New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-09
LETTER FROM BR. HELPER.


10 the Editor, Of The Esenin9 Pofs
In consequence Of the failure to elect Speaker on
the House of Representatives Of the National Con-
or.,s. have thus far since the 18th Of last month,
yaiply endeayored to obtain somewhat special hear
ing which feel assured is doe both 10 me and 70 the
public in reply to certain Pro-Slavery ssperson' oil
nv character A Republican member OF ths House, 70
whom, on the day above mentioned, addressed
staten eut which I desired 10 baye entersd upon me
Federal records informed me- in the course Of bis let
ter, thai
nIndees Il cannot now be done without departing from tho
lin. Of poy which (Repabcao) thus In sdhered TO
ds s s as1e Which We axe reqDed b. complete
before proceeding to any other ou,iness"
This, in substance, is the only answer that have
up to the present time been able to elicit from thai
onarter and as it is still uncertain how long the House
NAV vel remain unorganzed, take the Liberty Of
respectfully sclic ing from yoo early publication Of
my statement in The Erenizg Post.
In card which published in August, 1851, mors
than two wears ago. detailed AL the facts and ereuai'
stances upon which based the stroeious eaur-
mica hep since and now fsrociousy hurled against
me BY the frenzied advocates Of Slavery. From the
date Of that card less than two months had elapsed
since the publication of the first edition Of my In
"pepdipg Girls Of the South prior to which tnH
am not aware of having rendered myself In any
degree obnoxious or exceptionable 10 any community
whatever nor OF having been regarded with dis
esteem or unkiIdDess BY single one OF the many
individuals or persons with whom, in the social rea
lions Of hfe up to that period, had cone In contact
By reference to several Of the more graceless and
abusive ProSlayery organs Of the day, perceive that
GONE of the old allegations have been revived against
me, and desire, therefore, under all the peculiar cir
cumstar ces of the case in simple justice to SELF to
baye the truth of the matter again fully and fairly
placed before the public.
In the card published at the time to which refer,
showed that by the voluntary ayowal and amendment
of q fault, fault committed, and both ayowsI and
amendment made while yet a minor I myself had
furnished my enemies with the only weapons which,
with such fairness should be accorded they have
ever been able to use in their assaults upon my per-
sonal character.
Actuated, as / trust, by that spirit of inclination
which would lead me to the prompt and perfect per-
Torrance CT every dnty that devolyes upon me, will
now again, and for the last time substantially and
briefly recount all the facts which afford any founda-
ton whatever for the malicious charges which my po-
tcal adversares for the last two Years and more AID
particularly Of late have been so pernaeousy urging
against me.
In February, 1917, when about II years OF age
entered upon three years cerkshp in the store Of
Michael Brown, Salisbury Rowan county, North Car
dina, during which time, unduy influenced by an i'm
proper suggestion from one OF nay occasional compan-
ions the Of large and influential STAKEHOLDER
who resided, and still resides in an adjoining county,,
misused, without the knowledge Of any human being
except myself, precisely $3.50 of Mr. Browns money
having kept conseientoufly accurate Of the
same, fully intending 10 refund il, to be governed
in regard TO il in strict accordance with the principles
and dictates of justice.
Having served out the full term Of my clerkship--
exactly three years TO day. packed my trunks 10
February, 1850, and, entirely OF my own election,
came to New-York, leaving behind me property in
Carolina, which would be due as soon should
81, ,ft
when had lived but nine months. Ia the Fal Of the
came year. 1850 Hr. Brown came North 70 make pur-
chases OF merchandise, and scertaining that he
stopping ut the Howard Hotel, ON Broadway, called
to see him. with the express purpose of uaburdsnng
my self Of the wrong which had unwittingly com
mitted, and which, UP 10 that moment, far man
in this world is concerned remained locked exclusively
in NY own breast
Meeting Mr. Brown near the Office of the hotel
informed him that / desired private interview with
him in lis own room, 10 which we both at once re-
paired and there, drawing on the future for moety
Of the moderate manhood which | hoped To attain,
amid flood of tears which could not restrain and Of
which, in this connection, do not hesitate TO speak |
insoluntary revealed 10 him the whole matter, and
proerng him my note for the amount due, lafterward
paid in fu asked his advice or opinion as TO whether
should make any additional restitution or atouement.
With an air of utter asonishment but YET with ap-
parent feeling OF great kindness and cordially, Mr..
Brown took me by the hand, and soon aliayed my ag
ttion of mind by expressions Of perfect satisfaction
with my overures, and by assurances that duly re-
garding the diverse phases Of my conduct not only
had suffered loss whatever OF his esteem aud con-
hdence, but that everything which had thus frankly
and unconstranedy revealed to him. should forever
remain nviolato between himself and me-
Time passed or and all was well for the period of
nearly Ieyen years. Mr. Brown, meanwhils. with
Others indorsing my notes in the bank at Salisbury
North Carolina (which notes. by the way, now in my
losst ssion, all duly paid, without any loss OF
uolble whatever to any one of my indorsers until
coon niter the opening Of TIE Presidential campaign Of
1876, when, deliberately, and 10 the entire satisfaction
OF every body settling up all my affairs, and bidding
proper sdeu to my friends in Carolina, Igraduaiy
cane North; tarrying while--several monthe in all
gathering materials for my eook-in Richmond, Wash
ingtoh, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and finally 10 New
York where, in the latter part of June, 1851, pub
lished in opposition TO Slavery, my Impending Crisis
" Of the South" Within less than one week after
few copies Of the work had been received in salisbury,
Mr.. Brown, in sudden lit of ofenso, absorbing him
selfiion the racredness Of pledge or promise which
it seems he bad faithfully obferved for almost seven
yCas, dyulced the whole affair." which was once
iat en- up by the so-caled Democratic newspapers, and
by them with all the wicked misrcpres entations and
distortions that the evil spirit of Slavery could suggest,
roblished ard republished, lar and wide.
Were il necessary 10 SAY more in proof az the IN
abridged estimation IN which was held by Mr.. Brown
lirseh up 20 the 6aic Of The publication Of my I'm
pending Crisis of the South beside referring 10 his
mtoremen's OF nay notes III bank, ana TO h1Aefous
feudy letters received from him from time 10 time,
might mention the fact that, by his special and or
repeated invitations, was, nom the period Of my re-
turn cn California, in 1884, TO the close OF the last
term OF ny residence in Carolina IN 1886, Ia the bao
OF taking tea and seodug the evenings al his house.
frequently than at amy other ncighbors IN Sis'
bury.
Forthe sinplc absolute, unsophisticated lruthfulnes
Of all these staements he,e Is, in all the world, bai
one person, except myself, TO whom can refer aud
that person is, and has been ever since knew him.
IesdeAt of Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina
my toiiner friond, my present enemy-hlehael