining the
further organization Of the county, etc. read
the paper to Col. Smith, who signed IL without
hesitation and told him that Col Brabsvn would
NO doubt sign IL on bis return from the speaking.
When Col. Brabson ca,ac up, handed him the
letter, who read 1t and expressed himself satisfied
with it, with exception. Ills opinion was that
as the Legislature had attached the districts afre-
raid to Hamilton county. and afterwards out Of
that territory aud the fraction from Gr,iuly, had
created the county of Scquatchic, although Bill
had been fled TO aanul the county. still he could
not undertake to decide that the law was uncon-
stitutional until it declared by the ju-
dietary of the Statc-spd therefore 1t was his
opinion that tho fractions should vote with Ham
~.l Al, La, rxl
son took the paper and saw 1t NO morc--but
have been infoSn,cd that he sent II to the Sheriff
of Sequatchie county, after adding a postscript
stating his opinion as above. Col Smith says
"Mr. Campbell drew up these instructions or
opinions. while Col. nrsbson and were speaking
sno when went to the hotel signed them, lcav-
ing room for Col. Brabson's name. which Mr..
Campbell said would he put there US soon as he
came in. This, however, he failed to do but as
was informed the day before yesterday by Col.
Tibbs, wrote different request Or instructions in
reference to tho two districts taken frou, Grundy
county, and sent that to the Sheriff of Sequatche.'
Col Smith Of course does not mean that wrote
different request or instructions, although there
is some ambiguity in his mode of expressing
himself, which might lead some persons to
believe that was taking an advantage Of him.
If such be Col. Smiths idea he is quite mistaken.
Ny Whole connection with the affair unsolicit-
ed on my part. wrote the letters believing at
the time that l was expressing the sentiments of
both the gentlemen. doing the work as an act of
favor to them, and having further interest in
the matter than any other citizen. am satisfied
that the position taken by Col Brabson is the cor
rect one. Until Scquatchc has been declared I'M
constitutionally formed by the judicial tribunals
it is at least 80. far rotiny is concerned. ncu
roanty, and under the constitution. its fractions
must vote with the counties from which they were
stricken until the next apportionmcnt
Very respectfully, Tao. j. CAMPBELL.