The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-14
The Douglas and Sliden Trouble-Letter
from Mr.. Slideu.


In note dated the 7th inst, signed by the Hon. s. A.
Douglas addressed to the editor Of the Sotes and pub
hshed last evening, Mr. Douglas after quoting the follow
December last, viz: "Mr. Douglas has, by authorizing
and counteDancing anonymous attacks on me- through
person officiating as his private secretary lost all claim to
the explanation that would otherwise have promptly
volunteered to give im-makes the following REMARKS
SIT Is due TO myself to publish an emphatic denial Of the
truth Of the implication in the above paragraph is
true that have authorized or counenanced anonymous
attacks upon Mr.. Shdell."
ing the grounds on which ] made that charge. During
my visit to New Orleans in November last, editor of
paper published there who IA friend and partisan Of Mr..
Douglas (but who at the time unfriendly to
me), informed me that he had received an anonymous
letter from Chicago for publication in his paper, comment
ing very severely upon me- and that he did not intend to
publish it, but desired me TO see it, He accordingly pro-
duced the paper. and read to certain portions OF it
tremey vituperative. / told him that l had heard
enough Of it, and insisted knowing the name of the
author and how the paper had been forwarded to him.
To this he at first demurred but my urgent insstnce
that had the right TO know the Of the author he
said that had been sent to him in the ordinary form Of
newspaper correspondence, either without signature
with assumed one and had been accompanied by
letter from Mr.. James B. Sheridan requested him TO
give me the name in writing, which he did have it now
in my possession had heard that this Mr. Sheridan act
ed amanuensis for Mr. Douglas had accompanied him
through his late Canvass reported his speeches. &C. and
I also asked the editor whether Mr. Sheridan did not
stand in this relation to Mr. Douglas. His reply that
he 80 understood, having had other letters from him.
then declared TO the editor, in the presence Of another
person and repeated the declaration to other
friends that my arrival in Washington, where expect
ed, of course, meet Mr. Douglas should call him
for categorical reply whether not he had authorized
this letter Of his secretary and should be governed my
course towards him by his answer.
As soon as heard Of the charge about the negroes and
before my departure ION the 10th November las from
New Orleans for Washington, had written to Mr..
Mediation, in whose possession the slaves were, de-
nying in tue most unqualified terms the statement
attributed TO me by the Chicago Press and Tn
tune. Mr. Douglas arrived in New Orleans the
LIST I'd December both the editor above alluded
to and Mr. Notation and could not have failed 10 know
therpt hat had baN otat
ment about the negroes as had been falsely attributed
TO me. He must also have known from the editor
that believed Sheridans letter to have been
nanced if not authorized by him, and that my convc-
ton this point had been strengthened by the fact of
the editor having received letters bearing the frank Of
Mr.. Douglas, thus thought connecting him directly
with Sheridan letter; yet Dir. Douglas made
nication TO me, nor disclamed in any manner having
counenanced the anonymous attack. Nay there pa
ragraph in his card Of yesterday which fairly admits the
construction that he had denounced In Chicago as
caumniaor the authority Of statement mputed to
DR.. Branard, without calling him TO learn whe-
Their there any foundation for his charge when the
event proves that Dr. Branard if called upon
shown the whole story TO be fabrication II seems 10
me that sense of the common couresies Of e and Of
our position as Senator's should have dictated the pro-
priety OF calling on either 10 deny the 70
vndicae its truth yet occurred TO Mr.. Douglas
TO suggest even doubt Of my having been capable Of
originating such "A calumny.
II was not until the 18th 18th Of December that
heard, for the hrst time, that Dr. Brainards had
been cited as authority for the statement imputed me-
Two weeks had elapsed since Mr. Douglas had arrived in
New Orleans and been apprsed of the circumstances
above detailed Of my denial Of the truth Of the statement
and Of my conviction that be counenanced Sheridans
letter.
had received from him OF his regret at
having denounced the caumny in Chicago, far
nected with my name, nothing TO indicate the slightest
desire TO undeceive me, If had, indeed been deceived
IN relation TO the letter Of his secretary and had
opportunity Of calling on him for explanation In person.
nor any means Of knowing when he would arrive in
Washington.
was under these circumstances and in view or these
facts that made tho publication OF the 18th u In my
"A
declaration contained in 1t, "that Mr. Douglas had autho
rzedi and countenanced anonymous attacks me-
through person officiating as his private secretary"
Very respectfully your obedient servant.
JOHN SI,TDEJI.