The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-11
THE SEIZURE OF THE CAPITAL.

LETTER FROM EX-GOVERNOR WISE.
The Hon. Henry Wise has written the following let
ter TO gentleman in Philadelphia
RoIIxsros near Norfolk Va, Feb. 4, 1861.
For many months have been confined TO the bedside
OF sickness and suffering, nursing with hand and at
tending TO pressing domestic duties with the
other not visiting Norfolk once In three MONTHS seeing
but few friends at my house, and these from my own
immediate neighborhood; receiving my mail oven not
daily regularly and not caring TO be oppressed with
its disgusting and distressing details Of ruin, and OF the
destruction OF my beloved country in word, / have
been perfectly retired and inactive regarding every pub
Convention, have not moved an inch from my door TO
meet assemblage or TO see voter And yet public
and private accour IS have recruiting raid armies to
take Washington, and actually assured that General
Scott has alleged for raising standing army
around the Capitol that am writing and speaking and
acting rebellion. The black republic and the Lieu
General disturbed in their apprehensions OF
bug boo in the form OF Governor Wise This would be
ridiculous, simply the motive Of the sander was not
the basest and most dangerous the safety Of the coun
try was not at hazard and private reputation was not
falsely assailed
where, and at all times, have disclamed all rnds and
ple ged myself TO await the sovereign orders first Of
State. Still my public speeches and letters arc made the
pretext for raising menacng forces. This base in
motive for General Scott can hardly be afghted at
single poor civilian, who never set squadron n the
aed and Is at home. alone, and in utter distress
from sickDess in his family and from the dangers which
he fears General Scott rushing the nation INTO Fear
is not he motive os this slanderit s worsc- Is trea
son preieyt some pretext Is needed W cogcentate the
army to establish military despotism Scott IS put
martinez and conmisary but his vanity ID ms Oil age,
stands up Ike the hip bones and wthers Of old horse,
from which the muscles have fallen away and the Second
Lieutenant General aspres TO rival the FIRST Lieutenant
raj in being canonizcd the second saviour OF his
country. He had better take care will take the
Geld and take the feathers of his peacock pride Now,
you perfectly welcome to put this in print TO dspe he
apprehensons of all the grannes 10 the North or to put
10 shame those who would mali by sapder oac who
never engaged In secret war, but who would claim our
capital and nag belonging 10 those who have kept
the covenants OF the constitutions and not 70 those VINO
have broken them, and who win fight Gen. Scott him
self TO def nd them both have opposed secession and
advo ghtisg in the Union against those who have
dcnour ced the constitution as a covenant with hcn.
have eodeavored 10 preserve this confeieacy against
all newly constructed ones, md especially against the
plots Of back republicans " form bern coniederacy
with lapada, under the protection Of Great Bitain
am opposed and have been opposed - dissolyng
this Union and giving us capital and everything UP 70
the demon of destruction. But have no authority aud
DO OF attempting to preserve either from the null
ary c0spotsm which Is III tho very oct OF inauguration
before the Inauguration OF Lincoln. II anything could
make me Join raid IL WOdtd DC Cen Scotts detnonsta
ton Washington. Sec slip as t. your idea ot cotton
Patk No need 10 fear about copyright Ny wife is tl
very H. HENRY A. WISE.