Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-10-06
MURFREEsBoRo', n. C, May ., 1861.
To HIS EDcslLency, John Leo1ier, Governor Of
Vfrginia

EH9miG:
SIR a former and loyal citizen OF Virginia
appeals to you, in case of his Reputation by
his adopted State of North Carolina to grant
him safe conduct, under the great seal of
the Commonwealth, whose dignity stands
hitherto without reproach, through the terri =
tory of Virginia to its Capitol City of Rich
mond, there to hold an audience from you.
l have been a citizen of North Carolina since
the 1st of January, 1859. having resided for
several years previous at Norfolk. | was
delegate from that city to the Democratic
State Convention at Petersburg, which placed
you in nomination for the Gubernatorial
chair. had the honor Of representing this
district in the National Democratic Conven-
ton at Baltimore last June, and conducted a
Democratic paper ia the district throughout
the canvass. Ny antecedents have been thor
oaghly conservative, in testimony of which l
refer you to d. 7. Bsbie, city delegate from
Norfolk to the General Assembly of Virginia,
and to l.. I'll. Chandler, James Edward Ford
and William Lamb, Esq, of the same city.
left Washington d. c., where L had been
holding an Office, to which was appointed
under the administration OF Mr.. Buchanan,
on Friday last, May 81, and traversed your
chivalrous and digni6ed Commonwealth with
out insult or molestation. Here. however,
where | arrived on Monday last, found in
furious rumors and suspicious operating
against me. 4 meeting of citizens was held,
| and was placed under the protection of the
Home Guard until nay case could be referred
to Gov. Ellis and decided upon by him. In
view of conclusion which may be hasty and
er pdrte, requiring me 10 leave the State, and
having lsarned of lawless combinations at the
several railroad stations on the Seaboard aud
Roanoke, and the Weldon and Petersburg
Railroads, mostly lying within your State,
and designed to intercept and prevent my
egress from North Carolina, / respectfully
and earnestly request that you will forward
to me a safe conduct through Virginia terri
tory to the city of Richmond, there to have
full and fair hearing of my case. implore
you to do this, by every consideration OF JUS
tice and humanity, and that without delay,
so that, if compelled suddenly to quit North
Carolipa l may be made secure, so far as
YOUR authority has weight, against attack or
indignity from the citizens ofVirginia.
have resigned my office at Washington,
and am therefore legally and morally absolv-
ed from my official oath, which, of course,
bound me only during the tenure OF my ser
vice. j am a member of the order of the
knights of the Golden Circle, and as such
solemnly bound never to take up arms
against the South. This never shall do, even
if be banished to the North.
! have here wife and child, dear to my
heart as wives and children of other men are
10 theirs For their sakes, and by every
consideration of humanity and justice, 1 inn
plore you to give my case prompt and ia
vorabie consideration. And this your petit
toner will ever pray. | am, sir, very re-
specially, your obedient servant.
CHARLES HENRY FOSTER,
Murfreesboro', NC.