The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-12
BALTIMORE, Jan. 10, 1861.


To His EacsHency Coz. Hicks:
DEAR SIR:-Sckness has prevented earlier acknow-
ted the I'd is postmarked the 4h and received
until the 9Th inst.
Your answer as to The point in regard to which you
Intercepted by Mr. Ryan and myself is what was
to be expected from you, and is satisfactory.
You having disclaimed all participation in and respon-
sibity for that and lying publication of Geo W
Jefferson it but proper you should be apprsed of the
action of the Committee in regard any notice in the
public prints the interview which they had with
in regard to the propriey of convokng the Legislature
in extra session. proceed to give it. On the
the Committee to Baltimore prepared few lines Civ
ing an account of the result of the application These
requested Mr. Ryan to have copied and have COPY of
them left at each of the daily newspapers published in
Baltimore; this, have doubt, faithfully attended
to- Later in the day, on paying visit to friend,
found in company with him of the Editors of the
Exchange Twas inquired Of to what had been the re-
suit of the application to the Governor and reply to
the inquiry to both of the gentlemen
of what had taken place at the interview 1t was doubt
less from information derived that the article in the
Exchange was drawn up. kno that in imparting the
information, and have every to believe that in
giving it to the public there design to reflect up
on you injustly, any else believe the sole
purpose the part Of the writer of the article
body succncy the points of the interview for the nfor
formation of the public.
So much for intentions But it that the article
is supposed by yourself and of your friends to mis-
represent that part Of your letter to Mr. Crtenden which
refers to Mr. Davis That letter published in its
entirety since the article in the Exchange appeared and
have given to it careful consideration For the purpose
of nstituting comparison between what saws of Mr.
Davis and that which is said OF him in the Exchange
shall place the language in parallel columns-thus
From the Exchange. From letter to Mr.. Critten-
"The Governor read TO the den.
Committee copy of letter have hope for the Union
he had recently addressed notwithstanding the dole
to the Hon. John c. Critten full condition of affairs re-
den, in which he recommen- greet the opposition to the
ded, highly important formation of the States
that Mr.. Crittenden should Committee and know that
confer with the Hon. Henry much of is captious Our
Winter Davis and stated State is said be misrepre-
that thoughhe Gov Hicks scented in this COMMITTEE be
had differed, of late, from lit yet Mr.. Davis good
some OF the political views OF man; an honest and bold
Mr. Davis, yet the great man, not possessing much
abilities, undoubted patriot policy perhaps,
ism and unquestioned nerve men. have not agreed
of that gentleman pucuar with him in many things
ly fitted him be consulted but confidence in his
in relation to the SETTLE honesty and his nerve and
ment of the present national the latter is important
difficulties" this time, as the first men
tione9 valuable requisite.
Now, unless the English language has been recently
changed in its meaning and purport feel fully author
zed to aver, and with slight exception hereafter be
noticed do confidently aver that the idea and none
other is conveyed by the language of both of these pa
pers.
The article in the Exchange says that you wrote letter
to Mr. Crittenden, in which mention is made of Mr. Da
Wis., and that this letter was read by you to the commit
tee That is not denied 1t further says that in your
opinion, he is 'of great abilities undoubed patri
otism, and etioned nerYe and that these qualities
fitted him be consulted in relation to the settlement Of
the present national difficulties beg here to observe
SIR that the Exchange nochere in its article, condemns
this appreciation of the qualities of Mr. Davis it not
said that you had written ian Objectionable
Mr.. Critenden it simply stated in substance that you
had written in the manner described
The question then is, did you in your letter to Mr.
Crttenden substantial -for the article only protested
give the substance and not the rery words which
before the edor-say what the Exchange acribes to
your In my Judgment you did do So is too plain for
dispute with unprecedented minds capable of understand
ing the import of language You say you "regref' the
opposition to the formation of the States Committee and
knoc 'that much of it is capo,s" Now the only oppo
son to its formation far the Maryland delegation
concerned and far indicate is the fact that
Mr. Davis is it, and you declare that you kno1 that
much of this opposition is capiOus. There be but
one meaning placed the language and that is that
the OpDOSitiOn which been
Davis being the committee, and that you knou that
much of this opposition is captious.
Again, you say Mr.. Davis is good man. an honest and
bold man. that you shave confidence his honesty and
nerve, and that the latter is important at this time,
as the first mentioned valuable requisite.n
When it Is said Of man in reference to his political
sentiments that ne is "a good man. that he is ian hon
est and bold man and that confidence reposed his
Honesty and nerve,n and that the latter is valuable
quality the former, it only be intended say of
him. that his purpose to do what is right and that
he is bold enough to do what he shall believe to
be right In other words, that he is honest and
patriot and this you declare in substance to be your
opinion Of the character Of Mr. Davis Being your opp'